811 Dragon Tamer

Mr. Tate packed his bags and threw them over the table. He took whatever small monuments he received from the people here and stored them in a safe spot, ensuring they were not damaged. It was time for him to leave.

“Old Tate?” called a voice from outside his room. Maryam, the runemaster, stayed up late day and night, making her the only person here who could help with his insomnia. “Are you going somewhere?”

“I will be heading back to the Yalveran Union and my family,” said Mr. Tate with a smile. “Thank you for listening to this grump old man, Sweet Mary. If you visit the union, you can find me here.” Mr. Tate then gave her a card with his address.

pan-d a-n0vel.com “Are you seducing me, old man?”

“As if, child,” said Mr. Tate with a wave of his hand. He knew the young woman was teasing him since he had grown accustomed to this place over the past weeks. However, his family deserves more than a letter carried by a shadow.

“Well, I doubt I would visit the Yalveran Union anytime soon. After all, our Guild Master seems hell-bent on Ilios. But, if I do, introduce me to that son of yours.”

“He is unworthy of a lady like you,” said Mr. Tate with a laugh before carrying his bag and walking out. “Goodbye, Sweet Mary.”

“Let me walk you to the door,” said Maryam as she walked beside him. “Why are men so eager to leave? First, Oren left without saying a word, and now you. Well, I expected yours for a long time, but you are a sentimental old man.”

“I needed to rest here before going back,” said Mr. Tate in defense. “So, you heard about what happened between Oren and Arthur?”

“Quite the surprise since they never shut up about each other. However, sometimes family hinders rather than nourishes us. Take me for an example.”

“You turned out just fine, child,” said Mr. Tate as he ruffled through her hair. “If I were your father, I would have been proud of you no matter what you did. I’m sure yours feels the same too.”

Maryam smiled without saying a word. At that moment, the two reached a courtyard inside the fourth layer. A monstrous growl stopped the two in their tracks to see what was happening.

“Fire,” said a voice, and the two saw violet flames fill the courtyard, burning the dummies in place. “Good job, Lilo. However, only shoot the one I point at.”

Mr. Tate squinted to see through the flames, and a giant figure appeared behind it. It was a dragon, as depicted in the books, with a size resembling a small building. However, it was lowering its head to a human, who was caressing its nostrils.

“That is a sight worth lingering for,” said Mr. Tate with awe. Maryam nodded with wide eyes. “The Guild Master is one charismatic man, ensuring everyone who looks at him would follow him.”

“Even more if he is ruthless,” added Maryam, making Mr. Tate raise a brow. “I would rather follow a tyrant with a clear goal than a saint who doesn’t know what he wants.”

“Again, Lilo, fire!” commanded Arthur, raising his fingers to point at a dummy. The arrays made sure to regenerate them, and the dragon spat flames toward the one Arthur pointed at, burning it to the ground. “Good boy.”

Then, the dragon gave out a giddy growl as if it enjoyed the praise. Next, Arthur took out a large necklace of gold and threw it to the dragon, who devoured it with pleasure. Mr. Tate then walked into the courtyard.

“Guild Master Arthur,” called the man with his hands behind his back. “I never thought you were a dragon tamer. You would have made your younger self very proud.”

“Feeding gold to a dragon would have made me proud,” said Arthur while he watched Lilo devour the necklace. “Are you leaving too?”

“I am since I have no more reason to stay here. Kera needs me more than ever, and so does my family. I overstayed in your mansion. Forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive. Take an artifact from Julia. You are long overdue for retirement from business,” said Arthur with a smile. “Consider it the interest for my father’s armor long ago.”

“I cannot accept that offer, guild master. I did what I thought was right at that time, even if I did it for the wrong man,” said Mr. Tate with regret. “I still want you to forgive me for letting your father harm your mother.”

“You are not the culprit for that, nor are you responsible for protecting us,” said Arthur as he walked toward Mr. Tate and patted his shoulder. “Thank you for your kindness all these years.”

“I can’t believe you are the same boy that visited my hospital bed all those years ago,” said Mr. Tate as he raised his head to meet Arthur’s gaze. However, Arthur merely paused and stared down in reminisce.

“I am not,” said Arthur before letting go of his shoulder and walking back toward his dragon. “If you ever need a safe place, Ascent will always welcome you. Take care, Uncle.” panda-n( 0 ve)l.com

***

Arthur watched Mr. Tate leave while he trained his dragon. Although he was still recovering, he wanted to use Lilo more often from now on. A dragon withers if it doesn’t fight powerful creatures.

Maryam left with Mr. Tate before coming back to the courtyard. She stood silently beside him while he trained Lilo and fed it his gold. After several rounds, Arthur unsummoned Lilo, and it returned to his sea of consciousness.

“Is there something you need?” asked Arthur after turning to the runemaster, who had been watching him silently. Then, meeting his gaze, she stared at him for a long time.

“Oren is gone, and now Mr. Tate too. Is everything going according to plan?” asked Maryam with her arms folded. “Is this what you desired?”

“A mere side-effect of my decision and a necessary one,” said Arthur as he walked toward Maryam. “Do you oppose it?”

“The opposite. I just wonder what took you so damn long to see the truth. As long as humans have power, talking will never be the answer. I witnessed it all my life, and now you have.”

“So, the moment my brother leaves and my followers scatter, you approve of my actions?” asked Arthur with a smile. “I thought you would still hate me until I find Ori.”

“Finding him will be easier when you put your mind to it.”

“I met him in the capital,” said Arthur, making Maryam tremble. “He became a part of Mistletoe now, even wearing one of their masks. I thought he was faking it until he pleaded to protect one of their members.”

“His plans are hard to follow, but never question his loyalty,” said Maryam with a frown. “Then, what are you going to do? How are you going to find him?”

“Mistletoe should be attempting to enter the Light Prison to save Ivy, and I intend to go there too. Fortunately, the rebellion is ongoing; I only need to enter the prison and wait for the executions.”

“And you will meet Mistletoe there. Are you going to save Oriole at that time?”

“That is all you care about,” Arthur sighed before nodding. “I plan on bringing him back, whatever his plans might be. And then, I will behead the emperor during the executions.”

***

Lyle walked into Wailing City, the city closest to Helios, and could feel the depressing atmosphere. It was called Wailing City because it had the holy burial ground for Ilios, making wailing a common thing to hear in its streets.

Although Helios was the biggest city, Wailing had the most extensive land. However, most of it was converted into Holy Cemetery by previous Light Emperors.

Lyle received word that someone was seeking the rebellion here, wishing to meet with one of the leaders. Although such reports were often traps, the people seeking him left a name: Nova.

Very few people knew that Lyle had such a blessing and that he led the rebellion. However, since this newcomer happened after the disappearance of Arthur Silvera, Lyle decided to investigate it.

Ding!

The bells rang as Lyle pushed the tavern’s door open. This was infamous for holding crooks and outlaws, making it suitable for rebellion-seekers. Furthermore, it was from here that the report came.

Since Lyle was in disguise, none of the crooks paid him any attention. While scanning the crowd for anyone out of place, he found a spot to sit. However, it was full of crooks and criminals seeking jobs.

“Is this seat taken?” asked a woman behind Lyle, who gestured for her to sit. The beautiful woman pulled the chair and sat opposite him before removing her hood. “I missed you, commander.”

“A note of your absence would have been appreciated, Rain,” said Lyle with a frown. “Are you still looking for him?”

“I found a clue. It was a knight that I recused from Erin Voldor, and she said that she carried a message from Arthur.”

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