Chapter 31 - Loyalty

Arthur sat behind his desk in the tent's drawing room, looking over the eleven men and women before him. Their eyes had a touch of fear as they subconsciously avoided his gaze.

He had already prepared some words in his mind earlier but looking at their expressions made him hesitate. Arthur doubted that they feared him as an individual but rather feared his authority to end their lives if he was so pleased.

To them, he probably seemed like a sadistic child born with a platinum spoon who killed one of their comrades and desecrated his corpse for the sake of his own amusement.

Arthur had no intention to explain why he ordered Foster to obliterate Bryan's head, and Foster knew better than to speak on such matters. So without the pertinent information, they were left to draw their own conclusions.

The drawing room was silent as Arthur folded his hand on the desk and debated what face he should show them. Given the circumstances pretending to be childish would create a rather eerie persona of him as some sadistic demonic child who slays men with a smile.

However, if he wore the face he did when speaking to Foster, he risked breaking his innocent facade, which was one of the invaluable tools keeping him alive.

"Ahem." Foster cleared his throat and broke Arthur from his thoughts.

Only then did Arthur realize that a few minutes had passed while he was busy thinking to himself. The image of Edward Revan flashed in his mind as his actions reminded him of his father, and an aggrieved expression flashed across his face.

Arthur then smiled, embracing his innocent persona. "I'm sure you're all wondering why your comrade's corpse was inside my bedroom, and the answer is simple. I killed him after he snuck into my tent in the middle of the night with his sword drawn.

Had I not been awake at the time, it would've been my body you dragged out this morning, and once it came to light that you failed to protect me, you all would've been forced to join me on my journey to Aenyr's pit."

Aenyr took up the role of Hades in the Elrinth pantheon that the people of Ollerin worshipped. However, she wasn't seen in the same negative light that modern people view Hades.

Instead, she was seen as a necessary part of life, giving eternal rest to souls that didn't achieve enough merits to join the gods in Elrinth Forest. The people worshiped her as a goddess of mercy and guidance and revered her for her work.

A tall, somewhat aloof-looking man who appeared to be in his early twenties took a step forward and bowed lightly. "Lord, my name is Jeren, and while I only served the Revan family for a year, I think I speak for everyone when I say that no one doubts your virtue."

"Great, another pretty boy." Kyren grumbled from Arthur's side.

Arthur recognized the name as the only fifth circle mage amongst his guards. He seemed far more refined than the average guard giving Arthur doubts about his upbringing.

The timeline also didn't line up. It was impossible to break through the fourth and fifth circles within a year. Even if a mage sat upon a mountain of aether crystals, they could only draw in so much at a given time.

It would be similar to drinking a lake through a straw. Of course, some mages had larger straws thanks to talent, but in the end, there was an inherent limit on the amount they could drink at a time.

Jeren would have to be a one-in-a-billion world-class talent to achieve such a feat. However, Arthur surmised that he was likely noble-born due to his mannerisms and level of cultivation.

He wasn't sure why a noble was slumming it as a guard, but it wasn't too far-fetched of a scenario. Plenty of noble families rose and fell within the empire, and plenty of nobles had more children than they knew what to do with. So it was probable that Jeren fell into one of those two categories.

The rest of the guards didn't appear to agree with Jeren's declaration but tactfully held their tongues.

"Good." Arthur clapped his hands playfully. "The fact of the matter is, the man named Bryan was most likely sent by my stepmother, the same woman who put poor Harkon in his current state.

It should be clear by now that she and I have our differences. Those differences are simple, she would like to see me dead, while I would very much like to live. I have done nothing to earn such murderous disdain other than being born a few months earlier than her sons.

You may resent the fact that you've been thrust into a nobles squabble that you didn't choose. However, since fate has brought us together, I will do my best to ensure your safety, and I hope you do your best to ensure mine.

If any of you have any questions feel free to ask. Do so without fear of the difference between our statuses. Because after you leave this tent, I expect you all to diligently perform your duties."

A tall young woman with curly black hair and bronzed skin spoke up first. "My name is Saria, and I'd like to know if we will continue receiving our aether crystals each month now that we've been transferred."

The other guard's ears appeared to perk up at her question.

"I'm not sure how it will work during the war. I intend to find out the answer to that question today. However, after the war, you'll be paid directly by me, and I have no intention of lowering your pay."

Saria's brow raised. "After the war?"

"Yes, this isn't a temporary position. You've all been permanently transferred under me." Arthur replied.

The bald-headed man named Bannon stepped forward. "Lord, with all due respect, that's not what I agreed to when I signed my contract."

Foster rolled his eyes and spoke before Arthur could respond. "What does it matter who pays us? You should thank the gods that you've been given such a lucky opportunity to serve the young master."

"Tell that to the kid." Bannon pointed to Harkon standing beside him.

Harkon's wounds obviously couldn't heal overnight, so his miserable state was openly visible. "It wasn't lord Arthur who did this to me. It was done under lady Elyria's orders."

Arthur considered interrupting the argument but decided to let the scene play out. It was an excellent opportunity to learn the personalities of his guards.

"Bannon, mind your words. Foster is right. It doesn't matter who pays us. We all entered the marquis' employ because we sought power. If a little danger scares you, then you chose the wrong profession." Jeren chided.

Bannon glared at Jeren but kept his mouth shut as an awkward silence permeated the room.

"What about spells?" Saria asked confidently as if the silence had never existed at all.

Arthur nodded, expecting the topic to come up. "First, let me say that none of us have a choice regarding the war. We're stuck with each other. However, once the war ends, I'll allow those who want to break their contract to leave after serving for one year.

I should also say that the likelihood of being rehired by the Revan family after you break the contract is zero. So when that time comes, contemplate your choice wisely.

As far as spells are concerned, I have nothing to offer you now, but that will change in the future. I intend to build up my own library of spells, and those who serve me will be given access to the majority of them."

Arthur's words had the intended effect. The guards, including Foster, stood in silence with stunned expressions.

"...Lord Arthur, are you certain? Spells are expensive, and we've already learned the ones promised to us by our contracts. So you don't need to go that far." Jeren recovered first and advised him against it.

This was what Arthur had decided upon after much thought. He didn't want just any guards protecting him; he wanted loyal guards, and the best method he could devise to gain that loyalty was the promise of spells. Of course, that didn't mean he intended to share the spells he created for himself.

However, since Arthur required a lot of references to continually expand his understanding of Aetherin, he had to procure numerous spells and build up a library anyway. So giving his guards access in exchange for their loyalty was a fair trade in his opinion.

"I know how difficult it is to gather spells, and I stand by my words. It may take a few years, but access to my future library will be awarded based on merit, loyalty, and skill. The library's contents will be set up in a tier system, and those of you who excel in those three areas will be rewarded with greater access to the library's contents."

That's right, Arthur intended to create something akin to a mage's tower with him sitting comfortably at the top. However, the concept wasn't entirely foreign to Nithe.

The Imperial Academy, located in Ollerin's capital, boasted a massive library of spells and offered teachers and students limited access based on academic merit. Unfortunately, to gain access to it, one first had to be accepted to the prestigious academy, which only enrolled the best the empire had to offer.

There was also the Mages Union to the east, a small Vatican-like country bordering northern Sparnia that acted as a neutral land for mages to study magic unabated. However, both were far from Helagaust, so Arthur's future tower would fill a much-desired niche in his little corner of the world.

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