Arthur's Point of View
"Arthur… Arthur… Arthur!"
Arthur snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the Princess, who was watching him with her arms crossed.
"You've seemed miles away these last few days," Ariel remarked, her tone calm but piercing. "Does this have something to do with the letter Rudeus received? Sylphie mentioned it to me."
Arthur let out a quiet sigh.
"Yeah… I'm worried. I wanted to go with him, but Rudeus insisted it wasn't necessary, that they're probably fine." He paused, looking down. "I don't want to be dramatic, but even knowing what can happen in that Labyrinth… I don't know if I can just sit here. I've seen what tragedy looks like."
"Well, I've seen Rudeus too," Luke chimed in. "He's distracted. It looks like he's at war with himself over what to do."
Before Arthur could reply, the door swung open. Rudeus stepped in, breathless and pale.
"Arthur, we need to talk."
Arthur glanced at the Princess. Ariel held his gaze for a second and then gave a small nod, granting him leave.
...
As they walked down the hall, Rudeus didn't waste time on pleasantries.
"She decided to go to Begaritt. I'm going with Elinalise."
"Then I'll—" Arthur started to offer, but Rudeus cut him off, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"I'm going to ask something of you," Rudeus said. His voice was heavier and more serious than Arthur had ever heard it. "Please… stay here and protect Sylphie and my sisters."
"But…"
"Please," Rudeus repeated, his eyes tense. "They might be in great danger, and you… you're strong enough. Honestly, you might be more capable than I am."
Rudeus swallowed hard. "If there's no one here to protect them and something happens…" He squeezed his fists until his knuckles turned white. "I'd never forgive myself."
Arthur stood in silence, the words stuck in his throat. He wanted to leave. He wanted to help on the front lines. But…
He took a breath, making a decision he chose not to share out loud.
"Alright… I'll stay," he said, averting his eyes so Rudeus wouldn't catch the flicker of conflict within him.
Rudeus smiled, a wave of visible relief washing over him, and pulled Arthur into a grateful hug. "Thank you. Truly."
Arthur raised his arms awkwardly, returning the embrace. He didn't know what to say, so he simply watched as his friend walked away down the corridor, likely to inform the others of his departure.
As soon as Rudeus vanished from sight, Arthur's fists tightened.
"I'm sorry… but I have to go."
With his mind made up, Arthur turned on his heel and headed straight for the Princess's office. He pushed the door open without hesitation.
"Lady Ariel…"
The Princess looked up. Seeing the iron resolve in his eyes, she sighed as if she had already read his mind.
"I know exactly what you're going to say," she said calmly. "And don't worry, you have my permission to go. If I stay within the university grounds, I'll be perfectly safe."
Arthur's eyebrow twitched. *Then… what have I even been doing here all these days?* he thought, a flash of irritation crossing his mind.
"Then I—"
"Here." Ariel tossed a heavy pouch at him, which Arthur caught by reflex. It was his advance as a bodyguard.
The redhead blinked, stunned. "An advance?"
Ariel smiled—a look that blended genuine concern with political pride. "Consider it my investment in ensuring you come back alive. Don't you dare die on this trip, Arthur. It would be a terrible waste to lose a resource as valuable as you."
Arthur pressed his lips together, not quite sure if he felt appreciated… or just useful.
After class, Arthur headed for the exit, intent on buying supplies for the journey without drawing attention. Or at least, that was the plan.
As he reached the main hallway, he found someone waiting. Norn was standing there near the exit, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, her eyes rimmed with red. Ever since Rudeus told them about the letter, she had been a hollow shell of herself, consumed by worry for her parents.
Unlike Aisha, who had been staying home to help care for Sylphie, Norn hadn't left the campus… but her face told the whole story. She wasn't okay.
The young girl looked up when she saw Arthur. She took a shaky breath, as if finally finding her courage, and walked toward him.
"Arthur…" she said, her voice trembling but determined. "I'm going to help my father."
Arthur placed a hand gently on Norn's head.
"Don't worry, Norn," he murmured with a reassuring smile. "I'll take care of it."
He leaned in closer. "Just… please, don't tell Rudeus. I'm going to head out a little later. Let him go first so he doesn't worry more than he needs to."
Norn's eyes went wide. "So… you're going too?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes. And that's exactly why I need you to stay here."
"But I—"
He placed a finger over her lips, soft but firm.
"Listen to me. There are people here who need your strength much more. Sylphie is pregnant. And as strong as Aisha is, she can't handle everything alone. If they lose both of us, and something happens while we're gone…"
Norn looked down, her hands shaking. "I just… I don't want to lose my mom and dad…"
Arthur pulled her into a warm, protective hug.
"You won't lose them," he whispered. "That's why I'm going. So you can see them again."
Norn clung to his shirt, her eyes damp. "Then… promise me you'll bring them back."
"I promise."
She pulled back, wiping her tears away with a sudden surge of grit. "But Arthur…" She looked him dead in the eye. "Don't you dare die either."
Arthur let out a small, dry laugh. "I don't plan on it."
Norn swallowed hard and nodded. She spent the rest of the evening helping him with the preparations: buying rations, checking gear, packing bandages, ropes, and magic amulets.
They returned to the house at nightfall, slipping in discreetly with the supplies. Arthur carefully cracked open his bedroom door.
"Shh… stay quiet," he whispered to Norn.
They crept inside. Arthur began stuffing everything into his pack with practiced precision. He couldn't afford a single mistake. If Rudeus caught wind of this too early, he'd stop him.
Just as he pulled the zipper shut…
"What are you doing?" a voice asked from behind them.
Arthur froze. Norn nearly jumped out of her skin.
Aisha was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, watching them. Arthur let out a massive sigh of relief.
"Thank god it's just you… I thought it was Rudeus," he muttered.
Aisha narrowed her eyes. "That doesn't answer my question, Arthur."
Moving quickly, he took her gently by the arm, led her into the room, and closed the door. He explained everything: his talk with Rudeus, his decision, and his plan to tail them after they left.
Aisha listened in total silence. When he finished, she looked away for a moment and whispered almost to herself, "That's just like you… and I guess that's what I like about you."
She looked back up with a sharp look of determination. "Fine. I'll help you keep it from my brother."
"Me too," Norn added.
Arthur felt a heavy mix of relief and guilt, but he couldn't have been more grateful for their support.
....
The day after Rudeus left.
Arthur had already spoken with Sylphie and the sisters as soon as Rudeus disappeared into the distance.
He wasn't going into Begaritt blind. Before Rudeus had departed, Arthur had subtly grilled him on every detail of the trip without letting him realize his true intentions. He knew the planned route, the rest stops, the expected dangers, the landmarks… even the weather patterns and distances between zones.
With the help of the Great Sage, Arthur had memorized every detail, reconstructing the entire path in his mind. He had even confirmed the most crucial piece of the puzzle: the location of the teleportation ruins they would be using.
By dawn, Arthur was ready.
Sylphie, Aisha, and Norn stood at the entrance of the mansion, along with Fenril, who was wagging his tail energetically. Sylphie was the first to step forward. She tried to smile, but the fear was plain in her eyes.
"Arthur… please… look after Rudeus," she said, her voice wavering as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "And look after yourself, too."
Arthur nodded, bowing slightly to her.
Norn hugged him tight. "You promised you'd come back… you better keep that promise."
Arthur patted her head. "I will. I gave my word, didn't I?"
And then… Aisha stepped forward.
Her arms were crossed, but her gaze was different—a mix of pride and something much more shy. Arthur expected a standard "take care" or "don't mess up."
Instead, Aisha took a deep breath and stepped in close. She grabbed his shirt, pulling him down slightly toward her. Before Arthur could process what was happening, Aisha kissed him on the lips.
It was a short, direct kiss.
Arthur froze, his cheeks burning. Sylphie's eyes went wide, her hand flying to her mouth. Norn turned into a statue, her face shifting from shock to pure confusion. Meanwhile, Fenril just tilted his head, completely lost.
Aisha pulled away, her face red all the way to her ears, but she kept her head held high.
"T-that's… so you come back. So don't you dare die," she said, trying to regain her serious tone.
Arthur touched his lips, his brain still rebooting.
Sylphie stammered, "A- Aisha… that… that was…"
Norn muttered, "Sister… what are you doing?!"
Aisha huffed and looked away. "What? It was just… a good luck kiss. Nothing more."
Arthur didn't know if his heart was racing because of the dangerous journey ahead… or because of that. Finally, he took a deep breath and stepped back.
"I'm heading out then."
Fenril perked up, ready to follow. Arthur smiled. "Let's go, pal."
And with that, the two of them set off for the Begaritt Continent.
End of Chapter.