Arthur wasn't acting merciful or compassionate, but he knew this man wouldn't believe he was Lorius without reason. Someone influential was spreading propaganda. The same person told the Duke of Fire and Larza of Arthur's location was now spreading the image of 'Lorius.'
'The Calamity.' Arthur thought to himself as he jumped on the carriage. 'Laughably, I can't refute this. My goal here is to ensure Solomon gets transported to the trial of the holy crown. Maybe I am Lorius, but that doesn't matter.'
His past weakness was the reason that Arthur needed to take such extreme measures. If he hadn't overestimated himself back then in the underground tunnel, there wouldn't have been a reason for Solomon to save him.
'There are always mountains beyond mountains, heavens above heavens, and a foe too strong for you to handle.' Arthur reminded himself.
"Seika!"
"Merciful Seika!"
The crowd cheered as Arthur boarded the carriage. It wasn't his intention, but his actions earned him the favor of the public. To be merciful toward one's enemies always meant being cruel to oneself, but people loved saints.
"Well played," Gala whispered as Arthur boarded the carriage. He didn't reply, as earning the public's favor came as an accidental bonus, not something he planned.
The parade resumed until they reached the duke's mansion. Separated by a canal from the rest of the city, the duke's residence looked nothing special, unlike the mansion Duke Zenos had. It was bigger than most houses and had far-reaching gardens, but the architecture was modest.
"I guess this kingdom has humbler nobles," Gala said as she glanced at Dia. The princess glared at her but didn't say anything, choosing to turn and look through the window.
"Nobles will always be nobles," Dia muttered.
"The human heart will always be full of greed." Arthur agreed.
"Look at you two, singing to each other's tunes." Gala rolled her eyes. "First of all, the correct term is a person's heart,not the human heart, because what about non-humans?"
"Uh," Arthur thought about it for a second and nodded. "You are right." He was used to these terms because there were no intelligent creatures other than humans back on earth.
"Second of all, not everyone is the same. Cynicism keeps the rotten people away, but it does the same for the good ones."
"You sound like a grandma." Arthur laughed until a killing intent spread in the carriage. "I mean like an aunt!" He corrected, but Gala was still pouting.
"Haha," Arthur laughed as cold sweat rolled down his face. The killing intent carried the weight of hundreds of souls taken taken, Arthur was sure. "For someone with such bloodlust, you sure are gullible."
"Are you sure that it's me who's gullible instead of you having trust issues?" Gala smirked slyly. "Who hurt you before, dear Seika?" Arthur could feel both of their eyes turn his way, but he ignored them.
The carriage stopped, and the three jumped off. It stopped in front of a building's double-gated entrance, one that was right beside the duke's mansion. The Duke of Shades City came forth and saluted Arthur.
"Marvelously handled, Seika." The duke said sincerely. "I've learned more than one thing from you; for that, I'm thankful."
"Number one, don't go around killing people," Arthur said, making the duke's face turn awkward. "I'm joking; I have no business in how you rule your people. I know that there's a fine line between fear and respect, and sometimes it's the same."
"Thank you, Seika." The duke nodded. "For someone of your age, your wisdom runs deep."
Arthur was confused by the duke's words, but he simply shrugged them off. The duke took the three into the building, which turned out to be a guests' house.
"Until the Knight of Courage returns, I ask for your patience. This small house is all yours. You can even destroy it if that's what you desire. If you need anything during your stay here, please let me know."
The duke said and left, a butler entering in turn. Their butler was no one other than Rinzo, who they haven't seen since the battle against the Duke of Fire.
"I shall humbly serve you once again." Rinzo bowed down. "The duke thought it was best to have me answer to your needs since we are familiar with each other."
"No offense, my man. I mean, Demi," Arthur furrowed his brows. "Didn't you betray the last person you served? Are you sure you qualify as a butler?"
"That is..." Rinzo's eyes shook as he turned his head down. Shame reeked out of every gesture he made.
"I guess you still know shame," Dia smirked coldly. "Beat it before I break your neck."
"Don't be like that, Dia." Arthur shook his head as he jumped on the couch. An apple floated to him from the table. "If not for Rinzo, we wouldn't be here!"
"I see that you suspect me." Rinzo raised his head, his beastly eyes turning into slits. "You think that I'm the one who told the duke about your whereabouts."
"At the moment, everyone is a suspect." Arthur examined the apple. He took a bite and swallowed it down. "Of course, the three of us are an exception. After all, we are the ones who got our asses beaten."
"Why would I betray the duke just to work for him?"
"Motives vary, and people's hearts are full of greed." Arthur smiled. "Maybe he offered you an elixir that would restore your beloved parts, or even more, resurrect the dead."
"Insolent bastard!" Rinzo eyes turned red as mana exploded around his body. It seems that Arthur's provocation got to him.
"Kneel."
Arthur commanded, and Rinzo fell on his knees. He tried resisting, but his body wouldn't listen to him. Standing up leisurely, Arthur walked toward Rinzo who's eyes were a mix of fear and rage.
"Answer my question truthfully." Arthur's eyes sent shivers down Rinzo's spine. The lizardman felt like he was looking at the eyes of an ancient being. "Do you know the traitor who told the Duke of Fire about our plan?"
Spiritual power exploded from his words and fell on Rinzo's mind, threatening to crush it. The butler began sweating from every pore of his body as his eyes couldn't break contact with the golden eyes in front of him.
"I..." His voice was trembling. "I don't know!" He felt a weight lift off his mind as soon as he answered. Arthur sighed and stood up.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Arthur patted the kneeling butler on the shoulder. "You can stand up now. You did well. Bring me some food and this city's librarian."
Arthur walked back to the couch and slumped back in a relaxed manner. As if the incident just now was but a figment of the three's imagination, the terrifying young man was no longer there.
"Right away." Rinzo composed himself and hurried to leave the guests' room. Gala sat in front of Arthur and looked at him affectionately. Arthur had the chills from her gaze and stopped eating.
"What?" Arthur scowled at her, not liking how she stared at him.
"Nothing, hehe." Gala laughed, her dimples showing. "You just keep getting more interesting, my Seika."
"I'm not your beloved," Arthur smirked. "What would the man you're waiting for say if he heard you?"
"He'll also find you interesting. Don't you agree, Dia?" Gala turned to the princess, but Dia shook her head in response.
"He's getting scarier, not interesting," Dia admitted, and Arthur found the image to be more acceptable than Gala's impression of him.
'Have I changed somehow?' Arthur wondered, admitting that he felt a lot more relaxed after he did the soul restructure. However, he didn't spot any differences in his personality.
Rinzo returned with the food, and the three of them ate. As they were finishing their meals, a knock arrived on the door, and a scholar man walked in after Arthur allowed him entry.
"Greetings, Seika of Living Beings." The man was tall, taller than Arthur. In reference, Arthur's current height was 181 cm. He was not that tall, but he wasn't short either.
The scholar man was lanky, but his bearing was graceful. With trimmed glasses and neatly tied hair, he gave the air of elegance.
"Greetings to you, scholar." Arthur smiled and nodded. "How about you take a seat?"
"Many thanks, but I wouldn't dare." The librarian answered. "It's already an honor to meet the man who will change the world."
"As Lorius?" Arthur said nonchalantly.
"As the Seika." The scholar didn't bat an eye. "If you were truly Lorius, then you wouldn't grant that young man mercy."
"I may be Lorius who granted him mercy to fool everyone, including you." Arthur laughed. "Don't try to hide it, scholar. I can feel your fear. I'm sorry for making you feel as such."
"N-not at all." The scholar lost his composure as he stuttered. "I..."
"I don't care, scholar." Arthur interrupted. "Instead, tell me about your gods."