'This is impossible...'
I stared at the shattered fragments of my mask scattered across the ground, incredulous.
A B-Grade Protective Artifact, reduced to pieces! The magical barrier it generated should have withstood two forbidden spells, yet it crumbled before that strange incantation.
My expensive mask, destroyed as if it were common glass...
"You..." I finally found my voice after seconds of stunned silence. "What kind of magic spell was that?!"
How could the supposedly weak exile, Arthur Morningstar, possess such power?
"Hehe, why would I tell you?" Arthur smirked, advancing slowly.
I retreated, but escape felt futile. His demonstrated speed meant outrunning him was unlikely.
'Wait...' Something about his measured approach caught my attention. The hesitation in his steps compared to earlier... 'Could it be? Did that massive attack drain his mana reserves?'
It made perfect sense! No one could shatter a B-Grade barrier without consequences. He must be exhausted!
Seizing the opportunity, I sprang into action, ricocheting between the alley walls to reach the rooftop.
"Hmph, let's see if you can catch me after expending all your mana at once!" I taunted, certain he'd weakened himself.
Below, Arthur's smile never wavered.
A chill ran down my spine.
Gritting my teeth, I turned to flee - only to freeze at a familiar voice.
"You think I was exhausted, huh? Not a chance."
There stood the damn Arthur, blocking my path!
Sylwen stumbled backward, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Ho-how... You should be drained after unleashing such a powerful spell!"
Arthur stalked closer, his smile carrying a hint of mischief. "Hehe, did you really think that single attack exhausted my power?" A warm chuckle escaped him. "I've barely tapped into my energy, beautiful lady."
Sylwen's legs buckled beneath her as reality crashed down. She sank to her knees, eyes wide with dawning horror. "This can't be..."
Raw desperation crept into her voice as she clenched her teeth. "My life is forfeit now. The organization will never take me back - I might as well end it all!"
Arthur's instincts flared as Sylwen's fingers closed around a concealed dagger, its blade glinting as she aimed for her heart.
"Wait—" He surged forward in a blur of motion, reaching to stop her self-destructive act.
But the dagger's momentum carried it downward - Arthur had no choice but to intercept the blade with his bare hand.
Blood arced through the air. Sylwen's expression transformed from determination to shock as she stared at Arthur.
Crimson droplets stained her chest, but they weren't her own - they'd sprayed from Arthur's wounded palm beside her.
"Wh-why?" The question tumbled from her lips, genuine confusion replacing her earlier hostility.
"Why?" Arthur gritted his teeth, pulling the dagger from his palm. "Because I am not a demon! I will not just watch another being kill themselves in front of me!"
She looked at him with a weird expression, "But you are a 'demon'."
His lips curved into a gentle smile. "Indeed I am."
His voice carried quiet conviction as he continued, "But I am no murderer."
Sylwen bit her lower lip, struggling to understand. "You needn't concern yourself. The choice to end my life was mine alone."
"But I had the power to prevent it," Arthur countered firmly. "Allowing you to die when I could save you would make me complicit in murder all the same."
"Why burden yourself with my fate?" Sylwen challenged, adding softly, "Especially after I just tried to steal from you?"
Arthur released a weighted sigh. "Truth is, you remind me of someone. Your face bears a striking resemblance to my girlfriend."
Sylwen's brow furrowed in recognition. "You're involved with that woman?"
"Oh?" Arthur's interest peaked. "So you do know her? There must be a connection..."
Bitterness darkened Sylwen's tone. "It was long ago - but I despised that woman. I hated her family and everything they represented."
Arthur's curiosity ignited. 'Interesting... I sense there's quite a story here...'
"Then you have to come with me." Arthur secured a rope around her wrists with practiced efficiency.
"Wha-what are you doing?" Sylwen's alarm returned to her voice.
"You're now my prisoner." Arthur's tone left no room for argument. "You can't take your own life anymore. You're under my responsibility."
"This is ridiculous!" Sylwen's protest echoed across the rooftop.
Arthur displayed his bleeding palm meaningfully. "You must do as I say - look at my hand. I earned this wound saving your life."
"I never asked to be saved anyway." Sylwen's words carried defiant bitterness.
"Enough talking. Follow me." Arthur tugged the rope, causing her to stumble forward.
Realizing their rooftop position, he smoothly lifted Sylwen onto his shoulder.
"Stop!" she protested, struggling against his grip.
Ignoring her complaints, Arthur began traversing the cityscape, leaping from rooftop to rooftop with fluid grace.
Mid-leap, he asked, "What's your name?"
"Sylwen," she answered, resignation coloring her voice.
"Why were you ready to end your life earlier?" His question carried genuine concern.
Silence stretched between them before Sylwen spoke, seeing little point in secrecy now. "It's an organizational rule - if someone sees your face for more than a minute, your life is forfeit."
She continued grimly, "Better to end it yourself than be hunted down by the organization."
Arthur's frown deepened. "What a ridiculous group you're working for." He added thoughtfully, "Why not simply lie? Tell them no one saw your face."
Sylwen shook her head. "Impossible. The mask you destroyed had a tracking spell - they already know it's been broken."
Arthur nodded in understanding.
"I could try claiming I concealed my face after the mask broke, that no one saw me for more than a minute," Sylwen added quietly. "But whether they'd spare me is questionable. Failing the mission alone likely marks me for death."
Arthur's discomfort grew. "You're trapped in a truly terrible organization."
Sylwen fell silent, her lack of response speaking volumes.
Noting her withdrawal, Arthur paused their journey. "It'll take time to reach our destination by rooftop." He carefully set her aside, considering their next move.
Sylwen broke her silence with urgency. "Just let me go. If you keep holding me, your life will be in danger too."
"Hehe, didn't expect you to care so much about my wellbeing," Arthur teased.
A flush of embarrassment colored Sylwen's cheeks. "I don't care about you."
"You really do remind me of Firfel," Arthur mused, watching her reaction.
"I'm nothing like her!" Sylwen's sharp retort carried years of buried emotion.
Her response only reinforced Arthur's suspicions about her history with Firfel.
"I mean it. Let me go now. You don't want to be dragged into my troubles." Sylwen's voice carried genuine concern.
"I'm not afraid," Arthur stated simply. "Besides, your organization only knows about the destroyed mask - they can't track who you're with or where you've gone, right?"
Sylwen paused before answering carefully. "True. They don't know my current location. But they'll pinpoint where the mask shattered. Their operatives in this city are probably already heading there."
Arthur glanced back toward the alley with the mask fragments. "So we need to move quickly then?"
Sylwen nodded gravely. "Yes. At our current pace, their operatives will catch up soon. They're skilled investigators - they'll trace our path from footprints and other signs."
Arthur's continued calmness made Sylwen frown. "I know you're powerful - but trust me, the organization has members far stronger than you!"
"Be at ease. We'll be fine." Arthur's confidence never wavered.
As Sylwen wondered at his composure, she gasped as bat-like wings unfurled from his back.
"This..." Fresh shock registered on her face.
"Let's go." Arthur swept her into a princess carry and with one powerful leap, they soared into the sky. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on NovєlFіre.net