Arthur had just finished assigning tasks to the combined forces.
Village #419's protection required careful consideration; some of his summons would remain here alongside Theodore's group and the players who had family connections.
Motivation mattered when defending territory.
Placing players in a village with no defence will not be ideal, unless they are loyal subordinates of mine or they have something they need to protect here.
His gaze drifted toward the Tree of Life, and something made his enhanced senses recoil.
That's a powerful aura. Something's changed.
The energy radiating from that direction carried something that made the air itself seem heavier. Not hostile, but undeniably transformed. Whatever trial Jasmine had faced was reaching its conclusion, and she was coming out.
Time to see what she's become.
Without wasting time, Arthur activated his spatial talent. Reality folded around him, carrying him across the village in an instant. The man who was tasked to wait for Jasmine got jumpscared as Arthur materialised near him.
Something important is happening.
The Tree of Life stood as magnificent as before, but power thrummed through its bark with frequencies that spoke of its completed purpose.
The trial is complete. She has claimed the Inheritance.
Footsteps approached from within the tree's hollow.
Arthur's enhanced perception catalogued the approaching presence, familiar but different.
It was stronger, more complex, carrying the aura that hadn't existed hours before.
She succeeded. But succeeded at what?
Jasmine emerged from the tree's embrace, her golden hair fluttering behind her from the sudden wind. In her hands, she carried a staff that made Arthur's breath catch.
That aura... It's a Legendary staff.
The staff radiated power that eclipsed even Chaos, his pseudo-legendary katana, although not by a lot.
Ancient wood crowned with crystal that contained swirling galaxies of energy. This wasn't just any equipment—it was a symbol of authority.
She has also claimed a legendary weapon...just like me.
But when Jasmine's eyes met his, they held the same calm composure she'd always projected.
No trace of the dark intensity he'd glimpsed during her moments of unguarded emotion. The mask was back in place.
She is hiding again. Always hiding...she really reminds me of myself.
Arthur smiled, genuine appreciation warming his expression.
"Congratulations on your success. I can feel that your power has increased dramatically."
Jasmine nodded with humility.
"That's thanks to the opportunity you gave me. I'm truly indebted to you. Fateless."
Arthur's smile remained steady, neither confirming nor denying her declaration of his favour upon her.
The moment stretched between them for a few seconds.
Jasmine had gained something significant.
Arthur's tone remained conversational. "So... Jasmine... isn't it about time you tell me who you truly are?"
Silence crashed between them like a physical barrier.
Jasmine's expression shifted from grateful composure to neutral assessment. The mask didn't fall—it simply changed configuration, revealing wariness beneath courtesy.
The staff in her hands pulsed with power that made nearby grass bend away from its presence.
She's calculating. Deciding how much truth to reveal.
Then she gave him a bright, disarming smile.
"I told you before. My father will repay you back a dozen times, didn't I? I'm a princess, Fateless. Or did you forget?"
The same deflection. The same half-truth.
Arthur shook his head slowly. "No, I didn't forget. But it seems like you really don't want to tell me... do you still not trust me?"
"Why would I not trust you, Fateless? I'm really telling you—I'm a princess, a lost one."
Lost princess. Convenient explanation that reveals nothing.
Arthur studied her face, noting the micro-expressions that flickered beneath her composed mask.
Fear. Determination. Something that looked like genuine pain.
Whatever she's hiding, it matters to her. More than just a normal secret.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
Before she could complete the question, Arthur grabbed her hand and activated his spatial manipulation.
Privacy. We need absolute privacy.
Reality folded around them like silk, carrying them away from Village #419's watchful eyes. When space reformed, they stood in a landscape that spoke of desolation and recent violence.
The demon territories. Where no one can overhear.
Sand stretched endlessly in all directions, red dunes that held memories of corruption and death.
Jasmine spun in a full circle, silver hair whipping as she took in their surroundings. Confusion replaced her diplomatic composure.
"Where did you take me? The wilderness? Why are we here?"
Arthur's voice carried new undertones—not threatening, but absolutely certain. "As you can see, you are in the wilderness, Jasmine."
Because some conversations require complete honesty.
"Because you won't be leaving this place unless you tell me who you are."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut.
Jasmine's carefully constructed facade cracked, revealing genuine shock beneath.
"Are you threatening me?" Her grip tightened on the legendary staff, power thrumming through the crystal focus.
"I'm giving you an opportunity."
Arthur settled onto a nearby boulder, his aura projecting patience. "An opportunity to trust someone who's proven his loyalty to you."
Loyalty. Not the other way around.
"I've fought beside you. Protected you. Given you chances for power that anyone else could have claimed, besides you. I'm not saying this to guilt-trip you, but...I feel...somewhat betrayed."
His gaze remained steady, unblinking.
"What more do I need to do to earn mere honesty?"
Jasmine's expression cycled through emotions like storm clouds racing across the sky.
Anger, and perhaps something that might have been longing.
She wants to tell me. But something's holding her back.
"You don't understand," she whispered. "Some truths are dangerous. Some secrets protect more than just the person keeping them."
"Dangerous to whom? Me? You? Someone else entirely?"
She turned away from him, staring across the endless dunes.
"If I tell you, everything changes. The way you see me. The way you treat me. The assumptions you make about my motivations."
Change. She's afraid of change.
Arthur rose from his boulder, approaching with movements that spoke of patience rather than pressure.
"Jasmine, look around us."