Level Up Legacy

"I want to know," said Julius as he walked back toward his daughter. "I need to know if you are being forced against your will, Julia. Your words made me worried."

Julius thought his daughter would expect his concern, but her face should be confused. Instead, as soon as she realized he was talking about Arthur Silvera, she smiled wide.

"I am the one worried about all of you, father. Arthur might be a bit overbearing, but he is the kindest person I met to those who do him no harm. As for his allies, he… spoils us."

"Spoils?" muttered Julius with confusion. But, then, he saw his daughter reveal her forearm, where there was a tattoo pulsing with power. There were even artifacts around her wrists that seemed genuine at first glance.

"Even though I rarely leave this dome which I have control of, he armed me with artifacts and gave me new abilities to protect myself. I told him there was no need, but he said everything he does is for the people he cares about. His next words were: what words would my powers be if something happened to you?"

Julius was a bit doubtful, even suspecting his daughter to be under some sort of illusion. But, seeing her father like this, Julia reached out toward his hand and grabbed it. She kissed it lightly before reassuring him again.

"This frog is leaving the pond."

Julius needed to hear those words, and he smiled before kissing her hand back. Then, he excused himself and left with a bright smile. If Julia was forced or unhappy, she would never use that sentence.

It was a bedtime story he told her a lot when she was a child, about a frog who dreamed of the outside world. One night, she asked him if she was like the frog because she had never left Runera then. Julius was heartbroken and told her that the frog would leave the pond one day.

Julia was his only child, and she was the last resemblance of his wife. In the world of runes and politics, Julius was worried, but he was now at ease. She found a new home where she could spread her wings and see the world.

As he left the Runic Dome, he resolved his heart to convince the leaders of Runera. If Arthur Silvera defeated an empyrean rank, their city was in great danger. It was unwise to dismiss his offer without too much thought. Furthermore, if he was the true ruler of Runera, then his demands were legitimate.

***

Empress Ai was walking down the palace corridors after another exhausting meeting with a faraway nation wishing to trade artifacts with them. Their offers got more appealing the more they refused, but Arthur gave her a strict command.

"Trust no one," muttered Empress Ai, and her two advisors smiled behind her. "Ruling is hard to do with this mindset."

"It is the only mindset to rule," said Zonas Mantra as he walked two feet behind his empress. "You are doing a fine job so far, Your Majesty."

"There is no need for these titles when we are alone," decided Rain with her hands behind her back. "Ai is more like our daughter than anything. We raised her well," she said while wiping away imaginary tears.

"It seems that even if I sit on the throne, you would still hate me, Rain," said Ai with a sigh. "I already confessed that I\'m not the one Seika loves. She resides elsewhere, in another time, and another world."

"I never expected the Seika to be a man of romance," said Zonas with an interested face. "It seems the more I know him, the more I realize what a fearsome man he is. Yet, with each passing day, I grow to admire him."

"I always knew he had a big heart," said Rain with a pout. "I wish he did not. However, after seeing the golden field of flowers in the Golden Plaza, I stopped trying. If someone created a field of flowers every time he remembers me, I doubt anyone can make him change his mind."

"She loved him even more than that," said Ai as she reminisced about the time she met the Princess of Ice and Fire. "I never thought that a person would give up their life for someone, even knowing she was manipulated into doing so."

"Manipulated?" Rain asked, confused. Before Ai could answer, the window beside them cracked. The three flinched before realizing they had gone too far with their conversation.

"…I apologize," said Ai with slight guilt. But then, she saw lights coming from the teleportation hall before the Runera Envoys walked out. It seems they had quite the journey. "I hope your journey was fruitful."

"While we did not meet Arthur Silvera, we had quite the conversation," said Julius Vinera, the only one in the mood to talk. "I\'m afraid that we have yet to resolve our difference, which might harm the relationship with Ilios."

"Runera has banned Ilios even before our current ruler, so I doubt it would make a difference. Nevertheless, the land of warriors will prosper under its new and fair ruler," said Zonas Mantra with a smile. Julius nodded before bowing and asking to leave, which Ai allowed.

As the envoys left the palace, Ai stared at them with concern. It seemed their enemies were growing, which she knew was the wrong road to take as a ruler. She wanted to talk to Seika, but his current state did not allow such trivial talks.

"Is there something wrong?" asked Zonas Mantra as he sensed the unease in her. Ai shook her head before turning away from the window and looking at the cracked one.

"Is he still unavailable?"

"After someone reaches the Deme-rank, which Seika did in the last fight, they can fuse a part of the world with them. However, his evolution seems unique, as it resolves around existence."

"I remember the time I evolved," said Rain as she tried to hide her laughter. "As soon as I arrived at a town, its inhabitants would fall under my charm. After that, I had a hard time controlling myself."

"This is the drawback of creating a domain. It can be hard for someone like Arthur Silvera, who controls existence. It can even be challenging to separate his existence from those in his domain."

"Or control his emotions," added Ai as she stared at the cracked window. "I need to see him, even if it can be dangerous."

Zonas Mantra glanced at Rain, who shrugged with a carefree attitude. He gave it some thought and sighed before nodding, leading his new ruler toward the deeper parts of the palace. He was the only one in the new regimen who knew the Golden Palace\'s different sections.

Ai followed him into one of the secret rooms in the highest towers, where Arthur had taken residence. He did not go back to the Runic Dome, fearing to disturb its functions. Thus, he took one of the rooms inside the palace.

The three stood before the door, staring at it with awe. This door was made of metal a few days ago but now glowed golden with runes crawling on its surface. It made them feel as if it was a portal to another world.

Zonas Mantra took the lead and grabbed the knob before turning it and pushing the door open. Golden Light made them squint their eyes as a force pushed them backward. Every cell in their body was both in awe and fear.

"…sir, Empress Ai wanted to meet you," called Zonas, and the golden light dimmed slightly. It allowed them to see what was inside. The three walked in and gulped down at the scene.

Golden mana radiated from the walls, and runes floated inside the chambers. The mana looked like flames as it rose from the ground, connecting to the cross-legged hovering man in the center.

Arthur Silvera was covered with golden mana and his eyes were closed shut. Runes floated around him, each more threatening than the other. Finally, as the three entered the chambers, the golden man opened his eyes.

"I did not mean to eavesdrop," said Arthur with his golden eyes staring at the ground. "However, the voices are loud."

None of them said a thing. The last of their worries were being heard inside the palace, but Arthur seemed to hate the notion of invading their privacy. He seemed different after the fight was over as if he had lost the humanity he had before. It was because of his current tranquil state.