Black String of Fate

Chapter 122: The Next Steps

Xavier took a deep breath and calmed himself down. He knew getting angry here would be utterly useless, he had to approach these situations with more delicacy than what he used to do in his previous life.

"I'll see what your treatment of the outcasts is with my own eyes. Whether they are treated fairly or not, I'll be the judge of that."

Cassandra solemnly nodded at that condition imposed by Xavier. It was true that the term outcasts brought about negative connotations, and if someone were of a noble character like Xavier, they would be unsettled with killing such people. His anger was completely valid.

"Then… I'll guide you both to the hidden base the Pyriel tribe has set up. It is not far from here and it is quite safe, if I do say so myself."

"Alright, I'm done with my lunch, and we don't have anything to prepare. Let's head out as soon as possible." Arkham declared, and the whole party agreed. Soon, they paid the bill and looked for a ride,

"...A Grandmaster? What the hell is a Grandmaster doing here?"

Arkham did not say anything and immediately rushed towards the person closest to him. He wielded the blunt side of the blade, so he didn't accidentally fatally damage them. The masters, in panic, also drew their swords in order to defend themselves, but their resistance was futile against someone so much more powerful than them.

Xavier had a conflicted look as he watched Arkham play around with two masters like they were toddlers.

'...why do I feel like our journey was supposed to be harder? Arkham is making this easier than I expected… Well, I'll tell him to hold off and let me fight if an Expert comes.'

Soon, both the masters were out cold and tied up. Xavier looked at one of them for a few moments before he started to slap his face.

*Slap* *Slap*

"Oi, wake up. You have questions to answer."

The master slowly opened his eyes, and after just a few seconds of looking around and realizing his situation, he tried biting his tongue.

"Nah, that ain't gonna work."

Xavier thrust his finger into the area between the master's Adam's apple and chin and infused his finger with some energy. The master, who tried biting himself down, found out that he couldn't muster up enough strength in his jaw.

"Acupuncture, probably one of the greatest non-combat related things to ever exist for a warrior. Now, you can only talk, you won't be able to bite down or chew anything until you tell us what we want to know."

The master had a look of despair after he heard this, but with determination in his eyes, he still stayed silent.

"Ah, if you're thinking of holding your breath, dying of thirst, or dying of hunger, don't worry, we won't let that happen too. You will still feel all the pain that comes from it, but I have ways to artificially replace lifespan with energy. This is something I've only been theorizing these days, so it'll hurt a lot if I put it into practice…"

Xavier bluffed. There was no such technique in his possession. If he had, then there wouldn't be any need to use Desolation's Requiem so sparingly in his past life. But, the master looked at the reaction of Arkham, who looked shocked and impressed at the same time and was convinced that this kid really possessed something like that.

"...*sigh*, Your Highness, till how long will you maintain your silence? Even after all this, you still chose this route."

The master began talking and expressed his first words in a tone that spoke of sheer disappointment. Cassandra wanted to look away, but the looks she was getting from Xavier right now did not allow her to do so. She had to make a good reply here, otherwise, Xavier might just leave out of frustration.

"...No, it is you that have forsaken our values. This path you're walking on is something that goes against what was taught to us for generations, yet you dare accuse me of straying from the path?"

"Times change, your Highness. So must the traditions. How long shall we outcasts-"

"Alright, that's enough."

Xavier suddenly interrupted and smacked the head of the master with his sword. The master was dumbfounded, but Xavier did not wait for him to recollect his wits as he replied,

"We are not here to listen to your monologue. I frankly don't care that much. Just answer my questions and we're good."