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Chapter 127:

Arthur's Point of View

The Drunken Cloud

Making my way up to the helm as I explored the deck and its wonders, Sergeant Allen greeted me. "Heard we caught some stowaways." He didn't take his eyes off the horizon. "How'd they get onboard?"

Crossing my arms as I looked towards the front of the ship, a chuckle escaped my lips. "By being far cleverer than any kids their age should be." Shrugging, I turned toward him. "I'm sure they could tell you what happened, but I'm going to summarize and say some stuff happened."

He nodded in understanding. "That makes sense."

"How're we looking?"

"Sir?"

"I've never been on an airship like this before, so the travel is a little skewed to me. Whereabouts, are we?"

"Still over Lestrania. We won't hit the coast for a few days. From there, it'll be the long stretch over the sea, and then we'll hit the Eastern Deserts." He informed me. "It depends on the weather, but it should be smooth sailing for the most part. Would you like me to keep you updated on our progress?"

I nodded. "Please."

The Sergeant nodded himself and then went quiet for a while before he finally looked at me. "Can I ask you something, Sir?"

"Sure."

"Why were you so insistent on being in charge over Lady Lucia?"

"Honestly, there are several reasons. First, feel free to report to both of us and use her for more mundane reports. If nothing too exciting is happening, I'd like her kept up to date as well, in case I need her to do something." I explained.

Allen nodded slowly. "I see."

Then I continued. "Second, I didn't want orders coming from two different sources considered the same rank. My orders, while on this mission, are to be placed above anyone else's. Including General Alwin and Captain Adam." Still think it's weird they use first names to address rank. "When we get to Vithari, feel free to ignore me entirely and listen to Lucia."

"Okay..."

His confused tone made me glance at him and see him looking at me with a befuddled expression. "I've no idea the relationship that Lestrania has with Vithari, and while I do have a bit of a relationship with other kingdoms, Vithari is not one of them." Then I shrugged. "I honestly know the bare minimum about them, so letting Lucia handle that only makes sense."

"I suppose so, Sir." Allen commented.

"Lastly, I doubt that girl has seen real battle with her own eyes. Given how she froze during an incident not too long ago, I think it's safe to say having her in charge during any encounter would be foolish." I then gestured to myself. "Me, on the other hand, I've been doing nothing but fighting since I got here."

The Sergeant seemed to nod firmly at that. "We've heard of your exploits. Manticores, Demons, assassins, Rudnurth, and more. You've been rather busy."

I nodded slowly at that. "Yes. I have." Was my slow response. "It's been somewhat nice, but at the same time, it almost feels like it's all I've been doing my entire life..."

Eyeing me carefully, Allen spoke softly. "You've done this before, haven't you, Sir?" At my look, he clarified. "Led men into battle against unknown odds and gone on missions that may be the end of you. You have an air about you that shows your experience."

"...Once or twice."

"The Captain immediately noticed it, and it's likely why he decided to follow your orders instead of Lady Lucia's." He then leaned over to me and whispered. "He even said there's more to you than you let on."

"Perhaps."

Another voice cut in as footsteps could be heard coming up to the helm. "Then it would seem the Priestesses were right to send you on this mission. While I do not agree with your review of Lady Lucia, as it is unjust, I will admit that you are likely right that you have more experience." Alwin spoke up.

He joined us, and I looked at him. "Not likely. I do have more experience. Your Priestesses learned that firsthand."

"Our Priestesses." Alwin corrected.

"'Your' Priestesses." Was my immediate response. "I don't know who gave them those titles, but I certainly haven't been blessed by them. Most of the time, I want to take water and splash it on them to see if they'd melt."

"Melt?" Allen repeated, confused.

Waving a dismissive hand, I turned back to Alwin. "Never mind. The point is, whatever faith you have in them, don't project it onto me. I want nothing to do with this farce."

Alwin and Allen both went quiet for a moment before the Elf spoke up. "You are a rather blasphemous man."

I gave him a curt nod. "Thank you. I try, General."

The Elf took a deep breath to calm down before gesturing to me. "Why do you think you are a better choice to lead over Lady Lucia?"

Turning to look at Allen, I gave him a confused look. "Did I not just explain that?" Then I turned back to Alwin. "Were you eavesdropping or not? Because I don't feel like repeating myself."

"You said you have been fighting ever since you got here, but that does not mean you are fit to lead." He pointed out. "Many of your actions, no matter how justified, have been shameful." Mr. Pointy Ears informed me.

"But you just said all of them were justified." I commented nonchalantly, and he frowned. "It doesn't matter to me if you agree with them or not. I have my own moral compass, and that thing flickers back and forth more than you'd probably believe." Then I gestured to him. "The point is, my actions were justified, and you can piss and moan about them all you want. The fact of the matter is, the only reason we're even talking right now is because of my actions."

Like almost every Elf I've encountered, he glared at me. "They caught me off-guard."

I shrugged. "Same. Difference is, I wasn't left defenseless in an alley unable to protect myself or the one I was escorting around." Returning my own smug look, I continued. "Or am I wrong?" He didn't reply. "I thought not."

"Am I missing something here?" Allen asked from the side.

"No. It's nothing. Just another magic slinger attempting to have words with me." Looking at Allen, I asked him, "Do all Elves speak down to people, or is it just a select few?"

Allen looked very uncomfortable. "Uh..."

"Don't answer that." I told him and looked back to Alwin, who was almost seething. "You see, Alwin," Moving closer to him, I practically got in his face. "Your mistake was thinking you know all my deeds." Leaning even closer, he shied away slightly as I glared at him. "But you know nothing."

He tried to step away. "I-" Alwin began, but I cut him off as I stepped right back into his face.

My eyes were opened wide as I saw him shiver beneath my gaze. "This is the difference between you and me. You see someone stronger and back away. I don't."