Chapter 513: Alystren
Northern, Ryan, and Shin stood in front of Thalen's table. Thalen himself was sitting on the table.
The place looked more scattered with papers and maps than it had been just a few days ago. Northern was curious as to why he had been so busy with documents and maps, but not all curiosity of his needed to be satisfied.
It didn't bother him to the edge; besides, he had his own matters to deal with.
The day before, Thalen had informed him of certain information that said there was a major clash of the followers of Vitan with the government.
However, there were several facets to this news. Thalen believed it could be random trouble that leaked out, or it could be that someone else had discovered that they were not of this world.
Although he had immediately felt like the latter guess was just a result of his insecurities and overthinking.
It was most likely the former.
Northern inputted the possibility of a trap, but Thalen expressed so much trust in the authenticity of his information that it was impossible for it to have been a trap to lure anyone.
If it was, his information source would have known that fact also.
He didn't say it, but Northern already figured that this information organization was probably the same one Shin was planning to go to.
Which meant they indeed worked for Tharion or were a branch of Tharion.
Hence, the three of them had assembled here to move as soon as possible to Arcadia.
The door of the library opened, and a tall, green-haired person walked in with an elegant and controlled posture.
He was draped in a flowing black robe with delicate gold accents; he seemed to glide rather than walk, his movements graceful, deliberate, almost as if each gesture was calculated to perfection.
There was an air of mastery around him. Upon approaching them, he casually placed his hands around Thalen, with a whimsical smile on his lips.
"Yeah, everyone, this is Alystren, the assistant headmaster of Thalen Citadel."
"Oh?" Northern's eyes went round.
'From the moment he entered, there had been a different air around him. But I didn't actually expect he'd be the assistant headmaster and he's human... if he's acting like that around Thalen, then they must be friends.'
"These are a bunch of strong ones you've got here, buddy." His tone rang out, confirming Northern's internal speculation.
"Yes, they are the new temporary recruits of the citadel."
Alystren looked into his friend's eyes, his expression briefly serious.
"You are doing that, aren't you?"
"We can talk about it when you come back. For now, I need you."
Alystren turned his stunning green eyes to Northern and his crew.
"Hmm, if you involved me, then it must really mean a deal or two," he said, his tone carrying an underlying intensity beneath its casualness.
Thalen focused on the three of them opposite him.
"Alystren is the best scout in the whole of this continent." He brought his eyes particularly to Northern, "...and he is capable of protecting himself and all of you. Although I doubt if you'll be needing his protection. But the one thing I am sure you'll be needing is his leadership. He knows Arcadia very well and can guide you."
Immediately, Alystren staggered back, his face paling.
"What? Arcadia? Are you insane? Why would I want to go to that place?"
Thalen closed his eyes peacefully, breathing out.
Northern, on the other hand, was irritated.
"Didn't you tell him where he was going?"
"Actually, I didn't tell him where he would be going, I just said he'd be escorting some people
to a place," he pointed out tiredly, "because I knew he'd be like this and might even refuse to
go."
'Now, this just makes me super curious as to what it is about this city that has everyone shitting their pants.'
"No, this is not a matter of me being like this. I really don't want to go there. You know I need to lay low for a while."
"And you will be laying low. No pressure, they are well enough to protect themselves as you can see."
Alystren took a moment of pause, examining the three people standing before him with a scrunched up face then he turned his eyes to his friend beside him.
"I'm serious. I really won't interfere no matter what."
"You won't need to," Northern responded before Thalen could, a cold glare freezing the air between them.
His voice was sharp, like a blade cutting through the tension, leaving no room for doubt or discussion.
Alystren stood up, placing his hands on his waist, letting out a weird chuckle.
"Well, then, I am satisfied. I will take you to Arcadia and show you around."
Thalen sighed, as if he had just dodged a bullet thanks to Northern.
He then intoned, "Please, you guys can carry on. I'll brief him and then send him out to you."
"Alright, thank you, sir," Shin responded and turned around.
Northern glanced at both of them before turning around to follow Shin and Ryan.
After the door got shut, a deadly serious expression rose on Thalen's face.
"You seem to be going out of your way to help them. What's the catch?"
"I know I said not to interfere, but there's something I need you to do for me." Alystren's expression changed a little bit, worriedly boring into Thalen's soul.
Ignoring the look on Alystren's face, Thalen continued.
"The person they want to save. If you feel the situation cannot permit her to be saved, she is a figure that might jeopardize all our plans. I want you to kill her and everyone."
His tone rang out with a cold indifference.
"How wicked of you. Well, if it's what you think will protect us and all we have worked so hard
to build, then I will do it."
Thalen's expression broke into a smile, radiating with kindness.
"Thank you very much for this, Al, for all you have been doing."
Alystren's expression froze for a moment with a smile. He tapped Thalen's shoulders, his
pleasant smile almost glowing.
"You don't need to thank me. I thank the day I met you twenty years ago because of it, I have been able to live my life so fulfillingly... if I die now, there's nothing to regret."
Thalen's eyes narrowed.
"You won't be dying."
"It's Arcadia. That damn place has an element of unpredictability."
"It will be fine as long as you don't run into them."
"And what are the chances of not running into them?"
Thalen did not respond immediately, but Alystren was not waiting for his response either.
He smiled and dragged Thalen into his embrace, wrapping his muscled arms around and
tapping his back.
"It might be a last farewell, but don't be emotional. With or without me, you can do this. Just
don't be too hard on yourself."
Thalen felt an unexplainable, powerful ease settle into his entire soul.
He bit down on his lips and forced himself to mutter.
"Thank you, but please... don't die."