Although exposed to the Dragon’s eyes, Breathing they still were.
Certainly, Arlo couldn’t have killed them while “holding back.”
At the wall, only the butler remained conscious.
But the defensive treasure his master had crafted for him was in pieces.
If not for it, he would’ve been like the people around him, sprawled on the ground, injured with blood coming out of his holes.
The butler felt his butt tighten.
He stood up and ran towards the depth of the Tower.
Only his master could deal with this “monster.”
Meanwhile, Arlo “Knocked” opened an entrance in the mage tower and walked inside.
He was a “noble.”
Thus, he could only enter it the righteous way, which was going through the front door!
It’s just that he created a “Front door” himself!
The butler broke the rule and went into the diner where his master was having a scrumptious meal.
“Master, it’s terrible; we’re under siege.” He broke the bad news to Demarcus.
No voice could enter this room from outside as it was protected by a noise-cancellation magic.
Thus, Demarcus didn’t know his home was being invaded by an old friend.
“How many?” He questioned calmly.
“Only one!” The butler screamed like he was losing his mind. “He shattered our magic barrier and forces with one punch. He must’ve invaded the magic tower by now.”
“W-what? What did you say?!”
Demarcus could no longer remain calm after hearing his words.
He lost his cool.
The butler was sweating buckets. “It’s as you heard. A man has forced his way into the tower.”
Demarcus tightened his fist so much that the fork in his hand was bent out of shape. “Who is it?”
“He didn’t tell us much about him.” The butler replied, “I only know that he calls himself Arlo.”
The word Arlo was foreign to him.
He didn’t know anyone named Arlo.
Yet, a picture of a certain someone came to his mind.
“Nah, It can’t be him.”
He immediately dismissed the idea of Arlo being Arnard Leglaz Orlando.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
“Achoo!”
While wiping his nose, Arlo entered the dinner.
“… And I was wondering who was talking shit about me behind my back. So it was you guys.”
The butler was bewildered.
This man was acting like he knew his master.
He was also treating this place like his own.
He casually walked up to the seat opposite to Demarcus and sat down, putting up a napkin as if he was ready to be served a hot meal.
Looking at Arlo, Demarcus’s eyes widened to the size of a saucer.
“S-Sir Third Hidden Blade?!!” Demarcus uttered in shock.
Third Hidden Blade was a term not many have heard, but it came as a bolt out of the blue for the butler. He was petrified and stood rooted to his spot like a mummy.
“You recognized me—what a surprise. I thought you’ll need some time to do that.” Arlo rubbed his head, feeling pity for himself. “I don’t have hair left to show off, after all.”
“What happened to your hair?” Demarcus remembered this man.
He used to have long lion-like hair that dropped to his waist.
But now that lush land was barren.
If not for the fact that they were close friends, He would have had a thousand difficulties in recognizing him.
“This is the result of a magical experiment gone wrong.” Arlo sighed while pointing it out.
“Master, who is he? Do you know him?” The butler asked.
Demarcus nodded.
Recalling the memories of the war, he said, “When the Sun Kingdom was getting attacked by the three kingdoms, rumors circulated that it would fall in less than a month. That’s just how much the enemy forces outnumbered us. But the war continued for a very long ago. We are told that it was all made possible by the valiant knights of the Sun. But that’s just one part of the story, used to cover up what really happened. The current “Sun” was in his twenties then. Overthrowing the three kingdoms wasn’t something he was capable of. But seven capable men were loyal to him. They were called the Seven Hidden Blades. They carried out the grandest assassinations in history.
“The Archmages and Grand Knights of the enemy kingdom were felled by them. With the enemy’s main forces slowly getting out of the picture, it was impossible for them to overthrow the Sun Kingdom. They didn’t know who and what was killing their powerhouses.
“But one thing was sure if this continued, they would never be able to fulfill their ambition. So they planned against the unknown. One hidden blade after another fell to their ploy and was caught and executed.
“The kingdoms thought that these capable men would stop making assassinations as there were traps in place. But they thought wrong.
“The hidden blades weren’t afraid of death. And they continued to follow the current emperor’s order to the bitter end. The war ended after the Emperor merged with the divine soul shard. But the ones who bought time for him to absorb it were the hidden blades. If not for them, we would’ve not known this peace. The sad part is, if those seven, four are confirmed to be dead, only three are still alive.”
Arlo pointed at himself. “And… I am one of them.”
The Sun’s hidden blades were satisfied with their duty to prevent the doom of the Sun Kingdom.
Wealth, beauty, and status were not capable of moving their hearts.
They put everything on the line for their king; their life, their time, and existence itself.
Even though they had all the power and might to live a life of riches and glory…. they dedicated their lives to a single task-stop the advancement of the three kingdoms at the cost of their life!!!
The Sun was bright, hiding them from the masses.
Even if a man wanted to see them, he would only get his eyes stung by the rays of sunlight.
They weren’t martyred like the fallen soldiers, nor were they awarded with glory and status.
Yet, they died without regret.
And of those who lived, Arlo didn’t regret it either.
“His name is Arnard Leglaz Orlando, the Sun’s third hidden blade. It’s my honor to be in your presence again after all these years.”
Demarcus, the Elder Lord of Charlotte, paid his respect to Arlo, the brother to the Fierce Sword Count.
“We’re all friends here. Why the need to bow to me? Stand up and get your butler to serve me a hot meal. I’m famished.” Arlo waved his hand. Demarcus straightened his back.
“I’ll get it prepared right away,” Demarcus replied and looked at his butler.
Comprehending his signal, he immediately went behind the bar and put the steak on the barbecuers.
“To what do I owe this honor?”
After dinner, he couldn’t help but try to pole around in order to understand why he had visited him.
Arlo tapped his finger on the armrest of the chair he was sitting in. “Let’s talk over a cup of tea.”
He was obviously here because of that “nephew” of his!
Demarcus was the Previous Head of the Charlotte Family. But even the current head couldn’t say no to his requests. He was the one who had made Rose betrothed to Roy as he wanted to solidify his friendship with Arlo.
Arlo: “Your granddaughter is quite arrogant.”
Demarcus: “W-what? Did she do something to offend you?”
Arlo, with a straight face, said, “She slapped our faces.”
Demarcus jumped up from his seat, his face red like a steaming tomato, “She dared?!!”
Head Butler wondered, ‘Is she still alive?’
Only a fool would offend a Hidden Blade that could behead an Archmage!
Arlo laughed, “Not really. I was speaking metaphorically. But she did send her servant to break off the marriage with my nephew. That’s a pretty bad way of calling things off.” He noticed Demarchs’s face turning from red to pale. “You look like you don’t know of this taking place. Were you unaware?”
Demarcus felt angry at his family. “My research has been keeping me busy. I have been stuck in here for ages. If I knew that they had done that, I would’ve forced them to visit the count and beg for his forgiveness. But those bastards… they didn’t even consider informing me of this matter.”
“Don’t be angry at them. It’s cold. It’s not like everyone is like me, able to endure the harsh wind present in the terrain of this place and the icicles rain that takes in it. They most likely can’t come here.” Arlo said.
“I will go back and have the marriage mended immediately.” Demarcus proposed.
Arlo shook his head. “The milk has already been spilled. And anyways, love can’t be forced. My nephew also doesn’t want to become a cuckold. You see… the breakup is still to be done in an official manner, but your granddaughter has already hooked up with a different man. Now that’s what I call talent. I don’t want that lass in my house, but her actions have offended us greatly and scarred my nephew for life. Do you know… nowadays, he trembles just from getting touched by a man!!! I hope you can pay fork out a reasonable sum to compensate at least him.”
“Well… uh, his condition does sound bad.” Demarcus asked, “But what can I do to help?”
Hearing these words, Arlo internally smiled. The fish has taken the bait.
“I won’t ask for much. Just fulfill the poor boy’s wishes, and we will still be friends with no grievances between us.” He tossed a piece of paper to Demarcus. “His wishes… they are on this list.”
Demarcus looked at the list. What they were asking for was too much, but it was like a drop of water in his sea of wealth. He didn’t mind scooping it out if it meant to satisfy the Third Hidden Blade.
“Consider them fulfilled.”
Thus, he agreed to the terms put forth by Arlo.
Arlo didn’t want to travel back on foot. Thus, he requested that Demarcus open a portal for him. Portals were quite costly to run. The longer the distance to be traveled, the higher the cost of magic crystals. The County was far away. He would surely net a loss if he fulfilled this request of Arlo. But what choice did he have? He opened the portal anyway but didn’t enchant it with a stabilizer before pushing Arlo inside.
That’s how Arlo ended up upside down in Roy’s room!