Chapter 12: Enter the Tournament

"What the hell was that beast earlier?"

Arth asked Robert as they were riding their horses through the white forest. It was almost sun set and they were now going back to their hideout from the capital.

"I don't know, Arth. But I believe it is not a wild beast that followed us here," Robert held his chin while thinking. "I think that beast was tracking us. It has some sort of intelligence so maybe it has an owner."

"Wait, you mean a beast tamer?"

"Could be," Robert nodded. "But the beast was not common. It seemed to be like coming from another... dimension. I don't know. We'll just have to see what the boss thinks about this."

"Then we have to get back to the hideout immediately," Arth told him. "There might be more beasts tracking us."

They picked up their pace towards the depth of the forest. It was already night when they arrived in their tree house. They settled their horses and went up the staircase.

When the two went inside, they walked towards the dining where they saw the whole team on the table eating dinner.

"You're back early," Alice said as she raised a brow.

"We've got terrible news, boss!" Robert said in a serious tone.

The people on the table suddenly looked at him and waited for him to say something. But he didn't, instead Robert just rubbed his growling stomach. "But first, I need to fill my tummy."

Arth heard Lucas' heavy sigh as he shook his head. Robert immediately went to his chair and munched the Custarde that was prepared on his plate. Arth followed and sat between Robert and Luna.

Arth suddenly remembered what Robert told him earlier about the boss finding the cursed blade. He wanted to ask Lucas about it but it wasn't the perfect time, he believed.

A few minutes have passed and Robert finally placed his utensils on the empty plate and drank his water. Lucas was just staring at him the whole time waiting for him to finish eating and report to him.

"Okay, Robert. Now tell me everything," Lucas said.

Robert nodded and started speaking about the high councilor holding a tournament two days from now. He also reported on what they heard about the Frostguarde.

"They've formed already?" Lucas's eyes were a little bit surprised but then he kept calm.

"You know them, boss?" Alice asked him.

"It's just as what I've heard from my man working in the castle," Lucas replied.

Arth furrowed his brows. Man? He has a spy in the castle? That's why he often knows about everything.

"The grand knight from the alehouse said that the Frostguarde will be there in the tournament," Robert added. "What do you think, boss?"

"This isn't any ordinary tournament, Robert," Lucas narrowed his eyes while thinking carefully. "They want to lure us in."

"What? How?" Arth asked.

"They might've found out about the third councilor as our next target," Lucas replied. "Kael really knows how to play the game with me, huh?"

"So you're saying it's a trap," Robert told the boss.

"Yes. However, we can't let this opportunity go. If all of his team will be there, then we have to make a plan, we just need to assassinate the councilor. We can't fight them head-on this time. We don't know yet about his members that we're up against," Lucas said.

"That's right. It's better if we should gather information first about this Frostguarde team," Alice spoke.

"Anything else?" Lucas asked the two.

Robert and Arth suddenly looked at each other. "We have a hunch that we're also being tracked on our way here, boss."

"What happened?"

"When Arth and I entered the white forest, we saw a beast we never encountered before that seemed to be following our tracks. But we've hidden ourselves on the high branches of the trees so it didn't find us," Robert said.

"Describe the beast," Luna asked. "I might've seen it already while scouting the forest."

Robert looked up trying to remember the figure. "Its red body is like of a huge lizard. It has sharp teeth and its tongue is out while panting like a dog. It has no eyes but its nose was pointy and it was probably used to track our scent."

"Seemed to be like a beast from the underworld," Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"The underworld?" Arth asked. "How is that possible?"

"I'm certain that it has an owner. It's probably summoned," Lucas replied. "A summoner from the capital might be tracking us down."

"Summoner?"

"It's another classification of mages, Arth," Alice told him. "They cast spells to open portals from different dimensions to summon beasts but only for a limited time."

"It's probably one of the members of Frostguarde," Robert said while raising his point finger.

Lucas nodded in agreement. "Luna, make the most of your time scouting in the west entrance of the white forest. That beast might come back and probably with their owner."

"Got it, boss," Luna nodded.

"We'll discuss our plan tomorrow. Alright, you're dismissed," Lucas announced. "Arth, you stay."

Arth furrowed his brows as he turned to him but just nodded. The team stood up and picked up their plates. Lucas and Arth were now left on the dining.

"What is it, boss?" Arth asked him when they were already alone.

"How was your training with Alice?" Lucas asked. "Did she already teach you the move?"

"You mean ice materialization?" Arth said. "I've been practicing for days already. I think they're strong enough now to be used for beasts."

Lucas nodded. "Arth, I want you to join the tournament."

Arth's eyes widened as his eyebrows rose. "What? Why me?"

"Cause you will be the one who will kill our target," Lucas replied. "Robert and Alice will watch the tournament with the people. They will cover you if anything happens."

"Why not Janshai or... Luna?" Arth's pitch was higher than normal.

"Luna and I are on the wanted posters. Janshai couldn't go out because of his red eyes, the people will get suspicious. It's in the lower ring, Arth, but they will have tight security there for sure," Lucas explained. "Your job is to win the tournament and assassinate the councilor as seamless as possible without getting caught."

"Wait boss is that even possible?!" Arth held his chest. "I'm not even sure if I could win the tournament!"

"Trust in your skills, Arth, and apply what we've taught you these last few days," Lucas told him. "Don't worry. If something happens, Robert and Alice will be there."

Arth just pursed his lips while looking down.

"You go rest now. You'll leave with Alice and Robert tomorrow in the afternoon,"

After he washed his own plate, he immediately went back to his bedroom. He hung his sword at the back of the door and jumped on his bed. He just looked at the wooden ceiling while thinking about his job in the mission. He will indeed play a very important role in their mission so he can't mess it up. And that thought already made him so nervous.

***

The next day, he prepared his bag and some clothes since he will be staying in the capital for one day and one night with Robert and Alice. Lucas said that they had a secret chamber in the lower ring of the capital so they will stay there.

After lunch, Lucas called the team to discuss their final plan. When Arth arrived in the meeting room, the team was already gathered there. He went beside Robert and tried to catch up with what Lucas was saying.

"Watch him, the two of you," Lucas told Robert and Alice. "If you will be caught, then you know what to do, Alice."

Alice nodded. "My empyreal ability is ready anytime, boss."

Arth's eyebrows furrowed. "Empyreal ability?"

The team looked at him suddenly.

"I guess this is the perfect time to explain it to him, boss!" Robert said.

Lucas sighed and just nodded.

"Empyreal abilities are our hidden ultimate abilities, Arth," Lucas explained. "Each person has a unique empyreal ability but only few of the population could learn and master it."

"Are they like magic spells?" Arth asked.

"Partly, but the difference is that this ability does not use mana," Lucas replied. "It uses our life energy."

Arth's eyebrows rose in surprise. "So it drains out our own energy source?"

"That's how lethal this ability is," Janshai spoke up while looking at him sharply. "One mistake and you could die instantly."

Why is he always speaking to me about dying with that kind of look? Arth swallowed the lump on his throat and nodded slowly. That really is a dangerous move. How is Alice supposed to use that in our mission?

"But once you've mastered it, there won't be a problem," Luna told Arth while raising her point finger. "The lethality rate is only high to those who have used it foolishly."

"There are limitations though," Alice said. "Your life energy's regeneration rate is slow. So you can only use it once a day. Use it twice and your entire life source will be consumed, you'll be dead before you know it."

"But how can one discover his empyreal ability?" Arth asked them.

He heard Janshai's sarcastic laugh and then turned back serious. "You actually wanted to use this dangerous move?"

"Janshai," Lucas called him. Janshai just shrugged and rolled his eyes.

"There are several factors that could activate one's empyreal ability, Arth," Lucas explained. "It could be time, a place, an event, or a person. Some can be activated through emotions."

Arth narrowed his eyes because couldn't understand.

"Anyway, we'll explain it to your further in the future," Lucas said. "Now back to our main subject."

Lucas went back to discussing about their final plan. Arth listened carefully since he's the one who will assassinate the councilor. Lucas raised the paper he was holding and showed the picture of the councilor to the team.

"High councilor Rowan," Lucas said while pointing at an old man's face in the paper. "He's been protecting most of the nobles in the capital for committing such crimes in return for money. His guards, the two grand knights, have known about it and decided to close their mouths, so they're both guilty. Kill those two if you have to, but what I want is the councilor's head."

After their meeting, Arth went back to his room to get his bag and sword. He wore his blue cloak and then looked at the mirror. His crystal blue eyes were still tired from last night. He couldn't sleep because he's thinking about the mission, questioning himself what if he will fail? Will he be kicked out of the guild?

Arth sighed while walking out of his room. He went straight outside where he saw Robert and Alice preparing their bags on their horses. Robert was wearing his brown tunic that was knee-level and locked by his black belt. Alice was just on her black cloak and her white snow hair was covered by the hood.

"I'm nervous. Can we just kill the councilor in another time?" Arth complained as they were already riding their horses through the forest.

"Don't be stupid, Arth," Alice said in her usual high-pitched voice. "This is our only opportunity where the councilor is in the lower ring. We will be having more trouble if we assassinate him in the castle or even in the upper ring. That place is already very dangerous for anyone attempting to sneak in or out."

Arth just gave a loud sigh and pouted.

Robert chuckled. "Don't be nervous, Arth! We will be there to cover you up if something happens!" he winked at Arth.

"I'm not really sure about this," Arth scratched his black hair and shook his head.

"By the way, how are you in practicing your ice materialization?" Alice raised a brow while looking at him.

"So far, so good," Arth smirked. "I was able to kill more than ten beasts using it without a sword. But I don't think it's strong enough to counter any high-class weapon already."

"Wait, you're teaching him that move?!" Robert's eyebrows went up while pointing at Arth. "You're learning fast! I couldn't even create an ice weapon strong enough to stab a boar."

"That's because you're dumb," Alice let her tongue out. "I've taught you that for almost a year now and you still haven't mastered it!"

"Maybe it's not really for me," Robert shrugged.

A few hours later and they arrived in the capital. It was already dark so the street lights shone the main road. Arth still saw many people on the streets walking and chatting as they entered the east gatehouse of the capital.

As they were on their horses going towards the block of their hideout, Arth saw a man wearing a sky-blue cloak on his horse. His young face showed that he's still in the age of twenty. His black eyes met Arth's blue eyes as they passed by each other.

He has a strong aura. I can sense it from here. Arth turned his head to look at the man he just passed. He suddenly saw two black swords forming an 'x' on the man's back. A dual blade wielder?

"Hey Arth! What the hell are you doing there?!" Arth heard Alice's annoying voice. "Come on!"

He just sighed and then looked back at the man one last time but he was already gone. Arth caught up with the two and continued on the straight path riding their horses.

Arth's nose was suddenly caught by the aromatic smell of a flower shop they just passed by. He remembered the garden he used to go in the Frostwood village. Even with the cold temperature and the snow falling, the cyclamen and winter flowers were still in bloom.

They arrived in a two story building that has its outer cemented walls painted with brown. The roof was entirely covered by thick snow already. As Robert opened the wooden door, Arth saw many clothes and carpets stored inside. He realized that it was a fabric shop they entered. The smooth and comforting scent of the place was so welcoming for Arth.

"Who runs this place?" Arth asked curiously while touching the soft fabrics on the open shelves.

"One of the boss' men owns this place and agreed to make this as our hideout in the capital," Robert replied.

"Where's the owner?"

"Upstairs maybe," Alice answered.

Arth saw Robert walking towards the tall wooden cabinet that was leaning on the wall. He opened the two doors and there Arth saw thick pile of textiles and clothes hanged on the inside. The space was big enough for a person to fit in.

Robert pushed the hanged clothes to the side and there was a hidden door seen at the back of the cabinet. He took a key from his pocket and used it to unlock the door.

When it opened, Arth saw a carpeted staircase leading down towards the basement. He followed Robert and Alice. He was the one who closed the two doors of the tall cabinet as he was already inside. Then he sled back the hanged clothes to their usual places before he went through the hidden door.

The basement has more space than what Arth imagined. The center of the furnished chamber has four couches facing each other and a small coffee table at the middle. The ceiling was not that low and it has a small chandelier lighting the whole place. At the sides in the opposite walls were small comforting beds that are double-decked.

"I never knew we had a secret base here in the capital," Arth said as he sat on the soft couch.

"Yeah, but sadly we're not allowed to stay here unless we had a mission that will take days here in the capital," Robert sighed. "Damn, I could've brought many chicks here!"

"Asshole," Arth heard Alice's whisper.

"You should rest now for tomorrow's tournament, Arth," Robert told him. "You need to wake up early for the registration!"

"Where are you going?" Arth asked when he saw Robert walking up to the staircase.

"Grab some drinks, of course!" Robert chuckled. "It's not that often that I come here in the capital."

As Robert went out of the chamber, Arth saw Alice going to one of the beds and laying her body down.

"Gonna sleep already too?" Arth asked her as he sat on the other bed.

"Hmm..." Alice mumbled. "I need to gather enough rest in case I will be using my empyreal ability tomorrow. I don't want to pass out after using it."

Arth slowly nodded. "Don't worry. You'll have someone to carry you anyway if you're already drained out."

Alice suddenly looked at him with one brow raised. "You mean Robert? I wouldn't even let that pervert touch me! I'll surely slap his ugly face if he does," she rolled her eyes.

"No, I mean I will be the one to carry you," Arth told her as he avoided her eyes and scratched his head.

She furrowed her eyebrows after hearing what he said. Then she looked away immediately. "I'm not expecting anything."

Arth just smiled and shook his head. He lied down his head on the soft white pillow and closed his eyes. I need to do my best tomorrow. This mission will have a great impact on our goal in eliminating the evil root source of the kingdom.

***

At last, it was Arth's very first time waking up by himself without anyone disturbing him. When he sat up, he realized he was the only one left in the chamber now. His eyes suddenly widened as he looked at the time in the wall clock.

"Damn it!" he muttered as he quickly jumped out of bed. He was already late for the registration to the tournament so he needed to hurry. "Where the hell are those two anyway? It would really be better if they woke me up!"

He quickly put on his belt and sword on his waist. Then he wore his blue cloak as he walked towards the staircase. He almost jumped out of the cabinet because of the short time. There he saw Robert and Alice drinking coffee on the counter together with a middle-aged man that seemed to be the owner. But that didn't matter now because he needs to get to the registration fast.

"You have little time left before the registration closes," Alice said as she drank her cup of coffee. She was so calm like she didn't even care if Arth will get late or not.

Arth muttered a curse again as he stormed out of the shop.

"Good luck! We'll be watching later!" Robert shouted as Arth slammed the door to close it.

The arena was not that far from their hideout but it would take time for him to get there still. He wanted to ride his horse but it's only allowed in the main road of the capital so he just ran.

Arth saw many people already walking in the same direction as him while he was running fast.

"Excuse me!" he panicked as he almost bumped into a lady.

I got few minutes left! He thought as he was already catching his breath using his mouth.

Finally, he arrived in the entrance to the arena while his heart was racing fast. It was circular in structure and highly built using stone and cement.

He noticed that it was already crowded with warriors joining the tournament. He also saw some knights signing up.

He hurried towards one of the registration desks where an old man was sitting. Arth placed his standard knight silver badge on the table. The old man then looked up to his face.

"Arth from Frostwood, sir," he told the old man while he was still breathing fast.

The man checked the silver badge and then nodded. He took a piece of paper and wrote something on it. "You're number seventy-three... Arth from Frostwood," the man said in a husky voice.

"Got it, thank you!" Arth sighed heavily in relief. "Phew! Glad I made it in time!"

He entered the archway of the arena where he saw many young and adult warriors waiting in the side of the wide circular stage. It was elevated about a meter above the ground and has two staircases built oppositely.

The arena was almost two times bigger than the ones in Casterfall. Arth looked around and looked at the crowds of people sitting on the huge staircases for the audiences. There was a small grandstand where Arth noticed some knights on guard and the seats there were still empty. It was probably where the councilor and other nobles will watch. He was trying to find the face of the councilor but he couldn't.

Suddenly, Arth heard the announcer informing that the tournament was about to start. The audience began to cheer louder. The competitors were already getting ready.

I wonder what the tournament will be. Arth thought with his brows furrowed.

"Competitors, prepare yourselves!" the announcer said. "I want to inform everybody that this tournament will be a duel. The use of any weapons is allowed but magic is strictly prohibited!"

Arth nodded slowly while listening.

"The rules are simple! Take your opponent outside the circular ring and you win the match! You use magic... you will be disqualified! If you're knocked out for ten counts... you lose! If you die... you lose!"

Arth heard the people's cheer grew louder. So killing is allowed? Seems like the councilor would really enjoy his show.

"The champion of the tournament... will get... one thousand gold pieces!"

Arth's jaws dropped after hearing the prize money. "That's an insane amount!"

"Before we begin, let us first welcome our high councilor Rowan!"

Arth's eyes narrowed as he looked at the old man wearing golden tunic. He was waving his hands to the people and then he took his seat on the grandstand.

There he is... Arth thought.

"Along with him is the unique elite unit formed by our glorious Divine Knight Kael himself, the Frostguarde!"

Arth's eyes widened as he saw the divine knight walking towards the side of the councilor with his golden armor and purple cape. He has a diamond badge at the center of the chest of his armor. Behind him were his three subordinates all wearing sky-blue cloak.

His powerful presence... I can even feel it from here! Arth thought as his chest was pounding hard already. How am I gonna kill the councilor with them on his side?!