Return Of The Strongest Player

"Shut up!" the woman shouted in indignation. "We both know there wasn't a shred of traffic. You fooled around instead of meeting your own family."

"I did not fool around," replied Arthur. "I had to meet someone. Now, would you get out for a few minutes? You're annoying."

The woman stomped before muttering a string of curses. She then attempted to slap Arthur, but was stopped by the crimson-eyed man's hand, which grabbed her wrist at a terrifying speed, leaving her defenseless.

She cursed again before leaving and shutting the door behind her. "Bastard!"

Finally, silence returned.

Anna sobbed, sliding down towards the floor. Magnus stood up, reddening due to the embarrassment he attempted to mask. He brushed his clothes using his hand before plopping down on the bed.

Noticing Arthur's gaze, Anna, too, sat on the bed beside Magnus. Lily sat in her lap, obviously excited to see her big brother again.

"You know, when we came to Arcadia, I knew something would go wrong," Anna spoke in a rather stoic tone. "The incident with Lily, in which she supposedly tripped… the perpetrator was Alisha Mason Ainsworth, wasn't it?"

Lily gulped before glancing at her brother.

Arthur nodded without hesitation. "Her little brother, Jamie, caused Lily to trip."

"What… what did you do?" Anna asked, biting her lip in anticipation. She knew she shouldn't hear the answer, but under Arthur's unusual expression, she knew this was the last time they would meet for a significant amount of time.

She'd been fed lies for too long. Although it was probably done to protect her, it didn't do any good.

"I sliced Jamie's fingers," Arthur responded, and Anna gasped, covering her mouth using her palm.

"You… cut off a child's fingers?"

"He made Lily trip intentionally."

"That does not excuse your actions and you know it!" Anna shouted as tears streamed down her cheeks. Silence descended upon the room, and the awkwardness reached new realms. Finally, she stood up. "Leave."

"Mother…"

"Leave!" Anna raised her voice. "I… I need some time to process this."

Arthur sighed before nodding. He then directed a knowing glance towards Magnus, who nodded before standing up. The two exited the room, allowing Anna to sob in peace. Lily wiped the tears from her mother's cheeks.

"Big brother is not bad."

"I know that, Lily… I know. He did it to protect you… to protect us… but not everything is perfect."

*

"You're going away?" Magnus asked the question he'd been suppressing ever since Arthur entered the room. Now that they were in the dimly lit corridor, Magnus finally had the opportunity to ask.

"I can't reveal much… but yes, I'm going away," explained Arthur, ruffling his own hair in an attempt to calm himself down. "I couldn't bear to tell mother and Lily about this… but you understand, right?"

"Somewhat. When will you return?"

"I don't know," replied Arthur, letting out a bitter chuckle. "Hours, days, weeks, months… years?"

"That long, huh," muttered Magnus, collapsing on the floor. To be precise, he slid down the wall he had his back against, and simply sat on the floor helplessly. "What will I tell Anna and Lily? Is there… a narrower answer?"

"I hope I can visit before I enter Heaven's Spire."

"Basically, this is the last time we meet," said Magnus. "You might or might not stop by before disappearing forever."

"Yes," said Arthur in a voice dripping with regret. "The woman you saw earlier? She'll be your bodyguard and protect you twenty-four/seven. Your safety will be ensured by the Ainsworth family, and your finances will also be provided by them."

"The Ainsworths… didn't you almost cripple their daughter?"

"It seems like they're more cooperative than I expected," Arthur said, letting out a bitter chuckle. "To be honest, it's just like selling your soul to the devil. I have to work for them now… although, I'm not like an employee or something."

"Complicated."

"It truly is," replied Arthur. "Anyway, I just wanted to bid my farewell before I…"

"Disappeared?"

"That. Could I get a hug before I go?"

Magnus, without hesitation, pulled the crimson-eyed man in for a hug. Arthur wrapped his arms around his father, to which Magnus did the same. The two remained in the position for a few minutes before hesitantly pulling away.

"Bye, dad."

Magnus waved back, and like a gust of wind, Arthur dissolved into the atmosphere.

Finally, a tear streamed down Magnus's cheek.

*

"You took long enough," said the tight-clothed woman, watching Arthur exit the hotel with an emotionless expression plastered over his face.

"Please, shut up," Arthur replied in a seemingly trembling voice. Unlike his usual, cold demeanor towards strangers and foes, he seemed strangely vulnerable right now. "June… listen for a moment."

"What is it?" Although June loved to tease the crimson-eyed man, this wasn't the time.

"June… if anything, and I mean anything, happens to my family while you're in-charge of them… if you neglect your duties even half a percent… I will kill you… no, I will skin you alive while you beg for a mercy that won't come."

"Tough words from a slave of the Ainsworths."

"You want me to contact Cecilia?" Arthur asked. "I mean it this time, June. If someone even dares to touch their hair, you'll be the first one I will destroy once I gain enough power. And it won't take long, June."

At that moment, Arthur's eyes flashed crimson.

June's eyes unfocused, and she trembled under the crimson-eyed man's gaze. Although she was much stronger, she couldn't help but feel an ominous premonition. It was like the world revolved around Arthur…

Like he was the axis of the world.

Suddenly, June's vision darkened, and she fell into a trance. With a dazed expression, she collapsed on the ground.

Yet Arthur didn't help her up.

It was only after a good three minutes did June awaken. With fear-corroded, bloodshot eyes, she glared at Arthur. Yet, what escaped her mouth–instead of curses–were the metaphorical purrs of a wet cat.

"Keep that in mind, June."