CHAPTER 12 (PART 1): ENTER THE TOURNAMENT

"What the hell was that beast earlier?” Arth asked Robert as they rode their horses through White Forest. It was almost sun set, and they were now returning to the hideout from their mission in the capital.

"I don't know bro. But I’m sure it’s definitely not a wild beast that followed us here," Robert rubbed his chin, thinking, "I think that beast was tracking us. It has some sort of intelligence … so maybe it has an owner."

"Owner? You mean like a beast tamer?"

"Could be," Robert nodded. "But the beast was way different from any beast I’ve ever encountered. It seems like it came 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, looking around. "There might be more beasts tracking us."

They picked up their pace and then galloped towards the depth of the forest. It was already dark when they arrived in the huge tree house. They settled their horses and then went up on the staircases. A warm, delicious scent welcomed the two as they went inside. Arth knew that it was already dinner time, so they walked straight inside the dining area. There, the whole team was on the table, eating dinner.

"You're back early," Alice said, raising a brow. She was not wearing her glasses now, and her white, long hair was tied up in a ponytail.

Arth smiled awkwardly at her, then avoided her gaze. ‘Seriously, why is she giving me that weird look?’ he thought.

"We've got terrible news, boss," Robert spoke in a sudden serious tone.

The people at the table all turned their heads, waiting for him to say something. But Robert did not continue. Instead, he rubbed his growling stomach while looking at the plates on the table. "But first, I need to fill my tummy. I’m starving!"

Lucas shook his head, sipping on his cup of wine. Robert went to his chair and then munched the Custarde served in front of him. “Wow, who cooked this? This is so good.”

“Me,” Alice said, raising her chin proudly.

“Oh, really?” Robert replied. “Well, it does leave a bad aftertaste.”

“If you don’t like it, then why are you still eating?”

Arth sighed as the two continued to argue. He sat on his chair between Robert and Luna.

Looking at Lucas made Arth remember what Robert had told him earlier; about the boss searching for the cursed blade. It’s the only thing that bothered him ever since they traveled back to their hideout. He wanted to ask Lucas about it, but he knew better, as it was not the perfect time.

A few minutes had passed and Robert finally finished. Lucas had been staring at him the whole time, waiting for his report.

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

“You won’t believe this boss.” Robert began reporting about the High Councilor holding a tournament five days from now. He also told the boss of what they had heard about the Frostguarde.

"So they've been gathered already?" Lucas's eyes were a bit surprised, but he still managed to keep his calm, serious expression.

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

"It's just as what I've heard from one of my men working in the castle," Lucas replied while narrowing his eyes at his wine.

Arth furrowed his brows. One of his men? Did the boss have spies in the citadel too? That must’ve been why he knew almost about everything that’s happening in the capital.

"The Gand Knight from the alehouse was one of the guards of our target. He mentioned that the Frostguarde will be there in the tournament," Robert added. "What do you think, boss?"

"This isn't any ordinary tournament, I’m certain of it." Lucas shook his head, looking at his wine. "They want to lure us in."

"Just as I thought,” Alice added.

"They must’ve already found out about our next target," Lucas replied. "Kael really knows how to play the game with me."

"So you're saying it's a trap," Arth 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, since we only need the councilor’s head. We can't fight them head-on this time, while we still don't know yet about the enemies that we're up against.”

"I agree, boss. It's better if we gather more information first about this … Frostguarde team," Alice replied.

"Anything else?" Lucas asked the two young men.

Robert and Arth suddenly exchanged worried glances. "Actually, boss… I think bro and I were being tracked earlier on our way here.”

Lucas’ face darkened. "What happened?"

"When we entered White Forest, we spotted a beast we’ve never ever seen before. It kept on following our tracks on the ground. But we managed to hide ourselves on the branches of the trees, so it never found us.”

“Cowards,” Janshai spat. “Hiding from a beast when you can just kill it? And you call yourselves as members of this guild?”

“Yeah, you both are weaklings,” Alice added, finally having her turn to tease Robert.

“It was Robert’s idea,” Arth said.

Robert crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

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

Robert looked at the ceiling, rubbing his chin. "The beast had rough, red skin, and its body was like a huge lizard. It had sharp teeth, and its long tongue was out, panting like a dog. It had no eyes but its nose was pointy, which perhaps was used to track our scent."

“You’re referring to a beast coming from the Underworld," Lucas said, putting down his cup.

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

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

"Summoner?"

"It's one of the classifications of mages," Alice pointed out. "They specialized in using spells to open portals from different dimensions to summon beasts … but only for a limited time."

"I’m pretty sure it’s one of the members of the Frostguarde," Robert said.

Lucas nodded. "Luna, make the most of your time scouting the west entrance of the forest. That beast might come back … and perhaps with the summoner this time."

"Got it, boss," Luna said.

"We will discuss our plan about this upcoming tournament tomorrow … any questions? Alright, you're dismissed," Lucas said. "Arth, you stay."

Arth looked at the boss, eyebrows storming, but he just nodded in response. The team stood up, picked up their plates, and walked out, leaving Arth and Lucas on the dining.

"Am I in trouble?" Arth said carefully, nervous of the quiet air between them.

Lucas poured another cup of wine and then gave it to Arth. "How was your training with Alice?" he asked. "Had she already taught you that magic spell?"

"Glacies Materia, you mean?" Arth said. "Well, I've been practicing for days, and I think they're already strong enough to be used against beasts."

“You’re learning fast,” Lucas nodded slowly. “I knew that the spell is beyond suitable for you. And I’m certain you will find it very useful in your future battles …” Then he let out a huge breath. “If only I am able to master that skill.”

“What do you mean, boss?”

“Alice had already told you, hadn’t she? Only a few percent of the population can master the arts of ice materialization. It’s an ancient skill, Arth, a signature of the elemental power of the northern people; the element of ice.”

Arth sipped on his wine, wondering. So boss could not use the skill at all? 

After a short moment of silence, Lucas spoke again. "Anyway, Arth, you will join the upcoming tournament."

Arth suddenly choked on the wine he was drinking. He wiped his mouth, coughing hard. "What? Why me, boss?"

"Because you will be the one who will eliminate our target," Lucas replied as a matter-of-factly. "Robert and Alice will be with the audience to watch the tournament. They will cover you if anything happens."

"Why not Janshai or ... or … Luna?" Arth said, his pitch now higher than normal.

"Luna and I are on the wanted posters, and Janshai can’t go. The people will get suspicious of his red-eyes. I know that the arena is only found in the Lower Ring, but I’m certain they will have very tight security inside," 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 can win that tournament!"

"Trust in your skills, Arth, and apply what we've taught you these last few days. You have to win it, so you can get closer to the councilor without anyone getting suspicious," Lucas told him. "Don't worry. If something happens, Robert and Alice will be there."

Arth pursed his lips, his gaze dropped to his wine.

"You go and rest now,” Lucas stood from his seat, “We’ll be having an intense training first thing tomorrow morning."

After washing his own plate, Arth immediately returned to his bedroom. He hung his sword at the back of the door and then dropped himself on his soft, white bed. It was such a long day for him. A lot of things happened, and a lot of thoughts were going through his mind, making him still awake at night for hours. For hours, his gaze was on the wooden ceiling, thinking about their upcoming mission. He would indeed play the main role in their mission, so he could never mess it up. Failure was never an option.