Level Up Legacy

"If you free them now, then the emperor will take measures against them, and a witch hunt will begin," said Grandma Mo before pressing her lips together. "This could start a war, Arthur Silvera. Is that what you came here to do?"

The old woman stared at him, and Arthur realized she was probing his intentions. Her routine with the citizens in this neighborhood told him the kind of person she was.

"I will free them during the executions. It will be the start of the rebellion," Arthur said to the old woman and the Sin of Lust. "We know of their strength, but they don\'t know about ours. We can behead the emperor and his father if we strike in one swift motion."

"Osian the Invincible is not a man you can kill," said Grandma Mo with a frown. "He is a terrifying man who has transcended the realms of human nature. After hubby discovered the secret about the imperial family, he fought against Osian and lost."

"There is no other choice," Arthur said before glancing at Rain. "You can tell her about the emperor\'s plan."

After that, Rain explained about the countless runic camps around the empire, seeking to absorb the life force of the citizens through a grand array. But, of course, the fact that Lyle prevented them was hidden. The two women were shocked, and Grandma Mo had to lean on the counter.

"It has finally happened. Hubby\'s last words were this: there will come a day when this empire becomes food for its rulers. At that time, the real face of the imperials will be revealed."

"He said that before his execution?" asked Rain. "I don\'t understand. Why didn\'t he run with you if he knew about their nature? He would have lived until now, where the fight was needed."

"Hubby implied that he made a deal after he lost to Osian, but I don\'t know what it is," said Grandma Mo with a shake of her head. "He had to forfeit his life in the end, and I watched with helplessness."

"We will take revenge for him, Grandma Mo. I fought against the emperor and won before. If anything, their tricks are useless against me, no matter how powerful they get."

Grandma Mo didn\'t question his words and nodded before turning away. Instead, she pulled a scroll from her cabinet and gave it to Arthur, who then opened it. It was a prison map with details about every room.

"I tagged the location where the records are saved. You can learn about the prisoners there, and it would be best if you imprison a guard to make contact with them."

"A prison guard, huh?" said Rain with a pondering expression. "I would love to be your cuffed prisoner, Arthur," she said while licking her lips, a lustful expression on her face. Her words made the two women stare with shock, and Arthur sighed.

"Excuse her. This is her nature, and she cannot help it," said Arthur as he placed the map in his robes. "I will use this well and save those touched by injustice. It will all be thanks to you, Grandma Mo."

"I am just a dying old woman. You would have found the prison and broken into it without my help, but I hope I saved you the time you needed."

"You did," said Arthur with gratitude before rising. "We overstayed and need to go back to prepare. Are you staying here, Layla?"

"I will tag along to guide you away from the patrols," said Layla as she stood up and hugged her grandma, who sighed and hugged her back. Then, she whispered something to her granddaughter before the three left.

The plan was clear now, and Arthur knew the location and how to enter the prison. Grandma Mo said that she was never discovered, so the chances of them changing the system are small.

As the three left the inn, they resumed their stealth and walked through the back alleys to avoid the patrols. Layla proved helpful in that regard as if knowing when and where the knights would be.

"Their patrols are stricter, but the routes are the same. It is hard to teach old dogs new tricks," said Layla while staring at the knights in the distance. "I want to ask something of you."

"You want to infiltrate the prison too, and the answer is no," said Arthur, rejecting her straight away. "I will go alone."

"Just listen to what I have to say!" said Layla with objection. "I might be the only person who can talk my grandpa out of prison. You will gain a man who can defeat the emperor if he accepts."

"Infiltrating on my own is hard as it is, and you will slow me down. Instead, I will communicate with you from within the prison, and if the need arises, I\'ll let you contact your grandfather."

"I lived my life as a gangster and guided you through heavily guarded districts without being caught. I might not have your runes, but I can care for myself."

"This is not the main reason I refuse," said Arthur as he stared at Rain. "The two of you will be helping Ai get closer to the public. Make her fight monsters in villages around Helios, and visit churches where the commoners pray. I can be the Stealer of Elements, but at that time, Ai needs to be the saint."

Layla was silent as she heard the mention of Ai. Arthur knew it was her weak spot, and he felt sorry for bringing her up at this time. However, he would have an easier time going there alone.

"And why would I have to help?" asked Rain as she glanced at the walking pair. "I will not partake in making another fake savior. You can ask someone else."

"Why would I make you a part of Ascent if you cannot even help?" asked Arthur, making Rain glare at him while pouting. But, seeing her quiet, he knew she would help Ai. It was cute that he managed to convince her, even though she was one of the calamities. "I have a question, Layla. Why did you lie about Grandma Mo being a man?"

"I wanted to gain your trust at that time, and most men would never believe that a woman can infiltrate the strongest prison and escape from it. So, you would have dismissed me."

"I see," said Arthur with a nod. "I wouldn\'t have thought that way."

"All men say that," said Layla.

"Agreed," chimed Rain.

Arthur stared at the two women walk side-by-side, ignoring him. Although these two were vastly different, for some reason, he could feel their unity against him and all men in general.

After half an hour, the trio reached the safe house and found Ai and Haro there. Ai was standing beside the knight, healing a few wounds on her face, which prompted both Arthur and Layla to rush forward.

"What happened?" asked Layla with panic while Arthur observed the wounds. He deemed them as superficial, but they were many.

"We were attacked by a group of knights while visiting one of the churches," said Ai with a calm face. "Haro defended me against them, but she suffered a few wounds in the process."

"These are nothing, Saint Ai," Haro laughed. "It was a good workout, and I finally beat some of the knights I hated. This is a win, not a tragedy."

"What reason did they have to attack you?" asked Layla with rage. "Did you make sure to break their bones, Haro?"

"I wanted to, but Ai asked that they would be spared. She even healed their wounds while they were unconscious," Haro sighed. Layla turned toward Ai with a questioning gaze.

"I knew they were enemies, but I am a healer before anything," said Ai with a blank expression. "My job is to heal, not to kill or fight."

"This is foolish," Rain said, staring at her from afar. "These knights will readily put a sword through your heart and live on their lives with pride and honor. Healing them is the same as killing our comrades."

"Enough," said Arthur as he stared at the wounds. "Were there witnesses?" he asked Haro.

"There were a few dozen citizens who witnessed the fight and our escape," reported Haro with shame. "I should have been more careful to avoid the knights. Apologies, Seika."

"That is a name I missed," said Arthur with a smile, realizing the Haro was calling him that because of Ai. "This is indeed a win, as you mentioned. Moreover, the citizens witnessed Ai healing her enemies, which will serve our plans."