Eternal Elysium

Elric's eyes fluttered as he felt his lower back shift as time passed. His eyes slowly opened, and he found himself sitting on a carriage. Then a clear shock appeared on his face as his vision became clear.

"Finally awake, huh?" I said, looking at him, and leaned back on my seat. The cushions of the carriage felt light and soft, almost melting me with the comfort they provided.

A rattling sound came from Elric's hands; his eyes widened for a split second as he found himself restrained by handcuffs. He opened his mouth only for a grunt to come out.

"W-what happened?" His words shook, and his body screamed in pain, but he held his head high.

I scoffed at his antics and tilted my head before answering back with an indifferent voice.

"What else could have happened? You tried to run away only to get caught in the worst situation possible."

Elric stayed silent and then, with a rough voice not holding any of his former warmth, asked.

"Who are you? That silver-eyed brat has a bodyguard, right? Is that what you are? Why work for someone like him?"

I stared at him, too dumbfounded to answer any of his questions. But from the looks in his eyes, he looked serious. It looks like my act last time with Sina had actually worked, to my surprise, and Elric didn't find out many details regarding the workshop incident.

We both were the only people present in the carriage. Enzo and his mercenary group have accepted to come with us rather calmly. They were in the bigger carriage ahead, along with other guards who had come following the commotion.

I laughed and grinned in Elric's direction and removed my mask. A cool wind hit my face, making me shudder for a second.

But to my surprise, Elric neither flinched nor looked confused. Rather, he seems to be satisfied with my looks. Taking a deep breath, he nodded softly and sighed before speaking in a calm voice.

"So it was you after all, Asher… I won't say I am not surprised. But rather, you did a great job doing all of this. I have some questions. Will you be kind enough to answer them?"

"You really are calm." I said, not hiding my disgust while looking at him. "Actually, I also have a question for you. Why did you choose to attack me? I don't think I had done anything that could harm you, well, of course, aside from contacting Ains and robbing Palto."

Elric thought for a while, then answered with a defiant look.

"Those reasons were more than enough, Asher."

"I see."

I didn't argue further. Rather, I didn't see any need to; if he thought it was enough of a reason to mess with me, then who was I to argue back?

…Sigh.

"Really a piece of garbage even till the end." I mumbled and looked out.

"So, I will ask my question next. Why did the Temple take such ridiculous actions? I really can't understand that."

Elric's voice came out quietly. His question hung for a while, making me chuckle in response. I looked at him and then said, raising my brows.

"And why should I tell you anything? I showed you my face, so take that as a payment."

Elric sighed and smirked before speaking.

"You really believe just because you have caught me it will be the end. That I had lost. Asher, you are a kid for thinking this. I can still do several things even after being caught… Having connections is still a big part of a merchant's strength."

"Are you this confident because of the insignia?"

Elric stiffened on his seat, and his lips twitched for a moment before calming down. "So Ains has told you about that as well. I didn't know my nephew had such a good friend. Well, I can certainly say that it is one of the many reasons for my confidence."

I stayed silent for a while and tapped my fingers on the side of the seat.

"That insignia is fake. Whoever you had sent it to is going to be very angry, Elric."

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Elric's face fell, and he started to turn pale. His eyes shook as he gulped before saying in a dreadful voice.

"...How… How is that possible? I had checked it several times myself… That's not possible!"

Hearing his lamentable crying and anger bursting through the roof, I could only think back to the time I had newly arrived in the city. At that time I was used to rushing things, doing work with brute force rather than simple methods like now. Even simple words turned out to have enough power to drive a calm merchant like him to ruin.

"I don't need to tell you… You will have your time in prison; think about this at that time."

To begin with, even I was not aware how Ains had changed the insignia in a way that it could fool a meticulous and cunning person like Elric.

"Just tell me why…. Why did the Temple move?!"

"...They wanted someone to blame. To take responsibility for all the incidents that have happened till now. So, I gave them your name."

Elric probably knew I was lying. It was nothing more than half a lie and half a truth. I wasn't even aware of the true reason why Temple is so keen on helping me except for the obsession of Goddess Celestia with me.

In the end I was as ignorant as he was in the grand scheme of things.

The carriage stopped; my eyes turned to look out and saw my destination had arrived. I again wore my mask and saw the carriage door slowly open without a creaking sound. Matthew stood there waiting for me.

Just as I was about to stand up, a small whisper entered my ears.

"...I didn't kill my brother. I never could have dreamt of that."

"What—"

Startled, I was about to look back but stopped as Elric grinned at me.

"You are smart. If I am a bad person, do you think my brother was not?"

I fell silent as something clicked in my mind.

'So that's what happened…' Quickly I pushed all thoughts regarding this at the back of my head, not wishing to think anymore.

"You know who to find… though I guess it won't make a difference." Elric continued with a sarcastic tone and closed his eyes, leaning back.

"Well, goodbye. I am never seeing you again." I muttered, closing the carriage door.

"Is there any problem, Sir Reaper?" Mathew asked, his eyes looking at me with a worried gaze.

I smiled, shaking my head.

"No, everything is alright. Good work Mathew, you should also rest after this. You have done an excellent job tonight." I patted his shoulders and activated the mask enchantment at the same time vanishing from his sight.

Matthew gasped in surprise, his eyes wide open, and looked around curiously but only to see no one.

"Sir?" He called out, but obviously I didn't answer back.

Quietly I took my leave and started to walk away.

The crystalline black sword in the end was taken away from me by Franz. Even though he has promised to return it back after some inspection, I was still left unsatisfied.

This was probably the first time I had ever been so interested in an artifact—and hopefully not the last time. I was very interested in the creature the world was made of. After all, what kind of beast could it be to give such a bone-chilling description in the enchantment?

Since my understanding of origin and the supernatural has increased severalfold as time passes, my ability to decipher the information contained in artifacts has also increased. It was like an endless greed to inspect and gain knowledge.

Somehow, perhaps this was the reason why my instinct for sensing danger had evolved into something far greater than before. I'd had this ability ever since I first opened my eyes to the world—but back then, it wasn't strong enough to let me glimpse into the supernatural.

Still, it was an important part of me, and ever since using that sword, my interest in learning things has turned into something even bigger than before.

Reaching an alley, I quickly removed my robe and the mask and changed into a light dress.

Some bandages were wrapped tightly on my arms and legs, while other major injuries have been completely healed by Franz.

'Now only a few things are left to deal with.'

I thought and sighed before continuing to walk through the less crowded streets. My foot started to ache as fatigue started catching me. I ran my hand through my hair, moving it away from my eyes, and looked around with a dazed look.

It was peaceful.

Peaceful enough for me to rest easy a little bit more than usual.

Even now a part of me still couldn't believe I had dealt with Elric and the mercenaries. But I knew it was true. After a little time passes I will probably be filled with reasons regarding their falloutwith Elric and why Enzo thought it was a good idea to cooperate with us.

But then a thought crossed my mind, making my blood boil.

'Elric, that bastard, till the end didn't think of Sina!'

It wasn't that I held some separate emotions for Sina, but rather I was mad at the thought of someone as loyal as Sina having chosen to serve Elric. Maybe he had manipulated her into doing it after all; Sina's mental health was not the best. It was obvious her obsession with Elric was not natural. Someone or something has forced her into this, but sadly I will never find out.

In the end I stopped thinking of such things, as nothing good will come out of it. Sina also, in the end, was not a good human and had done things that couldn't be forgiven by Elric.

Slowly but surely more things will come to light.

Hopefully now this city could become better and truly one day be worthy of being called the free city Atlas.

"Hopefully the next time I come here it will really be better." I prayed silently in my heart and walked toward my home.

And soon reached the closed gate.

It was half past midnight. Elda and Albert are probably sleeping soundly inside right now. I checked through me but remembered I had given my keys to Albert just yesterday, as he had forgotten his at home.

Sighing, I slowly knocked on the door without expecting much.

I was busy the whole day, so I had not told them much except that I will return late.

A good scolding may be awaited when Elda sees my rough condition patched in bandages.

Such thoughts made my lips curl up into a small smile.

Click—

The door opened.

From the inside a small light came. Albert was the one to open the door, while behind him Elda looked at me with wide eyes in her nightgown.

I smiled cheesily and whispered with an honest expression.

"...I am back."