The Legendary Junkmaster

"I'm afraid that's what it seems like. I know what you're thinking, and don't worry. The Lord has put a lot of resources into hunting this murderer down." Rust's voice sounded sympathetic, but there seemed to be more behind it. 

"Thank you, I'm sorry that when we first spoke that I had no idea that you two used to be old friends. He never mentioned that he used to be a Pillar." Dani's voice was etched with grief. Rust could only imagine how difficult it must have been to find out something like that. Dani surely felt like she barely knew her father right now.

"What steps are being taken to hunt him down?" Jason gritted his teeth and asked. It was an excellent opportunity to find out what he had to avoid, but things were far more dangerous than he knew if Rust was somehow personally involved in the hunt.

"Hm, it should be fine to tell you since, from what I've gathered, Wraith trusted you." Rust's words felt like somebody had stabbed Jason in the gut. "We've sent out operatives to gather information. They were even in Highrise, acting in the shadows to find out what they could. However, they concluded that Black Arrow snuck into the town and would always leave."

Rust paused and gauged their reactions. It was something that she had already explained to Dani, but the other two knew nothing of this. "I won't lie, Mr Wright. You were suspected of being the possible inventor of the weapon that he used. However, you don't have the relevant training needed to create something like that. You were only a suspect because you were the brightest inventor in the town it happened in."

Jason had to hold back from letting out a sigh of relief. He needed Rust to believe that he felt rather tense from being suspected in the first place. Rust nodded in approval. She seemed to be happy with their reactions.

"Beyond those things, we were quite fortunate that it coincided with the tournaments. It allowed us to move without being suspected. Besides, there was a chance Black Arrow would try and hide among the Guardians after committing his crime. If he is here, then he'll be in for a shock once we reach Bridgend." Rust chuckled as if she had spread a net that would catch any rat that had tried to sneak on board.

"What do you mean?" Dani asked with some confusion. How could they possible single Black Arrow out if he were among the contestants?

"It's simple, my dear. Anyone entering the Guardians has to undergo a test. We have someone with a rather powerful ability that will be able to find them when they go through that process," Rust grinned like a predator beneath her helmet. "There's no chance he can escape now if he is here."

Jason shivered when he heard that but so did Adam and Dani. There was just something incredibly sinister about the way that Rust had said that. 'Shit! If what she says is true, then the moment we arrive, I'll be discovered! But, what if she's deliberately saying this to everyone to see if anyone makes a run for it?'

Jason grew frustrated as he pondered over this information. Someone could have that kind of Power. But, what were the odds that they actually had someone like that? Whereas trying to find a way to escape would definitely expose him!

'I'll have to decide which risk to take before we reach the capital.' Jason kept a mask of friendliness on his face, but a coldness had entered his mind. Feeling the pressure of possibly being discovered seemed to trigger something within himself.

His brain silently began to formulate plans and fallbacks depending on different situations. Right now, he felt like a wolf among a flock of sheep. Except a farmer was standing just outside of the flock with a shotgun for when he exposed himself.

"Anyway, I had best get going. This thing can't fly on its own, you know. You guys get settled in. Just find a room you like and dump your stuff. It won't take us long to reach Bridgend." Rust bid them farewell before she waved a hand, and the wall next to them opened up.

"That's so cool…." Adam heaved a sigh when he saw the wall seal up behind Rust's departing figure. 

"What do you think the other pillars are like?" Jason could not help but asking as they moved along. 

"Who knows… I'm actually interested in the number one Pillar. There's almost no information about them. Even Rust would not tell me anything when we spoke a few days ago." Dani sounded dejected as she gave voice to her thoughts.

"They must have an incredible Power, right? I mean, I can't really imagine a single person being able to go toe to toe with Rust after seeing all of this." Adam gestured to everything around them. "Yet she doesn't hold that spot. So whoever the first Pillar is, they have to be able to beat her."

"I'm not so sure…." Jason hummed as he thought about it seriously. "Maybe the Pillars are judged on how beneficial they are to the domain as a whole? The first Pillar might not actually be all that strong if that is the case."

"You really know how to joke, don't you?" Dani chuckled as she punched Jason on the arm. "Come on, they'll definitely have to be a military asset. I can't see anyone like Rust taking orders from somebody she could crush. You know?"

Jason sighed at Dani's answer. She was right, of course. This world valued the strong. With all the dangers that existed around mankind, it was only natural to follow the strong. 'Wait, doesn't that mean that the Lord must be able to suppress the Pillars? Surely there would have been one of them who would have overthrown the Lord otherwise?'

Jason's expression became dark. He had no idea why he had never thought about that before. Everyone always focused on the Pillars and the military strength of the Guardians. It was as if the Lord was deliberately diverting attention from himself.