With no idea how truly pressing the situation was coupled with Cu's death, there was no way Shirou could just idle for any longer. He made arrangements in Northern Roble and delegated tasks to Lancelot, Mordred, Gawain, and Bedivere while he excused himself from Calca's hospitality.

Returning to Camelot didn't even take him a day as he'd opted not to use a carriage or horse, but instead move on enhanced legs. He'd arrived at Camelot's courtroom as soon as he returned, and sure enough, the person he was looking for was there entertaining an audience of Southern Roble Nobility. There were also Nobles from Northern Roble who'd decided to migrate over to the South near Camelot. One of them would be a familiar face: a former member of Northern Roble's Nine Colours, Pavel Baraja.

Shirou didn't recognize Pavel at all, but he did notice the way Pavel's wife and daughter were staring transfixed at Arturia in the same way a certain demographic of Roble's population did with awe and reverence.

Bathed in Holy Light and wielding a sacred sword of Victory, Arturia's reputation as the second coming of Roble's Valkyrie, its national hero, had many reverent. The Paladin's of Roble in particular had begun taking Arturia as their role-model, and Pavel's wife and daughter were walking down the road of a Paladin.

Pavel was forced to smile wryly as his daughter, Neia Baraja, couldn't turn her gaze away from Arturia. Worse, Pavel's wife was equally transfixed and this was due to their shattered skepticism when Pavel first insisted, they relocate.

Presently, Arturia sat upon her throne with a red carpet rolled down from the base and extended to the end of the audience hall. At Agravain's instruction, Excalibur was unsheathed and left propped in a place where Arturia could reach it, and where it could be seen shining by all.

Her regality couldn't be hidden, her beauty unparalleled by those that cast their gaze upon her. Soft wheat coloured hair, teal eyes, and a warmth that seemed to encompass all those she considered her people, she was perfect in her role unlike the other Kings in the Mausoleum.

-A King must be selfish.

-A King must be greater than all.

-A King must be adored.

Arturia was none of these. She was a ruler that worked for her citizens rather than have the people work for her. Strangely, her ever calm gaze began to shift within the eyes of all present in the audience hall.

Her half-lidden gaze abruptly widened as she sat up and straightened her posture even more than it already was. However, there was no hiding the trace of nervousness that flickered across her features, blood rushing to her face.

Shirou had no words as he and Arturia made eye contact from where he'd slipped into the hall from a window.

Seeing Arturia so flustered at his sudden arrival was quite peculiar. As she was the center of attention in this gathering, any of her actions would fall under scrutiny. It didn't take long for others to notice that she was looking at him, and whispering lowly.

Several aristocrats that had long since been captivated by Arturia and made inquiries about her relationship status and possibly establishing familial ties, were not amused. Many started scowling, and sending their aides to investigate the man who'd caught Arturia's eye, namely him.

He wasn't wearing the armour he wore before, as it would have slowed him down on the journey back. Instead, what he was wearing were grungy hunting leathers associated with lower-born individuals in Roble.

The whispers continued until they became heated when Arturia subconsciously began fixing her hair and wetting her lips, giving them a glossy shine.

By the time someone couldn't take it anymore and moved to chastise Shirou for barging into an aristocratic gathering, Arturia had collected herself…mostly.

"D-Dismissed!" Arturia announced immediately, silencing all voices.

"Dismissed?" Many of the aristocracy invited to Camelot furrowed their brows, and made to protest. Only Pavel and those belonging to upright families quietly left the hall.

Those that remained were those that felt threatened by Shirou's presence near Arturia and tried to persuade her to reconsider.

"I said go." Arturia pinched the bridge of her nose and finally convinced the stragglers to leave by threatening to break relations with them.

When everyone aside from Shirou had left, Arturia sagged into her throne and sighed. She then took in a calming breath and assessed Shirou. "You're back early…" she seemed lost for words.

"And you're not making eye contact," Shirou pointed out the rather obvious way Arturia was looking anywhere other than his face. "There's no use hiding it anymore. I already know."

Arturia glanced up at his eyes, and finally, she relented. "How much did you hear?" She asked.

He thought over the answer. He knew that Cu had left for the Re-Estize Kingdom while Nero had gone to the Baharuth Empire. As for why, it was explained to him that they were moving at Agravain's directive in order to create a peaceful world where he could live in. The fact that even Gilgamesh had sett off was surprising to him, but the man wasn't one for constraints. It was no wonder that Mordred grew nervous when he'd asked for him.

"I've heard enough," he answered back. "I'm flattered that you'd all do this for me, but I don't want to sit around while you put yourselves in danger. Cu died and I'm not even sure if the revive system works here."

Frowning at the news, Arturia had to reassess her thoughts about the dangers in this New World. Based on her experience, she didn't think that anything would have really posed a danger to them in this New World, but Cu's death was alarming. No wonder the Rune Witch had left the Mausoleum.

"What are you planning on doing?" Arturia questioned him in concern.

He didn't even take a moment to answer. "I will head to the Baharuth Empire to check up on Nero." With Cu's death, and Gilgamesh's whereabouts unknown, Nero was the next priority. With her skills, she was the fastest way to earn coin legally. The next alternative was Caesar, but the man's sly tongue would sooner scam a man to make a profit than leave both sides satisfied.

Speaking of which- "How many have left the Mausoleum?"

There was no way that just Cu and Nero had left. The two of them wouldn't be able to create a peaceful world on their own.

"T-That's, uhm," Arturia trailed off in thought. "You'd have to ask Agravain."

"And where would he be?"

"…Out on the field headed for Re-Estize's capital."

Well, wasn't that great. There was no way to question Agravain now about the scope of the current endeavors.

"I'll just have to ask him another time, but for now I should go." With Cu's death, it was proven that there was a strong enough force that could harm him, and as such could harm the others as well.

He was worried about what may happen to the other NPCs that had left. However, Nero had been out for longer.

"I'll come with you," Arturia was quick to propose.

He stared back at her. She was worried about him, and it showed in the way she refused to take no for an answer. She strapped Excalibur into its sheath hung by her waist, and unclipped the mantle straps over her neck.

Just as she was about to make her way over to him, she was stopped by several vines that formed a wall.

"I'll accompany him," Merlin appeared beside him from out of nowhere. "You have your duties that you must perform here as the ruler of Camelot. Besides, he's safe with me. You wouldn't doubt your own teacher's skills, now would you?"

No. She doubts your character, Shirou surmised form the sour look on Arturia's face. She knew Merlin was right. Without her, Camelot's negotiations and agreements with Roble's landed nobles would halt. The feeling of Camelot's security would also leave with her.

Shirou regarded Arturia who looked like she'd just swallowed a fly while Merlin just grinned and shooed her back to sit on her throne.

Merlin then wrapped an arm around his shoulders and began escorting him away down the red carpet.

"Let us go. This can be a wonderful experience! I may even teach you a thing or two about women," Merlin joked. Rather than a mission, he looked more like he was going for a vacation.

Hearing Merlin's words, Arturia's ears suddenly perked up, but not in a good way as she found herself on edge and about to speak until it sounded like Shirou was going to decline Merlin's offer.

"I think I should be fine," Shirou said flatly.

Arturia's muscles relaxed and she slumped into her throne, a hand placed over her heart in relief, but Merlin wasn't having it.

"Nonsense. We visit a brothel at once!"

Arturia shot up from her throne in alarm, outraged and glaring. "Merlin! Y-You what did you just say!"

She wouldn't be getting an answer.

A swirl of rose petals surrounded them and whisked them away.

"MERLIN!"

Appearing at Camelot's main gate, Shirou gave Merlin a flat stare when their feet touched solid ground. "Are you sure that was the best idea? You know exactly what she thinks of brothels and similar establishments."

Merlin shrugged humorously. "Oh, believe me. I know more than just that. A teacher torments their students, especially when they can't be honest with themselves. It's a life lesson you should take to heart. In any case, I've been feeling cooped up lately and this task couldn't have come at a better time. I find myself curious about the wom- I mean wonders this world contains outside this Kingdom. Let's call a public wagon over. Subtilty is best for an adventure like this."

Merlin patted his shoulders before grinning and walking off in the direction of the stables where horse-drawn wagons were being boarded. Merlin waved him over and he reluctantly complied.

He had half-a-mind to just rush to Baharuth Empire on his own to be faster, but Merlin's approach seemed more appropriate considering the unknown dangers of the New World.

Approaching the wagon Merlin had already sat himself in, Shirou's mouth twitched when he noticed Merlin sidling up to a couple of women that he impressed by making flowers appear in his hands. Said flowers were then gifted to each woman who gradually let down their guard, and like a worm, Merlin dug himself right in-between them.

Several men on board grimaced, except for one who didn't seem to care. This action was enough to draw Shirou's attention over, and what do you know? It was a familiar face. Seated near the end of the wagon's left side, was Gemas Hawthorn. This was the same man who'd acted as escort in Northern Roble almost a week or so ago. What was he doing here on a wagon headed towards the Baharuth Empire?

"Ah," Gemas made a sound as he too recognized Shirou who walked over to sit beside him. Grumbling, he suddenly regretted his action.

Gemas wasn't exactly a talkative person especially when he could see that Merlin, Shirou's current traveling companion, was one of those promiscuous types.

"Surprise seeing you here," Shirou said with a small grin. "I thought you'd still be in Northern Roble."

Gemas grunted. He had his own reasons for leaving Roble at the moment though. "My wife. She's an adventurer," he explained gruffly. "It's hard to contact her while she's on the job, so it's easier if I meet her in person."

Gemas fell silent from then on. He wasn't being rude, but was just acting the way he was.

Shirou noticed that Gemas would always sit in a way that his sight never leaves those around him. It was proof of experience and a rather troubling upbringing. No wonder the man wasn't very talkative, and was instead the serious sort.

It was because Shirou was observing Gemas at this point, that he noticed Gemas tense when a hooded man boarded the same wagon and sat near Merlin.

The air around Gemas grew strict, but nothing changed over his features. His eyes however, were staring intently at a certain symbol tattooed onto the underside of the man's arm. It was an image of a hand with eight fingers obscured from sight by baggy sleeves. Apart from Shirou and Gemas, no one else saw it.

Feeling the tension in Gemas's stern gaze, Shirou felt as if this trip to the Baharuth Empire would involve more than just sight seeing and checking up on Nero.

Arche still felt as if she was dreaming after guiding Nero around and then ending up in the largest mansion that she'd ever seen in this part of the Empire. It belonged to the previous duke of the area, and the land spanned several acres even beyond the small forest in the back yard.

Presently, she was standing inside the duchy's main building. As it hadn't been in use since the previous Duke was sentenced to execution by Jircniv, dust had accumulated everywhere. Nero didn't seem to mind however and promptly hired the people living in the dutchy to clean the place with a promise of a gold coin each for a thorough job.

Arche learned early on that money was influence in the world, and nothing could reflect this phenomenon quite like what had just happened.

The entire manor was now spotless. Even dust hidden in corners or beneath furniture had been cleaned.

This was the power of money, and how quickly it could motivate people to do almost anything.

She was snapped out of her daze when Nero called out to her.

"As my aide, you'll have a range of duties," Nero nodded professionally. Her personality was ordinarily outgoing and carefree, but she too had her experiences in a position of power.

Arche stood at attention. Her day had been filled with many ups and downs, and at this point she just felt numb. "…What would you have me do?" She gripped tightly onto the handle of her staff. She didn't quite yet have a full grasp on Nero's character and was nervous that she'd be asked to do something against her standards. It was suspicious enough that a seasoned assassin, though a relatively kind one, was under Nero's employ.

Rather than speak, Nero hefted a wooden chest filled with numerous pouches of gold and laid it out in front of her first.

"The Praetor, a person of great renown will be arriving soon." Nero explained, her arms crossing beneath her bust as she puffed her cheeks. "Nothing less than the best welcome will be acceptable. The plots of land nearby and the buildings on them, buy them all."

Arche flinched, unable to endure this level of money squandering when she'd worked almost all her life just to gather enough coin to move herself and her sisters out of their family home.

"Do you know how much that would cost?" Arche felt like she was suffocating from equal parts envy and disbelief. "You do know that people live in these houses, right? Most of them prideful aristocracy."

"Coin isn't a problem." Nero flashed a royal crest that only one person in the Empire could ever personally delegate to others. "Moreover, I'm sure the current occupants would move to new lodgings once they see this."

Indeed. Arche felt her eyes bugging out when that crest was shown. It would be especially effective for nobles as a symbol of terror and even herself to an extent. After all, she'd nearly been part of those executed.

"You know the Bloody Emperor?" Arche missed the way Nero's expression flickered at the title.

"You must think that he's quite a ruthless and murderous man, don't you? Murder is still murder regardless of the reason," Nero hummed, neither angry nor happy, but contemplative and reminiscent instead.

"Well, not completely." Arche answered while Nero blinked owlishly, momentarily perplexed.

Arche continued with an explanation. "For the Empire, I can understand why he did it. If you can't trust your upper-class members of state, then the Emperor would never get anything done." Her parents were prime examples of the corrupt nobility the Emperor had expunged from the country through executions. "He may be the Bloody Emperor among the nobility, but for the common born and those with integrity, he is the pillar of the Baharuth Empire. 'Glory to the Empire' as they say."

Nero furrowed her brows and took a second look at Arche, suddenly finding her pleasing to the eye. "So, what is he to you? The Bloody Emperor, or a wise ruler?"

Arche didn't even take a second to think. She stared into Nero's eyes, and Nero stared back. "He is the Empire," she answered. "It's true that his methods may been too severe, but there is no doubt about the Emperor's love for the Empire. Many including myself may fear him, but we also adore him."

Nero's shoulders began to shake before she brought a hand to her mouth to suppress her laughter. Ever since coming to Baharuth, she'd been getting reminded time and time again of certain parallels in her memories. The love of the people was the one she cherished the most, and she was now reminded of it through Arche's words. Nero too had once been known as a tyrant, but in time, she became loved and adored by her people. Her mood was inexplicably good. So much so that she practically beaming from amusement.

Nero suddenly gifted several extra bags of gold to Arche much to her panic. "But Lady Nero isn't this a bit to-"

"Umu. Take it." Nero only grinned slyly before looking Arche up and down and shaking her head ruefully. "No aide of mine should look so shabby, so go buy yourself the most expensive attire. Oh, and you can spend the extra however you want. Hire more help, splurge on luxury, it doesn't matter. I've always been generous to my people."

Arche opened her mouth, but Nero wasn't done speaking yet and silenced her with a raised finger.

"As my aide, you may be targeted if you leave alone, but don't worry. If you're ever in danger, just call out for Hundred Face. You can't see them, but they are around." Nero glanced sideways knowingly, but all Arche could see was an ordinary gardener from outside the manor's front windows. She didn't but it. Her eyes couldn't see anything out of the ordinary with the man.

"Is this Hundred Face from the Eight Fingers?" Arche asked tentatively. She didn't know if she was breaching anything confidential with the question, but it would relieve her mind if Nero wasn't connected with a criminal organization. At this point though, Arche probably wouldn't care even if Nero was, but still…

"Are they like chicken fingers?" Nero's response completely threw Arche off. "Umu. It sounds like something a gluttonous descendant of mine would ask."

What? Arche couldn't follow Nero's trail of thought at all and shifted her weight from foot to foot, doing her best to remain stoic despite her confusion. What's a chicken finger? Don't they just have wings?

"Also, I won't be against it if you purchase a certain 'property' for yourself," Nero gave Arche a certain look, an air of schadenfreude exuding from her.

Arche took a second to comprehend what Nero had just said before her neutral expression broke away into tentative disbelief. Her eyes dilated, and her mouth suddenly dried at the implications. "D-Does this mean I can buy whatever house I want? W-What if the owners don't comply even with the seal?"

Nero grinned coldly. Hundred Face had already briefed her a bit on what had transpired with Arche.

"Just use Jircniv's name. He gave me full authority here, and he said he'd lend me some renowned Knight Legion. I didn't pay too much attention which though." Nero flippantly shooed her off with a wave of her hand. "Now hurry and go. I must prepare this place for the Praetor's arrival."

Rather than move, for a long moment, Arche remained frozen, staring furtively at her feet. She'd had her reservations about this job, but nothing had been turning out as expected. Nero wasn't as much of a 'monster' as her suffocating amount of mana made her seem. If anything, the jubilant smile over Nero's face was earnest in that she really was giving her all this gold and support with no strings attached.

Arche would normally consider such a noble a fool for squandering their wealth, but despite it all, what Nero was earning in doing so was Arche's undying loyalty and appreciation. Nero had never needed her in the first place, but here she was receiving Nero's kindness.

She sniffled, and promptly turned away to prevent anyone from seeing her face.

She ran out the door of the manor a second later.

What had happened just now essentially solved every single one of her problems in a single swoop.

S-She was free to do as she wished with her life now, and the only regret she had left was paying back the kindness of her teammates who saved her life time after time, and she knew of a single way.

Hekkeran Termite

Roberdyck Goltron

Imina

These three individuals were the names of her teammates in her Worker party, Foresight. Considering the time, she knew that they'd be in the unofficial Worker's bar where requests were posted on a notice board.

She knew Nero had given her a task, but Nero had also said that she was free to hire more help, therefore, finding her team became the priority.

Being a Worker was dangerous. There were numerous stories of entire seasoned teams dying from only a single mistake. If not for the money involved, no one would ever agree to take the dangerous commissions even adventurers refuse to accept.

If it was money, then Arche was already convinced that she could persuade her friends to work with her. Unknowingly, but ever since Arche had left Nero's manor, there was a hop in her steps, and shine to her features.

Reaching the bar her team frequents, she clumsily fumbles with the door due to her own excitement and eventually get it open.

Nearly tripping over the doorsill, she gave a quick nod to the owner and spotted a group of three drinking chilled beer at the far corner. There were two males and one female, the female being a half-elf with purple hair in twin tails. This was Imina, an archer.

The burly man with blond hair and Knight's attire was Roderdyck, while the rogue in leathers was Hekkeren. All three perked up when they saw her and quickly waved her over.

"If it isn't the squirt-"

Hekkeren's greeting was interrupted before he could even finish by Arche herself.

"I-I want to hire you all as personal guards," she spoke up hastily, leaving them all baffled.

Hekkeren who had been about to down his mug of beer had his mouth hanging ajar while Roderdyck placed his drink down and had a thoughtful expression. Imina looked the most intrigued while staring at Arche in concern. One thing that the three all noticed right away was the flush on Arche's face, and the fact that she actually appeared lively.

This just wasn't normal. Due to Arche's circumstances, she'd almost lost the ability to even show her emotions, but now…now she was practically glowing.

In the ensuing silence, Arche couldn't make eye contact with anyone and ended up fiddling with her thumbs while waiting for an answer. "Money won't be a problem, and you don't have to be Workers anymore." She chanced a glance, and noticed blank faces. She stuttered as she grew flustered at what to say to convince them. "L-Lady Nero's a generous Duchess. She's also kind, not like any Noble I've met in the Empire. A-And I have a lot of money."

Thinking quickly, Arche dumped a whole pouch of gold coins over the table.

One was already enough to cause Hekkeren to drop his mug, and Roderdyck and Imina to freeze, but not looking at their expressions and not hearing any answers, Arche thought she wasn't offering enough. Left unsaid, but just one pouch of gold would have been plenty to rent the current bar for an entire month with no problems.

Soon enough, the entire table had almost a meter's stack of gold piled over it, and Arche was still going. The sound of coins clanging and jingling was the only noise in the bar.

Everyone was staring at this point, and this was a Worker's bar so the effect was magnified.

"S-Say, uhm, I'll gladly work for you if you'd let me!" Someone finally couldn't hold it in anymore and yelled out to Arche who grew startled and realized what she was doing.

The gold Arche had piled was even more abundant than the promised reward to investigate some missing people's cases near Baharuth.

"Fuck off!" Hekkeren finally found his voice and pulled Arche in close. "She asked us, not you bastards!"

Arche blinked while growing hopeful. "Does that mean you accept?"

Hekkern gave her along stare before just grinning. "Of course! Roderdyck, Imina, what do you guys say?"

Roderdyck grinned while Imina stood up and glared at the people who may try to steal what wasn't there's. "It can't be helped can it? Who are we to refuse such a good offer?"

Roderdyck, Imina, and Hekkeren shared a small glance with each other while staring at Arche.

If anything, it was the first time she'd ever seemed so carefree, the shadows that used to haunt her features were lifted to reveal a hopeful gleam for the future.

Grinning merrily, Hekkeren treated everyone in the bar to free drinks before he himself grew smashed and had to be carried out by Roderdyck. Shaking their heads ruefully at Hekkeren's form, Imina and Arche led the way to a more private location for Arche to explain the details of her new job.

Arche laughed lightly, a hand brushing the rose tucked into her hair over her left ear.

Times had really changed. She didn't need to be a Worker anymore, and perhaps this was a good thing.

Moments after Arche left with her old Worker team, a beautiful woman in a cloak idling by a table sipped at her free drink before standing up and looking at the notice boards in the bar with a frown. She took a notice sheet and quickly left in the opposite direction Arche and the others went.

The woman had grown intrigued regarding the recent missing person's cases.

Over her chest was the emblem of a Gold-ranked adventurer.

Her name was Selena Hawthorn, a Roble-born Noble and an adventurer that often patrolled near the borders of Baharuth and Re-Estize.

Whether she understood the reason why or not, people were going missing, and her sense of duty was tingling.

Perhaps it was time to launch an investigation?

She decided to make a report to the nearest Adventurer's Association.

Thanks for reading!

Next update: Huntsman of Red V2

P a treon. com (slash) Parcasious

NOTE: [Survivor's Log: Reflections] will be published soon before the end of the month. It's a novel series that focuses more on mystery and supernatural, and previews can be read on Fiction Press.

Book link: Fatedlegacydark. ca