Arc | Chapter. 36: Payback (Patreon)

Chapter. 36: Payback

Gaillard was all smiles, his wage had more than quadrupled in the last week and it was all because the Grand Duke Filmas had apparently been assaulted. Now, fearful of the person seeking further revenge, he had increased the security across all his estates; factories, homes, hotels.

But nothing had happened so far, it was a funny thing to Gaillard really. And he wasn’t the only one around, everyone else was getting paid to do essentially nothing. But it wasn’t a boring thing, he had made a friend in the form of Adwin who also just happened to find the situation absolutely hilarious.

“To think some Medal of Bravery holder made the Grand Duke so scared,” Aldwin said smiling.

Gaillard chuckled. “I know, right? Isn’t she C Grade?

His mate smiled. “Indeed, do you think we could’ve just done the same; to threaten the Grand Duke for his money?”

“Well we are D Tier ourselves, but if what is happening is anything to go by, then…” Gaillard smiled widely. “Absolutely.”

He gestured towards the machines surrounding them, the place had been locked with only guards on shift left. They were completely alone, completely unworried, and even if something did happen, there were enough C Tier people in the vicinity to deal with things.

“Just look at how dumb he is, paying a bunch of guys to do absolutely nothing.”

“Come on Gale, we are here to do a job.” Aldwin called, saying his nickname with a semi serious tone. “We are here to defend this place, this heart of iron that makes the Grand Duke his wealth.”

Gaillard turned only to be met with a half serious expression from his friend. He took a breath.

“You’re right Al, we are here to defend this place and ensure no one intrudes upon this sacred land.”

They both stared at one another for a few seconds, before they broke into a howling laughter. What defense? They were here just getting paid to do absolutely nothing, and even if someone came they would be long dealt with before they got to the inner part of the factory; their position was to be sitting ducks, and of course they embraced it. But even if someone did show up the two of them were strong enough to deal with any normal intruder.

“Well just a few more hours and we’ll be out of here,” Aldwin said, wiping a tear from his eye.

“Indeed, I can’t wait to get paid.” Gaillard nodded. “Gonna use the money on booze.”

“Booze? Women are where it’s at.” Aldwin said with a smile. “There are some crazy fun ones out there⁠—”

And at that moment distant metallic clank resounded. It echoed across the factory for a few moments, like a loud crack. They both paused.

“Never heard it crack that loudly at night before,” Gaillard said in confusion.

The factory would indeed produce odd sounds, but it was the first time it sounded like that. Still, it wasn’t something they had to pay attention to⁠— or at least that’s what he believed until Adwin spoke with seriousness.

“Is it just me, or are there no other guards nearby?”

Gaillard paused for a moment, as he turned to look behind into an empty factory.

“That is true⁠—”

And the walls exploded with a burst of chilly air, metal shrapnel flew as a figure stumbled in. One of the guards, the man, immediately met Gaillard’s gaze and warned.

“Run!”

Then he fell to the ground, fainting. Gaillard and Aldwin paused, sudden nervousness creeping in both of them. Gaillard didn’t know what to do now⁠— that was until footsteps interrupted them. Slow and methodical, they approached as they felt a chilly sensation run through their spine.

And then, both of them saw it. A woman of white and pale features, with soft crystalline blue eyes and a small frown. Yet, when meeting her gaze Gaillard felt a creeping sensation all over his body. A primal response that told him he had to run.

“Just a woman?” Aldwin said before smiling. “A total beauty too! Gale, help me have some fun!”

“Stop!” Gaillard called, but his friend rushed towards the woman before he could stop him.

Gaillard winced as she raised her arm and⁠— Aldwin stopped, his entire body paused mid motion as the woman walked forth. Gaillard shivered and he knew he had to run, but just as he was about to turn the woman raised her hand.

And she flicked.

“Disappear.”

A burst of ice exploded the factory, knocking Gaillard unconscious as alarms began to blare.

* * * * *

Nothing happened.

Filmas couldn’t believe it, there was no yelling, no scolding, no insulting, nothing. He had left the building without so much as a negative feeling from the Hero of Flames, it was truly something he considered a miracle. So now, all he had to do was proceed with his plans of sinking Arlow, as for his current losses; he would recover before the selection.

Now in a better mood, Grand Duke Filmas stepped outside in the direction to his carriage, but that’s when he realized one of his guards hurriedly coming towards him; a nervous expression on his face.

“What happened?” Filmas asked, having a bad premonition.

The guard took a moment to prepare himself, before breathing out. “Sir, your beer workshop in the south sector of the city has been destroyed.”

The Grand Duke paused. “The entire factory…?”

The guard before him gravely nodded. That’s not too bad… Filmas thought for a moment. Then before anything else was said another of the Grand Duke’s men arrived in a panic.

“Sir Filmas, your wine plant is under attack.”

And he paused, then another guard arrived a second later with a new report.

“The wine plant has been destroyed.”

Filmas froze.

What?

* * * * *

Everyone was on alert, they had all heard the news of factories and businesses connected to the Grand Duke being destroyed, they weren’t baseless either, some people currently guarding the distillery had seen it with their own eyes ⁠— explosions of ice that swallowed them whole, destroying everything inside.

Of course, not everyone believed it, that was due to the fact there were no casualties. However, even though Videl himself hadn’t seen what happened. So, he didn’t believe it. Perhaps he was being silly given the rumors and testimonies, but it didn’t matter. Today he wanted to get paid, he wanted to take some weeks off from his job, and in order to do it; he had to see today through.

There was no way there was someone that powerful.

A Tier individuals were far and few in between, and given the rumors that were being spread that person was at least that powerful. Besides, even if there was such a person, Videl would be entitled to extra pay for having to risk his life in such a manner. So to some extent, it was better if the rumors were true.

Though, naturally he wasn’t a suicidal person, and there was no way he would be fighting an A Tier individual, or someone stronger than that possibly. He was just a C Tier mercenary after all. Worst case scenario he could just leave, but he wasn’t going to be doing that.

In the end, the main reason for his lack of worry was the fact that there was absolutely no way the Grand Duke would anger someone to that extent. Not to the extent of wanting to destroy every single factory. The Grand Duke was a smart man, so angering someone like that was nothing but stupid.

Videl shook his head and decided to not keep thinking about it, before turning to look at the exit⁠— and at that moment he heard people scream; battle cries that boomed through his ears with vigor; the sounds of swords unsheathing, of spears breaking the air, of spells being launched⁠— they all ripped through the air at once and then⁠—

The entrance exploded.

Videl froze as he saw icy mist, frozen ground, fainted or possibly dead people. And in the middle a lone girl walked, one that when she made eye contact with him, made him pause. Videl had seen such a gaze before; it was inhumane, it was one of a primal monster.

At that moment all his previous thoughts about not believing anything vanished.

He believed it.

He believed it with his whole being.

And then, Videl heard other people call for help.

Before he could even look, people rushed from the edges of his vision. Dozens of guards all at once, stationed solely to defend this factory. He saw mages throw fireballs, electricity and break the earth beneath the woman. He saw a warrior rush; swinging upon her body only for the sword to shatter. Then with a single motion she raised her hand and flicked⁠—

A burst of ice engulfed everything.

Videl’s surroundings were instantly turned into a frozen land of death. He stared in his position, everything around him had turned white, and yet, he was intact. His heart palpitated, it rushed from the fear he felt⁠— and she stepped forward.

Videl let out a pathetic gasp and fell back, feeling the cold ground around him as his eyes shook. He couldn’t understand what had happened, or how it even happened⁠— There was no way he could even fight someone like that!

And then he heard someone rushing.

In an instant, he stood before Videl, a burly man full of muscles and iron fists. It was the strongest guard here, a B Tier mercenary, someone who rumors had it was an almost A Tier individual. His presence here was to make acquaintances with the Grand Duke⁠—

Wait, why did he even remember all of this?

Videl caught himself as the man rushed forward, and in an instant he punched towards the woman. And she caught it with her hand. Then with a twist, the sound of broken bones and a horrid scream echoed all at once. Videl shivered as the man was defeated in an instant.

Then, finally, the monster turned in his direction. She walked, Videl backed off⁠— he didn’t want to fight⁠— he couldn’t fight her! He kept backing, but eventually he hit a machine. And finally, she reached him, with her hand he grabbed his shoulder and pushed him away.

Videl paused as he saw her raise her other hand and with another flick the rest of the distillery was destroyed by shards of ice.

Everything was destroyed just like that…

Videl looked in horror and he saw the woman vanish. There was simple silence. He felt like he was on the verge of a heart attack, the ice around him started to melt as he saw the now ruin-like state of the distillery.

Finally, he collapsed sweating as he realized he was alive.

The Grand Duke… He laughed, panting. Really fucked up didn’t he?!

* * * * *

Filmas felt like death, every single minute⁠— every second a Magic Scroll would appear, all with  the information that one more of his properties had been trashed to oblivion. Even though they were silent they still blared like alarms in his head; they still made his heart palpitate and jump, he had even changed the course of the carriage multiple times.

But finally, he managed to see a pattern, and he knew he could save something. And now he was heading towards his last property; his largest manufacturer; a silk factory. It was where he made the most money, it was his most profitable business, and it was what he needed in order to survive all of these losses.

And so, he prayed, for every single scroll he read, he prayed that they weren’t the tragic news of all of his factories being destroyed. He had to negotiate with the person doing this to him, he didn’t understand what he had done to anger them⁠— but he had to do something!

Through his travel the frequency of the scrolls diminished as he grew more and more nervous, minutes ticked by until finally, he arrived. Filmas hurriedly left the carriage only to see the Grand Factory intact.

It was safe⁠—

And dozens of ice spikes sprouted from everywhere, breaking through the windows, the bricks, the ceiling. The entire place was turned into an iceberg in just a single moment as its structure began to collapse, and from the now broken door, walked out a familiar person.

“N-No…”

Filmas trembled, fear and confusion flashing through his mind. I⁠—it was the same person that had beat him up! White hair, crystalline blue eyes⁠— it was Arc the Medal of Bravery holder!

And she had destroyed all of his factories as a C Tier adventurer?!

His mind stopped working, as he quickly realized that⁠— wait, no. That couldn’t be possible…?! Had Jake fought Arc and lost…? His mind whirled for answers as the girl approached him. Filmas couldn’t understand it, she was clearly hiding her Tier, but was she an S Tier adventurer in disguise⁠— one strong enough to defeat Jake the Weapon Master?!

It didn’t make sense to him⁠— it couldn’t make sense⁠— why and how?!

Finally, the ice in the background began to crack, breaking him from his stupor as he returned to reality, now Arc stood just a couple of meters away from him. Her gaze as if looking at an insect.

“So we meet again,” she said coldly.

Filmas shivered. “W-What do you want!? Is it money? I-I’ll pay!”

And in response, Arc simply shook her head.

“No, I don’t want any of that.” She gripped at the air as a spear of ice was formed. “I want revenge for the Arlow family, but more specifically, I want revenge for Ceylon.”

Filmas backed off, as he hit the carriage, his guards were nowhere to be seen⁠— at least that’s what he thought as he saw them frozen in time. What even was⁠—

Another cracking sound brought him to reality, Arc raised her spear, getting ready to throw it at him.

“And this is the way you’ll pay back.”

Filmas panicked, he was going to die!

And she threw it⁠— it blurred through the air and⁠— a shadow swept in front of him. Filmas winced, and nothing came. He opened his eyes only to see the spear almost touching his forehead. But it was stopped by a man in a dark cloak and black rags. Filmas gaped, this man was⁠—

“I am afraid I cannot let you do that, Arc, the one who controls Frost,” he said coldly as the spear shattered with his grip.

This man was…

The Hero of Shadows…

What think? Good chapter?