## Chapter 3 – Dark Side
After finishing their conversation with the priest, Arthur and Joseph moved on.
Amid the flowing crowd, Joseph lowered his voice.
"Even the priests from Drastoria's church can join the raid," he said.
Hearing this, Arthur's steps slowed. Once again, his gaze shifted toward the South Gate—carefully observing every priest standing there, studying their faces, their eyes.
As they talked, they reached a part of the city whose sight didn't surprise Arthur much.
It was as if he had always known that this side of Drastoria existed too.
Arthur looked at Joseph.
Joseph was angry—but he didn't let that anger show in front of the crowd. Still, Arthur knew him too well to miss it.
Joseph's eyes had sharpened. He wasn't just standing there—he was holding himself back.
Arthur knew that if a truly guilty person had appeared in front of Joseph at that moment, it could have ended right there.
Arthur spoke softly.
"Joseph… calm down."
A few moments later, Joseph's breathing slowed. The anger hadn't disappeared completely—but control had returned.
Arthur said, "Come on… let's leave this place."
His words were firm, but his heart wasn't ready to walk away.
Both Arthur and Joseph knew—if you stop to save just one person, many others will be left behind.
One will receive help. The rest won't.
And that kind of help… is more of a compromise than true salvation.
For Arthur, real help only exists when everyone works together for everyone.
Arthur placed a hand on Joseph's shoulder.
"Come… let's go," he said again.
"Joseph knew—Arthur wasn't heartless.
More than anyone else, Arthur understood how to keep himself intact in a world that tried to break you."
Still, without saying a word, Joseph walked over to an elderly woman sitting to the side. Just two or three seconds.
Then he returned.
The two of them headed toward the main street. By then, Joseph had calmed himself to a large extent.
It was almost lunchtime—both of them realized it without needing to say anything.
They spoke little, but the weight in their minds was the same.
Walking together, they reached the hotel.
As Joseph started heading upstairs, the hotel manager called out to him.
After a brief conversation, Joseph went toward the room. Arthur had already entered and lay down on the bed.
A little later, Joseph returned.
"The manager told me that Karaku had come looking for us. Since we were out, he said Karaku would return in the evening to meet us."
Then Joseph added, "Get changed and freshen up. We're going out for lunch."
Arthur replied, "You freshen up first. I'll go after."
Joseph didn't say much. He changed his clothes and went into the bathroom.
After Joseph came out, Arthur went in to freshen up.
Inside the bathroom, Arthur looked at his face in the mirror.
At first, he saw only exhaustion and frustration… then slowly, something else.
As if the face in the mirror was speaking to him.
"You'll never achieve your dream… and this world will never let you escape Asesh."
Arthur's anger surged. He clenched his fist and punched the mirror hard.
The mirror shattered, scattering across the floor.
Yet, when Arthur looked at his reflection in the broken shards below, it felt as though it was still staring back at him.
A strange chill crept into his chest.
Arthur stepped out of the bathroom. His voice was low.
"Joseph… the mirror broke by accident. Sorry."
Joseph looked at him for a moment.
Then simply said, "It's fine."
And the matter ended there.
They both went downstairs for lunch.
The dining hall was almost empty—only a few people were present.
There wasn't much conversation. Fatigue outweighed hunger.
After lunch, they returned to the room and collapsed onto their respective beds.
The exhaustion was so deep that they lost track of time. No one realized when evening arrived.
Knock. Knock.
The sound at the door pulled them both back to reality.
Joseph got up and opened the door.
Karaku was standing outside.
Karaku stepped in, and Joseph closed the door.
Arthur sat up on the bed, drinking water. Karaku took a seat on a chair.
Joseph said, "Karaku, this is Arthur—my childhood friend. And Arthur… this is Karaku."
They exchanged brief glances and a light greeting.
Joseph and Arthur sat on the bed. Karaku remained on the chair.
Joseph asked directly, "Karaku… have you changed your mind or not?"
Karaku stayed silent for a few moments. Then he said,
"You went to the South Gate, didn't you?"
Joseph nodded. "Yes. Arthur and I went there in the morning."
Joseph asked, "Did you find anything?"
Karaku took a deep breath.
"No concrete proof… but I believe it was them. And I've heard that one of them will be joining the raid."
His voice grew heavy.
"That's why I decided… to join your party."
Arthur spoke softly, "Joseph has told me everything."
He looked at Karaku.
"I can understand your pain."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"But revenge is not the solution to every problem."
Arthur's voice was calm, but his words carried weight.
"I know you've waited thirteen years. And I won't let your sacrifice go to waste."
Then a hardness entered his eyes.
"Just remember one thing… in your pursuit of revenge, don't become like them."