"From what I can sense using the Silent Judge, your statement is half correct. Care to explain?"
Indeed, what I had said was only the partial truth. Although I knew the cure for his daughter…
"You don't have to stress over it. I know the cure, I just need some time to make it available."
Arthur nodded.
He then stood from his seat and walked toward me.
Looking into my eyes with the same intense gaze, he took out his sword.
It was a black sword. Although it looked like any other ordinary sword, it was wise not to be mistaken.
Garthel.
One of the rare Mythical-grade artifacts in the world.
This was what made Arthur feared by the strongest.
Garthel's characteristics were never described in the game.
Why?
Arthur never used it in his fights. He always believed that a sword of this caliber should only be used when one fights for a noble reason.
A foolish thing to do!
Still in one of the arcs, some of it's powers were revealed to the world. This led to every powerhouse being wary to face against Arthur.
If he had simply fought using Garthel while facing off against the protagonist, he could never have been defeated.
But Arthur believed in his principles until the very end.
A foolish but respectable act.
Before I could question him about his actions, he bent on one knee while planting the sword into the ground.
"From this day forth, I, Arthur Dimitri, swear upon my blood to serve you until life resides in my soul. From this day, I shall be your sword, I shall be your shield!!"
"..."
That was some classic oath.
The nearby guards all knelt on their knees, seeing their master swear his loyalty to me.
They couldn't process what was happening. Many of them must have felt disgusted to bend their knees before a weakling like me.
But they did it, keeping their emotions aside.
Their job was clear. They served Arthur with their lives.
Now that he serves me…
I was now their boss's boss.
The big boss!
Heh…
Cringe.
Tsk.
Arthur then looked up into my eyes and held the sword between his hands.
"This sword is called Garthel. One of the strongest and most deadly weapons on Jutan. Please accept this as a pledge of my loyalty."
He raised his hands, urging me to take the sword.
I gripped the hilt with my right hand and held the sword facing down.
As I moved it through the air a few times, I could feel it.
Although I was far from being a weapon master, the sword still amazed me.
Its balance was delicate.
Like it could tilt from one side to another in a blink, yet still remain steady. It was light in weight, but I could feel the sharpness of its blade.
And the presence it released was terrifying.
It didn't suffocate me.
But it was there.
Waiting…
For someone to wield it.
To let it taste the blood of its master's enemies.
I liked the sword.
I wanted it.
But—
"You may keep it for the time being."
I said, returning the sword to Arthur, who now stood before me with his back straight, but the allegiance in his eyes was crystal clear.
I had planned for everything to happen this way…
Still, even I found it amusing to see this man bowing before me.
Arthur gave me a confused look.
I continued.
"Although I would like to use it, my strength isn't enough to bring out its true potential."
Sigh.
I felt a pang of loss in my heart.
"It would be more useful in your hands, and the stronger you are, the better it is for me."
Understanding the logic behind my words, he sheathed the sword back into its scabbard.
Now the important part was over.
I had secured Arthur's loyalty.
But it wasn't enough. He would be my second-in-command.
A man of such standing had to have utmost loyalty toward me.
Normally, to develop such loyalty and reverence, it would take at least a few years.
There are many things that bind an individual to another.
Fighting together in battles is one such thing.
Humans have always been fragile creatures. They can be easily manipulated into doing things that would have been against their will and ideals under normal circumstances.
They are the most adaptable race in the world.
Due to this, despite being inherently weaker than other races, humans still dominate and are one of the major powers in the world.
But a coin always has two sides.
The very adaptability that made humans strong can also be turned into their weakness.
If a situation is manipulated with proper timing and effort, humans can be forced into loyalty.
And the surprising thing?
They adapt to this loyalty in a matter of time. The feelings of such allegiance—even if forced—can be created with proper planning.
I was going to do the same.
Helping cure Arthur's daughter had earned me his respect and devotion.
Now, helping him in another matter of similar importance would cement his loyalty toward me.
As for what it was…
"What's your current rank?"
Arthur blinked.
"I am currently at Immortal 7."
Of course he was.
"And when are you going to break into the ranks of Sovereign?"
Hearing my question, he sighed.
He must have expected it.
"I don't see any chance of breaking into the next rank. My core is damaged, and compressing its seven rings to evolve it into a Sovereign core would be risky."
He paused.
"Risky would be a modest word. It would surely result in my death."
He looked into my eyes.
I could see the fire burning within them.
"Although I won't be able to rank up, you don't have to worry about my usefulness. I am confident in my skills. I won't cower in fear even if I have to fight a Sovereign."
His core was damaged, but his will wasn't.
My sword!
I knew all about his situation, but directly talking about it would raise suspicion.
A damaged core—in Arthur's opinion—was something I shouldn't be able to know, even if my information sources were capable.
Now was the time to strike and mold his loyalty.
"What if I say I have a cure for you?"
"..."
"..."