TBATE-A New Beginning

72. The Other Side

Arthur Leywin Pov

I was currently at the shore of a lake in Epheotus taking a bath. Not too long ago I was forced out of the aether orb in the middle of my training which was in its final phase by Windsom.

He didn't say anything to me but just asked me to follow him. He had an annoyed look on his face so I didn't question him and did as he told me to. On my way, I tried asking Sylvie if she knew something, but all she told me was that I'd know soon enough.

So here I was. Windsom asked me to take a bath for the first time in nearly four years. Most of my time here was spent in the aether orb training and during my training with Wren that crazy Asura would just conjure a pool of water below my feet so I would be cleaned which only lasted a few seconds so I didn't get an opportunity for a bath because of which I really took a moment to enjoy this pleasant time.

When I was done, I walked out of the lake pulling a towel from my ring and wrapping it around my waist. I looked at my body which had a few scars, mostly from training with Wren. Usually, these scars wouldn't have mattered much but since I had a seal over my aether core, my unnatural healing was also sealed, because of which these scars were formed. Even my hair was longer, well past my shoulders.

As I walked towards the shore, I saw a familiar figure which I wasn't expecting to see here.

"Get changed into this set of clothes." Aldir pointed towards a set of clothes on the rock right beside me with his back facing me.

"So, what's the occasion?" I asked in a teasing tone.

"You're going back to Dicathen." He responded simply.

Hearing I'll be going back, I quickly started changing into the clothes Aldir brought for me as my mind started working on theories as to why Aldir was here.

Aldir should be in Dicathen, guiding everyone in the war. And even if something happened that requires me to return immediately, it's very unlikely for Aldir to come all the way here just to pick me up. The only thing I could come up with was that he wasn't allowed to be in Dicathen, but the only reason for that would be if the Asuras broke the treaty in hopes to take down Agrona but failed.

'Bingo. It seems Agrona laid a trap and Kezess, being the idiot bitch he is, took it.' Sylvie responded simply, but my mind was on something else.

'Excuse me, what the hell was that? Where did you learn to swear like that?' I asked, completely baffled by her words. 'And don't you dare try to change the topic. I'm not letting you off the hook.'

'Uhm... Well, you already know that I pick things from you and Regis. Since you were in aether orb for most of the time, I didn't have many people to talk with except Grandma and well... Regis. I guess talking with and seeing Dicathen through his eyes probably wasn't the best idea.' Sylvie admitted sheepishly.

'No, it wasn't. You better be prepared for some re-education the next time I see you.' I responded seriously as Sylvie gave me a mental sheepish smile.

As I finished getting dressed, I picked up the artifacts Wren prepared for me and put them on my arm and sending mana into them I activated them. Then I quickly pulled out my engagement ring and leaf pendants and put them on too before walking towards Aldir.

"Before we go to see Lord Indrath, there is something you should know." Aldir started turning towards me. "Last month, Windsom and I along with some elites were dispatched to assassinate Agrona in hopes to end this war, but unfortunately it seems he was expecting us. In short, the mission ended up in failure."

"Wait, isn't that a breach of the treaty since you guys interfered in the war?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, and because of that, another treaty was signed in which we were prevented from interfering in the war in any way. That includes providing Dicathen with military counsel." Aldir explained sternly.