Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 252: Straightforward scheme

Chapter 252: Straightforward scheme

"What sort of sorcery is that?" Alex couldn’t help inquiring in confusion as he could hardly fathom the scenario.

Killing people that you’d already killed before?

It reminded him of those zombie movies where the dead came back to life but judging from Arthur’s words, it didn’t seem to be that simple, and in any case, even a zombie would die once killed a second time so how was he to explain the continuous deaths?

Arthur sighed as he leaned back on the bench. "There are several inexplicable things in this world and that, my boy, is merely one of them."

Alex nodded, realizing yet again that he’d underestimated the scope of this new world.

Quickly recovering his composure, he decided to focus on what he’d learned so far.

"These people that have to be killed continuously, what made them like that?"

"A few speculations came up but the most prevalent was that they were citizens of Thebes."

"The same ones that suddenly disappeared?"

Arthur affirmed. "Precisely. If we are thinking subjectively..."

"Their disappearance and their current state of dying and coming back to life right now might be related?"

"Most likely. If it’s Ashtyx, a portion of a True God, then it’s not far-fetched."

"Does this mean the mysterious organization that approached your ancestors is connected to the Ashtyx?"

"It’s possible."

"How can I find them?" Alex inquired.

Arthur shrugged. "No idea."

"Then..."

"They only ever approached us with a proxy. The one that came during my time died at my hands and I have no idea who the current proxy is so I can’t help you with that."

Alex turned silent for a moment as he pondered his options properly.

Meanwhile, Arthur picked up the radio and fiddled with it, perhaps in a bid to clear his mind.

Soon, Alex spoke up. "Do you know if this... culling has happened already?"

"Perhaps. I’ve been away for more than a hundred years and by my calculations, there should be one happening this year. It normally lasts a month and serves as a coming-of-age ceremony for the younger ones."

"The ceremony involves killing humans?"

Arthur chuckled as he dropped the radio to meet Alex’s perplexed gaze. "You have no idea the animosity my people hold for humans and in any case, those people killed aren’t humans in the correct sense of the word."

"How do you mean?"

"I’ve killed a few. None bled, merely turning into gold dust that scattered with the wind." As he spoke, Arthur gestured with his hand and blew with his mouth.

"Gold dust?... Like the Catalyst?"

"Ah, you catch on quick."

"Hah, regardless, how sure are you that the ceremony is still on?"

"Now I’m curious to know why you ask."

Taking a moment to arrange his thoughts, Alex replied. "Does the proxy normally come to ensure that the... ceremony takes place?"

"Ah, you plan to catch him then?"

"If possible."

"Well, quite unfortunate because it isn’t."

"Hmm?"

"BeastMen never place their guests in danger... unless completely necessary."

"What are the circumstances?"

"Unless the king allows it."

"This is getting complicated," Alex muttered as he massaged his temples.

Arthur chuckled. "The reason it’s so complicated is because you are making it that way."

"I don’t understand."

"My people are a straightforward race. If we hate you, we don’t hide it. Same for if we want to kill you."

"... I see."

"You are thinking about sneaking into Aragon to meet with the proxy but that won’t work. The moment you enter Aragon, you will be as bright as a beacon. No matter where you go, there would be someone watching you and by the time you arrive at your target’s destination, you’d have a whole squad of BeastMen out for blood, and mind you, only newborns in Aragon are unable to use weapons."

"This is quite troublesome."

Arthur grinned. "How about this?... I tell you everything you need to know and even give you tips on how to speak with the Rey without trouble and you’ll do something for me in return."

Albeit hesitant, Alex replied. "What is it?"

"Take good care of Nadia for me."

"..." Alex turned silent.

"I never got to say it before you both left that day," said Arthur before he added. "So I’ll say it now. Take good care of her for me, okay?... She’s a good girl, she just needs the right group to learn."

"... I promise."

"Now that’s the spirit. Maybe while at it, you could court her. Who knows what might come of it?" Arthur teased with a look unbecoming for his age.

Alex rolled his eyes, used to his unfortunate antics as he remarked. "So tell me what you know."

"Before we start, you need to understand four things about Aragon and its people; we despise lies..."

Alex couldn’t help but furrow his brows as he noticed Arthur giving him a rather suspicious side-eye.

Why does it feel like he said that first to warn me?... Alex wondered as he waited for Arthur to continue.

"Secondly, we are an honorable race."

Alex pursed his lips, tempted to point out just how dishonorable Arthur was.

"Thirdly, we are of one mind. You cannot hope to turn one against the other."

"So basically, I can’t sneak in or try to bribe my way through."

"Exactly." Arthur nodded in agreement. "And we speak with our fists."

"I see."

"Ah yes, there’s a fifth."

"What?"

"We hate humans."

"Hmm."

"Well not all, but with most humans being weak dishonorable liars that can’t seem to like one another, it’s difficult to not hate your kind."

"You seem to fit in quite well."

"Indeed I do. In the first place, I never acted like a BeastMan."

"Hah, alright. How do I get in with so many restrictions?"

"It’s simple actually; be straightforward," Arthur remarked. "I know more than anyone just how much my people wish to be free from the taboo of having to desecrate the land of our forefathers. Think of a way to use that to your advantage."

Alex remained silent for a moment, seemingly in deep thought as he pondered his options yet again.

Perhaps due to his life of always working undercover, he found it difficult to think up a straightforward scheme that involved no lies.