Little Pink Starfish

Just as Eagle had suspected, although countless players swarmed to surround and intercept Sadin, none of them managed to hurt him. Sadin was completely unharmed—except for his clothes being burned to shreds, almost forcing him to streak through Icecrag City.

With Bix Magic Cube’s usual protocols, had he ended up completely naked, the system would surely have censored him with a mosaic.

Still, Sadin was furious from humiliation. He slaughtered more than half of the players in the city; the streets were filled with piles of white bones. The shattered buildings and ruin throughout the city made the place feel cold and terrifying, as if a massive war had taken place.

Pei Sen went to report the matter to Eagle.
“You were right, young master. It’s likely Sadin really has become a Sword Saint.”

An extraordinary being of that level wouldn’t take kindly to what happened today. Pei Sen himself had to be more cautious now—players wouldn’t stand a chance against him again.

“That’s exactly why,” Eagle said softly, “no matter how many Bix Tribe members there are, they can’t threaten people on the level of Sword Saints or Legendary Mages. And in Esmia’s royal capital, there’s the Eternal Wall—even Sword Saints and Legendary Mages can’t breach it.”

“The Eternal Wall?” Pei Sen was unfamiliar with it. Since Arslan Continent had turned into a dedicated PVP server, he rarely came there. His account mostly served to sell goods to bloodthirsty PK players, so he didn’t know much about the continent.

Eagle nodded.
“To protect the capital, there’s a massive magical formation beneath the entire city. Dozens of permanent enchantments have been cast upon it, using mana from magic crystals to form a defensive shield around the walls. Even ten Legendary Mages attacking together wouldn’t break through it—that’s why the walls are called the Eternal Wall.”

“The capital of Esmia has another name: the Eternal City. That’s the origin. It’s known as the best-defended city in all of Arslan, and not without reason. Historically, the capital has never been breached. It’s said to be the most unbreakable and enduring city in the world.”

Pei Sen fell silent, starting to understand Eagle’s point. No matter how many players there were, in the face of true supernatural power, they were not strong.

Arslan Continent was, after all, a world of transcendents. That might be why its native inhabitants had managed to survive despite everything. Players could cause destruction, but against the real elites of this world, players were nothing. Many natives still fought back cleverly, thanks to these supernatural forces.

Even if one or two hundred million players descended, the current reality was that a single forbidden spell from a Legendary Mage could wipe out hundreds of thousands, maybe millions. So even those numbers were not enough.

Likewise, if Sadin, a Sword Saint, decided to unleash his full power, he could annihilate most of Icecrag City’s players in a single blow. Even if they resurrected, they wouldn’t be able to regroup in time.

Today, players had humiliated him, but if he wore a robe with magical defense, all of their efforts would have been meaningless.

The difference in power level couldn’t be bridged by numbers alone. And now, Sadin’s strength was undeniably exposed.

Suddenly, Eagle looked up.
“Sadin, since you’re here, why not come out and meet me?”

Pei Sen froze with shock—Sadin? When had he arrived?! After he left Icecrag City, players lost track of him completely. Even though the system had marked him as a high-priority target, he remained untraceable.

“You’re as clever as ever, young master.”

Sure enough, Sadin appeared, now dressed in plain clothes. He looked like nothing had happened—yet Icecrag City’s ruins still stood, civilians trembling in the cold and mourning their lost homes.

Sadin clearly didn’t care. Pei Sen, however, had already begun organizing reconstruction efforts. A large number of players eager for task rewards had started rebuilding the city. Thanks to their numbers, it would probably only take a day or two—though hopefully no civilians would freeze to death in the meantime.

The advantage of player volume was evident—at least rebuilding could be done quickly.

Eagle looked at the calm Sadin.
“You came to Frost Maple Territory looking for me, didn’t you? That’s easy enough to guess.”

Sadin studied the young man before him. From his features, one could still see traces of Duke Burke Angre—it was in the blood, after all. And more importantly, the boy was extremely clever, just like the Duke.

“The Duke told you not to come to Frost Maple, didn’t he?” Sadin asked.
“He had arrangements. Did he want to take over Frost Maple himself?”

“Of course not. Duke Burke Angre wouldn’t do such a thing. But yes, he made arrangements. Using the Blackrock Gang, a lot could be done quietly.”

Few people knew that a very important person was hidden within the Blackrock Gang. Aside from Sadin, only a few gang leaders knew of him—not even the newly promoted leader, Rockburst, was aware.

That person was a now twenty-two-year-old young man, the illegitimate son of the late Marquis Red Maple, born of a low-status prostitute. The Marquis had ordered their disposal after marrying Lady Red Maple, wanting no part of such a child. But the boy had survived.

After Savigi sent someone to Ranno to find Eagle, Duke Burke Angre had guessed that Savigi likely intended to take his own life. He had once hoped to persuade Savigi not to go through with it—but knowing the Ranno family’s nature, he knew there was little hope. They were, after all, a deeply devoted bloodline.

So the Duke’s backup plan was to have that illegitimate son take over Frost Maple. But Eagle had refused to cooperate. Not only had the plan failed, but he had also wiped out the entire Blackrock Gang.

Eagle listened to Sadin’s explanation, then sneered.
“So my father really is ambitious. I used to think that was a misunderstanding.”

Sadin shook his head.
“This isn’t about ambition. It’s about ensuring a backup plan.”

“Backup plan?” Eagle raised his voice.
“If one day he dares abduct Leiser and flee, I’d actually respect him a bit. But would he really do it? Could he?”

Sadin didn’t answer. It wasn’t his place.

Pei Sen stood by quietly, trying to make himself invisible. He was sure Sadin hated him right now—especially considering how the players had gleefully taken screenshots of Sadin in rage. For someone of his power, such public embarrassment was probably a first.

Still, no matter how much he tried to minimize his presence, he couldn’t disappear into the shadows like Pex.

Sadin’s gaze inevitably swept over Pei Sen, ever so slightly.

“You guessed my strength and used the Bix Tribe to expose me, didn’t you?” Sadin asked suddenly.

Eagle looked at him expressionlessly.
“So what if I did?”

“You know what happens when my strength is revealed.”
“Yes. I know.”

Sword Saints and Legendary Mages weren’t supposed to be tied to any one faction—they could upset the balance of power. When Meseray became the head of the Royal Mage Order, there was pushback.

Eventually, a compromise was reached: he could keep the title, but not appear or involve himself in affairs. It was largely symbolic.

“You’re a Sword Saint now. You can no longer be a knight bound to my father. You should live the free life of a Sword Saint—respected, praised, going wherever you wish. If you prefer the capital, you can live comfortably there, drawing a handsome stipend, doing nothing unless Esmia is under attack. Isn’t that a good life, Sadin?”

Pei Sen thought it sounded amazing—getting paid to relax and travel.

But Sadin murmured, “It’s not what I want.”

Despite being one of the top experts in the world, his face showed fatigue. He wasn’t even forty yet—very young to have reached this level.

He hadn’t come from nobility; his family had fallen into ruin shortly after his birth. He had been saved by Burke Angre as a boy and devoted himself to swordsmanship and loyalty to the Duke ever since.

Now, he looked older than his years, never smiled, because life had offered him little reason to.

Eagle said coldly,
“Wake up. In your Duke’s eyes, there is only Leiser. You don’t have to go this far for him. I revealed your strength and freed you—that’s my thanks for staying by my side all these years.”

Sadin’s eyes grew complex.
“This isn’t what I want.”
“Oh? Then take it as revenge. After all, you locked me up for years.”

Pei Sen glanced at Eagle. So vengeful… all the lines belonged to the young master now.

“You must know, once exposed, I can no longer stay by the Duke’s side. Before I leave, I must do a few final things for him,” Sadin said.

Eagle frowned. A final rampage from a Sword Saint could be catastrophic.

Sadin smiled faintly.
“To prevent anyone from acting out of desperation and hurting you, young master.”

Eagle suddenly had a bad feeling.

“So come to the capital with me. With my protection, no one will harm you.”

Pei Sen immediately stepped forward.
“No.”

Sadin glanced at him disdainfully, not taking him seriously.

Pei Sen’s heart pounded. He had to stop Sadin from taking Eagle away.

Eagle narrowed his eyes.
“Did my father tell you to do this?”

Sadin shook his head.
“This is my decision. I won’t serve the Duke anymore. You’re too clever—he can no longer control you.”

The young master had grown too fast. Sadin feared for the Duke’s ability to keep up. Pei Sen and the Bix Tribe, growing in number and loyalty, made matters worse.

“I see. A Sword Saint acting on his own now, bold indeed,” Eagle said with a cold smile.

Pei Sen began thinking of how to stop this. His scrolls and gear weren’t enough—unless his main character were here.

He felt a deep powerlessness. No matter what, a player at his level couldn’t beat a Sword Saint.

Sadin looked at him, half-jokingly.
“You really want to stop me? I’m in the mood to kill you right now.”

Eagle’s expression darkened.
“If you dare kill him, I will never go with you.”
“You’ll come with me, willing or not.”
“You can try.”

Sadin frowned but didn’t respond.

“Give me three more days. Then I’ll go with you,” Eagle said coldly.
“You have my word, young master,” Sadin replied.

Sadin left just as mysteriously as he had arrived, without alerting anyone.

To him, the defenses of Red Maple Castle might as well have not existed. He came and went as he pleased, and unless he wanted to be seen, no one could detect his presence.

That was the might of a Sword Saint.

Pei Sen had experienced it firsthand in his main account, having fought against several players who had also stepped into the Sword Saint realm. Among all player classes, swordsmen were the most numerous, and thus there were more Sword Saints than Legendary Mages.

Pei Sen likely understood Sword Saints better than anyone else.

But so what?
The more he understood, the clearer it became—Sword Saints were beyond his ability to resist.

“Young master, no matter what, I won’t let him take you.” Pei Sen’s expression turned solemn. If he had to, he’d call every player he could and surround the place.

Eagle shook his head.
“It’s useless. You might stop him once, but you can’t keep stopping him. If he insists on taking me to the capital, no one can stop him.”

Pei Sen grew anxious.
“Then what do we do?”

Eagle looked at him deeply.
“Pei Sen, are you… worried about me?”

That question stunned Pei Sen. Was he worried?

Of course he was. Even if Eagle didn’t need him to survive, and would still become the exalted Child of Light… his eyes… that’s what Pei Sen feared the most.

If Eagle lost the light—if those bright, clear green eyes went blind—Pei Sen couldn’t bear to imagine it.

“Young master, if there’s a way not to go with him, then don’t go,” Pei Sen said, gripping Eagle’s hand.

He knew Sadin would never allow him to go along. If Eagle went, he would be going alone.

Eagle shook his head.
“Even if there was another way, it wouldn’t be a good one. I really do need to go to the capital. Some things can’t be solved by hiding from them. I need to see what’s going on with Leiser.”

Everyone said something major had happened in the capital. But the information reaching Eagle was vague, censored. Other than knowing Leiser had survived an assassination attempt, he still had no real details.

He was curious.

There was also the matter of that secret-patterned ring.
Why were all the Berfield family rings containing magic books?

Everything pointed toward the capital.

“Don’t worry, Pei Sen. I won’t be in danger—at least not before I turn twenty,” Eagle said with a slight smile, noticing how tightly Pei Sen was gripping his hand.

Pei Sen frowned. “Before twenty?”
He racked his brain, trying to recall when the NPC known as the Child of Light first appeared in the original timeline. It was years later… and back then, Eagle had already gone blind.

He didn’t know whether it happened before or after Eagle turned twenty.

At the time, relations between players and NPCs weren’t exactly friendly. Though Eagle was a character NPC, he had no affection for players. Conflicts between them were frequent.

But players didn’t care.
He was so handsome and strong that even if he killed them over and over, they still adored him.

Female players were obsessed with his looks.
Male players admired his strength.

No matter how he mistreated them, his popularity stayed sky-high.

“If you really go, young master…”
We’ll be separated.

Pei Sen had a bad feeling. If he didn’t go with Eagle, Sadin would kill him without hesitation.

Sensing what Pei Sen was about to say, Eagle looked at him.
“There are still things I need you to do. And Pei Sen, didn’t you say the Bix Tribe members grow quickly? That includes you. You’re getting stronger too. I’ll be waiting for you in the capital.”

Pei Sen looked silently at the boy who now stood taller than him.
Solemnly, he promised,
“Young master, I won’t let you wait long. I will come to rescue you.”

“Good,” Eagle smiled. “I’ll be waiting.”

He had three days.

The next day, Aken rushed in from Ranno Territory, still unaware of what exactly had happened. Eagle had summoned him urgently, and Aken hadn’t hesitated. He hadn’t even informed Oak, who was still left behind.

Instead, he brought Jekko and the lich from the dungeon, tied to the backs of horses, along with Atwell and several priests.

The journey was fast and rough—Jekko and the lich had been jostled so badly their bones nearly broke. The lich almost resorted to dark magic. It was unbearable.

“What on earth happened?” Aken dropped his riding crop, visibly exhausted.

Eagle looked at him.
“Aken, can I trust you?”

Aken paused, then smiled.
“Of course, Eagle. When I had nowhere to go, I came to you—because you’re the one I trust most in this world. Whatever you need, you can count on me. I swear on the honor of House Arclow, I will never betray you.”

Eagle nodded slowly.
“Then, as lord of Frost Maple and Ranno Territories, I appoint you acting lord of both regions, with full authority.”

Aken was stunned.

Then Eagle turned to Pei Sen.
“I appoint Pei Sen as my Frontier Knight, to fight on my behalf and expand our domain!”

That shocked everyone even more than the prior announcement.

On the Arslan Continent, the gap between nobles and commoners was nearly insurmountable. Aken, no matter what, was already a count of Esmia—a genuine noble.

But Pei Sen… he was not only a commoner, but a non-human!
Eagle had just granted him a noble title!

Frontier Knights were usually lords themselves, and if they expanded enough territory, they could rise even higher.

This defied the traditions of the continent.

“Young master—” Ichabod stepped forward, wanting to speak, but Eagle didn’t give him a chance.

“There is no longer a steward Sadin, nor a vice steward Kesso. From now on, Pei Sen will serve as temporary steward. Together with Aken, he will manage both territories. And we should consider merging Frost Maple and Ranno soon.”

Everyone looked at each other.
Eagle was clearly determined to promote Pei Sen—what more could they say?

As for stripping Pei Sen of power after Eagle left…
With the loyal and terrifying Bix Tribe around, that would be very difficult.

“Atwell and the priests will come with me to the capital,” Eagle added. He wouldn’t leave anyone behind who could threaten Pei Sen.

The black-robed priest Atwell nodded silently, though his gaze toward Pei Sen held a complicated meaning.

The Church of Light had already branded the Bix Tribe as a race from the Abyss.

Sadin said he would give Eagle three days—so that was all they had.
Three days later, he would return to take Eagle away. Eagle asked to bring Atwell and the others, and Sadin did not object.

Nobles and the Church had agreed: when one was named Child of Light, the priests would accompany them.

“Young master,” Pei Sen still couldn’t accept Eagle leaving.

Eagle looked at him.
“I’ll be waiting for you, Pei Sen.”

Sadin spoke with no expression.
“Pei Sen, take one more step, and I really might kill you.”
Clearly, his rage toward the Bix Tribe hadn’t faded.

Pei Sen ignored him.
If you’ve got the guts, then kill me. It’s not like I’ll truly die.

But Eagle stepped forward and shook his head.
“Don’t.”

Pei Sen said, “I’ll be fine.” He’d just lose some EXP.

Eagle smiled, gently hugged his shoulder, and whispered in his ear,
“But even so… I don’t want to lose you.”

Pei Sen: “……”

“I’m going, Pei Sen. I’ll be waiting for you to come rescue me!”

Pei Sen nodded firmly.

Then, Eagle suddenly kissed the corner of Pei Sen’s lips and walked away without looking back.

Pei Sen stood frozen, eyes wide—he couldn’t react!

Sadin: “……”

What the hell?
Did he just forcibly separate a pair of lovebirds?
Did it have to be so dramatic, so tear-jerking?!

Eagle boarded the carriage.
Sadin rode beside it on horseback.

From inside, Eagle’s calm voice drifted out:
“Sadin, you better wait for me.”

The tone was light and soft—not harsh or aggressive.

Yet Sadin felt a chill run down his spine.

To separate Eagle and Pei Sen…
For Eagle, that was harder to bear than losing Pei Sen himself.

But they were still too weak.
They couldn’t resist—Sadin’s power was absolute.

Even though Eagle genuinely wanted to know what was happening in the capital, and truly had reason to go, it wasn’t enough to make him willingly leave Pei Sen.

If possible, he wouldn’t want to be apart from Pei Sen even for a single day.

So he would not forgive Sadin.