" I will reopen this gate. I went to this world before and I had quite talented students. Perhaps their assistance would greatly benefit our cause."
Arthur looked at the portal along with 3 people who were following him. They were Ghost Simon, Ian the disciple, and lastly Pheonix.
" Oh, they will definitely help you then, mate."
Phoenix smiled, hitting Arthur's shoulder with his arm which made Ian's brows furrow. He wanted to say something to him but Arthur looked at him with a look that was saying it was okay.
" Normally yes, but their alignment is a bit tricky. I might actually spend some fortune."
Arthur stroked his chin, recalling the leaders of the villages. Each of them was friendly to Arthur due to their interests and they were extremely careful toward his company.
" Relax, we got this. Right, ghost man? Spooky, haha."
Phoenix laughed with a carefree face while Simon almost facepalmed himself. He guessed something difficult might happen due to his companion's big mouth but he had no choice since this was an order from Arthur.
" Alright then. Here goes nothing."
Arthur injected his energy as the portal opened between the dimensions. The bluish color of space was swirling around the portal as it invited them in.
" On the count of three. One, two, three. Let's go."
They jumped into the portal and their minds blanked for a few seconds as they opened their eyes to see around. The ceiling made of concrete caught their eyes as people ran down to them.
" Lord Arthur!"
The old man bowed down to him as the rest of the staff also did the same. They had been waiting for his arrival for years but he didn't arrive as he told them. Slowly they were losing hope, almost giving up but when they recalled Arthur who saved them from the abyss, they remained stoic until this day.
" Igashi, you have aged. It appears that I have arrived late."
Arthur's face softened while looking at his manager whom he regarded highly because he was both intelligent and loyal to him.
" Years may pass but my loyalty will remain firm. How can I forget your grace to us?"
Igashi's voice quivered with emotion despite his old age. The other employees also almost shed tears when they saw their boss come back. The tall back that protected them from rain and snow stood before them once again.
" You have suffered, my friend. How is your family and where are my students?"
Arthur held him up gently as he expected to learn good news from him like how he was living well and how his students became great but to his surprise, Igashi remained silent.
His smile faded away instantly when he saw their expressions. Especially Igashi was making a bad face which felt a little ominous.
" What happened to them?"
He took a deep breath to calm down, looking at his subordinates with a serious face. The pressure he was exuding was no joke as normal people struggled to stay even though he was controlling his power.
As a man who lived eons, his very being was shrouded with the might of his ego, so a little bit of emotional change could affect his surroundings despite his debuff.
" I have failed you, my lord. Your students were doing great but a few years ago, lord Minato and Lady Ayase who were the heads of the village lost their lives to the tailed beast. He sealed half of the beast inside himself while sealing the other half to his son who is currently in custody of the third lord."
Igashi closed his eyes with pain because he was close to Minato who was a sunny and kind person. He thought he was the best Hokage after the first lord but he lost his life in a tragic accident with his wife who was also a student of Arthur. Both of them were regarded as the strongest couple in the village but in the end, they lost their lives for the people whom they swore to protect.
" I see."
Arthur closed his eyes with pain, recalling his students. They used to always ask questions from him and have fun with him, so he never thought they would die this soon. They were the most talented kids in the entire world and he knew they were destined for greatness yet two of them lost their lives like this.