Arthur gazed intensely at Mona. He couldn't help but notice the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she breathed heavily. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, the sound echoing through the tense atmosphere.
"I must have heard wrong," he began, his voice a low rumble, "but are you worrying about them? Even after you know you've been used… you still have sympathy for them?"
Mona's eyes darted between Arthur and the chains that bound her wrists. Her emotions were a tempest, but her resolve was strong.
"That is not your decision to make," she retorted, her voice laced with defiance. "It doesn't concern you! Release me!" She struggled against the unforgiving metal restraints, desperation in her eyes.
Another weary sigh escaped Arthur's lips, his hand absentmindedly rubbing his temples as he contemplated the situation. "Well, that's unfortunate," he mused, his voice tinged with disappointment.
"And here I thought we'd bond right away." His eyes as he glanced at the intricate expression on their faces in the room. "Looks like I have no other choice."
Arthur's hand descended gently upon Mona's face, his palm emitting a soft, ethereal golden light that cast a surreal glow upon her features.
It danced upon her skin, creating an otherworldly ambiance in the room as it reflected in her startled eyes.
Mona's voice quivered with trepidation, the calm facade she had worn moments ago now shattered by fear. "W.. what are you going to do to me?" Her words trembled in the charged air.
In response, Arthur spoke with a mysterious calmness, his voice lulling like a siren's song. "Sleep well."
His hand remained suspended over her face, the golden radiance intensifying until it enveloped her entirely. Mona's eyelids grew heavy, and her panicked gaze gradually softened.
As the radiant light caressed her, she succumbed to an irresistible drowsiness, her eyes closing, with Arthur's face being the last image she saw before the soothing embrace of sleep overtook her.
With Mona now peacefully asleep, Arthur withdrew his hand, his gaze lingering on her serene visage. He marveled at her beauty in the tranquil slumber that had enveloped her.
However, the serenity was disrupted as the enigmatic system reappeared, its digital presence intruding upon the scene.
[Wiping memory from Mona {129 E points acquired}]
Arthur's brows furrowed in contemplation, a hint of frustration in his voice as he muttered to himself, "Another hidden quest… why do I get the feeling this system just gives me random points when I do something it likes?".
In an instant, he snapped his fingers, and the chains that had bound Mona to the ground vanished into thin air, as if they had never existed.
Isla and Raiden, who had been watching the unfolding events with fear etched across their faces, exchanged apprehensive glances.
They knew that whatever Arthur had done to Mona, there was a looming possibility that they might face a similar fate.
Isla's voice cracked with desperation as she struggled against the unforgiving restraints, her fear for her sister fueling her determination.
"What did you do to my sister?!" She cried out, her body heaving as she pushed against the ground, seeking any means of escape.
Arthur's response was chillingly calm as he leaned closer, his hand hovering over Isla's face. "Isn't it obvious?" He replied cryptically. "I'm taking you back to where you belong… but, of course, it can't be with your memories of this place intact… I'll… tweak it … just a little."
Isla's mumblings grew frantic as she attempted to resist his grasp, but her efforts were in vain.
The golden light enveloped her face, and it was as though her very consciousness had been extinguished. Darkness consumed her, and she slipped into unconsciousness, her world transformed in an instant.
[ Wiping memory from Isla {129 points}]
Taking care of Isla, Arthur pulled his hand away, his eyes then slowly turning to meet Raiden, her body shaking on the ground, she couldn't utter a single word, all she could do was shake in fear as Arthur moved towards her.
.....
*The next day*
"Asorth!"
"Asorth!!!"
Luna's frantic footsteps echoed through the Japanese-style mansion as she darted from one room to another. Panic etched across her face, her desperation palpable in every hurried stride.
The village head of Eldoria, Asorth, had been engrossed in her duties, leaving Luna without a glimpse of her all day. But now, Luna was resolute, her determination unyielding.
Abruptly, a sliding door revealed Asorth, seated on the tatami floor, surrounded by four other women. They were engaged in an intense discussion, their voices hushed as they deliberated their plans for the upcoming tournament.
As Luna panted heavily in the doorway, her eyes filled with worry, Asorth turned her attention toward her. Her gaze locked onto Luna, concern etched into her features.
"Luna? Is something the matter?" Asorth inquired, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
With gasping breaths, Luna managed to speak, her voice urgent, "As... Asorth! Have you seen Arthur?! He didn't come home last night!!!" She practically yelled, her words laden with anxiety.
Asorth's eyes widened in alarm, and she swiftly rose from her seated position. Her attention shifted to the women gathered around her, her tone grave. "What?!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a sense of urgency.
"Alert every woman in the village, find the young chief, and bring him back here, no matter what! Hurry!!!" Her command resounded with authority.
Without hesitation, the women responded in unison, their determination clear. "Right away, ma'am!!!" they chorused, and in a flurry of movement, they exited the room, their mission to find Arthur set in motion.
Asorth's concern deepened as she continued to assess the situation. She strode to the side of the room, where her sword hung on the wall. With a swift and practiced motion, she retrieved it, her determination clear.
"When did you notice he was gone?" Asorth inquired, her voice steady despite the urgency of the situation.
Luna's response was filled with worry, her voice trembling slightly. "Evening... He's usually in his room practicing his magic at that time. I searched the whole village and couldn't find him ...".
Her eyes blazed with a fierce protectiveness as she added, "If anyone lays a finger on my boy, I won't hesitate to clear out the whole of Monstat."
Asorth nodded, attempting to soothe Luna's fears. "Take it easy… believe it or not, but he's not exactly weak… he wouldn't go out that fast. Let's go look for him." With those words, she strode out of the room, her determination leading the way.
Outside, they were met with a gathering of women from the village at the entrance, their voices filled with anxious murmurs.
Asorth's frustration was evident as she pushed through the crowd, with Luna closely trailing behind.
She couldn't fathom why the villagers had gathered like this when their primary task was to search for Arthur.
However, the sight that greeted them on the other side of the crowd left both Asorth and Luna in a state of utter shock. There, standing at the forefront of the gathering, was Arthur himself.
His presence alone would have been surprising, but what truly stunned them was the sight of the three maidens, each standing behind him and holding onto his body, their expressions contemplative as they observed their surroundings.
The unexpected turn of events left Asorth and Luna at a loss for words, their expressions a mix of confusion and disbelief as they tried to comprehend the situation before them.