Arena Forty-Five: Their Secrets V

Everyone inside the hall kneeled, including me. Slight looking up, I saw a magnificent man walk through the middle of the hall to the throne at the end.

The hall itself was massive, with countless artificial chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and numerous large crystal-clear windows on the right wall, while having beautiful golden and bronze decorations on the left wall and the floor.

But compared to the extremely royal and elegant throne sitting on the elevated platform at the end of the hall, even this expensive and beautiful room fell short.

The throne was large, with countless golden spikes rising from the base, creating the back of the regal seat. While extremely comfortable (or so it looked) red cushions made the interior of it, where the emperor would sit. The sides were decorated with red, emerald and purple gems, glowing as the light from the chandeliers fell on them.

Surprisingly, I didn't see any seat beside it. As far as I knew, the empress would also be present... But the only ones entering the room was the emperor and his guards.

Perhaps something had changed?

I kept kneeling until the emperor reached his throne. Once he sat down, he gestured everyone to stand with his chin... The crude action also emitted a dignified aura for some reason.

The nobles inside the hall stood up, clapping and praising the emperor. As they did so, the servants and maids of the castle entered the hall and cleaned up the tables on the sides of the room full of food, before replenishing the feast with more dishes.

Everyone had left their drinks on the table, which were soon cleared by the servants. They were going to prepare everything anew due to the emperor arriving at the venue it seemed.

Thinking about such miscellaneous things as I tried to escape the complicated reality, I looked around. Suddenly, someone grabbed my hands and squeezed them hard.

"You'll be fine, Arnold. The emperor might be a bit tricky, but if it's you, you'll be fine."

Anastasia smiled as she encouraged me... While Roxy on the other side just gave my other hand a tighter squeeze with a worried expression on her face.

I calmed down thanks to them. Soon after, the guard beside the emperor stepped forward and called my name.

Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the crowd and approached the emperor, Christopher, with steady steps. I arrived at the base of the platform before kneeling down.

"I, Arnold Tilgen, am at your service, Your Majesty."

Mimicking the words I had been taught by the trainers, I spoke in a dignified tone.

"I have heard about your good deeds, Arnold Tilgen."

Christopher said with a casual but overbearing voice. I kept my head down and replied politely.

"Your words honour me, Your Majesty."

"Hm... Do you know why you have been called here?"

He asked... Was it just my ears or did he sound slightly disappointed?

"... I can not fathom your thoughts, Your Majesty."

"Well then... Let me tell you, Arnold."

He casually addressed me as he stood up. I could hear a guard approach him and give him something.

Then, I felt a cold touch on my shoulder. Realizing that it was the ceremonial blade, I bowed deeper.

"Arnold Tilgen. You have been an exemplary citizen of the Alpha Empire, even though you are barely sixteen. You have successfully stopped and saved two of our strongest Elliots, while being a Technician yourself. Your bravery has inspired me... For that, I shall reward you with the title of a Baron, and the new court title, Protector Of The Chosen."

"I thank you for this honour, Your Majesty."

I accepted his words, and felt the coldness on my shoulder disappear.

"I except much greater things from you, Arnold."

"I will strive to meet your expectations... Your Majesty."

A few moments of silence passed after I said those words. Confused, I kept kneeling while waiting for the emperor to leave... Yet...

"Rise. It's hard to converse like that."

What did he mean by converse? I hardened my jaws as I realized that my worst fears would be confirmed... The emperor wouldn't follow the standard procedure.

Even so, I couldn't go against his words, so I stood up and looked at him directly.

There he was, resting his chin on his fist as he looked at me with curiosity. He had a slightly mischievous smile on his face, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk looking at its prey.

"Oh, drop the formality too, if you would. It doesn't suit you... Makes you appear different from what I know about you from the reports."

Christopher said while straightening his posture.

"Yes... Your Majesty."

I felt a bit down, but I followed his words. I decided to ignore the whispers around me, yet again.

Christopher then suddenly asked me an absurd question.

"How's your father, Arnold?"

"My father... ? He..."

How was he, actually? Now that I thought of it... why hadn't I contacted him or mom in the past month ever since coming to the academy?

"You haven't contacted him at all, have you?"

"I... I haven't, Your Majesty."

"Hm, you should keep in touch with your family more frequently, Arnold... Besides, your father, he is a good man. It will only benefit you if you listen to his advice now and then."

"I... I'll remember that, Your Majesty."

Why did it sound like the emperor knew my father at a personal level? Was it just a trick to make me drop my guard, or was it perhaps a figure of speech?

I felt extremely uncomfortable... But his next words made me realize something dark.

"I am not blaming you, though. Perhaps you had just forgotten... Or perhaps you were made to forget... Who knows?"

I could feel Christopher's gaze on my neck... I immediately understood what he was talking about.

It was possible, that my head had been tampered with by the A.R.M.A.

Shivering at the thoughts, I nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Perhaps."

"Well, let us set that aside. I am here to offer you something else instead of seeds of suspicion, actually."

"... Yes, Your Majesty?"

I asked, narrowing my eyes. Christopher, ignoring my guarded gaze, waved his hands in the air in front of the throne. Almost instantly, two screens appeared both in front of me and Christopher.

"Arnold, you are a capable Technician... Too capable, in fact."

Christopher continued while swiping on his screen.

At the same time, a logo appeared on the screen before me, which looked much like Alpha's official logo... Except that it was much more militaristic looking.

"Which is why, it's a waste to let you work under a benched team... Full of complicated people... And no results."

I could hear someone hiss from behind, turning around, I saw Anastasia gritting her teeth in anger. Well, Christopher was berating her squad so...

But didn't the Phoenix squad have Felicia in it too?

"Eyes on me, Arnold."

Christopher finally turned his gaze from the screen towards me. I immediately snapped back towards him.

His cold and calculating eyes made me feel extremely uneasy.

"As I was saying..."

After confirming that my attention was at its peak, Christopher continued his speech.

"Your talents are wasted there. Not to mention, due to the squad's tricky nature, you had to go through a lot of hardships with problematic people and other squads."

Well, I couldn't deny his words... But it still rubbed me in the wrong way.

"So... Here's my offer to you, Arnold. Why don't you join the squadron under my wing, Atlas?"

"Squadron... Your Majesty?"

I asked, confused. Not a squad, but a squadron?

"Yes, a squadron of elite Elliots, Technicians, Co-ordinators and other classes. Together, you will be the true face of Alpha."

"But..."

I didn't see any merits in joining this squadron... Atlas, was it? However, Christopher's next words made the benefits clear.

"If you join, you will be given absolute freedom. The only person you'll have to answer to for your actions will be me. You will receive the title of a Marquis, and will essentially become a high-ranking member of the aristocratic society. It's a good deal, don't you think so?"

He asked, his gaze again on my neck. It seemed that the emperor knew well enough about the surveillance I was under.

And true, his offer did have some merits. However, it wasn't that my current situation was particularly bad or anything. While I was being monitored, I wasn't being inconvenienced in any way. Rather, Grey had saved my life more than once.

While Phillips was a bit... Off, I liked the overall mood of the Phoenix squad. At the least, I felt much more comfortable being in a squad where I could see familiar faces.

As such, his benefits weren't really worth much... But I still had one question to ask.

"But... If I may ask, what about Princess Felicia, Your Majesty?"

I asked the emperor, who seemed to be waiting for my answer. Christopher nodded at my question and responded.

"Of course, she'll be joining Atlas too."

"But then..."

If Felicia left and so did I... Wouldn't that mean...

"Yes, once you join Atlas, the squad will be disbanded."

Christopher confirmed my worst thoughts with a slight nod. Just as the words left his lips, I heard a commotion from behind.

Anastasia, who seemed enraged, was trying to shout something, but Roxy was holding her back, so was Principal Flora.

To Anastasia, her squad was her sanctuary. While still filled with issues, she seemed much more content there than anywhere else like the academy or the base.

Christopher, however, ignored her outburst and pressured me to answer.

"So, what do you say, Arnold?"

"I..."

Finding no other option, I decided to ask for some time.

"Can I think about it for some time, Your Majesty?"

However, my plan was shot down.

"No, I will much appreciate you giving me your decision here."

"..."

I fell silent. I didn't know what to do...

"Arnold!"

I turned around and saw Anastasia glaring at me... No, she was begging me with her eyes. She couldn't tell me to deny the offer directly, as it would be considered as lèse-majesté.

However, her desperate behaviour conveyed her feelings.

I was still conflicted... But I decided to go with my heart this time.

"I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty... But I can't join Atlas."

"Hm... And why is that?"

Christopher's eyes flashed for a moment, before he smiled and asked me while leaning against his throne.

"I... Because I have too many precious things in that squad."

"Hm... That's unfortunate."

Christopher said before standing up. The conversation was done.

"Though, remember, if you ever wish to rethink your decision... All you need to do is nod."

I kneeled in response. Seeing that, Christopher finally addressed the other parties inside the room.

"Well then, I shall leave for the night. Enjoy your time here, gentlemen and ladies."

He said with a smile before stepping by me and leaving the room with his guards in tow.

Instantly, the room was abuzz with whispers and discussion.

Amidst all that, I kept kneeling, my mind too occupied to even stand up.

Did I do the right thing? Was it really wise to deny the emperor's offer?

As such thoughts plagued my mind, I heard the well-familiar voice call out to me again, this time with joy and relief.

I stood up and turned around, only to be hugged and almost tackled by Anastasia. I hurriedly caught her and prevented our fall.

"Thank you... !"

She looked up at me from my chest, with a bright smile and tears of happiness in her eye.

Seeing that smile, I accepted my decision completely.

If it meant protecting that smile, then this decision was the correct one.