Chapter 17: Arthur The Knight

"I should start by telling you about where I came from since I'm not originally from this village. I'm a Knight that comes from the city Athalion. After my journey came to an end, I settled down here in Grea and opened up this inn."

Ken looked disappointed after getting such a short story. They practically learned nothing special from it. All of a sudden Zad shot up from the seat in astonishment from hearing what Arthur said.

"Wait you're from Athalion too!?"

Ken spoke to Zad saying.

"Too? Athalion is a place not even remotely close to here, so how did you end up here?"

Zad looked like he didn't want to explain it much.

"It's a long story, but it took me about two years to travel from Athalion to here. Arthur, may I ask you an important question?"

"I feel as if I already know what you want to ask me, but go ahead."

"Are you the Arthur who was renowned as one of the former members of the three great knights that supposedly died five years ago against the battle with the inferno dragon?!"

"You are correct."

Zad became speechless after hearing Arthur say that.

"But that's impossible the great Arthur wouldn't have been so shocked about a small fight like that!"

"You are the one that asked me if I was who I am, now you're contradicting yourself? I was merely playing the part of an ordinary innkeeper."

"Hold on anything you just said isn't making any sense to me. Is this supposed knight supposed to be special?"

Arthur looked at Ken, wondering how he didn't know about this information.

"Since this is something you should know I'll explain, in this world, you have the king, lords and his knights. The three great knights are considered to be the greatest and strongest force there are in the kingdom of Zarxion. Some of their strengths even rival the lords. They serve the king directly and take on any tasks given by him."

"Does that mean you're one of them?"

"I was, up until that last battle... That's where I learnt the truth."

"A truth so great that it made you fake your own death and run from the kingdom."

"Precisely. If I share the contents of what I learnt with you two, it can put you in grave danger. The only reason I'm still alive is because I got lucky and have had my presence concealed for years."

"Sorry, but that's not a good enough reason for us. We're adventurers who will be putting ourselves in harm's way every single day, if it's something we absolutely need to know, then you must tell us."

Arthur looked at Zad and said

"Does the same go for you too?"

Zad seemed hesitant but had made his mind up.

"Yes!"

"Then I'll tell you one thing since you'll most likely learn the rest at a later date."

That was the moment where Ken and Zad heard something that would greatly change their adventure from this point.

"The King isn't who you think he is..."

The words he spoke carried a large weight with them sending a chill through the room. Ken didn't look shocked at all it was as if he already knew this, he whispered to himself.

"So it's true..."

Zad spoke up and demanded answers.

"The King isn't who we think he is? What do you mean by that! You need to explain more!"

"That's enough Zad, you heard him, that's all the information we're getting from him."

Arthur stared at Ken as if he was trying to see through him to figure out what he was hiding.

"You don't seem to be surprised at all... Could it be that you know something?"

"I guess you could say that, but how about you tell me two things doesn't make sense to me. Firstly if you're so strong why don't you fight the troll yourself?"

"That's to make sure the knights don't track me back to this village even the slightest mess up and the whole kingdom will be after me. Then he'll most likely finish the job he started five years ago..."

"So you're saying the king's after your life..."

After figuring that out, there was silence and no response from Arthur. It was clear he was done talking about this subject.

"The second thing is. Why are you telling us all of this information, what if we end up betraying you?"

"That thought did certainly cross my mind, but there's something about you... You're like a single light in the darkness that overwhelms this kingdom, how far can you go I wonder."

Once he heard that Ken felt a little creeped out and decided to change the topic.

"Enough of that. I think it's about time you tell us about Oner."

"That's right it's what you're here for after all. I'll tell you everything I know."