TBATE - Not Bound By Fate

Part 25

Sylvie

Flying through the beast glades I pondered on what I was about to do. Regis and I agreed that we couldn't let Arthur burden himself with killing Nico. Despite his outward indifference towards him and Cecilia, I knew deep down he still harbored feelings of guilt and regret towards them, small as they were. Maybe he wasn't aware of these feelings, emotions were never something papa was good at, but he is improving.

Once the entrance to the Dire Tombs came into view the conversation I had with Arthur a few days ago replayed in my mind.

...

Flashback start

"What are you planning to do with Lucas and Elijah?" I asked as we entered his room in the Helstea manor after Arthur just got back from another trip to the glades.

"I'll let the dungeon or the Elderwood Guardian take care of them. But I will be waiting at the entrance just in case." He replied.

"Are you sure you want to do it this way? Yourself?"

He looked at me curiously before asking. "What do you mean?"

"Why not leave the task to someone else? You know Aya and Alea would be more than happy to handle those two and they would help the rest of the party get out alive. Hell, Regis would probably do it if you ask."

"I could ask them, but they already have their hands full with reconnaissance missions and regular Lance duties. And while Regis would do it, it wouldn't be without protest."

"What about me? Have you ever considered asking me to do it?" I asked, finally suggesting what I wanted.

"Is this why you brought this up? Because you want to get rid of them?"

"Why else would we be talking about this?"

"What about your classes?"

"I can just skip them for the day. Not like I'd be missing out on anything. And all the teachers love me, they'll buy whatever excuse I come up with." I reasoned.

After a small staring contest Arthur let out a defeated sigh.

"Fine, you can go deal with those two. But you have to try saving the other party members." He paused for a second. "Why do you even want to do this?"

"Last time you didn't let me punish Lucas and I want to give Nico a good beating for what he put mama through." I answered, knowing he wouldn't pick up on the real reason.

"All according to keikaku." Said Regis in my mind.

"Be normal."

Flashback end

...

I was pulled out of my little flashback once I reached the door to the chamber with the Elderwood Guardian. Looking closely at it I noticed a few details that Arthur and his party missed last time, that being traces of the door recently being used. Nothing particularly alarming as only the Wraiths and Asuras posed a threat to me at this point, and Agrona wouldn't send them here for this.

Entering the chamber I could feel the fog produced by the beast trying to play tricks in my mind but failing. Once I was in the middle of the room the fog dissipated revealing the boss of this dungeon,its sickly green face full of arrogance. I finally stopped suppressing my mana, as this point was deep enough to not have Windsom or anyone else sense me. The Elderwood Guardian was immediately cowering before me, realizing he stood no chance against me.