MTLNOVEL Chapter 136: The surroundings.
Arthur placed the Village Protector Insignia on the desk between them, its intricate design catching the light. The air in the room seemed to shift instantly.
Charles froze, his eyes widening as they locked onto the insignia. His breath hitched audibly.
Charles froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening as they locked onto the emblem. For a moment, it was as if he'd forgotten to breathe. Then, his chest rose sharply, a loud gasp escaping him as he stumbled to his feet, the chair scraping against the wooden floor.
"This emblem…" he muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief. His gaze darted between Arthur and the insignia, and his face slowly shifted into an expression of awe. Respect, deep and immediate, radiated from his eyes.
Charles took a hesitant step forward, his hand twitching slightly as though unsure whether he was worthy to touch the insignia.
"May I—may I hold it?"
Arthur leaned back in his chair, his smirk faint but composed. "Suit yourself."
Charles reached out, his fingers trembling as they hovered just above the insignia before finally picking it up. He handled it with the care of someone holding a priceless artifact, cradling it in his palms as he turned it over, inspecting every groove, every carved detail.
The emblem was an intricate work of art. Its polished surface bore the faintly glowing etchings of what looked like ancient runes, symbols of protection and power woven into a seamless design.
At its center was a small, radiant gem that pulsed with a soft light, as if alive.
Charles's breath quickened as he carefully placed the insignia back on the desk. Without a word, he opened his inventory and retrieved a large, leather-bound book.
He placed the book reverently on the desk, his hands lingering on its cover for a moment before flipping it open.
"I have to check," he murmured to himself, almost in a trance. His fingers flew through the pages, each one filled with detailed sketches and writing.
"Not here… no, not there either…" Charles muttered under his breath, his eyes darting rapidly across the pages. Arthur watched, curious but composed, as the village chief's movements grew more frantic.
Then Charles stopped. His hands froze mid-turn, his eyes locking onto a page near the middle of the book. His lips parted slightly, and for a moment, he was completely still.
"There it is."
The page was dominated by a large, intricate sketch of the Village Protector Insignia. Every detail of the emblem Arthur had placed on the desk was captured perfectly in the drawing—the glowing gem at its center, the ancient runes etched into its surface.
Surrounding the sketch was writing in elegant, flowing script, its tone almost reverent.
Charles leaned closer, his eyes wide as he began to read aloud, his voice trembling. "'The Insignia of the Protector. Granted only to the chosen, who will lead the village to prosperity and shield it from the darkness. A mark of divine favor, bestowed upon those who embody strength, wisdom, and unyielding resolve.'"
He swallowed hard, his voice faltering slightly as he continued. "'It is said that the Protector holds absolute authority over the village, their will shaping its future. Their duty is to stand as a beacon of hope in the face of despair, a bulwark against the encroaching evil.'"
Charles's fingers traced the edges of the page as though touching it would help him process what he was reading.
For so long, some of the things written in the book had felt like nothing more than myths to Charles. Tales to inspire hope, but nothing grounded in reality. Yet now, the evidence was undeniable. The insignia wasn't just a symbol of authority—it was proof that the legends were real.
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Charles closed the book slowly, his hands shaking as he placed it back on the desk. His eyes were wide, his expression a mix of awe and something close to fear. He looked at Arthur as though seeing him in a completely new light.
"It's real," Charles said, his voice barely above a whisper. He glanced at the insignia again, then back at Arthur. "The Protectors… they weren't just stories. They truly existed. And now…" His voice trailed off, his gaze locking onto Arthur's with newfound reverence. "Now, we have been blessed by god."
Arthur raised an eyebrow, his expression calm despite the chief's dramatic reaction. "Blessed, huh?"
Charles didn't seem to hear him. He lowered himself to one knee, bowing his head deeply. "Oh great Protector, I am at your command. Whatever you desire, I will ensure it is done."
Arthur leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes glinting with curiosity. The room felt heavy with the weight of history, of responsibility. He couldn't deny the satisfaction he felt, seeing the respect radiating from Charles.
But he also knew this wasn't just about authority or glory. The village—and perhaps the world—was now his responsibility.
Arthur's smirk returned, faint but confident. "Good. Then let's get to work."
...
"So," Arthur began, his voice steady, "tell me about the neighbouring areas. Habitable zones, dangerous regions—anything I should know."
Charles nodded, his expression becoming serious. He clasped his hands together, leaning slightly over the desk as if to emphasize the gravity of the topic. "Of course, Protector. Let me start with where we are."
He gestured to a map on the wall behind him, a faded parchment pinned carefully in place. The map was detailed, showing various regions and territories with faint markings denoting villages, forests, and other key landmarks. Charles pointed to a small dot near the southeast corner of the map.
"We are currently in the Kingdom of Mera," he began, his voice calm but deliberate. "This, here, is Village #420. We're located near the southeastern edge of the kingdom, not far from the coast. It's one of the most isolated villages in the region, which has always been both a blessing and a curse."
Arthur's eyes followed Charles's finger as it traced across the map, noting the proximity to the sea. He could see faint lines representing the coastline, dotted with tiny markers that likely represented smaller settlements.