The next morning had come pretty quickly in Arthur's opinion.
He had only gotten 4 to 5 hours of sleep, it wasn't detrimental for anyone in this day and age but Arthur was the type to sleep at least 10 hours a day, sleep is very important for having good memory after all.
He came down the steps groggily and after reaching the floor he routinely checked if his assassin had woken up.
To be fair he wasn't too worried about her harming him as she was basically a cripple for a long while. Her mark might have some passive effects that wouldn't require mana to be active but from what he could understand and deduce she had a War priestess Mark.
The War Priestesses were an organization filled to the brim with orphaned Women and men who were lead by seven other women, the true leader of it was the blood brother of the seven sisters.
They were one of the starting cults who were even recognized as a real organization that isn't evil during the war of Change and the Last Wrights Cataclysm over six thousand years ago.
They were formed Before the creation of Archgenia and had played a vital role in keeping peace between the continents and world in general.
Though they are only a piece of history now, the War priestessess were very powerful and important.
They were able to imprint their mark on the world and it's history.
This lead to them having a place in being a concept for Marks that a person can have.
This is why Arthur could also have thoughts of giving her mercy, As he knew that a War priestess mark is born on people with a potential to be peaceful. It wasn't that there were no evil War priestessess or Priests but it gave him a sense of hope.
Besides that women wouldn't be able to do much without mana, Without the normal activation of a mark, even with a passive effect they cannot easily win against Marked individuals who can normally function.
Perhaps if she had a physical increment passive effect then maybe, but her mark is probably around described rank so she likely only has the total mental defence and extreme longevity in life-span passive effects.
After seeing that she was still fast asleep he moved to the sofa and took a seat.
Raz:" Hello Brother."
Hm...?
Raz seemed a bit down, he had his head down in a very thoughtful and concerned manner.
Arthur:"Good morning Raz. You look a bit down, what is it?"
Arthur had an idea of what the problem was, but he thought it would be far easier to deal with if Raz was the one to open up to him.
Raz sighed and curled his fingers tightly on his blue shorts, wrinkling the cloth.
Raz:"It's nothing."
Arthur:"Okay."
Saying so Arthur pat Raz's head then stayed silent.
Forcing him to say anything wouldn't help the problem. Besides he already knew what the problem was.
Arthur:"Do you Remember the story we read yesterday?"
Raz flinched and snapped his head towards Arthur.
Raz:"Y-Yeah...it was horrible."
Raz spoke with a forced smile.
Your being a d**k
I know, some times you have to be.
Arthur then Suddenly changed the subject.
Arthur:"Yeah it was, huh...Anyway, Aunt Ramiel Told me that you have a...crush on her granddaughter, is that true?"
He was pretty casual while saying it, but to Raz it was like a hammer hit on the head.
He was silent for a second before becoming flustered.
His face looked angry but there was a pink hue all over his face to show his inner turmoil.
Raz:"Hell N-No! What is that Old hag even saying!? She's spouting lies big bro, don't believe her! Eve-"
Selera:"OK, I'm telling Ramiel about what you called her Raz."
Selera had suddenly said so after coming into the living room and searching for Medical Utensils. She also, upon seeing Arthur, bid a good morning before returning to her search.
Raz:"N-No way sister Sel! Don't tell her please, I'm begging you here! I will even do the dishes!."
Selera:"No thank you, last time you did that you broke several plates, your useless Raz. It's over for you."
She was even monotonous while saying that.
Arthur felt a bit sorry for Raz but couldn't help but laugh.
Selera:"Don't forget to do the dishes later psycho man."
Arthur:"ha-*Cough* *Cough* Was that a stray just now?"
Selera didn't dignify that with an answer and left.
Arthur.:"hah..."
He became defeated.
Guess Selera was pretty close with Raz and Ramiel even before now huh?
It's obvious really. But then again Aunt Ramiel had been here for a while now.
Oh your also calling her Aunt?
What? We're both the same person so if she gave you permission I also have permission.
Yeah alright.
He looked over at the flustered yet smiling Raz, who had his hands on his head despite the smile.
Atleast he is better now.
Arthur thought so despite how Raz looked.
He then moved over to Raz and placed a hand on his head.
Arthur:" Tell me, you do right? Don't you like serf? I'm your big bro right? You can tell me. The worst I could do is tease you sometimes."
At this point he had already learned the name of Raz's crush.
Raz only nodded, though he had given a small glare when Arthur mentioned teasing.
Raz:"Yeah...she is...just So cute you know! Besides that we knew each other since we were babies! It is deftin!....please don't tease me like grandma Ramiel, I don't know how she found out but she keeps on teasing me."
Raz looked far more fired up than before.
Huh...they knew each other since they were babies? That does seem like the plot of a romance novel or movie and Virtual Theatric I guess. Heh. He misworded destined, that's kinda cute.
Ped-
Dear God. Can you shut up bro? What is wrong with you!?
...
Fu*k you.
Raz:"So...what now? Do you have any advice big brother?"
Arthur:"Huh? Oh no I have Zero dating experience."
There was a state of silence that persisted for a while.
Raz:"....."
Raz looked dumbfounded, then after a second passed, he started laughing.
Raz:"...pfft! Haha!"
Raz couldn't help but laugh. He did like Arthur but not laughing at him for being Maidenless seemed too difficult.
But Arthur didn't have a single change. His face remained the same way it was before, he didn't show any discomfort or anger.
Arthur:" What? Yeah I have no dating Experience. I'm only 19 anyway. I don't really care about dating now since it's not really that big of a deal for me."
He then smiled.
Arthur:"But hey, maybe you can teach me after you finally propose to her."
Raz was momentarily at a loss, normally people get defensive about such a topic.
But even more so he was surprised by what he heard at the end.
Raz:"Pr-Propose!? Like...asking her out on a date?"
Arthur:"Asking her for her hand in marriage."
Raz:"HAH!? W-W-What are you taliking about!...yeah, I guess that is something I have to do later huh?."
His face beet red, Raz slurred his words but he became calmer near the end.
Arthur:"Yeah, don't forget to invite Me to your marriage okay, as the only bachelor between us I'll act as the best man. Or do you not want me to?"
Arthur smiled while saying so.
Raz became slightly confused before steadily getting off the sofa to stand.
Raz:"No way! You are definitely going to be the best man for our wedding Big bro."
Arthur:"OK that's the spirit, already prepared for a wedding."
Raz looked happy and even excited at the prospect of having Arthur as his best man.
Children get close to people very quickly huh?
You are absolute trash, you know that? Your disgusting.
...yeah, I know.
Arthur being the best man for Raz is close to impossible.
Arthur only has some where along a year to live after all. Perhaps he could extend it a bit but him being alive until Raz becomes an adult is very unlikely.
Besides that...
Arthur:"By the way, Raz. Don't you wanna be strong? You need to take care of Serf a bit too you know? Don't you want to be the knight in shining armor for her?"
Raz suddenly went still.
Raz:"...Strong?"
He went into to deep thought, he was just starring at nothing but the glimmer in his eyes was like he was having a great revelation.
Then his fists closed tightly.
Raz:"Stronger! Yes! I need to be strong! The strongest!"
Raz balled his fists in excitement before hugging Arthur, making Arthur flinch internally.
Raz:"You're the Best Big brother!"
He was Beaming at Arthur with a bright smile.
In return Arthur also smiled, but then Raz's smile fell.
Raz:"What if I get a weak mark? Then what?"
He was about to panic, if he got a weak mark then he wouldn't be able to protect her...
But before he could spiral out of control, a warmth curled around him.
Arthur hugged him while petting his head.
Arthur:"You can do a lot with any mark, even if it is weak, find out a way to use it strongly. Besides, you are not alone remember? Serf would be there with you. Don't forget, you want to help her and the same way she would and should help you too. You need to help each other to succeed. Being too independent is just as bad as being too dependent, it goes for both you and Serf."
Then Arthur released him from the hug and smirked.
Arthur:"Besides, your big brother will help you too ok?"
Raz seemed stunned for a second before he also smiled. Although a bit shaky.
Raz:"Y-Yeah! OK...besides I probably won't get a weak mark anyway! Even if I let her help doesn't mean I should let her! I...will be happy to be beside her as she would be beside...me?"
Powerful words for a child, even for non-children.
He looked uncertain but still smiled and bid farewell to leave.
Raz:"Anyway. I'll be leaving to get my daily walking exercise now."
Arthur:"OK, don't over exert yourself."
....he was making sure that Raz becomes a good Thinker he could use.
He was being a dirty liar.
Arthur:"Hah...."
Arthur sighed heavily into his hands.
I am such a dumb ass! I should have stopped reading that damn book when i had the chance.
He was genuinely way too immersed at the end parts and failed to take note of what it might do to Raz.
Raz was fine before yesterday, but perhaps due to a nightmare or from thinking by himself, he had probably become afraid that Serf might go through something similar to Mercelle.
He was confused as to what to do and felt despair at what might happen.
So Arthur planted several seeds to make Raz get an answer on his own without needing to expose himself to Arthur.
First, he spoke of the book to make Raz think about it subconsciously. To remind how Mark struck down Lucas.
Second, he started talking about Raz's crush and such, that which had already temporarily made him better due to Selera as well.
Third, he spoke of marriage to give him the opportunity to talk about the fourth part.
Fourth, he connected marriage with being strong enough to protect his would-be-wife to make him think about becoming stronger, his answer.
A child's mind is very influenced so it was a bit easy for Arthur.
He had also been talking about the age 18 and proposal in such a way that Raz would think about proposing near adulthood, so that the chances of him being rejected early is significantly less. So that Raz wouldn't stop trying to become strong due to Depression.
Of course he wasn't expecting rejection too much, it was simply a precaution. He was very much so rooting for Raz to marry Serf and watch their wedding as a ghost....maybe.
He was basically manipulating a child.
Arthur's grip on his face tightened as the skin was being wrinkled by the pressure.
Arthur:" Why did he have to hug me? That hurt damn it."
It hurt mentally, especially the smile.
He was a good older brother wasn't he? (Sarcasm towards himself by me)