# Chapter 143
—
Arthur’s mouth fell open.
*“Good heavens… Professor Chizzy, the lizard-man, was actually human all along?”*
It couldn’t be mere magic. That meant Professor Chizzy was also a bloodline inheritor?
As Arthur thought it over, his eyes widened.
*“…So that’s why he stuttered.”*
Bloodline meant power carried in the blood—but it also meant that blood was not wholly human.
Some who inherited strong bloodlines bore afflictions. In Professor Chizzy’s case, it seemed to be his stammer.
Arthur gasped in awe at this hidden truth, only now learned after seven years, when Professor Chizzy suddenly rose to his feet.
At once, blood gushed from his torn wound, and Arthur cried out in alarm.
“P-professor! Are you alright?”
“I am fine… In this form… I will not die so easily.”
Professor Chizzy exhaled raggedly—yet before their eyes, the terrible wound began to knit closed.
Arthur gaped again, and the professor asked,
“There are so many questions I must ask… but are you truly Arthur Bayern… my student?”
Arthur steadied himself and answered firmly,
“Yes, Professor. It’s me.”
At that resolute reply, Professor Chizzy’s expression twisted into subtle complexity.
*“The missing heir of House Bayern… returning like this after seven years?”*
It was unthinkable.
How much effort had gone into the search for him? Not only the University, but the entire city of Arcane had scoured every corner, and in time even the Imperial army was mobilized.
And still, not a trace was found.
The search was abandoned, and Professor Chizzy had mourned deeply, losing sleep over the tragedy—that a genius who had only just begun to blossom had died before reaching his full bloom.
Yet here he stood—Arthur Bayern, after seven years.
And in the thick of battle against Dormund’s investigative police, no less.
As Chizzy wrestled with the shock, a voice came from behind him.
The former mayor of Arcane, Angelina Babi, spoke.
“…Are you truly Young Lord Arthur Bayern?”
Arthur turned and replied,
“Yes, Madam Mayor. It’s been a long time.”
Angelina swallowed hard.
“…This is incredible. Astonishing enough that you should return at all, and yet to encounter you here of all places.”
“I’m just as surprised. I never thought I’d find you here.”
Arthur’s words drew a wry smile from her lips.
“I’m no longer Mayor. Just a former one, now.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“You could say that. But where have you been? Do you know how desperately I searched for you?”
Arthur shrugged lightly.
“Have you heard of Whitebeard?”
“…Whitebeard?”
“Yes. That wicked black sorcerer sealed me away. Thanks to him, I’ve only just returned.”
Angelina blinked.
*“Whitebeard? Surely he doesn’t mean… the one I know?”*
The black sorcerer who had lived a thousand years.
The seeker who had reached the highest peaks of magic.
And the supreme leader of Sky Island, the worst criminal syndicate on the continent.
*“This boy—no, this man—was trapped in Whitebeard’s magic?”*
As disbelief clouded her thoughts, pain flared in her Pentagram Eye.
Her lips parted slowly.
“…What?”
The Pentagram Eye burned only at truth.
Which meant—Arthur Bayern’s claim was real.
*“Then… he truly was imprisoned by Whitebeard’s magic?”*
Angelina’s eyes widened in shock—
Boom—!
A blast thundered from outside. The building shook, and everyone was thrown off balance.
Arthur alone held steady.
“Hm… looks like there are still pirates outside, isn’t there?”
Forcing herself upright, Angelina shouted,
“Yes! The pirates are firing cannons!”
Arthur turned and began walking.
Startled, Chizzy cried out,
“A-Arthur Bayern… student! Where are… you going!”
Arthur grinned.
“Just going to teach the pirates some common sense, Professor.”
“…?”
“No matter if it’s District D, you can’t fire cannons in the middle of a city, can you?”
Chizzy shouted desperately,
“Common sense… only applies to those who can grasp it! You mustn’t go! Arthur Bayern… student!”
Arthur scratched his head.
Angelina tugged Chizzy back.
*‘Professor, let him be.’*
*‘What are you saying, Madam Mayor…?’*
*‘I mean—trust him. He seems certain of himself.’*
Chizzy frowned. What could this young man possibly do against brutish pirates?
But Angelina thought differently.
*‘Arthur Bayern… there’s something about him.’*
If he had truly escaped Whitebeard’s magic, then he was more than capable. He might even overturn this whole situation.
And at that moment, Arthur raised the Beast.
At the sight of the pitch-black pistol, both Chizzy and Angelina’s eyes widened.
Then—
Boom—!
A blast louder than the cannons tore through the wall in dust and rubble.
Arthur dipped his head politely.
“My apologies, Professor. But I can’t ignore those who lack common sense.”
“……”
“I’ll return to greet you again afterwards.”
And with a light leap, he vanished out through the collapsed wall.
Belatedly recovering, Chizzy muttered,
“Good heavens… what in the world is happening?”
So shaken was he, he didn’t stammer at all.
—
—
Arthur dropped into chaos below.
“Another madhouse,” he muttered.
Investigative police and rebels clashed in bloody melee. Some police had even dragged cannons into the city, firing wildly into the streets.
*“Those ones are dangerous. Best deal with them first.”*
Arthur leapt, even as the police cackled with madness.
“Heeheehee! Die, you rebel scum!”
“Promotion’s ours if we kill these rats!”
“Slaughter them all! The Commissioner’s orders!”
With glee they lit the fuse—
Boom—!
The ground shook as a shell roared forth. The police cheered—
Only for a figure to appear in midair and catch the flying shell.
“Oh dear.”
“…?”
“Come now. Even without common sense, who fires something this dangerous in the middle of a city?”
The police blinked.
“…Who the hell are you?”
“I’m Arthur Bayern.”
“…Arthur Bayern? But how did you catch that shell?”
Arthur smiled.
“Easily. But since it’s dangerous, I’ll give it back.”
He hurled it straight down—
Boom—!!
The shell exploded among the very gunners, engulfing them in fire.
Arthur’s eyes gleamed.
*“The Vampire Lord bloodline… this is ridiculously convenient.”*
Where once he could only transform his body into blood, now he could shape it.
When he caught the shell, he had used a net of blood.
*“Hmmm… then surely, I can make a blade?”*
He tested it—and the slumbering bloodline stirred.
A crimson blade solidified in his grip.
Arthur gasped.
“Whoa… it works.”
The strength was uncertain, but the feel was good.
Surviving police shouted,
“A-a lunatic who catches cannonballs! Kill him first!”
Guns leveled.
Arthur twirled his blood blade once, then launched forward.
Eyes widened in horror as he landed and swung—
Slash—!
Blood sprayed, heads fell.
Amid the spurting crimson, Arthur smiled.
*“Not bad. No—actually, excellent.”*
Satisfied, he swung again. The blade extended like a whip, cutting down more necks.
*“Oh… this is incredible. Just like that demonic sword I once held.”*
Perhaps even better—for as long as his blood flowed, it could never break.
The police cried out in panic.
“What is that thing!”
“A-a sword of blood?”
“A monster! He’s a monster!”
Both rebels and police froze, whispering.
“…Who is he?”
“Reinforcements?”
“Never seen him before… is he on our side?”
As they murmured, thunder split the sky.
Boom—!
All eyes went wide—even Arthur’s.
“…Huh? Lightning?”
From a clear blue sky, without clouds. Impossible.
His bloodline surged violently within him—lightning blood.
A gift, long ago, from a girl.
Feeling it again after so long, Arthur’s lips parted in awe.
“So… Julie’s nearby.”
He leapt. Each step carried him across empty air as if climbing invisible footholds. Rebels cheered.
“W-whatever he is—he’s strong as hell!”
“Kill the police dogs!”
“Don’t waste this chance!”
The battle reignited as Arthur darted across District D’s buildings.
*“Where? Somewhere near here—”*
His eyes widened.
The slums. Lightning struck again.
Boom—!
Arthur quickened, thunder pounding in his ears.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
He vaulted high. Amid fire, a girl faced off against a man.
That back—familiar, yet changed.
Arthur shouted hoarsely,
“Julie—!”
Her shoulders flinched. Slowly, she turned.
“D… Uncle Donn?”
Arthur’s mouth dropped.
The little child from seven years ago was now a young woman.
Her once-cute face had blossomed into beauty; her height, once to his waist, now reached his chest.
*“She’s… really grown, Julie.”*
Overjoyed, Arthur cried,
“You’ve grown so much! I almost didn’t recognize you!”
Julie’s face twisted with indescribable emotion—shock, joy.
As Arthur smiled, the man facing her shouted,
“An opening! Die, girl!”
He drew his gun. Arthur, startled, pulled the Beast—too late.
*“…What?”*
The muzzle flared. A bullet flew.
Arthur’s mind raced. *Could I block it with the bloodline? Or shoot it down?*
No. Too late.
In that instant, lightning fell.
Boom—!
Julie became a streak of light. The bullet passed harmlessly, embedding in the wall.
Arthur’s eyes flew wide, the gunman’s mouth dropped.
The streak reappeared behind him—Julie.
She swung her lightning-wreathed hand.
“—Kraaagh!”
He screamed, charred black, and collapsed.
Arthur whispered, stunned,
“Julie… became lightning?”
Breath ragged, Julie turned to him. Her voice trembled.
“Uncle Donn… is that really you?”
Arthur blinked back to himself.
“Y-yeah, Julie. Don’t you recognize me?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she ran and threw herself into his arms.
Arthur caught her just in time. She whispered,
“It’s you? Really you?”
Holding her steady, Arthur answered,
“Yes. I’m Arthur Bayern.”
Her shoulders trembled.
“Why… why only now?”
“Did you wait long?”
“Yes. Too long.”
“I’m sorry. But I wasn’t too late, was I?”
Julie lifted her tear-streaked face from his chest.
“Not late. Thank you… for coming, even now.”
Arthur smiled gently, brushing away her tears.
“That’s a relief. But you startled me, Julie—turning into lightning like that.”
Julie wrinkled her nose.
“We promised, remember…?”
“…A promise?”
“Yes… you told me, when we meet again, to try becoming lightning…”
Her voice faltered. Then she broke down, sobbing.
“You promised. So I practiced… for seven years, just to show you.”
Arthur’s lips parted.
From her endless tears poured longing, regret, joy—seven years’ worth.
*“Julie… you really waited for me.”*
Joy and guilt twisted in his chest.
Arthur pulled her head close, whispering softly,
“I’m sorry, Julie. Far too late, I know.”
Julie shook her head, murmuring,
“I missed you so much, Mister…”
Arthur’s chest ached, filled with warmth.
—
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