Arc of the Souls Chapter 70: Arc 2, Chapter 47 - It Is Such a Nice Day to Die

Read chapter 70 of Arc of the Souls by Noyr on NovelPedia.

His question hung in the air between them. “Are you saying that the riots outside... the arrests and the unrest everywhere... is because of something YOU did? Because you let Lord Veyron coerce you? Into making a pact with him? Those tyrants?” Altair's face turned pale with the realization. “I'm sorry, I am so, so sorry, I didn't-” “DIDN'T WHAT?! DIDN'T 'KNOW'?” Altair was practically shouting, a rarity for him. “Asheera! They take over everything they are allied with! They took Zentria, they took the Ambrecian Movement! They are 15 years into the war against Soul-Core... They are fighting the Macabre Flugel now! What made you think allying them was a great idea?” “I'm sorry... I'm sorry...” The sobbing was as loud as a drill. Altair's anger flared for a moment longer before the sadness he tried so hard to suppress crept in. His sister... His sweet, kind, albeit strong-willed sister... Made a mistake that cost millions. “...How could you have been so stupid, Asheera... How could you...” The regret in Altair's voice made Asheera's tears worse. She was the only woman in a room full of men, both in the negotiation room and in the room right now, with her brother. The patriarchs and matriarchs would've spat at her. A naive, pampered little princess playing queen in a war she couldn't win. Oh, how much trust Sachiel had in her but she threw it all away with a signature. She didn't just sign a document. She signed millions of death wishes. And now the grim reaper was coming to town real soon. Altair facepalmed, sitting down. “...We've become weak. What happened to the stories of our Mobilizers? Of the Royal Forces? They're going to be replaced with the heroism of foreigners who care not for our politics.” Altair had a decently-extreme anti-foreigner mindset. Not that he was racist, but he was definitely apart of the group of people who wanted total neutrality. You could say that he thought Lantisul was right more than Azrael was. That was part of the reason why he left the Royal Family to live in Makaku Town in Dankasho. His anger deflated, leaving behind the chilling emptiness of dread. “... Altair, I'm sorry-” “I know you are... It's not your fault. Testharia doesn't know much of the outside world. It is my fault for not telling you enough.” Altair replied, shaking. .:. Sachiel would have your head for this, my sister... Unless he knows already. .:. “You've been living with this for how long now?” “... 2 months.” She whispered. Altair's face showed a mixture of emotions that quickly dissipated into the pale look of shock. The only audible noise was the sobbing of Asheera. Altair stood in silence for a solid minute before he decided to break the silence with words, cautioning restraint. “Asheera... Have you told him? Has Sachiel found out?” The question came out as if it hurt to say. “He knew instantly.” “Fuck...” Altair leaned back, looking at the ceiling. His hands trembling. “So all those Search and Rescue missions, him meeting Flynnigan Shotaro... all of it was him... giving up? Because he knows that we're doomed?” Altair whispered. Asheera's sobs quieted to sniffles. “... I don't think it's because of that... Greatfather Azrael didn't die for Sachiel to ditch all of us. We need to talk some sense into him, Alt.” “I think you're the one who needs some sense talked into you more than anyone right now. You should've told me, Asheera. You should've told me as soon as possible...” “What would you've done?” “I don't know? Speak to him like a brother? Not like you've done much to that end.” Altair sighed. Another silence filled the room, though this one felt heavier. There's only a limited amount of silence a room can take. This room, specifically, felt like it was about to crumble to dust under the weight of regret. “... Anyways, if you think that will work, go ahead. Personally, I think Sachiel should sacrifice half of his power to the people and the government. Outsiders speak of us like we're dictators while they know nothing abo