Chapter 27: Chaos
Arthur had imagined this scene hundreds of times and prepared himself to carry it out dozens more. Yet, even though everything had gone exactly as he intended, he still couldn't come to terms with what he had done. The daggers slipped from his hands, and he stepped back.
Duncan's body collapsed before him, blood gushing out, and in a dazed voice, Arthur muttered as he stared at the blood on his hands, "I killed someone."
"I killed someone," he repeated, as if he hadn't heard his own words. He remained frozen for nearly ten minutes before finally exhaling deeply.
He headed toward a water basin and washed his hands thoroughly, removing all traces of blood. Then he examined his clothes carefully before leaving the room without casting even a glance at Duncan's corpse, as if it didn't exist.
He walked through the corridors of the castle, which now felt unusually cold and grim. After several minutes of wandering, he arrived at the gate to the main hall. The guards opened the door for him, and he entered the crowded space calmly. All the important figures in the castle were gathered there, along with every single recruit he had enlisted. Though the hall was packed, everyone made way down the middle so he could walk through unimpeded.
Arthur paid them no mind, his thoughts were occupied with calming himself and keeping his body from trembling. Every step he took felt unbearably heavy.
Everyone in the room noticed the strangeness in his expression and gait, and whispers quickly spread. The Captain of the Guard leaned toward Edgar and said, "What's with this lunatic? Why did he gather us again? Is he about to pass new laws or issue more crazy orders?"
"Tsk. We'll find out soon enough. No need to speculate," Edgar sighed, trying to keep his composure. "But I'm certain it won't be good."
Suddenly, he noticed Arthur walking straight toward him. His brow furrowed. Within seconds, Arthur was standing right in front of him. At that moment, Edgar caught the faint scent of blood emanating from him. The senses of a Boundless were incredibly sharp, so he noticed it immediately, and so did the Captain of the Guard. A sense of unease stirred within them both.