Level Up Legacy

"That choice is disguised as one, but we both know that whoever goes back through the wall dies," said the Princess with a smile as she leaned forward. "That makes you a kidnapper."

"I don't care what it makes me," answered Benjamin as he tucked the napkin into his collar. "I have a duty to protect the mountain and send back any intruders. It was their choice to enter this place."

"A duty by who?" asked Raheem with a frown, his hands balling into fists on the table.

"The Netherborne Family, of course," said Benjamin as he picked up the fork and knife and began eating his steak. "We always discuss business over dinner, so start eating."

Raheem glanced at the other two women, and they began eating without hesitation or fear of poisoned food. Benjamin was chewing his meat while staring at Raheem, which forced the strategist to start eating as well.

The moment the meat entered his mouth, Raheem snapped his eyes open in surprise. It was delicious, fresh, and aromatic. He found himself reaching for another bite without thinking.

"I'm glad you like the food," said Benjamin with a grin. "I cooked it myself."

"Amazing," said the Princess in surprise. "This is better than what my chefs can cook."

"Our family cooks as a hobby," said Benjamin as he pierced another slab of meat with his fork. "And guards as a duty."

"And where is the rest of your family?" asked Rain, making the old man pause and turn toward her. His green eyes were piercing, like a sword too sharp to look at.

"My wife died long ago, and my only son... is no son of mine," said Benjamin as he placed down his fork. He wiped his mouth while looking at the food. "Seref left this mansion a long time ago."

"We already know that much," said Rain with a frown. "But for what reason? What did he hope to accomplish?"

"Are you here to ask about my son or the Netherborne?"

"Those two matters are related," said Raheem with a frown as he stopped eating too. "Your grandson, a young man named Arthur Silvera, has declared that his name is Arthur Netherborne."

"Arthur Silvera?" asked Benjamin with a frown. "I did not think that Seref would ever have kids."

"But he did, and his son is wreaking havoc in the world," continued Sapphire. "He is now a lord of the most powerful city in the world, with armies that could fight the entire world."

"Is that so?" grinned Benjamin before his laughter boomed in the room. "What an unruly brat! The true blood of Silvera runs through his veins!"

"We are not here to make you a proud grandpa," interrupted Raheem as he rose. "A humanoid creature, created entirely of black metal, appeared in the deserts of Sourna. Nothing worked against it, not force, not elements, and not even physical attacks."

"And you came to the Netherborne Family because you suspect them of being behind this," Benjamin understood their reasons as he nodded. "I have no idea what they are thinking about."

"How is your family connected to the Netherborne Family?" asked Rain all of a sudden, surprising the Princess and Raheem.

Benjamin turned toward her with a raised brow, "You seem more interested in my family than what you came here to do, young woman. Do you know my son personally?"

"Never met him."

"How about my grandson?"

"Only heard about him."

"Is that so?" muttered Benjamin with a grin as he began chewing on his food again. After he swallowed a mouthful of meat and drank some wine, he continued, "Our origins are from the Netherborne Family, but we were born without their unique trait. Thus, we were sent down the mountain to become their hound dogs."

"What unique trait?"

"Wrath, of course!" boomed Benjamin as he slammed down his fork and knife. "They shunned my family for centuries because we did not control the black lightning like they did."

"Black lightning," muttered Rain in surprise. "The Netherborne Family could control it?"

"The blood of Ragnar Netherborne runs through their veins, making them have a high affinity to the element of chaos," answered Benjamin as he took out the napkin from his collar and cleaned his mouth and beard. "But my family does not have that."

Rain was silent now, and Raheem had to push forward before the old man was too upset to answer their questions. He rose from his chair and bowed, "Please let us meet the Netherborne Family."

"I wouldn't be their guard if I did that, right?" asked Benjamin with a grin. "I welcomed you to my home because you told me a few things about my foolish son and amazing grandson. But this is as far as my hospitality goes."

"We came here for a different reason," said Sapphire as she too rose to her feet. She took out a scroll from her bag, showing it to Benjamin. "We are after this woman. Do you recognize her?"

"Valeria Storm," Benjamin read the poster with a frown. "Is she a criminal? I've never seen her before."

"Can we search your mansion and land to make sure she didn't hide here?" asked the Princess while squinting her orange eyes at him. "Just to make sure."

"To make sure that I'm not lying?" asked Benjamin with a grin as his aura turned more menacing. "I don't care who you are or what you came here to do. But you should think twice before making a move against me."

"We are not here to fight," intervened Rain while raising her arms. "The Netherborne Family should have given you some exceptions to entry of Mount Ehler, right?"

"Those I deem worthy," said Benjamin with a grin. "And the moment you failed to defend against the dragon, you failed in that challenge."

Rain stood there quietly, considering their options. This man was stubborn, reminding her of his grandson. Not only that, Arthur had many similarities to his grandfather, like their nose, sharp eyes, and almost-crazy grin.

"Don't you wish to meet your grandson?"

"And what benefit would that bring me?" asked Benjamin with a shrug. "I know men of my family. They don't look back and care about their origins, just what lies ahead."

Rain almost laughed because that was indeed Arthur. However, it did not help her case that this old man was this stubborn, so she could only do one thing to convince him.

"Your grandson has awakened wrath, just like the Netherborne Family did," revealed Rain, shocking Benjamin so much that he staggered. "Many times, he lost control of his wrath, almost costing him everything."

"That's a lie," refused Benjamin to believe her words. "A Silvera can never be a Netherborne. We can either be a Silvera or a Netherborne, but not both."

"Your grandson managed to be both, but he needs your help to control his wrath," said Rain with a pleading face. "Help us in finding Valeria Storm and meeting the Netherborne, and we will help you find Arthur and bring him home."

Benjamin was swayed now, seemingly deep in thought about her proposal. Rain glanced at Sapphire, who nodded at her to give him one final push.

"This is your chance to be more than just a hound dog, Benjamin. It is proof that your blood is just as powerful as theirs, if not stronger."

"How could I believe baseless rumors?" asked Benjamin while shaking his head. "But if you are saying the truth..."

The old man raised his hand in front of the three, and a rune appeared on top of his palm. Rain's body shook in shock as she had never seen anyone achieve this except for Arthur.

"This rune can allow me to look into your mind," said Benjamin with a grin. "And if what you told me are lies, then I will kill you all here."

"Look as much as you desire, old man," said Rain with a grin. "I have nothing to fear."

Benjamin advanced toward Rain, towering over her small frame as he pushed the rune in his hand toward her head. The sphere touched her forehead, and Rain's eyes turned golden.

"I remember now," muttered Raheem on the side. "That light is the same one I saw on the ship."

Golden lights exploded in the room, blinding them. Benjamin was pushed backward as he staggered, his giant frame breaking a chair apart with a single nudge.

The golden light died down, and Rain stood there in confusion. She turned toward Benjamin, who stared at her with shock and then with a grin.

"I see how it is," muttered the old man as he nodded. "You are telling the truth, without a doubt."

"Does that mean you are going to help us?" asked Sapphire with a frown, unable to understand what was happening or what Benjamin saw in Rain's mind.

"Valeria Storm indeed visited this place, also seeking the Netherborne Family," said Benjamin as he adjusted his clothes. "I allowed her entry because she was an old friend of mine, but she never descended from that mountain."