Everyone fell silent.
After getting up from the chair, Arthur proceeded to walk over to the window. He opened the curtains slightly and saw the never-ending devastation that had been inflicted upon the once unimaginably stunning location.
"The world is a beautiful place, but there are far too many shadowy places in it. It's possible that some people are evil while others are good. Nevertheless, there is a little bit of gray in everyone."
After taking one last look at the towering mountains, he closed the curtains and then turned his attention to the four men who were shaking their heads.
"I am aware that it is extremely selfish of me to ask you four for assistance.'' Arthur shifted his weight and turned his body so that he was leaning against the window. "You each have your own families to look after. There are those who are concerned about you and will feel a great deal of loss if anything should happen to you."
"You've got that right." Xerxus stepped forward and looked at Arthur with a disapproving expression on his face before asking, "What if anyone from High Society finds out that we helped you? They would target our families."
"Is that what you are worried about?" Arthur asked. After asking that, he noticed that everyone was nodding their heads.
The beginnings of a grin surfaced on his face as he said, "Well, if it does make you feel more at ease. I am aware of a way to ensure that it will be impossible to determine the identities of you four."
"Hmm?" Xerxus came to a complete halt.
Amour listened intently with an air of curiosity, and Isaac's ears perked up.
The sound of Kalzer's footsteps echoed throughout the room.
Arthur pulled open a cabinet drawer and took out a box that was stuffed with different masks. Following that, he set it down on the carbon desk.
"Masks? This is your idea?" Xerxus' eyes narrowed as he glared furiously at the masks.
Isaac questioned with a twinkle in his eye, "Are those?"
"Shouldn't you give them a shot at the very least?" Arthur presented a blank white mask with two black dots placed in the center to serve as eye holes.
Xerxus reached for the white mask and shoved it down onto his face with all his might. However, when he attempted to remove it, he discovered that he was unable to do so!
"What?!" As he continued to speak, he became aware that his voice was becoming deeper and more muffled.
"Xerxus, look at your clothes!" Amour's voice could be heard coming from behind him.
"Eh, what about my clothes?" Xerxus looked down at his body and noticed that he had unexpectedly gained 10 kilograms of weight, as well as the fact that his clothes were loose, and different. He wore a baggy hoodie.
He made an effort to move his limbs, but he could sense that his speed was not in the least bit affected by the baggy clothes.
"What on earth is this...?" He looked over at Arthur and caught a glimpse of the sly grin on his face.
"With this, you could escape whenever you want," Amour remarked as he picked up a scarlet mask that had two cat ears attached to it.
"You are correct. I do have the ability to flee if I so choose." After taking a seat, Arthur stated, "However, I am unable to do so without sacrificing someone very near and dear to me."
"Hmm?" Everyone turned their attention to him.
"Should something unexpected happen to me, they would pursue the people I care about the most. The only way to prevent that from happening is if members of High Society are aware of where I am.
Kalzer scowled and asked with a frown, "So, you want to flee this place while simultaneously informing High Society of where you intend to go?"
"Exactly." In response, Arthur stood and stated, "That being the case, teleportation pearls are not an option. I can't have them worrying about my whereabouts!'
"You people are insane!'' Xerxus pounded his palms on the desk and yelled at him, "Shouldn't you care about yourself during times like these? You have no idea what they are going to do, do you?"
"I am aware that they are making every effort to locate my whereabouts. They are going to torture that information out of my wonderful employees, and the thought of it alone causes my heart to break.
"I'm going to guess that you have a location in mind." When Isaac did finally speak, he drew everyone's attention with his words, which were as follows: "A place where you can feel both safe and unsafe."
A smirk appeared on Arthur's face, and he nodded as he continued, "There is a place near Summerland, a tropical island. Additionally, it is the location where I conceived the initial idea for White Online!"
"So, you want us to take you there," Kalzer said.
Arthur nodded and said, "I have no doubt that High Society would be pleased if they knew I was going there. It's not a very public place, so they would love for me to go there."
"Will you be able to live there?" Amour questioned.
"Yes, and I can get stronger at that location..." Arthur flashed a self-assured grin.
Isaac, Xerxus, Amour, and Kalzer all exchanged looks with one another.
"Without your help, there is no way that this will be successful." Arthur knelt slowly on the ground and bowed his head as he pleaded, "Please if you could do me this favor... I will compensate you in a way that will make all of your hard work worthwhile!"
Xerxus moved closer to the others and murmured, "This is going to be extremely dangerous, and this could go on for a few weeks. During this time, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to get in touch with our families, which will cause them a great deal of concern."
"Also, what if High Society discovers that we vanished without a trace? They are able to put the pieces together." Amour shared his concerns with them.
"…" Kalzer stayed silent.
"I believe that we ought to assist him," Isaac chimed in all of a sudden.
"What?!" Xerxus jerked his head in his direction and demanded to know, "Did you not hear anything we said?"
"I did, but listen me out." Isaac made a motion for them to lean closer, and they did so. He then asked, "If Arthur passes away, what do you think happens to White Online?"
Xerxus, Amour, and Kalzer were deep in thought as they stood there in silence. When they considered all of the possibilities, the anxiousness in their chests increased significantly.
"Have you heard about the sudden massacre that took place on the Board of Directors exactly one year ago?" Isaac inquired, and they responded with a yes.
"After the announcement, it is highly likely that they intended to seize control of Legacy Company; however, Arthur managed to foil their plans. What would happen if he passed away right now, and High Society took over management of the company?'
"White Online will become a playground for the rich." Xerxus sported a frown.
"That's right, and after witnessing that, the gods might as well give up on us," Isaac continued by crossing his arms over his chest and saying, "Arthur is possibly the only one the Gods trust, and I am not sure about you three, but I would like for them to stay on our side!"
"You've got that right..." Xerxus nodded.
"What about high society, and is there a chance that we'll get caught?'' Amour asked.
Issac took out the Silvernium and told them, "Write letters about going on a short trip to relax your minds or whatever."
"Well, what then?" Kalzer asked.
"I will deliver them to your rooms, and your families will get them."
"Doesn't that sound fishy to you?" Amour showcased a frown.
"Oh, that's for sure, and your families are going to give you a hard time about it. Nevertheless, at least they won't get in touch with the authorities."
"Alright…" Xerxus exhaled deeply and then nodded, saying, "Let's do it your way."
Isaac shifted his attention to Arthur, who was kneeling on the ground and said, "Okay, we are going to help you. However, the reward better be worthwhile of all the trouble.''
Arthur's eyes displayed shock before he broke into a pleasantly surprised smile and exclaimed, "Alright!"
