12 CHAPTER 12

Arata was thinking about what would make all the squads in the capital betray the Empire, and join up with the people in that shed. By the way, who are they ? Cloverists, Spade ?, we don't know. And Tsukishima and Milana are a part of this, that's for sure. My mom and Dad are definitely something big, which are trying to take down the Alvarez Empire. And, why was the Alvarez Empire built in the first place 2 years ago?

All of these questions loomed around his head. When Arata was a child, there was no Alvarez Empire. But there were constant battles between the Clover and Spade. Britannia and Gustak never bothered to fight and had good relations with both of the kingdoms. And no one provoked them, because they didn't do anything. However my dad and mom had become lovers but soon realized that each of them are from clover and spade, and they were born enemies. So they ran away and lived in a peaceful place. And gave birth to me. The empire was just formed two years ago. But I didn't get to know what was cooking up. And it looks like the martial experts around me also don't, except that Solork… He definitely is hiding something from me.

"Hey Solork, come clean and say what happened in your life.", Arata directly went and confronted him.

It had been about a month and a half since they had been together. Solork had become kind of like a big brother to Arata.

"Hmmmm… Maybe it is better not to hide. I have read many novels where the person who knows more hides stuff from other characters but I really don't see any point. I will tell you my story."

"I was the subordinate of the great Gluttony. His real name is something which he threw away, so I only know his sin name. He is the one who taught me how to make weapons, but he was special. He was a God at creating weapons. He could make invincible weapons.", Solork said as he began his story.

"I am assuming that he was one of the 8 specialists.", Arata asked Solork.

"Yes, Wrath was the one with lightning, Lust was the one with bringing back the dead, Sloth was the one who was the fastest, Greed was the one who bring the hurricane, Envy was the one who could talk to all animals, Pride is the one who could see the farthest, and the one leading them all was the All mighty. I have no clue how they got their names, but these were monsters and I was a subordinate to Gluttony. I learned under him and broke into Silver rank. I was his favourite disciple and he treated him as a friend, but he didn't tell me much. But he did say this to me, after the war was over - You stay here and get stronger so you can defy the logic. We have actually not been able to change anything. After this he left."

"OK, that's interesting. They couldn't change anything by creating this country. Why would they want to create a country ?", Arata asked.

"Maybe, because this region has the most martial , no, all the martial arts experts. And those Gods made them their subordinates.", Solork said.

"How did you become a Martial expert ?", Arata asked.

"Hmmm, that is a very good question. Aa a matter of fact, the martial arts was only practised in the main families. But now that system is broken down.", Solork said.

"The families, huh ? I know that there used to be 20 main families. Did they have these scrolls and trained in martial arts?", Arata asked.

"Yes, that;s true. I am from the Ikta family, but I long threw away that name. The people in the S rank and A rank, are all from these great families. I was not assigned to any squad, as I was assigned to a squad, but they soon disbanded. Same was with Igsem and Wakatoshi. They too are from families, but as that system is destroyed, we don't talk about it.", Solork said.

Arata did learn quite a lot on this day. He was glad he asked Solork. But the part about nothing being changed even after the Empire had been built was weird. Wasn't it to abolish the 20 families under that law. Then what was the point of that war ?

Suddenly, an explosion was sounded outside the door of the squad. An explosion! What is going on. Everyone got ready to engage in battle, but they saw 12 people coming in on the stairs. A brutal fight was going to start. But how did they get Explosives ?!