The Extra's Rise
Chapter 651 - 651: An Overdue Reward

I made my way through the estate's corridors toward the grand reception hall, my mind racing through possible reasons for Alastor's sudden visit. While the King of the Northern Continent dropping by unannounced was unusual, it wasn't entirely unprecedented. Alastor had always been more of a mentor and father figure to me than just Rachel's father, especially after everything we'd been through together.

Still, the request for an "immediate audience" suggested this wasn't just a social call.

When I entered the hall, I found Alastor standing near the massive windows overlooking the estate grounds, his hands clasped behind his back. Even in casual moments like this, he carried himself with the natural authority of someone born to rule. His silver hair caught the afternoon light, and when he turned at my approach, those familiar deep blue eyes—so like Rachel's yet somehow more weathered by years of kingship—lit up with genuine pleasure.

"Arthur!" he said warmly, crossing the room to clasp my shoulder in the kind of greeting reserved for family. "Look at you, getting taller every time I see you. Pretty soon you'll be looking down at this old king."

I grinned, the familiar banter immediately putting me at ease. "I think we both know you stopped being 'old' the day you decided to stay in fighting shape, Alastor."

He gestured toward a pair of comfortable chairs arranged near the windows. "Come, sit. I have something long overdue to discuss with you."

We settled into the chairs, and I waited patiently. I'd learned over the years that when Alastor had something important to say, it was best to let him get there in his own time.

"Tell me," he began, leaning back in his chair, "do you remember what I promised if you managed to beat Lucifer at the Sovereign's Tournament? You remember what I offered you?"

"You offered an Ancient-grade artifact as the Staff of my Lich," I said, recalling that particular conversation. "However, I got another Staff before since I wanted to make my Lich before the tournament."

"You did," Alastor confirmed. "You were always so ambitious after all. However, that doesn't mean I can't give you a reward regardless."

He stood and moved toward a large, ornately carved case I'd noticed but hadn't really focused on. It bore the royal seal of the Creighton family and looked like it contained something significant.

"But," he continued, his voice taking on a more formal tone, "I realized recently that I never properly rewarded you for what you did. For my family. For Rachel."

"Alastor," I said carefully, "you don't owe me anything. What I did, I did because it was right, not because I expected—"

"Because you expected nothing," he interrupted, turning back to face me with an expression that was part pride, part exasperation. "That's exactly why you deserve everything."

He opened the case with reverent hands, and I felt my breath catch at what was revealed inside.

The most magnificent piece of armor I had ever seen lay nestled in custom-fitted padding. It wasn't traditional plate mail or even the advanced magical gear I was familiar with. This was something else entirely—sleek and form-fitting, with lines that seemed to flow like water while suggesting incredible strength. The surface had an almost organic quality, as if it were alive and waiting.

"An Ancient-grade artifact exosuit," Alastor announced, his voice filled with unmistakable pride. "Commissioned specifically for you. It took an Ancient-grade armor artifact at its base and I modified it for you."

I stared at the armor, my mind struggling to process what I was seeing. Ancient-grade artifacts were incredible. I had two of them, but this was more than that. Customized.

"Alastor," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I commissioned it three months after you beat Lucifer," he admitted, moving to stand beside the case. "It's taken nearly three years to complete. The base artifact is called Mythrite."

He gestured toward the exosuit with obvious pride. "The magical circuits are powered by a core containing crystallized starlight and contain enchantments for enhanced strength, speed, magical resistance, and autonomous repair capabilities. The neural interface will bond with your magical signature and respond to your thoughts as naturally as your own reflexes."

My mind reeled as I tried to process the implications of what he was describing. The resources, time, and expertise required for such a project would be staggering, even for a king.

"But why now?" I asked, looking up at him. "You've had this for months. Why choose today to give it to me?"

Alastor's expression grew knowing, and I caught a glimmer of the same mischievous intelligence that Rachel had inherited. "Because, my dear boy, you're about to need it more than ever."

"What do you mean?"

"Arthur," he said, settling back into his chair, "you've just added a fifth young woman to your rather impressive collection of romantic interests. You're connected to royal families across multiple continents. You're building something significant, something that's going to reshape the political landscape whether you intend to or not."

His expression grew more serious. "And that means you're going to acquire enemies. Powerful ones. People who will see you as a threat to the established order, or who will want to use you for their own purposes."

The weight of his words settled over me like a heavy cloak. I'd been so focused on managing my personal relationships that I hadn't fully considered the broader political implications of my situation.

"The armor isn't just protection, Arthur," Alastor continued. "It's a statement. A declaration that you have allies who believe in you and are willing to invest in your future. It will grow with you as your power develops, adapting and enhancing your abilities as needed."

I stood and approached the case, my hands hovering over the armor without quite touching it. Up close, I could see the incredible detail work, the way the magical circuits seemed to pulse with their own inner light.

"I don't know what to say," I admitted.

"Say you'll accept it," Alastor said simply. "Say you'll use it to protect yourself and the people you care about. Say you'll remember that no matter how powerful you become, you'll always have a home in the Northern Continent."

I looked at this man who had been mentor, ally, and father figure all rolled into one, and felt my throat tighten with emotion.

"Thank you," I said, meaning it with every fiber of my being. "For everything. Not just the armor, but for believing in me when I wasn't sure I believed in myself."

Alastor's smile was radiant. "That's what family does, Arthur."

His lips continued to smile but his eyes changed as shivers went down my spine.

"Now then," Alastor said, his voice maintaining that same casual, conversational tone, "shall we talk about why my lovely daughter was searching for people to make cages?"

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