“N-no…. Agh!”
Elyna, Julie, and Feylord stood at the back while Leiu swept his sword at the last fallen assassin.
In total, six black-clothed men were cleanly beheaded. They were strong, but not nearly enough to threaten Leiu.
“This is getting annoying.”
While letting out a grunt of annoyance, the Nameless Knight faced the three of them and asked,
“Your home is South of here, right?”
Elyna mostly kept to herself and avoided talking or meeting his gaze. Feylord treated him with fear and even a little bit of reverence, especially after he had seen what he could do.
It was mostly Julie who either talked or answered Leiu, though she had started getting used to his perpetually broody nature and somewhat unsettling demeanor.
“South-West. In the Archwood region.”
“...”
After a brief contemplation, Leiu solemnly nodded and then closed his eyes. Seconds later, he raised his hand and let out formless pitch-black Darkness that spun around, transforming into something akin to a portal.
“This will shorten the distance. Go in.”
He impatiently waved his hand, urging them to go inside.
Feylord was the first to step forward, followed by the hesitant Julie. As for Elyna, she stood there, rooted to the ground.
Her instincts were warning her not to get close to the Darkness. She felt absolute dread, as if just coming into contact with it would erase her whole existence.
When she saw him approach her with rapid steps, she conjured a barrier and slowly backed away. Unfortunately for her, the barrier shattered when he came into contact with it.
Annoyed, Leiu grabbed Elyna’s hand and flung her towards the portal. She could only let out a gasp of surprise and fear as her body spun in the air before entering the hungering Darkness.
The Spatial Displacement initiated by the Nameless Knight was instantaneous. Elyna's body crashed into the dirt and grass and when she hastily got up, she saw Julie and Feylord give her look of confusion.
However, their attention, as well as Leiu’s and Elyna’s, were pulled toward the sky-high walls that erected around the Hollow Creek.
The walls were only hundreds of meters away, and beyond them, they could see the clustered golden spires.
“Arman. Tsk!”
Leiu, none too pleased to see this, clicked his tongue and glared at the highly-advanced city.
“T-that’s…”
Stupefied, Julie gawked at the Arman city before glancing at the dark-haired youth.
“We move. You, Phoenix, lead the way.”
“Y-yes!”
Albeit being in a weakened and miserable state, Feylord obeyed and pointed further to the South.
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Inside Halric’s laboratory.
Arthur first looked at the unconscious Evelyn then at the pale-faced young-looking alchemist.
“You said you will heal her.”
“I did, but her soul has been affected. It must’ve be-”
“You said you will heal her.” Repeated Arthur, his voice getting much colder and threatening.
“Her body is healed, but-”
The Parasite approached Halric and looked down at him.
“You said you will heal her!”
This time, he raised his voice as a green mist burst from his body.
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Melia, who was a couple of feet away, tried to interfere only to be trapped inside a cube-shaped barrier conjured by Arthur.
As for Terden Sidus, he was lying on one of the beds, half-conscious and unable to do anything but watch.
“You can kill me if you want… but that won’t change anything. Abrigel used the Blight to corrupt her soul. I am sorry.”
Halric apologetically bowed his head, choosing to let Arthur decide his fate rather than retaliate using force. Then again, after summoning so many Treants and other familiars, as well as fighting the Demon Lord, he was all but spent.
After a brief and tense silence, the mist vanished.
“The Epsilon Diagram.”
“What? How…”
Halric was astonished to hear that, but he quickly connected the dots.
“You met Kirn Sparrow.”
Arthur didn’t bother explaining, he glared at the boy.
“Alright.”
Vines surged from the ground, presenting a thick and long scroll, which Arthur snatched and stored in his artifact.
After that, he walked to Evelyn and lifted her body.
“The Blight will make her suffer. It is better to let her die in peace.”
“Our cooperation is over, Halric. You better hope we don’t meet again.”
“I truly am sorry. And thank you for all that you’ve done.”
Halric bowed while forcing a smile, but the Parasite walked out of the laboratory without responding or even looking at him.
The claw-shaped artifact used to contain was still in Arthur’s possession, but Halric didn’t dare to ask for it, not in those circumstances. It was fortunate enough that he wasn’t killed.
Blackcrest was razed to the ground, nonetheless, this was a victory for the Duke and Halric.
What little of the Blight remained would disperse in time, the Demon Lord was gone, and Three Seats were not only defeated but also taken by a new enemy.
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Two days later
North-East of Wilsden
Greenbell Forest
Arthur knew that Christopher and the rest rushed to Wilsden, which was where they planned to meet.
Still, rather than try to catch up to them, he travelled at a relatively slow pace.
In the dead of the night, he sat across from Evelyn, who had finally woken up.
He briefly explained to her what happened, including her condition.
Arthur didn’t sugarcoat anything, choosing to tell her that, for now, her death was imminent. Still, he believed that there was a way to get rid of the Blight.
They just had to find an expert on Souls. A mage, preferably.
“It’s too early to give up. You said you’re not feeling any different, right?”
The maid nodded once as she checked her body. Her complexion was fine and she was able to move on her own.
Halric had healed all of her physical injuries and ensured that any damages sustained during the fight was gone.
“I don’t share your optimism, Master. Still, what happened was of my own doing and incompetence.”
Evelyn’s expression never changed even after hearing about her condition. She spoke with the same monotonous voice while giving him a meaningful stare.
“...”
Arthur looked back at her, attempting to say something only to give up and let out a heavy sigh.
“What’s wrong, Master? If it’s about me, then don’t worry. I’m fine.”
“That only makes me feel worse, you know.”
She tilted her head, “But I’m speaking the truth. Even if I’m going to die, I don’t think it’s unfair.”
“That’s it? That’s all you have got to say?”
“What else is there to say, Master?”
“That you want to live?”
“I think it’s a given that I want to live. Still, it is what it is.”
“Your indifference annoys me.”
Evelyn grinned in response, “What’s important is to make the most of what time I have left, Master. I do enjoy traveling with you and the others. I’d like to continue doing that.”
Arthur half-heartedly chuckled, “You’re part of the team now, Evelyn. The group wouldn’t be the same without you. I wouldn’t be the same.”
In a dramatic manner, she covered her mouth,, “Is that supposed to be a love confession, Master?!”
“Heh, you wish. All I’m saying is that I will not give up on you, so don’t give up on yourself, okay? This world is filled with so many mysteries and mysticism. There’s surely a way to cure you. Now, go to sleep and get some rest.”
He motioned toward the Arman-made walls beyond the small mountain to the West.
“I’ll go scout and make sure the area is clear.”
With the mist spinning around him, he drifted upwards and soon disappeared from sight.
Evelyn laid down and took out the flower she always carried around.
For a long time, she absentmindedly stared at it for a very long time, eventually seeing it shine with a resplendent light-blue color.
With a barely audible voice, she softly muttered, “No matter what happens, I am happy, Master.”
----------------------------------------
The next day
“I’m glad to see you safe and sound, Miss!”
Julie’s loyal and elderly confidant was overjoyed to see her return safe.
He glanced at Feylord then at Leiu, but he didn’t voice his thoughts, instead, he politely bowed towards them and guided them inside the manor.
“So, who’s this guest you mentioned?”
“He’s waiting in the Living Room.”
Soon, the three weary travellers entered the room and saw Aerin.
The Minstrel of the Ages stood up and smiled at them, however, once he saw the Nameless Knight, his expression changed.
“Why are you here?”
Leiu stepped forward, a deep frown on his face as he first looked at Aerin then at the Undead Jester.
“Shit!”
The creepy entity cursed and extended its arms, putting them in front of Aerin as if trying to protect him.
“I can’t say that it’s good to see you, Leiu.”
Unlike his usual easy-going demeanor, Aerin seemed frustrated. His face was deadpan and his tone that of annoyance and anger.