The forest was as quiet as ever, dominated by hundreds of thick pine trees and lush bushes. The only audible sounds were that of the relatively harmless nocturnal animals.

Amidst that darkness was a campfire a short distance away from the main road, which was commonly frequented by merchants and villagers alike

Amare Na Xivia's eyes shone with a mesmerizing violet color as she finally abandoned her stealth and focused on the campfire.

Her target was sound asleep, the maid had gone on her regular scouting mission, and the undead had his head leaning against the tree trunk, his eyes half-open as he was seemingly trying his best to remain awake.

The young vampire could not wait any longer, especially with her target close to Smithy Town.

She did not want to risk losing the parasite once he was there, therefore, she was going to strike now, in the middle of the night.

Her recent excursions had weakened her, but she recovered and was ready to initiate her carefully-constructed plan.

Once she crept close enough to their camp, she unleashed a magical burst that instantly struck Mort and blew him to the side.

By the time he hit the ground, Amare was already upon the parasite, her magic wrapping around him like a rope.

Seeing no reaction, the girl frowned and withdrew her magic as a rapid silhouette attacked from the side:

Evelyn's crisscrossed blades clashed with Amare's magic, but she was pushed to the back and about to get hit by a spear-like projectile shot by the vampire.

The recently-named rabbit, Furball, intercepted the spear as its eyes shone with a crimson light and its glistening pointy teeth opened wide.

Amare knew that she had failed, so she did not prolong the fight, instead, bombarding her vicinity while hastily retreating.

Unfortunately, a thick green mist soon covered her vision, disorienting her momentarily.

"Resistance futile, I advise you to withdraw your magic."

Arthur's calm voice rang inside Amare's ears as she unleashed stronger magic, consequently snapping the nearby trees and blowing up the ground.

Alas, she wasn't able to pinpoint the parasite's exact location and, thereafter, she was affected by [Air Decay].

The air grew dangerously still, Amare found herself suffocating as her magic dispersed.

Although Arthur's skill did not last for long, it was more than enough for Mort and Evelyn to land incapacitating attacks.

While groaning in pain, Amare's body was pressed against the ground by a shiny yellow-ish barrier.

Even with the mountainous force of Arthur’s Barrier Magic atop the girl, she still managed to cast her magic. Yet, as soon as the barrier was gone, Furball leaped at the girl, the row of sharp teeth inches away from her neck.

“Wait!”

Obviously, Arthur wasn’t going to kill the girl, but she didn’t know that. Admittedly, Amare was impressively strong, but she was oblivious to the fact that Arthur and co had sensed her a long time ago, so the element of surprise she had been relying on was, from the get-go, non-existent.

If it was an individual fight between her and Evelyn, or any of them, she might have prevailed, but it wasn’t the case, sadly for her.

“...”

Using Leonis’ body, Arthur looked down at the girl, who, despite shouting with a seemingly desperate voice, had an unchanging expressionless face.

“I know your name.”

With Furball on top of her and eager to shred her neck, she focused on the parasite and uttered those words with a calm voice.

“Oh, really?”

Arthur didn’t take her words seriously, but he still played along, slightly curious about what she was going to cook up to escape her predicament.

“It’s Arthur, right?”

“...”

Upon hearing that, an expression of disbelief plastered itself on his face, though it lasted for only a couple of breaths.

It was astonishing for her to know his true name, but not impossible. Thinking back on it, he had revealed that name once, when he was parting ways with Julie, the Baron’s daughter.

“I see…”

Arthur raised his hand and raised another barrier, one which was smaller and cylindric in shape, wrapping around the vampire’s slim body. This time, she did not fight back and just kept solemnly staring at him as he paced around.

“Now I know how you managed to track me.” He paused for a bit, pondering about something,

“You must have an ability that lets you peek at the past, yes? That’s the only way you would’ve known about that name. It’s also the only way you would’ve been able to follow me here considering my departure from Blackcrest should’ve been undetected.”

Amare did not confirm or deny his claims, but her silence was more than enough for the parasite as he chuckled.

“However, I’m sorry to tell you that knowing that won’t change your fate.”

“I promise to stop pursuing you.” She blurted instantly, which made Evelyn snort in anger.

“Promise? Is that supposed to mean something, little girl?”

The barrier tightened around Amare, almost breaking her bones as a wave of pain traveled across her body, causing her to softly groan.

“Words are just words. They literally mean nothing, even coming from the distinguished Amare Na Xivia.”

“What do you want, then?”

Arthur looked at her in silence, wondering if she feigning foolishness or if she was really that ignorant.

As the youngest child of the Masked Queen, she should have been aware that, by killing her, Arthur would condemn himself. However, her current tone showcased distress and a bit of desperation.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

‘Maybe I over-estimated her? Or that presence I’ve been feeling was Armen? If so, then this could be dangerous. If it was indeed Armen, it wouldn’t make sense for him to remain in hiding. They would have a higher chance in catching me if they joined hands. ’

Amare alone was not that much of a threat, but Armen was strong enough to kill the Bloated Murderer with one strike. He was much older than his sister and his easy-going notwithstanding, he was someone to be reckoned with.

‘She must know I’m a parasite and that I’m connected with Rodrick. After chasing me this far, she wouldn’t give up so easily, would she? In any case, ambiguity and misdirection would avail me not. It’s best if I lay my cards on the table and see her reaction.’

“It’s hard to specify my objective, especially after you attacked out of the blue. You chased me all the way from Wilsden, so It would be stupid to let you go… which only leaves me with the option of killing you.”

As she heard him, Amara used her magic again, but she wasn’t able to break the barrier this time. Arthur used [Enhanced Spell] to strengthen [Sanguis Barrier], which cost him a lot of Mana, but was worth it, apparently.

“Just to make things clear, you are after me because of Rodrick, yes?”

“...”

“Don’t you think it’s too late to deny it?”

“Where is he?”

“Are you in a position to ask such questions, little girl? Still, if I told you his whereabouts, would you give up on me?”

“I would.”

“Hmm… that doesn’t sound very convincing.” He turned his head to the maid and asked,

“Any propositions, my dear Evelyn?”

“I say we blindfold her and trap her in a secluded place difficult to escape from. That way, she won’t be able to track us.”

“You forgot about her ability. As long as she returns to this specific spot, she might be able to find our trail. Also, it seems wasteful to abandon such an enticing host. Maybe if I possess her, I might be able to fool her mother.”

“My goal was never to kill you.” She gritted her teeth, her purple-colored eyes letting out a dim luster, “The Bloated Murderer… it was you. Why did you just cut my hand? And why did you steal the Blood Crystals from us?”

“Again with the questions, which I will not deign to answe-”

Arthur suddenly stopped talking and abruptly turned around, spotting a high-velocity swirling mist shooting at him.

He could not move the barrier in time, nor dodge out of the way as the mist pierced through his chest and burst his heart.

Yet, even after sustaining such a fatal injury, the parasite coughed blood and moved his hands in an attempt to grab hold of the intangible mist.

Alas, it swiftly retreated to the back but was intercepted by Evelyn and Furball. The maid slashed with her blades, hitting nothing but air whereas the familiar screeched, however, before it could do anything, a bone-chilling devilish cry reverberated across the forest.

Arthur used [Infernal Cry], which not only affected his opponents but his allies as well. Those around him were struck by invisible energy that rendered them immobilized for a couple of seconds.

The white mist dissolved, showing a man with a slim and frail body. Even with a gaping hole in his chest, Arthur did not stop to question the familiar man’s actions, instead, he smashed down with his barrier and let out a burst of green mist.

In a matter of seconds, Addy was surrounded by the mist, which attacked his rear while the shiny barrier trapped him.

“The side, Evelyn!”

Surprisingly, Addy was able to escape as a horrifying illusory skull appeared in the air, shattering his barrier instantaneously and pushing away the mist.

Evelyn’s twin blades, which were on the brink of breaking apart, glowed with a dark red light as they fell upon the man.

Using his mist, he managed to deflect one blade but was stabbed by the other, a fresh bloody wound appearing on his left shoulder.

With a loud cry, he gripped the sharp edge of the sword and shove it away, his body transforming into mist and flying high-up in the air.

“Don’t chase!”

Arthur’s words halted the maid’s steps. She turned her attention to the seemingly harmless skull hovering mid-air.

With the use of [Enhanced Spell], which consumed what remained of his Mana, Arthur cast [Sanguis Barrier] one last time, shaping it like a cone that rapidly spun as it cascaded upon the skull.

Fortunately, the skull was extinguished before it could do anything. The parasite touched his bleeding chest, a deep frown plastered on his solemn face.

‘Addy? So he was the danger I have been warned about. Still, he tracked me here? No…’

He turned to look at Amare, who, although not bound by his barrier, was being pressed against the ground by Mort.

‘He used her.’

“Master…”

“I know. He should be the Bloated Murderer’s accomplice… or, to be precise, a relative of his. They share the same ability, more or less. It seems we’ve attracted quite the troublemakers.”

Arthur coldly snorted and walked to the quiet vampire, who was as surprised as the rest.

“Addy is liable to be more annoying than her. We will have a change of plans, then.”

“We should be safer in Smithy Town, Master.”

“Safer? I’m not worried about safety. He wants to kill me, so it’s only natural that I reciprocate.”

Arthur beckoned the maid then took out a long thick rope from the magical bag. He put the vampire’s hands behind her back then tightly tied them before making her stand up.

“Take Mort and Furball and go to Smithy Town. I will join you once I’m done dealing with him.”

“Master, that’s a stupid idea. We should not separate.”

“He’s not strong enough to kill me with you around. He won’t take another risk… so he will most likely follow us until there’s a chance to strike.”

“...”

“Do as I say, Evelyn.”

“... yes, Master.”

Eventually, she sighed and bowed her head. After a short while, she returned to the main road along with the undead and the familiar.

As for Arthur, he stood right behind Amare, his hand holding a dagger directed at her neck as he urged her to walk.

“You’ve caused quite the mess, little girl.”

“It’s not my fault.” She retorted while shrugging her shoulders. Her eyes were glowing ever-so-slightly, but they dimmed when the dagger moved closer to her neck.

“I know that a rope won’t limit your magic. Don’t make me do it.”

“If you tell me where Rodrick is, I will leave you be.”

“Oh? I thought you were content with surviving this ordeal.”

The girl looked at him from the corner of her eyes while faintly smiling.

“The situation has changed, Arthur. I can team up with that human.”

Arthur used his other hand to pull back her hair, which made her groan in pain.

“You’d do well not to utter that name so brazenly. We are not friends.”

“We can be… if you cooperate.”

“Or I can use other ways to make you submit.” He leaned his head closer and grinned, his eyes glancing at her body.

“If you don’t behave, I can make you comply using many methods. I’m sure your imagination can think of one or two of them.”

His warning worked wonders as the girl lowered her head and maintained silence, her tied hands clenched into fists. She did not try to escape or provoke the parasite as they marched in the direction Addy had fled towards.

‘Amare is awfully clumsy and does not pose any immediate danger. Moreover, her goal is not to kill me, which is enough to ease my worries. Addy, however, must be eliminated. I cannot travel in peace with him lurking in the dark.’

“Where are you taking me?”

After a long while, Amare asked with a calmer voice that contained a hint of curiosity rather than fear.

Arthur did not answer, he kept looking around, certain that Addy was hiding somewhere.

When the night sky was being illuminated by the rising sun, the parasite found a peaceful pond in an open area.

The water was shallow and did not seem poisonous, therefore, Arthur pushed Amare to the center and stood there, in complete silence.

“He will not attack you here.”

“I beg to differ, little girl.”

Arthur kept looking at the calm water as a standard short blade from under his jacket’s sleeve, a handy way to hide weapons taught by Evelyn.

“I see no use in doing this. He was injured and will only attack after recovering.”

“You talk too much.”

“I’m just trying to-”

Arthur put down the dagger and covered her mouth, causing only inaudible muffled sounds to be heard.