I can’t believe I’ve forgotten something so simple. It was one of the first things Dmitri taught me once I learned how to read and write. When doing research, you don’t throw yourself into every subject. You take your time to narrow down what you’re searching for and work your way out of the problem.

I don’t need to learn everything about Zum. I already have enough to work with. The problem is: How many souls do I need to sacrifice to save Nadia? She said we won’t need to transfer more souls for a time. But it’s been at least a month or two since she sent him the spirit orbs from the graveyard.

And she said the village won’t keep him satisfied for long. I asked her for a week, but we should be safe for a bit longer. I can’t fight a god. And I won’t put Nadia in danger. But surrendering is not an option. Death promised to help, but he hasn’t done so yet. Nadia also said that not everyone needs to die.

So, there must be a minimum requirement to aid Zum’s plan. If the noble graveyard contained roughly three thousand souls and the village about a thousand, then…

Viktor leaned back in his chair, chuckling darkly as he looked at the book through the case. Nadia had gone to help in the kitchens in exchange for some snacks, and Father Lena was busy tending to other business. Viktor had finished his chores, and knew no one would think it odd to find him in here.

Knowledge was the greatest power, but learning random facts was never Viktor’s strong suit. He turned back to his desk and pulled out a map of the surrounding area. Several towns and hamlets were marked, but none stood out to Viktor. Word of what happened that night was slowly creeping around.

Father Lena had sworn to find out the cause and put an end to the deaths. But Viktor was confident he and Nadia weren’t considered suspects… yet. The loop tightened, making Viktor’s ears ring, but he ignored it. He was getting better at that. There were moments when Viktor knew he made a mistake.

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And he was beginning to adjust accordingly. He has an uncertain deadline to meet an unforgivable goal. But this wasn’t the first time he’s been in this situation. He once again no longer recalls the details of the man he killed beyond his connection to Brother Mikail.

Making the irony of the loop both helping and hindering him an amusing one. But Viktor wasn’t laughing about that. He felt no pleasure in his past or current actions. He didn’t know if it was the loop or something else, but Viktor’s mind had shifted to one thing. Save Nadia.

The deaths they caused that night weighed heavily upon him, but Viktor finally understood. He couldn’t afford to wait and hope something happened that saved them. Even Nadia had reprimanded him for such childish thinking. Viktor’s focus slowly landed on one corner of the map and sighed.

It wasn’t the best he could do. He knew that. But a plan was already forming around it. Viktor was merely a Death Cleric. He knew his powers well enough to understand his limits and know when to rely on others. That was the basis of the Paths. One person can’t do everything alone.

But asking for help was cruel. Viktor didn’t want to think about what would happen if he failed. He hadn’t lied when he told Nadia he would most likely die. And he knew she would do anything to prevent that. He had to do the same. Being willing to take punishment no longer mattered.

The past didn’t matter. Viktor tapped the map, feeling something curl up and die. There would be no going back. Viktor would either save Nadia and the world or be dead. He made his peace with it. But he didn’t want to see Nadia die, so the loop, and whatever controlled it, still had a way to mess with him.

Viktor rose, carefully putting everything back where he found it, and left the room without another glance. Dinner was still a few hours away, but Viktor wasn’t in a hurry to end the day. Nadia wanted to know his plans so they could work together. He refused to disappoint her.