King Marcus was dumbfounded for a second.

" PLEASE!!"

" No!"

" WHY?!"

He looked like he was about cry. I wonder why he is so desperate.

"The reason is simple. Thanks to that robed guy over there reminding me I realize that twice I have run into you people and twice have they pointed their weapons at me."

Marcus seemed to have a face with a mix of regret and anger. He was clenching his fist so hard it shook. He is probably trying to still find a way to convince me.

" I can give you food."

" I already have that taken care of."

" I can give you shelter."

" My current place is far better than anything you can give me."

" I can ensure your safety."

That one is just sad. He must be grasping at straws.

" I would like you to look at something."

I then turned to all the soldiers I downed with my bare hands and pointed in their direction.

" If something that had the power to kill me showed up than it could certainly kill you all in a second."

King Marcus's face looked like it was about to surrender. He simply had nothing I could want or need.

" If that is all then I will leave."

I want to leave quickly. They just want to use me for my skill. They didn't even try to hide it. I don't know why they would want my alchemy skill. But if it's for the poisons then maybe I should wipe them all out. I looked at Marcus's face but it looked like he couldn't find anything to say. I turned around and headed towards zenith.

" PLEASE WAIT!"

That voice. It didn't sound like Marcus's nor male for that matter. But it's so familiar. I turned around and saw someone coming out of the crowd. They were short about 4,8 and carried a butterfly wand. Their pink dress made her look like a doll while her pink hair had ornaments in it. But the strange thing is that her hair used to be blonde not pink. She walked up in front of me and I got a good look at her face. No doubt about it, my step sister lily is the one who appeared before me.

" PLEASE RECONSIDER. A DISEASE HAS RUN RAMPANT AND OUR DOCTORS DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. WE ARE NEARLY OUT OF MEDICINE AS WELL. OUR ONLY HOPE IS FOR ALCHEMISTS TO MAKE THE CURE BUT THEIR LEVELS ARE TO LOW. PLEASE (sniff) ...HELP."

It seems I unintentionally made her cry. My heart kind of hurt since I pride myself on being a kind brother. I always played what lily wanted to play so she would smile. Though in recent years I haven't been able to see her much I always made sure to send her a text or call her. I bent down so that our faces were at the same height.

" Hello lily."

Her face showed slight surprise and confusion after I said that.

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" How do you know my name."

She looked at me with some tears in her eyes.

" How could you forget the person who got you bunbun."

I said in a slightly hurt voice though I am just messing with her. Bunbun was a stuffed rabbit I got her one Christmas. She had a blank look for a few seconds before realization dawned on her.

" B-big brother?"

" Hey lily."

She hesitated for a few seconds before jumping into my chest. She started crying while repeating big brother over and over. I hugged her back. I never thought I would see any of my family ever again. I realized a while back that chances were they are already dead. I am so glad I was wrong. We hugged for a few minutes while everyone else looked confused. Then lily stepped back and started questioning me.

" Big brother, where have you been? Are you injured? Why are you so strong? What's with those clothes? Why are you an alchemist?"

She kept asking more questions until Marcus butted in.

" Excuse me lily, but do you know him?"

" Yes this is my step brother. Vincent Hamilton."

" I see."

Then lily turned to me.

" Big brother will you please come with us?"

She gave me a pleading look that always worked on me in the past. However...

" I am sorry lily but I can't."

" Buuuut whhhhhyyy?"

" I can't trust them after what has happened and there is another reason."

" What's the other reason?"

" I can't tell you."

I can't say if I live with you one of the plagues I carry could run rampant and kill you all. If I did she would stick close to me to take care of me and possibly get sick. But I also really don't trust these people. If I go with them I might wake up in a cell with a blade to my neck and a guy next to me saying make the potion, make the potion.

" Please big brother. Most of us have fallen ill and a few already died."

Lily started to cry again. She always wanted to help people so this must be hard for her. I leaned forward and whispered to her.

" Lily, are these people good people?"

She realized I just wanted the two of us to hear this so she also whispered.

" Yes big brother. Marcus has saved many people from monsters and helps people plant seeds so we can get food and tamed some animals. In fact the reason we are out here today is to find this giant boar so we could have a feast since everyone has been gloomy when people started getting sick."

" I see, lily what are the symptoms of the disease that is spreading."

" Well first there is the feeling of ice on your skin. Then your whole body goes numb. Finally frost bite shows up on parts of people's body's. After that they soon die." 

She seemed sad when saying this. But this disease is something I know. It is something a ice wraith gives to people it passes by or to those who enters its territory. They always stay in cold regions though. I guess someone ran into it over the winter. I patted her head and turned to Marcus.

" I refuse to go with you. But I am sure we can come to some sort of agreement?"

" What do you want?"

" Three things. First I want a one horse carriage to carry my supplies. Also someone who can make a weapon out of some materials I have."

" What kind of materials?"

" Dragon scales and bones."

Both Marcus and Lily's eyes grew big. Then Marcus spoke.

" You have dragon materials?"

" Yes."

" Where did you get them?"

" From a dragon I killed."

Marcus's face was still in shock. But lily started smiling. 

" Big brother is so strong!"

Marcus upon hearing lily finally spoke.

" I am afraid we don't have anyone that can make a weapon out of dragon scales. But one of our blacksmiths is a high level. Give him some time to level up and he can make you a weapon."

" Fine. I will wait on the weapon then. I will make a trip once a month to you with some  potions. But you also need to tell me what potions you need two weeks in advance. The third thing I want is to get paid every time I make this trip."

" What do you want to be payed with?"

" Skill books."

" Why skill books. If you want a skill we can have some people teach you."

" No. I prefer reading the books. Listening to someone teach me is too slow."

" *sigh* Fine but only one skill book a month."

" Then I want to choose the book."

" Deal."

We shook hands and I led them to the hospital. I don't have any potions on me so I will give it to them too take back with them. I was talking with lily while we were walking.

" Hey lily."

" Yes big brother."

" What happened to mom and dad?"

Lily had a sad look then replied.

" A monster called a Cerberus attacked the house. Mom hid me in the hallway closet. Then I heard mom and dad scream. When I opened the door they were torn to pieces."

She started to tear up a little. I put my hand on her shoulder.

" It's okay lily. I'm sorry I made you remember that."

" No, you deserve to know. But it's okay now since I still got you big brother."

She showed me a smile but I knew she was forcing it.

" Lily if you ever need someone to talk to you can always come to me you know."

" I know, thanks big brother."

We reached the hospital and I gave them the antidote for their problem. Everyone had to carry a crate of the stuff so that they would have enough for the infected. I told them that I will stay here until they send my wagon. Before they left I turned to lily.

" Lily, I know we just met again and I want to still be there with you but I'm afraid that being around me would endanger you. So please, for now stay with them."

I really wanted to be together with lily again but all I need to do is sigh and I could kill her.

" It's okay big brother. Besides, I saw your other skill."

She must be talking about my conjure plague skill. It seems she's the only one who noticed.

" I want to stay with you and take care of you. But I know you are doing this for my well being. Just let me visit you, please."

She gave me puppy eyes.

" Alright alright, you can come whenever you want. Just don't enter the hospital."

Lily was happy with my answer and gave me another hug. Soon she and the others headed off and I was alone. Rats started appearing and surrounded me.

" I want 100 of the smallest of you to keep an eye on her. If she is ever in any trouble than return here immediately."

A hundred rats left the group. Lily is the only person in this world I care about. Even if I have to destroy every single living person I will make sure she is safe. I turned around and headed into the hospital. I have some plants to take care of.