After dealing with the snake woman, Arthur traced back Lucy and teleported next to her. She wasn't where he left her but inside Amidel's castle. More precisely, she was sitting on the same table he sat at five years ago when he threatened the city lord.

Surprisingly, the atmosphere wasn't awkward or silent as Emily and Kithel were also present. The little girl grew to become a pretty young lady and the big brother looked more composed and mature than before.

The Kang family rarely had visitors so with the arrival of Lucy, Emily became super excited and tried multiple times to inquire about the visitor's origins and adventures outside

Unfortunately, she was facing a tight-lipped Lucy who silently drank her tea and waited for Arthur to come. As for Kithel, he was interested in Lucy but not in a romantic way. He couldn't sense the depth of her power and so the young man became eager for a little spar.

Amidel tried several times to signal his son to remain silent and not say anything unnecessary, alas, the fighting spirit of acted on its own and forced him to say these words

"Miss Lucy, I heard about your achievements and I would like to exchange some pointers with you."

Sadly for him, Lucy completely ignored what he said and stared at her cup of tea with an absent-minded expression. This caused the lively Kithel to feel awkward and a bit dejected to be treated like air. He wasn't stupid and he knew that she's stronger than him, nonetheless, he was a person who gets through real-life experiences and sparring with her is bound to help him break through to the next grade.

Seeing her uninterested look, Amidel found her more difficult to handle than Arthur. He displayed a friendly smile and said

"I have always been fascinated and intrigued by Astria, your homeworld."

As she heard his words, Lucy scornfully retorted

"Fascinated, you say?"

"Yes, especially when the catastrophe befell on us."

He paused for a second before resuming

"I wonder who is the one who summoned the Celestial Tribulation?"

His smile grew wider as he intensely gazed at her, trying to read her face but to avail. Her indifference and expressionless face allowed him to see nothing and only try to make guesses.

"When Arthur comes, ask him whatever you like."

Lucy finally decided to stop bothering with Amidel. Although Arthur didn't specifically warn her from this city lord, he still told her to remain cautious as his identity remains unknown and he's not just a simple city lord.

No sane Sovereign would intentionally live in this wasteland where the density of Nether Energy is thin. It literally is the worst place for Sovereigns to be as they need huge and pure quantities of Nether Energy, something this desolate wasteland cannot provide.

..

Fortunately, Arthur arrived a few minutes later. He appeared right next to Lucy and comfortably sat on the chair after exchanging simple greetings with the three others in the form of a simple nod.

"I presume 'that matter has been taken care of?"

Amidel shifted his attention to Arthur and said those words while still showing a rather friendly yet annoying smile.

"Though she escaped, she will die soon."

"Hmm, I'm rather curious about your relationship with one of the Heavenly Snake Clan."

Kang Amidel read no change in Arthur's expression which showed that the latter already know about the woman's origin.

"For you to force 'her' to talk, your methods must be quite painful."

Arthur shrugged and replied

"I don't need to force her.... just like I can't force you but do know, Kang Amidel, I only have friend or enemies, nothing in between."

The Sovereign heartily laughed while adding:

"Then I suppose I'm your friend since I'm still alive?"

"For now. But if I find anyone out of place in Astria then know that I'll be coming for you."

"Hahahaha that won't happen."

Very soon, the food was served and the delicacies were eaten by both parties. In the midst of their meal-time, Emily who fears Arthur due to an unknown reason, mustered her courage and asked him:

"Sir Arthur, where is Swain?"

"He's recuperating back on Astria."

When she heard that, the usually lively Emily became a bit sad since Swain was her only real friend and she expected to see him when she saw Arthur and Lucy.

After a few minutes of absolute silence, Arthur asked the only thing he wanted to know from Amidel

"I heard your fight against the Divine Beasts went smoothly, how are the spoils?"

Amidel was confused on why would Arthur ask such a random thing but he still answered honestly

"According to the rules set before the fight. I would keep the leader's body and the three others would be split between the factions that contributed."

"They allowed you to keep a whole body?"

These factions would be too greedy to let Amidel keep the leader of the four Divine Beasts.

'It's confusing, why would they back down and let a mere city lord from the wasteland to get the biggest prize...'

His suspicions about Amidel grew and intensified but he still kept them to himself and asked again

"Which of the factions helped?"

"Two Elders from the Mirage Era Hall, one Elder from the Five Phoenix Kingdom and three Teachers from the Holy Academy."

"And which one of the four was the leader?"

As Amidel noticed the overly interested Arthur, he thought of slipping lies but quickly decided against as mayhap he was being tested, though such probability was extremely low.

"The Vermillion Bird."

When he heard that, Arthur smiled and tapped the table with his finger as he pondered for more than a minute before saying

"Are you willing to sell me the corpse? You can take the important materials I just need an intact body. Furthermore, I'll pay handsomely, whether in Spirit Stones or other treasures."

The city lord and even his two children where startled by Arthur's sudden request. Even though it's just a copy of the real thing, the corpse of the Vermillion Bird is priceless. Moreover, it's actually the leader of the ones who attacked the Green-Leaf world, which made the request even more absurd.

At first, Amidel thought it was merely a test or a joke but upon seeing Arthur's totally serious expression, he erased the smile from his face.

"Sir Arthur, I don't know what you can offer but I don't think it'll help me more than the Vermillion Bird."

Amidel had big plans for the lifeless body of the bird and selling it will cause many future troubles for his family.

..

Claud, who was watching this from within the ARK, snapped at Arthur

"Are you dumb? I repeatedly warned you to forget any thoughts of possessing anyone or anything yet you're trying to buy a dead Vermillion Bird? You have no use for such thing and no one would be willing to sell such a Divine treasure. Just its feathers are worth countless Spirit Stones, that's if you don't count the claws, beak, firetail, etc..."

Arthur ignored his copy and focused his attention on Amidel while adding

"Are you sure? I'm sure I can offer you something that might interest you."

With that, Lucy and Arthur got up and left the remaning just after the latter said those last words:

"I'll be leaving in two days, think carefully about your decision."

The married couple disappeared from the castle, leaving two surprised youngsters and a confused father. Even if he insisted, Arthur was sure that Amidel would be hellbent on refusing but if he gave him some time, he may think of an absurd request in exchange for the bird.

The corpse was absolutely necessary and giving up on it this early isn't even a choice for Arthur. He had thorough plans for the bird and white tiger in his storage and as for the Azure Dragon, it isn't strong enough so that's what he'll use as a bargaining chip with Amidel.

*******************

Small reminder .

Powers in the Green-Leaf World (Middle Realm).

Mountain Ba Sword Sect : Jian Si is the top disciple there. Jian Si= Cold Sword, the girl who became Arthur's student.

Holy Academy.

Five Phoenix Kingdom : Elo Huo (The guy who entered the tomb and had his arm torn off by Arthur[Who possessed the girl who always clinged to the kid]) / Elo Huo is the cousin of the Flame Crown Prince (One of the top talents of the green leaf world).

Mirage Era Hall : Shu Ru (One of the top talents of the green leaf world)

Water Cloud Sect : Kai Min (the guy who was killed by Swain a while after he entered the tomb. His body is in Arthur's possession.)