More and more cultivators started appearing near the entrance of the dragon's lair. Most of them remained far the back, unwilling to mingle with the great shots.

The once unbreakable barrier put up by the million-year-old Space Dragon was now on the verge of crumbling. The young talents were filled with anticipation as they wanted to get their hands on the ancient treasures in the dragon's possession.

Some were foolish enough to think about stealing the newborn baby but such a feat isn't easy, perhaps only the cream of the crop would stand a chance and that's while excluding the fighting that'll occur between all of them.

At some point, Lucy's sister, Angelina, appeared in the entrance too but wasn't interested in the weakened barrier but the present cultivators.

She spent a long time gazing at every person, wanting to find her hiding sister, if she's here, that is. Fortunately, the butler didn't accompany here but he may be watching from afar.

Claud assured him it wasn't the case as Wrath was here and the old man won't dare come here and cause a ruckus. The butler's mission was to retrieve Lucy, pointlessly fighting one of the seven deadly sins is a huge waste of energy and time.

…

Ever since a few hours ago, Arthur's heartbeat has been accelerating, it was a weird feeling, almost like a calling. He grew restless as his body was acting strangely, the Dark Magic within him became chaotic and out of control.

If not for possessing Lucy, he would have been discovered. This mysterious feeling intensified with every passing hour, forcing Arthur to try and think of a solution.

Were Lucy to abruptly leave this place while everyone was impatiently waiting, it would be far too suspicious. However, the Holy Dominion group was so close to him and they're quite perceptive to Dark Magic, if even a bit of Dark Magic leaks out of Lucy's body, it'll alert the enemies.

This wasn't like the agonizing pain he went through due to the ARK, it was quite the opposite, it made him restless yet at ease, an inexplicable sensation.

Slowly but surely, Lucy's body started emitting a black miasma, which, at first, didn't attract attention but was quickly noticed by the napping Wrath.

He curiously glanced at Lucy but said nothing, his penetrating gaze inspected every inch of her body.

'Hmm I smell a White Specter… and Arthur? Two in one?'

He could feel two souls in one body but Arthur's was faint, almost unnoticeable. He kept his silence and contemplated the situation.

Left with no choice, Lucy stood up, attracting the attention of the meditating Jian Si and the other disciples. She said nothing as she chose one direction and walked away, unfortunately, the black miasma became denser, causing the two old men leading the Holy Knights to frown.

Just as Lucy was about to make a run for it, time suddenly stopped. It wasn't like Arthur's time stop, no, it was vastly different.

Everyone froze, except for Lucy, who became dumbfounded. Before she could comprehend what just happened, a dark figure appeared in front of her.

Upon a closer look, she saw a person clad in an ominous dark armor, from his head to his toes. A thick and long black sword on his back.

Without having her husband tell her, she immediately knew the identity of this person. However, she didn't know how to react or what to say.

The knight took the helmet off his head, revealing a pale-faced young man with hair and eyes as dark as a bottomless abyss. While holding his helmet under his armpit, he performed a respectful bow while saying

"Although it's the first time you meet me, it is always a pleasure seeing you, Miss Lucy. I am called Leiu."

A small and expanding whirlpool appeared near Lucy for a split second before Arthur appeared. He gazed at the youth with a strange gaze. Without a doubt, it was the same person whom he handed that black sword to back in the Westia Continent.

They were the same person yet this one looked much, much stronger. Neither his Appraisal nor his eye ability worked on him. Fortunately, he sensed no hostility whatsoever from the youth.

"The pleasure is all mine."

Lucy didn't know why the young man would behave like that but she couldn't keep her indifferent attitude when facing someone like the Nameless Knight, an individual that dominates the whole multiverse.

Leiu then shifted his gaze to Arthur, who remained silent and a bit startled by the sudden unfolding of this event.

"Though in unfavorable circumstances, we meet again."

As he felt the immense invisible pressure naturally leaking from the Nameless Knight, Arthur asked

"Last time I saw you, you were but a mortal. How'd you get this strong? And why did you take Makaze?"

Hearing the bombardment of question, Leiu chuckled and waved his hand, causing three black chairs to appear. He signaled for them to sit while saying

"We still have some time so I don't mind a small chat, I owe you that, at the very least."

The couple did as asked of them and sat next to each other, both facing the easy-going youngster, who's supposed to a unique and ultimate existence which brings fear to every Overgod.

"Now then, what's on your mind?"

He put the black helmet and crossed his hand while leaning on the comfortable chair. Arthur collected his thoughts before questioning the knight

"Why did you take Makaze from Losha?"

Leiu chuckled and nodded his head while saying

"Why indeed… from your perspective, what I did was antagonistic as I took you blade and partner away, however, small and big events are timed, they cannot happen after or before their appointed time. Mayhap it is an insufficient reason for my actions but you must understand, the flap of a butterfly can cause a typhoon halfway around the world. In due time, you will know exactly why."

Arthur pondered for a moment before asking again:

"How did you get this strong?"

This time, Leiu smirked and snapped his fingers, causing their environment to drastically change. The couple was flabbergasted to find themselves floating in the void, they were surrounded by nothingness, only lights from far away stars could be seen.

"Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself. It doesn't matter whether you're a human, a demon, a dwarf… or even a parasite."

Arthur flinched upon hearing the last word but still continued to listen to the Nameless Knight

"You'll reach the apex when you reach a stage where progress doesn't matter. When you only fight and don't care about anything else… Sword God? Who cares about titles and premises… what is important is the blade in your hand and your still standing enemies. Be Spiteful, be evil, be hated… but never be merciful, especially not to your enemies."

Leiu glanced at Lucy and added:

"From what I see, you're still lacking compared to Lucy. One look at her is enough to feel her resoluteness to do everything for you… if it means killing a whole Universe and all the innocent lives in it. Then again, what would you do if the positions were switched? Would you turn against the whole world for her? For your family? Would you slaughter millions just for a life?"

Without any hesitation, Arthur retorted

"You know I would!"

The youth spread his hands and said

"Yet in saving one you save none… would you still do it?"

"I still would!"

"Hahahaha I bet you will!"

"You still haven't told me how exactly you got this strong."

Leiu shrugged and gave an honest reply

"I fought and I fought… and I fought! Till there was no fight left to fight, no one left to kill."

Not knowing how to react to such an answer, Arthur and Lucy stared at the young man, who said:

"Unbelievable, isn't it? After all those countless battles, I feel tired and I yearn for a rest, something I cannot have for there are things that require my attention… for we who walk before may lead those who walk after."

After an unknown amount of time passed, Arthur asked yet another question:

"Why appear now of all times?"

"Because it needs to be now, not tomorrow and not yesterday. As unfair as it is to you both, it needs to be done and I'm sure you will manage for you are…"

He stopped his sentence half-way and raised his hand and snapped his fingers, teleporting them back to the Secret Realm.

A frown appeared on Arthur's face, a bad premonition surged inside of him.

"Evil Wind, Makaze, it shall finally return to its rightful owner."

He waved his hand, causing a sheathed dark blade to appear in front of the couple. The Dark Blade vibrated intensely as it floated toward Arthur, who caught it and carefully inspected and unsheathed it.

The blade was no longer broken, it became whole again and seemed much sharper and stronger.

The Nameless Knight stood up and uttered a few last words before vanishing.

"Claud Venis, I really hope you find what you seek, let your end be not as miserable as the first. Farewell."

A few seconds after the knight disappeared, the frozen times returned to its usual course. The two old men, who were about to stop Lucy, became extremely astonished as the realm became a world of Darkness.

A deep and deafening roar resounded across the whole realm, startling even the Space Dragon.

"O'partner of mine, we finally reunite! By the Dark Oath do I call thee, Makaze!"

And so, for the first time in a long time, the dark blade left its sheath, releasing a cry so loud and powerful it shook the whole realm, bringing devastation to the land.