FLASHBACK

"Do you know the Bootstrap paradox?"

The man crossed his hands and asked Arthur, who was looking back at him.

"No, what is it?"

"On earth, it's just a theoretical paradox of time travel that occurs when something sent back in time becomes trapped in an infinite loop of cause and effect. The origin of whatever is stuck cannot be determined so it's said to be uncaused or self-created. This applies to Dark Magic, for example. As you know, Zodiak received the black seed from the old you, who went back in time, and you got it from the fake corpse. Even if you trace it back to the first cycle, it'll still remain indiscernible."

"What are you trying to say exactly?" asked back the confused Arthur.

"The two cycles you're stuck in are not necessarily uniquely connected but they are always successive, which makes it almost impossible to escape when you're jumping from the first cycle to the second one, however, this 'transfer' process is relatively slow and can be affected by outside forces."

The man with the same appearance as the parasite took a deep breath and continued: "You, and your two brothers are stuck but it's not the case for Lucy or Saly. With enough momentum and the perfect timing, they can break you out of this illusory shell."

"And?"-Arthur

"You have to understand that the cycles are not a material thing, they exist within the timeline. It's not like a mountain which can be destroyed, they exist everywhere and are crucial to the continuation of this particular timeline but since you're their main cause, the existential balance within them won't interfere if Lucy, for example, tries to disturb their systematic flow."

"How can Lucy break them?"

"First, let me tell you that this has never been tried for reasons you'll know in a second. To make it work, after the second cycle ends, Lucy needs to travel exactly when you're going to be reincarnated as Zodiak and ��cut' the timeline."

"Cut the timeline?"

"Separate it in two, basically. Zodiak will exist within the second, which will have a different future generated to it by time itself, while you'll be saved and free and live in the original one. I can't say it'll work but the probability is high."

"What about Lucy?"

"Balance must be restored. Time wraiths will suck her vitality but only the future her will disappear."

"That's not what I heard. When time wraiths get you, they'll erase your trace from your origin timeline."

The man seemed to be aware that Arthur knew about this hidden truth. He let out a sigh and retracted his gaze, his folded arms stretched toward the hot teacup, rocking it back and forth before taking a small sip.

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

"Who are they?"

Zaarae curiously looked at Esco, Vyncent, and Shen Shen. Her eyes stopped on the blue-haired for a couple of seconds, she seemed to be aware of all the secrets within the young kid but, apart from a smile, she didn't say anything. The next one that caught her attention was a woman wearing very revealing clothes, her demonic tail swaying left and right as she sweetly smiled and went next to Arthur.

Sadly, before she could reach her new master, Zaarae blocked by standing between her and Arthur.

"What?"

Fariya creased her brow and looked at the Empress up and down. She quickly figured out that Zaarae and Arthur were kind of teaming up so she wasn't afraid of being attacked, nevertheless, the feelings of inferiority were deeply engraved in her bones, after all, the woman facing her is an otherworldly terrifying existence.

"You're his slave but don't stand too close!"

The Empress warned Fariya with a serious tone. Surprisingly, the Empress' hair slightly changed color as some strands of her became purple, somehow, it seemed related to her mood.

In response, the succubus snorted and took a step back, unwilling to talk back to the woman before her.

As for Arthur, he couldn't be bothered to interfere in their pointless dispute. He wasn't to get together with either of them and it would be better for all sides if nobody touched him.

"Let us go."

Kass beckoned for them to follow him as he entered the narrow staircase. Arthur walked right behind him, followed Zaarae, the mythical beings, Fariya, Vyncent, Shen Shen, and Esco, who was overjoyed now that he's leaving this dark hole. He didn't think Arthur would bring him along but he kind of underestimated his worth as from Arthur's point of view, this red-haired muscular man knew a thing or two about the vicinities of this planet and could prove useful to the MoonStar Sect in the future.

The path to the surface was long but the group took only ten minutes and were finally met with a thick metallic door which was opened with a flick of the old man's hand. This secret exit led them outside of the prison, precisely in the forest where Arthur and co were ���discovered'.

"I hope you safely deliver the treasure."

These were the last words Kass said before hurriedly closing the door and disappearing. Midolf and Radolf were silently standing side by side and eyeing Vyncent and Shen Shen, while Zaarae stretched her limbs and took a deep and fresh breath of air.

"Who's she?"

Zaarae looked at the strangely quiet Shen Shen and asked Arthur, who was making sure that he was able to use his skills again.

"A girl I picked up."

"She's definitely intriguing. I fancy her."

Zaarae walked to Shen Shen, who wasn't as rebelling as she was with Arthur. The short girl raised her head and stared back at Zaarae, her aura increasing as if she wanted to seem strong.

Unfortunately, Zaarae wasn't affected as she leaned closer to Shen Shen and rubbed her head while saying:

"Little girl, what's your name?"

Shen Shen tried to escape the Empress' hand but found that she could not. While clenching her little hands, she reluctantly said:

"Shen Shen."

"Shen Shen? That's a cute name!"

Vyncent and Esco were unaware of Zaarae's identity but it doesn't take a genius to know how powerful she is. After all, just by looking at how she casually interacted with Arthur made them understand that she's his equal, if not his superior.

"From now on, your duty is to guard those three until we're out of here."

Arthur the mythical beings, who respectfully bowed and went to stand at the sides of Vyncent, Shen Shen, and Esco.

"Master, where are we going?"

Fariya winked at Arthur and softly asked. She glanced at the busy Zaarae before standing closer to Arthur, trying to rub her shoulder against him and ignite desires. The moment the two bodies were about to touch, the succubus felt a chill which made her momentarily tremble and instinctively distance herself. Arthur's face didn't change as he opened his mouth and replied:

"The Land of Golden Sand."

"Hm? Then we'll have to cross the Black Sea."

"Yes, is there a problem?"-Arthur

"No no, as long as I'm with master then I don't mind anything!"

Fariya covered her mouth and giggled, seemingly very happy.

Out of the blue, a hoarse voice originated from the side. Esco, who felt uncomfortable and totally out of place, didn't disappoint Arthur as he said:

"S-sir, I've actually been to the Land of Golden Sand."

"You have? I thought it's not easy to cross the Black Sea."

"Sir, there are safe routes taken by goblin merchants and imp pirates. The Black Sea is separated into three levels of danger, and although the fastest by going in a straight line, you can reach the other side even if you take a long detour, which is a much safer option."

Hearing this, Arthur smirked and commented: "You do have your uses, after all."

Esco embarrassingly rubbed the back of his head while bowing.

"Sir, I'm just speaking about what I know."

"And that is exactly, what I needed from you." Arthur waved his hand, summoning an exact copy of the dark cloud. It functions like a Spirit Boat but it's not as fast, though it is protected by a sturdy Dark Barrier.

He jumped on it, followed by all the rest. Zaarae seemed to be busy talking with Shen Shen, who opened up to the kind Empress and started asking about many things she was curious about.