Viscount Kirn Sparrow took out a couple of vials filled with a sticky liquid and put them on the table.

“To ensure secrecy, I processed everything myself. Also, I’m happy to say that your other requests have also been completed.”

Arthur nodded and examined the vials, relieved that everything was proceeding smoothly. With one of the Ten Seats giving him full sport, he barely needed to do anything on his own.

It has been five days since he and Evelyn arrived here, and thanks to Kirn’s help, neither Addy nor Lexander came knocking at his door. However, things would take a dark turn if he were to be spotted outside.

“I’m genuinely curious to see what you’re up to. I hope I will not be disappointed.”

“Depends on what you’re expecting, Viscount Sparrow.”

“Coming from you? Hehehe, definitely a worthy spectacle.”

Once he put away the vials and finished the delicious tea offered by his host, Arthur was led to another room, in which someone had been waiting for him.

The girl, dressed in an exquisite and unique outfit, was sitting with her back straight and face expressionless.

Viscount Sparrow’s territory was adjacent to the coastal region ruled by the Aeternus Family. Therefore, despite their different allegiances, Kirn had quite an amicable relationship with the vampires.

So, when Amare came to Green’s End, he warmly welcomed her. At first, when he mentioned her arrival to the parasite, he expected the latter would react the same and ask him to keep her away, but that wasn’t the case.

Arthur went out of his way to request a meeting with a young vampire, wanting to end their grievances once and for all.

Unlike Addy, who sought revenge, or Lexander, who was after Leonis’ body among other things, Arthur didn’t want to complicate the situation with Amare.

He sat across the stone-faced girl, who no longer looked disheveled and haggard.

“We meet again.”

“So it seems, Arthur. You won’t be binding me to a tree this time, though..” She gritted her teeth and glared at him, but he chuckled in response.

“Come on, you know I had no choice. Drastic situations call for drastic measures.”

“Hmpf! I will not suffer such humiliation again. Now, the best you could do is come with me… that’s the only way you can survive this.”

“Hmm.. no.” Arthur solemnly shook his head and crossed his arms, “I initiated this meeting to resolve our differences. First, I am verily grateful for your help that night. And second, I will tell you where I last saw Rodrick.”

Slightly surprised, the vampire furrowed her brows and gave him a doubtful look.

“I am a man who pays back his debts. Our first meeting might not have been the best, but there’s always room for compromise. I will tell you everything I know or have seen regarding Rodrick.”

“...”

Hearing no objection from the girl, Arthur cleared his throat and explained,

“To begin, Rodrick was dead the second I saw him. I possessed him for a couple of minutes before moving to another body… which belonged to a Necromancer, apparently. He was conducting an experiment on the vampire, somewhere near Wilsden Town. Emm… I’m not too sure about the details of the experiment, but it had to do with Vampirism. That Necromancer, named Latif, had a deal with the late Baron. Having no interest in Rodrick, I didn’t return to his corpse until later on.”

Arthur purposely glossed over the fact he had seen a Demon hiding in there, and resumed,

“To erase all evidence, I burned the whole hideout. Rodrick’s corpse must’ve turned into ashes there and then.”

“Where was the hideout?”

“South East of Wilsden. It should be a 30 to 40 minutes walk. It shouldn’t be that hard to locate it.”

The girl’s frown deepened as she deliberated for a while before asking again,

“Was there anything strange in that hideout? Like an artifact?”

“Books, scrolls, and torture equipment. I scoured every inch when I arrived there but, if there had been an artifact, I would have found it.”

As he saw her give him a glare full of suspicion, Arthur chuckled and reassuringly raised his hands, “I’m really telling the truth. Now that we’ve come this far, why would I lie to you? I could have just told the Viscount to bar your way while I escape again. That way, you’d have wasted more time chasing after me.”

“Then why did you choose to reveal the truth now?”

“Because, in case you’ve forgotten, you ambushed me. I was being cautious and even suspected that Armen might’ve come with you.”

“...”

Seeing the girl ponder in silence, the parasite chuckled and spoke again

“I want to steer away from your family’s matters. I’m but a humble traveler and getting in the way of Marjory Na Xivia is something I’d never wish to do. You have my word that everything I had said was the truth. Rodrick, or at least his remains, will be waiting for you there.”

Eventually, Amare harrumphed as she stood up and walked away.

“A piece of advice, little girl…”

Just as she was about to leave, his words halted her feet.

“Try to get better at stealth.”

Expecting to hear something more constructive, the girl stormed out of the room without adding another word.

Now that she had finally gotten what she wanted, Amare was planning to return home to inform Marjory.

The Aeternus territory was closer to Green’s End than Wilsden Town, so it was better to relay the details to the Masked Queen and wait for her instructions. Moreover, Amare still had some doubts that Arthur might be setting a trap for her, so it would be wiser to go to the mentioned location with some backup if possible.

As she was musing to herself, Amare bumped into a motionless silhouette, which made her grunt in annoyance. When she raised her head, she saw a tall zombie with light-blue skin, an average and unscathed face, and a shit-eating grin.

“Sorry… hehehehe…”

He extended his hand and motioned for her to pass while cackling creepily. The girl recognized him as Arthur’s weird undead, and though Mort was different from his kind, she paid little heed to his attire or the massive leather bag over his shoulder.

“Goodbye, missy!”

“...”

The energetic Mort kept waving his hand until she disappeared from view. Then, he dragged his feet to his master’s room.

“How is it? It’s a special brew of mine.”

Remarked the Viscount as he poured himself another cup while waiting for the maid’s verdict. However, she just nodded in response and only took small sips while keeping her stoic expression.

Arthur kept glancing at her and when enough time had passed, her body suddenly twitched. She turned to look at him, realizing what was happening.

“Blue Grass, when processed with Nagra Weeds, will transform into a potent paralyzing drug.” Explained Viscount, the one who had prepared the concoction beforehand.

He sighed and apologetically bowed his head, “It is unbecoming of me to trick you, Miss Evelyn, but it was the behest of your Master.”

Arthur wryly smiled and explained himself as the maid’s body slumped backward.

“Sorry for this, Evelyn, but I am a hypocrite. I said I will not interfere in your matters but here I am forcing you to a path you didn’t choose. Instead of finishing off in a quiet and unsatisfying farewell, I thought that proper exposition was in order. Granted, you cannot respond, but this is enough for me.”

With narrowed eyes that exuded anger, the maid glared at him, trying to fight back the irresistible paralyzing effect of the concoction mixed in her drink.

“I have already decided on my next destination and, I’m afraid to say, it’s not that easy to infiltrate. Were you by my side, it would make things more difficult. However, that is not to say I don’t need you, but It’s just… we have to separate for a short while. You go deal with your own troubles while I deal with mine.”

Arthur bit his lips and lowered his head, feeling a bit ashamed to meet her fiery gaze.

“This is me betraying my own promise, but there are things I must do alone and I would rather you not being there to witness them. I truly do care for you, which is why I cannot take you with me, not this time at least.”

“...”

Of course, the only silence he got was a long silence and an intense stare from Evelyn. Who still didn’t seem convinced by his words or reasoning. Nevertheless, the parasite didn’t change his mind as he motioned for the energetic zombie.

“There will be no time for sleep during the run.”

He warned him while stuffing some of the changed Blood Crystals into his pockets. He also put the expensive storage artifact given by Vanessa to Evelyn, keeping the old magical bag to himself.

“You understand what you need to do or should I repeat myself?”

Mort saluted comically and repeatedly nodded while shouting in response,

“I take her to the South. I don’t stop until I reach the South.”

“Yes. What else?”

“I don’t let her get hurt and never leave her side until I’m there.”

“Good.”

While patting the loyal zombie, Arthur glanced at the disgruntled maid and added,

“The drug’s effect will last for half a day at most. By then, even if you return here, you will not be able to find me. If you want us to meet again, then wait for me in the Despot Collective, I will come for you before long.”

After he voiced his thoughts, Arthur lifted her body and gently put her on Mort’s broad back. Although it wasn’t comfortable, it was the most optimal as it would allow the undead to run freely without worrying about her falling off.

“I’ll take them to the agreed spot.”

Viscount Sparrow bowed and left the room with Evelyn and Mort, leaving a sighing Arthur alone, preparing himself for what was going to be a long night.

…

As he was slowly guiding them to one of the lower floors of the fort, Kirn Sparrow looked at the paralyzed woman from behind his tight blindfold.

“To be honest, I’m quite surprised by your relationship, Miss Evelyn.”

Obviously, she couldn’t answer, but that didn’t stop the blind man from commenting.

“Seldom do parasites mingle with the common folk. If it ever happens, then it’s because they want to possess them. In your case, however, he genuinely cares for your well-being, so much so that he’s prioritizing your escape before anything else. How to say this… it makes me trust him more, I guess.”

The man then chuckled and added, “Be not mistaken. I need Mister Leonis as much as he needs me, so he will escape too. Although I’m still unsure how… I can see that he’s fairly confident in his plan.”

Once they arrived at an inconspicuous spot within a long corridor, Viscount Sparrow opened the window and motioned Mort to jump and start running.

“The real gamble is who, amongst our esteemed guests, is going to chase after you.”