The next day, once everyone was awake, Arthur finally met up with Julie.

Once she saw him appear in the living room, she let out a gasp of surprise and then ran up to him.

“Y-you’re here!”

In contrast to how she usually acted, Julie sounded and looked like an excited teen that had just reunited with a dear friend.

“It’s good to see you again, Julie. I’m glad you’re healthy and doing okay.”

Arthur extended his hand and shook hers while politely bowing his head. He was possessing Leonis’ body, which was still usable but its state wasn’t particularly good.

Beneath the fancy attire he was wearing, the body was riddled with holes and all sorts of flesh wounds. Then again, except Julie and a couple others, the rest pretty much knew he wasn’t human.

In addition to Julie, Furball also appeared and leapt into his arms. The Demonic rabbit affectionately rubbed his head against Arthur’s hands while fidgeting ever-so-slightly.

“You’ve met Chris and the rest, yes?”

“Yes. They told me what happened.” Julie looked around but couldn’t find them, which was unexpected considering that they were awaiting his arrival.

“They’re with Evelyn. A member of our team.” Arthur paused for a bit, “She’s been infected by the Blight. Her condition is worsening.”

“O-oh! I’ll ask for a healer.”

“Thank you.”

Julie stood there for a couple of seconds, hesitant and nervous. It was apparent that she wanted to talk about all sorts of things, but Arthur looked very worried and a bit absentminded as he shifted his attention to Aerin.

The Minstrel of the Ages just came in, followed by the Undead Jester.

“Hello again.”

Aerin waved his hand and smiled, but was met with a frown from the parasite.

“Don’t worry about it. It is with me. A friend.”

While Leiu had told him about his reincarnation, he didn’t bother explaining why so many people were present at Julie’s manor, nor did he elaborate the issue at hand.

“I didn’t think I’d see you so soon, to be honest.”

“Our fates seem to be intertwined, I guess.” Aerin chuckled and gestured for Arthur to sit down.

Meanwhile, Julie, albeit reluctant, left along with the elderly butler who was almost by her side. Locally, at least, she was the most influential person so she had the highest chance of bringing a capable Healer.

Admittedly, Charles was an apothecary and well-versed in treating ailment, but the Blight was beyond his capabilities.

“Isn’t this what brought Evelyn to-”

“Indeed, it is me.” Responded the Undead Jester while moving its creepily long arms around, causing crisp snapping sound to resound across the room.

“Master!”

Before the conversation could continue, Mort whooshed from the corridor and appeared next to the sitting Arthur.

“Mort?”

With every person that came into the Living Room, Arthur got more surprised. Leiu, Lucy, Aerin, the Undead Jester, and now Mort.

“It’s not my fault I was caught, Master! That shitty ghost grabbed me!”

While pointing at the Undead Jester, Mort complained like a child.

“...”

Solemn, Arthur thought for a moment before looking at Aerin.

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“We needed a… helper and your… ahem, friend here, was the perfect choice. Alas, he refuses to help.”

“Help with what?”

“An anomaly downstairs. It’s like… a miniscule hole in the fabric of reality. One of its properties is Stasis, therefore, we required an opposing property, strong enough to pierce through the anomaly. Also, an individual capable of inflicting potent piercing power.”

“And your choice was Mort?”

“He is, or was, a Sword Saint, after all.”

Arthur frowned but, from the look on Aerin's face, he found it hard to not believe him. Then again, Mort was a Sword Saint? That seemed rather far-fetched.

For a summoned Undead, Mort was undoubtedly special, if not unique, however, he wasn’t at the level of a Sword Saint. In fact, Mort didn’t even use weapons, at least as far as Arthur knew.

“That is the gist of the situation here. I did not intend for the Nameless Knight to come here, however.”

“You mean… Leiu?”

“Yes.”

Arthur had read a few books about not only Astria but the Eras too, therefore, he was slightly familiar with the Nameless Knight. The unique title of the strongest of beings. Alas, there was little information about him, and more notably, Arthur was never that interested in learning about him.

‘No wonder he was powerful… but still, he’s the strongest living being? That’s a bit…’

“I want to destroy the anomaly whereas Leiu wants to use it. He doesn’t know how to, so for the time being, he wants to study it. I suppose you talked to him, right? If so, perhaps you can talk to-”

“I’m not interested in that. My friend’s life is in danger.”

“Miss Evelyn… yes, I saw.”

“Can you do something about it?”

Aerin, for a bit, silently looked at the parasite, then he shook his head and sighed.

“I’m sorry, Arthur. By now…”

“It it were only her body, a cleansing would’ve been doable. However, her soul is also infected. There are very few healing artifacts, and even fewer Celestial Blessings, that can save her life.”

“So there are artifacts that can get rid of the Blight?”

“There are.” confirmed Aerin before adding, “But, she doesn’t have that much time, Arthur. It is too late.”

“...”

“The Blight is different from a Darkness-aspected spell or a curse. It is a wholly different magical power that corrupts the very essence of its victims.”

“What about Leiu? Can he do it?”

Aerin hesitated before nodding once, “It is possible but not without risk. His Primordial Darkness can definitely overpower the Blight.”

Arthur, filled with a bit of hope, stood up only to see the person in question come in.

There wasn’t only Leiu, however, Feylord and a very gloomy-looking Lucy also appeared.

Julie’s order brother halted his feet for a split second and looked at him, though he didn’t say anything. As for Lucy, she appeared calm but it was clear as day that she didn’t want to stay here.

“Your friend is going to die soon. Stay by her side.”

“You can help me, can you not? Please.”

Arthur faced the Nameless Knight and pleadingly bowed his head, but the latter remained unfazed.

“Nothing you do or say will change my mind.”

With that said, he left as quickly as appeared, taking Lucy and Feylord with him.

“He’s weakened right now. Most of his powers are absent.” Explained Aerin

“He’s still a fucking monster, alright! His eyes are scary.” Commented the Undead Jester as it wrapped its arms around its lanky and slim body.

“But he should still be able to help Miss Evelyn. As his candidate, I don’t know why he would refuse you.”

As the minstrel talked to him, Arthur stood there for a bit, completely silent.

Eventually, he dashed out of the room, planning to go after the Nameless Knight.

…

He followed the three of them until they left Wilsden Town, heading West, toward the somewhat nearby coast.

“I told you no.”

In the woods, Leiu stopped in his tracks and looked toward a particular spot, from which emerged the bushes swayed ever-so-slightly before an invisible lizard revealed itself.

The small creature transformed into the Cydian Ant.

Instead of being angry, Leiu almost looked amused as he thoughtfully looked at the parasite.

“You can’t always have your way. Some things are just meant to be.”

“...”

The only response he got was an eerie silence from the tall Cydian Ant.

“Your friend will die. Instead of always trying to come up with a plan or a solution, how about you just accept it as it is and be there for your friend? Make sure her last moments are peacef-”

Leiu was interrupted as Arthur shot towards him with lightning-fast speed.

Unfortunately, just as fast as he rushed forward, he was blown backwards with an equal velocity. He didn’t even see Leiu attack.

The armored carapace of the Cydian Ant had a lot of cracks on it, but Arthur was still able to get up.

“Just what are you hoping to achieve by doing this?”

Leiu sounded disappointed as he raised his hand and unleashed a malevolent Darkness that instantly wrapped around the parasite, immobilising him.

“Alright. I will help you… but on one condition.”

Leiu glanced at Lucy and Feylord before continuing,

“Beat these two. If you succeed, you have my word that I will help your friend the best I can.”