One day laterNorth-Eastern coast of the Kantika Isle.A relatively big and sturdy boat was prepared for Leiu, Xavier, and Zeno.“I still think you should take them along.”“No. I can protect myself, father.”Emir gave up on his stubbornness and sighed. He had wanted the Red Hounds to accompany his daughter, but she adamantly refused.Leiu was already on the boat, patiently waiting for Zeno to say her farewell to her family.They had discussed everything important and decided on an appropriate course of action. Admittedly, it was Zeno who made most of the ‘deciding’, claiming that his reckless and usually stupid plans always involved charging into absolute chaos with the hope of succeeding.She was to be his guide and helper, stopping him from getting himself killed and ensuring he reached the Cocoon in one piece.A distance away, Maria was engaging in hushed whispers with Xavier.“Don’t mess this up, okay? Nudge them the right away but don’t be too obvious.”“A-ahem…” Xavier, who was
Like a bullet, Anne reached Leiu and thrust her Estoc, which was coated in dense Sword Essence.She was undoubtedly swift and dexterous, but Leiu counterattacked in a simple and seemingly random manner.He swung Kahra’s greatsword upwards, resulting in a shock wave that not only stopped Anne but also made her jump back to avoid the dark flames.Before she could find an opening, Leiu kicked the ground and broke into a lightning-fast unidirectional charge.He didn’t even reach her yet he performed multiple diagonal slashes, unleashing wide arcs of condensed energy.Anne hastily retreated and jumped from one spot to the other, but he eventually reached her.[Invisible Strike]He pulled the greatsword then successively stabbed twice, motions that were too blurry to see and too fast to properly block.Unable to see a way out, Anne gritted her teeth and thrust the estoc. Her thin and comparatively short shone with a redd-ish brilliance as the two distinct Sword Essences.There was a booming
“We should reach the capital in 4 to 5 five, Mister Leiu.”“Okay.”Xavier scrutinized the youth before hesitantly suggesting,“I’m sure the long trip has worn you out, Mister Leiu. There’s a small lake nearby. It’s a good place to wash yourself and relax.”“No thank yo…” Leiu paused, looked at his linen shirt and dirty pants, which made him change his mind.The last time he showered was in the Kantika Manor. In contrast, Zeno would ask him to leave the carriage while she meticulously cleaned her body and changed into new and fresh clothes.“Which way is it?”“Go left and then straight ahead. It’s very close.”“Mhm.”Leiu stood up and went into the woods, not noticing the slightly tense face of Xavier.“I did it…” he mumbled while letting out a deep breath.It was early morning, so Leiu assumed Zeno was still asleep. However, she had already gone to the lake to bathe, and Xavier used this chance to make them meet in an unexpected and embarrassing manner.A couple of minutes later, Xavi
“Leiu!”Once the explosive sounds of the battle quietened down, Zeno and Xavier ran back.“I’m fine.”“Are you sure? You don’t look to-”Zeno stopped once she saw him stand up and casually pick up the greatsword.“He escaped but not after I impaled him.”“...”Zeno kept giving him a strange look as he checked his body and did some stretching to ensure that there was no lingering pain.Inos’ curses were truly overpowered. Their healing and defensive capabilities allowed Leiu to recover in just a couple of minutes.“Who was that?”Anne Dravenham, who hadn’t been hit by the monk, spoke up. She was standing a bit close to the three, her eyes scanning the ruined state of the road and its vicinity.“A Player.” Responded Xavier, though he didn’t deign to give any explanation.“He called you the Nameless Knight.”“So you were eavesdropping?”-Leiu“...”Anne didn’t respond, she looked both surprised and curious. For her, and many others, the terms Nameless Knight and Dark Knight weren’t synony
Fortunately for Leiu and co, they didn’t have to travel far to reach a town, in which they bought another carriage. Of course, as she was someone from a prominent Vampire family, Zeno didn’t lack for Gold. However, Xavier was pretty adamant on getting a small and efficient carriage, sparing no thought to comfortability or luxury. After the monk’s attack, they decided to spend the night. Zeno, Xavier, and Anne weren’t as involved in the fight, but the former two were still wounded, therefore, a brief rest would do wonders. There’s something I need to tell you, Leiu. Before he could sleep, the Divine Goblin appeared. His form was noticeably blurrier, so much so that Leiu couldn’t properly see his face. I don’t know if it’s because of your soul or an unexpected side-effect of absorbing part of the Origin Well, but my curses are… different. Well, different isn’t the right word, but… “I’m listening. What’s going on?” I don’t have as much control as before. On the body, I mean. It’s
Due to the unexpected and inexplicable experience last night, Leiu couldn’t sleep. Still, the very concept of exhaustion seemed inconsistent with his current borrowed body. He suspected that it was an after-effect of the Lost Virtues, especially after hearing Inos’ warning.An extreme sense of urgency dwelled within Leiu, so much so that he voiced no complaint when he boarded the carriage and saw Anne Dravenham there.The young vampire followed him with her eyes, seemingly prepared to talk back in case he said anything. However, much to her and Zeno’s surprise, Leiu sat down in silence. He spared Anne only a quick glance before gloomily looking out of the window.“Everything alright, Leiu?”Zeno had prepared arguments for Anne’s presence, so Leiu’s complete lack of reaction caught her off-guard.“Not really. I don’t have much time left…” He gave a momentary look to Anne before adding, “My body is soon about to be ready. I don’t know what it’ll happen if I’m not around when it happens.
AlyaronZeno took Leiu and Anne to a fancy hotel close to the central and most bustling part of the city.The famous colosseum in full-view, so were other big buildings that belonged to global mercantile companions or international guilds.However, right after getting set up, she quickly left along with Xavier. She wanted to have that meeting with the Consortium as soon as possible, which was a good thing for Leiu.The downside of her departure was that Leiu was left alone with Anne. Rather than renting individual rooms, Zeno chose somesort of a spacious and luxurious suite that had multiple rooms amongst other things.Anne, hands on her thighs, sat straight on the wide leather couch. Her eyes were on Leiu, who stood near the big glass window.They were on one of the top floors, so the outside view was spectacular. “Once my mother learns of what you did, she will hunt you down.”Hearing this, Leiu snorted, “Are we back at this again?”“I’m just issuing a warning.”“I don’t need it. A
“Make yourselves comfortable!”Leiu and Anne were led to the surface, inside a cozy small home. Other homeless people were around, but Fairti and Seo had a relatively big room to themselves.There was a board with all types of names and locations, a bunch of random stuff scattered around, and a bed with disorderly sheets on top of it.“Isn’t it wrong to bring us to your personal quarters?”In response to her remark, Leiu clicked his tongue, “Says the one who jumped at me naked!”“It’s fine! Leiu is like fam-.. Wait what?” Fairti, flabbergasted, looked between Leiu and Anne.In the end, as if he came up with his own conclusion, he chuckled,“I should’ve known a cougar would get her claws on you! You can’t stay single forever.”“Fairti!”“What?”“Please excuse him.”“I don’t get what he means by cougar.”Anne merely shrugged while Leiu facepalmed himself.“Anyway, can you tell us what happened?”-SeoLeiu proceeded to recount what followed his battle with the Gods. Of course, he omitted