Chapter 529

"As a token of my boundless sincerity, I'll guide you to a place which can heal your injured eye . "

Timos' voice echoed in Arthur's head which was followed by a noticeable pulsating light coming from a specific direction . The marked place wasn't that far away and inside this forest, it was like a walk in the park for the couple .

After around twenty minutes, they arrived near a calm lake . It lay without a ripple in the silver-blue water as time itself had been frozen . There was also the refreshing fragrance of jasmine, adding more beauty to this heavenly place . Without a doubt, this was no natural lake as the mere look of it made the two couple shiver from the energy lingering in the air . It was unfamiliar but serene and non-oppressive . Their bodies weren't able to naturally absorb it and could only bask in its aura .

"Before you lays a lake of diluted Primordial Energy . It's the only one in all existence and no being, including myself, can absorb it all . Now, I'll give you just one piece of advice; Take what you need and leave what you can . "

Arthur looked at the crystalline surface and stood there, momentarily dazed . The deep voice of the Black Devil snapped out of his daze and made him suspiciously glance around, fearing that this may be a trap .

"What? Still not believing me? I literally presented you with the greatest gift and was generous enough to give you some liquefied Primordial Energy . "

"Your notorious reputation precedes you, how do you expect us to trust you?" Arthur clearly stated .

Next to him, Lucy leaned closer to the lake then added: "You're known as the Strategist . It won't be surprising to see you tricking us at the very end, if not now . "

Once they voiced some of their thoughts, the two heard a low emotionless chuckle .

"I don't need you to trust me . Just believe that I mean you no harm . In fact, do I really need to resort to pathetic tricks to eliminate you two? Don't forget you're in my domain and inside a place I personally built . "

"Then why the sudden generosity? Nothing is ever free . "

"Yes, you are totally right . To achieve balance, there must be a 'give' and a 'take' . I only want you to thoroughly think about my offer and if you're up to it, play a game with me . That is my 'take' . "

"What if we refuse?"

"You're free to refuse or accept anytime . I don't expect an immediate answer . "

The two parties stopped talking after that . Arthur and Lucy inspected the lake and circled around it a few times before sitting down . Due to the nature of Riarravar, the System was malfunctioning so the use of Appraisal was impossible . However, even without Appraisal, it was easy to confirm Timos' words as Arthur's wound started itching .

After an inordinate amount of time, Arthur carefully pulled a drop of water from the translucent lake . The process turned out to be extremely difficult as the drop was inexplicably heavy as it took him several attempts to pull it toward him .

Once it was close enough, it flew into his chest and pushed him a few meters . His body shook violently for a few moments before it calmed down when he sat cross-legged and started 'digesting' it . At first, this simple-looking drop caused huge tremors across his body before it calmed down and was slowly absorbed by his Meridians and his revolving Dantian .

As time passed, the hideous scar on his face vanished and his eye was being treated by the Primordial Energy . When half a day passed and night befell on the Free Space, Arthur's left eye opened at last . It emitted a sky-blue light that fell on the breath-taking lake .

Arthur let out a breath containing a lot of steam then stood up and stretched his limbs . Although he couldn't see his stats or his Realm, he was sure that he broke through . He circulated his Nether Energy then raised his hand, conjuring four golden stars above him . This clearly meant that he's a 4-star God Monarch .

Lucy, who was meditating next to him, also successfully pulled a drop of water and was currently using it to heal the internal damage left by her silver revolver . Having absolutely nothing to do, the man sat next to his wife and enjoyed the view .

A sea of shimmering stars, diamond strews across a raven gown boundless and beautiful . His thoughts wandered as he gazed at the starry night sky, his mind reminiscing about the past, about all that happened, good and bad . It happened so fast that he couldn't keep up . Enemies were getting much stronger and he's jumping from one mess to another .

The whereabouts of his daughter are unknown, the fate of Astria is shrouded and he's stuck with Lucy in Riarravar . Sometimes, he regrets meeting her and dragging her into this chaotic world, full of dangers .

Maybe if he hasn't met her on that fateful day, everything would've been different, much different indeed .

"Congratulations on your fast recovery, dear guest . "

Absent-minded, Arthur didn't reply so Timos continued speaking:

"Why are you so obsessed with me? Surely there are many others who are willing to play your game . "

"That is where you're wrong . Only you can play the game . "

"Care to explain?"

"I'll only explain if you agree . "

Arthur spent a few moments to ponder then said: "I agree to play the second game . The one you claimed hasn't got any consequences if you lose . "

This time, Timos took some time to reply . His voice seemingly much softer for some reason

"Actually, it's not a game but a small request of time . I just need one of your belongings and in return, I'll handsomely compensate you . It's a trading game . "

Arthur didn't immediately object, he looked at the serene lake while responding:

"One of my things? Which one . "

"The Dark Blade . "

Once he heard that, Arthur voiced his instantaneous rejection to which Timos explained:

"Wait till I finish first, please . Personally, I do not need the blade and I have no use it for it . I merely want to return it to its home, where it belongs .

You see, that blade isn't really a weapon but a person, a living being, like you and me . Ventus Malum is his name, he's the father of all swords and the one in the blade you call Evil Wind . "

"" Arthur kept his silence as he listened to the narrating Black Devil .

"Ventus is one the Twelve and someone I consider as a friend, a kin of mine . Unlike the rest, we two were close enough hence the existence of the Free Space . Basically, I was the mind and he was the body . Sadly, the fool fell in love with a mortal, and a human, at that . Countless times did I try to stop him but he was blinded and wouldn't listen to reason, unfortunately . I will skip the tragedy and say that it ended badly, even after he crafted Eighteen swords for her sake . Nine to protect her . Nine to attack . Together, they were the epitome of power, something truly unstoppable which is why many of the Twelve wanted to get them, especially when their stupid war started . After exacting his revenge on Xyktia, who killed the love of his life and turned her into an undead, he brought her remains and eternally imprisoned himself in a dark, cold place . With enough time to feel absolute loneliness and despair, he became a blade and before it was completed, it was stolen by a greedy bunch .

I recounted the story so you can understand my reasoning . That blade in your possession is powerful and irreplaceable but it's not meant for you, at least not now . It needs to return home and reach completion and, only then, on its initiative, will it head toward the person it deems as a true partner . "

Arthur sighed and said back: "Do you think recounting a story is enough for me to give up my weapon? The blade and I are bound by an oath . "

"The oath, I can see . It's relatively new and unknowingly takes a toll on you both, limiting the power you can unleash while wielding it . I can break it and free both of you but only if you agree to release the Dark Blade form your possession . " Timos paused for a brief second before resuming:

"Though I don't know what this 'love' exactly is . I've seen many examples and I can ascertain that you, like anyone else, want to spend the rest of your life with the woman next to you . I'm willing to bet that even in death, you'd want to be by her side . Forever . "

"Dear guest, I know you don't care about strangers but this matter concerns you . Didn't you notice that your partner is acting awfully mysterious ever since entering this world? It's because its home is close and it started a bit of peace after an eternity of torment . Like I said, if you're truly meant for each other, this will not be the end, I promise you that . "