"So a halfling suffers from both sides and has no real advantage over the races it was born from."

From her storage, Cybill retrieved a vial of potion. It seemed she was preparing for something after looking at her husband's condition.

Arthur ignored Cybill's actions and asked her in a serious voice:

"Cybill, you started that whole explanation by saying you don't know any official way that exists to remedy our lack of natural talent in the way of the elements. So how much do you know about the "unofficial" way?

And how successful will it be based on your calculations?"

Cybil stopped looking at her husband and turned around. She narrowed her eyes on Arthur as if to discern something. Then she sighed before replying:

"You of all people shouldn't bring this subject up, Arthur. Do I need to remind you who you are?

But as a researcher, I don't like to cover the truth with a cocoon of lies. Since it's you who asked me to talk about the forgotten history, I am bold enough to tell you what I know.

Yes. The very existence of demi-humans in the past was the answer researchers were looking for. They were said to have all the advantages of both races.

We both know from redacted documents about the history of this continent that the demi-humans were able to interact with the elements like the mana beasts. They did this by simply existing and developing the inherent spells related to their bloodlines. And they could also produce ranking items like humans, estimated to be better in quality than us.

Plus, they could practise their ranking techniques like humans to speed up their ranking journey even further. They broke through their ranks at terrifying speeds that would unbalance the natural order.

They were the real monsters that walked this earth once.

As for your last question. I believe turning into demi-humans would have mitigated humans' lack of expertise in the way of the elements.

I had heard the rumours that you were trying to learn more about demi-humans. Seems like those rumours were true.

I don't mind the curiosity, Arthur. Being a researcher in my field, I can even relate to it. But you need to understand this. The world works on an unseen equation that balances things out.

If there are so many benefits of turning into a demi-human, you can bet your ass that it would have equally terrifying repercussions.

The demi-humans are the abominations of this world.

So I hope you don't go beyond satiating your curiosity and bring trouble to all of us."

Arthur hmphed at Cybill's warning before replying in a plain tone:

"I know what I'm doing, Cybill. I was just trying to get your opinion on these things. Besides, you might want to turn back and see how your husband is doing. It seems something's happening to him."

Arthur pointed at where Garvin was sitting while he said that. Cybill dropped the whole subject right away and turned around.

She saw that Garvin's body spasmed and knew it was time. Her husband had warned this would happen so she was ready to remedy the situation with her potion as soon as things settled down.

The array's lights had started dimming before getting brighter than before. They followed Garvin's breathing pattern. And they immediately began exuding an erratic range of luminance once Garvin started spasming.

Garvin opened his eyes and mouth abruptly. His eyes and the insides of his mouth had also been lit up in the same light the array was exuding. But slowly things seemed to be settling down as the lights grew dimmer by the moment.

Arthur could now see that Garvin's eyes didn't have their iris at their usual places. They had been rolled backwards, making his eyes devoid of the usual features they had as only the white sclera was made visible.

Garvin's spasms stopped. But his skin started drying up at a rapid pace. He quickly turned into a living mummy before his eyes could get back to normal.

As soon as he was conscious of his surroundings and his conditions, he looked around and found his wife looking at him with concern while clutching the vial tightly. He nodded at her, telling her he was done and it was safe to approach him now.

The ground on which the array was drawn started turning into a mini drought land. It started cracking, resulting in the formation of numerous drought lines. But Cybill didn't care about what she was stepping upon. She quickly appeared in front of her husband, uncorked the vial, and helped him gulp down the content within it slowly.

Cybill's mastery of potion-making wasn't just for the show. The potion's effects kicked in and Garvin's mummified state started reversing back to normal. His body let out an unelementalized wave of mana as it started to regain its appearance before this phenomenon took place.

Garvin took a while to come to his senses. He assured her with his eyes and a pat on her hand that he was okay. Or as okay as he can be at the moment. The repercussions of using this array weren't over. But the real danger was past him. And his wife's concoction had helped him a lot.

Arthur didn't care about the couple's bonding time. He approached the duo and raised his eyebrow at Garvin. He was asking the array master subtly about what he had gained from the stunt he pulled just now in front of him.

Garvin didn't mind Arthur's rude behaviour. He knew he was going to get paid handsomely for all the work he had done for him. Especially when he had learned one of the most crucial clues about the Osan Woods' Butcher.

"*Cough cough. Honey, I'm fine. No need to worry. Arthur *cough cough.

I hope you remember your promise and bring me all the things I've listed to you. *cough

Plus, I'm obligated to charge you extra for the damage to my mana core in the process. I'm sure a person of your calibre wouldn't mind.

But rejoice! Hahaha *cough cough. I have found something crucial you can use in your manhunt."

Garvin coughed the whole way in his speech. But Arthur got his message loud and clear. He couldn't help flashing a cunning smile after he realized that the OWB manhunt can be resumed with a fresh lead.

AN: Chapters 258, 259, and 260 tie up a lot of things that many might have considered as loose ends. They also provide explanations about some of the past and future events in the VEH-verse. I think people who have read Eren's journey so far won't need me to point them towards specific events anymore. That's my confidence in you guys as dedicated readers. Plus, it's part of the intrigue. Just so you know, I won't confirm or deny any theories regarding upcoming events anymore. ;)

VEH Trivia: Wrote this chapter while listening to Styx-Renegade. ;)