Better than expected

- So… Who’s this guy again? - Kai asks, looking at the unconscious Roberto.

- You don’t remember him? - Nicholas looks at him, surprised.

- Should I?

- He wanted to make you wear a bunny suit.

- Don’t say that even as a joke.

- It’s not a joke.

- Did I wear it? - he questions in a rather serious tone.

- Maybe - Nicholas answers it with the same seriousness.

A few seconds of silence.

- Did I look good in it?

- Stop messing around, you two. I found a map that points out where the island we need to go is - Pietra interrupts them, walking towards the exit.

- Good. We have a new destination then! - Nicholas exclaims as he follows her.

- I still want to know what happened, you know.

- Pia used her sword on you.

- I don’t know how to answer that statement.

Cautious about the possibility of being confronted by fashionably dressed pirates or something worse, the trio slowly opens the door of the dining room they were in. As the door slowly opens to reveal the next room, an astonishing sight awaits them. Roberto’s mansion, a place that would make any noble envious, is partially destroyed, filled with big holes in the walls. Once crowded with questionable servants, the hallways feel empty and silent. At the center of this tragedy lies the obvious culprit, a dangerous creature that just spotted the group.

- Asai!

- Little one! - Nicholas rushes at her and hugs her.

- Good to see our monster is fine. Do you know where the lady with the scar went by any chance? - Kai questions Asai after greeting her.

- Bruebery?

- This place is oddly quiet. Where is everyone? - Pietra wonders.

- Sweetie, you haven’t done anything to the people of this mansion, have you? - Nicholas gently questions Asai, looking her in the eyes.

The void stares back in silence.

- I think we don’t need to worry about Lirika…

- Yeah, she’s tough. She probably found her way out already.

- I hope so… - Nicholas whispers under his breath.

- Let’s not waste more time and get out of here - Pietra hurries the others.

After the displeasure of seeing statues of Roberto on every corner and the misfortune of accidentally stumbling on rooms of unimaginable cursed knowledge that will forever haunt their minds, they finally manage to reach the front entrance.

- Pietra, I need you to use your sword on me again - Kai requests.

- I told you that it doesn’t work like that. You probably lost your memories of Roberto because I cut your bond with him - she explains, tired.

- I’m not asking for that. Do your friend a favor and kill me.

- Stop being dramatic and be ready for trouble. Although I believe nothing could surprise me at this point.

Wanting to leave as soon as possible, she walks to the entrance and opens it. General Kirys Guson stands before her.

- Finally! You lot are hard to-

Pietra kindly closes the door in his face.

- What do we do about that? - she looks at her group for suggestions.

- Strabery!

- Want to throw a bubble at Mr. Strawberry, Asai?

- Pia! Don’t teach her bad things!

Guson knocks on the door.

- He is so polite…

Kai has an idea, but he hesitates before speaking.

- What about the Gadreas trick? - his voice was grim as he proposed the idea.

- I’m not hitting any of you on the head. We don’t even have something-

Nicholas, understanding what Kai means, gently put his hand on Pietra's shoulder, interrupting her.

- It doesn’t need to be on the head, Pia - his voice is also grave.

- What are you idiots talking about?

- Every man shares a physical weakness. One that will take down even the strongest among us - Kai mentions, looking distant.

- Kai… Are you sure about that? - Nicholas tears up.

- It’s the only way. A sacrifice must be made so we can move forward.

- I should be the one then! I can’t let you-

- No. We need you to use your ability on the General. I’ll do it.

Nicholas sobs uncontrollably. Asai pats him on the back to comfort him.

- Pietra… Please… - Kai says in a farewell tone, looking at her with pleading eyes.

- Why do I need to do it?! You do it, Nicholas!

- I can’t. A man could never do this to a fellow, as he knows how excruciating the pain is - he looks down, afflicted.

Pietra looks at her friends in disbelief, but there is no more time. She breathes deeply and prepares herself.

On the outside, Guson kicks down the entrance after patiently waiting a few minutes without an answer. He goes inside, searching for the corrupters, but is surprised by Nicholas promptly holding his arm while making a defiant expression.

- Take it… My friend determination

Confused by what he meant, Guson suddenly feels an unbearable pain under his belt. As he clutched himself and fell to his knees, the gang ran past him. Nicholas holds Kai on his back, his tears leaving a trail of compassion for his fallen brother.

- Eggs? - Asai innocently asks.

- Gone… Sent to oblivion…

- He told me to kick him as hard as I could! - Pietra defends herself.

- My boy will never be able to fulfill his dreams now.

- Stop it! I’m feeling guilty enough already!

–—//–—

- The elven entity is terrifying. I never saw such destructive power, even back at the academy…

Back at the mansion, a familiar figure walks down the hallways, leaving a trail of bodies behind as she inspects the bunch of red crystals in her hands.

- That’s far from enough - Lirika laments.

She follows the path created by Asai, searching for the particular reason why she came to Vatogus. Lirika finds Roberto in a dining room, his face filled with wounds that are being treated by one of his maids as he curses the person responsible.

- When I find that woman, she will regret ever touching the impeccable face of Roberto Ignacio. And as she begs for forgiveness, Roberto will break her friends one by one.

- My love, save your angelical voice for now. I will not be able to help you properly otherwise - the maid’s voice, though caring and gentle, feels slightly unnatural, as if part of her mind is being controlled.

- Ignacio - Lirika calls his name.

- Huh? What now? Do I even know you? - he speaks to her in a superior tone, examining Lirika with a disgusted face.

- Salazar needs your help.

- Sal? I thought he was dead. You know what, forget about that loser. Roberto has seen more curves in a ruler, but he doesn’t judge. Why don’t you come here so I can show you what a real man can do?

All of a sudden, his chest is pierced by one of Lirika’s white crystals.

- My love! - the maid shouts.

- Speak ill of Master Salazar again, and I will make the process way more painful.

- How dare you?! You bi- Argh!

Another crystal hits his maid.

- The blood of a corrupter may be what I need to save him. And since you permanently depraved the souls of your poor servants using the goddess’s power, maybe I can find some use for their blood as well.

- W-What are those things?!

- Magecrafted vessels designed to absorb the essence of their victims. As soon as they penetrate their bodies, the crystals take root, making it impossible to remove them normally. The process is not only painful, but also weakens the target, incapacitating him as their life is consumed.

- Don’t mess with me! By the grace of Aferi, I command you to take them out now!

- You don’t have your blessings anymore. The process is complete.

Roberto slowly looks at his chest. His eyes open wide as he sees the reflection of his wicked soul in the pitch black crystal. With his last breath, he gently caresses it.

- So… Beautiful…

–—//–—

- My friends! I’m so glad to see you! - Gadreas exclaims with his usual smirk, tied to a chair.

- You betrayed us, bastard! - Pietra confronts him.

- Absurd! I always keep my word. You met the corrupter as promised, didn’t you?

- Can I punch him?

- I beg of you not to, especially on the face.

- Everything went well, so you are off the hook for that - Nicholas states.

- Your mercifulness will be remembered for generations!

Back at Gadreas’ tavern, the gang interrogates him.

- There is still one thing. What are you going to do with the guns we stole?

- Merely resources for my humble tavern, of course~

- Be serious for once! We can’t be responsible for a massacre! - Kai confronts him.

- Friends! You worry too much. It’s a fact that Vatogus was always the lair of evildoers and the refuge of those with nothing to lose. The only thing this falling-apart city is honest about is its nature. However, you should know by now that I love to swim against the tide!

- No matter the excuse you give us, we are not letting you use those guns! - even Nicholas is losing his patience.

- You hurt me! Who said I was going to use them?

- What?

- You guys should go outside if you don’t want to miss it. Mosquito, Blobfish. Could you do the honours for me?~

When Gadreas gives the signal, a mechanism is activated and large groups of bullets are catapulted towards the sea. The crowd looks amazed by the shining objects falling like a golden rain, getting lost in the deep waters.

As he heard the sounds of jiggling and splashing, Gadreas recalled a particular book that had come into his hands one time. He had planned to sell it, but something urged him to read it instead. Even though he didn’t understand a single word, the book moved him deeply, changing his perspective. It was an incredible work. From that day forward, he chose to go against everything his home represented, deciding that Vatogus already had enough evil.

As soon as the show ended, people hired by Gadreas rushed to advertise his establishment, promoting his tavern as the one responsible.

- I told you guys that I was going to put it to good use! - he drags himself near the group outside, still tied to the chair.

- Why do this?

- Why not?

Later that day, the party stares at a black ship with purple sails, decorated by many braziers flickering an unmistakable purple flame. As if it weren’t enough to stand out from every other vessel docked at that pier, its owner wears a black cloak that covers his entire body, except his face. With one eye covered by a purple eyepatch, he creeps a smile, making sure to show his purple teeth.

- Gadreas did tell us that his ship was impossible to miss… - Kai whispers.

- Hello, hello! My name is Deramos Fagusio! My brother told me a lot about you! It brings me joy to see you becoming loyal customers to the family! What are you buying? What are you selling? Let’s make the best deal! - his voice is oddly charismatic.

- We don’t mind checking your goods later, Fagusio. For now, we would like to use your travel services to this island - Kai indicates to him on the map he has.

- Great! I’ll provide a special price just for you, valued customers. You won’t find anyone offering the same level of accommodations at a lower fee than ours!

- That should cover it - Lirika gives him a bunch of jewelry, probably stolen from Roberto.

- Way more than enough. The family will retribute this kindness, I assure you!

- Lirika? How did you find us?

- That blond guy tied to a chair told me.

- You want to come with us? - Pietra asks, mildly suspicious.

- Yeah, since that corrupter was a no-go, I was hoping I could tag along with you for now. I still own Kai for saving my life, too.

- Recruited.

- Kai…

- C’mon, we can trust her. Also, she’s cool

Pietra sighs.

- You helped us before, but I’ll keep an eye on you.

- Good enough for me.

Bidding farewell to Vatogus, the party embarks on the fancy ship and sails.