Moment of decision

- Nicholas - Kai speaks his name firmly, looking at him with determination.

This dumb look of a shonen protagonist is more than enough for Nicholas to know what he wants him to do. With more than twenty years of friendship, a single word is enough to convey an entire conversation between friends who have grown to become brothers.

He would deny Kai’s request. Then, his friend would insist, not backing down by any means, probably saying something ridiculous along the lines: “Do it before I lose my courage, dammit!”. And if he refuses to do it, Kai would never forgive him, for this is their code. Similar to the Three Musketeers, they have an oath, one that, even though they are too ashamed to say it out loud these days, they would never dare to break it.

- Please, don’t make me regret this - Nicholas says, his voice trembling as he quickly grabs Lirika’s infected arm with his right hand and one of Kai’s arms with his left hand.

- Never - he replies, giving him an honest smile.

Lirika couldn’t feel more relieved for this dumb fool to be sacrificing himself for her, but at the same time, she feels an urge to pull her arm away and argue about how much of an idiot they can all be. Doing such a thing for an acquaintance at best? Without hesitation, questions, or expectation of reward? For the first time, Lirika feels genuinely conflicted. She carries the mission to save her master; however, she does not wish to see Kai have such a cruel fate. In the end, she makes her choice, helplessly watching her wounds being transferred to the man who just saved her life a second time. Wanting to say something, words can’t leave her mouth. She is left speechless as Kai promptly calls his only hope now.

- Tien! You said Xien knows a cure, right?

Still in disbelief at the compassionate act he witnessed, he stutters in his answer:

- Y-you damn idiot! It’s too late-

Having no time to waste, Kai interrupts him.

- If it doesn’t work, do what you must. Just give me a chance!

As an exorcist, he couldn’t risk this. Xien would think the same. The safety of those who can still be saved must be prioritized over a false dream of salvation. That said, as an exorcist, he also has hope carved in his soul. Even knowing it is useless, he will believe that this good person in front of him still has a chance.

- Brother… Please.

Tien closes his eyes as his hair flows down and turns black.

- I’m against it, but since you never ask me anything, I’ll do it - the change in his tone is noticeable.

Kai takes a deep breath as Xien looks at him.

- Do what you have to do. I’m ready.

Xien slowly takes off his clothes.

- Hold up just a second there, buddy - Kai gesticulates with his hands for him to stop.

- What’s wrong?

- Quite a lot, actually. You see, what I was promised was a cure.

- And I’ll give it to you.

- I may not want it anymore.

- Don’t be ridiculous. Come, you must take it all - Xien speaks seriously, wearing only boxer shorts.

- I refuse.

- Go already, you coward!

Lirika kicks him to the muscular and sweaty guy, who grabs and immobilizes him on the ground, making it impossible to escape.

- Don’t move. My body fluids are your only hope.

The combination of his usual feminine tone, suggestive sentence, and slight embarrassment, desperate Kai.

- Kyah! Why does the fan service moment have to be like this?! Giovanni, if you can hear me, give me girls in swimsuits and my life is yours!

- Hmm, why do I feel something stirring inside me watching this scene? - Lirika states, her hand on her chin in thought.

- Girl, you don’t want to go that way - Pietra warns her.

Nicholas covers Asai’s eyes with his hand.

- Xien, is that really necessary?

- The same way my brother’s icy aura can protect against demons, the water in my body has healing properties. Since we are running against time, I’m trying to put him in contact with as much of my sweat as possible, purifying as many areas as I can - he explains, immobilizing the desperate Kai.

- Then phrase it properly from the beginning, goddamit! - Kai shouts in anger, finally ceasing his squirmings and accepting his fate.

A few minutes later.

- How are you doing down there, man? - Nicholas crouches, checking up on him.

Covered in sweat, Kai lies still, expressionless. His eyes bear no life.

- Nicholas… Why is life so cruel?

- C’mon, it wasn’t that bad.

- All these body fluids over me could be from an attractive monster girl, too, but here we are…

He helps his depressed friend up.

- It’s a good sign that you still look human. Now, all we can do is have faith - after pointing that out, he gives the control back to Tien.

- I won’t forgive you so easily for being so reckless this time! How do you feel? - Pietra punches his arm before showing her worry.

- Aside from the significant loss of morale, I’m ashamed to say that I feel good.

- I’m glad. Let’s go. We still need to go to the palace. Maybe the solution for all this mess lies there as well.

- I’ll follow. Not only must I keep an eye on Kai, my gut is telling me my fists will be more useful with you than running around the city aimlessly - Tien says, dressed again.

- Okay, we still need the help of one of the successors of the throne. Now more than ever.

- Or maybe we don’t - Kai declares cleverly, directing his gaze to Jiangzui’s spiritual presence, who is unsuccessfully trying to grab a bottle of booze.

- Hmm? You do need one of those morons. To get access to secrets of the palace, one with royal blood must be present.

- What about-

- My rotten body won’t do. I tried it before with my uncle. Long story. Didn’t work. By the way, can you drink this bottle here for your pal? Maybe if you taste it, I can feel it too.

Kai turns his attention back to the group.

- Forget I said anything. What’s your plan, Pietra?

- I can see the bonds we formed along the way, no matter how far they are, remember? Just let me concentrate to get the right ones.

Amid the many threads, she can sense the differences by focusing on them entirely. The thinner threads represent distant bonds, while the thicker ones symbolize close acquaintances. The brighter colors indicate closer connections, whereas the darker ones reveal a less intense fellowship. The only thing Pietra still needs to determine is what each color represents; however, she can tackle that later, as she has just discovered what she needs at the moment.

A yellow string, the same color as Roberto's, leads to Maruxiang's location. This is more than enough reason not to trust her; however, she could be quite resourceful if Pietra manages to make an ally of her somehow. On the other hand, a gray string can direct her to Guandou, an admiral with significantly more firepower. This string was also the color of the bond with Gadreas when they first met. Is he indifferent? Deceptive? He might be a safer choice, especially since it seems General Guson is no longer around him.

- Right, it seems both of them are still alive, thought in opposite directions. We gotta make a choice. This is starting to feel even more like one of Giovanni's campaigns.

- Or we could split up - Lirika suggests.

- Over my dead body.

- Are you insane?

- Absolutely not!

Traumatized by what their dungeon master does with those who try to play all paths, the trio answer in unison, surprising the others present with the immediate refusal. If this world is a setup made by Giovanni, as he claimed to be, trying to pick both options when offered a choice is suicide. A challenging battle awaits on either side, and they will need all forces in their disposal to beat it.

- Okay… So, who are we going for? The Admiral is a better pick if we need to march forward to the palace in a city infested with demons - Lirika proposes.

- I vote we save the beautiful fox lady - Kai declares, shamelessly.

- So do I - Nicholas backs him up in a serious tone.

Pietra puts her hand on her head.

- Even you?! Well, I also think it’s wiser to save the Guandou, and since the exorcist suggested him back then, I assume-

- We go for Maruxiang - Tien abruptly interrupts her

He does a custom handshake with Kai and Nicholas, a gesture between men of culture.

- I can’t believe this. What about you, Asai?

- Asai!

- I don’t know what I was expecting…

- To Maruxiang! Let’s befriend another shady person! - Kai exclaims, motivated.

- I hate you guys sometimes…