An injured woman laid on a large bed, sometimes wriggling, sometimes coughing blood and more often than not falling unconscious from the excruciating pain.

Inside the room she was in, there was a middle-aged man who tried everything to heal her wound but to no avail, whatever was inside of her couldn't be removed with normal means. Despite his high cultivation, he was rendered helpless and could only watch his only disciple slowly die before his eyes.

Never did he think she would return like this after traveling to Green-Leaf to investigate the Kangs and try to locate the cane. She returned three days ago and was barely conscious.

A hideous black sword slash was engraved on her chest, the wound emitted a dense amount of dark fog, ominous and dangerous.

"It's definitely that Dark Magic user!"

The middle-aged man clenched his fists as he glared at the lingering fog. He already condemned Arthur to death for fatally injuring Ranka Hnach.

She was the woman who was caught by Arthur and barely escaped but at what cost? The slash from Makaze was enough to critically wound her soul and weaken her Dantian.

Since she wasn't able to get rid of the Dark Magic as soon as it entered her body, it became close to impossible for any exterior forces to try and extract it. Her situation worsened as the Dimensional Stone teleported her to a barren place hence her late arrival.

"He must know where the cane is!"

The man treated his disciple harshly but that's only because he cared for her and didn't want to her to grow into a soft-hearted person. She was the first and last disciple yet she was dying before his eyes, which greatly saddened him.

…

Four days after Ranka's arrival, the middle-aged man chose to hire Black Rose to track Arthur and bring him alive. Unfortunately, Black Rose flatly rejected his request, causing him to became even more enraged.

The most important issue now is curing Ranka so he started looking everywhere for a capable Physician. Although the Holy Dominion may be able to heal her, he didn't want to be implicated with them.

***

'Are you sure it won't be discovered?'-Arthur

'Yes, the ARK doesn't use Energy so there's zero chance of being noticed. However, it'll take some time.'-Claud

Arthur pondered for a moment before agreeing to let the ARK leave his consciousness and investigate the clan on its own. Its results are guaranteed and 100% authentic. It's better than trusting Teit's words, after all, better be safe than sorry.

With Arthur's approval, the strange cube inside of his consciousness flew out of his chest and quickly disappeared, beginning its assigned task.

Lucy would ask Teit a few questions every now and then to which he'll honestly reply. Although still a bit timid, the boy managed to raise his head and stare back at her when they're talking.

He was supposed to be much stronger than her but he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by her pressure. The coldness she emits is enough to dig deep into his bones.

Moreover, her cultivation is increasing by leaps and bounds. Despite the lack of Mana here, Lucy still managed to reach the peak of Fusion Sovereign, a hair's width away from becoming a High Sovereign.

…

In the forbidden area of the White Specter Clan, where no one but the Matriarch can enter, the butler, Hobson, stood at the entrance and waited for his master to leave.

Unlike others, he's allowed to enter as she gave him permission but the Overgod was fully aware that she was trying to break through and any kind of disturbance would cause all her efforts to become in vain.

The old man didn't know when she'll breakthrough but he hoped it'll be soon as the situation will probably worsen if she doesn't show herself. Thordan was running rampant, doing whatever he wants and from the way he was treated by Lucy two days ago, he definitely won't let it go.

***

In a gloomy and dark room that lacked any kind of illumination, eight people were sitting around a table. Each seat had a specific color with the biggest one being the black one, which merged with the environment.

"So you directly made him into one of the nine seats? Without holding the council and voting? Not even a test?"

There was a woman sitting on the white seat, she glared at the green seat and spoke disrespectfully, displeased with Artid's decision.

All the others remained silent, neither opposing or agreeing with what Artid did.

The Green Seat of Justice chuckled while retorting

"I don't think I need your permission. He's more than qualified to join us, moreover, he's a Dark Magic user."

Out of nowhere, someone started laughing, this person glanced at the other seven and said:

"I believe I already met him. He's indeed unfathomable and worth having him with us. A wise decision, Green Seat."

It was the person sitting on the Blue Seat who said that. The darkness covered his face so his real appearance couldn't be distinguished but from his voice, it was clear that he was a middle-aged man.

"What? He's a Sovereign! What can a trash like that do?!"

The White Seat remained stubborn, still unwilling to accept Arthur.

"And let's not talk with his enemies. The Holy Dominion is hunting him like a dog! Like we don't have enough enemies!"

The Blue Seat shrugged his shoulders and retorted

"It's not like we're not antagonistic against some of the people in the Holy Echelon so stop your whining, White Seat."

Although she dared to talk back to Artid, the woman could only bite her lips and stay silent when the Blue Seat talked. Although they had equal authority, there was some kind of hierarchy which should be respected and the Blue Seat is way above her.

"When can we expect him?"

The Black Seat spoke, causing the others to quieten down. Artid thought for a moment before saying

"He's kind of 'busy' right now but it shouldn't take too long."

The Black Seat nodded his head and switched the topic

"Any other news that we should be aware of?"

Artid is considered the brain of Black Rose, whether it's his unusual strength despite his low cultivation or his extremely vast information network. He's always able to investigate anyone and find their location, basically, nothing escapes from him.

The Green Seat's countenance drastically changed, he handed the seven of them a piece of paper while saying

"The Void Behemoth is on the move."

The Blue Seat frowned and asked:

"Hm? Last time I checked, it was still hibernating."

The Red Seat, who seemed to be way shorter than the rest, spoke:

"If it woke up then it must have sensed something."

…

"Amidel… that sly fox! He must have known about this!"

Dan, the Overgod guarding the royal family of Green-Leaf, was currently staring at Astria from afar. He thoroughly searched the world but apart from the forgotten continent, which couldn't be accessed, he wasn't able to find something that would push the Kangs to secretly ally with Arthur.

Only when he left the small world and tried to look around it did he discover a shocking thing. After staring at it for a long while, he was prepared to leave only to feel a threatening presence appear before him.

Before he could summon his weapon or even lift a finger, the Overgod found himself immobilized. As he laid eyes on the person before him, Dan became speechless.

"S-senior… w-what brings you here."

His usually leisurely countenance was nowhere to be seen, the man spoke politely without any hint of arrogance.

Facing this straw-hat wearing Overgod was a youth clad in dark armor. He stared at Dan and said

"I'm quite bored, why don't you follow me for a chat?"

Dan could feel the pressure that was binding him slowly disappear. He repeatedly nodded his head and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.

He didn't even dare think about fleeing, after all, it wasn't an Overgod that was facing him but the Nameless Knight. With no choice but to comply, Dan followed the youth, unable to understand why he would appear out, and so suddenly, at that.

So, just like that, the two drifted away from Astria…