"So, in the end, did you agree to help her?"-Lucy

Hearing Lucy's question, the Joker chuckled and replied:

"No way, we weren't fools or heroes wannabes, we just wanted to return to our worlds and solve our own problems. Sadly, we were ignorant back then and we didn't know the consequences of our actions, especially I and Leiu, which spent most of our growth period in the past."

"How did you leave that place?"

"We didn't 'leave', the memories were transferred back to our original selves. They were vivid and realistic, when it struck me, a wave of emotions assaulted me and slightly changed my mindset."

"What about Quhea? Did she give up on trying to convince you?"

The Joker shook his head and added:

"She didn't even try to convince us, she merely answered our question and explained a few things. It's as if she knew we'll face the other faction sooner or later, it was just a matter of when."

Having reached the end of this long story, the Trickster gulped another cup of tea while waiting for Lucy to ask what's on her mind. The silver-haired woman was lost in thought, pondering about many things. After a few minutes passed, Lucy asked:

"When the time comes… will you face them?"

The Joker spread his hands in helplessness while giving an honest answer:

"I and Leiu have nothing precious to protect, we just have to move forward. We already promised each other to try and stop 'them' when the boundary breaks. But… fear not, Arthur will not be included as, unlike us, he has you, Saly and a home to go back to. Even if he insists on joining, we will not welcome him… for his sake."

"If he really considers you two as brothers, he won't stay still and watch you two protect him."-Lucy

"Hehehe true but, what if he has to choose between his brothers and his wife?"

The Joker stopped for a second before resuming

"It's not even a question worth asking! Though he may treasure our brotherhood, you're everything for him. Which is why, when the calamity strikes, it'll be you who'll stop him from going."

Hearing this, Lucy couldn't help but retort

"What if I encourage him to go fight and accompany him?"

Before replying to her, Wolfram cleared his throat and spoke with a slightly harsh tone

"Look… in terms of judging an individual's strength, talent, or future potential, there's no one in this multiverse better than I and when I look at you, I see a one-of-a-kind genius, a talent with unlimited potential but please believe me when I say that there's ALWAYS a limit."

He pointed at himself then continued:

"Look at me, for example, I've reached the apex of power a few thousand years ago. Even if I were to consume a heavenly, miraculous fruit that would give me the power of a thousand Overgods, it'll still do naught for me. The same applies to you, who, in the future, will reach a threshold that cannot be broken. Perhaps you'll be the strongest person in the multiverse but it'll still not be enough to fight against armies of parasites, Cthulhu, etc… and that is while excluding their creators. I, Leiu, and Arthur have inherited the powers of the Twelve and that is the only reason we stand a chance."

As he saw her expression, the Joker let out a sigh and added:

"Fine… let's say you become outrageously powerful, do you seriously think Arthur would let you go with us? What about Saly? Your friends and family?"

Several cards floated before the unstable Lucy, who gazed at the card which showed her a picture of Saly, whose eyes become sky-blue and her long snow-white hair.

"One would fight a losing war only when he has nothing to lose."

At last, the Joker got up from his seat, ready to leave this room after saying his part. Just as he was about to turn around, Lucy abruptly got up and locked her gaze on him. After a few moments of silence, Lucy surprisingly stretched her hand while saying

"Let me formally re-introduce myself. I am Lucy MoonStar, wife of Arthur MoonStar, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Confused by her actions, The Joker furrowed his brows and hesitantly asked:

"I thought you can't touch other men."

For the first time since their meeting, Lucy flashed a mesmerizing smile at the strangely-clothed man.

"It's not that I can't but I don't want to. Moreover, it only applies to strangers whereas you're a person who helped my husband and saved his life on multiple occasions."

In the end, the Joker reciprocated her actions and shook hands with Lucy, who, for the first time in years, touched a man other than her husband.

"Wolfram Sakimoto, at your service."

While shaking her hand, he performed a strange bow while softly chuckling.

…

A distance away from the White Specter Clan, the Joker was nonchalantly wandering a deserted forest while whistling and glancing around in boredom. After a few minutes of walking around, he glanced toward his left and said

"If you want to tail me, at least be more discrete."

A woman that slightly resembled Lucy appeared a distance away from Wolfram. She was taller than Lucy and looked more mature and domineering. This woman was none other than the Matriarch, Katrina.

"I heard a few interesting and surprising things from Angelina."

Uncaring about her cold tone and serious expression, the Joker kept whistling after uttering one word

"So?"

The Matriarch walked closer to the Joker, a threatening aura emanating from her.

"Whether he's alive or not, I won't allow him to approach my daughter or my clan."

"Oh, okay."

The Joker didn't seem to care about what she had to say as he continued walking while she followed him.

"Never did I think that one of the brothers you spoke so highly of is Arthur. I guess he's much more special than I thought but so what?"

She gazed at him with a piercing glare while continuing;

"I want to know if you'll interfere if I a fight really breaks out."

As he listened to her, Wolfram scoffed at her before retorting

"Why? You're okay with oppressing the weak but afraid to face the strong? I don't remember teaching you to be a coward."

She shook her head and explained:

"No, if it's not necessary then I don't want to fight my teacher."

The Joker shrugged his shoulders and stated: "Well, rest assured, I'm in no position to interfere. Plus, it'll disrupt the course of time if I lend him a hand."

The man suddenly turned around, leaned his face closer to the woman and gazed at her with an unusually serious expression before whispering:

"When the times comes, you must know who to spare and who to kill. This feud is between Arthur and you, so, think and act wisely, Katrina… because if you kill someone you shouldn't have, then believe me when I say that I won't be the only one chasing after your life."

Right after be said that, The Joker vanished from the Matriarch's sight, turning into a puff of red smoke.

******

Green-Leaf World, capital, Royal Castle.

A blond young-looking man was absent-minded as he stared at the glorious city behind the window while tapping his index on the table. He's the king of this Medium-Realm, Isadore Marfront.

Ever since he was kicked out of Astria by Radolf and Midolf, he's been waiting for Arthur to show himself. As usual, his bodyguard, Wrath, was taking a nap on a nearby couch while the king's childhood friend, Christopher, was taking care of some documents, walking in and out of the office in a hurry.

Everything seemed calm and peaceful until the napping Wrath abruptly jumped from the sofa as if he had been electrocuted. All his hair stood erect as he turned his head toward the closed door leading out of the office.

Even a mortal like Isadore felt a chilling aura which snapped him out of his daze and caused him to stand up.

After a few intense moments of silence in which neither the king or his bodyguard dared to move or talk, a knocking sound could be heard by both men.