"As a token of my boundless sincerity, I'll guide you to a place which can heal your injured eye."

Timos' voice echoed in Arthur's head which was followed by a noticeable pulsating light coming from a specific direction. The marked place wasn't that far away and inside this forest, it was like a walk in the park for the couple.

After around twenty minutes, they arrived near a calm lake. It lay without a ripple in the silver-blue water as time itself had been frozen. There was also the refreshing fragrance of jasmine, adding more beauty to this heavenly place. Without a doubt, this was no natural lake as the mere look of it made the two couple shiver from the energy lingering in the air. It was unfamiliar but serene and non-oppressive. Their bodies weren't able to naturally absorb it and could only bask in its aura.

"Before you lays a lake of diluted Primordial Energy. It's the only one in all existence and no being, including myself, can absorb it all. Now, I'll give you just one piece of advice; Take what you need and leave what you can."

Arthur looked at the crystalline surface and stood there, momentarily dazed. The deep voice of the Black Devil snapped out of his daze and made him suspiciously glance around, fearing that this may be a trap.

"What? Still not believing me? I literally presented you with the greatest gift and was generous enough to give you some liquefied Primordial Energy."

"Your notorious reputation precedes you, how do you expect us to trust you?" Arthur clearly stated.

Next to him, Lucy leaned closer to the lake then added: "You're known as the Strategist. It won't be surprising to see you tricking us at the very end, if not now."

Once they voiced some of their thoughts, the two heard a low emotionless chuckle.

"I don't need you to trust me. Just believe that I mean you no harm. In fact, do I really need to resort to pathetic tricks to eliminate you two? Don't forget you're in my domain and inside a place I personally built."

"Then why the sudden generosity? Nothing is ever free."

"Yes, you are totally right. To achieve balance, there must be a 'give' and a 'take'. I only want you to thoroughly think about my offer and if you're up to it, play a game with me. That is my 'take'."

"What if we refuse?"

"You're free to refuse or accept anytime. I don't expect an immediate answer."

The two parties stopped talking after that. Arthur and Lucy inspected the lake and circled around it a few times before sitting down. Due to the nature of Riarravar, the System was malfunctioning so the use of Appraisal was impossible. However, even without Appraisal, it was easy to confirm Timos' words as Arthur's wound started itching.

After an inordinate amount of time, Arthur carefully pulled a drop of water from the translucent lake. The process turned out to be extremely difficult as the drop was inexplicably heavy as it took him several attempts to pull it toward him.

Once it was close enough, it flew into his chest and pushed him a few meters. His body shook violently for a few moments before it calmed down when he sat cross-legged and started 'digesting' it. At first, this simple-looking drop caused huge tremors across his body before it calmed down and was slowly absorbed by his Meridians and his revolving Dantian.

As time passed, the hideous scar on his face vanished and his eye was being treated by the Primordial Energy. When half a day passed and night befell on the Free Space, Arthur's left eye opened at last. It emitted a sky-blue light that fell on the breath-taking lake.

Arthur let out a breath containing a lot of steam then stood up and stretched his limbs. Although he couldn't see his stats or his Realm, he was sure that he broke through. He circulated his Nether Energy then raised his hand, conjuring four golden stars above him. This clearly meant that he's a 4-star God Monarch.

Lucy, who was meditating next to him, also successfully pulled a drop of water and was currently using it to heal the internal damage left by her silver revolver. Having absolutely nothing to do, the man sat next to his wife and enjoyed the view.

A sea of shimmering stars, diamond strews across a raven gown boundless and beautiful. His thoughts wandered as he gazed at the starry night sky, his mind reminiscing about the past, about all that happened, good and bad. It happened so fast that he couldn't keep up. Enemies were getting much stronger and he's jumping from one mess to another.

The whereabouts of his daughter are unknown, the fate of Astria is shrouded and he's stuck with Lucy in Riarravar. Sometimes, he regrets meeting her and dragging her into this chaotic world, full of dangers.

Maybe if he hasn't met her on that fateful day, everything would've been different, much different indeed.

"Congratulations on your fast recovery, dear guest."

Absent-minded, Arthur didn't reply so Timos continued speaking:

"Why are you so obsessed with me? Surely there are many others who are willing to play your game."

"That is where you're wrong. Only you can play the game."

"Care to explain?"

"I'll only explain if you agree."

Arthur spent a few moments to ponder then said: "I agree to play the second game. The one you claimed hasn't got any consequences if you lose."

This time, Timos took some time to reply. His voice seemingly much softer for some reason

"Actually, it's not a game but a small request of time. I just need one of your belongings and in return, I'll handsomely compensate you. It's a trading game."

Arthur didn't immediately object, he looked at the serene lake while responding:

"One of my things? Which one."

"The Dark Blade."

Once he heard that, Arthur voiced his instantaneous rejection to which Timos explained:

"Wait till I finish first, please. Personally, I do not need the blade and I have no use it for it. I merely want to return it to its home, where it belongs.

You see, that blade isn't really a weapon but a person, a living being, like you and me. Ventus Malum is his name, he's the father of all swords and the one in the blade you call Evil Wind."

"…" Arthur kept his silence as he listened to the narrating Black Devil.

"Ventus is one the Twelve and someone I consider as a friend, a kin of mine. Unlike the rest, we two were close enough hence the existence of the Free Space. Basically, I was the mind and he was the body. Sadly, the fool fell in love with a mortal, and a human, at that. Countless times did I try to stop him but he was blinded and wouldn't listen to reason, unfortunately. I will skip the tragedy and say that it ended badly, even after he crafted Eighteen swords for her sake. Nine to protect her. Nine to attack. Together, they were the epitome of power, something truly unstoppable which is why many of the Twelve wanted to get them, especially when their stupid war started. After exacting his revenge on Xyktia, who killed the love of his life and turned her into an undead, he brought her remains and eternally imprisoned himself in a dark, cold place. With enough time to feel absolute loneliness and despair, he became a blade and before it was completed, it was stolen by a greedy bunch.

I recounted the story so you can understand my reasoning. That blade in your possession is powerful and irreplaceable but it's not meant for you, at least not now. It needs to return home and reach completion and, only then, on its initiative, will it head toward the person it deems as a true partner."

Arthur sighed and said back: "Do you think recounting a story is enough for me to give up my weapon? The blade and I are bound by an oath."

"The oath, I can see. It's relatively new and unknowingly takes a toll on you both, limiting the power you can unleash while wielding it. I can break it and free both of you but only if you agree to release the Dark Blade form your possession." Timos paused for a brief second before resuming:

"Though I don't know what this 'love' exactly is. I've seen many examples and I can ascertain that you, like anyone else, want to spend the rest of your life with the woman next to you. I'm willing to bet that even in death, you'd want to be by her side. Forever."

"Dear guest, I know you don't care about strangers but this matter concerns you. Didn't you notice that your partner is acting awfully mysterious ever since entering this world? It's because its home is close and it started a bit of peace after an eternity of torment. Like I said, if you're truly meant for each other, this will not be the end, I promise you that."