Ivis’s mind went blank. The words that the seemingly random interloper had spoken were simply too over the top. He could not believe the words, nor did he dare to believe them.

‘I can fix your spiritual body. I can allow you to take your vengeance…’

Since that fateful day, where they had been interrupted in their attempt to get stronger and had their spiritual body ruined, both he and his master had tried their best to regain their lost strength and potential. In the days before they departed earth for Gliese Prime, they had called upon all their contacts and old friends, begging and pleading them to attempt to fix their spiritual body. Yet, despite their great standing, none of them had been able to do anything about it.

On Gliese Prime, as well, they had spent many years building their influence, hoping to gather enough resources to attract a with enough capability to heal them. Once again, they were greatly disappointed by the result.

Let alone gathering the attention of such a master, there existed no one on Gliese Prime that fit the description. For someone to heal them, they had to be considerably stronger than them and to be knowledgeable about the spiritual body. Had it been back on Earth, there would likely have been a considerable handful of people fitting the description, but Gliese Prime was simply too lacking in experts.

Needless to say, that their greatest lifelong wish was to regain their strength. Yet, despite their great effort, everything had turned out futile. Then, suddenly this random interloper had nonchalantly promised to rid them of their greatest weakness. How could the fox not feel great distrust?

Additionally, there was the matter of vengeance. The other party had promised them vengeance against their former family, yet vengeance against someone like their lineage and clan would be considered impossible. Even a random elder in the lineage held enough power to overwhelm the strongest person on Gliese Prime. It was simply impossible.

“This…”

Ivis soon realised that he had regained the ability to speak for himself. He had wanted to scold the other party for his insolence and for making claims that he had no way to prove. To expel them from his and his master’s abode. Yet, he found himself unable to finish the sentence.

What if it was true? What if the other party could truly cure them and allow them to return to their peak? The interloper had, after all, shown great ability with the dream element, even managing to break through his own defences.

In addition, the interloper had seen their innermost memories and had learned of their story. It was truly too frightening to allow him to roam free to spread the news of their origin. The peaceful life that they had built here could easily come crumbling down if the allies of their old enemies came running.

“Interloper, we will bargain.”

In the end, fearing that they would miss out on a one-of-a-kind opportunity, Ivis decided to allow the interloper to speak of his idea.

Sett felt relieved in hearing the words of the fox, Ivis. He had feared that its anger from the fight would still be present and would reject his offer.

The only question was why he had offered to cure their spiritual bodies. It was rather simple, really. He greatly sympathised with them. It was as simple as that. Having seen the memories of Ivis, Sett felt closer to them than he had ever felt to anyone else, despite not ever having truly met them. He knew of their story and felt that the world had wronged them. If he had the ability to remedy their life, why would he not do it?

Besides, the two of them were incredibly powerful ascendants. They were former leaders of the crusader order that had propped it up for countless years. It could not possibly hurt to have them as his allies.

As for how he had the ability to do it, it was naturally all because of Selt.

Having seen the unjust things that the fox and man pair had gone through, Sett had begged Selt for a solution to their problems. He had thought that Selt, as an old deity with countless years of knowledge about dreams and the spiritual body, would know something about healing the spiritual body.

After advising Sett about the dangers of offering help to strangers for a couple of minutes, Selt eventually relented and admitted that he did indeed know of a method to return their spiritual bodies to their prime.

Having heard the reply of Ivis, Sett allowed the divine seed to return to its original state and he felt his spiritual body slipping out of Ivis’s mind. The seed would require time to repair itself before it could be used in the same fashion, but it was naturally not a problem considering how little use the dream attribute had.

Sett, from his prone position of the ground where he had fallen the moment, he entered Ivi’s mind, lightly lifted his hand. It was something that was hard to get used to. Leaving one’s own body was a strange experience and returning to it was not much better.

As Sett stirred, Ivis raised his head. Immediately, he trained his eyes on Sett’s body and narrowed them in anxiety. He clearly did not fully trust Sett. Not that Sett would fault him for being distrustful. While Sett had seen the memories of the fox, he was an ambiguous figure to the Ivis. He was a completely blank slate. A disadvantage that few people or beasts wanted.

At least, it was better than earlier. This time Ivis did not attack him.

“Ivis… Do you mind if I call you Ivis?”

Sett decided to break the awkward atmosphere.

“You may do as you wish, interloper.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ivis. My name is Sett.” Not minding the hostile glare that the fox sent him, Sett decided to introduce himself. “You do not have to be so alarmed, Ivis, I have no intention of hurting either you or Adriel.”

Ivis’s eyebrows moved greatly at the mention of his master’s name. Clearly, Sett had hit a soft spot.

“Prove it.”

It was simple words, but Sett rejoiced in his mind. Although the fox had not completely decided to trust him, it had allowed him to prove his innocence in the matter to him.

“I would expel my essence to show my sincerity.” Sett made an awkward expression. “Sadly, I have already expelled it all during our fight.”

“You did?”

Ivis sounded completely incredulous hearing Sett’s words. It was only natural. If the other party thought that he was a worthy adversary, how could he have run dry after only using a single spell?

“Ascertain it for yourself.”

Sett spread his arms outward, allowing the fox unrestrained access to his body.

“Do you dare?”

Ivis was once again sounding confused. It was no wonder. Sett had invited it to touch his body, an act that was little different than suicide. If Ivis truly wanted it, he could easily kill him without much effort.

“Naturally, I trust in your personality.” Sett lightly smirked at the confused fox. “Would you truly take the same position as those that brought you down and attack me at the moment where my defences are lowered?”

“Hmph. Very well, Sett.”

With a final harumph, Ivis approached Sett. Every step of the way, his eyes remained on Sett’s face, trying to discern if the other party was secretly making a move.

Nothing happened. Ivis arrived before Sett and lightly pressed a single claw on his chest.

Sett felt a warm feeling spread out from the place where the fox had placed its claw. Clearly, its essence was invading his body, trying to find any sign of deceit.

Only a moment later, the fox’s face distorted once more. It was clearly surprised.

“You… This…” Ivis had great trouble getting the words out. “You are not even tier one, yet? You are newly ascended?”

With a voice that had lost all traces of hostilities, the fox questioned Sett.

“Indeed, I ascended yesterday.” Sett lightly waved his hand as if this revelation was nothing serious. “Let alone killing you or your master, I doubt that I would be able to make a single move against either of you.”

“This… Why would you arrive here?” Ivis could not find any sense in Sett’s words. “Why would you disregard my words and not leave the place?”

“I am hiding at the orders of the grandmaster. The location was a simple whim of my superior.”

“Hah…” The fox exhaled greatly. “This one apologizes for his moves upon you, Sett. Please know that I meant no harm but felt that I had truly no option in the matter. My great master, Adriel, is undergoing a fight for his life and cannot be interrupted, lest he suffers a most agonizing death.”

Ivis bowed deeply and repented for his actions when he heard Sett’s words. Sett, for his part, did not mind all that much. If his master were fighting for his life and any distraction could end up killing him, it was no wonder that it would chase any other party away with impunity.

“Wait, he is fighting for his life?” Sett felt overwhelmed when he thought to this point. “Bring me to him!”

“I…” Ivis seemed deeply conflicted and was clearly deep in thought. “Yes. I will trust you, Sett.”

The fox set off, allowing Sett access to the innermost part of the island. Before the large white fox, the fog, which had been an impenetrable wall, disappeared without a trace. Sett followed as close behind as he possibly could, given his considerably little strength.

With the fox gone from the island, a grand scenery was revealed. The island itself was not all that grand, barely being a little more than one hundred meters in radius, but it was well put to use.

Unlike the other areas of the Seventh Eden, which was either populated by nature or buildings, this island was essentially a well-kept garden. In one glance, one could see countless flowers and trees that Sett had never seen in his time in the Seventh Eden or even the outside world. Surprisingly, many of these flowers and plants emanated a small amount of essence, making them feel as if they were of far higher quality.

The scene was much different than the other islands in the Seventh Eden, but it did not lose out in magnificence. In some terms, it even exceeded it greatly. Merely standing in this garden brought a sense of relief to one’s body.

The running duo, however, quickly passed by this garden. They had no time to sightsee or indulge in such things.

Soon, they arrived before a small house. It was humble, almost looking like whoever lived here had built it themself. In comparison to the Grandmaster’s residence, which was only a couple hundred meters from here, it seemed unassuming. To think that a former grandmaster would live in such a modest place.

To Sett’s surprise, they bypassed the house and instead went behind it. Here, they found a small courtyard. It was the same one that Sett had seen from one of Ivis’s memories.

Furthering Sett’s surprise, Sett did not see a man in great pain, as one would expect from someone between life and death, but rather he found someone painting.

“Ivis, where is Adriel?”

Seeing that Ivis had stopped, Sett could not help but question him.

“My master is over there, painting.”

Getting a closer look at the man that was painting, Sett realised that it was, in fact, Adriel. He had seen him many times in the memories but had completely ignored him given that he looked all fine and painting.

Was Adriel not in a life and death struggle? What was going on here? Were you only kidding when you told me that he was dying? Sett almost felt his mind being torn apart in confusion.