Theresia was carried off by healing mages, completely unconscious. She woke up in a clean bed and a horrible mood after immediately piecing together how she ended up with bandages around her body. A vein popped out of her head as she turned to an innocent healer, who just wanted to reapply her bandages.

An image of Alberecht’s smiling face formed in her mind, "Damn you...!" She curled her fist while being consumed by rage and turned to the innocent woman with an angry expression, "I hate you!" Theresia exclaimed. However, those words were not meant for the innocent healing mage but Alberecht himself.

"Eek! I’m sorry!" The healing mage turned her head in a nervous sweat while frantically waving her arms around.

≡

Labout,

Outside the Colosseum

"That was s-something else..." Arthur stuttered, questioning to himself how he’d ever surpass Leonhardt. After all, he would need to do at least that much to defeat Sedah.

"Arthur...let’s head over to the docks and get on board a ship. Unless, you want to wait until tomorrow?" Amygdala asked while tilting her head.

Arthur’s blood started pumping and his heart began racing. He grinned showing his teeth and lifted both of his hands into the air, "How can I wait after seeing that?!" He felt a rush after witnessing Leonhardt’s fight, not at all disheartened, rather it motivated him in being stronger. Arthur wanted to swiftly find the answer to his self-imposed question.

Amygdala smiled, "Let’s go catch ourselves a ship then!"

≡

Coldera,

Tilapia

Holo and Shun had completed a few quests, including the hornseals quest, fairly quickly and ranking up to ’D’ and ’C’ respectively. They made enough money to live on, however they both decided to leave Coldera and travel to Sahrak Darin. Luckily, they garnered enough money to do so. Holo wanted to find his people, and Zenith informed them that travelling to the far East past Sahrak Darin is where they would most likely find Holo’s kin.

They got on board a massive ship that could fit hundreds of people comfortably. Holo and Shun got on board, looking around they saw a few unfriendly-looking faces. A bearded-bald man wielding a battle-axe. Another man, similar to Shun’s size wielding a large greatsword. Also, a wolf-eared man that had grey hair–

"–Zenith?!" Holo jumped a little as all of them directed their fierce gaze towards the two.

"Got a problem with me being here?!" He got up and scowled at Shun, "Wanna fight, Shuros?!" He smiled while showing his beast-like canines.

Holo then stepped between the two of them with his arm spread out, "No fighting!"

Zenith opened his eyes wide, "...Gahaha! You’ve sure grown a little, pipsqueak! Just a little though..." His eyes narrowed as he kicked Holo’s stomach foot-first. Holo grabbed his belly out of pain and fell to his knees.

"Gah!!" He spat uncontrollably on the ship deck.

Shun immediately took out his blade and swiped it across Zenith’s face. He attempted to dodge but a shallow cut formed across his nose, making him drip a little blood. Zenith licked the droplet of blood that rolled from his nose with his tongue, "C’mon then! Let’s–" His eyes gazed downwards.

Holo was shakily standing up and wheezing as he spoke, "D-Don’t fight...!"

Zenith scratched the back of his head and walked away while clicking his tongue, "...Fine, have it your way."

Shun’s angry expression didn’t fade but he still sheathed his blade that was forged by a local blacksmith that used his monster materials as well as a magic stone that he collected from quests.

"I-It’s fine, Shun...I’m alright!" He turned to Shun with a smile on his face so he didn’t have to worry.

The last couple people boarded the ship before they set across the ocean known as the Karathese Ocean. This massive ocean spanned from Vastos and Coldera across to Sahrak Darin. Just like on the land, there are also many monsters inhabiting the deep ocean, luckily there were high-ranking adventurers on board, protecting the trading supplies as their job.

Shun hadn’t been a part of this job nor Holo but Zenith and most of the other adventurers aboard this massive ship had been designated to protect the ship’s supply from various sea monsters and make sure it safely gets to the ports of Sahrak Darin. Of course, they were being paid pretty well, especially Zenith as he was an S-ranked adventurer and therefore was being paid a higher amount for the job.

Fortunately, the Karathese waters were calm and gentle, making the trip much easier, especially for those who’ve not been on a ship. The ship pulled away from the harbour and the sails of the ship unfurled, revealing the symbol of Stasis, which was a simple symbol of a snowflake. The ship gently swayed as it moved forward into the vast ocean.

≡

Karathese Ocean,

Near Labout

Amygdala held Arthur’s hand while exploring this giant ship. They effortlessly navigated their way to the cabins on the third floor.

"Hmm...I think it should be around here?" Amygdala strolled through the corridor, which had circular windows on the side, showing the great ocean.

"Ah! Right there!" Arthur pointed to a room with the number "310" plated on it. They unlocked the door with a key they were given, set out in the room was one large, fancy-looking bed. On the left side was another door, which led to a bathroom. It was quite a luxurious room, Arthur spared no expense so that both of them would be comfortable, though he did intend for there to be two separate beds.

"My~I didn’t know you were so forward...Hmm~I don’t mind at all." She gave Arthur a flirtatious smug look while brushing her index finger undernath his chin. She then ran and jumped into the bed. "So fluffy!!" Amygdala excitedly kicked her shoes off, waving her feet around. She then laid on her back and opened her arms, "Arthur, come join me!" She innocently exclaimed.

Arthur then looked away in embarrassment, "Idiot! There’s a proper order to these–" A sharp pain went through Arthur’s head. Strangely, all the other people on the boat had felt the same discomfort at the same time.

Arthur then held his head and closed his eyes with a disgruntled look, "Hey Amygdala, did you feel–Amygdala!" He looked frantically around the room, "Amygdala! Where are you?!" His face was painted in panic as his vision swayed. He ran through the corridors of the ship screaming her name. Arthur made his way onto the large rear deck of the ship where an array of adventurers gathered, unfortunately Amygdala was not among the crowd. "Amygdala, where are you?!"

The people on the ship had tired looks on their faces and some were even questioning how they ended up on the ship. Arthur noticed that there was only a vast ocean, which shouldn’t be possible as they only left Labout a few moments ago. Normally it should still be in view, Arthur recognised quickly something was wrong.

[uoY evah won deretne eht rewot]

[uoY evah won deretne eht rewot]

They all then heard an ear-screeching voice pierce through their minds. Some dropped to their knees while others gritted their teeth. Arthur had only furrowed his forehead, bearing this pain.

[rewot eht deretne won evah uoY]

[rewot eht deretne won evah uoY]

His eyes were darting around the ship, trying to find Amygdala. He then ran, leaving the flock of people, and decided to head to the front of the ship. Arthur thought it’d be best to explore the whole ship and get a grasp on the situation at hand.

≡

Karathese Ocean,

Near Tilapia

[rewot eht deretne won evah uoY]

[uoY evah won deretne eht rewot]

Everyone aboard the Stasis ship felt sudden ringing in the ears as a painful voice echoed in their head. It hadn’t been long since the ship set sail but the view of Tilapia completely vanished. All the adventurers on the ship had smirks on their faces, their faces showed they were in a bit of pain but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle. Zenith didn’t seem to be affected whatsoever. He was sitting with his back leaned on the wooden wall completely relaxed, it looked like he was sleeping.

Holo couldn’t handle the pain very well, especially considering his very sensitive ears. He attempted to cover up his wolf ears with his hands but it didn’t help in the slightest. Soon, the ringing in his ears became quieter, making the constant pain much more bearable.

Zenith opened his eyes and narrowly directed his wild eyes at Holo and smirked, "Kid! It’s best you just throw yourself overboard and drown."

Holo stepped back a little and then looked back at the vicious man. Just then he recognised that Zenith wasn’t making a twisted joke. He was being dead serious.

≡

Karathese Ocean

"Where the hell is Amygdala?!" Arthur continued running at fast pace, making his way to front of the ship, still finding no signs of Amygdala’s disappearance. Arthur tried his best sensing her magical presence but it was useless. He made his way onto the front of the ship. Arthur completely stopped in his tracks as his eyes gazed upwards. The words resounding in his mind finally started to become coherent.

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‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ [You have now entered the tower]