"So are you going to explain what you meant earlier?"
It was rather desolate after Yuuto took the time to 'clean up' after his fight with Yanqing.
Compared to before, the empty neighborhood didn't have chunks of ice sticking in random places or fire threatening to burn the area into cinders.
But honestly, there wasn't any hope of fixing the damage beyond those points.
He wanted to take responsibility but considering he wasn't the only one who caused this whole mess.
Yuuto decided that it was only right of him to place it on the tab of the master of this troublesome boy.
It's only natural for the master to take responsibility for the actions of his disciple, right?
But going back. Yuuto stared at the blonde boy in front of him who didn't respond to his earlier question and instead just ran slightly ahead of him.
"Hehe~ Yuu, you're getting ignored!"
Which a certain gremlin didn't miss to tease him about.
"I've thought about it for a while but maybe I should do something about how you speak to me…"
"Ouch–!"
Lowering his gaze on Sparkle who he was now carrying, Yuuto didn't hesitate to flick her forehead with a bit more force than usual.
It left behind a small red mark dead center but Sparkle didn't seem to mind it. Rather, it made her smile even more which made Yuuto look at her strangely.
'She's definitely not normal…'
Wondering if it's the by-product of inhaling fumes while working as an alchemist. Yuuto was certain that Sparkle had more quirks than he wasn't prepared to see just yet.
"He must be feeling shy right now." Moving past her teasing, Yuuto shrugged his shoulders.
"Feeling shy?" Sparkle asked back.
"For sure, imagine picking a fight with someone first but instead of winning you lose. On top of that, your opponent was a person sent by your superior who was asked to find you after going MIA."
"....."
Yuuto spoke easily as if it was a regular situation but the person in question felt an arrow go through his chest every time he heard the words targeted at him.
'If you know exactly what I'm feeling then why explain it out loud when I'm right here!?'
Yanqing cursed in his mind and his face felt hot thinking back on his embarrassing actions and wondered why he was so hot-headed.
He could have questioned them calmly, but for some reason, he suddenly tunnel-visioned, and the rest was history.
"It must be the stress from training and my encounter with that crazy woman…Yes— that must be it…!"
Yanqing drowned his embarrassment and blamed it on the white-haired woman he had met two days ago.
It was an experience considering the vast skill difference she demonstrated so flawlessly. It made him feel… frustrated.
"No, I'm going to make the same mistakes again if I indulge in these feelings."
Being as young as he was, his master often told him of the trials of life that he may encounter in the future. So thinking about his setbacks so far, Yanqing felt like this was one of those moments.
Staying calm and collected is crucial in these times.
Even when his reasoning is reaching quite a bit.
"Did you hit him too hard? He's talking to himself when we're right here."
"Shush. Let him be, it might be him talking to his heart demons."
"Hmm… I don't understand."
"Don't worry about it. Just imagine it as puberty since he's at that age."
"Ah!! How cute!"
Stay calm and collected….
Letting out a deep breath, Yanqing tried his best to ignore the warm, subtle gazes directed his way.
"...Sorry for staying quiet. It's actually not that I know a lot about it but I just so happened to be at the right place at the right time."
Finding the courage to slow his pace down to get near Yuuto, Yanqing told him about what he knew.
Of course, at first he was still awkward but seeing Yuuto not place any more attention than needed to his feelings.
Made Yanqing feel less tense.
It started when he patrolled his route as usual. On average, it didn't take that long to do so but after the crisis that engulfed the Luofu, the time spent unsurprisingly extended.
Usually he would return and report back to Jing Yuan straight after he was done patrolling but on the way back, he felt some suspicious movements from some of the Cloud Knights.
As a lieutenant, it was not uncommon for knights to carry the scent of medication as treatment and pills were circulating quite frequently due to the crisis.
With the surge of mara creatures they needed to fight against, injuries were prone to happen.
But what Yanqing smelled at that moment was potent medication that lingered in the air making him feel nauseous.
'I already have a hunch as to what comes next.'
As Yuuto continued to listen, his thoughts naturally shifted towards the Sanctus Medicus.
And that hunch was right on the mark.
Yanqing continued his story with a frown on his face.
"I followed them and found that they were forcibly converting innocents into mara soldiers using medication to help expand their forces.
I obviously stopped them myself but in the process, I managed to overhear that their leader was aiming to use the power of the awakened Arbor for his own benefit.
More so aiming to take the fruit born from the Ambrosial for himself.and become a Saint…"
Yuuto suddenly felt uneasy when he heard the end of Yanqing's sentence.
Thinking about what he knew, Phantylia was a being who despised needing to intervene directly when pursuing her role as a Lord Ravager.
As her philosophy of what it means to carry destruction is ultimately challenged.
Of course when it comes to it, she would graciously take the center stage when the need arises. There was no need for her to cower if things got out of hand.
But this talk about the Arbor being used by a person other than Phantylia…
Was something to be concerned about.
"I guess my actions in preventing the Sanctus Medicus from causing all that trouble in the original paid off. Phantylia on the other hand seems to be adjusting her plans."
*RUMBLE*
Yuuto made a solemn face as he felt the vibrations beneath him increase and the Arbor in the distance took on a deeper shade of green.
"Hopefully they've managed an evacuation from the Alchemy Commision already…"
Yanqing whispered worryily but quickly changed his expression and increased his speed towards the Arbor.
Yuuto wasn't any different as a pair of white wings appeared on his back.
"We're going to go faster than usual so hold your tongue and don't open your mouth."
Sparkle knew that was directed at her but she didn't complain and instead gave him her signature smile.
Taking the silence as a positive sign, Yuuto flew through the air with Yanqing following closely behind.
With the speed they were going it didn't take long for them to reach an area where a group of Cloud Knights were gathering. Many of them were already on their way to help calm the situation down after the abrupt changes occurring from the Arbor.
It proved to be difficult since unease spread to their faces but what could they do other than prepare for what's to come.
"What's the situation?" Yanqing quickly asked one of the knights who passed by.
A brief moment of surprise appeared seeing the missing lieutenant but judging by the expression Yanqing was making he got to the point.
"Just before the Arbor displayed some changes, there was a case of… hysteria from members belonging to the Alchemy Commission."
"Hysteria?"
The knight frowned as if he didn't want to remember the scene.
"They suddenly started dropping to their knees and mumbling that their time had come. After that whole act, some began hurting themselves in the process which is something we're dealing with right now."
"It's not just Alchemy Commission members."
Just as the knight was about to pour his heart into telling what he saw, a cold voice reached the group.
Her appearance was sudden but her sharp eyes didn't fail to make the knight and Yanqing flinch.
Especially Yanqing considering what happened during the past few hours.
"Cloud Knights have also fallen victim and a minuscule amount of Sky-Faring Commission members as well."
"D-Diviner Fu! It's nice that you're doing well…"
Fu Xuan's detached expression didn't change. "Lieutenant Yanqing. You have some explaining to do."
"Uh— That's…. I will…"
Even with the apparent size difference between the two, Fu Xuan didn't bat an eye to scold Yanqing who caused trouble that needed her to ask outsiders for assistance.
Yanqing knew that it was his fault for going MIA but he had a good reason for doing so! But he didn't dare say since it was already getting uncomfortable the longer Fu Xuan stared at him.
Noticing the air stiffen the longer she stayed silent, Fu Xuan decided that this should be addressed in more depth later.
Since she sensed that an audience was enjoying the show, she felt pretty dissatisfied.
"Ahem, Miss Fu! It's nice that you're doing well. I managed to complete the mission you gave me." Yuuto said with a face that irked her.
"...That you did."
"Of course since you asked so politely, I had to respond with the same kind of sincerity."
"...."
For the first time since seeing her, Fu Xuan's blank face showed a bit of change that made Yanqing look at Yuuto in surprise.
This was Diviner Fu Xuan! An individual who was always level-headed when it came to her own matters.
The same Fu Xuan who now showed signs of wanting to place Yuuto into the depths of the confinements within the Shackling Prison after saying a single sentence.
Yanqing was honestly impressed.
"Well enough joking around, I didn't expect to suddenly see you here so I'm guessing the situation is more serious than what it seems."
Yuuto stifled his chuckle seeing the reaction she gave him but he decided to tease this grumpy diviner later as the situation wasn't too favorable at the moment.
She also didn't want to entertain the thought of having Yuuto tease her, so she changed the topic gratefully.
"Your companions have already begun exploring the Arbor's roots after seeing the effects it had in the vicinity. I originally warned them of the danger but they said not to mind."
"That definitely sounds like them alright." Yuuto wasn't surprised by this development.
Like in the original, they would take a slight detour towards the Artisanship Commission to help calm the situation down under the behest of Jingyuan and Fu Xuan.
Escorting and even making sure everyone got away from the rapidly growing roots coming from the Arbor.
And along the way face a creature blessed by the Abundance that showed the reason why Path of the Hunt craved to eradicate their creations.
'I remembered that deer giving me a lot of trouble so I can't imagine how annoying it will be in real life. Along with the fact that the deer might not be the only one there…'
Yuuto recalled the information Yanqing told him and asked Fu Xuan a question.
"Have you ever heard of the term 'Saint' when it came to the Arbor or anything related?"
"Saint…" Fu Xuan thought deeply.
At the beginning she was confused by the term he had just thrown out but after thinking more about it. Something seemed to click.
"In the records there was some talk about when the Ambrosial Arbor was first granted, alchemists in the Alchemy Commission held tremendous influence.
Utilizing the power of the Arbor they were able to manipulate the weather, make unthinkable miracles and even bring forth never before seen creatures. But after the Arbor withered, they quickly lost that status."
Yuuto noticed the grim look Fu Xuan had and felt like there was more to the story than what she revealed.
'Great, now we have another issue to worry about. Phantylia is definitely having a field day playing around at this rate.'
Wanting to grab the head of the Emanator who liked to plot in the shadows, Yuuto lowered Sparkle who was still in his arms.
"I'm sorry but I think this is as far as I'll bring you. There are some Cloud Knights who can help you and this lady over here can make sure you're safe."
"No–! Bring me with you!!"
Yuuto could only smile awkwardly as the little alchemist he was escorting refused to let go of his arm and stubbornly whined.
He wouldn't say it out loud but it was quite fun hanging out with her but right now he needed to do something considering the changes happening behind the scenes at the moment.
"Look, I can't protect you all the time and you might get hurt in the process so it's best to stay here."
"But! I was having fun hanging out with you…" Sparkle's bangs covered her face as she looked down.
Yuuto felt odd since this scene felt like he was abandoning her and he was getting weird stares from the people around him.
Sensing that she was going to cause trouble once again if this continued, he rubbed his face.
"Stop, you're making it seem like I'm abandoning you."
"Is that not what you're going to do…?" Her tone pleading.
"If I hadn't been with you for the past hour then I would have been fooled but at least try to hide your lips from curling upwards."
He pulled on her cheeks which completely removed her atmosphere from before and Sparkle let out an innocent laugh.
"Too bad that trick doesn't work anymore! I was honestly hoping to play with you for much longer though."
"It's not really the best time right now. But maybe in the future when this situation calms down.
"Deal–! I'll hold you up to that offer!!"
As if her entire mood from before was nothing, she jumped up brightly smiling despite her small 'prank' failing to get past Yuuto.
But beneath that happy appearance, an impish glint passed through her eyes. As if a plan was already forming unknown to him.
At that moment, Yuuto asked Fu Xuan if she could help escort her to a safe spot considering his original goal.
Since he felt like if she continued to giggle in front of him any longer, she would do something even more unhinged than all her previous acts combined.
"Ah, I forgot to give you something just in case!" Just as she was about to leave, Sparkle dug into her pockets to give him an item.
"If it's another one of your pranks then I don't want it."
"No, you silly~. Think of it as a lucky charm and whenever you feel like you're in trouble then don't forget to press it!" She said while handing him a palm sized object.
It was a colourful red box decorated with flowers matching her hairpin that she usually had but on top was an ominous button holding a similar motif.
He didn't have the time to ask what it was for since Sparkle was already hopping away with a Cloud Knight. Leaving him to imagine as he inspected the 'charm' she gave in detail.
*RING*
His eyes flickered a hue of white before looking up where he stared at the sky for a while.
"Will you be following your friends or will you do something else?"
Interrupting Yuuto as he was looking up, Fu Xuan handed Yanqing one last order before he quickly made his way out.
Glancing at the button and fiddling with it one last time, he placed it into his library.
"I'll meet with them on my own. By the way, have you seen Tingyuan going with them?"
"Not necessarily. Do you need her for something?"
Yuuto paused. "It's nothing much but can I ask that you keep a close eye on her along with keeping records of what she does."
Fu Xuan felt something was off with what he said. "... Are you alluding to something?"
"I'm sure you're clever enough to piece it together."
Yuuto placed his finger to his lips in a way to keep it a secret.
Leaving her alone as his figure flickered and disappeared from her sight, Fu Xuan frowned before turning around.
The gem on her forehead let out a faint glow before pink particles gathered towards her fingertips. Welcoming the woman who attempted to see the nameless future that the annoying man was walking towards.
***
Once again detached from the large group from before, Yuuto found an isolated location and waved his hand forward.
Fragments formed and his arm turned elusive. Taking a shade of deep white that seemed to blend and mix into the background.
His hand sank into the ground before a prismatic fragment finally mixed into the space Yuuto placed his hand in. This act made him a bit weak but gradually he was getting familiar with using his partial memetic form.
"That should be at least a third done."
Letting out a sigh, he looked towards the Arbor and felt the energy surrounding the tree become thicker and he felt like any second from now. Something would finally bloom.
"I have a few more minutes but there are still a lot of things to do." Calculating a few things in his head, Yuuto's personal nature of preparation was in full effect.
Especially after learning of the things Phantylia was doing that were still mainly unknown to him, this was urging him to act faster.
Taking one last look at the spot he sunk his arm into, he moved to his next location where a medium-sized root was located and continued to sink his arm into it.
[Yuuto…]
"Yeah, I noticed them a few minutes ago."
Star who was still startled ever since the Arbor began to show some changes, finally called out to him. Yuuto who was still in the middle of his preparation, continued his act before flicking his free hand backward.
A sharp whistling passed by and the wall located just a few meters away collapsed. The bricks were sliced neatly in half, revealing the figures of three hooded strangers.
The strangers in question or more so the people who have been following him from a close distance ever since he left the camp stood in awe.
Awe not at the fact he managed to notice them but seeing such a casual wave of his hand was able to slice the wall neatly in half from that distance.
Ever since his [Core Esse] budded its first leaf, his connection to memories became even deeper. His original affinity with them was already high as it was, but now it felt like immersing himself was second nature.
Memories itself was already an enigmatic concept to understand so previously, he was only able to apply basic concepts to them.
But now it was different. Even without directly ordering them, memories seem to follow his will obediently.
Such as now, the presence of memories around him became more prominent than before and allowed him to act more freely.
Like using a new memory he used against Yanqing, [Sever].
Embodying the memory and concept of dividing by cutting and separation, he was able to use this memory and mix it into the wind he made when waving his hand.
Giving the wind a memory as if he were using his sword to 'Sever' normally.
"If you're just going to stand there, I might as well hand you over to Head Diviner Fu Xuan for suspicious activity."
Yuuto was currently occupied with his preparations but sensing that these people were going to be a bit troublesome. He felt the need to address them quickly.
"What makes you certain that you can just hand us over? You instead are most likely to face detainment due to suspicious activity during this time."
Faced with Yuuto words, one of the hooded figures stepped forward and took off his cloak to show the armor of a Cloud Knight.
The knight appeared to regain his bearings from Yuuto's previous act and was firm with his tone. Almost intimidating him with his identity.
Yuuto didn't mind considering that he was indeed suspicious of him going towards the roots of Arbor and sinking his arm into them.
Finishing his task and turning to the Cloud who looked annoyed with his attitude towards him, a second voice interrupted him just as he was about to speak.
"No need to be tense." The feminine voice talked to the knight. "I'm sure that he was just doing his part in fighting against the calamity that has befallen us."
Her voice appeared understanding but this made Yuuto narrow his eyes and looked at the woman who took her hood off.
Brown hair resting gently on her shoulder and dull coloured eyes that showed no hint of emotion despite the stiff smile on her face. Yuuto's guard was already up but now it was on high alert considering the implication of the person in front of him.
'Dan Shu? What is she doing here and more so talking to me all of a sudden?'
Yuuto didn't speak and just stared at her. Dan Shu didn't care and even if she did, she had other things that were more important to care about at the moment.
"I apologize but am I facing you? My vision is rather… limited. So if my voice seems off then I hope you have the heart to understand."
"Don't worry, I don't mind but what do you want calling me out?" Yuuto asked while thinking about her words.
On the surface, it may have appeared friendly but…
'An unrelenting person who's the head of the Sanctus Medicus showing her kind and gentle side. She is definitely planning something after seeing me alone.'
Yuuto scanned his surroundings just in case but seeing as it was only the four of them here, he looked at her with more suspicion.
'Emotions of anxiousness, nervousness, fear, and slight hope.'
This was what he felt from the woman who could be considered the head of the Sanctus but her negative emotions were way too prominent compared to the a normal person.
"Three."
While Dan Shu was thinking of what to say to his question, the other figure that came with them suddenly spoke out and Dan Shu flinched.
"...There are a lot of words I wish to say but the time is of the essence. I believe that you may have taken one of the Alchemy Commission's items and I wish to have it returned."
She continued seamlessly but her tone was a bit more hurried compared to before.
"I haven't set foot within the Alchemy Commision at all so I don't think I have the item you are look—-"
"A normal alchemist may not notice it but as the person who took part in making it, you have a distinct scent that belongs to the Starfire Poison."
"...." Yuuto could feel the shake that came from within his coat after Dan Shu changed her tone for a split second.
"I think you are mistaken."
But still, Yuuto continued to deny her claim.
"Time is up." The figure appeared to be counting down for Dan Shu spoke up after seeing that the conversation was not going anywhere.
"....I still can!!!"
"Enough. Your influence is no longer present and your use is now not important for the future we are creating."
"But the target is right here!?"
"It certainly is but…" The figure looked at Yuuto who was watching the scene of Dan Shu losing her composure. "I doubt that you can do anything to get it."
Dan Shu grit her teeth and glared at the figure before doing the same to Yuuto who was still watching the development happening right in front of him.
"It would have been wise to handle you but Mauve Moon has requested to give your last moments to him…"
Before the figure could do anything, Dan Shu made a run for it and rushed Yuuto without thinking in an attempt to catch him off guard but unfortunately he acted immediately.
A shot of mist covered Dan Shu's body and she fell to the ground wrapped in a cocoon of ice.
"Let me go! Hand me the Starfire Poison quickly before it's too late!!"
"I think it's already too late to do anything."
Yuuto said while manifesting his sword, feeling his senses screaming at him.
The figure who was now wearing his hood off showing a masculine face, muttered to himself as he took a golden apple that had a greenish tint to it from his cloak.
"May the Saint accept the offering of the one who seeks everlasting life…"
With an almost robotic chant, the man bit into the apple and grotesque branches began to move beneath his skin.
At first, it wanted to sit still but as it continued to grow, the branches pierced through the skin and the man's body began to take on the shape of a trunk.
Brown bark, skinny branches and golden leaves sprouted from the body. Before eventually rooting itself into the ground where the Arbor's branches roamed.
*RUMBLE*
"It's over…" Dan Shu muttered weakly.
***
That trailer gave us a nuclear of a lore bomb.