"I never expected you to understand."
"Meaningless? Is that what you think?"
"You really can't see anything."
Those words echoed throughout the darkness of unconsciousness, tormenting me.
Then, I woke up. A chandelier? Where am I? I tried to get up, but pain shot throughout my body the instant I tried to move, forcing me back down. I let out a small yelp of pain in response.
I move my eyes around the room, looking for clues as to where I was. I can feel a huge mana source nearby.
It looks like Victoria's home based off the decorations and wealthy asthetic. I also happen to be on a matress with gorgeous bedding.
"You're finally awake. You managed to suffer extensive damage to not only your body, but also your mana pool. About 76% of the damage has been repaired since your encounter with Merlow. Although, it would be wise to not use magic for a while. Also, please retrieve my biomass." Erythro was delighted to inform me.
Biomass? I failed to notice that I was now wrapped in bandages. The clothes that I had been previously wearing (Erythro) were across the room on a desk.
"Great," I sighed.
"Do not worry, if you meditate, the recovering process will be expedited."
Meditation...
I focused my efforts on mana first. I want to be able to move at the very least, so healing magic should be a top priority.
Gathering mana's difficult in my current state. Taking it in too fast, causes me to experience an irrational pain inside my body.
The process was slow, but eventually I gained the liberty to move through very weak healing magic.
My natural regeneration didn't seem to be working all too well. Although it's probably the reason I'm still alive.
I sat up from the bed and let my feet touch the floor. I stood up, took a few steps toward the desk with Erythro on it, and collapsed.
Looks like my body still needs more healing.
A short while after hitting the floor, I heard footsteps rapidly approaching the room I was in.
I could tell that one of the mana's was Victoria's, the other was that overwhelmingly large mana source.
The door to the room flung open, and I tilted my head in the direction of the door. My eyes met Victoria's. She looked pissed, but also worried.
It reminded me of the time I got into a fight at school, and my mom had to pick me up after a long day at work.
Next to Victoria was a woman of equal height. She wore an armor that covered her vitals, but also allowed her to move freely. On her waist was a fancy broadsword that almost seemed to glow...almost.
She seemed to be about my age from the condition of her skin and face, and her hair and eyes were both a peculiar golden color.
It didn't take me anytime at all to figure out that she was the source of the enourmous mana I had been feeling ever since my defeat in the streets of the capital.
Victoria gracefully walked over to me and her company followed suit.
Stopping in front of me, Victoria instructed the knight-looking woman to pick me up and throw me on the bed.
Victoria referered to her as Eva.
So anyway, Eva, oh-so gently grabbed me by my shirt with one arm and flung me on the bed. Eva seemed apathetic towards it, as she still held a neutral expression.
As one could imagine, it hurt like hell.
Victoria began bombarding me with questions. "Who did this to you?! Was it Roland?! What's this I'm hearing about the Dark Avenger?!"
I didn't get the chance to speak until Eva suggested that Victoria allow me to speak.
Eva placed her hand on Victoria's shoulder. "My lady, perhaps you should allow him to explain from the beginning."
Victoria seemed skeptical of the idea, but she eventually gave in.
(10 Minutes Later)
I told her about the slaves, about the nobles, about Merlow.
"Wait, so Roland wasn't involved?" Victoria said while rubbing her temple.
"No, I don't think so," I placated.
"This Merlow fellow is the Dark Avenger.... From the sounds of it, he's an utter nightmare for the stability of Dsor, and maybe even the world." Victoria concluded.
"Yeah, I have a feeling he's going to do something-" A sudden realization hit me.
He knows where the hideout is. Juro, Lyla, and Emilia are in danger!
I forced myself up and tried to get out of bed, Eva forced me back down.
"It would be unwise with an injured body." Eva warned.
I tried to fight against her grip, but she was too strong.
"No, you don't understand, my friends are in danger! He knows where they are!"
"And what do you intend on doing in your current state?" Eva jabbed.
"I-I..."
I stopped fighting against her and fell down on the bed. What am I supposed to do?
"Tell me their what they look like and their locations, and I'll send someone to look after them." Victoria reassured.
Tell her? But she's a noble and they're from the slums. Can I even trust her? No, what am I saying? She wouldn't have nursed and fed me if she had malicious intentions, right?
Her aura isn't ominous, so that at least tells that her heart is pure.
"They...live in the slums," I confessed.
"I figured as much," Victoria admitted.
"You knew?"
"It would only make sense. You wouldn't have encountered Merlow otherwise. Even if your friends are from the slums, their lives are just as precious as everyone elses." Victoria said as she crossed her arms.
I went on to tell her everything she needed to know.
(30 Minutes Later)
Victoria left the rooms and said something about sending her espionage team to look for them. By now, my body made a full recovery, but my mana was still a bit damaged.
There's just one minor problem. Eva's been in the corner of the room standing guard. I can't retrieve Erythro in front of her, and she definitely won't let me leave.
I cleared my throat. "Oh man! I'm feeling a lot better now, I can finally move."
Eva didn't acknowledge my comment. I quickly swung my legs out of bed, but Eva instantly appeared in front of me, blocking my means of escape.
I looked up at her, and she stared down at me.
"I'm sorry, but until you have fully recovered, you will not be leaving this room. Mistress Moon has made her instructions very clear Milo." Eva informed me in a monotone voice.
I played naive, scratched my head and laid back down. "Oh, I understand."
What was that?! I didn't even detect the envoking of any magic. That was just her base speed!
She stood over me, turning her attention to the doorway, and just staring at it.
There's no chance at me getting out of here with her on watch. I guess I'll just focus on recovering my mana for now.
I closed my eyes and began meditating more intensely. Within 10 minutes, I was back to my former glory and then some.
I opened my eyes once again, but I was shocked to see that I was face to face with Eva.
She was leaning over me gazing at my face with an slight curiosity; The first emotion I've seen her express.
"Uh-is there something you need?" I asked nervously.
Eva stood back up again. "You've seemed to recover faster than I expected. Even with magic potions, the process wouldn't have been this fast."
"Yeah?"
Merlow must've really done a number on me.
"Yes, it was quite shocking, and your mana seems especially unique. The potential inside of your vessel seems almost limitless."
"Thank you?"
"Now that you have recovered, you may leave. Please be careful from now on." Eva said as she walked out of the room.
After she left, I waited 30 seconds before doing anything, just in case.
After 30 seconds, I hopped out of the bed and went to retrieve my clothes. I grabbed them and absorbed them into my body.
"I am once again whole," Erythro said, sounding relieved.
Alright, first order of business, let's go check on the others.
I focused my energy on my hideout in the slums and leaped through space.
I almost felt relief for a moment, but that emotion was quickly replaced with panic.
There were clothes, equipment, and blood splatters strewn all over the place.
I picked up one of the sword and inspected it; there was symbol incrested in it that I had seen in Victoria's manor.
These...were the scouts she sent out. Then that means Merlow was here, and he slaughtered all of them.
I could still vaguely sense that my spatial distortion was still up. I prayed that he didn't find the others.
Running over to my distortion, I made an opening in the pocket space and entered through.
They're here! I saw all of them, Juro was even awake now.
"Took you long enough," Merlow said from beside me.
"You-"
"Shut it. Listen to me when I say this and listen good. Don't get in my way again."
"Was that a threat?"
"That was, in every sense of the word, a threat. Consider what you have to lose, as for me, I don't have much." Merlow said as he vanished.