Chapter 581 - 528: Choose (1/2)
For some time, words got stuck in Arthur's throat as he stared at the black-robed old man gazing back at him. The Dark Magic lingering in the area, which his body was strongly reacting to, was proof that this was not a mere hallucination.
”Z-Zodiak?”
The old man flashed a smile as he walked toward the dumbstruck parasite, his wrinkled face having an unusual serenity.
”We meet at last, Arthur.”
”W-what… how are you…”
He couldn't even ask a proper question due to the shock. He never expected to see a dead person here, much less Zodiak himself, in the flesh.
”I'm sure you're confused but before we begin, can you give me back something?”
The old man stretched his hand then continued:
”Sol'khin's cane, which you found near my corpse back on Astria. Please give it back.”
Arthur's mouth opened and closed a few times, not knowing what to do or say in this kind of ridiculous situation.
”This is a matter of utmost urgency, Arthur.”
Surprisingly, the parasite took out the creepy-looking cane and handed it to Zodiak, who inspected it then covered it with his Dark Magic, changing its color and causing it to pulsate with an ominous black light.
After dealing with the cane, Zodiak sighed and spoke again:
”I'm well aware that you kept some of my memories. Don't you think this place is a bit familiar?”
He turned around and pointed at the cindered rubble and broken down shack. Just as Zodiak said, Arthur's mind drifted to the faraway past, vivid images flashed inside his head. The shack was put on fire by a young and frail-looking boy, who, after doing the deed, left without ever looking back.
”This is your home? So this means that the whole city is also part of the past?”
”Yes. I have to say that Wolfram is highly skillful. To be able to recreate everything perfectly… it certainly isn't easy.”
Arthur kept a short silence before talking again:
”Wait… the person whom Lucy is met was you? You're with Forne with and the rest.”
Zodiak didn't deny anything, he just nodded his head while explaining.
”Indeed, I've entered the tower to end thing once for all.”
”End? As far as I know, Sol'khin is Leiu's problem.”
”You see, Arthur, when your brother was invaded by Timos' child, I was there. When the previous Death was killed, it jumped from the victim to the perpetrator. It was all a plan orchestrated by the Nameless Knight and Death to contain the monster.”
”Why does it have to be Leiu?”
”Because he's strong enough to contain Sol'khin. If it were any other person, they would have been completely controlled by him and the world would've been destroyed.”
”And how are you related to any of this?”
”How do you think Sol'khin became this strong? It's not just because he's the Black Devil's child. When the Dark Magic consumed my world, Sol'khin happened to be present and managed to devour the remnants, gaining some of my and your powers, hence his ability to possess hosts. In other words, it's my fault and I do not intend to rest until he's put down… even if it means killing your brother.”