Aria entered the room carrying food. She found Hades and Spring lying on the bed, both looking deep in thought.
"Do you remember everything now?" Aria asked as she placed the food on the table.
Hades immediately looked away.
"You already know that we remember everything. You can read our minds, after all," he said.
Aria smiled faintly before sitting down at the edge of the bed.
"Hades… I know you're a good vampire. Wasn't the reason you pretended to be Spring's older brother because you wanted to protect him?"
Hades had once been a knight serving Spring's family. He had no family of his own anymore. When he was still young, his elder brother had slaughtered their entire clan. After growing up, Hades eventually killed his brother to avenge the deaths of his family.
For many years, he served the Seasons. Before Lord Randolf died, he entrusted Hades with one final mission—to pretend to be Spring's eldest brother because many vampires would eventually try to take his life.
Spring was Lord Randolf's only child. Because the Seasons had been accused of betraying Aznar, the entire clan was hunted down by the kingdom.
They were forced to flee and live in hiding. Years later, they returned to Aznar, with Hades now assuming the identity of a member of the Seasons.
But there was no secret that could remain hidden from Aria. She knew every secret the vampires carried in their hearts.
"But everyone hates our clan now," Spring said bitterly.
Aria turned toward him.
"Spring… if they choose to judge you, then let them. But us? We won't," Aria said firmly. "You were only manipulated by the minister who betrayed the kingdom. What happened to Autumn and her siblings back then was also his doing. He was the one who orchestrated everything, and that became the reason the vampire citizens turned against your clan."
Hades suddenly reached for Aria's hand. "Lady Aria… I'm begging you. Spring is the only Seasons left living in Aznar. He no longer have relatives. Please… restore Spring's rank and honor."
"Hades, we never stripped Spring of his title," Aria replied calmly. "He is still a Marquis. He is still a noble. He remains a member of the royal aristocracy."
Spring's eyes widened. "R-Really?"
"Yes. So help us defeat the Mirce Lorde. Once we do, we can finally put an end to all of this," she said.
"You have our word. We will help you," Hades said firmly. "What he did was unforgivable. He used our family for his own twisted plans."
Aria smiled once more. "Thank you."
.
.
"So you're saying Hades and Spring aren't actually siblings?" Sagittarius asked, still trying to process everything.
"No. I came from the Sanders family," Hades explained.
"And Spring is the only child of Lord Randolf," Xerxes added.
"That is correct," Spring lowered her head. "I also want to apologize. We caused trouble in the kingdom and even attacked you. We didn't know what we were doing… We were under the Mirce Lorde's control."
"What matters is that you managed to break free from his influence," Titus said. "Besides, the Mirce Lorde is nothing compared to the evil of Leviathan."
"Titus is right," Viel said seriously. "Leviathan even used his own son for his schemes."
Akuma placed a reassuring hand on Viel's shoulder.
"We need to find Xylon," Aria said. "We have no idea when the Querons will launch another attack."
"Aria is right," Cedrick agreed. "We should leave now. I'm certain they're already nearby."
.
.
Meanwhile, Tresvain and the Querons had already reached the Third District on horseback.
"They're no longer here!" Tresvain shouted as he scanned the area. "Hurry! We're heading to the Fourth District!"
He kicked his horse into a gallop.
The Querons immediately followed, their horses thundering behind him as they raced toward the next district.
.
.
.
Sheen had been walking for what felt like hours, yet he still couldn't find Hades and Spring.
"Damn it… I think I'm lost," he muttered.
He was deep inside the forest now, and he had the unsettling feeling that he had been walking in circles.
"Something's wrong," he added.
A thick fog surrounded the path ahead, making it almost impossible to see more than a few feet in front of him.
Then a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
The Vampire King's power… Illusion!
Sheen immediately drew his dagger and slashed his own arm.
If he really was trapped inside an illusion, he needed to find a way out—and he was willing to do whatever it took.
.
.
Xylon and the others had been watching Sheen for quite some time. From their position, they could see him endlessly wandering through the Fifth District, walking in circles without realizing it.
Xylon had created the illusion specifically to study Sheen and uncover his true identity.
"As far as I know, he's Ra Sheen," Lucas explained. "He came from the Third District, which is well known for its medical knowledge. Sheen is famous for using his powers to spread epidemics and create severe diseases that only he can cure. However, he's also capable of treating unusual and otherwise incurable illnesses."
"Sounds like you know him pretty well, Lucas," Heberlin remarked.
"I met him once when he visited the witches' town. I was looking for a potion for a new spell I was studying when I saw him there. He was also buying several witch-made medicines."
"Why is he working under the Mirce Lorde?" Zake asked.
"Because he's under the Mirce Lorde's control, he doesn't remember his true identity," Lilith explained.
"If that's the case, then he's innocent," Xylon said.
"So we're not going to hurt him?" Xenon asked.
"As long as we can avoid it, we won't hurt or kill him," Xylon replied firmly.
"Then I'll just strip him of his powers. That way, we won't have to worry about dealing with him," Heberlin said.
Blake immediately frowned. "That's harsh, bro. You know that once you take someone's powers away, they can't always be restored."
"So what are we supposed to do?" Heberlin asked.
Before anyone could answer, they all turned their attention back to Sheen.
The moment they saw him cut himself with his dagger, their expressions changed.
"Tsk. Looks like he figured out that he's trapped inside my illusion," Xylon said.
They immediately straightened.
"Everyone, get ready."
.
.
.
Lycan had been noticing Ira's silence for quite some time.
"Ira… you seem anxious. Is something wrong?" he asked worriedly.
"Lycan… do you believe that someone who's kind can also become evil?" Ira suddenly asked.
"Huh? Can that really happen?" Lycan asked.
"I used to think that if you were a good person, you wouldn't be capable of committing a sin…" Ira continued.
"Wait. I don't understand what you're trying to say," Lycan said.
"Do you believe in a Neutral Druid?" Ira said.
"A Neutral Druid?" Lycan furrowed his brows.
"Yes. They say that every person has two sides—the good side and the bad side. When a good person does something evil, they say it's simply part of being human…" Ira paused, his expression becoming more serious. "But if you have a Neutral Druid within your body, then it is considered a curse."
"What exactly is a Neutral Druid?" Lycan asked again.
"Neutral Druid is what most people call our balanced self. They believe it exists between our good and bad sides," Ira lowered his gaze. "But they're wrong."
Lycan stared at him.
"The Neutral Druid is actually far more dangerous than the bad side of a person. The moment your heart becomes filled with anger and hatred, the Neutral Druid begins to awaken. As long as that anger remains inside you, it will continue living within your body. It will grow stronger and stronger…" Ira's voice became quieter. "Until eventually, it takes control of your body completely."
When evil forces triumph and shatter the natural balance, a neutral druid's reaction often drives them to extremes. Instead of giving up, their neutrality warps into a dark, twisted version of itself.
Lycan stared at Ira in silence.
There was something behind his words.
Something he was desperately trying to tell him.
"Having a Neutral Druid is a curse," Ira added.
"Why are you telling me all this?" Lycan asked. "Do you have one—"
He couldn't finish his sentence.
Suddenly, Ira's body weakened.
"Ira!"
Lycan quickly reached out to him as he began to lose his strength.