"Do you know the reason for it?" Arthur asked, intrigued by the idea. "Is there an artifact or a potion or..."
"Power can be lent, but never given." Dia recited. "The power parents give to their children is even absolute because there are traits to connect them. A medium makes the Bloodline Order powerful."
"What can this Order do, My Lady?" Arthur asked, humble. He sought to remind her that he was on her side, making sure that she wouldn't hesitate to tell him things.
"The power given can be used to injure the receiver, thus demanding obedience. Bloodline Order can control the receiver's body to certain limits." Dia said. "Let's begin today's session as well." Dia reached out with her hand.
"Yes, My Lady." Arthur nodded with a smile and took her arm. "Let me show you how to control the herb." He said as a plan started forming in his mind.
***
The night crept upon the mansion and the darkest hour of the day arrived. The city went from dull stillness to a lively festive mode. Dancers took the streets as musicians played their finest melodies.
Arthur returned to his room after finishing his session with Dia, but he had no plans to sit around. He focused on his arm until a light appeared on it.
Fifteen minutes later, the butler arrived. Like always, a gray bubble surrounded them. He seemed confused as to why Arthur had called him.
"I need to go to the library," Arthur said. "If there's a restricted section, I want access to it."
"You're asking for too much." The Lizardman, which his name turned out to be Rinzo, frowned. "The library is heavily guarded and only a select few have access to it." Rinzo shook his head.
"Tell me the list of people who can," Arthur said after a few minutes. "I'll try to do something on my own."
"Duke Zenos, Princess Dia, Madam Lin Ro, and Witch Gala." Rinzo listed. "However, all of them are loyal to the Phoenix House. They would never grant you access to the library."
"Even Witch Gala?" Arthur frowned. He never got the vibe of loyalty from the witch. "What binds her to the duke?"
"I overheard a few things," Rinzo said while he gathered his thoughts. "It seems she's after the Phoenix's unique ability, rebirth."
"Does that even exist?" Arthur was doubtful. "Even if they were descendants of the Phoenix, such a thing is absurd."
"It is," Rinzo nodded. "However, the witch seemed interested in this concept. Even if she's not as loyal to the Duke, she should be loyal to her goals."
"Unless there is some proof that such a thing is possible, I doubt she would waste her time here." Arthur nodded. "Thank you, send word to King Solomon that I'll follow his commands." Arthur smiled. "And that I can't wait to meet him." Arthur's eyes shone a golden light.
The butler left afterward and left Arthur to his bidding. Sitting on his bed, Arthur opened his legacy and found that he had 11 Legacy Points left. These were his only strength at the moment.
He opened the inheritance and looked through the items. He finally found what he was looking for, priced at 3 Legacy Point. For something that can only be used once, this was quite expensive.
'Still, it's an item of legends. I'm not even sure this can be obtained through normal means anymore.' Arthur bought the item and left his room.
He went toward the workshop Gala used and knocked on the door. There were strange noises inside but they ceased as the door opened.
"Yes?" Gala looked at him with curiosity. "Coming to a lady's room so late at night, people would say you're up to something."
"This is your workshop; I expected that I would find you here." Arthur placed his only hand in his pocket. "I have an offer."
"You're quite lively for a slave." Gala smiled and licked her lips. "And daring." She squinted her eyes.
"It's something that would help you." Arthur didn't back down. "Let me in, and I would tell you what it is."
"Fine," Gala said after a pause. "But if I don't like the offer, I might just eat you." She licked her lips and Arthur's brows twitched.
He walked inside and found that the room reeked of herbs. A smile appeared on his face because he confirmed Gala's goal. She walked ahead of him and sat in her chair, placing one of her white and smooth legs on the other.
"Spit out then, what is it?" Gala placed her chin on her hand.
"How old are you?" Arthur asked bluntly and all the candles in the room were extinguished at the same time. The violet gem shone brightly to reveal only Gala's ancient eyes.
"That's a rude question to ask." Her voice had an edge to it. "Are you sure you don't want to kowtow for your life?" She was oozing with killing intent.
"I know what you want." Arthur didn't bow down. "Your mortal body is dying, but your spirit body is still powerful. You want a new container because this one is aging rapidly, reaching its expiry date."
"Famous last words." Gala rose from her chair. "I may not kill you, but you don't need those legs."
"I have something that can give you one more year of youthfulness," Arthur revealed, making Gala pause. She looked at him from head to toe in suspicion. "I'm the Seika La Vega, loved by Living Beings."
"That doesn't mean your powers can help me." Gala refuted. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you were trying to harm me."
"For what exactly?" Arthur shrugged. "We have a deal. You gave me a month because you knew you couldn't last longer than that. The Phoenix's stories of rebirth proved nothing but folktales, so you're seeking the Seika who performed a miracle as a last resort."
"Why are you so sure of this?"
'Because I can sense your existence,' Arthur stared at her silently. 'As ancient as a thousand years old tree.' But he couldn't say this.
"I'm the Seika, so I can tell that you're not as young as you seem." Arthur fed her some lies that she couldn't possibly refute. "Now, tell me. Do you want to live in dignity for another year?"
"As for our earlier deal?" Gala sat down, brooding. "This is only a temporary solution."
"I guess you don't want to die." Arthur smiled. "You need to be killed so that you can live."
"..." Gala was silent. "Who are you?" She looked at Arthur as if he was an otherworldly being, which he was.
"I am the One-Armed Seika." Arthur took out the item he bought from his legacy. "And I'm the gardener who will give you back your youth."
The tear-shaped droplet floated above his hand, radiating youth and life energy. Gala snapped her eyes open and rushed to grab the tear, but a barrier blocked her.
"You can't use it unless I allow it." Arthur smiled at her. "This barrier is far stronger than the one the herb has." The reason being it was created by his legacy.
"I can just kill you and take it."
"The barrier would still stand. As you said, it's only a temporary solution. Would you risk dying in a year without me to save you again?"
"..." Gala glared at him in both greed and cautiousness. She sat back down on her chair as she looked at the tear longingly. "What do you want?"
"Something very cheap, your access to the restricted section of the library." Arthur raised the tear. "This Phoenix's Tear will be yours if you do that. I will also need a few things from your workshop." This was a genuine tear of a phoenix, unlike the material he used to inscribe the Ancient Armor.
"Phoenix's Tear?" Gala's eyes widened. "How did you manage to..."
"Unimportant." Arthur placed the tear away. "What's important is that you need it. What's your answer?"
"Fine. The restricted section is useless to me anyway. However, you would need to use an artifact to sneak in."
"I can't use any mana."
"Seriously?" Gala sighed in exasperation. "Fine, take Vero with you." She waved her finger and a black light shot from it and flew in circles. "He would hide you if you ask nicely." She smiled as she patted the orb of light.
Arthur saw an emotion he never thought he would see in Gala: Affection. The light enlarged to surround Gala and she disappeared. She then reappeared and the black light flew toward Arthur and hovered above his shoulder before blending into the darkness and disappearing.
"Spirits are convenient," Arthur muttered. "I never thought such creatures can be tamed."
"Not tamed." Gala frowned. "But contracted. It's an equal contract of coexistence." She then gave a playful smile. "Don't worry, you'll get a contract with a spirit yourself in a few months."
"And you'll get your youth back in a few days." Arthur smiled as things started going as he planned.