Thud! Thud! Alcott stopped before the city center stairs leading up to the lord’s den.

Glowing mushrooms lit the stone stairs, making the engraving on them clear to everyone. Ancient seas, rumbling of the deep. In the first step.

Raging waves, unseen by the crow. In the tenth step.

Sailing across the unknown, he conquered the lands. In the twentieth step.

God blessed the lord and the maiden, so they never sink. On the thirtieth step.

Here lies the ancient lord of the sea and his valiant crow. In the fortieth step.

Alcott stood before the massive door, pushing it open with both hands. The inside resembled a run-down church, with a single man standing before a stone pillar with a tomb beneath it.

“Alcott Demorian, how rare it is to see your face around here.” The man said with a smile, looking back at Alcott as the candle’s fire danced.

“Rare? I guess it’s been a while since I last visited, corrupt priest.” Alcott walked forward with a smile. And the priest faced him.

“Corrupt, you say. Last I checked, I still had my powers.” The priest smiled, “My goddess allowed it,”

Alcott sat on one of the church’s chairs and rested his legs on the one ahead. “John Parrot, you never learn, do you?” Alcott smiled, “The spider queen has something in mind if she allowed you to worship the ancient sea god.”

“I know my religion better than you. Sword idiot.” The priest smiled, turning around and touching the large tomb below the pillar. It had the words Here lies the ancient lord of the seven seas: Jack Parrot and his crow, Charlotte of the Redhair.

“My ancestors were more important than you. And my blood is blessed.” He looked back at Alcott, “Why did you come to me? Got another curse up your ass?”

“Who would come to a priest turned a cult fanatic for that?” Alcott sighed, glaring at the ceiling.

“I did cure you vampirism and lycanthropy, do you remember?” The priest approached Arad, “Remember? That witch’s blood was too strong for even the priests of the capital’s church.”

“Sorry, sorry.” Alcott waved his hand, “But even you did a half-assed job.”

“A half-assed job is better than nothing. Now tell me, what brought you here?” John approached Alcott and sat facing him.

“Two girls, twins. Black hair, blue eyes, and blemish on their faces. They looked fairly young, fourteen to sixteen years.” Alcott sat straight. “They disappeared from their house close to the capital. The magic detected them here.”

John scratched his chin, “I didn’t see them in the slave market, and I’m there a lot.” ｂｎ𝚘ｖ𝚕．𝚘𝚛𝚐

“Not just the slave market. Did you see them anywhere?” Alcott looked John in the eyes, “You know something. I can feel it.”

John sighed, “You’re a sharp one.” He smiled.

“Tell me, where are they?” Alcott growled.

John sighed as he looked at the ceiling, “You know I’m not rotten to the core. Forget about the twins. You will never find them.”

Alcott scratched his chin, “They don’t want to go back.” He looked at John, “Why? I need to know.”

John blinked, “What happened? Did Scarlett share her brain with you?” He laughed, “You are right. The girls asked me not to tell anyone about them. You came here in vain. Go tell their father to ** off.”

“Can’t do that to a Marquess,” Alcott sighed, “He wants his daughters back. If it’s not me, then he would hire mercenaries or bandits.”

“Are you saying the twins should trust you rather than escape? Sadly those two girls aren’t that willing to risk it.” John stood, “But, there is something you can do for me.”

“And you would try convincing them to speak?” Alcott looked at John, smiling, “What do you want?”

“Xaviin’s son is on the loose. He threatens my position here, so I want you to find and kill him.”

“How is that supposed to help the girls trust me?”

“Xaviin’s son wants me dead, and he would go after you to avenge his father that you killed. The twins want me alive so they can escape, help get rid of him, and they might speak with you.” John leaned on his hands, “I’m sure your blood is boiling, isn’t it?”

“I indeed became a werewolf from Xaviin. But I was bitten by more people. And I would have killed him anyway because of the slave trading.” Alcott sighed, “Bastard was doing it for fun.”

“It doesn’t matter now. Xaviin’s son wants your and my head. Kill him, and I will try to get the twins to trust you.” John stood, walking forward and touching Alcott’s shoulder. “Your body can barely take it. I feel the beasts fighting inside your blood. Didn’t you ever consider giving up?”

“Give up and become a monster? Hell no,” Alcott laughed.

“You say that, but you’re the one who dabbled there first. I told you there was no glory in becoming a monster.” John sighed.

“Don’t become a monster. Only humanoids can beat monsters.” Alcott sighed, “Those were your words, and you were right. Becoming a vampire and relying on regeneration dulls the senses and weaken your skills. Becoming a werewolf ensued rage into my bones and made it harder to think calmly in a fight.”

“Exactly,” John looked at Alcott with a straight face. “Being a human, being a mortal is the key.”

“As a human, there is no second chance. I can’t afford to get him, and I can’t afford to lose control. Thanks to that, I kept honing my skills and strength.” Alcott smiled, “I wouldn’t become as skilled with the blade as I am now if I could afford to get hit.”

“The only one to break that rule was Nina. How is she doing now.” John smiled.

“Retired and enjoying her life as a guild receptionist.” Alcott replied with a smile, “You should see her. Acting like a normal girl.”

John burst laughing, “I can only remember her screaming and ripping people apart. I can’t imagine her sitting on a desk without breaking it.”

“Don’t ever forget who she was. Anger her, and you will die.” John smiled, “You can’t kill her. Remember that demon?”

“She didn’t die even though he cut her head.” Alcott sighed.

“She was about to ascend into something beyond our comprehension. What a waste of talent for her to retire.” John sighed.

“An unstoppable barbarian. She didn’t gain the title of Heracles in vain.”