"Speaking of removing mara-struck affliction, the prescription we found on that person is also related to this.", Stelle blinked as she spoke, taking out the prescription they had found earlier and handing it to Bailu.
Next, checking the prescription naturally fell under Bailu's professional duties.
The Vidyadhara healer girl took the prescription and immediately examined it. Then her eyes widened slightly, and she said in surprise, "This handwriting… it's exactly the same as the one you gave me before."
As she spoke, Bailu lowered the prescription, gripping it tightly. The already worn paper was almost torn by her grip.
She glared at Banxia, her small face and even the base of her dragon horns turning a little red as she shouted loudly, "So that means you really are from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus? Hmph, Sister Banxia is a liar! A big liar!"
Her tail swished restlessly, showing just how unsettled she was.
With things having reached this point, Banxia took a deep breath. Her voice trembled slightly as she looked at Bailu with guilt and apologized in a low voice, "…Sorry, Lord Bailu.
"I really am a member of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. And that Alchemy Division doctor just now really was here to capture me."
"After the Disciples collapsed because of Lord Nero, some believers who had hoped to join but were never accepted became restless."
"To them, someone like me, a survivor who once stayed within the Disciples, is a perfect target."
"…I get what you mean, but can you not use the word 'target' like that?" Nero suddenly cut in while listening.
The boy looked slightly troubled and said in a very serious tone, "Because I don't like that phrasing. It sounds weird to me."
Banxia's words got stuck in her throat. She stared blankly at Nero, blinking, clearly not used to his rather willful way of handling things.
After a few seconds of silence, Banxia suddenly let out a breath, feeling strangely relieved. Then she spoke seriously again, "Lord Nero, Lord Bailu, and the two honored guests from the Astral Express, I hope you can believe me."
Maybe it was her situation, or maybe just her nature. Banxia's voice was like a gentle breeze brushing past everyone's ears.
"Although I once joined the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, I… never intended to harm Lord Bailu. On the contrary, by bringing her away from there, I indirectly protected her safety."
"Even though the Disciples have already fallen, you saw just now how insane those fanatics who lost control have become."
"The Alchemy Division used to be their base, and Lord Bailu is quite well-known there. To them, she is also a very suitable target."
"Even with the Dragon Masters protecting her, the minds of those fanatics can no longer be measured by normal thinking."
"And… before we came out, Lord Bailu and I made a deal. This matter must be completed. Please… I'm begging you."
Banxia seemed to be trying her best to suppress her emotions, but even so, everyone could hear a faint hint of pleading in her voice.
"Bailu, what do you think?", Nero looked at her.
Bailu sighed, sounding a bit annoyed. "Ugh. Treating injuries and illness is one thing, but you can't cure the evil in people's hearts… I thought someone really wanted to help me escape the Alchemy Division."
"That's why kids like you need to be more careful normally. You can't trust just anyone. If you're not careful, you'll get tricked," March said like an older sister lecturing her younger siblings.
Stelle listened and gave an awkward smile behind her.
In her opinion, March wasn't much better. She and Bailu were probably about the same level. Trying to lecture Nero was a bit much.
Although Nero really didn't have much awareness about being deceived, even if someone tricked him, they probably wouldn't gain anything from it. And who would even dare to trick him? Not to mention Black Cutter…
Thinking of this, Stelle suddenly paused.
'Wait… where did Black Cutter go?'
It seemed like ever since Nero woke up, that unforgettable greatsword had disappeared.
Just as Stelle was thinking this, far away from the Xianzhou, in the deep reaches of the universe, a massive meteor suddenly shattered, destroyed by an immense force.
At the same time, a black shadow shot past and then paused briefly in the starry void. That shadow was a heavy sword, plain and ancient-looking, without any patterns.
Black Cutter spun in place twice, looking left and right.
In its memory, the presence of its little master had never disappeared. But after the explosion, the Xianzhou Luofu suddenly went crazy and moved, carrying its master's aura away.
Having grown used to staying by Nero's side, Black Cutter didn't want to give up that kind of comfortable life.
Even though, technically, it would be freer without being bound to him, in reality, when it was with Nero, as long as it didn't do anything bad, it was never restricted at all. It could even sneak out and steal ice cream from other kids.
Besides, if it stayed away, it might get beaten up by the Knights of Beauty.
Leaving aside how exactly Black Cutter planned to eat ice cream, on its pursuit of the Luofu, it lost track.
That ancient ship moved way too fast when it got going. Without Nero's support, it simply couldn't catch up, leading to the current situation.
Even though it could still sense its connection to Nero, Black Cutter had no idea where it was. There was no sign of the Astral Express or the Luofu around.
"Where the hell did I end up?"
Black Cutter asked itself, but got no answer. The drifting stars around it offered no reply.
At that moment, a beautifully crafted and ornate spaceship approached. From its intricate decorations and clean, polished hull, it was clear its owner had put a lot of effort into it.
Suddenly, the hatch of the ship opened. A man with flowing red hair, clad in silver armor, with striking looks and a tall, upright posture, stood at the doorway.
His sincere gaze fell on Black Cutter. Energy from the Path of Beauty stirred around him as Argenti spoke with genuine confusion, "Black Cutter? Why are you here?"
As he spoke, Nero's smile flashed through Argenti's mind. Thinking of that child who made him exclaim "Idrila!" the very first time he saw a picture, Argenti's expression and tone turned more serious as he drew his spear.
He still remembered how he once fought Black Cutter with his awakened spear. At the time, he firmly believed that as his partner, even if influenced by a Stellaron, the spear would still stand on the side of helping others and would choose without hesitation to fight alongside him to save the suffering people of that planet.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have endured the pain while continuing to fight with him back then.
Argenti also remembered that his spear had shouted quite a few unknightly, rather vulgar curses at the time. It must have been enduring unbearable pain and could only vent its emotions that way. Truly moving.
Argenti raised his spear, its tip pointing at Black Cutter.
"Have you secretly betrayed Mr. Nero, and are you preparing to commit evil here?"