'Scrolls... Check. Weapons for training... Check. Potions and Antidotes... Check. The books I prepared for him... Check...'
For the fourth time, Nia scrolled through her Inventory to make she had everything she needed.
Or rather, everything he would need.
"This is happening way more often than I would like it to." She said suddenly.
Arani chuckled, her back against the wide open door.
"Preparing so meticously. I have to take notes since my Candidate will make it out soon too."
"Then take notes mentally."
The intruder stayed silent for a bit.
"You really think he's going to make it out? Despite having to fight that... What was his name again? The newcomer."
"Raven is there to make sure it goes well."
"Bfahahaha! Raven?! That's your insurance? Raven?"
Nia let go of the written list in her hands.
"You previously said that I wasn't the most trustworthy. If you think that of me, I can't see how you would believe that Raven would do as he was told." Arani added.
"He requested it. He wanted to be the Candidate's Guide for half of the way. The Master accepted. And since the Master himself accepted that request-"
"Yeah, yeah. But I'm asking what you think."
Nia stayed silent for a moment, before starting to fill up her Inventory with various Items once more.
"I think it will take them three weeks to get to where I will be waiting. It will take three weeks if they take the route I recommended, which would allow the Candidate to try his hands at various Dungeons and get stronger."
Arani stared with doubtful eyes, and Nia massaged her forehead for a bit.
"If Raven just wants to be done with it as fast as possible, it will take a week for the Candidate to get there."
"One to three weeks then, huh?"
"No. It'll be one or three weeks."
"Mmmm. Puts you in a tough position then."
"Not really."
"Right. Forgot you were so diligent. I assume you'll be there in a week and, at worst, wait there for an additional two?"
"At best you mean."
"Right... Right. The Candidate's growth comes first."
They stayed silent as Nia arranged some more Items.
"I would've liked the ability to contact Raven though."
Arani's lips curled up. She seemed glad that Nia was initiating conversation.
"Can't you ask Shamah about that?"
"The Connector? No. Raven isn't a General. He's not even part of our Army so..."
"Oh yeah. Forgot about that since he's always around. Mmm... I kind of miss him already."
"Same situation as... Zephyr," Nia didn't want to use that Name since he had thrown it away, but she didn't have a different way of referring to him for now. "The Connector can tell whether they're still alive or have died, but not more than that."
"That's annoying. Hope it'll go well though..." Arani muttered as she walked away.
"Yes. I hope it will."
***
"You can't hate it that much. I did heal her after all."
Mark remained silent.
"Just hoping you'll get used to your Titles more. Having Underlings fighting with you seems to hinder your ability to-"
"Just... Save it. Please." Mark interrupted.
Raven smiled.
To be interrupted by such a weak being.
Behind that smile, repressed anger Mark had no idea of.
"Unfortunate that I'm leaving on such a sad note but..." From one moment to the next, Raven stood next to one of the holes through the Boss Room's walls. "See you when you make it to Pride with Draconia. I'll give them back to you there. Until then, think of it as... Insurance? See ya, Potential Demon King Candidate!"
Raven entered one of the holes in the wall.
One of two holes deep enough to resemble tunnels.
One was made by Zephyr as he entered the Boss Room.
The other...
"Just..."
"Just what?" Raven turned around.
"You're taking them but..."
"But what? Get on with it."
Gulp-
"Take care of them."
With narrow eyes, Raven stared at the Monster in front of him.
He took a couple of steps out of the tunnel-like hole.
"For a Monster, you act very... Not monstrous at times."
An ambiguous tone.
It was unclear whether the Vampire Lord considered that a positive or negative thing.
Mark stayed silent.
"Right. That's the problem. We'll start by fixing that." Raven said after a bit.
"Fixing what?"
"Icar."
"Huh?"
"I name you Icar. Seems appropriate, doesn't it? A new World, a new life, a new Name."
Mark's eyes narrowed.
"What makes you think you're worthy of giving me a name?" He asked.
Words he had been told some time earlier.
"Haha." Raven chuckled at how ridiculous the question sounded. "I have more than enough strength to be worthy of that. It's a good name, trust me."
"Why would I trust you?"
"You switch up that fast, huh? Then... Mmm... What was it Zephyr said?" Raven showed a terrible smile. "The weak has no choice but to trust the strong?"
Mark didn't say an additional word.
He remained unmoving, his eyes running away from Raven's gaze.
"Mm. So strength isn't enough for you to accept a Name, huh? Then what is it you need?"
Raven thought for a bit.
"You would take a Name from something like that kitty cat, wouldn't you?" He asked as he stared at the Moonlit Feline, barely visible as it peeked through a hole in the Boss Room.
The next second, it disappeared from Raven's field of vision.
Mark put himself between the two.
And he didn't run away from the Vampire Lord's gaze.
But it was still a gaze too heavy for him to hold comfortably.
Mark's thigh started shaking.
He tried to ignore it.
Raven slowly moved his gaze towards that rembling thigh.
He wanted Mark to be aware of his own weakness.
Raven wanted him to be aware of the fact that he was shaking.
Of the fact he, himself, had noticed the shaking.
"Oh, come on. You really distrust me that much?" Raven took a step. "Don't forget who you're talking to again."
Before the next words could even reach Mark, Raven had already disappeared.
"Make sure you find Draconia, dear little Icar. She'll be waiting. No matter how long it takes you to get there, you'll find her."
He was left there. Standing alone. His legs trembling.
