Unlike when they first arrived here, and the government forces were only staying outside the city gates, they were now occupying a building inside.

Half of the city fell into their hands, while the clan forces lingered on the other side.

Ayen stood outside the room with the espers. Lucian was already inside the room, and Nolan was taken by Clynne.

Aside from them, Jarred and two other espers were around.

After a while, the door was opened, and Lucian appeared. His eyes were still moist as he nodded at them.

"You can enter now... Please," Lucian did not add anything, but the way he looked at Ayen showed a different kind of plea.

It was as though he also did not know what it was and only hoped they could help with Arstem’s condition.

Ayen only silently gazes at him, unable to give any kind of comfort. He could see that Lucian did not need words of assurance; he wanted something else.

The three entered the room; Jarred and the others remained outside.

Once Ayen stepped inside, an oppressive sensation quickly engulfed him. He had to pause and held onto Devion’s arm for a second.

The two espers quickly looked at him and helped him calm down.

Taking a deep breath, Ayen patted them and nodded.

"I’m fine now."

The two stared at him for a moment; only after they were convinced did they approach the bed with Ayen. The oppression increased as they went closer.

It made him wonder how Lucian could withstand that. His eyes went to the guide already standing beside the bed and noticed the blood in his clenched hand.

He realized it was not that Lucian could withstand the pressure but that he gritted his teeth and endured it.

Ayen swallowed and poked the two espers; his eyes then went to Lucian, hinting at the two. They quickly understood it. Lucian’s eyes widened slightly, and he looked at them.

A tear trickled down his face, and he bowed slightly. He did not say a word, but this was enough to show his thanks.

Ayen stood beside him and rubbed his back. The two espers began observing Arstem’s condition. Ayen’s eyes also landed on Arstem, the Commander General.

Contrary to his usual domineering figure, the man lying on the bed was filled with fresh wounds, the corruption coiling around them and preventing the wounds from healing.

To let the two espers observe them closely, the doctor removed the bandages.

"Indeed, curses." Devion’s voice resounded in the room, his eyes scrutinizing the wound.

There was no doubt that out of everyone in the room, he was the one more familiar with the curse.

"Curses?" Ayen asked, more like he was doing it for Lucian. The guide might have had questions and was unable to voice them because of fear.

"Yes. There are various curses on him."

Of course, they were not pure and were incomplete. Unlike the curse in Devion, which had a source, the curse on Arstem was like a stitched monster... a chimera of sorts.

They were mixed together without any direction in mind, and the effect might also become complex as a result. It might be lower in level than Devion’s, but it was more potent than what was on Georgina’s.

Lucian’s eyes watered again, but he suppressed the escaping sobs in his mouth with his hand. He did not know what was going on, but one thing was for sure: Arstem’s condition was not right.

Ayen glanced at Khal, who remained silent.

"So... what should we do?"

Ayen actually had an idea. But... He did not think the two would let him. This was something he also thought of after successfully guiding Devion.

However, there was a difference between the pure curse on Devion and the one in Georgina and now in Arstem. They were artificially created, and the principles of his uniqueness might not work.

They were more like curse poison than actual curses.

Devion did not speak and became lost in thought. Curses were hard to tackle, even for him.

Khal answered him this time.

"We need an antidote."

What Khal thought of was the same as Ayen.

"Antidote... how?" Ayen tilted his head.

Khal did not answer and simply stared at Ayen. Devion snapped out of his thoughts and furrowed his brows. His gaze went to Khal and then to Ayen before returning to Khal.

Ayen’s brows moved.

"Are you thinking..." The crease between Devion’s brows deepened. "No, Khal." He shook his head immediately, even before Khal answered.

Khal averted his gaze and returned to Arstem. Based on this, Khal also did not agree with what he had just thought of and already dismissed it.

Ayen stared at the two who now had different expressions. Devion was displeased with Khal for even thinking of that option. While Khal had a conflicted expression.

His gaze deepened, but Ayen did not ask them. Lucian was with them, so this was not the place to discuss it.

For a while, they continued to observe Arstem. Lucian had stopped crying, but the gloom in his eyes remained.

Khal looked at him.

"Did you guide him?"

Lucian was startled by the sudden question. He then quickly shook his head.

"I want to, but... they said to avoid contact first."

Khal understood the reasoning. No one would know if this cursed poison could affect the guide.

However, he wanted to test something.

"Why don’t you guide him?" Khal’s suggestion made the three focus on him. "Don’t worry, we’ll guard you."

Devion did not protest. Lucian looked at Ayen, who merely nodded his head. Ayen trusted Khal and knew the other would not harm a guide.

Lucian was only apprehensive for a moment, but with two SS-class espers around and him also wanting to do this, he readily agreed.

"Don’t touch the wounded area," Khal gently reminded Lucian.

Lucian nodded. His hand landed on Arstem’s left shoulder. He only needed physical contact and began guiding his esper.

The others observed him attentively; the two espers spread the mana around and put a protective barrier around Lucian. In case of any backlash, the guide would not be harmed.