The man knew nothing about the visitor and couldn't possibly know why a younger Ori was in this place. So even though Arthur left the cabinet with a heavy heart and a valuable book, he was still confused about the person he met in this place.

'Can it be a coincidence that a youth looking like Ori came to the house of an otherworldly man?' Arthur pondered as he walked back home, carrying the dreams of a lonely man from Earth.

It was a warning for Arthur, as he might end up like this. This old man was changed by this world, becoming a part of it. However, Arthur couldn't blame him for giving up because the man's words rang deeply within his heart.

'I have but one life.'

Arthur stared at the night's sky, and he remembered the figure of a cold girl that he felt 'something' toward her. He chose to give up whatever they had because he planned on returning to Earth. At that time, if Diana came with him, she would be the outsider. If he stayed here, he would be the outsider.

"What a cruel fate,"

Arthur returned to the mansion and teleported to his desk. He sat in the empty chair as he took out the book and began to read. The first page was written like a diary and an introduction.

"When I came to this world," the man wrote. "I almost died at the hands of a monster. However, I was saved by a merchant and his daughter, who has now become my dearest wife."

Arthur read the beginning of the man's journey in Alka, and it was better than Arthur's in comparison. The stakes were lower, and there were no dukes or cities, but the man faced his fair share of difficulties. The man told his story because he wanted someone to listen, and Arthur related to that sentiment.

"I have left behind my family and my children on Earth, but I want to be happy here too. I still remember them and miss them dearly, but I don't think I can resist the temptations of happiness. However, this book is to summarize my findings for anyone who needs them."

The man's words made Arthur feel choked. Did his father suffer from the same fate? An otherworldly outsider who had to choose between reuniting with his family and happier life? If he chose the latter, could Arthur forgive him for leaving them?

The man's words grew more objective, and he avoided mentioning anything personal except his experiences in the various sites he visited. He lived in Aquamia because ships visited and left it daily, and it was safer than any other city that linked him to the outside world.

For the first time, there was mention of the empire bordering Alva and Freda, Yozia Empire. The man outlined the empire's map relative to Alva and Freda as if he knew that whoever reads this book had little knowledge about this world.

'The empire is huge,' Arthur was shocked by this giant entity. However, Arthur was relieved when he learned that the empire's ruler was a peaceful one who chose to maintain a neutral position in the conflict beside them.

The Yozia Empire's great expanse of land meant that it had many sites that man could visit for research. But, unfortunately, there was no shortage of fissures in this world, as if the line separating the two worlds was crumbling. 

The man wrote about visiting the sites of fissures, but most of them were fraught with dangers, and he had to ask around them. The common factor in creating fissures was the calamities or their gates and the sites of a calamity's descent.

As Arthur read further, he began to link the dots with the Split that Miko's ancestor had enforced to separate the two worlds. It seems the calamities and the Enders are trying to negate that, meaning they might be on the same side.

The artifact that can merge the two worlds should still be in Jerano, as long as Arthur returns to Earth on time. The artifact should be a bypass for the usual process of fissures, and it might also work on the calamity gates.

'That means that their plan involves obtaining that artifact and coming to Alka? This way, they will take down the walls that the split has built and ensure that humanity suffers the wrath of calamities.' 

Arthur still had no idea what happened before the split, as if everything from that time was erased from history. However, the guardians were still known in this world, even though it was a secret back on Earth.

"Maybe that's because the guardians' descendants rule Earth, while Alka has turned into the first defense line against the calamities."

As he read further, Arthur found that there was a lot of uncertainty regarding the matter, and he needed to keep his focus on the current predicament.

Arthur closed the book and left it in his subspace for further research. After that, he went to sleep, delaying his plans to investigate the disappearance of the sea monster's child tomorrow.

***

The monster told him where the child disappeared from, and it was a lake to the south of the river that a tributary of the Lo River fed. This place was the palace where the monster lived with its child, and it was one of the few zones in Freda that was unsuitable to be inhabited.

The fact that a lord visited them made the noble residing in this area panic, and he summoned back all of his family members to properly receive their guests.

Even though Arthur wasn't someone with a proper noble title, he was still the lord of a city, and the promising man labeled Solomon's Excalibur. At the very least, the noble didn't want to disrespect him.

Arthur got out of his carriage together with Ma, who seemed confused about why they were here. Then, for a reason, Arthur said they were here to see the damage of the monster's attack.

"You should aim for perfection," Arthur said some bullshit about work ethics, and Ma took it with a grain of salt. Their carriage drove away as the two walked toward the noble's house surrounded by Arthur's new knights.

"Welcome, Lord of Hidden," the fat nobleman bowed, his sweat pouring out of his every pore. It seems that Arthur's reputation among noblemen wasn't good since he killed one of them for attacking his friend.

"I thank you greatly for receiving me, Baron of Pearls," Arthur said with a smile. "I'm sorry for my sudden visit, but I'm here to investigate the cause behind the Mernars' Breakout. I hope, for the sake of everyone, that you provide your aid. After all, we are proud citizens of Freda."

"That would be an honor, sir," the nobleman gestured for his eldest child, a handsome blonde man in his mid-twenties. "My son will accompany you to investigate the breakout and provide any assistance that you may need. I've prepared rooms especially for you esteemed."

"Thank you, Baron Henry," Arthur nodded and then greeted the rest of his family before they were led to their pavilion. The Baron of Pearls was famous among jewelers, and that made him quite wealthy for a Baron.

There were, of course, dangers folded within the man's carrier of looking for pearls in the giant lake. He lost many of his people just to make sure that the monsters did not attack the nearby villages under his protection.

"My Lord, the recent breakout has been devastating for us," the handsome young man, whose name turned out to be Randolph, began giving Arthur a summary of the events. "It came without warning, taking down several of our checkpoints in one full sweep. Yet, weirdly, the villages were left unharmed, and they only focused on occupying the river and its branches."

Arthur nodded as he followed Randolph into the pavilion, which was a luxurious work of art. Unfortunately, the knights made sure to secure the area before they allowed Arthur to take residence in this place, and it made Arthur feel embarrassed.

He knighted these men not for his protection but for the city's forces to grow. After all, he couldn't waste resources on knights who have exhausted all of their potentials.

"The place is safe, My Lord," the Mad Prince stepped forward to report, and Arthur grinned in response.

"Great job, temporary leader," he said to remind her that her position was jeopardized. After all, Arthur wanted them to strive for strength and compete against each other. The Mad Prince's expression stiffened, and she saluted before leaving Arthur and Ma with the Randolph.

The winged demi stood to the side to protect them, but Arthur found it cute that they wanted to protect him with their strength. However, this was an excellent trip to train them and motivate them to grow stronger.

"Tell me, Randolph," Arthur started with a casual smile. "Have there been any other noble visitors before the attack?"

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