"To reiterate, you are to practice the recipes in that notebook, jot down any new ones worth remembering, and prepare every meal for Leona during your stay with the monks," I explained.

Seated across from me, in the rocking carriage, was Arnold Bumblefudge.

His large frame was hunched over as if he were crammed into a carriage meant for smaller men. This was at odds with reality. While Arnold was indeed quite tall and robustly built, the carriage was hardly small. This carriage had comfortably seated my father and Micah, both of whom were of notable height, with lengthy torsos and long legs.

We had been traveling for hours through the Desolate Desert, yet he hadn't relaxed once.

We left later than I would have liked. Still, I had to purchase the Chromatic Pendant from Orla Rex, take care of setting Duncan Genuiver on his path toward taking over his rightful place as Duke of Genuiver, and most importantly, stuff Leona's stomach with sufficient food and various ingredients for Arnold to satisfy her for several months.

I gazed out at the vibrant landscape of yellows, reds, and oranges, which contrasted sharply against the brilliant blue sky.

It was an ironic twist of fate. I technically had an infinite amount of time, and yet, somehow, I felt more rushed for time with each loop.

"Ah, yes. I understand," Arnold mumbled finally, his gaze fixed on the notebook resting on his lap.

I tilted my head to one side.

Arnold was one of the people who was the most different in the future I had lived through. Sure, Fin was now far less gloomy, and Sarka was less of a mad evil genius, but Arnold took the cake on how different he currently was compared to who he would become.

In the future I had lived through, he was no douche bag. Arnold was kind, but he was cocky unlike the awkward sheep sitting across from me, hunched over and mumbling. Expertise and recognition were the ingredients that brewed the incredible and confident healing cook I knew.

"I uh… just had one question. Who is Leona?" he inquired.

I smiled.

"You'll see shortly," I replied.

With Remlend also in the carriage, sitting beside me, I decided not to expose her needlessly.

"Hut-hut!" The driver's voice rang out.

The carriage slowed, wheels crunching over fine sand.

I turned right to look out the window.

We had arrived at the familiar landmark: the two enormous red and orange cliffs standing like guardians at the gateway to the monastery's hidden road.

Apophis slithered from my left shoulder and over my right so that he could get a better look out the window. As he did so, I felt Leona move off my shoulder and hop atop my head.

~Ah, it has been a while since I last came here, Apophis hissed.

As for me, it's been but only a couple of days, Leona's voice chimed.

"Young master Luca, it appears we've arrived," Remlend said, opening the door and extending a hand.

I hadn't even noticed him leave his seat. Remlend had been sitting to my left the entire journey. He must have stepped out of the carriage through the left door, rounded to the opposite side, and now stood at the open door with his hand extended.

The perfect attendant, as always.

In Round 9, it had been Henry who offered me his hand. But I had certain plans after dropping off Leona, Arnold, and the poor children that The Alchemist had mutated. These plans required the utmost discretion, which Henry would be unable to provide. And there was no one better suited to the task than Remlend.

I accepted his hand and stepped out into the desert.

A wave of dry heat slammed into me. Mana stones regulated the carriage's climate, keeping the interior comfortably cool, but out here, the sun showed no mercy.

"Remlend, stay with the carriage. I won't be long," I said, already moving toward the narrow path between the twin cliffs.

Arnold scrambled after me without complaint.

We passed into the shade between the towering rock walls. The air grew instantly cooler, the sandstone walls drawing away the sun's heat. Light filtered in from above, throwing dappled shadows across the path.

A figure emerged up ahead—an elderly monk dressed in flowing robes the color of rust. The fabric blended so seamlessly with the cliffs around us that for a moment, he looked like part of the rock itself. His calm movement and the stillness in his expression gave him the air of a great sage.

"We don't see many visitors out here," the bald monk called out, his voice echoing gently between the stones as he walked toward us.

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~Ah, this ought to be fun. Apophis hissed with evident amusement.

I smiled faintly, already anticipating what was about to happen.

And, right on cue—

"Oh, Great One!"

The monk dropped to his knees so fast his bones might've cracked. He bowed low, forehead pressed against the earth, palms turned skyward in reverence.

Arnold shot me a panicked look, clearly under the impression that I was the "Great One."

"We knew a day would come when fate would bring you to us again," the monk continued speaking with great respect that underlined each word that he uttered. His bald head remained firmly against the ground.

~Arise, my child. Apophis replied, his tone regal and unlike the snake I was familiar with. How have you all been since I last came?

Arnold blinked. He realized the snake on my shoulder was the one speaking, and his confusion bloomed into full realization—or perhaps more nuanced confusion.

"The cenobium has fared well, Great One," the monk said, rising to his feet and brushing sand from his knees. "We now house nearly two hundred monks, each striving toward enlightenment."

~Wonderful. I have brought you several lambs: one whose mind needs urgent stabilization, and another who possesses the gift of culinary alchemy.

The monk's attention shifted, his gaze falling on Leona perched atop my head, evidently seeing her, despite the invisibility necklace.

"A phoenix," he murmured, with none of the awe that he exhibited toward Apophis. "I see why the Great One has brought this young one to us."

Arnold's brows drew together. From his perspective, the monk had just looked at me and said that.

"It's not me," I clarified for Arnold's benefit. "Leona," I added gently, "your necklace won't be of any use here. Would you mind giving it to me for now?"

Very well, human, she replied, and her warmth left my head.

A flash of heat ignited as her fiery body appeared. She fluttered down to my right hand and dropped the Stealthy Pull Tab Necklace into my open palm.

"A real phoenix—!" Arnold gasped.

Nice to know someone around me could still be surprised.

I had so many peculiar people around me that what often ought to have been quite shocking was seemingly subdued by their reactions.

Not that Arnold is in any way normal either…

The monk was already studying Arnold with quiet intensity. He had the discerning eye to understand that he was the cook, and not I.

"I see great potential," he said after a pause. "With time and training, this young man will blossom into a masterful cook." He turned and bowed again toward Apophis. "We of the cenobium appreciate you bringing him here. And the others will be most pleased to hear of your long-awaited return."

~Sadly, I cannot meet with anyone else. My time is limited. Only you shall see me today. Apophis replied.

The monk looked momentarily heartbroken, but quickly masked it with a smile of grace.

"That was presumptuous of me to hope otherwise," the monk said. "The Great One has many matters to attend to. "I am grateful to be the one blessed with your presence today."

He bowed his torso at an almost ninety-degree angle, but this time not dropping to the ground and remaining standing.

~I will return. Apophis promised, his tone continued to be high and regal. Sooner than compared to my last visit.

"We of the cenobium will continue on our path toward enlightenment," the monk said, nodding and offering a reverent smile. "And we shall prepare for your return."

~The phoenix also carries within her a dozen children. They are mutated and broken, yet alive. Their minds are fragile. I would consider it a personal favor if you would care for them.

The monk's eyes widened slightly, but his voice remained steady. "It is no favor. It would be our honor to help heal these children."

With that, the monk turned to lead the way. Arnold glanced back once at me, then followed. Leona flew after them, wings fluttering elegantly, with wisps of fire flicking and lighting the path.

I turned toward the carriage, Apophis still coiled loosely on my left shoulder.

~Thank you, he hissed softly.

Whether his gratitude was meant for the monk or for me, I wasn't sure. Maybe both.

"How long until we're ready to leave?" I asked the driver upon my return.

I glanced toward the long-legged desert striders with their bright purple and blue feathers atop their heads. They appeared to have finished drinking the water the driver provided and were currently munching on some bright green aloe vera stalks.

"Momentarily," he said. "They're just finishing their aloe. Once they've had their fill, we'll be ready."

"Good," I said, nodding in thanks.

I stepped up into the carriage once more. Remlend was already seated inside, waiting in silence like the world's most attentive statue.

"Where to next, young master?" he asked, his tone as calm as ever. "You had me pack for quite an extended journey."

"To the middle of nowhere," I replied, offering him an apologetic smile.

"It may be a bit… inconvenient," I added. "You'll be the only attending, and there won't be any people around to take shifts with you. Nor any other people to see at all. But I'll triple your salary for the duration, and make sure you have ample breaks."

[ Random Character Check in progress for Remlend Bland. ]

This may also be an opportune way to get to know the perfect attendant with the Wallflower Curse. With only Apophis and him for company, the odds of the Random Checker rolling for anyone other than them were close to none.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"What is it?" Micah clicked open the golden looking glass. "My grandmother has passed away. I'm in the midst of funeral preparations for tomorrow."

Madame Ruth Arankagul's death came earlier in this loop. Instead of having an additional six days to live, Micah's grandmother had only two extra days when compared to the original timeline.

But the timing is not ideal.

The Noble Council vote was scheduled for later today in Genise. Micah had planned to oversee the proceedings from the shadows himself, ensuring the correct results fell into place where needed. But family matters came first.

Aside from the grief over the loss of a family member, there were the practical arrangements that had to be made regarding alliances that House Arankagul had forged over the many centuries.

His mother would take over the majority of the duties, but the most critical ones in relation to the crown and the future of Adovoria were to be placed under Micah's purview.

Then Seymour's voice crackled through the glass.

"Master, I've found them," the man rasped. "The Misfortune Sisters."

Micah went still.

"Where?" he asked.

"They've set up shop in Lekar," Seymour replied.

Micah's grip on the looking glass tightened.

Lekar. The capital of the Kobar Empire.

Of all the cursed places they could have chosen, it had to be there.

"I'll depart tomorrow evening," Micah said, his voice low. "Right after the funeral proceedings and meetings end. I'll cut them short if need be."

He paused.

"We'll need to move quickly. Quietly. And it will probably be dangerous. Have three of our best fighters accompany me."

There was a pause of silence before Seymour replied, "Understood, Master."

Micah closed the looking glass and exhaled slowly, gazing up at the ceiling of the Arkangul villa's entryway.

He was venturing into dangerous waters, and he knew it, all to hear a misfortune he wasn't even sure would be of any benefit now.

But if those two went there of all places, all the more reason that I must seek them out.

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