Reinhard hummed thoughtfully, his light blue eyes studying both Luminous Knights with careful attention. "You guys must know where they're stationed in this area, right? After all, you seem surprised they came here. But not that they're in the Hesod Continent. You said it yourself, they came to this town, but not the continent."

He'd grasped this immediately from their reactions and words. They weren't shocked or showing genuine surprise at the existence of Chimeras in Hesod.

Their reaction had been specifically surprising at their appeal in the town, but not their presence. It was similar to how someone would react when something they already knew was inside the building had been moved to a different place.

Casseo and Veryn exchanged glances. Some unspoken communication passed between them, a conversation conducted entirely through eye contact and minute shifts in posture. Then Veryn's shoulders dropped slightly as she nodded.

"You're right, we are aware they had been Hesod… In fact, we think somehow the Chimeras have found their way into the center of the old Forerunner Kingdom deep in the forest." Casseo said, his voice measured. "More specifically, the Capital City is called Helios."

Everyone's eyes widened simultaneously, each of them displaying disbelief and shock.

Amiya's voice came out higher than normal, disbelief coloring every word. "H-How is that even possible? Shouldn't the roots have stopped them!?"

Joseph furrowed his brows, green eyes narrowing with suspicion. "How would you even know this in the first place?"

Marie nodded, tilting her platinum hair, catching the library's dim light. "From what we know, it's impossible to get to the center."

Veryn smiled and said softly. "It was all told to us by the Saint himself."

Reinhard, Marie, Amiya, Janus, and Joseph blinked in unison while Brunhilde's light blue eyes widened slightly.

"So he saw a vision where the Chimeras were moving around in Helios?" Brunhilde asked as she tilted her head.

Casseo nodded once, his black helm catching lamplight. "He said if nothing is done, there's a chance these creatures might multiply and wreak havoc not only in Hesod Continent, but make their way over to the other continents."

Everyone's expressions shifted.

Brunhilde leaned forward slightly. "Why didn't the Saint just inform the King of the Mori Empire? I'm sure Regulaus would be more than willing to help crush anything that's a threat to his empire."

Veryn's smile turned bitter. "Because politics sucks, and the Saint dislikes getting involved in it."

Brunhilde sighed deeply, understanding evident in the sound. "I see. The Saint doesn't want to be forced to make promises and compromises."

"Exactly." Veryn confirmed with a chuckle. "The Saint told us he can already see the types of promises and pressure the Empire would try to place on them... So he'd rather avoid it altogether and simply avoid contacting them."

Brunhilde nodded, her violet-blue hair swaying. "I can understand that. There are a lot of bugs that dwell in the Mori Empire that see benefit in everything and will try their best to squeeze out any value they can."

Reinhard tilted his head, studying both Luminous Knights with renewed interest. "Why are you being so forthcoming with this information? Unless it's because you want us to help you."

Veryn smiled as she nodded. "That's indeed the reason. We need those who aren't affiliated with the Empire and who care enough about Eastern Hesod to help us with our mission given by the Saint."

Casseo nodded, his blank expression never changing. "Memento Mori students aren't affiliated with the Empire, and the Seekers don't care for the Empire's words at all."

Veryn's eyes shone as she looked down at the book in her hand. "And our Saint always told us. When it comes to accomplishing a goal or mission, we must use everything we can and work with everyone that we can. It's foolish to rely on just themselves when the mission has a higher chance with the right people."

Reinhard blinked before he chuckled. "What a terrifying person… Fine, if you can take us with you when you head to the center of the forest, then we'll gladly help."

Casseo raised a brow before he nodded. "Of course. We need all the help we can get."

"What do you need help with?" Reinhard asked. "Does it have to do with you being in the library?"

Veryn nodded, turning slightly to gesture at the shelves surrounding them. "We're looking for the whereabouts of a Star Jewel."

Reinhard and the others' eyes widened.

Reinhard then slowly nodded before he asked. "What is a Star Jewel, and why are you looking for it?"

The others nodded, following his lead seamlessly.

"The Star Jewel is a special item that will allow us to push back the roots and branches that guard the way to Helios." Casseo explained.

Brunhilde tilted her head. "So the Saint needs it to get past?"

Veryn shook her head, white robe rustling with the motion. "The Saint has a means of breaking through, but the constant attacking, the spreading of spores, and the ability to make us get lost will weaken our forces by the time we reach Helios. This isn't what we want."

Amiya nodded slowly as she held her chin. "Master did mention that part when reaching the center, but does the Saint really believe he can reach there?"

"He stated he saw multiple visions of himself reaching there and the methods he needed to take." Casseo said.

Veryn sighed. "But he said each one always had him ending up there alone… Those who followed him either died or got trapped in the roots."

Brunhilde nodded. "It is a surprise that he could reach the center, but it does make sense for the others to be taken."

Amiya shivered visibly, her entire body trembling. "No wonder Master called reaching the center of the forest one of the Seekers' biggest goals. Not only because the old capital city is there, but the obstacles to reaching there are terrifying and massive."

Casseo nodded in agreement. "Which is why the Saint saw a vision of the Star Jewel when he pondered a way to bypass the roots."

Joseph held his chin and raised a brow. "And the Star Jewel can push back the roots? Did the Saint really see a vision of it pushing the roots back?"

"Saint Lucian saw a golden light and the roots moving back." Veryn confirmed. "This is why he's given us and a few others the command to search for it. And well, he's never led us astray before." She paused, then added almost casually, "He even came here himself to watch over our progress."

Reinhard and the others blinked in shock before then Marie's eyes lit up with excitement, her entire face transforming. "The Saint is here? But wait, now that I think about it, destroying the Chimeras shouldn't require him to just come along... Unless-"

Amiya's eyes lit up as understanding crashed through her. "Does Saint Lucian want to deal with the darkness of the Eastern area!?"

Veryn giggled, the sound surprisingly light, and she nodded in excitement. "Our Saint says he wants to destroy the darkness by the end of the year and has found a way. I am sorry we didn't tell you at first, Amiya. But the Saint was still talking with Ancestor Vlad, and they didn't want this information to leak."

Amiya's eyes widened before saying. "No wonder Master hasn't replied to any of my letters for the month."

While Janus's voice cracked slightly as he asked. "Is that even possible?"

Casseo shrugged his shoulders, black armor shifting. "Normally, I would be skeptical as well. But this is our Saint, and he would never lie about this."

Amiya looked down, but her eyes shined with something fierce as a grin spread across her face.

Janus clenched his fist, his orange eyes shining. "Okay, we will definitely help! If finding the jewel can help the Saint, then we will help!"

Jaune paused before looking at the others in embarrassment as he scratched the back of his neck. Reinhard, Marie, Joseph, and Brunhilde only chuckle before nodding with a smile.

Casseo and Veryn both perked up before nodding with relief and gratitude in their postures.

"Then help us look through the library or talk with the village folks about a jewel that shines gold and swirls with an ethereal golden light." Veryn said quickly.

After that, both Luminous Knights moved immediately, heading deeper into the library toward different sections. Their boots created soft sounds against wooden floors as they disappeared between shelves.

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