Chapter Fifty Eight: Detour

Vulcan sighed as Eve was escorted away. Clutching his phone tightly, he looked once more at the text message she had sent him. He thought about going to Lust and tell her about the situation, Vulcan decided to listen to Eve's orders. Vulcan headed towards the hospital to meet with Alvin.

As Vulcan made his way to the hospital, his thoughts were with concern for Eve's well being. He couldn't shake the worry, hoping that she would be alright despite the situation she had found herself in. Yet, another troubling thought lingered in his mind. He wondered the reason behind Eve's decision to consider helping Copy. It confused him to think that Eve would even entertain the idea, especially considering Copy's role in Mary's transformation into a Forbidden.

Vulcan shook his head, "Sorry, Eve, but I think I'll make the decision this time around," he muttered to himself. "Like hell we'll help Copy," he affirmed.

Vulcan suddenly heard a voice behind him, causing him to startle slightly. He found himself met with a familiar presence. "Ah, do you really believe that's the smartest choice?"

Vulcan poised himself recognizing the familiar voice. Copy's smirk confirmed his suspicions, and Vulcan went into a guarded stance. "Oops, I didn't mean to scare you," Copy remarked, amusement in his tone. "Remember me, Vulcan?"

"What are you doing here?" Vulcan demanded, as he tightened his fist, his demeanor growing more defensive.

"Don't do anything stupid," Copy's smug smirk widened. "Without your sword by your side, you're completely defenseless," he remarked with a mocking tone. "In fact, at this moment, you're little more than a fly buzzing around."

Copy's smirk faltered for a moment as he took a deeper look into Vulcan's eyes, his curiosity increased by what he saw. Copy saw a glimmer of something unexpected, a white spark that seemed to flicker with its own inner fire. "Oh, this really is interesting..." he said aloud.

"Well, to answer you, Vulcan, I'm here to stop you from making a mistake. Remember, you need Lust, don't you?" Copy moved closer, putting his hand on Vulcan's shoulder.

Vulcan's patience worn thin as Copy placed his hand on his shoulder. Without hesitation, Vulcan slapped away Copy's hand. "Or I can end you right here and now," he retorted.

Copy's smirk widened as he taunted Vulcan further, unfazed by the threat. "Ohh, that's quite the idea," he remarked, mockery in his tone. "Why don't you give it a try?" he dared Vulcan to act on his words.

Vulcan's jaw clenched as he stood silence, his gaze locked onto Copy's with intensity.

Copy shrugged, "look past that anger and make the right decision." He began to walk away, Vulcan watched him go. Though the encounter had been tense, Vulcan knew that acting on impulse would only lead to further conflict.

With a shake of his head, Vulcan pushed aside the lingering tension from the encounter with Copy and refocused his attention on his original objective. He continued his walk towards the hospital.

Finally Vulcan arrived at the hospital. As he hurried inside, he felt uncertainty. Had he made it in time? And how would he even recognize Alvin once he found him? With a frustrated sigh, Vulcan knew that he lacked vital information.

After approaching the front desk, Vulcan spoke with the receptionist. Finally, the receptionist provided him with Bard's room number. Vulcan walked through the corridors of the hospital and took an elevator.

Vulcan entered Bard's room, stepping further into the room, "Oh, you're awake, and you seem to be doing better," he said.

"I wasn't expecting another visit so soon," Bard remarked with a smile. "How are you doing, Vulcan?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Vulcan replied. "But I'm surprised that your eyes are healing already."

"Well, as luck would have it, there happens to be someone with healing magic here, though it's quite evident that their skill isn't exactly top notch," Bard said. "However," he continued, his expression thoughtful as he reflected on the healer's efforts, "despite that, I must admit that their magic is working wonders. Though it may not be fully healed just yet, it's certainly made significant progress."

"I see, well, quite a bit has happened. Here let me tell you," Vulcan began to recount the recent events.

Bard absorbed Vulcan's recounting of recent events, his expression thoughtful as he processed the information. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Vaos of the Victorious Ten is your teacher, huh?" Bard muttered, intrigue in his tone. "Well, if Vaos and The White Crusader will be here, I'm sure they'll deal with Eve's situation," he said.

However, Bard's demeanor shifted as he turned his attention to the matter of aiding the individual responsible for turning Mary into the Forbidden.

"We have no reason to help him," Bard stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. His gaze met Vulcan's, a silent agreement passing between them as they shared a mutual understanding.

"Like hell, you don't have a choice at all," Bard heard a familiar voice. The voice, though familiar, carried an intensity that demanded immediate attention.

As they looked towards the door, Vulcan and Bard were met with the sight of Professor Juno, her presence commanding attention as she stood with Alvin by her side. The professor's expression was stern.

Juno entered the room, her rabbit ears brushed against the door frame, "I'll gladly help that 'Copy'," she smirked, amusement in her tone. The gleam in her eyes showed a hint of mischief.

"Professor Juno," Bard interjected. "You don't understand the damage caused by that person. They are responsible for turning my friend into a Forbidden."

"Ehh, do you think of me that stupid, Bard?" Juno retorted, a smirk on her lips as she tilted her head slightly. "Of course I don't plan on helping him."

"Huh, what do you mean, Professor Juno?" Bard asked.

"I'm going to use him, obviously," Juno replied, making her intentions clear. "Even though he may not be a Forbidden, he still holds value. And who knows? I might even be able to get information from him about how to save your friend."

Bard's eyes widened in realization. "H-huh, you're a genius, Professor Juno," he complimented.

"No, you're just dull minded," Juno remarked with a smirk, her gaze shifting from Bard to Vulcan. "Now... You must be Vulcan, right?"

"Uhh, yeah, I'm Vulcan," replied Vulcan nervously as he addressed the president of Regione Novem.

"You're going to go talk with that 'Copy' and let him know I'll gladly help him. Tell him to come to this location on this date and time," Juno instructed. With a snap of her fingers, Alvin stepped forward and handed Vulcan a sheet of paper containing the specified details.

"And don't do something stupid like losing that paper," Juno cautioned with a smirk as she made her way towards the door. Despite the teasing undertone, there was a sense of importance in Juno's instruction.

Vulcan nodded in acknowledgment. "S-Sure, I promise I won't mess up, Professor Juno," he replied.

Juno waved her hand nonchalantly, with Alvin following behind her as they exited the room.

"Professor Juno, do you think that kid will carry out your plan?" Alvin asked, his skepticism evident in his tone.

"He has no choice, and I'm sure Bard is reinforcing the idea of following through with the plan if it means they can bring back their friend," Juno replied assuredly.

"And what do you plan once that 'Copy' is in your hands?" Alvin turned to Juno for an explanation of her intentions.

"I'm throwing him into the rift, obviously. He's going to be our little cartographer," Juno declared with a smirk.

"I should've expected as much," Alvin remarked, letting out a sigh. "Should I keep a close eye on that kid to make sure he doesn't mess up?"

"That'd be best. Track his phone number and give him a call every now and then," Juno replied nonchalantly.

"Understood, Professor Juno," Alvin acknowledged with a nod.

After spending some time speaking with Bard, Vulcan eventually made his way to the adjacent room, where Simon lay recovering from his injuries, which was more severe than Bard's. Vulcan eyes widened at the sight of Simon's condition, realizing the extent of the danger they faced. With a heavy sigh, he stepped out of the room.

Vulcan gave his goodbyes and exited the hospital, he found himself lost in thought, wondering what he should do next. Despite the reassurance of Vaos and The White Crusader's arrival. He didn't know where he'd find them. As Vulcan walked through the city streets, his mind with thoughts of today's events, he was making his way back to the hotel where Lust was staying. He planned to tell her of the current situation.

As Vulcan was walking , his eyes suddenly caught sight of two familiar figures in the distance. Without a moment's hesitation, he broke into a sprint. He closed the distance between himself and the familiar silhouettes.

Getting closer, the silhouettes came into the light; it was Vaos and The White Crusader...