Yuulvan looked at the boratory door. It was the next day, and he knew that he had to ask Zoemie for permission to bring his student and likely cursed people for studying magic spells to cure its effects.

  While he could ask ter, he was starting to run out of time here. This would likely his st major achievements in this dungeon before he had to leave for the Demon Realm. Which was still quite impressive in and of itself.

  Worst case scenario, he would simply teleport to Hreijinda directly and work with her, but if he could get the resources of this dungeon to assist, he would greatly appreciate it. Knowing this did a lot to soothe any anxiety he may have felt.

  But in order to maximize his chances, he needed to get as much information as he could. So, he was going to ask Xajymzia if she had any insight while Zoemie still slept. After all, for all the time he had spent here, he still was a guest. He knocked on the door, and answered.

  "Ah, hello.", Yuulvan said as he greeted Xajymzia, the maid answering with a nod. "A moment of your time ? There is something I would like to discuss.", he continued, and the maid nodded.

  Xajymzia acknowledged with a nod as Yuulvan finished expining. "I see...". She folded her arms and id herself back a bit, closing her eyes a little. "I would not be against participating in this endeavor personally, but as you accurately stated, Zoemie will be a little trickier to persuade."

  She opened them again. "I think I can give you two pieces of advice.". Yuulvan nodded. "Wait for her to be done with her general daily routine, and don't pressure her for an immediate answer. It'll take her a while to come around."

  "So you do think it is possible.", Yuulvan said.

  "Yes.", Xajymzia answered. Her messaging system had a notification at that moment. Oddly enough, it was not a real message, more of an impression. That Xajymzia was going to want this spell ter. She was pnning on involving herself anyway, just in case, but the confirmation was appreciated.

  She composed her answer to the message while Yuulvan left the room, calm. He was clearly mulling over his approach to things. Who are you ?, she messaged back instead, using her messaging system's ability to copy the sender's information even without knowing them.

  The answer was once again a vague feeling. But this one Xajymzia could mostly transte. We will meet ter. Whoever it was was neither in her memory banks, nor her memory unit, but Xajymzia couldn't shake there was something she was missing.

  She shrugged, and returned to working on the portal. Everything in its own time.

  Zoemie woke up from her bed feeling kind of calm. She shook her head and teleported to the kitchen, eating her breakfast and finishing the subsequent routine.

  She opened up her computer afterwards and gamed for a bit. Okay, that's done. This will make the thing actually doable. "Man, I don't know what they screwed up with the formu, but it was certainly easier in the first game." At least I think it's a formu ? I'm pretty sure. That info would've been datamined otherwise.

  After being satisfied with her progress, she teleported to the bathroom, taking her bath and dressing herself, before teleporting back to her room, unsure of what to py. Normally she thought about it during her bath, but this time there had been nothing conclusive.

  She considered what to do for a while before she noticed the old man moving to the meeting room. Huh. "Wonder what he wants to talk about." She lifted herself, grabbed her mask, and teleported to the meeting room as well.

  She entered the room, sitting down as the old man entered after a short bit, sitting down as well. "Something the matter ?", Zoemie asked, and he nodded.

  "Yes. I've more or less stalled on the fertilizer research at this point, and for my radiation research, I need your help.", he expined, Zoemie raising an eyebrow.

  "Why ?" I'm not a researcher or a radiation physicist...

  "I need to design a spell to cure victims of 2-7-4, and for that I need victims of 2-7-4. Before you ask, I'm not going to ask you to serve as a test subject.". Phew.

  "Spooked me there for a second.", Zoemie said. "Thought I was gonna have to get irradiated or something."

  "I'd never have anyone do that if I can help it.", the old man, shaking his head. "But my student in the North, Hreijinda, is responsible for a sickhouse dedicated to people who wander into contaminated ground. There's a rge amount of it from her ancestor's time."

  "Wonder how the pce is still even dangerous though.", Zoemie wondered out loud. "Magic, most likely." The old man emitted a snort of clear amusement, before shaking his head, refocusing.

  "So, what I want from you is your permission to bring Hreijinda and the victims in her care here so we can work out a cure.", he expined. Hmmm... Zoemie considered. First things first...

  "Neth once told me it's always easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. So least I can do is acknowledge that you actually took the time of asking me instead of going on ahead.", Zoemie started. She folded her arms. "Can't... I take it there's a reason you can't simply teleport to your student and work in her sickhouse."

  "Strictly speaking, I could, but doing it here is safer, faster, and Xajymzia's assistance would be welcome.", he expined. Not quite what I expected, but... yeah, I guess that makes sense.

  Zoemie took a breath. I'm not against it in a vaccuum, but... "We're going to need to deal with a lot of sick people... I'll probably need to add an hospital wing..." Not in the main area, though. I'll connect it to the cave. "A problem I have, though, is..."

  She turned to face the old man properly. "I don't want to heal someone just for that person to start engaging in awful shit. I don't want to help someone and for that person to be a rapist or a serial killer or a scammer or who know what else."

  "Bad people are responsible for the harm they inflict.", the old man said, Zoemie raising an eyebrow. "If someone we heal with this spell decides to engage in viliny, it would absolutely not your fault, and whoever tells you otherwise or tries to take you to task for it would in the wrong as well."

  The old man took a deep breath, before he started talking. "This spell isn't be merely for the people in this sickhouse. It is for far, far more people. Northerners, Xvodanians, Ijianians, Demons, Umdoranz... it is for them all.", the old man expined, Zoemie shivering. His voice was calm, but the sheer depth of his will was a palpable thing.

  She had known that the old man cared, but hadn't realized to what degree until that moment. "Someone who would single out an assistant to the development of the spell, as guilty of all the sins the healed would commit ?", the old man continued. His eyes narrowed. "I can best sum that person up in a single word. An asshole."

  "You're not, like... wrong, but facts of the matter is that I still enabled them.", Zoemie said in turn.

  "At the same time that is merely a part of the facts.", the old man answered, calmly. "I understand your concern, but I do also think that many of the sick people could just as easily do nothing particur in their lives, or even great heroism out of a sense of gratitude for their second chance."

  "Gratitude, huh ?" Zoemie folded her arms. "...People where I'm from don't do gratitude. Almost never saw it happen." She closed her eyes. "Thing is, you did fight for me when Rickard showed up. Put your life on the line, and I can't just ignore that. I don't like being an ungrateful bitch..."

  But then again no matter what I do that spell will exist. And that's a good thing, right ? What he was talking about before, how it's for everyone. Zoemie folded her arms. He's not wrong about any of it...

  "Take your time.", the old man said. Zoemie took a deep breath. Xaj wants to work on that spell, it's better to have it and not need it... Zoemie shivered in anxiety. It's really not that hard, it is ? But that's what they always said...

  Difference here is that I'm not being forced into doing stupid bullshit, at least not by assholes who hate me. Zoemie opened her eyes again. I've got two options. I'm not a big fan of either, but one's clearly better here. "...I'll have an hospital wing ready by tomorrow.", Zoemie said. "Probably won't involve myself further. I'm... not good at research. Maybe I'll show up ? Don't count on it."

  The old man smiled. "And you have my sincere gratitude in turn. I mean it."

  Zoemie closed her eyes again, and nodded, before teleporting to the cave.

  Zoemie created a building within the cave. Well, "building" was a strong term, it was simply two rows of sterilized hospital rooms with a sterilized corridor connecting them together.

  She hadn't known how many to expect, so she had put 50 on either side. It was pretty rge, but then again there was nothing else in that location and she had no other use for it.

  Zoemie swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth. Everything about doing this felt wrong. She couldn't shake the feeling she was making an horrible, horrible mistake. But she did owe the old man one, and she wouldn't go back on her word. That would just be mean.

  She was broken out of her concentration by Xajymzia's heavy steps behind her. "Hey.", Zoemie said, not turning her head.

  "You seem troubled.", Xajymzia answered, and Zoemie sighed.

  "...I don't know if this is really the right thing to do.", Zoemie said. "It's just... I'm worried, you know ? What if I end up having to go on a rampage or kill people I helped because turns out they were assholes ? ...I'm sick and tired of killing people."

  "We could spend hours upon hours simply talking about all the countless ways everything can go horribly wrong.", Xajymzia answered after a short while. "But I don't think that'll either make you feel better or really accomplish anything. We can prepare for some likely bad outcomes, but not all of them."

  "Urgh. I hate having to py by hand.", Zoemie grumbled. "...Normal people don't have to do that. They're just always right from word go and never need to change their pns." She turned to Xajymzia "Don't you have any ideas ?"

  "You could use your curses to your advantage here ?", Xajymzia guessed. "Even if I'm not exactly sure how, it's likely the best or at the very least most flexible tool at your disposal in this situation. Flexibility is most useful when you don't know what's coming up."

  "...Huh. I'll remember that st bit for my gaming. But I think you might be right. I might have to throw some curses in the hospital, or something like that... I'll think about it. Gotta be a simple, easy and effective solution. There always is.", Zoemie said, more to herself as she closed her eyes and returned to work.

  Yuulvan moved around his quarters. He had a few things to prepare, after all. While he couldn't design the spell on his own, he could at the very least have a slight headstart on things. But he didn't expect that part to take that long.

  He could sense the dungeon moving and shifting, but decided to stay out of it. He was asking for a lot, and he had no intention of pushing Zoemie's patience or his luck any further. Instead, Yuulvan looked through the reference books and his notes, organizing them quickly to separate information he could share freely with Hreijinda and information he couldn't.

  He had always intended to share with his student the shield and decontamination spells, but he wasn't quite willing to reveal the true nature of the "curse" even to her. He knew her well enough to know she wouldn't hold it against him, and most importantly didn't want to take any risks.

  Very few people wouldn't be able to know the secret and not attempt to use it for their own purposes. And while Hreijinda was better than that, some of the sickhouse dwellers might well not. He did not bme Zoemie for having her misgivings about it all.

  He did not know whether her anxieties were justified, but he understood they came from a sincere incertitude of what was the best course of action. If there even are any. He clearly understood that while Zoemie accepted partly because of a sense of moral obligation, it was also at least as much a question of what was the least bad option. He didn't think Zoemie owed him for his assistance against that Rickard... but he would take it.

  He did some more organizing, until he was satisfied with things. This shall work. For the rest, all he had to do was to wait. Xajymzia knocked on his door, however. "You can enter.", he answered, and she opened the door.

  "Do you want to tour the facilities ?", she asked him.

  "Are they finished already ?", Yuulvan said, raising an eyebrow. Faster than I anticipated. She did not waste her time. He found it almost fttering, if he was honest.

  "Almost.", Xajymzia answered. "There's a finishing touch to put, but Zoemie is still brainstorming it."

  "Then, let's see it.", Yuulvan said nodded as they were teleported inside a corridor.

  It was a long, mostly pale grey corridor with white light on the ceilings. The floor was of simir colors, and it was mostly functional. Aesthetics had been limited to some pale green and pale blue geometrics on empty wall parts.

  It was well lit, but not blinding, and on each side of the corridor, rooms had been assembled, each gated beyond a sliding gss door. They each contained a strange-looking bed and a variety of high-tech instruments foreign to Yuulvan.

  "Derived from Zoemie's home.", Xajymzia expined simply. "Their medical technology is extremely advanced. Medicalized beds, heart rates monitors...", she continued, pointing at each item, and quickly expining what it did if necessary.

  "Impressive. She did not spare any expenses on it.", Yuulvan said. "I'm quite frankly fttered. That's a lot of effort to put in for something that I'll only use for a few days at most."

  "Zoemie does still have her... misgivings about it, but she granted you her permission and assistance.", Xajymzia said. "She wouldn't want to do thing by half and end up, her words, "screwing everything up."."

  "Very much like her, yes." Yuulvan smiled, and then closed his eyes, frowning. "You seem conflicted about those misgivings.", he said after a bit.

  "...I am uncertain. Are her anxieties really justified, or it is simply her inner demons causing her to make mountains out of molehills ? We'll merely have to see.", Xajymzia expined.

  "You mentioned this area was missing something ?", Yuulvan asked. "I struggle to see it." It looked pretty close to complete, as far as Yuulvan could say.

  "She's trying to think of a curse, or simir, to add to the location.", Xajymzia expined. "Something to assuage her worries, if there is any such thing."

  Yuulvan nodded. "This makes sense."

  Xajymzia answered. "She told me a friend of her called Nethany once told her that trying to sort people into "deserving" and "undeserving" is a terrible idea that never led to anything good. So, she is trying to square that circle."

  Yuulvan nodded. Wise words. "She has mentioned that name once or twice before.", he said.

  "Yes, I believe you would have gotten along well, but she's not here. I'm working on it, but it is taking a while and progress is slow.", Xajymzia answered. "This reminds me, the fertilizer device you made works excellently."

  "I expected that much.", Yuulvan answered with a smile. Unambiguously positive news, at least.

  Hreijinda yawned, stretching. It was the dawn of a new day, and the weather seemed clear. She was dressed and prepared for her vigil. A somewhat boring duty, but someone had to do it. She sat down in the wooden watchtower, keying herself in to the beacons that detected entry in the Cursed Grounds.

  She turned her head to the right less than an hour into it, sensing a very familiar magical signature. She smiled upon seeing the source. "Sir, Yuulvan.", she said, bowing. "I expected you by spring. That is significantly earlier for you to visit."

  "Indeed, Hreijinda.", Sir Yuulvan said, a smile on his features. "But needs must as the devil drives." Hreijinda turned serious. This was essentially Yuulvan-speak for "I am here on business.".

  "Then, let's hear it.", Hreijinda said, focused.

  "I have multiple good news for you, to begin.", Sir Yuulvan said. "Apocalypse 2-7-4 is dead." Hreijinda almost stumbled back, as if hit by a club.

  "Truly... ?" Hreijinda blinked. Now that was not something she had expected to hear now, or never for that matter.

  "Truly. I have witnessed its end with my own two eyes." Hreijinda took a deep breath, recentering herself.

  "Then, may my ancestor find peace at st.", Hreijinda said. "The Heavens know she needed it." A grim statement, but the woman's memoirs were... something. It was not an easy read. ...I wouldn't want this fate on even my worst enemies.

  "Moreover,", Sir Yuulvan continued, Hreijinda snapping to attention. "I have designed spells to purge the curse from the ground and shield oneself from it." He held out his hand, palm upward, and Hreijinda looked as he formed the spells, adding them to her repertoire and practicing them.

  "Cleaning up the Cursed Grounds will take a long time.", Hreijinda stated, staring into space and its general direction. "But it shall have to be done. I might have to hire some assistance... Do you know what lies beyond the Cursed Grounds ?", she asked, curious.

  "There were once communities of humans living in dungeons in those parts... whether they are still here I cannot tell. But 2-7-4's curse brings me to the reason I came here." Hreijinda turned to face her teacher.

  "I still need to design a spell to heal the afflicted, but I ck any of them.". He turned towards the sickhouse, Hreijinda immediately catching his drift. "A Warden allowed me to bring the sick to her dungeon."

  "So we shall be doing the research in the dungeon ?", Hreijinda asked, uncertain.

  "Correct.", Sir Yuulvan answered. "That dungeon is where 2-7-4 perished."

  Hreijinda nodded, a grim yet curious smile on her features. "Then, lead the way, Sir Yuulvan."