Divinious Clouding Cloak

Arlangier's Mansion…

Chrysos was glad that Arlangier Orius didn't offer him better benefits or try to prove that he was a better choice to coerce him into his side. He turned to Agarius Nelton and asked a question.

"Do you know a device that could disguise heroic Divinious into corrupted Divinious?" Chrysos asked after some thinking.

"Of course, but why do you need them?" Agarius was willing to provide Chrysos with Divinious cloaks, but he needs to know the reason why.

"You must be familiar with the news right?" Chrysos replied to Agarius. His tone wasn't really easy to read, so it sounded as if he was neither sad nor happy.

"What news? There's a lot going on in Ironmountain, so you have to specify." Agarius laughed lightly.

Chrysos paused and said, "The Ironmountain Prison breakout?" This time, they could sense that Chrysos' tone sounded more solemn.

Agarius and Orius looked at Chrysos at the same time. Their smiles turned into serious thinking expressions.

Orius creased his forehead and asked, "How did you know about that? That news is disclosed information."

Chrysos laughed with a carefree demeanor as if such a fight wasn't a big deal at all. "I fought three corrupted ones not too long ago and they told me. I was actually shocked that time when I saw a group of corrupted ones attack me so suddenly."

Orius' frown became deeper. "They attacked this early? Tell me, what did they say to you?"

"They said something about me being in a list for turning in Shalra Avesin and that anyone who actively fought against corrupted ones are their target. Aside from that, I have no more information to disclose." Chrysos mixed in some truths with lies. He couldn't just reveal that Nadt was telling him disclosed information.

Orius let out a resigned breath.

"So it's this bad..." Orius turned to Chrysos. "Alright, thank you for telling me what happened... It's going to be difficult to announce that Lirgius is dead, since many Ironmountain citizens will lose trust with the Hall of Defense. Seriously, that Legion of corrupted ones are true monsters."

Agarius saw the worried expression on Orius' face which made him feel that a huge underlying problem had to be resolved before it grew too uncomfortable.

After all, Iqualius city is nearby Ironmountain, so if anything happens to Ironmountain, Iqualius city will also suffer.

"Chrysos, you still didn't answer my question. Why exactly do you need a device like Divinious Clouding Cloaks?" Agarius asked the question once again. He knew that Chrysos was planning to do something with it to deal with the corrupted ones.

"I would like to use it to disguise myself in order to avoid unnecessary fights against corrupted ones." Chrysos told a blatant lie.

The true reason why he wanted a Divinious cloaking device was because of Meiros. He wanted to give Meiros a chance to walk in the outside world without being attacked by the Heroic faction.

Meiros was like a little brother to him now. Gerald was fine with taking some risks if it meant that Meiros would have the opportunity to live like a 'normal' person.

Even though this was just a temporary solution, it was enough for now.

Agarius narrowed his eyes slightly, expressing his seriousness for a second. "Are you sure?" His tone carried depth to it.

"Yes." Chrysos matched Agarius' serious gaze without blinking.

They stared at each other for a second before Agarius finally agreed.

"Very well, you can take these" Agarius reached into his coat and took two rectangular artifacts with exquisite carvings. The defining feature of the devices were the blue gems embedded within them.

"Thank you Viscount Nelton.." Chrysos bowed as he took the two of the Divinious Clouding Devices.

"No need to be so polite. Just infuse your Divinious into it and it will wrap around you wherever you place it. I suggest putting it on the wrist or the arm." Agarius demonstrated by pretending that he was holding another device.

"So, why did you agree to my offer? Is it because Iqualius city focuses more on alchemy than Ironmountain does?" Agarius questioned Chrysos. Seeking answers behind his decision.

Chrysos didn't deny it. "Yes, that's one of the reasons why I decided to agree. But, I would also like to live in Iqualius city."

A puzzled expression showed up on Orius' face. "Why? You've already settled down here in Ironmountain. Why do you need to move to Iqualius city?" Agarius and Orius were rather perplexed by Chrysos' decision.

Why would Chrysos go live in Iqualius city all of a sudden? He was already thriving here in Ironmountain, so was there really a need to move?

"I feel like Iqualius city would provide more ways to improve myself. No offense to Arlangier Orius, but that's how I truly feel. Ironmountain is a great city, but this city gives more opportunities to Divine Paths that rely on weaponry and equipment than the alchemy related Divine Paths. That's why I want to go to Iqualius city to improve myself even more." Chrysos' decision was resolute.

Orius showed his understanding. "If that's your decision, then I really hope you had a great stay in Ironmountain. May Iqualius city be your road to your dreams."

Orius' expression was calm. He accepted Chrysos' decision. "But I'd still like to buy your potions, so how much is for a bottle?"

Agarius laughed. "You can take those. Go ahead, I won't buy anything."

Orius rolled his eyes on his old friend. "You already have a wonderful alchemist with you so you have to give me the potions at least."

"Sure, it's all for you to take." Agarius spread his arms to gesture that he wouldn't interfere.

Orius turned towards Chrysos. "So, how much would you charge me for those?"

Chrysos stroked his chin as he thought of a good price. "Erm, how about 25,000 gold coins?"

"Very well." Orius took five golden bills worth one thousand gold coins each and two light blue bills worth ten thousand gold coins. The light blue bills had these blue metallic prints that decorated each bill. In the background, the silhouette of each Great Divine Kingdom was faintly shown currently battling dragons. It was quite similar to the golden bills except for the color scheme and some details.

Chrysos took the bills with gleaming eyes. "Thank you, Arlangier Orius." Chrysos was quite moved by this. He stashed the bills into the small stringed sack on his waist without any haste.

"So Gerald, how are you planning to live on Iqualius city? You don't have a citizenship there." Agarius asked Chrysos.

"I guess I'd apply for one?" Chrysos shrugged. He wasn't worried that he wouldn't be able to apply for it.

"What if I help you by sending a letter to Iqualius city's Arlangier? Getting you a citizenship isn't hard." Arlangier Orius said with a hearty laugh.

"Wouldn't it be too much trouble?" Chrysos knew that the Arlangier was being nice for a reason.

"No no, it wouldn't be much trouble at all." Orius spoke with a calm attitude.

"Then I would like to thank Arlangier Orius for his kindness.. So how about this? I'll give you the decision to pick between a mystical recipe for healing potion or a mystical strength potion. Surely the Arlangier would find any one of them useful?"

Orius raised an eyebrow. Even Agarius couldn't believe it.

After some contemplation, Orius responded. "My alchemy house already has both of them, but after seeing your knowledge about alchemy, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't interested." Orius revealed a faint smile. "Alright, I want the healing potion." Orius said without hesitation,

"As you wish." Chrysos took a piece of paper and gave it to Orius.

Orius took the piece of paper and put it in his coat's pocket.

Chrysos turned to Agarius. "Viscount Nelton, before I leave with you, can you give me ten days to grab everything I need before moving to Iqualius city?"

Agarius showed his agreement by giving a slight nod. "Sure, I have to settle some matters here in Ironmountain for a while, so staying here for ten days discussing business with some promising partners while you prepare yourself is acceptable. I'll be waiting for you by then."

"Thank you, I'll be going now." Chrysos gave a courteous bow.

"Hulor, please escort our guest out." Orius gestured his hand towards the door.

Hulor replied, "Yes, Arlangier Orius." He then opened the door for Chrysos. Only walking out of the room once Chrysos had left.

The door slammed shut. Leaving the two in the room, admiring the view outside the window.

Orius couldn't help but remember how Chrysos skillfully brewed potions without delay. He took out the recipe from his pocket and began musing over it. "You're quite lucky getting someone like him on your side."

Agarius replied with a tone that didn't seem to agree thoroughly. "I only found out about him because of my sick daughter. One could say that it was both lucky that I found a remarkable talent and unlucky for me that my daughter had to experience such a painful curse."

"Anything bad that happens in life gets rewarded by good fortunes too, didn't you know? I guess that you deserve this after having that unfortunate event go away." Orius didn't think too negatively of it. His friend has been in pain after his daughter's sickness, so he felt that Agarius really deserved to take a break.

"Unlike you, I don't believe in luck." Agarius said as they both walked towards Orius' office. "Now, why don't we get back to our business?"

"Indeed." Orius took out a document. "Suppressing these corrupted ones isn't going to be easy. I'm glad that you decided to help us out in our times of trouble."

"Have you forgotten about my promise? I will not back down until all of the corrupted ones have perished." A flash of sharp light reflected on Agarius' eyes.

Outside the mansion…

Chrysos didn't spend too much time and immediately left after Hulor sent him on his way. It took around an hour after going through multiple shortcuts until he arrived back home.

Chrysos used his key and unlocked the door. He saw that Meiros was practicing the spells that he left behind when he went to the mansion.

Hearing the door open, Meiros already knew what it meant.

"Master? You're back!" Meiros closed the scroll and stood up. "So, how was your trip from the Arlangier's manor?" Meiros bowed his head to show respect for his master.

"It went well actually." Chrysos went inside and closed the door. "I managed to get you a little surprise." Chrysos took a small rectangular object covered in black cloth.

"What is it?" Meiros approached Chrysos. He was a bit curious about what the object was.

Chrysos unfurled the cloth and took the Divinious device. He showed in front of Meiros.

"Do you know what this is?" Chrysos said as he grabbed Meiros' wrist, placing the device on his palm.

Meiros touched the rectangular object in his hand and he couldn't figure out what it was. "Master, what does this do?"

"Attach it in your forearm while using your Divinious to flow in it." Chrysos pulled back his sleeve, revealing his arm and placed the rectangular device above his forearm. He infused his Divinious into the device and it suddenly reacted by glowing a magnificent shade of light blue.

The cloaking device transformed into a thin strap as it coiled around his forearm. Chrysos covered the device with his sleeve and used his Divinious.

Immediately after Chrysos released his Divinious, Meiros felt malicious energy coming from Chrysos. It was as if he was a true corrupted one.

"Master... are you using corrupted Divinious??" Meiros couldn't believe it.

"No, silly... This device cloaks your Divinious and disguises it. Come on, you should try it." Chrysos urged him to put it on.

Meiros was so excited. He strapped the device on his arm just as he remembered. Using his Divinious, the device transformed from a rectangular object into a strap that coiled around his arm. It glowed an ominous purple, reflecting the aura that corrupted Divinious exudes.

When the device activated, his Divinious didn't emit the feeling of hopelessness and loneliness anymore. It didn't feel negative at all.

Instead, Meiros felt that it was a brave and valiant energy that came from his body. Even though it was just a disguise, he couldn't help but unknowingly let his tears flow down.

And before he realized it, he was already crying.

"Ah? Why am I crying??" Meiros wiped his face while laughing.

Chrysos lowered his body to Meiros' level and wiped the tears from his eyes using his thumbs.

"Meiros, even though this is a mere disguise, I want you to feel how it's like to freely release your energy without any fear. But don't worry, in the future I'll make sure that you won't need it anymore. Alright?" Chrysos took off his mask and showed his face.

From the soft and warm golden eyes that looked at him with kindness instead of hostility, disgust and fear, Meiros was truly happy that he met Chrysos.

"Master I... I-" Meiros couldn't help but stutter. This was the best gift that he has ever received.

"Don't worry, calm down." Chrysos patted his back to comfort him. He hugged Meiros to comfort him. Chrysos was also happy that he could give something to someone he cared about. Despite losing many things he used to love dearly as well.

It pained Gerald whenever he saw someone else going through the same path he walked through before. He would never wish it to anyone else.

"Master... thank you for this.." Meiros was very happy at this moment. He couldn't help but break down in tears.

Chrysos stayed by his side until he felt better.

After Meiros calmed down, Chrysos exolainothe situation with him.

He explained that they will be moving to Iqualius city because he helped Agarius Nelton by "accident."

He didn't reveal that he intentionally sold Rienan the corruption reversal potion. But then again, it was his intention to sell the potion, it was just unexpected that Agarius Nelton would go so far to Ironmountain just to express his gratitude towards Chrysos.

Meiros understood this and he couldn't help but smile after hearing that they will be going to a place where alchemy is commonly known and practiced.

He learned so much from Chrysos about alchemy during the past few months of staying with him. Meiros could be called talented in alchemy.

Chrysos reminded Meiros when they finally move into Iqualius city.

"Now, Agarius Nelton doesn't know that you exist. After ten days, I'll tell him that you're my student. Don't reveal too much about your past and just say that you were a lone psychic in Ironmountain that I found randomly. And when I saw your talent for alchemy, say that it was the reason why I took you in. Got it?" Chrysos rehearsed a fake backstory with Meiros.

"I got it master, you can count on me." Meiros revealed a confident smile.

"Good. Now, since we still have time, We're going to eat some breakfast and go on a quest later to find a baby elephant in the forest." Chrysos crossed his arms as he stood up from his seat.

"Eh? A baby elephant?" Meiros knitted his eyebrows together. "We're not fighting anything this time?"

He thought that they would fight some terrifying monster, but finding a baby elephant wasn't something that he expected at all.

"Nope, we'll keep it as a pet. So make sure to think of a name on our way tomorrow." Chrysos stretched his body and dressed up. He took off his armor, coat, potion belts and the bags filled with miscellaneous items.

He was tired after all that he did in the Arlangier's mansion. Being a teacher is absolutely taxing.

He went to the kitchen and began cooking.

Meiros on the other hand, began thinking if they still had space left in the stables. "Don't we already have enough pets?" he thought to himself.