3rd POV
Unaware of what was happening with Aldric and his system, Arthur stood before a large wooden door, gathering his thoughts.
He lifted his hand to knock—
"Come in."
A solid, firm voice echoed from inside.
Arthur wasn't surprised.Of course his uncle sensed him.
He opened the door and entered.
Sitting behind a desk filled with documents and ancient records was a man with black hair and sharp golden eyes. His aura was overwhelming—so heavy that Arthur's first instinct was to bow.
"Greetings, Uncle," Arthur said, lowering his head.
The Duke of Crestban glanced up and frowned.
"You've gotten weaker."
Arthur expected this.The Duke had been keeping tabs on him.
"You've been neglecting your physical training, haven't you?"
His tone held no room for excuses.
"I believe I told you," the Duke continued, "that having a solid foundation before awakening is crucial."
Arthur listened silently, head lowered.
He knew his uncle wasn't scolding him out of anger.It was disappointment—and worry.
For a full five minutes, the Duke lectured him.
Finally, he stopped and exhaled.
"…Anyway, tell me what urgent matter brought you here."
Arthur took a deep breath.
This was it.
He raised his head, eyes firm.
"I believe… I have found a way to heal Mother."
Silence.
A deep, suffocating silence filled the room.
The Duke froze.Only the faint sound of his breathing remained.
After nearly a minute, he spoke in a low voice:
"…Brat. Do you even understand what you are saying?"
The atmosphere turned heavy, almost crushing.
"Yes," Arthur said without hesitation.
One word, but it carried unshakable resolve.
The Duke leaned forward, voice deep.
"Explain. Tell me how in the nine worlds you claim to cure a disease that even the higher floors of the Tower cannot heal. A disease I doubt even has a cure."
Despite his disbelief, there was a hint of hope.A tiny sliver.
The Duke's mind raced.
The Dew of the Life Tree on the 50th floor can cure any disease… but retrieving it is nearly impossible. What is this boy thinking?
On the other hand, Arthur's thoughts wandered.
Of course there are countless cures in the Tower. No one's discovered them yet. If I'm the first, maybe I'll get thousands of World Points… I could even start a business. Hehe… richest man in the Tower? Sounds good.
Arthur opened his mouth.
He needed a believable explanation—one his uncle would accept.
"I… saw it in a dream," he said slowly.
"The recipe for a potion that can cure Abyss Corruption."
The Duke stared at him.
Not angry.Not dismissive.
But shaken.
Because in this world—
many great discoveries truly did come from divine dreams.
And now, everything was about to change.