The sun had fully set by the time they reached the Blue Flame Tavern.
The sky above Nocturne's End had turned deep purple, mixed with orange on the western horizon. The lamps in the lower city began to light up one by one, creating a sea of twinkling yellow dots. But in the distance, the lights of the Nexus were still visible—bright, white, cold.
Leon stepped in first. Veylin behind him. Sylphine followed. Kazan last, closing the door.
Elliot stood behind the wooden counter, hands on his hips, his sharp eyes looking at them one by one.
"Took you long enough. I almost thought you died in there."
"We survived," Leon said.
Raina ran over from the corner of the room, hugging Leon's leg. Her eyes were wet.
"Brother Zero... you're okay?"
Leon ruffled her hair. "I'm fine."
Raina didn't let go. Leon let her be.
Elliot placed a glass of tea on the table. "Tell me later. Now, sit."
---
They sat around the same wooden table as yesterday. The same map was spread out—but now there were new markings. Veylin had added them.
Sylphine sat carefully, her hand still on her stomach. Her wound still hurt, but Mira's potion seemed to be working. Her face wasn't as pale as this morning.
Kazan stood near the window, two swords on his back, his eyes watching the street outside—a habit that wouldn't disappear.
Leon took a glass of tea, sipped it briefly, then set it back down.
"Xuánhú," he said. "She has ten seals."
Veylin nodded. "Nine on her tails, one on her body."
"And we don't know how to open them," Sylphine added.
Leon sighed. "We need to find out."
Kazan shook his head. "No need. Nix is coming."
Elliot blinked. "Nix? That damned Phoenix?"
"You know him?" Sylphine asked.
Elliot snorted. "Who doesn't know that arrogant brat."
Leon didn't answer.
Ten minutes later, the door of the Blue Flame Tavern opened.
Not the wind. Not Elliot coming and going. But a figure in a red cloak, red hair, sharp gaze, and a faint smile on his face.
"Long time no see, everyone," Nix said.
Leon wasn't surprised. "You came."
"I promised." Nix walked in, sitting on a wooden chair uninvited. His eyes scanned the entire room—assessing, calculating, as usual. "Elliot, some tea."
Elliot snorted. "You think this is an inn?"
"I'll pay."
Elliot grumbled but turned to the kitchen.
Nix leaned back. "Alright. Tell me."
Leon explained everything. The first gate. The second gate. The six guards. The four Core Guardians. Zenless sitting on his throne with his golden fan. Celestia with her curved dagger. Raven with her longbow. Marcus with his fists that had crushed thousands of enemies.
And Xuánhú. Kneeling. Black chains everywhere. Nine tails shackled. One seal on her body.
Nix listened without interrupting. His eyes didn't blink.
When Leon finished, Nix sighed.
"Ten seals," he said.
"I know how to open them."
Leon's ears perked up. "How?"
Nix didn't answer immediately. He opened his sleeve, revealing his forearm. There, blue veins pulsed faintly.
"With my blood."
Leon blinked. "What?"
"Phoenix blood," Nix said. "Blood of an immortal being. Just a drop. Enough to open all the seals."
Sylphine tensed. "A drop?"
"The blood of an immortal cannot be measured by ordinary standards." Nix took out a small knife from his pocket. "One drop. Enough."
He sliced the tip of his index finger. A single drop of golden-red blood fell into a small glass bottle he had prepared. The blood glistened—like still-burning embers, like sunlight trapped in a bottle.
Nix corked the bottle and handed it to Leon.
"This. Use it to open each seal. One drop for all of them."
Leon received the bottle. Warm in his palm.
"Why are you willing to help?" Sylphine asked.
Nix looked at her. "Because Arthur asked me to. And because..." he looked at Leon. "...I believe in him."
Silence.
Veylin crossed her arms. "So? When do we go in?"
Leon shook his head. "Not we. Me."
Sylphine tensed. "Leon—"
"You're still injured." Leon looked at her. "Your stomach wound hasn't healed."
"But—"
"I can't let you go in like this."
Sylphine fell silent. Her hands clenched on the table. But she didn't argue. She knew Leon was right.
Veylin sighed. "What about me?"
"You watch over Sylphine. If something happens..." Leon didn't finish.
Veylin nodded. "Alright."
Kazan turned from the window. "I'll stay outside. If anything happens, shout."
Leon smiled faintly. "You won't hear me shout from outside the Nexus."
"But I'll feel it."
Kazan didn't explain further. Leon didn't ask.
---
That night, Leon sat on the edge of his bed.
The small bottle of Nix's blood was in his hand. The blood still glistened—golden-red, warm even though the bottle was cold. Lokantaka at his waist pulsed softly. The pendant on his chest glowed dimly.
"You're sure you want to go in alone?" Satan whispered.
Leon didn't answer immediately. He gripped the bottle.
"They can't come. Veylin has to watch Sylphine. Kazan is needed outside. Nix has helped enough." He looked at the bottle in his hand. "This is my business."
"Not just your business," Satan said. "But fine. I won't stop you."
Leon smiled faintly. "Thank you."
"Put the bottle down. Rest. Tomorrow you'll need your strength."
Leon obeyed. He placed the bottle on the bedside table and closed his eyes.
Outside the window, the full moon shone brightly. In the dining room, Nix still sat in the corner, eyes closed, hands on his knees. Veylin and Sylphine had gone to their rooms. Kazan still stood at the window, not sleeping.
Tomorrow, Leon would return to the Nexus.
Alone.
But not alone.
Because inside his chest, Satan was still there. Lokantaka at his waist. The pendant on his chest. And the phoenix blood in the small bottle.
Enough to open the seals.
Enough to free Xuánhú.
Enough to change everything.
=== CHAPTER 30 END ===