Information.

—

"Should we call the others to perform synchronized rituals? I have a feeling this is something we can't deal with alone," Moiraine says while wiping the sweat from her temple.

Noticing that Moiraine suddenly has a visibly pale face, even though she has only been near a madness-contaminated person, Yoriichi turns to see that Ciri, Leticia, and even the townsfolk in the distance have the same reaction. Frowning, since Toussaints is quite distant from this city—requiring a day's travel by horse—Yoriichi suddenly has a bad feeling that something will happen if they come along with him.

Pausing for a moment, thinking that if he asked for assistance from many sorceresses currently in Undvik, the witch Tissaia would come as well, Yoriichi decided to set aside his childish resentment. He knew that it might have greater consequences if this madness virus was not contained within the duchy. Looking back at the four vampires clutching their temples and banging their heads on the ground, with Orianna only having chattering teeth due to a psychological procedure, Yoriichi told Moiraine:

"Yes. Call all available learned people we can contact, no matter where they are from or their allegiance. Even if they are from a power-hungry party like the Nilfgaardians, I need them here. No, we, as sentient individuals, need all of them here. Because, if we don't quarantine this madness within the province as soon as possible, I don't think any reasoning entity will be able to regain their autonomy."

Looking in the direction of Toussaints, where she now realizes there is a dark cloud hanging over the province, making the place shrouded in an eternal darkness different from the dark night of the moon, Ciri turned toward Yoriichi and asked, "What about you?"

"I will try to see what's in there. Considering that I am the only one whose mind is not affected, I believe I am the perfect candidate to search for information."

Nodding her head, recognizing that there is no time for hesitation in the face of the catastrophe before them, Ciri took the vampire women Orianna from Yoriichi's hand and said, "Take care."

Nodding to Ciri and the others, Yoriichi activated his propulsion system and flew toward the mountain range that spans the region of the land of wines and fables. It was ironic, because along the way he saw only grotesque monstrosities, very different from the descriptions of the fabled land of stories and legends given by others. Finding a group of people who had not yet been affected by the madness, Yoriichi glided to the ground slowly to avoid agitating them.

"Release me at once! My sister remains out there, and you stand by with such indifference, Uncle Vigo! Have you forgotten that you created Fablesphere for our enjoyment? How can you be so cold-hearted in this moment?!"

"I know, child, I know. But your sister has already settled her debt. Don't be reckless by venturing back there again, you understand?"

"Be silent! If I succeeded in rescuing her once, I am more than capable of doing so again!"

"Sigh Anna, my dear, you were merely fortunate. And… who might you be? Are you one of those who arrived due to the Conjunction? If so, I strongly advise you to turn around and depart immediately. What lies beyond these mountains is nothing but madness and suffering."

Nodding his head to acknowledge his Otherworlder identity, Yoriichi answers, "You could say that."

Pausing to look into the distant land and zooming his eyes toward the eerie castle, specifically to the man beside the beating heart writing its journal, Yoriichi turns to Uncle Vigo and asks, "Did you mention madness and suffering? Care to explain what you mean by that?"

"Do you see those abominations?"

Nodding his head.

"They were once human and vampire."

Yoriichi's eyes narrowed as he finally noticed the grotesque monstrosities' DNA, which showed traces of their original organism origins. He realized that his opponent had the ability to alter others' physiology, much like himself, but instead of using electromagnetic waves for evolution, the heart inside the castle was performing the task by manipulating others' brainwaves. Taking a deep breath and feeling unsettled, Yoriichi resolved to put an end to this madness or, if he could not, to do whatever it takes to quarantine these abominations.

Turning back to Vigo, Yoriichi thanked him and provided the information: "Thanks for the advice, but I can't just stand by and do nothing while seeing them suffer. Anyway, a rescue party will be in the city of Belhaven later, in the southwest direction. I suggest you embark on that journey first, as many mages will gather there to try to contain this physical manifestation of madness. Your information and knowledge will be valuable for them in creating province-wide rituals."

"Truly?! Thanks Lady Lake! I had feared that our world was irreparably doomed and that no groups or civilizations would survive this calamitous Conjunction. Your words are a relief. We shall proceed to Belhaven first and confer with this assembly of mages."

Shaking his head, Yoriichi replied, "No problem."

"Might I inquire as to the name of this group?"

"It is a collective of various parties, like Aretuza, Chapter, and a new one named Herald. There might also be Aen Saevherne or someone from Nilfgaard—I'm not sure. In any case, there will be many people there."

"Oh, my Lady Lake, what a tremendous relief! I had feared that our nation had already succumbed to the catastrophe. My thanks once more, young man."

Noticing the emblem on their formal soldiers' attire, Yoriichi simply smiles, not wanting to reveal that Nilfgaard is already struggling to address the calamity that struck their newly acquired land of Temeria and has completely lost contact with the southern part of the land, according to the report. Turning around, intending to fly and confront the man beside the heart, Yoriichi suddenly stops his movement due to Anna's yelling and demands.

"Halt! As the ruler of my duchy, I command you, traveler, to rescue my sister from Castel Ravello, a vineyard to the northwest! She is dressed in black and has short black hair, her face mirroring mine! I do not care what it takes, even if you must lay waste to Beauclair in the process. All I demand is that she returns here, safe and sound! Do I make myself clear?!"

"Anna…"

"If… by some misfortune, the only thing you find are h-her remains… I insist that you bring whatever is left of h-her to me…"

—