"Master Guilford, would it be wise to let Master Lethe search alone?" Marion asked, watching the other Seraph find a vantage point.<br/><br/>If there still was a Pure Sinner lurking around, then it obviously isn't wise. However, since his squad has already taken care of it long before, Guilford reassured the squad leader with a simple hand gesture. He would have joined the search himself were it not for his weakened holy power; there was only so much he could do with such limited resource.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"How goes the cleansing Marion?"</span>Guilford questioned, eyes scanning the other knights that have casted<span style="font-style: italic">Repent</span>.<br/><br/>The squad leader looked around as well, pointing out several squad members on break. He then faced Guilford with a dire look on his face. "As you can see Master Guilford, we have been taking shifts in cleansing, but the taint keeps coming back, like there's another source for it." he answered, worry evident in his eyes. Guilford looked down lightly, contemplating on what he already knew. His suspicion would seem spot on after he had procured a sample of that crystallized essence from the barrens. "We have also tried searching the perimeter but we couldn't find a Pure Sinner in hiding elsewhere." Marion added.<br/><br/>In his mind, Guilford knew that the effort these men are putting into cleansing the taint was no more than containing an outbreak rather than neutralizing it. Taking another look at the exhausted men, Guilford thought long and hard before he stepped forward without a word to Marion.<br/><br/>"Master Guilford?" the squad leader asked, head tilted lightly to one side.<span style="color: #0080FF">"It would seem Lethe found something. Have yours and the other squads surround the structure with Repent, I'm going to look as well."</span>Guilford ordered, eyes focused on Lethe.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-style: italic">Like I'm going to let you! Stay where you are Captain!</span>" yelled a female voice from behind the two.<br/><br/>The Seraph stopped instantly at the command of the voice. Guilford then felt chills run down his spine in waves. He knew that voice all too well to know that if he turned around, he would see his second-in-command Brynhildr and her fierce eyes that were no doubt trained on him. Composing himself as fast as he was startled, Guilford turned his head right to glance at his subordinate.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I had Alfrei tell you to dismiss the squad. What are you doing here?"</span>Guilford asked, only to be surprised upon seeing Alfrei and the rest of his squad right behind his second-in-command.<br/><br/>"Sorry Captain, I worried," Alfrei replied sheepishly followed by a halfhearted laugh. "and so did the others when I told them." he added.<br/><br/>His second-in-command rolled her eyes. "Honestly... what were you thinking? Going in that condition is reckless!" Brynhildr lectured, both hands firmly placed at the side of her hips. "Squad leader Marion, have you tried feeling Master Guilford's presence?" she snapped at the other man. The startled Marion took a few seconds to spiritually feel Guilford's presence, only to find out his current condition followed by disbelief forming on his face. "I-I had no idea! He seemed fine to me... I beg your forgiveness for not noticing sooner." the squad leader pleaded, fumbling some of his words.<br/><br/>"He seemed fine? That's how he always seems! Sheesh Captain! I can't even leave you alone for a second! I knew I should have gone with you instead of Alfrei..." Brynhildr went on, her words becoming mumbles to Guilford and the others as she continued to rant her heart out.<br/><br/>"Master Guilford, perhaps your vice captain is right. Your exhaustion is at its peak." Marion commented as he turned to the Seraph.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I know,"</span>Guilford acknowledged.<span style="color: #0080FF">"me and my squad have been deployed between missions without ample time to recuperate."</span><br/><br/>"...did you hear me Captain? Next time you're going to do something reckless, tell us so we can be there for you!" Brynhildr finally finished. Guilford sighed in defeat, smiling lightly at the sight of his squad all sharing the same determined look.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Yes Bryn, I heard you just fine. Very well then. Since you're all here, please assist Lethe over there,"</span>he said, pointing at the structure where the other Seraph was.<span style="color: #0080FF">"remember, you all know what to do should it be there."</span><br/><br/>His squad deployed after acknowledging his orders immediately making their way to the said structure. In there, they found Master Lethe trying to push apart a large fallen beam away from the floor. Georg and Joaquim were the first to step forward, taking hold of the beam from both ends, "Allow us to help Master Lethe." they both said and lifted the beam out of the way without much effort. Hyuga was the next to step forward, bowing politely before Lethe. "Master Lethe, the captain suspects that the taint here is being caused by a crystallized essence of sin. I'm sure he already showed it to you." he trailed and began to channel his holy power, as did the rest of Guilford's squad. "As you can see, that thing is quite hard to deal with but, with all of us here, I'm sure our combined Banish would suffice. However, for our own safety, I would like everyone to cast Prayer before we go down." Hyuga finished and knelt down, readying himself to open the basement doors.<br/><br/>After casting her Prayer, Brynhildr walked closer to the others, stopping just beside the white Seraph. "Master Lethe, the High Council has yet to learn about the existence of these crystals. We were just about to turn in the sample the captain has but got delayed by the cadets' field mission. Should we find some down there, please help us in containing it." she finished and nodded at Hyuga to open the doors.<br/><br/>As soon as the man did, a wave of negative energy escaped the confines of the basement, threatening to consume the minds of any normal person to be engulfed in it. Had Guilford not asked the knights to surround the structure with Repent, it would no doubt spread and infect those living nearby. The sheer amount of Sin's essence trying to break through Repent made Guilford's eyes turn fierce. It was enough evidence to believe that the Pure Sinners were already on the phase of experimenting with it.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Lethe... guys... be safe."</span>