Ordered by the Pope to study at the clinic of his old enemy Bottaculli, Luciel returns to Merratoni. But their fateful reunion takes a turn when one of Bottaculli’s slaves mysteriously breaks the restraints of his curse and rebels. Luciel saves the wicked healer’s life and learns that the corruption plaguing this world reaches farther than he thought. Even the “freedom” boasted by the Independent City-State of Yenice seems to be for appearances only…