It wasn't often that Alucard got to see timelines correct themselves, but when he did, he always remembered.
"I still don't understand why you didn't just burn the body as soon as possible, especially after it survived the crushing water pressure."
Alucard and Mimosa were in the Capitol's hospital, visiting Asta after he got too close to Vetto's body, and gained the very curse he'd been trying to avoid. Some things were meant to happen; however, Asta found himself without usable arms.
"Flaming Justice Healing Magic: Solar Flare." Alucard tested another healing spell he'd made just for this, only for it not to work. "Ow ow ow!" Asta cried as the combination of flames and justice magic agitated the curse in his arms.
"Notice how the curse becomes agitated when mana, even healing magic, is supplied. It's as if our efforts to remove it are fueling it." Owen noted as Noelle felt faint. Alucard had a different train of thought, however.
I bet I could remove this curse with Blood Magic… Not yet time, however…
A few more spells were attempted, but eventually they gave up for the time being as Alucard and Mimosa took Asta and Noelle back home. Since he couldn't really use his arms at the moment, Noelle had been the first to volunteer to help him with his day-to-day needs.
Seeing her shove food down his throat almost made Alucard feel sorry for him, since Noelle was too giddy to realize she was choking her crush as Asta tried his best to breathe. "How sweet." Mimosa smiled as he rolled his eyes.
After making sure the loverbirds were situated back at their base, Alucard and Mimosa returned to their own base as Alucard wondered what else the world would do to keep itself on track.
He didn't particularly want to find out, however, so he behaved and stuck around Mimosa and Yuno until Julius came looking for him, for once.
Since he'd been called to the Capitol, Alucard simply opened a portal to Julius' office and entered to find him swamped in paperwork. Feeling him enter, Julius hurried with the document in front of him before setting his pen down and flexing his wrist.
"Even now, paperwork makes this job horrendous." He straightened his robe and tucked the small hill of papers away before turning to Alucard.
"Well, after all the excitement at the Sea Temple, I'm sure you and your friends are tired, so you don't have to worry about missions for now. I do wish you would help the Black Bulls to find a cure for Asta; however, it'd be a shame for such a spirited young man to have his career cut short."
Alucard rolled his eyes. He still sat and listened as Julius kept talking, however.
"Their efforts are quite noble, actually, running from one end of the Kingdom to the other searching for something to lift the curse on their friend. Even Yami has been digging around for things that might at least make the young man's life more bearable should he never use his arms again."
This surprised Alucard; Yami almost never went out of his way to do things like that. Yami preferred to just throw people at their problems and tell them to 'Surpass your limits, dammit!' That's just the kind of person Yami was.
Seeing his face, Julius smiled. "Yes, I was surprised as well when Yami approached me searching for esoteric magic and spells that might help. Sadly, my research tends to lean more towards unique magic rather than healing magic. Yami did speak of a certain lady having a potential lead."
Seeing that he was starting to lose him, Julius finally got to the point of calling Alucard to the Capitol.
"I want you and Mimosa to go and spend some time together. Not missions or shopping in the Capitol, just alone time with each other, like you used to do when you were younger."
Alucard raised a brow at this, but didn't leave, so Julius pressed on.
"I've recently found a little store that sells camping supplies. Take Mimosa on a camping trip using items from there, and if you like it, we might be able to improve the standard kit for soldiers in the field. I've already got a location in mind."
Julius brought out a map of the Clover Kingdom and pointed to a spot on the map that Alucard had mostly avoided, as it was right at the edge of the Witch Forest.
"I know you've never been around this place much, so it should be interesting for you and Mimosa to explore the area. I'm sure she'd like to get out more and see the Kingdom from a different view, at least compared to missions and noble picnics."
Despite his smile and cheerful tone, Alucard glanced at his father, then back down at where he was sending him. Julius wasn't asking his son, he was telling him…
Despite her fiancé's gloom, Mimosa was happily packing clothes and other necessities as she got ready for their little excursion. It was a bit surprising that Julius himself had sent them out, but Mimosa knew it was from a place of love that Julius was sending them out.
Despite the unrest their union caused in the noble circles, Julius had always been their number one supporter, with Mero right behind him as Mimosa and Alucard got to know each other over the years.
She was glad that Julius was such a warm, caring father, since he was able to bring out aspects of Alucard that she still hadn't seen very frequently. It was refreshing to see that there was still a glimmer of humanity within him.
Once they were done packing, Alucard teleported them as close as he could to the Witch's forest before flying the rest of the way. By the time the forest was in view, it was turning night, so they chose a small clearing to spend the night.
Working together, they swiftly set up camp. Mimosa started a fire and began making their dinner while Alucard set up both physical and magical alarms that would alert them to anyone sneaking up on them.
As they enjoyed their meal, Mimosa brought out something Alucard hadn't seen in years. A guitar.
"Where did you get it?" He asked since most stringed instruments were either cellos, violins, or mandolins, even though those were rare since several notable figures in the Capitol were known for their magic that leaned more towards music than combat.
"It was in a small shop, tucked away in the black market." She explained as she fiddled with the strings for a moment before handing them over to him. He took it and gave it a once-over, appreciating the obvious craftsmanship.
He gave it another once-over before handing it back to her. He knew in passing what it was, but not how to play. Maybe one day he'd learn how, if only for her. He was happy to just enjoy his meal as Mimosa played with the guitar, not knowing what she was doing but enjoying the wonder she had for the instrument.
Seeing her play with it seemed to soothe something within Alucard as he watched her pluck the guitar strings for another hour, until she nearly knocked herself over with a yawn.
"Time to sleep, my love." He gently took the guitar from her hands and set it at a safe distance from the fire as he led her to the tent. Normally, she'd have brushed him off, but out here in the middle of nowhere? She was more than happy to lean on him as he put out the fire, holding her close as she wished every day could be like this.