# Chapter 7: The Future I Desire
Just as Joshua was about to leave the prison hall, he sensed it—a chaotic aura spreading.
Plagues in the magic world were never simply bacteria or organisms. Diseases formed without arcane power or other supernatural factors, no matter how severe, were easily eradicated. But within the black liquid formed from the cultist's flesh and internal organs, a chaotic-tainted arcane power was slowly brewing. Though its spread was greatly slowed by the intense positive energy light, it still advanced unwaveringly outward. The small prison cell had already become a scene resembling another world—nauseating turbid liquid spontaneously squirmed on the stone slabs, like a living creature.
Turning his head, Joshua watched this scene.
Black Blood Plague. The chaotic pestilence brought by the Mad Dragon.
In his past life, the Far South. The sudden Dragon Calamity from the deep sea had destroyed half of the Southern Kingdom. Coastal regions fell without exception. Though the Far South Kingdom relied on its hidden strength and paid with countless lives to barely hold the line, the plague that followed the Dragon Calamity was the true nightmare. The Black Blood Plague, a disease that could infect any living being, turning them into twisted monsters. It had almost destroyed the entire Far South civilization.
And now, this plague had appeared in the Northern Lands.
"Your Excellency Joshua, what is this?"
The old bishop's voice came from behind. He had followed Joshua out of the prison hall and now stood at the entrance, watching the spreading black liquid with a grave expression. "This aura... it's not ordinary plague. It feels like..."
"Chaos contamination."
Joshua answered calmly. "This is the Black Blood Plague, a disease spread by the Mad Dragon's minions. It can infect any living creature, turning them into puppets of chaos."
The old bishop's face turned pale. "Mad Dragon? You mean... the Dragon Calamity that destroyed the Far South Kingdom?"
"Exactly."
Joshua nodded. "The Far South Kingdom fell to the Dragon Calamity and the subsequent plague. Now, this plague has appeared in the Northern Lands. This is no coincidence."
"But how did it get here? The Northern Lands are separated from the Far South by the entire continent!"
"The cultists brought it."
Joshua's eyes narrowed. "Those evil god worshippers have been spreading this plague across the continent. They want to harvest souls for their evil gods."
The old bishop fell silent, his face full of worry.
"Your Excellency, what should we do? If this plague spreads..."
"It won't."
Joshua interrupted firmly. "I will stop it."
He turned to face the old bishop, his eyes burning with determination. "I know this plague better than anyone. I've fought it before. I know how to contain it, how to cure it, and how to destroy it."
"But..."
"Listen to me, old man."
Joshua's voice grew serious. "This plague is not the only threat. The Mad Dragon that caused the Dragon Calamity is still out there. And behind it, there are even greater evils."
The old bishop's eyes widened. "Greater evils?"
"Yes. The evil gods that the cultists worship. They are the true enemies."
Joshua paused, then continued in a low voice. "I know this sounds unbelievable. But I have seen the future. I have seen what happens if we fail to stop them."
"What future?"
"A future of chaos and destruction. A future where the world burns."
Joshua's voice grew cold. "But I will not let that future come to pass. I will change it."
He turned and walked toward the exit, his footsteps echoing in the silent hall.
"Prepare the church. Send out priests and knights to check every town and village for signs of the plague. I will go to the Imperial Capital and report this to His Majesty the Emperor."
"And you, Your Excellency? What will you do?"
Joshua paused at the door, not turning around.
"I will do what I do best."
His voice was calm, but carried an undeniable weight.
"I will fight."
With that, he stepped out of the prison hall, leaving the old bishop standing alone, watching his retreating figure.
The old bishop sighed deeply, then turned to carry out Joshua's orders.
He didn't know how Joshua knew so much about this plague. He didn't know how Joshua planned to stop it.
But one thing he knew for certain.
The Black-Haired Warrior was not a man to be doubted.
And if he said he would stop the plague, then he would.
No matter what it took.