Chapter 466 – The Wandering Nightmare (4)

A blade steeped in dark magic was launched towards A.B’s forehead. Evading was near impossible. A.B, who had let go of the spear he was clutching, placed his hand on the mana stone in his pocket.

A.B’s second ability. This was the power to deflect the direction of force. Although it required substantial mana, if activated, it was a unique power that could take down an off-guard opponent in one fell swoop.

【Hwanpi (換柀)】

To change the species. It transfers the damage inflicted on oneself to the opponent. The sword continued its trajectory, unwavering in its direction. Expectedly so. Even for a king, this power would be unknowable. A smirk of satisfaction traced A.B’s features.

-Swoosh!

The resonating sound of a sword cleanly slicing through something. The joy and despair of the king and A.B intermingled.

‘…what.’

A sharp pain invaded his right eye. Half his vision was immediately stained red. A.B’s right eye had been cleanly severed in half.

‘The power… It isn’t working?’

It couldn’t be. Power was akin to divine strength. It was something that defied the laws of the world, thereby making it formidable. In a situation where one overwhelms a foe of higher standing, power was absolutely essential.

‘So then… is it a lack of mana?’

That was inconceivable. A.B was in disbelief.
Black magic energy skimmed along the sword’s blade. A streak of blood burst from A.B’s face, splattering the vicinity.

‘…a monster.’

He was a monster.

A.B couldn’t suppress a hollow laugh.

His entire body felt surreal, his arms and legs trembling uncontrollably. He, who had remained unfazed even with the queen in his presence, was confronting a life-threatening crisis for the first time.

‘No wonder Prajna said to reduce the number of people. Running away is the only option at this point.’

A.B attempted to escape the room, pushing himself forward.

-A roar!

But would the king really remain idle after witnessing this?
The king’s raised sword pointed like a bell, from which fierce sword energy erupted.

The surge of power was familiar but there was no time to discern it.

-Aahhh!

A sword strike with enough force to obliterate the entire mansion. A.B twisted his form, struggling to evade the assault. Despite his efforts, A.B’s right arm was literally torn from his body.

Beyond the severing, an explosion followed. A.B, having escaped from the mansion, fell to the ground with half his body completely shattered. Mana clung to his body, obstructing his healing.

‘This… could prove fatal.’

With this level of power, it was evident that ATU agents had already evacuated.

A.B, having reached a conclusion, clenched his eyes shut. The artifact imbued with spatial magic that hung around his neck began to glow.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Ssshh…”

A deep breath escaped my lips.

My palate was bitter. No matter how much I tried to shake off the sharp, persistent bitterness, it only took a single sigh to bring me back to my senses.

“Phew.”

Casting off wayward thoughts, my once congested mind cleared. The imaginary crown of thorns vanished from my head. As my heightened senses dulled once more, time seemed to accelerate.

“Mister…”
“What?”
“Aren’t you… going after him?”
“Leave it be.”

I touched my face, confirming the presence of the hide mask tightly adhered to my skin. The disguise was sufficient. Turning my gaze, I looked upon Shiba. Even at a glance, her body bore horrific wounds, each potentially fatal.

A.B., I decided, I would leave be. When eradicating vermin, it was crucial to deal with the source. The magic I had fixed to his body would serve that purpose.

-Pareus.

Sensing A.B.’s location through spatial magic after his escape, I roughly estimated his direction.

‘His arm will be useless henceforth.’

Even if I were to attach a prosthetic, it’d never be as effective as this last time.

“…”

I gently tapped Ebony’s head as she gazed at me. Her expression was peculiar. It seemed as if she were angry, yet she revealed nothing, sparking curiosity.

“Listen well.”

This was among the most critical lessons I’ve taught so far.

“Regardless of your emotional turbulence, you must remain calm.”

Even if a family member’s throat were slit, this fact would remain unchanged. Ebony nodded cautiously, seemingly intrigued by the relationship between Shiba and me. I would explain it to her in time.

-Jerbuck.

I took a step closer, looking at my daughter, teetering on the brink of collapse.

“…King.”

Shiba was covered in fatigue, as if the previous battle had been particularly grueling. Interestingly, her body bore fewer wounds than expected. At most, there was a piercing injury on her shoulder blade and a stab wound on her neck.

‘Her recovery is extraordinarily rapid.’

While it was a characteristic of her species, her healing was so effective it seemed to negate the need for healing spells. Thus, there was no need for further treatment. Doubts, after all, were unwelcome in such circumstances.

“Ebony.”
“Yes.”
“We’re taking the ear tree. Prepare yourself.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I turned my back. It was necessary. Leaving her behind was my own version of the right answer.

“…King.”

As I took a step towards Camellia, a weakened Shiba mumbled.

“Don’t touch her.”

A palpable rage was directed at me. From daughter to father, in reality, it presented no issue. Ignoring her, I approached Camellia, who had collapsed next to the door.

“Don’t touch-“

-Thud, thud, thud.

The unmistakable sound of footsteps echoed from behind. I didn’t need to turn to know. Ebony, who had been about to lift Camellia, drew her sword and rushed towards Shiba.

Ebony delivered a side-kick to Shiba’s solar plexus.

“Do not approach.”
“Ugh!”

-Thump!

Shiba, cornered to the wall, drooped her head listlessly. It seemed like she was slipping out of consciousness, her mouth agape and blood trickling down from beneath.

“No… It can’t.”

Her eyes gradually shut, tears streaming down her face.

“…Mother.”

With that brief utterance, the whirlwind of Shiba’s emotions ceased. For now, it was enough for her to fall unconscious.

“Lift her.”

“Yes.”

Ebony hoisted Camellia onto her back. I, leaning against the wall, moved towards the unconscious Shiba. As I knelt down, the first things I noticed were her blood-soaked hair and the tear-streaked face.

“…”

How long has it been since I’ve seen her this close?

“…King.”

Camellia, hoisted by Ebony, cried out with urgency.

“That child—”

“I won’t kill her.”

“…!”

“What relationship do you have with this one?”

Camellia, confounded into silence, didn’t struggle from Ebony’s back. It seemed she was well aware of her predicament. Her voice was filled with caution, sorrow, and resignation.

“…She’s a friend.”

I used my thumb to wipe Shiba’s cheek. The scars on her cheek healed instantaneously.

“Is that so?”

Well, it could be.

“…”
“…”

During the silence that ensued, I slipped my hand beneath Shiba’s torn clothes, touching her abdomen. I gently inserted a bit of my magic into her, assessing the condition of her magical core.

‘The structure is slightly different.’

The magical circuits, formed along the blood vessels, massaged some areas, creating a framework that was yet to be fully formed. If her body wasn’t grounded in her own training, it wouldn’t be able to withstand the magic. However, looking at the extent of her training, it was sufficient.

It’s hard to believe that she achieved this level in just three years.

‘This should be enough.’

Withdrawing my hand, I channeled magic into my fingers for the last time, etching a small magic circle on the floor.

-Boom!

A resonance echoed, and a tree sparrow appeared, flaunting its splendid feathers and hopping around.

[Zuin!]

It’s been a while.

‘Eleanor.’
[Master, Master! Zuin~ You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting… Pet me, touch me!]
‘Stay still.’
[Patting!!]

– Chirp, chirp.

The tree sparrow was demanding, probably because it had been a few months. It was quite excited. There was no worry of its voice leaking out. To Ebony or Camellia, it would only sound like a simple bird’s cry. Ebony, hearing the birdcalls, wide-eyed, watched me with a puzzled expression.

Regardless, I sent a command to Eleanor through my thoughts.

‘Do you see this girl?’
[Yes? Who is this child? She feels similar to Master…]
‘Form a contract with her.’
[What?!]

The bird let out a cry as if the world was collapsing.

Chirp. Eleanor’s eyes, large as glutinous rice grains, were filled with confusion and became moist.

[Master, even if it’s Master’s command…]

Spreading his wings wide, he began to assertively express his thoughts.

“[…I intended to spend my entire lifetime with you alone…!]”
“What are you up to?”
“[Comforting and… magic.]”
“When did I ever demand affection from you? Just form the contract.”

Eleanor, seemingly unsatisfied, bowed her head.
She’s quite talkative for one who is merely to obey.
I seized Eleanor’s wings.

“[Master…?]”

Infusing her with magic.

“[Master… Ah! Hoy!?!]”

Eleanor promptly collapsed.
As her beak gaped open, she fell flat on the ground, her wings and legs trembling.

“[…Oh, it’s been so long since… receiving so much all at once…]”
“You desire more magic, don’t you?”

I lightly tapped the excited Eleanor’s beak.
No matter how many times I ponder it, this magic feels like a narcotic.

“What will you do?”

As I spoke confidently, her response was not far behind.

“[Yes… Please ♡]”

It was a definitive yes.

* * * * * * * * * *

The double contract I formed with Eleanor, who had already bound herself to me, and Shiba bore two intentions.

Firstly, to track Shiba’s location and physical condition.

I had noticed during the assault on the cradle that Shiba’s actions seemed to be veering towards danger. Typically, I would rely on Alba to keep an eye on Shiba, but I felt that method had its limitations. If Shiba were to unknowingly enter a unilateral contract, tracking her location through Eleanor would become feasible. In extreme circumstances, Eleanor could be summoned to protect Shiba. This was an essential measure.

Secondly, to enhance Shiba’s spiritual sensitivity.

A continued connection with the spirit would grant glimpses into the evolution of magical power, depending on the talent involved. Since the spirit itself is a being comprised of magic, increasing sensitivity naturally leads to proficiency in manipulating magic. Shiba’s growth was set to accelerate in the future.

“All that I can do, I’ve done.”

The rest would be up to them.

-Thud.

The Descanso Garden had completely crumbled. As I secured the vital area, the ATU fully retreated. A few days later, Shiba returned to Korea.

In the case of the ATU, they had managed to roughly pinpoint the location of their headquarters by tracking the escape path of A.B. Regardless of whether future interactions with the ATU were hostile or friendly, having established that our relationship was no longer one-sided was progress in itself.

The World Tree had yet to respond.

It was unclear whether it was willing to give up the first vital area, or if it had already secured the second.

One thing was certain.

Peace, however brief, had been restored.

“…Nonsense.”

Gu-seul challenged my judgment.

“Why?”
“Peace, my ass. Can’t you see what’s happened to my body?”

Ah, of course.
The beads I’d sent to Shiba as a precaution in case I was late. They were rendered useless, battered by an unknown adversary.

“I was beaten up!”
“Then what happened?”
“I fought back a bit more. I swear. Trust me.”
“……”

If she got roughed up this much, even after unlocking three restraints, she should feel a twinge of shame.

“Wow, Lee Si-heon… I’m at a loss for words.”
“Ebony is unscathed, why are you like this?”
“……The opponent was what he was. Plus, you provided Ebony with backup!”
“You’re talking about backing up in a war?”

Gu-seul, turning her head, puffed up her cheeks.

The guy Gu-seul fought was Lerad. One of the Three Disasters, a character on the same level as Aori and Gu-seul.
He has been accruing countless evil deeds for years. His brutality is reputed to be the worst among the Three Disasters, and, naturally, his bounty is the highest.

I can’t quite gauge who had the upper hand, but judging by his physical state, it’s clear enough.

“Nope.”
“She’s oddly defiant.”

Indeed, Gu-seul has to be unleashed to truly demonstrate her power, so it’s understandable she feels wronged.

However, that release. It’s meant for a crowd, not a single opponent.

“… No!”
“Alright. I got it.”

To a wounded child, empathy is the answer.
As I applied a healing spell to Gu-seul, who was swathed in bandages, I stuffed a thick energy bar into her mouth.

“Is he… dead?”
“No.”
“I’m out of tears… I’m so aggrieved I feel like they’ve all been shed.”

Gu-seul, gnawing on the energy bar, was suppressing her fury.
Despite her words, her emotions were muted, she was unlikely to truly feel sorrow.

I rose from my spot.

“… Shall we go meet them now?”
“Yes.”

I lightly exited Gu-seul’s infirmary, headed to meet the troublesome character.
Not particularly powerful, lacking both arms and legs, he hadn’t even considered escaping for days.
I hadn’t had time to deal with him due to cleaning up the aftermath of the fight, so now was our first encounter.

My heart pounded.

I twisted the doorknob, and addressed the man sprawled on the bed.

“Listen closely.”
“……”

Camellia.
The time had come to discuss her story.