Chapter 71: Consciousness

The Count began to speak, his voice choked with sobs.

His sturdy, muscular frame and that fragile voice were so mismatched that at first, I thought he was acting.

‘Is this what they call a tough exterior but a soft interior…?’

But the Count I knew wasn’t really a weak person.

It was surely the longing and worry for his son that had made him this way.

The tears streaming from his eyes now didn’t seem feigned; they appeared to come from a place of genuine sincerity.

“My son, Edgar…”

The Count’s voice trembled.

He slowly began Edgar’s story.

From his very early childhood.

“From a young age, he greatly admired his older brother. My two sons were always together. Brian would lead Edgar, and Edgar would follow his brother.”

‘Oh boy, he’s about to recite his sons’ entire biography.’

A teardrop fell from the Count’s eye.

The words, ‘Just get to the point,’ rose to my throat, but I couldn’t bring myself to say them.

I could tell his sorrow was real.

“Edgar had a natural talent for swordsmanship.

He held a wooden sword since he was five, and by the time he was seven, he had already mastered the basic sword techniques of the Heindall family.”

My gaze drifted to the ceiling.

Miel, already bored, was flitting around me before landing on the Count’s hair and starting to play.

It seemed she was trying to create something by pulling his hair with her tiny feet.

Her blue, ice-like wings trembled lightly, scattering a faint powder.

Meanwhile, Cecilia had flown to the window and was admiring the scenery outside.

Her three pairs of red wings shimmered in the moonlight, casting a beautiful shadow on the windowpane.

Lotte, as always, was orbiting me, its bluish metal surface subtly glowing in the room’s light.

The artworks hanging on the wall caught my eye.

There were paintings, sculptures…

The Count’s voice flowed past my ears, but my mind had already wandered elsewhere.

‘I wonder if my master is doing well…’

A heaviness settled in my chest.

I don’t have time for this…

The thought made my fingers fidget on their own.

“Having grown up like that, Edgar joined the 2nd Knight Order of the kingdom and…”

The Count’s story went in one ear and out the other.

Did he say he needed jasmine tea with his meals?

What was that about a leather bracelet from Kauai?

“…And three years ago, the 2nd Knight Order went on an expedition to Sia Kalt.”

Those words suddenly brought me back to reality.

“But… they didn’t return. All we heard was that everyone was annihilated…”

‘Huh?’

‘That’s when he met me.’

Tears streamed down the Count’s face.

But that wasn’t true.

When Edgar entered with the knights, I had sent him and another knight away alive.

Moreover, Brian had brought the injured Edgar back, and I had even treated him myself.

‘Edgar’s not dead!’

“Wait, Ed…”

“And, sob, sob. Brian is…”

I was about to tell him that Edgar was alive, but the Count started talking about Brian through his tears.

‘Ah, this is going to be hard to interrupt.’

I glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that three hours had already passed.

My legs were starting to hurt.

Leivi, sitting in her chair, also yawned out of boredom before quickly covering her mouth with an apologetic expression.

Only Ryandel remained focused.

He was a polite person even in sudden situations.

‘That’s really impressive…’

Wait a minute…

The important thing is that Edgar is alive, so why didn’t he come home?

Why didn’t he send word?

Could something have happened on his way back?

As I was thinking this, the story of Brian’s childhood was in full swing.

“Brian didn’t have much talent for swordsmanship, but he had a warm heart. He always helped the weak and couldn’t stand injustice. He even stopped the village kids from tormenting a frog.”

‘Ah, this is going to take a while too…’

Looking out the window, the sun was setting.

The light was slowly fading, casting long shadows in the room.

I sighed and walked over to the window.

Cecilia flew over and perched on my shoulder.

A warm sensation spread through me.

‘You’re tired too, huh…?’

“…And 10 years ago, Brian left home, saying he would become an adventurer.

At first, I thought he’d give up and come back soon… but I still haven’t heard from him.”

Tears poured from the Count’s eyes like a waterfall.

His shoulders trembled.

My heart ached for him, but at the same time, I was frustrated.

Now, only moonlight streamed through the window into the room.

Servants came in to light candles, illuminating the room.

It really took a long time.

It felt like well over five hours had passed.

I really couldn’t take it anymore.

I let out a deep sigh and opened my mouth.

‘Gosh, you fool. If someone who knows your two sons comes, isn’t asking for news about them the first thing you should do?’

“How frustrating. If you do not know the whereabouts of your children, would a guest who has come to see them not know their news?”

‘Huh?’

‘Why is my tone getting so archaic?’

The Count’s eyes widened.

His surprised expression looked somehow funny.

“Do, do you know what has become of my sons?”

‘You idiot!’

‘You should have asked that first!’

‘Yes! Edgar didn’t die on the expedition, and Brian is doing well as an adventurer!’

“Hmph. Edgar did not die on the expedition.

Though I know not why he did not return home. And Brian is active as an adventurer; your two sons even met each other in Sia Kalt three years ago.”

Upon hearing this, the Count’s expression completely changed.

His tears dried up, and a light of hope seemed to return to his eyes.

Relief spread across his face, and a smile began to bloom on his wrinkled lips.

“What…? Is that truly so?”

‘Yes!’

“Why? Do you think I would lie?”

At my words, the Count hastily shook his head.

“No, my lady! Ah… what a relief. But why did Edgar…”

Kukuku

Suddenly, a vibration was felt from the floor.

It was faint at first, but it grew stronger.

The candles flickered, and the paintings on the wall tilted.

‘Huh?’

‘An earthquake?’

Miel suddenly shot up from the Count’s head and began to circle me frantically.

Her wings were moving much faster than usual, and she clicked her tiny feet together, trying to tell me something.

Cecilia also flew from the window and came to my side, perching on my shoulder.

Lotte maintained its calm orbit, and Glaesir lay comfortably on the swaying chair.

‘Such a variety of reactions.’

The Count’s eyes widened again.

This time, it was a mixture of shock and fear, not surprise.

“This, this is…!”

Before he could finish his sentence, he shot up and ran out of the room.

‘Huh?’

‘Are you running away by yourself!’

“How can a nobleman be so undignified!”

“Uwaah…!”

Leivi cried out in a flustered voice.

Her face turned pale.

She was gripping her bow tightly with both hands.

Ryandel stood up calmly and said.

“Let’s go outside as well.”

We all followed the Count towards the garden.

He was running without stopping.

His silhouette could be seen moving ahead in the moonlight.

I was annoyed.

First he cries, and now he’s running away by himself.

‘Where are you going!’

“Whither do you go!”

As I glared at the Count and shouted, he flinched and looked back.

His face was a mixture of surprise and excitement.

“This energy is the secret technique of the Heindall family! It must be my son!”

‘Huh?’

‘Really? We’re meeting him like this?’

‘What’s with this timing?’

I was surprised by the Count’s words, but I started running after him nonetheless.

Miel and Cecilia flew quickly in front of me.

Lotte was still orbiting me, and Glaesir, seeing us all leave, finally started to follow.

Leivi and Ryandel followed right behind.

The source was very close.

It was below the plaza in the noble residential area.

The plaza seemed to be empty, as if everyone had fled due to the tremors.

As we approached the empty plaza, the ground suddenly began to collapse.

‘What on earth is happening!’

At that moment, with a huge explosion, a massive green sword aura shot up from the plaza floor.

The green light mingled with the moonlight, creating a mystical spectacle.

And with that sword aura, a figure shot up into the air.

『 ☆☆☆☆ 【Edgar】 Human LV158 』

‘Whoa!’

‘It’s really Edgar!’

Looking at the status window, it was definitely Edgar.

‘But his level has gone up a lot!’

He seemed much stronger than when I met him in Sia Kalt.

“Edgar!”

The Count cried out as if in agony upon seeing his son.

His voice was a mixture of joy and terror.

Tears poured from the large man’s eyes like a waterfall, and he unconsciously spread his arms.

Edgar was floating in the air, but he looked to be in serious condition.

His whole body was covered in wounds, and blood was gushing from his chest in particular.

But the blood didn’t seem to be coming from an ordinary wound.

It shimmered with alternating silver and black light, writhing as if it were alive.

The area around the wound was turning black, and it looked like it was starting to rot.

His right ear was half torn, and his face had deep scratches.

Those wounds were also strangely discolored.

This was definitely not an ordinary wound.

‘Why is he so hurt again!’

I treated him so well, and now he’s injured to the point of death again.

‘He must have a constitution that attracts injuries like a magnet.’

‘Recovery Pollen!’

I immediately released a light green pollen from my hair.

The pollen grains rode the wind towards Edgar.

As the pollen touched Edgar’s wounds, the black discoloration began to recede slightly.

‘Glaesir! Catch him!’

“Glaesir! Seize him!”

At my command, Glaesir flapped her wings vigorously and flew up.

It was much faster than usual.

About 70 percent of her speed when she comes for honey?

Still, it was impressive enough.

Every time she flew quickly, the surrounding air grew cold, and something like frost formed and then disappeared.

Glaesir reached Edgar and held him in her arms.

She couldn’t fly while carrying a person, but she could descend like this, as if gliding.

Edgar seemed unconscious, cradled in Glaesir’s arms.

Glaesir brought him down precariously, as if carrying a brick from a construction site.

“Ah… Edgar. Thank you. Thank you.”

The Count sobbed as he watched Glaesir glide down.

His voice trembled, and his face was covered in tears.

As soon as Edgar was lowered to the ground, the Count ran to him and embraced him.

“My son… my son…”

The Count murmured, caressing Edgar’s face.

“How I’ve searched for you… where have you been…”

A warm yet sad feeling filled my chest.

‘But it looks like he was fighting someone.’

I peered down into the collapsed plaza.

There, people in black robes were in a state of chaos.

Some of them were lying on the ground, seemingly injured, while others were helping each other and trying to escape.

All over the underground space, the Ouroboros symbol I had seen in Baron Silverbrook’s mansion was drawn.

The floor was drenched in blood, and candlesticks were overturned.

‘These guys must be the evil god’s followers.’

As a apostle of Lord Miquella, I couldn’t just stand by and watch this wicked group.

They were targets that I, the apostle of Lord Miquella, had to judge myself.

And then, something suspicious in the middle of the underground space caught my eye.

It was a shadowy, shapeless something.

It was distorted like smoke rising from a chimney, sometimes taking on a human form before becoming irregular again.

Every time it moved, the surrounding space seemed to warp.

As if the fabric of reality was being torn and reconnected.

The figures of the people near it also appeared distorted.

Their movements were strange, as if time was slowing down or speeding up.

『 ☆☆☆☆☆ 【ᚲᚹᛖᛚᛚᚨᛏᚨᛚᚨ᛫ᚦᛖ᛫ᛈᛖᛁᚾᛋᛖᛖᚲᛖᚱ】 Demon LV303 』

‘Gasp!’

‘What is that name!’

The name that appeared in the status window was so bizarre I couldn’t even read it.

Just looking at it gave me a headache.

But the level was clearly visible.

303!

A level similar to mine.

This meant it was a truly powerful being.

Even when it was still, the being seemed to swallow the surrounding air.

Light bent around it, sound was muffled, and even smells seemed to disappear.

The places it looked at felt as if all life force was being sucked out.

A chilling fear crept up my spine.

“This… this is…”

Ryandel’s voice trembled.

His face turned pale, and the hand holding the crystal staff was shaking slightly.

“A demon… and a high-ranking one at that. I’ve only heard of them in legends…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence.

It seemed that even for a mage who had seen many things, this was a first.

Leivi dropped the hand that was holding her bow.

Her eyes were wide with terror, and I could see her legs trembling.

“How… how do we defeat something like this…”

But soon, with a strong will, she composed herself and raised her bow again.

Her hand was still trembling, but her gaze was resolute.

The Count seemed to be at a loss for words.

He just held Edgar tighter.

Despair and fear seeped into his face.

‘That demon must be the evil god’s lackey!’

This was certain.

That must be the evil god’s minion.

I had to get rid of it right away.

As a believer in Lord Miquella, and as her chosen apostle, it was my duty to judge this band of evil.

Heat filled my entire body.

It felt like my chest was on fire with a sense of sacred mission.

‘Lord Miquella, I, your apostle, will slay this wicked group and offer all their blood to you!’

I offered a reverent prayer to Lord Miquella in my heart.

I drew the Crimson Bind from my waist.

The black blade reflected the moonlight, glowing red.

The next moment, I activated Crimson Moon.

The moon in the sky began to turn red, and its crimson light illuminated the entire plaza.

At the same time, I used Blood Realm to turn all the scattered blood on the ground into mist.

The red moon and the red mist seemed to cover the entire world.

A red aura swirled around me.

Now, the judgment of Lord Miquella would begin.

My pupils glowed red, and my hair fluttered without a wind.

“Huh, huff!”

The Count backed away with a completely terrified expression.

His eyes were filled with fear.

He looked as if he had never seen such a sight before.

He tightened his grip on the arm supporting Edgar, taking a stance as if to protect his son at all costs.

‘Hehe! I look much stronger, don’t I?’

“Would it not be good if I, your ally, appear more fearsome than such an inherently incomplete mongrel?”

‘Ugh…’

‘My tone…’

“Rest assured. This is Lady Lycoris’s ability.”

Ryandel calmed the Count.

He was already gripping his crystal staff tightly, and as the trembling subsided, he began to mutter a magic spell.

A faint barrier formed around the Count.

Leivi also overcame her initial fear and nocked an arrow.

The tip of her arrow began to emit a faint blue light.

“Lady Lycoris… we’ll help too.”

‘I don’t think you’ll be much help…’

“Protecting commoners like you is also the duty of a noble. Do not interfere and just watch.”

‘Aargh!’

‘What is this now!’

‘I’m never meeting another noble until I see Lord Nees again!’

But then, a strange reaction came from underground.

The robed figures began to murmur, then started shouting louder and louder.

“The moon of blood, the moon of blood! Lord Abraxas is descending!”

“Lord Abraxas has spread the mist of blood! The whole world will be stained with blood!”

“The ritual was a success! The gate to the demon world will open!”

‘Abraxas? The evil god Ryandel mentioned?’

Hearing their words, I was confused.

They were mistaking the power given to me by Lord Miquella for the descent of an evil god.

It was an absurd misunderstanding.

Rage welled up inside me.

‘How dare they mistake the sacred power of Lord Miquella for that of an evil god!’

‘What are you saying! This is the power of Lord Miquella!’

“How rude!

How dare you blaspheme the sacred power of Miquella, the God of Blood and Slaughter, as that of a wicked god!

Your profane blood shall be purified in the name of Miquella!”

Their arrogance set my heart ablaze.