Chapter 101

Once upon a time, I endured a bit more than before, but that was all.

The one-sided battle that was so pitiful it couldn’t even be called a fight ended with Andymion unconscious on the cold snowfield. Dominus felt a sense of futility.

“Tsk.”

Unable to stop himself from clicking his tongue, Dominus indifferently observed the fallen child. The emotionless fragments of his gaze, far too chilling to be considered familial affection, revealed nothing close to what a father should feel when looking at his own child.

Dry anger, petty jealousy, inexplicable loss. None of these emotions seemed fitting for a father looking at his son.

Andymion, the child left at the orphanage without even a name given to him, and the other child he reluctantly raised. Even if he had been given the name of the child he reluctantly raised, the way he looked at Andymion made it hard to believe he saw him as anything more than a person at all.

Why did he hate his own child so much?

It was something he would never reveal.

“This is the perfect opportunity to end it…”

Judging by his haste to eliminate the subject of his gaze, it seemed unlikely that his mouth would open again. However, the weaponless object in Dominus’ hand didn’t take Andymion’s life but remained suspended in mid-air.

Compared to how he had acted just moments ago—when he seemed ready to strike Andymion’s throat or heart with the weaponless—it was quite unexpected.

BOOM!

Almost immediately after Andymion fell, thunder roared overhead, and a woman’s desperate call echoed, “Andi–!!!”

That voice was unmistakable to Dominus. It was unforgettable. In the midst of being disregarded by others, it was the voice that completed the action necessary to fulfill his sole reason for living.

Yes… her name was Asulin. The woman who always took Caladbolg’s superiority for granted.

As Asulin’s voice reached his ears, a rhythmic sound of footsteps approached through the snow.

It was clear she would soon arrive here. Her steps grew louder with each passing moment.

“What a pity…”

Feeling regret at not being able to finish what he started, Dominus swung the weaponless towards the air instead of Andymion’s throat.

Though intended to deter the approaching opponent, the distance seemed too great for it to have any real impact.

WHOOSH!

A wind accompanied the weaponless, wielded lightly without hostility, carrying a presence that seemed to give meaning to the seemingly meaningless action.

The force behind the wind, capable of tearing apart anything formed of blood and flesh, brought immense threat to Asulin, rushing towards them.

But Asulin, unaffected by the cold wind and undeterred by the threat, responded by lightly swinging Caladbolg from left to right in her hand.

Despite the seemingly harmless motion, Caladbolg effortlessly disrupted Dominus’ wind, clearing the path for Asulin.

Soon, Asulin stood close enough to deliver a fatal blow to Dominus, who was hindering her rescue of Andymion.

“Haah!!”

With a sharp cry, she executed the strike.

Dominus reflexively swung his sword to block the powerful attack.

In the air where their swords met, a faint spark and a sharp metallic sound filled the space. Despite the immense shock of such a clash, they continued their duel.

“Stay away from Andi!”

Even though her Caladbolg was blocked, Asulin pushed against the weaponless, threatening the one who stood in her way.

Though Dominus knew this voice well, hearing it so close was a first.

The mere memory of her voice from their brief encounter on the battlefield was unusual for him. In his memories, there had only ever been one voice.

Though that memory was fading, now wasn’t the time to dwell on such things. He had to prepare to face the formidable opponent before him.

“Hmph. A small, young lightning bolt has come.”

Dominus coldly remarked, maintaining a suitable distance from Asulin. His movements displayed the experience gained from countless battles.

Though his expression distorted oddly beneath the death mask, his eyes quickly returned to normal.

He realized that finishing his task was more important than dealing with the protagonist trying to thwart him.

“Stay away from Andi!”

Ignoring Asulin’s threatening gaze, he replied, “No.”

The weaponless in his hand fell mercilessly, as if signifying an unavoidable death.

KLANG!!

The weaponless was halted by Caladbolg, which glowed with a blue light. Seeing this, Dominus made a desperate move.

When he hastily dodged, the sword that had blocked his weaponless drew a brilliant trajectory.

If he hadn’t moved, even the finest armor wouldn’t have saved him from being cleaved where he stood.

Returning to his original position, Dominus scanned the area. He couldn’t keep looking at his fallen child and turned his gaze to the woman he had called a small, young lightning bolt.

His blue hair, fluttering in the cold winter wind, created a scene reminiscent of a frost storm. His features, normally sculpted into beauty, were now cold and sharp as he stared at Dominus.

The overwhelming hostility and murderous intent were almost enough to crush anyone, but…

“Hmph. Caladbolg users always intrude blindly, whether it’s a father or his daughter.”

Dominus’ cold, golden eyes, unhidden by the death mask, showed no sign of backing down.

Seeing such disregard for his opponent, Asulin tried to express her rage, but Dominus held up his palm, stopping her advance.

Even more surprising was the overwhelming pressure she felt from his palm, surpassing even when he wielded his sword.

Asulin recalled the few times she had experienced such pressure. Only her father, known for his rough demeanor but recognized as a master of Imperial swordsmanship, came to mind.

Without hesitation, she pushed aside the thought and focused all her energy on moving.

Despite the oppressive aura, Asulin and her Caladbolg resumed their original movements.

“Hmm.”

Dominus sighed, feeling dejected that his attempt to restrain her had failed.

Asulin, now free from his restraint, closed the gap to deliver a decisive blow, but instead chose to protect Dominus from the weaponless, standing over the unconscious Andymion.

Dominus’ face twisted strangely beneath the death mask, showing his confusion at protecting something he deemed worthless.

Whether it was because of something he recalled about Asulin, or simply his momentary lapse, he couldn’t understand.

Meanwhile, Asulin’s thoughts were consumed by the urgency of the situation, leaving no room for questions.

“…”

Tension hung heavy in the cold winter air. One choice could alter everything.

“Ha… hahaha… hahaha!!”

The tension shattered as Dominus suddenly burst into laughter, abandoning his will to fight. His sudden outburst left Asulin bewildered.

The sudden laughter, unlike anything she had seen from him, made her question his sanity.

“…This ends here today.”

Laughing uncontrollably, Dominus sheathed his weaponless, turning his back to Asulin.