Chapter 134

I couldn’t help but feel the horror and grotesqueness surpassing all my grim imaginings as I perceived the cold wind, scorching sulfur flames, and the unreasonable cacophony of wails.

The cross between the blue sky and darkness was so much more tolerable compared to anything I had witnessed before, almost making me feel relieved.

To sense these ever-changing scenes that twisted my senses in a moment faster than blinking, without any distraction, felt like madness itself.

“Damn…”

My body could barely utter a light curse as I tried to move forward.

Though enduring this phenomenon wasn’t easy, I knew I had to help. Even if it wouldn’t last long, I would somehow make it to where Dominus was.

“I can endure.”

Listening to the Weaponless’s voice echoing in my head and ears, I was sure she had helped me keep moving, despite the measures she had taken.

“Grateful indeed.”

“Even if we’re casually bound, I don’t want to hear nagging from that old Failord.”

With a light gesture of gratitude, Weaponless responded with an ambiguous reaction. As I conversed with her and continued walking, adapting to the changing scenery with each step.

The chaotic views that tormented my senses finally stabilized, resembling a dimly lit building inside a tent.

Despite the lack of lighting, my sharpened senses easily discerned the nature of this place.

A grandeur, a majestic aura, as if a hymn to some deity was about to ring in my ears, hung over this space devoid of light. Yet, this grandeur transformed into an ominous presence, pressing on me beyond my senses.

“Tsk…”

I clicked my tongue and hurried my steps.

How do I describe this ominous feeling? It’s as if something twisted and unholy, which no amount of grandeur can hide, subtly spreads its influence.

Gradually getting used to the sensation of my senses being twisted, a word surfaced in my mind as I observed the fixed scene.

A temple. Yes, a temple.

Dominus intended to summon some unknown deity by gathering the remaining mysteries with Asulin’s aid.

It was better not to have thought of this while desperately trying to maintain my senses amidst the chaos.

Realizing how this seemingly ordinary tent had been warped made me painfully aware that Weaponless’s words about time running out were becoming reality.

“What a mess…”

After restraining my urge to curse, I quickened my pace further, though the complex thoughts in my head only intensified my unease.

Of course, there was only one thing I worried about in this situation.

“Asulin…”

The safety of Asulin, whom Dominus had kidnapped under the pretense of sacrifice, was the only concern.

Even the reassurance from my brother about using the power for summoning instead of sacrificing didn’t ease my anxiety.

The only way to quell this unease was…

“Master, though urgent, staying calm is crucial now to protect what must be protected.”

Only by following Weaponless’s valuable advice, even as she remained behind in human form, could I proceed.

“Huff…”

Taking a deep breath, I felt calmer despite the rapid pace. The heat of anxiety in my head slowly returned to normal.

Yes, worrying here won’t change anything.

What I must stop.

What I must protect.

Before it’s too late, I need to reach them, no matter what.

“Let go of all the doubts and fears in my mind.”

As my movements sped up, Weaponless somehow kept pace, continually addressing my growing thoughts.

Her calm, almost priest-like words, reminiscent of someone who has dedicated their life to a deity and shares their wisdom, seemed out of place given her initial fierce appearance.

“And embrace what you desire.”

Desire… Of course, there was such a thing, and it was clear.

Without needing to verbalize it, I poured this desire into my accelerating steps.

Though I hadn’t encountered any barbarians or Dominus’s hounds, the end of this dreary path felt like it couldn’t come sooner.

Two distinct energies grew clearer, unmistakably.

“…Here you are.”

Before I could fully register, a sharp, irritable voice pierced my ear, stopping me.

Turning my head towards the source, a faint light appeared in this dark, endless room, just enough to slightly strain my eyes.

Though questionable whether it deserved the name, the light did break the darkness.

In that light, I saw the person who greeted me.

Dominus sat on a horrific chair, his empty eyes—devoid of any emotion, not even coldness—welcoming me.

Said he welcomed me. In truth, the indescribable rage and hatred emanating from those seemingly indifferent eyes were overwhelmingly clear.

“You never thought I’d wait for you, did you?”

Feeling the same, I pulled the sword from its sheath and prepared to charge, but—

“ANDY!!”

An unexpectedly warm voice called out, stopping me.

Such a distinct voice, it didn’t need any introduction.

The person whose voice I couldn’t ignore, the one who gave meaning to my life, the most precious person to me.

“Asulin!!”

I turned towards the voice, calling out her name, but—

“Phew!”

A sharp object whizzed past my ear, embedding itself in the ground.

Clearly, the person sitting there didn’t approve of me reuniting with Asulin.

The silence that followed the warmth of Asulin’s voice felt like ice pouring over my arrogant thoughts.

“How presumptuous.”

Dominus’s cold yet furious voice shattered the silence.

“You cannot take what you wish without my permission. You’ve acted recklessly until now, so it’s time to follow my control.”

His confident tone made me think even a bank depositor wouldn’t dare demand as boldly.

Reckless… Though I vaguely understood from my brother, he had abandoned me without a name when I was a baby. He came back to use me as a tool, and when things went wrong, he blamed others and pretended death.

That was the kind of recklessness embodied by Dominus, who accused me of being reckless, yet his arrogance was staggering.

Instead of arguing, I calmly organized my hostility, waiting for him to finish speaking.

Given the distance, it was better to wait for him to come to me rather than force an attack. Plus, I wanted to confirm the vague suspicions I had from my brother’s words.

“Hmph. Always silent, never opposing my words.”

Dominus, deluded, twisted his mouth into a crooked smile, revealing a twisted satisfaction.

His golden eyes, cold and boiling with anger, and the crooked smile that made me wonder how he could speak, along with the twisted face that hid his emotions.

I almost retorted, but I held back, agreeing internally that hatred should have a reason.

If this disgusting man would soon reveal why he hated me so much, enduring this discomfort was nothing.

But life doesn’t always go as planned.

Dominus, with a fury ready to erupt, suddenly changed his expression.

“There’s no need for lengthy talk now. Only your absence matters for a new beginning here.”

From the hints my brother provided, one of Dominus’s true goals was revealed.

“Try then. I’ll teach you that thinking you could control my life recklessly is a colossal mistake.”

I broke the silence and took a step towards him.

“Colossal mistake…”

Dominus echoed my own misconception, standing up from the nauseating chair and taking a step towards me.

Though our distance had felt insurmountable, it narrowed swiftly.

Now, I had to shake off this emptiness.

“Yes, let’s see who’s mistaken…”

Ignoring his increasing pace, I decided to judge with this sword.

Pouring all my pent-up frustration into this single sentence, I charged at him.

The clash of our emotions, sharpened by the cold metal, resonated loudly throughout the space.