Chapter 112

Standing at an appropriate distance from the fallen Asulin,

The mountain elder, who was jesting about having obtained a sacrifice,

“—”

Dominus, whose gaze was dry yet seemed to cross emotions as he looked up into the air,

For a moment, the cold snowfield was dyed with jest and silence.

“—” / “—”

Their heads, nodding in unison as if they had promised something, lowered.

“I’ll take the sacrifice. Looks like you’re quite tired.”

“I won’t say thank you.”

“Not at all, we’re just doing this because our interests align for now.”

“Don’t think of slipping me behind.”

“One only cheats when they can, not against someone like you.”

“Hmph, you talk well.”

With a listless voice, Dominus closed his mouth, signaling the mountain elder, who was not far away, to gesture towards Asulin, unconscious and collapsed.

From where Asulin had lain, even more distinct shadows emerged, enveloping her body.

When the dark clouds cleared and the presence of the blue sky revealed itself, shyly emerging white clouds met the sunlight, casting a shadow that transformed into a hand-like shape, embracing Asulin.

“How fascinating it is each time I see it.”

Even Dominus couldn’t help but be amazed at the sight of using the shadow created by the sun to serve as a restraint tool without any prior indication.

It was a spell that manipulated shadows through mechanisms different from magic.

Dominus could only react with amazement.

If scholars well-versed in mado engineering saw this, they would surely have their eyes wide open, trying to figure out the mechanism behind it.

“Hmph, such a bland reaction to seeing my technique—only you would do that.”

The mountain elder, knowing this, found it unsatisfactory that Dominus gave such a brief response despite showing off his technique.

“Do you want me to cheer and get emotionally worked up?”

“Cough…”

Without a proper reply, Dominus could only cough in response to the elder’s somewhat threatening words.

For some reason, whenever Dominus’ emotions reached a certain level, it seemed to suggest that something was wrong.

“…What about that one?”

To avoid delving into a difficult topic, Dominus gestured towards Andymion, who had fallen after a fierce battle, asking what he planned to do with him.

Though there was a purpose in changing the subject, it was also a necessary question for the mountain elder.

He had always tried to recruit Andymion, who possessed a talent he desired.

Unlike himself, Andymion wasn’t a difficult person to work with, and if he were to take over, he could fulfill the elder’s ideals more perfectly.

Seeing Andymion sprawled out, beaten by his father with whom he had a poor relationship, the elder knew that losing him would be a significant loss.

If Andymion were to die, he would have to forcefully take him.

Though Dominus had the capability to kill, he needed cooperation at the moment, so he would merely subdue him and take him.

But then Dominus spoke unexpectedly.

“I will take him.”

“—What?”

The mountain elder could only utter such a stunned response.

“—Why?”

After a long silence, the elder managed to ask a short question.

Given how he had always treated Andymion like a tool and never considered killing or leaving him here, taking him personally was indeed puzzling.

“Because I need him.”

Again, Dominus responded with a brief statement, making it clear that further questioning was futile.

“Tsk… If you need him, there’s nothing I can do.”

The elder sighed, though reluctantly, understanding that questioning Dominus further was pointless.

Knowing that Dominus avoided long answers, the elder accepted that Dominus was stubborn at the moment and that there was no way to persuade him otherwise.

“Take your time. There’s plenty of time.”

With a dry tone, Dominus indicated that he was leaving, moving his body with the shadows he had created.

In the blink of an eye, the mountain elder reached Asulin, who was a fair distance away, and disappeared into the shadows with her, carrying her restrained.

Even in the central continent, where mado engineering had reached its peak, teleportation spells hadn’t been practicalized to instantly move people to other spaces. The idea of using shadows for instant travel was mind-blowing.

Mado engineers would be excited, almost foaming at the mouth, at the prospect of manipulating shadows.

“But don’t think of skipping out.”

“Hmph, you better hurry and get out of here before the Bright Wing Knights arrive. And bring that young fellow too.”

Only dry words were exchanged between those involved and those watching.

—

Immediately after the mountain elder vanished, a cold silence descended upon the snowy field.

Tap-tap-tap!

Rushed footsteps echoed across the snow.

Facing someone as formidable as Dominus, the members of the Bright Wing Knights who had been holding back Asulin realized the situation and hurried to save Asulin and Andymion.

The hurried footsteps, merging into a heavy sound, conveyed a sense of urgency.

“It’s too late. It’s too late.”

The attitude of the one hearing these footsteps was calm.

As he said, everything that could be done had already been done.

There was no point in them arriving now.

Asulin, the daughter of Cadbolg, had already been safely handed over to the mountain elder as a sacrifice.

And the one lying on the ground, referred to as a tool, would be dealt with by the Bright Wing Knights regardless of how they approached.

“Keep running. Even if you’re late, it doesn’t matter.”

This was the extent to which he could mock them.

Clunk—

Dominus walked slowly, smiling disdainfully.

“Now it’s time for small matters.”

His muttering was an afterthought.

Having arrived at this point, asking about his next steps would be pointless.

It was clear that he intended to take Andymion and use him for his own purposes.

“—Like hell I would take him. You old fool.”

A shadow of disdain filled his voice as he held a weaponless object.

The sound of turbulent hostility and murderous intent filled the air as he poured it into the weaponless object.

“I’ve hated you since the day you were born.”

Declaring his intention to kill Andymion, his malice overshadowed his ugliness.

Even so, the weaponless object trembled, refusing to move as if against his will.

“Why can’t I kill you?” he exclaimed, frustrated.

“—”

His right arm refused to move, causing him to burst into a fit of frustration.

“Damn it! I still can’t kill you!”

Exasperated, he cried out.

An unknown force prevented his right arm from moving, stopping him from wielding the weaponless object.

“I can’t… I can’t… That promise… It still blocks me from killing you…”

With a thin sigh, he struggled to wield the weaponless object, his expression boiling with murderous intent.

Though such conflicting emotions often merge abruptly in life,

Dominus, displaying extreme agitation, clearly despised the situation where he couldn’t kill Andymion as he wished.

Tap-tap-tap!

The hurried footsteps of the Bright Wing Knights grew louder.

If he delayed any longer, not only would he fail to kill Andymion, but he’d waste energy on unnecessary combat.

Aware of this, he strained to move his right arm.

“—”

The weaponless object remained immobile, as if held by an invisible hand.

Finally, giving up, Dominus threw the object in frustration.

Thud—

Dominus turned his back on the scene, abandoning Andymion.

“An opportunity…”

Muttering something incomprehensible, he walked away without retrieving the weaponless object.

“Master! I’m sorry I’m late…”

Just as Dominus disappeared, the Bright Wing Knights, led by Katarina, arrived, finding Andymion sprawled out and battered on the ground.

—

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