Chapter 124

I approached the tent that served as the campsite where the sacrifice was being held, greeted by one of the four black knights who had appeared at Dominus’s call just moments ago.

Among the sturdy figures clad in heavy plate armor, this knight stood out for being slightly more slender in build.

Despite his seemingly frail appearance compared to the others,

and despite the cumbersome nature of the heavy armor he wore that would make any movement difficult,

“Welcome.”

The voice that flowed from the knight, kneeling on the cold floor, was unexpectedly delicate considering the weight of the armor. Yet, the aura it carried was far stronger than the combined auras of the other three knights.

Even with the face obscured by a helmet, the presence of such a delicate voice was noticeable enough to spark curiosity about what might be behind the visor.

Normally, when faced with such extreme courtesy, one would expect a formal response in kind.

But instead,

“Is the sacrifice still unharmed inside?”

Dominus ignored the knight’s elaborate gesture and spoke only what was on his mind.

Even if it were a master-servant relationship, his manner of not properly responding to the respectful salute of his servant was incredibly arrogant.

“…The sacrifice has yet to regain consciousness after your lord’s strike.”

The knight’s reply was dutiful, fitting the question posed by Dominus.

Without visible eyes in his helmet, it was impossible to discern any emotion in his words.

“Understood. You may leave now.”

He waved his hand dismissively without even acknowledging the knight’s efforts, entering the tent.

From start to finish, there was no trace of care or consideration for the knight kneeling on the cold floor.

Anyone subjected to such cold treatment would naturally react sharply, but—

“……”

The black knight, watching Dominus’s back intently, showed no signs of emotional expression. Even his eyes, completely hidden by the helmet, made it impossible to read any emotion.

It felt as though all human-like presence had vanished from him the moment Dominus passed by.

Was there truly a person inside that armor?

Or perhaps something fitting the name of a wraith?

Only when the helmet was removed would these questions be answered.

“……”

Footsteps—uncharacteristically silent until now, he finally made a sound as he walked away.

Given how he hid his head with the helmet, it seemed unlikely he would remove it.

But—

“…Still a cautious one, huh.”

Stepping into the tent, Dominus acted as if he sensed the knight’s gaze from behind.

Though he couldn’t explain exactly what the knight felt looking at him, his nonchalant tone suggested he had noticed.

Despite his casual demeanor, his expression revealed a harshness that made him seem almost like a statue.

In his younger days, driven by a grand ambition to rise to the pinnacle of the empire’s knights, his face had been filled with the desire to push forward and enjoy the fruits of victory.

Though many despised him for his lack of nobility, those who remembered his proud stance, declaring he lived only to fulfill his dreams, still existed.

“……”

Looking at the current Dominus, who silently entered the tent, one might feel a sense of awkwardness.

Even if his expression was shaped by simple, crude desires,

“……This will soon be over.”

His hollow, emotionless face was preferable to the emptiness he displayed earlier.

It seemed that only rain could wash away the desolation in his expression, just as uncovering the face beneath the helmet might.

This desolation continued even after entering the tent meant for rest.

Without proper lighting, the interior was dim and dark, as the tent was never intended for anything but sleeping.

“I need to check on the sacrifice’s condition.”

Moving confidently through the darkness, Dominus’s footsteps were unwavering.

Whether due to familiarity with the darkness or heightened senses from the previous battle, his movements were remarkably smooth.

Now was not the time to admire his skill; what mattered was what he intended to do here.

“…Unconscious? Or asleep?”

As he observed Asulin Blatt Caladborg, restrained on the bed, Dominus spoke with a barely human tone, examining her state.

Unlike before, when his expression was devoid of humanity, his current gaze was unusually serious as he assessed her condition.

His serious scrutiny quickly discerned her state.

“Unbelievable…”

His exclamation reflected both amazement and frustration.

Despite being rendered combat-ineffective by his attack, Asulin’s condition was surprisingly good.

There were no visible injuries on her face or shoulders, which he had attempted to crush.

She had healed in the brief time she had lost consciousness.

“Nothing seems wrong with her.”

After observing her, Dominus’s expression softened, shedding some of its harshness.

But it wasn’t replaced by a positive light.

“Even if urgent, we shouldn’t harm the sacrifice too much. The gods wouldn’t be pleased to see an unharmed one.”

Laughter erupted, a grotesque and eerie sound, making the previous harshness seem preferable.

Alone and unheard, the laughter didn’t require correction.

“Crack…Hahahaha!!”

Dominus’s laughter, echoing in the tent where only the unconscious Asulin lay, was unsettling.

“Almost… Almost…”

Even amidst his manic laughter, his intermittent words carried ominous meaning.

It was clear what he awaited.

A ritual involving the sacrifice lying on the bed.

He waited solely for this ritual.

Through it, he sought to summon a god and gain something in return.

Once, he had chosen the path of survival, even among the barbarians’ dwellings, to fulfill his obligations as an imperial noble.

He wouldn’t have stayed in such a makeshift camp, which felt shameful even to call a campsite.

What sweet fruit could justify such arrogance and provoke such laughter?

“Just a little longer…”

As he regained composure, his soft words carried a profound meaning.

His golden eyes, filled with greed as he looked at Asulin, flickered with selfishness.

Yet, recalling a time when his eyes held a warm light for others, not himself,

Dominus’s golden eyes were repulsive.

“But I’ll make sure to deliver every word…”

When he spoke with deep emotion, his eyes and expression momentarily revealed a warmth distant from selfishness.

It seemed he once had such warmth in his face.

Perhaps remembering a precious time shared with someone who brought warmth to his life, Dominus wondered what he was thinking.

“…No matter who interferes with this sacred ritual, only death awaits them.”

Lowering his voice and revealing his harshness once more, Dominus showed no intention of sharing these memories with anyone.

He simply planned to sit in a chair near Asulin’s bed and continue watching her throughout the night and into the dawn.

His determination to avoid mistakes in this crucial moment was evident, though it bordered on fanaticism.

Compared to his previous harshness, there was a hint of humanity in his actions.

But the eerie wind that swept through the tent only emphasized his twisted resolve.