Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock Chapter 246 - Take Part (2)

 

“Come on. I can handle everything. This is the Magic Tower, after all.” Shaela scoffed lightly, exuding confidence. “More importantly, Lucion…”

 

Shaela’s smile abruptly disappeared, her tone turning serious.

 

Lucion instinctively swallowed a dry gulp.

 

[Heint did well, so we probably weren’t discovered,] Russell reassured, as if sensing Lucion’s concern.

 

‘That’s exactly my point,’ Lucion thought.

 

Heint had thoroughly maintained Lucion’s cover as “Hamel,” providing excuses like tending to his illness or simply accompanying him. Thanks to his efforts, both Lucion and Hume felt more at ease.

 

“About Hamel.”

 

“H-Hamel…?”

 

“Yes, Hamel, the leader of the organization Ale.”

 

“Oh, him? I know of him.”

 

“Have you ever seen him in person?”

 

“No, I haven’t. The only person I’ve met is the acting leader, someone named Kran.”

 

“I see. He reminds me of you.”

 

Shaela casually rolled her eyes, shaking her crossed legs.

 

“That Hamel guy, I mean.”

 

[Her intuition is too sharp!]

 

Bethel’s shock was evident in her voice.

 

[Indeed,] Russell agreed, pursing his lips.

 

[‘If even Shaela noticed so quickly, then Carson, who’s been around Lucion consistently, must have realized it by now.’]

 

If Shaela, who hadn’t seen Lucion in a while, could sense it immediately, it was likely Carson had picked up on even more.

 

“Similar, you say…?”

 

Lucion’s expression faltered as cold sweat trickled down his neck, struggling to maintain composure under the pressure.

 

“It’s just that… At first, I thought it was you because the vibe is so similar. If you ever meet him, you’ll be shocked too!”

 

Shaela chuckled softly.

 

“Goodness, what am I even saying so early in the morning? But if it really were you…”

 

Shaela’s smile faded again, leaving her sentence unfinished. Lucion’s heart sank at her hesitation. What on earth was she trying to say?

 

“I’d probably be really… worried. Ah, forget it. Never mind. Anyway, since your fever’s gone today, how about exploring the Magic Tower for a bit?”

 

“Sure,” Lucion replied, relieved at the change in topic.

 

—Ratta likes it too! Yahoo!

 

Ratta, holding a ball in her mouth, bounded over to Shaela, bouncing excitedly.

 

Squeak.

 

Roar.

 

* * *

 

“What did you just say?” Shaela’s voice rose sharply, filled with disbelief.

 

Lucion quietly sipped his grapefruit ade, cautiously observing Shaela’s sharp gaze.

 

“Nevast sent Lucion an invitation,” Carson replied grimly, handing over the letter delivered by a knight from Cronia.

 

Lucion glanced at Carson while picking up a macaron.

 

“No way… Those bastards actually sent Lucion an invitation?”

 

Heint clenched his fist, his brows furrowed deeply. Having learned from Ketlan and Lucion about Nevast’s actions, he was even more astounded by their audacity.

 

As Lucion chewed his macaron, he casually fed one to Ratta, who eagerly opened her mouth.

 

‘This feels intense,’ Lucion thought as he observed the sharp expressions of the three before him. They looked like feral beasts, ready to pounce.

 

[They’re talking about you, Lucion. At least try to look interested,] Russell said incredulously, watching Lucion munching peacefully on snacks.

 

‘Didn’t they already expect this?’

 

Lucion gave Russell a knowing glance, picking up another chocolate-covered macaron. They had talked several times that Nevast might try to contact him, considering Nevast’s association with the warlock organization Hand of the Void and their connection to Neubra.

 

Nothing about this surprised Lucion. Besides, after the events in Neubra, he had already anticipated this move.

 

[So Nevast has finally acted. They must’ve secured solid evidence to pressure the Kingdom of Neubra, right?]

 

Bethel’s observation was calm yet incisive.

 

[Exactly. What Nevast is trying to do is wage war under the guise of justice. With warlocks involved and Neubra committing atrocities against humanity, Nevast can break its neutrality and justify its actions.]

 

Russell nodded, agreeing with Bethel’s analysis. He chuckled suddenly.

 

[But what are they going to do now? The Hand of the Void is gone, and all the evidence? Burned to ashes.]

 

Lucion chuckled lightly at Russell’s remark.

 

‘The real question is why Nevast is corrupting the holy relics and killing the divine beasts. Once we figure that out, we’ll have our leverage.’

 

Lucion silently awaited the information from Heroan and J.L. If they failed to gather intel, he was prepared to investigate himself.

 

“Nevast approached me. They said they needed someone capable of carrying out the tasks God had entrusted to them.”

 

Lucion recalled the words of Chayton, the slave trader connected to Nevast, who had corrupted a holy relic.

 

“And that day, Keortia disappeared. It vanished in the blink of an eye, right before my eyes…”

 

Everyone—including Chayton, the death knight of Keortia, and Kran—had said the same thing.

 

‘It must have seemed like a punishment from the gods.’

 

Even Lucion, who had witnessed Keortia vanish and reappear, couldn’t easily explain what he’d seen.

 

‘Veronia was the one controlling Hotram.’

 

Hotram, the leader of the Hand of the Void, had been possessed by Veronia.

 

‘Then is Nevast any different?’

 

Lucion sighed softly.

 

‘Their goal isn’t to destroy the world.’

 

If that were their aim, why would they have reversed the world so many times?

 

“What does this even mean? Is Lucion some kind of object to them? Are we supposed to just hand him over because they demand it?”

 

Shaela slammed the teacup in her hand onto the table with force.

 

Clank!

 

Hume flinched at the sound. Even the mages passing by glanced over at Shaela, sensing the intensity of her murderous aura.

 

“I’m absolutely against this. No way.” Shaela asserted firmly.

 

Why would Lucion, who was vulnerable to light, even consider going to such a place? The territory outside the Empire was dangerous.

 

“Of course. How could we listen to those bastards barking?” Carson also expressed his disagreement.

 

“It’s true that I dislike this, but I believe Lucion’s opinion is the most important right now.” Heint maintained a neutral stance, unlike the other two.

 

After all, the invitation from Nevast was part of the plan Lucion had set forth as Hamel.

 

Hume glanced at Lucion again.

 

‘Young master?’

 

Right now, Lucion didn’t seem interested in the situation at all. Whatever he was thinking, the distracted look in his eyes suggested his mind was elsewhere.

 

“Lucion.”

 

Lucion paused, about to put the macaroon in his mouth, as Shaela’s voice called him. Only then did he notice her fierce gaze and awkwardly smiled as he responded.

 

“Yes. Go ahead.”

 

“What do you think?”

 

Shaela gestured for him to eat the macaron, and even Carson and Heint turned their attention toward him.

 

Despite the subtle pressure, Lucion spoke freely. “If I don’t go, won’t Nevast accuse both the Empire and me of lacking justice?”

 

In short, his response meant he intended to go.

 

Shaela took a deep breath at his words.

 

“Lucion. Any criticism they throw at you would only be temporary. Besides, why should you get involved in the political feud between Neubra and Nevast?”

 

“Because I’m the Saint,” Lucion replied calmly.

 

“You’re Lucion.”

 

“Sister, you know as well as I do that this isn’t something I can simply back out of.”

 

To uncover the truth about Neubra’s collusion with the warlocks, they needed someone impartial, someone who would take no sides. That’s why Nevast invited him, the ‘Saint,’ for this fairness.

 

In a way, it was a trap. If he refused, they could question his qualifications as a Saint, link him and the Empire to Neubra, or use any number of methods to attack him and the Empire.

 

Beyond that, the fact that warlocks—once only whispered about in rumors—had now revealed themselves to the world had drawn significant public attention.

 

“The position of Saint isn’t even something you wanted in the first place.”

 

Although she understood Lucion’s reasoning, Shaela couldn’t suppress her growing worry.

 

Lucion, who was not even a priest, had become a Saint, which effectively blurred the noble image that the priests held. There was no way Nevast would simply let him be. It was certain there was some scheme at play.

 

“That’s right. The divine beast chose me. In a way, it was forced. But it was my choice to become a Saint.”

 

Lucion smiled lightly. He could have given up the title of Saint, but he didn’t, because that was the only way he could survive.

 

[Look at that expression. It’s the same as mine.]

 

Russell saw his own frustration reflected in Shaela’s twisted expression.

 

It was as if she wanted to grab Lucion by the hair and stop him at any cost.

 

―Hop! It’s true! That’s the exact same look Russell makes every day when he looks at Lucion!

 

Ratta, who was holding onto the table and alternating her gaze between Shaela and Russell, burst into laughter.

 

“Lucion.” Carson called out to Lucion. “I know you made this decision carefully, but given the time you had to think, can’t you reconsider a little longer?”

 

“It seems that my brother and sister are suspicious of Nevast.”

 

Lucion’s playful smile hinted that he noticed the shared concern between the two.

 

“What is it that you both know about Nevast that I don’t?”

 

As Lucion’s eyes narrowed and he reached for his grapefruit ade, Carson fell silent. Shaela, slightly uncomfortable, averted her gaze. As both the Saint and a noble, Lucion needed to be informed.

 

Soon, Lucion’s attention shifted to Heint, who gave a slight nod, implying that most of them likely knew more than he did.

 

“We can’t talk about this here. I’ll explain later,” Carson said, glancing at the mages wandering around the tower.

 

“Lucion, there’s another reason I’m trying to stop you,” Shaela said with a sigh, her shoulders sagging. “The place you have to go is Neubra, right?”

 

Neubra, the kingdom that had caused Lucion so much suffering. Yet, now he was preparing to return there. Shaela wanted to say so much, but she held it all back with considerable restraint.

 

“Didn’t they say they would meet at the midway point of the three nations?” Lucion pointed to the letter.

 

“Yes. We agreed to meet at the midway point. It’s the best option for both sides.” Heint replied.

 

“We still have time, so let’s think about it carefully. For now, can we all relax? We didn’t come here just to sulk, right?”

 

Lucion tried to lighten the mood with his words. They had agreed to meet at the midpoint of the three nations, with about two weeks left before the meeting.

 

The timing could be adjusted, but the fact that he would have to go wouldn’t change. Neubra, barely propped up by a single pillar, was on the brink of collapse.

 

‘Only Nevast and Veronia remain.’

 

If those two were taken care of, it would truly be the end.

 

“Yeah, Lucion. You’re right. We shouldn’t keep discussing this now. You must have been cooped up in your room for so long.” Carson spoke up, trying to change the mood.

 

At that moment, Lucion almost spat out his grapefruit ade.

 

[Oh, right, you’ve been so active, huh? Phew, at least my disciple still has a shred of conscience,] Russell remarked sarcastically, causing Lucion’s wandering gaze to shift toward Heint.

 

Heint flinched slightly, and the two exchanged an uneasy smile.

 

* * *

 

—Nom nom nom.

 

Ratta, buried in her bowl, suddenly looked up.

 

—Lucion, Lucion! Look at Ratta!

 

As Ratta chewed a cookie, a bright red glow flared from her slightly parted lips, resembling flames bursting forth.

 

—Kya ha ha!

 

Ratta jumped for joy.

 

―Ratta loves the Magic Tower! Ratta wants to stay here every day!

 

“I completely agree!” Hume exclaimed, clutching a handful of strange magical items, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Every time he looked around, something new caught his attention, and he couldn’t contain his growing enthusiasm.

 

“Unbelievable,” Lucion muttered, sprawled across the bed, completely drained and too exhausted to lift a finger.

 

Initially, he had eagerly explored the Magic Tower, but his body quickly reached its limit. Reflecting on it, he realized just how much he’d relied on Shadow Movement to avoid physical exertion. How many times had he actually walked anywhere?

 

“I’m exhausted,” Lucion groaned.

 

He had realized just how immense the Magic Tower was. During the surprise raid, he had only scratched the surface.

 

[I should have helped Lord Lucion with his physical rehabilitation more. Then he wouldn’t have had to turn back midway,] Bethel sighed briefly.

 

Lucion remembered nearly collapsing from exhaustion during their exploration, almost needing Hume to carry him back.

 

Lucion flinched at the thought of rehab training. Bethel had been terrifying during training.

 

[Where would he have found the time for that? He didn’t even get a break. Look at the situation lately—every time he steps outside, he comes back injured. How is he supposed to manage that? I can’t even scold him properly when he’s hurt,] Russell vented, seizing the opportunity to air his frustrations.

 

[Look at Carson. At this point, he’s completely given up on trying to intervene, hasn’t he?]

 

“You both know I don’t get hurt on purpose, so why are you saying this?” Lucion retorted, furrowing his brow and letting out a sharp exhale.

 

Buzz.

 

The sudden sound of the communication device interrupted the moment, drawing Lucion’s attention. It was Heroan.

 

‘Well, look at that. His timing’s not so bad this time.’

 

For the first time, Lucion actually felt glad to hear from Heroan. He quickly grabbed the mask Hume handed him.

 

“Yes, Heroan?”