Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock Chapter 258 - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (2)

 

Seeing the shocked expressions on the priests’ faces, it was clear that Yones had yet to speak.

 

“Lord Yones,” Lucion called out.

 

“Yes, Saint,” Yones responded.

 

“We will be departing soon, so please lead the way.”

 

After giving his order, Lucion turned to head toward his escort but suddenly stopped.

 

Norvion was emerging from the building. His composed expression made Lucion want to rush forward and land a punch.

 

With Norvion’s appearance, it was evident that the meeting had truly ended, as the knights and soldiers of the Neubra Kingdom shifted their stances. They looked ready to draw their swords at a moment’s notice.

 

“Stand down.”

 

Norvion immediately restrained his soldiers.

 

Despite the rising tension, he cast a subtle glance at Lucion before turning away. A slight tremor in his demeanor hinted at guilt or anger, but Lucion wasn’t concerned about it.

 

Crisp.

 

The sight of the severed red thread confirmed that Norvion had finally made up his mind. 

 

But Lucion felt no satisfaction—only a complicated, sinking feeling. 

 

Just as he was about to continue walking, something caught his attention.

 

‘Wow. Is he really aiming light at me? Here?’

 

Lucion tried to meet Yones’s gaze.

 

[Heint has made his move,] Bethel whispered, gripping Lucion’s shoulder.

 

[As you might have expected, Yones gave the order.]

 

There was irritation in Bethel’s voice.

 

Hume immediately stepped in front of Lucion, while Heint had already moved toward the priest, who had dared to unleash light on Lucion.

 

“This is outside the building.”

 

Lucion had declared himself an individual only within the building. Out here, it was within the escort’s jurisdiction.

 

Heint’s sword flashed.

 

Before the priest could react, his head was severed, blood splattering as Heint released his murderous intent.

 

-This behavior is unforgivable, even to me.

 

Troy’s voice was thick with anger. The attack had been deliberate, precisely targeting Lucion. While he could accept the wrath of his people for his own failure in guiding them, Lucion was a different matter entirely.

 

“I feel the same way,” Hume muttered, suppressing the urge to strike.

 

“Why?”

 

Lucion’s voice rang out as he faced the horrified priests. He dropped all formalities, his expression arrogant.

 

“Do you have a complaint?”

 

His gaze landed on Yones.

 

“Or do you think this is excessive?”

 

They all knew light was poison to him. Yet, they had chosen to unleash it.

 

[What’s excessive about it?!] Russell’s voice rose in fury. [These bastards let their emotions take over and attacked with light!]

 

Hanging around Lucion’s neck, Ratta let out a low growl.

 

—Grr! Ratta will bite them!

 

“You may believe in mercifully forgiving those who hold a blade to your throat, but I do not.”

 

Under Troy’s overwhelming pressure, the priests faltered, their legs trembling as if they might collapse.

 

“You might have complaints. But this was excessive—far too excessive. Knowing full well that light is poison to me, you still chose to use it. That means you hold a grudge against me. How absurd—harboring resentment toward a saint like me.”

 

Lucion casually brushed his bangs aside.

 

No matter what excuse they had for their actions, they had utterly humiliated themselves before the Neubra Kingdom.

 

“Try it again.”

 

A smirk played at the corner of Lucion’s lips.

 

“If you want to die, that is,” Heint added.

 

As he sheathed his sword, he cast a brief glance at Shaela, who remained unsettlingly silent.

 

“This is getting interesting. This journey will be… quite entertaining.”

 

Lucion slowly raised his hand, gesturing toward the priests before letting his gaze settle on Yones.

 

“I wonder how many heads will fall.”

 

Laughing, he turned as if heading toward the carriage, then spoke again.

 

“If the saint were to die en route to Nevast or within Nevast itself, wouldn’t that make quite the spectacle?”

 

By directly calling out their sinister intentions, he ensured that any harm coming to him now would be seen as Nevast’s retaliation—especially after their accusations against the Neubra Kingdom for colluding with warlocks.

 

“Are we really stopping here?” Shaela asked, flower petals swirling around her.

 

Her magic was powerful and vast in scope. How many magic circles had already been placed at this location? At her signal, she could wipe them all out.

 

“I—I apologize! This was our mistake, and we offer our deepest apologies.”

 

Sensing an unknown but chilling surge of killing intent, Yones belatedly rushed forward and bowed deeply before Lucion, bending at more than a ninety-degree angle.

 

“I swear on the God of Light that this will never happen again!”

 

Only then did Troy withdraw his pressure. Given that they had sworn by the God of Light, this was likely their most sincere statement.

 

“How unfortunate.”

 

“Sister…?”

 

Lucion turned to Shaela—and was startled.

 

‘She’s not seriously thinking of unleashing her magic, is she?’

 

Shaela was smiling, but her eyes held no trace of joy.

 

* * *

 

“So, what happened?”

 

Ravid Bahal didn’t even glance at the priest who rushed into his room.

 

“Th-the thing is…”

 

The priest had received an urgent message, but its contents were so devastating that he hesitated to deliver them.

 

“Take your time and tell me.”

 

Ravid could tell from the priest’s stiff voice that something had gone wrong. However, there was still a chance to salvage the situation.

 

“They… They didn’t come.”

 

Ravid’s hand, which had been writing documents, came to a halt.

 

The words were so unbelievable that he looked up at the priest, questioning whether he had misheard.

 

But the fear written all over the priest’s face told him the statement was true.

 

“As a result, Lucion Cronia has declared that there is no connection between the Neubra Kingdom and the Hand of the Void.”

 

“What did you just say?”

 

Deep wrinkles formed on Ravid’s already furrowed brow.

 

“B-because no witnesses or testimony were presented, that was the conclusion reached.”

 

The priest’s face turned deathly pale.

 

Ravid rose from his seat and approached him. Towering over the trembling priest, he cast a menacing shadow.

 

“Are you telling me Yones failed?”

 

“Y-yes.”

 

“Why?”

 

“As I mentioned earlier, there were no witnesses or testimonies to support the claim…”

 

“This is problematic. Very problematic.”

 

Ravid exhaled sharply.

 

The plan had collapsed.

 

Due to the combined interference of No. 45 and the divine beast, a significant number of warlocks had managed to escape.

 

Has someone smuggled them away?

 

‘Did the Hand of the Void betray us at the critical moment?’

 

The thought was almost laughable to Ravid.

 

A mere handful of those blessed by darkness dared to defy him?

 

They should have just stayed quiet.

 

He had intended to use those worthless beings for the sake of the world—so why were they resisting?

 

They had only pretended to be obedient, waiting for the perfect moment to betray him.

 

“As soon as Yones arrives, offer him up as a sacrifice—for the future.”

 

“…I shall obey.”

 

The priest trembled violently as he bowed his head.

 

“F-First Servant.”

 

“Speak.”

 

“Right now… Lucion Cronia is on his way here.”

 

“…”

 

Ravid pressed his lips together.

 

He had planned to invite Lucion to Nevast eventually.

 

But not now.

 

He wasn’t ready to handle everything just yet.

 

More sacrifices were needed, and Lucion was the most effective pawn for war.

 

“What’s the reason?”

 

“We… haven’t determined the exact reason yet.”

 

“No. Don’t investigate any further. There’s no need to provoke him unnecessarily—it will only cause us trouble.”

 

There could be several reasons for the Saint’s sudden arrival in Nevast.

 

Perhaps he was delivering a message from the Emperor as an envoy of the Tesla Empire.

 

Maybe he wanted to solidify his identity as a Saint.

 

Or, if neither of those, it could simply be that he was a reckless young man enjoying his newfound status.

 

“Prepare to welcome the Saint. Treat him with the utmost hospitality.”

 

A smirk curled on Ravid’s lips.

 

If the Empire had even a hint of suspicion about their activities, they would never have sent Lucion here.

 

Thanks to Lucion Cronia, the Empire’s reputation and prestige had soared, making him an invaluable asset.

 

He was the very person Neubra so desperately wanted dead, yet he was also the greatest weakness of the Cronia family—the Empire’s most powerful sword and shield.

 

‘And they still sent him here, knowing all of this?’

 

Ravid scoffed.

 

If they sent him knowing everything, then either the Emperor was mad, Novio, the guardian of Cronia, was mad—or perhaps both had lost their minds.

 

‘Missing this opportunity doesn’t mean it’s over.’

 

Ravid wiped the smirk off his face and looked at the priest.

 

Since Lucion was coming today, they needed to solidify the image that Nevast was firmly on the Saint’s side.

 

For the future.

 

“Track down the Hand of the Void. Bring every last one of them before me.”

 

The Hand of the Void had dared to stab him in the back. They needed to pay the price.

 

“Yes, understood. I will carry out your command.”

 

The priest bowed deeply.

 

Once he left, Ravid sat back at his desk, opened a drawer, and pressed a concealed button.

 

The wall shifted, revealing a hidden chamber.

 

Ravid cloaked himself in light as he stepped toward it.

 

Bound by darkness conjured by dozens of warlocks, a divine beast in the form of a wolf crouched within.

 

Ravid observed in silence, not stepping inside.

 

“The Saint is coming. Shouldn’t we prepare as well, divine beast?”

 

A sinister smile spread across Ravid’s face.

 

* * *

 

Munch. Munch.

 

Lucion smiled as he ate a macaron.

 

“By now, Ravid Bahal must have heard the news that I’m heading to Nevast.”

 

“Of course. That bastard Yones was just one of Ravid’s pawns, and there’s definitely someone keeping an eye on him—probably even right now.”

 

Shaela, constantly on alert, responded while scanning their surroundings.

 

“They’ll likely view my visit in three ways,” Lucion continued. “First, as a covert envoy from the Empire. Second, as a reckless young man enjoying the privileges of his status. And third, as an attempt to solidify my identity as the Saint by gaining recognition in Nevast. They won’t stray far from these three possibilities.”

 

Hearing Lucion’s confident analysis, Shaela looked at him with delight.

 

Even though he was her younger brother, she couldn’t help but admire how quickly he processed situations and articulated his thoughts.

 

‘If Father saw this, he’d be absolutely thrilled.’

 

[That’s probably true. If they understood how vital you are to the Empire and how much Novio cherishes you, it would be absurd to think they would send you to Nevast knowing the risks.]

 

Russell stroked his chin, contemplating whether there were any other possibilities.

 

“Lucion.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Are you planning to stir up trouble in Nevast? Because you look way too excited right now.”

 

—Hop! Ratta had been thinking the same thing!

 

Ratta, who had been playfully wrestling with Troy, suddenly sprang up, wagging her tail excitedly.

 

“Trouble?”

 

Lucion raised an eyebrow, surprised that even Ratta had caught on.

 

“I know you still see me as a child, Sister, but I’m not a kid anymore.”

 

Russell quickly covered his mouth, while Bethel simply rolled her eyes.

 

Honestly, wasn’t Lucion going to Nevast to cause trouble? He had already mentioned exposing the truth.

 

Hume hesitated as if debating whether to say something, but in the end, he just let out an awkward chuckle.

 

Lucion found this awkward silence uncomfortable; it was too unfamiliar for him.

 

He wasn’t some reckless fool.

 

“Then why do you want to go to Nevast?”

 

Shaela crossed her arms, studying him carefully.

 

There were two reasons.

 

“To reveal the truth and rescue the divine beast. Not all priests will condone what’s happening. 

 

Some are probably unaware of it entirely. Abandoning one’s conscience isn’t as easy as it seems.”

 

And—

 

“The next orb will be in Nevast. The young master is heading there, after all.”

 

The black orb.

 

Hume had dreamed of it again and was convinced that its direction pointed toward Nevast.

 

Lucion thought so too. A knowing smile played on his lips as he popped another macaron into his mouth.

 

[What are you scheming this time?]

 

Russell frowned at Lucion’s suspicious grin.

 

“Sister, when we arrive in Nevast, I’ll play the fool for a bit—just as they expect. Don’t be alarmed.”

 

“What on earth are you planning?”

 

Shaela’s voice was edged with concern.

 

“Oh, nothing much.” Lucion’s smile widened. “I just want to show them exactly what they want to see.”

 

* * *

 

As the day came to a close, Lucion’s carriage neared Nevast.

 

Ratta’s eyes grew wide as she pressed her face against the window.

 

—Wooow! Everything sparkles with light!

 

Even at night, Nevast refused to dim, as if proudly declaring its unwavering devotion to the God of Light.

 

Most striking of all was the grand temple—the tallest structure in the city—where cascading light streamed from its peak, resembling snowflakes falling from a heavenly halo.

 

It was a scene that drew involuntary gasps of admiration.

 

“Troy, is that… really light?”

 

Lucion found it hard to believe.

 

-Yes, it’s light.

 

‘Incredible… So, when priests stray from their path, they can manipulate divine power to this extent?’

 

Lucion observed Nevast once more, now filled with an entirely different kind of admiration.

 

The city exuded an overwhelming sanctity—its white-washed buildings so pristine they almost bordered on madness, adorned with golden embellishments as if to further reinforce its holiness.

 

“Troy.”

 

-Yes, Lucion?

 

“Can you sense the divine beast?”

 

-I can. It’s calling me. It’s weeping in anguish.

 

Lucion exhaled softly, running a comforting hand over Troy’s fur.

 

-Don’t worry about me. I’m more concerned about you, Lucion.

 

Troy gazed at the brilliantly illuminated city, deep concern reflecting in his eyes.

 

After all, Lucion was willingly stepping into a tiger’s den.

 

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

 

Lucion flashed a grin, but Russell and Bethel both sighed in unison.

 

And just as their carriage arrived at Nevast’s gates—

 

The lights went out.

 

“…?”

 

Lucion blinked in surprise.

 

In place of the extinguished light, flames suddenly erupted, casting a fiery glow over the city.

 

‘What’s going on?’

 

“Lucion. It seems they might be up to something, so don’t let your guard down.”

 

At Shaela’s warning, Lucion nodded.

 

This was too obvious. Too deliberate.

 

‘Turning off the lights… for me? No way.’

 

As the carriage rolled to a stop and Lucion stepped out, his eyes locked onto a figure waiting at Nevast’s entrance.

 

Dozens of priests stood behind him.

 

Lucion instantly recognized him.

 

‘It’s him.’

 

The ruler of Nevast.

 

The First Servant.

 

The key pawn in Veronia’s grand scheme.

 

Ravid Bahal.