Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock Chapter 276 - Final Preparations (2)

 

“Of course. Do you think I’m joking?”

 

At Lucion’s response, Russell burst into laughter.

 

Clutching his stomach, he laughed heartily. Only when he noticed Lucion’s gaze did he manage to respond.

 

“Of course, I’m interested in Ratcho. How could I ignore such an intriguing fact? But unfortunately, there’s no time.”

 

Despite his words, Russell’s fingers fidgeted, as if struggling to suppress his curiosity.

 

Amid the peaceful atmosphere, an inexplicable tension brushed against Lucion’s skin.

 

Wasn’t it still the same?

 

Lucion quickly voiced his concern.

 

“Still, there’s a big difference between being immune to light and not. Please, I want you to eat it. Because now, Teacher, if you die, you’ll truly become a ghost.”

 

[Yes. I welcome ghostly friends, but I don’t want to meet them too soon. Let’s live a long life and meet again, Russell.]

 

“Don’t worry. Who do you think I am?”

 

—The unfortunate genius warlock!

 

Ratta shouted energetically, making Russell grin.

 

“That’s right. I may not have resistance to light, but I have other means.”

 

[Other means?]

 

“It’s a black magic technique called ‘giving flesh to take bones.’”

 

“There’s such a thing?” Lucion asked in surprise.

 

“Of course. There’s still so much you haven’t learned. You’ve been rolling here, rolling there—so much that I felt bad even bringing it up.”

 

“I didn’t do it on purpose…”

 

“I know. I was just teasing you.”

 

Realizing he was making light of an injured person’s condition, Russell sighed, reflecting on himself.

 

The hole in Lucion’s stomach had been patched up, but wasn’t there another wound in his shoulder?

 

“Still, I do have one regret.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Lucion’s eyes wavered, but Russell pretended not to notice and answered as usual.

 

“I should have pushed myself harder to teach you. Now you’re the King of Darkness. That means there’s nothing left for me to teach, right?”

 

By title alone, Lucion was the ruler of all darkness.

 

He must already know more than Russell could teach.

 

“Honestly, I’m not sure how to draw out the king’s power yet.”

 

Lucion gazed at his hand for a moment before shifting his eyes to Ratta.

 

Lost in their own world, Hume and Ratta weren’t even looking in their direction.

 

[You must be happy.]

 

Bethel nudged Russell slightly.

 

“It’s not like that.”

 

But despite his words, Russell’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

 

“Lucion, I know you used that power to purify the Sea of Death.”

 

“That’s right. My confidence started from there, but when I look at the Sea of Death now, nothing seems to happen.”

 

With slumped shoulders, Lucion kicked the sand in frustration.

 

It was different from the natural process of understanding things he had experienced before.

 

“If you don’t know, just ask the darkness—it’s simple.”

 

Russell smirked.

 

“The darkness here?”

 

Lucion pointed at the drifting darkness around them, which giggled in delight.

 

“No.”

 

Russell raised a finger and pointed directly at Lucion.

 

“The darkness that sleeps in the deepest part of you. I’ll help you reach it.”

 

Placing a hand on Lucion’s shoulder, Russell slowly spread his darkness.

 

Lucion didn’t resist.

 

The power gently expanded, creating a path as if guiding him forward.

 

Closing his eyes, Lucion moved his own darkness, following Russell’s lead.

 

Deeper.

 

Even deeper.

 

“We’re here.”

 

At Russell’s voice, his darkness came to a halt.

 

Lucion was startled—this was his first time reaching the deepest point where darkness flowed.

 

Unlike the usual path of darkness, this place was completely separate.

 

Thump. Thump.

 

Strangely, he could hear a heartbeat.

 

But it wasn’t his own.

 

—Hop! Suddenly, Lucion’s heartbeat echoed in Ratta’s ears!

 

Ratta jumped in surprise, perking up her ears.

 

“What is this place?”

 

Lucion opened his eyes, startled.

 

“Don’t be alarmed, Lucion. This place is like a heart, though most people don’t even know it exists. Even if you think you’ve used up all your darkness, this place always retains some, which is why you don’t die.”

 

Russell transformed his darkness into an arrow and quietly stepped back.

 

“I could access it before, but now I can’t enter.”

 

Previously, Russell had confirmed that Lucion and Ratta were connected through this place.

 

But after regaining his physical body, their contract had been nullified, and he could no longer access it.

 

Russell nodded, and Lucion directed his darkness toward the space.

 

—Ehehe. When Lucion does that, Ratta feels ticklish.

 

Ratta, who had been about to leave paw prints in the sand, suddenly lay down, giggling.

 

‘We are connected.’

 

Lucion finally confirmed the link between himself and Ratta.

 

Just like him, a small bud of darkness was blooming within Ratta.

 

Similarly black in color, several strands intertwined, connecting his darkness to hers.

 

Unlike the first time he felt the darkness, it was soft and warm.

 

Swish.

 

As Lucion moved his darkness closer to the flower bud, its color changed.

 

To violet.

 

—…Huh?

 

Ratta stopped laughing and looked at Lucion, her eyes gradually widening.

 

A tingling sensation of happiness spread through her, and her tail wouldn’t stop wagging.

 

Yet, strangely, tears welled up in her eyes.

 

Longing and joy.

 

And an overwhelming, uncontrollable affection.

 

—Ehehe!

 

Black smoke rose, enveloping Lucion’s body, layering over his existing cloak and transforming it into a long, flowing garment.

 

Darkness fluttered around the cloak as if black feathers were drifting in the air.

 

Not black stars, but violet ones adorned the cloak, shimmering like living constellations in the night sky.

 

“…?”

 

Everyone fell silent—including Lucion himself.

 

[Strangely, my heart is moved… This feeling…]

 

Bethel couldn’t contain the surge of emotions welling in her chest, tears slipping down her cheeks.

 

They weren’t her own emotions.

 

Yet, she was overwhelmed by longing and joy.

 

“Wow. What is this?”

 

Even Russell struggled to calm the excited darkness surging within him.

 

The darkness was rejoicing at the sight of Lucion.

 

‘What’s happening?’

 

Lucion was startled by the sudden appearance of the cloak and instinctively turned away from the gazes locked onto him.

 

Among them, Hume’s stare was the most intense.

 

It wasn’t just loyalty—it was absolute obedience.

 

Lucion could feel his own darkness coursing through Hume’s body, sustaining him.

 

In place of a heart, a dense, hollow darkness pulsed within him, a solid, compact mass.

 

His own darkness was the force keeping it functioning, sealing the emptiness and making it work properly.

 

‘Hume… isn’t complete.’

 

Lucion might not have had knowledge of Ravien’s nature, but as the King of Darkness, he instinctively understood the truth.

 

Unlike Hume, Ravien didn’t rely on direct infusions of darkness. Instead, they naturally absorbed ambient darkness, breathing it in like air. This difference made Hume fundamentally unstable.

 

‘That void… Veronia must have created it deliberately.’

 

Displeasure flickered across Lucion’s face.

 

“Hume.”

 

“Yes, young master.”

 

Hume was confused by the sudden flood of emotions rushing through him—

 

Regret and joy, anger and hatred, love and sorrow—all tangled together.

 

“Wait a moment. Don’t be surprised.”

 

Lucion realized he could correct Hume’s instability.

 

Placing a hand on Hume’s shoulder, he guided his darkness toward the hollow mass that substituted for a heart.

 

As violet darkness swirled around it, the solid void began to reshape—molding like clay under careful hands.

 

Rounder. Smoother.

 

Thump. Thump.

 

As soon as it began beating like a real heart, Hume’s eyes widened in shock.

 

A deep, refreshing sensation filled him—like stepping into the world after being confined in a cage.

 

A bright smile naturally spread across his face.

 

‘Veronia… That piece of trash.’

 

Lucion finally withdrew his hand and let out a short breath.

 

“Hume. You won’t need my darkness anymore. You’ll naturally absorb it from your surroundings, just by breathing.”

 

“…”

 

“You don’t have to look at me like that. I won’t abandon you.”

 

Noticing Hume’s lingering unease, Lucion reassured him.

 

“Thank you, young master.”

 

Hume finally relaxed, his stern expression softening as he bowed his head.

 

Meanwhile, Ratta had been staring at Lucion’s new cloak, utterly transfixed.

 

Unable to hold back any longer, she lunged at it.

 

—Hop!

 

The cloak fluttered, as if truly alive, skillfully avoiding Ratta’s grasp.

 

“Sorry, Ratta.”

 

Lucion picked her up as she landed face-first in the sand.

 

He had instinctively moved the cloak away because he could feel Ratta’s presence so vividly.

 

Now covered in sand, Ratta pouted.

 

“By the way, Lucion… Is this the majesty of the King of Darkness?”

 

Russell sensed a power in Lucion akin to a calm, vast night sea.

 

Silent—yet immeasurably deep.

 

It felt as if he was seeing a completely different Lucion from the one he had known.

 

And he was different from Veronia.

 

“I’m not sure about majesty. I just put on a cloak, that’s all.” Lucion answered awkwardly.

 

[If it’s just a cloak, then why does it feel so overwhelming?]

 

Bethel wiped away her tears, gazing at Lucion with emotion.

 

—Hmm… Ratta doesn’t think Lucion has grown at all?

 

Under everyone’s expectant stares, Lucion felt relieved that he had chosen to wear a mask.

 

Then, his gaze shifted toward the Sea of Death.

 

The moment he donned the cloak, an overwhelming sadness—thick, sorrowful, and far beyond what he had ever known—crashed over him like a tide.

 

The sea breeze carried it to him, brushing against his skin.

 

Help me.

 

Free me.

 

The voices grew louder, echoing in his ears.

 

“I can sense him.”

 

Lucion exhaled as he spoke.

 

He knew—because he wielded the same power.

 

“Though his darkness is still unstable, it’s gradually finding balance. I don’t know how long the divine beasts can hold out.”

 

“The barrier was weak from the beginning,” Russell added. “Like Troy said, it won’t last much longer.”

 

He estimated that it wouldn’t hold past the week.

 

The situation was that dire.

 

“I will set sail.”

 

Hume glanced toward the ship that had been prepared in advance as he spoke.

 

“Alright. Let’s set sail.”

 

Lucion nodded.

 

* * *

 

The ship stopped before the Sea of Death.

 

“So, how exactly are you planning to purify it?”

 

At Russell’s question, Lucion answered without hesitation.

 

“I’ll walk across it.”

 

“Walk…? Y-You’re going to walk across that and purify it?”

 

Russell stammered, his voice laced with disbelief.

 

“Yes.”

 

[Lord Lucion, that’s the Sea of Death. I heard that many black hands attacked you back then.]

 

“Things are different now, Bethel.”

 

[No, a person cannot walk on water.]

 

“The darkness will be my foothold. Even Troy could fly—so why shouldn’t I be able to do the same?”

 

[You’re not a divine beast.]

 

“True. I’m the King of Darkness.”

 

Lucion smirked.

 

“I can already hear the news of the ‘King of Darkness’ floundering helplessly in the sea,” Russell sneered.

 

Lucion shot him a glare.

 

This wasn’t a plan—it was sheer recklessness.

 

“Teacher.”

 

“Lucion, I thought you had a plan. You’re not the kind of person who acts without thinking.”

 

“I know it sounds reckless.”

 

“It doesn’t sound reckless—it is reckless. Look over there. The Sea of Death has already noticed you. It’s writhing.”

 

Unlike the others, Russell now had a physical body. He could feel the corruption stirring.

 

—Ratta believes Lucion can do it!

 

Ratta clung tightly to Lucion’s side, her voice filled with confidence.

 

[Lord Lucion, I usually let things slide, but this time I have to object. I know you’re anxious because of Veronia, but let’s think this through calmly.]

 

“I’m not just wearing a cloak. I received this power directly from the King of Darkness.”

 

“Yeah! Lucion can do it!”

 

“He can really walk on the sea!”

 

Even the darkness itself, unable to contain its excitement, spoke in support of Lucion.

 

After a brief moment of hesitation…

 

“…Hah.”

 

Russell let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples.

 

A headache washed over him.

 

Now that even the darkness had spoken, Lucion’s words weren’t just reckless bravado.

 

Lucion removed his mask for a moment.

 

His eyes glowed with violet darkness—just like Ratta’s.

 

“I’m the only one who can purify the Sea of Death right now. Please trust me, just like you did before.”

 

Hadn’t he come this far to stop Veronia?

 

He had to prevent that being from taking control of the Sea of Death at all costs.

 

Biting his lip, Russell let out another heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping.

 

“Stubborn bastard. Lucion, you are so damn stubborn.”

 

“A disciple always resembles their teacher.”

 

[Can you… really do it, Lord Lucion?]

 

“Of course. I wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t sure.”

 

Hearing Lucion’s unwavering conviction and seeing the determination in his eyes, Bethel realized she was being swayed once again.

 

[You mustn’t get hurt.]

 

“I won’t.”

 

Lucion smiled warmly at Bethel.

 

Seeing his innocent smile, Bethel felt she had been deceived again. But who wouldn’t be swayed by that gaze?

 

“Please return safely.”

 

Hume clenched his fists tightly.

 

Even if Lucion tried to stop him, he was determined to jump into the Sea of Death if anything happened.

 

—Ratta wants to go too!

 

“Come here.”

 

As Lucion extended his hand, Ratta dashed over and nestled into his embrace.

 

—Does it hurt because of Ratta?

 

Ratta wanted to climb onto his shoulder but could still smell the faint scent of blood.

 

“You’re made of feathers, aren’t you? Feathers don’t hurt.”

 

—Heehee. That’s right! Ratta is a feather! A feather!

 

‘You’ve gained quite a bit of weight.’

 

Lucion was surprised by how much heavier Ratta felt, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle.

 

“Teacher, Bethel, please watch over me.”

 

Lucion stood at the edge of the ship, gazing at the Sea of Death.

 

“Don’t even bother saying something so obvious.”

 

Russell grumbled, stepping closer.

 

[I am your sword. Do not worry.]

 

Bethel unsheathed her blade.

 

Shwing.

 

Lucion simply smiled—

 

And leaped off the ship.

 

“Lucion! That’s not just any sea!”

 

Russell shouted in shock.