Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock Chapter 286 - It's Snowing (6)

 

Lucion’s condition remained dangerously critical.

 

Carson felt like he was going insane with worry.

 

[Damn it!]

 

Lucion wanted to respond to Broson’s outburst, but he lacked the strength for a conversation.

 

‘What great timing, Broson. You show up now, just as I’m about to kick the bucket.’

 

“You can’t move right now. Please, just hold on, Young Master.”

 

As Lucion twitched, Hume stopped him.

 

Finally, the bleeding had stopped.

 

[I’m sorry… I’m sorry.]

 

Broson knelt before Lucion.

 

For some reason, an overwhelming sadness washed over him.

 

[Why… why did you only come now?!]

 

Bethel’s voice shook with fury as she shouted at Broson.

 

Without a word, Broson removed his helmet.

 

Bethel froze in shock.

 

Lucion, too, was momentarily stunned.

 

‘Why…why does he look so familiar?’

 

From studying Cronia’s history, Lucion had seen portraits of the first ruler—Broson looked exactly like him.

 

He could remember that face so vividly because it bore a striking resemblance to Novio’s.

 

[The darkness held me back… I saw everything. I wanted to bring you this orb, Lucion, but it stopped me. Darkness said that the bastard was after me, that I needed to wait for the right moment… Damn it!]

 

With trembling eyes, Broson looked at Lucion.

 

[You can’t die. You can’t die.]

 

[He’s not going to die. Stop saying things like that!]

 

Bethel fought the urge to grab Broson by the collar.

 

Crack!

 

A sharp fracture echoed in Lucion’s ears.

 

“Hume.”

 

Lucion fumbled blindly with his hands.

 

“Young Master, please, just a little longer. Let the bleeding… let it stop first.”

 

“Ratta.”

 

Lucion reached out to Ratta.

 

With tear-filled eyes, Ratta grasped Lucion’s hand as he weakly blinked.

 

―Lucion.

 

‘Bethel… tell Ratta what I want to say.’

 

He was too out of breath to speak directly to Ratta.

 

[…Alright. Sniff… I’ll tell her.]

 

Bethel sniffled, her voice thick with emotion. Lucion wanted to reach out and hold her hand.

 

He knew his own condition better than anyone.

 

The wound in his chest was deeper than it appeared, and the pain from his barely healed abdomen—hastily mended with Sunbeam—was unbearable. It felt like he would lose consciousness at any moment.

 

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Bethel.’

 

He couldn’t bring himself to say that he was fine today.

 

[It’s okay. Just tell me what you need to say.]

 

Bethel swallowed her tears and spoke.

 

She delivered Lucion’s message to Ratta in his stead.

 

[Ratta, even if I lose consciousness, use my darkness to maintain the barrier. You can do it, right?]

 

—…Yes. Ratta can do it. Ratta is… the Guardian.

 

Ratta tried to hold back her sobs, but no matter how hard she fought, her tears still fell.

 

[Don’t cry. You’re being brave.]

 

—I’m not crying… I’m not crying right now.

 

Ratta’s voice wavered with tears and deep sadness.

 

[It’s not your fault. You’re not the reason I got hurt, Ratta.]

 

Lucion knew how hard she had tried.

 

The reason Ratta couldn’t fully exert her power as a Guardian was because of his own imperfections.

 

—Ratta… Ratta is…

 

Ratta couldn’t continue her words due to overwhelming emotion.

 

She squeezed her eyes shut.

 

[I’ll be back soon. I’m counting on you, Ratta.]

 

—Uh-huh. Ratta will do everything. Ratta can do it all!

 

Ratta opened her eyes again and gripped Lucion’s hand tightly.

 

—Just trust Ratta!

 

Only then did Lucion feel a small sense of relief.

 

His gaze shifted to Hume, who was clutching the black orb with a tormented expression.

 

Silently, Hume placed the orb into Lucion’s hand.

 

“Go… and come back.”

 

As Lucion’s consciousness began to slip, he heard Novio’s urgent voice calling out to him.

 

‘Father. I’m sorry.’

 

* * *

 

‘Don’t blame the darkness.’

 

The black figure spoke with an awkward smile.

 

‘I know. I understand that the darkness had no choice but to stop Veronia from killing Broson. I was a king, but a broken vessel, while he was not a king, but a perfect one.’

 

The outcome was evident.

 

‘That must have hurt a lot.’

 

The black figure gently placed a hand on Lucion’s chest.

 

Seeing his own face do that made Lucion recoil, chills running down his spine.

 

‘It’s fine. I didn’t die.’

 

‘Thank you.’

 

‘For what?’

 

‘For being… alive.’

 

The corners of the figure’s lips trembled.

 

‘Lucion, you already know what happened after I died, don’t you?’

 

‘Yes… That black magic—my teacher entrusted it to me.’

 

‘But did you ever question it?’

 

‘Question what?’

 

‘Why is Heint at the end of that story, but not you?’

 

‘…’

 

Lucion’s eyes trembled.

 

He had never thought about it.

 

Why was Heint the only one left?

 

‘That’s right. The ending you imagined is correct.’

 

The black figure reached out and embraced Lucion.

 

‘After I died, my brother committed suicide.’

 

Lucion’s body shook as much as the black figure’s.

 

Carson was dead.

 

‘But it’s different now. You saved your brother.’

 

The black figure quietly wept.

 

‘Me?’

 

Lucion swallowed hard and asked.

 

‘Yes, Lucion. You forgave your brother countless times, and because you didn’t turn away from that horrific incident of abduction and chose to confront it, things have changed.’

 

Now that Carson knew the truth, he could forgive himself, even if only a little. That had altered the course of fate.

 

The reason the black figure remained a fragment was that if Lucion couldn’t do it now, he wanted to save everyone who had died, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

 

‘Your brother didn’t die. Thank you, Lucion.’

 

The black figure stepped back and looked at Lucion with a bright smile.

 

Knowing how hard Lucion had fought to endure made him feel grateful and proud.

 

Seeing that figure seemed so fragile that Lucion’s mouth moved on its own.

 

‘Teacher told me to tell you…’

 

‘I heard. He said not to say unnecessary things.’

 

The black figure wiped away tears and laughed lightly.

 

It was just like the teacher.

 

‘Lucion.’

 

‘What is it?’

 

‘O King of Darkness, I humbly greet you.’

 

The sudden bow made Lucion frown in disbelief.

 

‘Why the sudden change? Have you gone mad?’

 

‘It’s the end now.’

 

‘…’

 

‘Lucion.’

 

‘Yes, …Lucion.’

 

‘Be happy.’

 

Lucion’s heart trembled as he looked at the smiling black figure.

 

He felt sad.

 

‘Listen to your father, brother, and sister.’

 

He felt pity.

 

‘Do all the things you’ve never had the chance to do until now.’

 

Why was it so bittersweet?

 

Lucion couldn’t hold back the tears that welled in his eyes.

 

‘Be happy. You must be happy.’

 

‘O-okay.’

 

‘I’m so proud of you.’

 

‘…Lucion.’

 

‘Your work isn’t finished yet, is it? Go. Destroy Veronia… and claim your happiness.’

 

The black figure forcibly turned Lucion away and gave him a gentle push.

 

‘Goodbye, Lucion.’

 

Like a fading mirage, the voice of Lucion from the previous world grew distant.

 

* * *

 

Lucion’s eyes snapped open, and despite everyone around him trying to stop him, he stood up smoothly from his seat.

 

It felt as if the warmth left by Lucion from the previous world was still lingering on his back.

 

Night had fallen.

 

Not a dark, oppressive night, but one filled with countless stars—a beautiful night.

 

Suddenly, everyone around Lucion cried tears of joy.

 

“The king has returned!”

 

“The king has descended upon us once more!”

 

“Our king is back on this land!”

 

The darkness roared with all its might and finally revealed itself.

 

The barrier was still intact, and Veronia was exposed to the world, having escaped the Spatial Separation Magic.

 

But he could feel it—Russell and Ratta were holding him back.

 

“Now.”

 

Lucion smiled as he looked at everyone.

 

His once-heavy body felt light now.

 

“Everything is alright.”

 

[Are you really… alright? Your wounds are still there; how can you stand?]

 

Bethel couldn’t help but ask, confusion evident in her voice.

 

Despite his injuries, Lucion felt lighter, the pain dulled.

 

“Lucion. Your wounds haven’t healed yet.”

 

Novio’s hands trembled as he spoke.

 

“I’m alright, Father. May I take command for a moment?”

 

“Lucion, as Father says, you shouldn’t move right now. Let me go. I will—”

 

Lucion smiled at Carson, who was trying to stop him.

 

“I’m the only one who can eliminate this corruption. This isn’t arrogance; it’s the truth. Please trust me.”

 

A powerful presence emanated from Lucion, his words carrying undeniable authority.

 

Hume handed him a mask, his eyes filled with hesitation.

 

“Trust me, Hume.”

 

“Yes, young master. If I don’t trust you, who would?” Hume forced a smile.

 

“Wouldn’t you need a sturdy sword that won’t break?”

 

Heint handed over the holy sword he had received.

 

Lucion smiled as he accepted the holy sword.

 

“This is the true holy relic—the source of all light.”

 

“W-what…?”

 

“Stay in contact.”

 

Leaving a surprised Heint behind, Lucion was enveloped in darkness.

 

He saw the violet darkness, shaped like the sand Ratta had been molding on the beach.

 

Inside it, Veronia and the corruption were writhing.

 

Even though Russell was helping, it looked as if it could shatter at any moment. But as Lucion approached, the cracks began to mend and return to their original state.

 

Russell’s eyes widened in astonishment, drenched in sweat.

 

He couldn’t help but turn his head toward the enormous presence.

 

“How are you, Teacher?”

 

—Lucion!

 

The adult Ratta looked at Lucion and smiled bashfully.

 

She wanted to rush to him immediately, but if she moved, the power barely holding Veronia at bay might collapse.

 

“Are you crazy? What about your body? Are your wounds healed?” Russell asked, horrified.

 

[No. Lucion’s wounds are still there.]

 

Bethel answered instead.

 

“I’m fine right now. My body feels… as if it has been magically restored.”

 

“…”

 

Russell scrutinized Lucion, still stunned by his calm demeanor.

 

The bleeding had barely stopped, and the gaping wound was only crudely patched up.

 

Not feeling any pain in such a situation was dangerously concerning.

 

It felt like he was on the brink of death.

 

“Go back, Lucion!” Russell demanded. 

 

“Oh, it’s collapsing here.”

 

Lucion casually tapped the barrier.

 

Russell stared, stunned, as the violet darkness surged, reinforcing the structure and effortlessly blocking Veronia’s power.

 

As Lucion spread his arms, Ratta finally rushed to him.

 

—Lucion! Ratta didn’t cry, and Ratta protected the barrier, preventing the corruption from spreading!

 

“Good job, Ratta. You’re so good. When we get home, let’s eat macarons together.”

 

—Yes! And chocolate-covered cookies! And strawberry juice! I’ll eat everything!

 

Ratta’s tail wagged so fast it couldn’t be seen.

 

—But Lucion.

 

“Yes?”

 

—Are you really okay? My nose says you’re not.

 

“I’m fine for now.”

 

“Lucion.”

 

Russell grabbed Lucion firmly.

 

“Teacher, the situation has changed. Simply blocking Veronia won’t be enough to resolve this crisis.”

 

“I know. The world is in motion.”

 

“This world used to belong to him, but now it’s slipping from his grasp. That black magic is running rampant, effectively turning back time on its own.”

 

Despite Lucion’s calm demeanor, small holes had already begun to form in the sky.

 

“Right. Something will start pouring out from there…”

 

“It will be the corruption, just as it was when the world teetered on the brink of destruction long ago.”

 

Lucion pointed to himself.

 

“I am the King of Darkness now.”

 

The broken vessel shattered by the black orb had been restored, and he held the true power of darkness in his hands.

 

“But even so, I am still Lucion.”

 

[That’s right. No matter what changes, you are still Lord Lucion.]

 

Though she sensed immense power radiating from Lucion, Bethel could only perceive him as the same person as before, now adorned with a crown.

 

“I don’t want to, but right now, I see many things.”

 

Lucion pointed to his eyes.

 

He saw the tilted scales that made up the balance of the world.

 

It was broken, damaged, and appeared as if it could collapse at any moment.

 

“There are exactly ten minutes left before the world resets.”

 

“Lucion.”

 

Russell sighed and stepped closer to Lucion.

 

“No. Just for today, I’ll push myself. I have to. So I…”

 

“No. Go wild to your heart’s content. Just promise me you’ll come back alive.”

 

“I promise. I’m not a liar like my teacher.”

 

Lucion chuckled, and Russell pulled him into a hug.

 

“Liar or not, just don’t die. I don’t think I have it in me to start over again.”

 

Russell stepped back, awkwardly smiling as he tried to hold back tears.

 

“Bethel, please.”

 

[Yes, Russell. I am Lord Lucion’s sword.]

 

With her resolute reply, Russell headed toward the barrier.

 

“Ratta.”

 

—Yes!

 

“Let’s begin.”

 

—Ratta loves anything as long as it’s with Lucion!

 

Lucion waved his hand lightly.

 

The violet darkness that had formed the barrier created by Russell and Ratta dissipated.

 

With it, Veronia reappeared alongside the spreading corruption.

 

“Thank you for preserving my power all this time.”

 

Lucion wrapped himself in darkness and naturally appeared before Veronia.

 

“I killed you! I definitely killed you! How did you survive?”

 

Veronia denied it, staring at Lucion in disbelief.

 

No matter how much he tried to dispel it, the brilliant violet darkness stubbornly refused to disappear before him.

 

Why?

 

Why wouldn’t it fade?

 

Realization struck when Lucion’s outstretched hand brushed against his head.

 

Thud.

 

At that light touch, Veronia broke out in a cold sweat and attempted to retreat.

 

No, he wanted to retreat.

 

But the darkness wouldn’t let him.

 

Roar!

 

—No darkness moves without Ratta’s command.

 

With the power Ratta wielded as a Guardian, she perfectly immobilized all of Veronia’s darkness.

 

“Veronia.”

 

Lucion’s voice rang out.

 

It wasn’t just a call. It was a command.

 

Thud.

 

Suddenly, Veronia’s knees buckled, and his head bowed involuntarily. 

 

His breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened in shock.

 

There was no visible or tangible power of darkness.

 

Yet, this overwhelming force surrounding him was undoubtedly the king’s power.

 

Before the king, one must kneel and bow their head.

 

Lucion’s absolute obedience was deeply engraved into Veronia’s being.