Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock – Chapter 291 – Side Story – Teacher and Disciple (2)

Author: CleiZz

“You mean… no one else can see them?”

Lucion peeked out from under the blanket and asked cautiously.

“That’s right.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then… it wasn’t that Dad, my brother, and my sister hated me…”

A faint tear clung to the corner of Lucion’s gently closed eye.

“That’s a relief. I really, really, really love my family. They’re the best in the world!”

Hehe.

A soft laugh, tinged with relief, slipped out.

“Thank you, Brother.”

His small hand gently grasped the hem of Russell’s clothes.

“I like you too, Brother Russell. You’re really my hero.”

Lucion’s tear-filled eyes sparkled like stars.

Russell turned his gaze away, unfamiliar with the warm, tender feeling that stirred within him.

“Lucion.”

“Yes! I’m Lucion!”

Lucion beamed, overjoyed to hear Russell call his name for the first time.

“You’re blessed by the darkness. That’s why you can see the dead.”

“…They say that when people die, the God of Light sends them off, right?”

“That’s bull… no, that’s wrong. Anyway, that’s not really what matters right now.”

Russell stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Even if he was only staying here for a day at most, he couldn’t just turn away after seeing the child’s situation.

At the very least, he wanted to help Lucion escape his suffering, so he shared a few things with him.

Lucion’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Brother Russell, then… does that mean there’s darkness here and over there too?”

Just the thought that such a cool entity like darkness existed around him made his heart race.

“That’s right.”

“Then…do you think darkness would want to be my friend?”

Lucion fidgeted with his fingers.

“You know… everyone hates me. They call me a monster. When I try to warn them about the bad uncles over there, they just run away. But now I know I’m not a monster.”

It was only then that Russell understood why he had come all this way, acting unlike himself.

It was compassion.

“You said it yourself, Brother. That I’m someone blessed by the darkness.”

When Russell was Lucion’s age—ignorant and innocent—he too had been cast out for becoming a warlock.

Abandoned by his parents, by his village—left with no one to trust—he had survived alone in a rocky wasteland.

Maybe that’s why he saw a reflection of himself in the boy.

“Being blessed… that means it’s a good thing, right? So now that I’m not a monster, I can make friends? But… what if no one wants to be near me because of all the scars on my body?”

Lucion clutched the blanket, unable to meet Russell’s gaze.

Russell felt as if a little light was beginning to fill the world he thought had long dried up. And so, with a hint of irritation in his voice, he replied:

“Who said that?”

“Then…do you really think I can make friends?”

“Of course you can.”

Lucion smiled brightly at Russell’s response.

“Darkness, darkness, hello! I’m Lucion. Please be my friend, darkness. I’m… um… I’m not a bad kid.”

‘Even if he calls out like that, the darkness won’t hear him—he’s not a warlock,’ Russell thought, letting out a short chuckle.

“Hello!”

“Hello, Lucion!”

“We’d love to be your friends!”

To Russell, whether it was the darkness or Lucion—both felt the same.

For a brief moment, Lucion touched his lips, wondering how many times he had smiled since meeting Russell.

“Brother Russell! The darkness really spoke to me! It said ‘Hello’!”

“What?”

“Hello! Hehe! Big brother, look at me! I really made friends, just like you said!”

‘He’s… gifted, isn’t he?’

Russell’s eyes briefly glinted with realization—then he quickly dismissed the thought.

Lucion was from a noble family.

Their worlds were completely different.

* * *

“Brother Russell! This one’s name is Levio, and this is Mikel, and this is Brolins, and this is Nephran, and and…”

Lucion enthusiastically introduced the darkness around him.

‘They all look the same to me,’ Russell thought.

The darkness appeared as round little figures with short arms and legs and dot-like eyes—nearly indistinguishable.

“I’m Pipi.”

“Ah! Pipi! That’s right, you’re Pipi!”

As Lucion joyfully played with the darkness, Russell happened to glance out the window—and was startled to see that spring had arrived.

‘How long have I been here…?’

“Are you feeling sick?”

Lucion, still playing with the darkness, approached on a crutch.

“Does sunlight hurt you, like it does me?”

“No. I just… feel like I’ve been here for a really long time. It’s time for me to—”

“No! Big brother, don’t go!”

Lucion tossed aside his crutch and tried to run to Russell, but he fell hard.

“I’m sorry! It’s my fault! Everything is my fault!”

He crawled desperately toward Russell.

“…?”

Russell frowned, puzzled by Lucion’s sudden and intense fear.

It felt as if the boy had endured something terrible.

But Russell didn’t ask.

Because if he did, he feared he truly wouldn’t be able to leave.

He’d grown too attached.

‘Can I really leave Lucion behind?’

As he embraced Lucion and gently patted his back, Russell asked himself that question.

His life had begun to revolve around Lucion. The once dull, lifeless days were now being painted in vibrant colors.

He didn’t know exactly how Lucion saw him, but the more he looked at the child, the more endearing he became.

Maybe that’s why he found himself longing for the faint, distant memories of his own happy childhood.

* * *

Crackle.

A spark flew from the campfire.

“Big brother?”

Lucion called out softly, then smiled brightly.

“Were you dozing off? I’ve set up a place to sleep over there—go rest if you’re tired.”

“Nah. When you’re on a trip, you’re supposed to stay up all night chatting. …I was just reminiscing. Back when you were only this tall.”

Russell raised his hand to his shoulder, indicating how small Lucion once was.

“If you say that, you sound old.”

“You little—damn it.”

Russell grit his teeth, glaring at Lucion, who wasn’t even an adult yet.

“It won’t be long now. Soon, I’ll be old enough to drink with you, brother.”

“Just thinking about you at that age is weird.”

“You’re in no position to talk, big brother. You pass out after just a few drinks.”

“You at least used to be cute when you were little.”

“And now I’ve grown into quite the handsome face, haven’t I?”

As Lucion smirked smugly, Russell felt a surge of irritation.

Mostly because it was true.

He angrily shoved a piece of innocent firewood into the campfire.

“Unbelievable. The kid who used to cling to my pants begging for one more day has gotten this big. That innocent little face completely fooled me.”

“I’m really grateful, you know. Thanks to you, I was able to talk to people. I could finally step out into the world.”

“Damn right you should be grateful. If you weren’t, you’d be less than human.”

“Big brother.”

“What?”

Lucion hesitated before speaking.

“Why won’t you teach me black magic?”

“How many times do I have to say it? You’re a noble. Our worlds are different. I’ve repeated it so many times I’m getting a callus on my tongue.”

“As you said, I’m a noble. Doesn’t that mean I can change the world too?”

“You can talk all you want, but black magic will only drag you down. Anyway, aren’t you learning swordsmanship from Carson? How’s that going?”

“…You know how it is. No matter how much I try, my body just… doesn’t cooperate. I can’t make much progress.”

“Still, keep at it. It’s better to know something than nothing.”

“But I really wanted to learn black magic…”

Lucion noticed Russell’s expression stiffen and quickly added with a playful tone:

“I get why you’re against it. The world’s cruel to warlocks.”

“Then you should know better. Just live like a noble. Don’t even think about black magic.”

“I have a lot of regrets.”

“Let go of them.”

“Big brother.”

“What now?”

“When I become an adult… I want you to congratulate me.”

With the same look in his eyes as when he was a child, Lucion looked at Russell.

“You only act nice when you want something.”

“Isn’t that how everyone is? Besides, I’m a good person by nature. Just like my hero—big brother.”

Russell let out a dry cough, flustered by the sudden compliment.

“Let’s see… About three months left, right?”

“Yeah, about three months.”

“…Well, if you’re going to ask, I guess I don’t have a choice.”

Though he grumbled, Lucion giggled at Russell’s reluctant agreement.

“Of course, you’ll be the second person to congratulate me.”

“S-Second? Me? Seriously?”

“The first will be my dear friends.”

Lucion turned toward the darkness and smiled.

“Did you hear that, Russell? Did you hear?”

“We’re number one! Heehee!”

The darkness puffed up proudly, flashing a wide smile at Russell.

“…Traitor.”

Russell clenched his teeth, glaring at Lucion.

They’d been through thick and thin together for over ten years.

* * *

“…”

Russell staggered.

His steps, slow and heavy, sank deeper into the ground with each movement.

“Russell!”

“Please, Russell! Help!”

“Lucion! It’s Lucion…!”

The darkness cried out, rushing to gather around the boy.

How did it come to this?

Russell moved toward Lucion, his face growing paler with each step.

Crunch. Crunch.

Dry leaves crumbled beneath his feet.

‘Just moments ago, we were joking around.’

They had made a campfire.

Shared silly conversations.

“I’m grateful for anything you give me, big brother. Even if, let’s say, you knit me a scarf—I’d treasure it. Truly. So please, don’t feel burdened.”

When Russell had asked what Lucion wanted for his coming-of-age ceremony, the boy had responded with unexpected sincerity—something that didn’t suit his noble status.

And then—

Lucion had stepped away for just a moment.

Now, Russell struggled to hold back the sobs rising in his throat as he looked up.

“Ugh… ugh…”

The cliff wasn’t even that high. Hadn’t he chosen this spot because it was safe?

It didn’t make sense.

None of it did.

Russell barely managed to exhale as he gently pulled Lucion into his arms.

His body was cold.

There was no sound of breath.

Blood trickled from Lucion’s head, staining the nearby rock that jutted slightly.

“Lucion! Please, don’t do this!”

“How are we supposed to live without you? Please… open your eyes. I’m begging you.”

“Luci… on…”

Russell shook Lucion gently, his voice trembling with despair as he listened to the cries echoing from the surrounding darkness.

“Wake up.”

Drip.

A tear slid down and landed on Lucion’s face.

“Don’t joke around like this… not now… ugh…”

Blood oozed from Russell’s tightly clenched lips.

Lucion had brought warmth into his life—something he thought he’d never feel again.

But now, that warmth was fading.

Dimming.

Cracking.

Being consumed by an unbearable sadness.

“…He was a vessel.”

One of the darkness spoke.

The voice was so solemn that Russell turned his head, momentarily pausing in his effort to close Lucion’s eyes.

“That bastard… That bastard killed Lucion!”

Fury radiated from the darkness, its form trembling with rage.

“…Who are you talking about?” Russell asked, a tear slipping down his cheek.

“Because Lucion was a vessel! That one killed him!”

“…It’s true. I saw it happen. Lucion had only tripped. But then… then…”

The darkness trailed off.

The grief was too overwhelming.

Russell blinked slowly.

“Who are you talking about…?”

Zap.

It was like flint striking—sparks of hatred beginning to kindle in his chest.

It wasn’t an accident?

Someone had killed Lucion?

He held his breath as he noticed something slipping from Lucion’s lifeless hand.

An ornament.

The same one Russell had once casually said would look good on his cloak.

Ha…

A faint, broken smile tugged at Russell’s lips.

“…Damn it. Lucion… Lucion…”

His face contorted.

“Brother Russell is my hero!”

He remembered those words—the first to ever breathe life into his bleak, colorless world.

“That guy…”

Russell’s eyes turned bloodshot.

“Who the hell is it…?!”

He held Lucion tightly.

He couldn’t forgive this.

He didn’t understand what being a vessel meant.

But whoever that bastard was—

They were going to die.

He would stake everything to make it happen.

* * *

Crackle.

The sound of the fire crackling brought him back.

‘…?’

Russell flinched.

It felt like his own darkness had brushed past him.

‘What was that?’

But his darkness didn’t move at all.

Then what was that sensation just now?

“Big brother?”

Lucion was looking at him, eyes fixed intently on his face.

He smiled softly.

“Were you dozing off? I’ve set up a spot to sleep—go rest if you’re tired.”

In that moment, a sharp sense of déjà vu shot through Russell.

“Lucion.”

“Yes, big brother?”

“Have you said that to me before?”

“…Huh? Hmm… no, I don’t think so. Probably the first time? I mean, this is our first trip together, after all.”

Trip.

The word suddenly felt unpleasant.

“Lucion.”

“What’s wrong? You’re acting strange, big brother—you seem anxious.”

Unable to shake off the gnawing unease, Russell stood up from his seat.

“Big brother?”

Lucion looked up at him, eyes wide.

“Let’s go.”

“Go where?”

“Home.”

“Now? In the middle of the night?”

Lucion pointed around.

It was dangerous to descend the mountain on a pitch-black night.

“Why are you acting like this, Russell? You were the most excited about this trip.”

Even the darkness tilted its head curiously.

“It’s just… I have a bad feeling. Something’s not right.”

Seeing the seriousness in Russell’s expression, Lucion stood as well.

“If you say so, then we should head down.”

“…”

“Why do you look so surprised?”

Lucion laughed softly.

“I’d believe you even if you told me a rock was sand. You know that, right?”

“Thanks.”

Russell smiled at Lucion.

Who else would trust him so unconditionally?

After quickly packing up, they began their descent from the mountain.

“…Ah.”

It should have been fine.

“Aaaaaaah!”

Russell screamed.

In an instant, the ground beneath Lucion’s feet crumbled away, and Russell found himself staring into Lucion’s lifeless, empty eyes.

A sense of déjà vu—a feeling of having seen this before—twisted within him. But it quickly vanished, swept away by overwhelming grief as he rushed toward Lucion.

“Big brother?”

Lucion, noticing Russell lost in thought, lightly tapped the table.

Tap. Tap.

“Ah….”

Only then did Russell blink and refocus on Lucion.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Just now… what were we talking about?”

“Are you okay? Should I call a doctor?”

“Yeah, that didn’t sound like the Russell we know.”

The darkness also widened its eyes, staring at Russell.

“No, I’m fine. Just answer me.”

“You promised we’d go on a trip before I became an adult, remember? And you even got Father’s permission.”