Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock Chapter 293 - Side Story – Teacher and Disciple (4)

T/N: Have your tissues ready nearby, haha!

 

* * *

 

The world had repeated itself once again.

 

Russell realized this truth in an alley bustling with a festival.

 

Bang!

 

Fireworks exploded and scattered across the sky like sparks.

 

Before Russell could even think, he held his breath and turned his head.

 

“It’s… Lucion!”

 

At the sound of that familiar voice rising from the Darkness, Russell saw a child running toward him.

 

Lucion—terrified and being chased by ghosts.

 

Seeing his awkward movements and the unsteady crutch that looked like it could fall at any moment, Russell understood just how desperate Lucion must have been.

 

Russell gritted his teeth.

 

‘Endure.’

 

If he looked into Lucion’s eyes now, he knew he wouldn’t be able to walk away.

 

‘Endure, Russell.’

 

No matter how many times the world repeated itself, he had to carry out what he needed to do.

 

Now that he was certain the world was repeating, he had to help Lucion escape that fate.

 

Hadn’t he come close to accomplishing it with everything he had sacrificed in his previous life?

 

“What do we do… he fell.”

 

But unlike Russell, the Darkness couldn’t turn away.

 

Russell stopped in his tracks, faintly hearing Lucion’s sobs.

 

‘Damn it.’

 

Why now, of all times?

 

He needed to move faster.

 

If only the memories had returned a little earlier—

 

Before Lucion was kidnapped by those bastards from the Neubra Kingdom.

 

“Get lost.”

 

Russell glared at the ghosts and raised his voice.

 

Without even glancing at the fleeing ghosts, he walked toward Lucion.

 

“…Huh?”

 

When Lucion opened his eyes wide, Russell picked up the fallen crutch and helped him to his feet.

 

“Thank y—”

 

“Don’t look back,” Russell said firmly.

 

“But Anthony said that if someone helps you, you should thank them.”

 

“Hold the crutch.”

 

Russell handed it to him, his voice trembling.

 

“…Are you crying, mister?”

 

“It’s not mister—it’s brother.”

 

“Big brother, are you crying? Am I… too heavy?”

 

“No.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Hehe.

 

Lucion’s soft laugh echoed.

 

The warmth from his small hand was too comforting.

 

Russell blamed his age for the tears stinging his eyes and the softness growing in his heart.

 

“Wow!”

 

Looking around belatedly, Lucion realized the scary uncle was gone and smiled brightly.

 

The voice that had shouted ‘Get lost,’ which he had faintly heard, indeed belonged to this big brother.

 

“Don’t look back.”

 

“You’re my hero!”

 

Lucion kicked his legs and smiled brightly.

 

‘Damn it.’

 

Russell wanted to hug him right then.

 

Those words—You’re my hero—were what had finally taught Russell how joyful and happy life could be.

 

“Listen carefully.”

 

Russell’s hand, holding onto Lucion, trembled.

 

He’s alive.

 

Still alive.

 

“You’re a good kid. You’re such a lovely child—anyone would love you.”

 

“That’s right, Lucion. You’re so lovable.”

 

“…Me? I’m… a good kid?”

 

“That’s right. A very good kid.”

 

Lucion hung his head low, his fingers fidgeting in embarrassment.

 

“Don’t let those guys push you around. Stand tall, raise your middle finger, and shout, ‘You crazy bastards!’ That’s it.”

 

“R-Russell?! That’s a bit much for Lucion to be saying right now…”

 

“Can you… see them too, brother?”

 

Startled by the question, Russell almost answered without thinking.

 

“Eat well. I know you love sweets, but don’t forget to brush your teeth.”

 

“Wow! How’d you know that? Even Dad doesn’t know that!”

 

Lucion couldn’t even think to be suspicious.

 

That’s how genuine and affectionate Russell’s words were.

 

“Everyone loves you. So… let go of the pain you’ve been carrying.”

 

“Dad? My brother? My sister? And Anthony too?”

 

“Of course. They all love you. You didn’t make them sad—they’re just worried about you. Remember what I said? Don’t let those bastards shake you. Just look at the people you love.”

 

Drip. Drip.

 

Russell’s tears hit the ground.

 

“Brother?”

 

Hearing that heartbreakingly tender voice, Lucion began to turn around.

 

But a long finger appeared beside him and pointed straight ahead.

 

“Go straight that way. Don’t look at anyone—just keep going, and your brother will be there.”

 

“Carson?”

 

“Yeah. I’ll be watching from behind, so don’t worry. Just keep walking.”

 

Russell let go of Lucion’s hand.

 

Lucion, leaning on his crutch, began to walk slowly, awkwardly.

 

After a few steps, a wave of sadness washed over him, prompting him to turn around.

 

The man who had seemed a bit scary but was filled with kindness stood there, waving at him.

 

Why was he crying?

 

Lucion wanted to go back and tell him not to cry.

 

“Lucion!”

 

Carson’s voice pulled his attention forward again.

 

“Brother!”

 

Lucion ran toward Carson.

 

“Ha… Lucion. Thank goodness, thank goodness.”

 

Carson caught him before he could fall, immediately pulling him into a tight embrace.

 

Tears welled up in the corners of Carson’s eyes, and his hands trembled.

 

He had thought he’d lost Lucion again.

 

“…He’s gone.”

 

Lucion looked around, trying to find the man who had been there just a moment ago—but he was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Waaah…”

 

An unexplainable sadness filled Lucion, and tears spilled from his eyes.

 

“This brother is sorry. I’m so sorry,” Carson murmured, gently rocking Lucion to soothe him.

 

* * *

 

Russell stood before a room plastered with thousands of papers and slowly stepped into the center.

 

Very slowly.

 

The papers were filled with unknown patterns, and the letters seemed to move as if they were alive.

 

The Darkness pressed down on those letters, looking at Russell.

 

Russell stopped, reaching toward the center, biting his lip.

 

“Damn it.”

 

Was this really okay?

 

Could he really go this far?

 

He stared into the Darkness, his hand hovering in hesitation.

 

“Just press it already! Why are you hesitating like that? That’s not like you!”

 

“We’ve done this before—lightly, as always.”

 

“You crazy bastards…”

 

Russell scowled.

 

“How many times have we faced both the end and the beginning together? And you say ‘lightly’? Do you think that’s even possible now?”

 

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to speak kindly.

 

“You know… this time, you’ll be the price.”

 

“We know. We all agreed to it, remember?”

 

“Seems like Grandpa’s gone through this before, but his memory’s fading.”

 

The Darkness forced a smile.

 

“Hey, think again. You won’t exist next time.”

 

“I know.”

 

“Then don’t treat it like it’s nothing. Once this triggers, there’s no going back.”

 

“Yeah, I know that too.”

 

“We made this together.”

 

“Sure, but I own eighty percent of it. Let’s be clear.”

 

“So petty, Russell. Can’t you just say it was a group effort after all we’ve been through?”

 

The Darkness pouted.

 

“I’m not giving up my 80% share. I’m going to brag about it to Lucion later.”

 

“Russell…”

 

The Darkness broke into a wide smile.

 

“But we’re all one anyway. Giving up a part of us is just dividing pieces of the same whole.”

 

“But each of you is still different. Even if this black magic works and Lucion truly escapes death, you won’t be there.”

 

The Darkness reached up with its short arms and gently patted Russell’s head.

 

“You’re kind, Russell.”

 

“But it’s okay. We exist for Lucion, after all.”

 

There was more it wanted to say—but if it used certain words, Veronia would appear.

 

“Russell. Take care of Lucion for us.”

 

“You’re his teacher, aren’t you?”

 

Russell frowned, his fists clenched tightly.

 

This had to succeed.

 

“…Yeah.”

 

“Russell…”

 

“Say it.”

 

“We liked Lucion… but we liked you too. You know that, right?”

 

“…”

 

“Russell. Save your family. No matter what happens, don’t give up on Lucion.”

 

“Of course. I wouldn’t give up even if I had to crawl through hell.”

 

“You’re kind, Russell.”

 

The Darkness smiled again.

 

And Russell instinctively knew it was time to use this black magic, pouring everything he had into it as the world shifted.

 

“Lucion will gain the memories of the previous world through this black magic,” Russell spoke to the Darkness for the last time.

 

Not all of them would be used as the price.

 

“Yeah. If Lucion is to survive, this is the best way—we all agreed on this, remember?”

 

“Right. But the future is beyond even me. No matter what I do, I can’t control it.”

 

“No one can, Russell.”

 

Russell took a deep breath, reassured by the Darkness’s words.

 

“I… I’m going to go back to before Lucion was even born into this world, and use it there. I don’t know what price I’ll pay, but I’ll bear it.”

 

“And we… we will help Lucion survive.”

 

To avoid his gaze, slowly, carefully.

 

“Right. No matter what happens, I’ll pass this memory onto you. After that, regardless of what happens to me, don’t try to save me. Do whatever it takes to save Lucion.”

 

Russell made his plea.

 

There was a huge presence even the Darkness feared.

 

If that being was the one reversing the world, Russell and Darkness had to part ways.

 

“Is it alright if I give you a hint?”

 

“As much as you can. Our goal remains the same: to help Lucion escape that damned fate.”

 

“Yeah! I’ll handle it without leaving a trace.”

 

The Darkness responded energetically.

 

Haah.

 

Russell took a moment to catch his breath.

 

“Thank you for being with me until now… it’s been an honor.”

 

For a moment, Russell paused, overcome with emotion.

 

They often irritated him with their jokes and laughter, but…

 

But still…

 

“I wasn’t lonely because you were here. I truly mean it.”

 

Russell placed his hand on the paper at the very center among the thousands of sheets.

 

The unknown patterns engraved on the paper stretched out like chains throughout the room.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“You must be happy.”

 

“May you always be loved, a lot, Russell.”

 

As the letters that had been entwined with the Darkness began to disappear one by one, the chains that extended beyond the room restrained Russell, and he could see the letters that appeared to be a curse multiplying for the price.

 

Chrrrrr.

 

But Russell did not turn away; he continued to focus.

 

The black magic inscribed on the thousands of sheets was embedded deep within his darkness, and one by one, the papers fluttered along the wind blowing through the room.

 

His vision blurred.

 

“Cough!”

 

Coughing blood, Russell collapsed.

 

He had sacrificed even his own life as the price.

 

Yet, with trembling hands, he reached for his chest.

 

He had to activate the black magic that linked memories.

 

Then, the world suddenly came to a halt.

 

Russell’s eyes widened.

 

Creak.

 

With a chilling sound, the door creaked open.

 

“Oh my.”

 

Someone stepped out, their long black hair cascading down.

 

Their footsteps were heavy.

 

‘It’s him. The one the Darkness spoke of.’

 

Russell recognized him immediately.

 

“You’ve uncovered the secrets of the world, haven’t you?” The man clapped.

 

Goosebumps crawled over Russell’s body, and an indescribable pressure made it hard to breathe.

 

But Russell sensed the trembling of the darkness and blocked the man’s attack.

 

Quiver.

 

The darkness the man thrust towards Russell’s chin was so deeply tainted with corruption that even blocking it was overwhelming.

 

“Ooh. You really are a bit different.”

 

The man chuckled.

 

“But what will you do now?”

 

In an instant, the darkness Russell had used for defense vanished.

 

Fwoosh!

 

His throat was pierced in the blink of an eye.

 

“…Kugh…”

 

As pain surged through him, Russell felt he might lose consciousness.

 

But he gripped tightly onto his lifeline that felt like it could be blown away by the wind and quietly began using the black magic to link memories.

 

He sacrificed his blood, not for the next world, but for the one after.

 

“What, you looked like you were about to do something, but you’re already dying? What a shame. You could’ve been the only one to uncover the world’s secret.”

 

‘Don’t make me laugh.’

 

“But I’ll remember you. Your face.”

 

To the man, who grinned arrogantly, Russell could only manage a faint scoff.

 

‘I won.’

 

* * *

 

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

 

The Darkness looked at Russell, who had suddenly screamed, with concern.

 

Gripping his head in pain, Russell fell backward out of his chair and tumbled to the ground—it was terrifying to witness.

 

“It looked like he might actually die.”

 

“Please don’t die, Russell.”

 

“If you’re gone, we’ll be so sad.”

 

“…”

 

Russell froze.

 

Blinking rapidly, he urgently asked, “Wh-what date is it today?”

 

Even though he was the one who created this black magic, he couldn’t control the exact moment in time when he’d recover his memories.

 

“Hmm… look over there. You circled the date on the calendar.”

 

Russell sat up and immediately looked where the Darkness was pointing.

 

‘This is before I met Lucion. No—this is before Lucion was kidnapped!’

 

Russell’s smile faded, and he paused.

 

The curse, a consequence of the previous world, was slowly being engraved onto his body.

 

“Russell?”

 

“What’s wrong with you?”

 

‘There’s not much time left.’

 

The black magic, engraved on his body along with the curse, began to activate forcefully.

 

He had intentionally set it to activate upon remembering the one who had killed him.

 

“Listen carefully.”

 

Russell, with a face as pale as a sheet, spoke through the pain.

 

What he was about to touch through the black magic was the distortion of time between worlds.

 

Through that distortion, he needed to reach Lucion before he was born into this world as Lucion.

 

If he could pass this power to the Lucion of the past, the Lucion of the present would surely receive it, no matter when it happened.

 

“A year from now, on either March 9 or 10, a child will be taken to the Kingdom of Neubra. He’s a truly lovely child—you’ll recognize him right away.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“It’s almost night—are you sleep-talking?”

 

“Help him. Please help that child—Lucion.”

 

Russell couldn’t say anything more.

 

His time had run out.

 

His body began to fade, and another curse etched itself onto his face.

 

{Neither alive nor dead, trapped in time, consumed by eternal solitude and loneliness, may you regret and pity yourself.}

 

“Please remember! His name is Lucion Cronia!”

 

“Russell!”

 

Along with the voice calling his name, Russell felt as if he were being pulled somewhere.