Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock-Chapter 267: Russell Paul (2)

Count’s Youngest Son is a Warlock-Chapter 267: Russell Paul (2)

[Bethel.]
Russell placed a hand on Bethel’s shoulder.
[Did that man… appear?]
Bethel’s voice trembled.
The ominous presence was beyond anything they had imagined.
With Veronia’s appearance, night had fallen.
[I’m sorry, Bethel. I couldn’t tell you much. So… so… I’m truly sorry, but please take care of Lucion.]
Russell’s words were unusually scattered.
Bethel felt uneasy.
He was speaking like someone who knew he was about to disappear.
[What do you mean? Why are you acting so unlike yourself?]
[I’m not dead. So, I can’t disappear.]
[What?]
[It’s better for at least one of us to remain than for both to vanish.]
Russell swiftly moved toward Lucion.
[Don’t follow me, Bethel!]
Midway, he stopped and shot Bethel a sharp glare.
[If you disappear, Lucion will be devastated. You must not follow me!]
The divine beasts must have been preparing to use the holy relic.
Lucion had their blessing, so he would withstand its light, but Bethel would not.
Moreover, she was not in a possessed state.
That light would undoubtedly erase her.
[Lord Lucion is right there! Even with the blessing, the only thing that can stop Veronia is the light of the relic.]
Bethel pointed with a trembling finger toward Lucion’s direction.
Just moments ago, Lucion had lost consciousness and coughed up blood.
How pale had he turned?
Even if Russell were to vanish, he couldn’t leave Lucion like this.
[Please… don’t be reckless, Bethel.]
[And what about you? Aren’t you being reckless right now? You’re a ghost too!]
[…I’m sorry, Bethel.]
Bethel froze as tears streamed down Russell’s face.
Yet, despite the tears, his eyes were colder than ever.
[If I approach… will you strike me down?]
Bethel’s grip tightened on her sword hilt, her expression twisting.
[This world is repeating.]
Russell’s shoulders slumped as he spoke.
[Each time, Lucion dies, and I come to save him. This damned world…! It keeps killing Lucion, and I…!]
[Why…?]
[This world was created by him, and Lucion is the vessel. But this time, it’s different. No, it must be different. Please, Bethel, trust me.]
Bethel released her sword and embraced Russell.
He was afraid.
[No matter what happens, don’t disappear, Russell.]
She held him tighter.
[…Please.]
[Thank you for understanding.]
Russell forced a painful smile, stepped back, and flew away.
Bethel’s eyes wavered as silent tears streamed down her face.
Frustration burned within her.
She never imagined that being a ghost could feel so powerless.
[
‘…!’
]
Bethel bit her lip.
Without a sound, corruption had begun creeping into the hall where Lucion stood.
[
‘Veronia…’
]
Bethel’s grip on her sword tightened.
* * *
As the light faded, Lucion quickly scanned his surroundings, pushing aside any concern for himself.
He saw Ratta, her front paws twitching, but Bethel and Russell were nowhere in sight.
‘That was a relief.’
“Are you okay?”
“L-Lucion, do you feel like you’re dying?”
Shaela asked urgently after Heint.
“I’m fine.”
Lucion exhaled.
When Hume offered him a handkerchief, he shook his head.
There was something far more important than his own condition.
‘Did the summoning ritual… fail?’
Lucion held his breath.
His darkness twisted inside him, brimming with rage.
―L-Lucion. Ratta is really scared right now.
Ratta trembled in the shadows.
He wanted to comfort her, but he couldn’t.
‘Why did it fail?’
It didn’t make sense.
From what he could tell, only six priests had died—their bodies engraved with summoning symbols.
“Sister.”
But regardless of the reason, the failure was clear.
“Brother. We failed. He… will appear.”
Lucion’s gaze shifted, landing on Kran.
He pointed at the door without saying a word.
Go.
For a moment, Kran hesitated.
“Kran, listen carefully. If something happens, I will give you an order. When that time comes, don’t ask questions—just follow it. Please.”
Kran clenched his fists tightly before immediately bowing his head. Without hesitation, he began leading the organization’s members to withdraw.
“We’re getting out of here.”
Squirm. Squirm.
The decapitated corpse of Ravid and the corrupted relic convulsed violently, sending black blood shooting toward the ceiling.
Boom!
As the blood pierced through the roof, Lucion heard the almost mournful cries of the divine beasts.
It was undeniable.
They had failed.
“Troy… Why did we fail?”
At Lucion’s urgent question, Troy shut his eyes tightly, unable to face him.
-…It seems there were others bearing the marks outside of this place. I’m sorry.
The divine beast in the form of a wolf spoke with regret.
‘Ravid… That bastard…’
Lucion gritted his teeth.
If he died, that would be the end of it.
Having sacrificed everything, there would be no soul left behind.
-Lucion, dear. You may not recall what I mentioned before, but he is attempting to break through the gate in an incomplete state. We still have hope.
Brillin’s voice was steady, filled with certainty.
The situation was dire, but his words didn’t sound like mere reassurance.
-Yes. In order to fully manifest, he still requires time and additional sacrifices. Lucion, give us the relics.
Troy opened his eyes and spoke.
“All of them?”
-Except for one, it would be best to hand over the rest.
It was unlike Troy, who had previously rejected the relics, to ask for them now.
That only emphasized how dire the situation had become.
“Do you need time?”
At Lucion’s question, Troy nodded.
-…I’m sorry.
Lucion inhaled sharply before exhaling, steadying himself.
He needed to buy them time.
“Everyone, prepare to ignite the light of Nevast!”
Lucion shouted toward the panicked priests. His voice cut through the chaos like a single ray of light.
The priests turned to face him.
With the First Servant dead, there was no doubt—Lucion was now the most powerful figure present.
“The Saint…”
Florence hesitated, but Lucion didn’t let him continue.
He immediately issued his command.
“When the first signal is given, light Nevast. When the second signal comes, direct the light toward the one who is about to appear. If you understand, all priests should act now!”
Regardless of whether they were priests of Nevast or the Empire, they had no choice but to comply.
Lucion clenched his fists, trying to suppress his trembling hands.
Even if it was just light, it should be able to hold Veronia at bay.
No.
Perhaps he could even land a decisive blow.
“Brother.”
Lucion turned his gaze to Heint after ensuring the priests had retreated to activate the light.
“I understand. I’ll evacuate everyone. I can’t let innocent people be sacrificed.”
Recognizing Lucion’s intent to minimize casualties, Heint immediately raised his voice.
“Everyone, evacuate Nevast! No matter how—just get out now!”
“Lucion, we need to leave too.”
As soon as Shaela saw Heint taking command of the knights, she grabbed Lucion’s arm, urging him to move.
‘That’s right… the barrier.’
Lucion gently shook off Shaela’s grip.
“Activate the barrier now. Even if it’s just for a moment, we need to buy time. Once the barrier is up, you must be the first to leave Nevast, Sister.”
“What…?”
“Sister, please listen. We have to hold him back until the divine beasts can unleash their power. If we don’t, he’ll surely use the people as sacrifices to become complete.”
These weren’t just anyone’s thoughts—this was the judgment of Lucion, a warlock.
“What about you?”
“I can escape. Don’t worry.”
“…Even if it’s just for a few seconds…”
Lucion couldn’t finish his sentence.
An ominous night had arrived.
Shaela exhaled deeply, understanding what he intended—using Ratta’s black magic, Shadow Movement, to escape.
“Fine. I’ll do it. But don’t expect much. The barrier was hastily put together with the mages to buy you time.”
It was clear that, not being created by a proper barrier mage, it would be unstable.
Above them, the slow creak of a door opening echoed.
“Sister!”
At Lucion’s sharp call, Shaela turned to Heint.
Heint nodded.
“Hume. Close the door.”
Lucion licked his lips as he spoke.
Now, in this vast hall, only he, Hume, Ratta, Heint, and the divine beasts remained.
“…Are you sure?” Hume’s voice trembled.
The air grew thick with sorrow.
Corruption was consuming the building.
‘Should I send Hume away first?’
Lucion briefly considered it before pushing the thought aside.
Instead, he gave Hume a reassuring smile.
Hume was a Ravien, a being created by Veronia.
Even though Asha had strengthened his obedience contract, it was only natural for him to feel uneasy.
Even if Lucion ordered him to leave, Hume might not be able to go.
“Hume, don’t worry. And Ratta, stop trembling so much.”
Lucion crouched down and grasped Ratta’s tiny front paw as she emerged from his shadow.
“Young Master.”
At Hume’s call, Lucion lifted his head.
“I will find the black orb. I will return to your side, no matter what. Please allow me to go.”
Hume had thought long and hard before making his decision. He was vulnerable to corruption, and as long as it persisted, it would likely hinder him.
Yet, as Lucion’s guide, Hume knew what he had to do—retrieve the black orb.
Because Lucion was strong.
“…”
Lucion’s eyes trembled.
Corruption was spreading outside.
It would be dangerous.
Hume had rarely moved alone before.
But Lucion swallowed his words.
This was Hume’s choice.
“…Go and come back, Hume.”
With Lucion’s permission, Hume smiled softly.
“Thank you. Then, young master, I will definitely return safely. So you must… please, stay safe as well.”
As Hume turned with difficulty, a gentle yet encompassing force swept through the space, slightly dispelling the thick scent of sorrow.
‘Teacher…?’
Lucion immediately recognized that power.
[Go on, Hume. I’ve opened the path for you.]
Turning around, Lucion saw Russell standing there.
His face paled.
“T-Teacher?”
[Surprised?]
Russell grinned.
“Why… Why are you here, Teacher? This place is dangerous!”
—Yeah, Russell shouldn’t be here. Russell is different from Lucion and Ratta.
Still trembling, Ratta lifted her head to look at Russell.
Lucion quickly turned his head, wondering if Bethel had followed as well.
[Bethel isn’t here. I stopped her.]
“Then, Teacher…”
Lucion’s voice trailed off.
A low tremor began to shake the entire building.
Creak.
The distinct sound of a door opening echoed through the space.
Click. Clack.
The measured sound of heels clicking against the floor followed.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
A suffocating sense of foreboding swept through their bodies.
[Breathe, Lucion.]
Russell’s calm voice grounded him. At the same time, Lucion felt the barrier surrounding the
building, hastily created by the mages.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
[The contract binds me. I can’t escape. No matter how far I go, I remain within his range. So why bother staying away?]
Russell chuckled.
His laughter felt out of place, given the situation.
[You look like you want to hold me back or something. Focus, Lucion.]
Russell pointed to the ceiling.
“…Ha.”
Heint wiped the blood from his lips and exhaled sharply.
“This is insane…”
The overwhelming weight of darkness made him falter instinctively, cursing under his breath.
“Brother, this isn’t good. You need to go. It’s too dangerous now.”
“But I’m needed, right? There’s no clearer signal than light.”
“Your complexion has turned pale. I can handle this—I will!”
Lucion raised his voice, unwilling to back down against Heint’s stubbornness.
“Your complexion isn’t any better, Lucion. Can a personal guard just run away? Just give me the signal.”
Lucion let out a frustrated sigh at Heint’s unwavering stance.
“Time is passing. Tick-tock.”
Listening to the taunting voice, Lucion reluctantly closed his eyes.
He could feel it.
Veronia was here.
* * *
Stepping through the doorway, Veronia took a deep breath.
“…Hah.”
The scorching heat of the air burned his lungs as he slowly turned his head.
His black hair fluttered in the wind.
Tears welled up as he gazed at the distant morning sun.
The summer heat pressed against his skin, igniting a deep longing within him.
“I have…”
The corners of his lips curled upward.
“…returned.”
There was a deep and profound madness glimmering in his eyes that sparkled with a sudden gleam.
He had finally returned.
To the place he had been exiled from.
To the place he once thought was beyond his reach.
Countless times in the world he had repeated, foolish First Servants had tried to summon him, using thousands of priests as sacrifices before their deaths, but he had rejected them every time.
He had endured. He had waited.
And finally, the moment had arrived.
His long preparation was complete.
‘There it is.’
Veronia gazed downward.
Slowly descending, he let out a soft chuckle as he observed the intricate magic woven like a web beneath him.
‘How fascinating.’
He decided to wait.
Anticipation swelled within him—he was eager to see what kind of magic they had prepared.
Even more so, he was eager to witness their despair when it shattered.
As the barrier finished forming, Veronia clicked his tongue.
‘What a disappointment.’
With a mere flick of his fingers, an ominous darkness surged forward, swallowing the barrier whole.
Crack.
The barrier barely held for a few moments before collapsing.
Veronia’s darkness stretched toward the building where Lucion stood.
It wrapped around the ceiling.
And with a single motion—
Crack!
The ceiling was torn away entirely.
The ones hiding below were fully exposed.
“I found you.”
Veronia grinned widely.

.
!
Chapter 267: Russell Paul (2)