330. Abduction (4)
●
In truth, Dawood in a state of desperation was nearly powerless in almost every situation.
Even in a situation with no immediate hindrance, just seeing him struggle with untying a single rope indicated as much.
That is to say.
When he focused on something he couldn’t do when he was moving his body.
For example, meeting a long-lost friend just before forgetting their existence.
“-“
Dawood sighed deeply as he entered his own world of thoughts.
Walking inside, there was one thing that was clearly felt.
While it used to be a world without any colors, now there was a subtle difference in what was perceived.
Little by little.
Although little by little, now there were ‘colors’ entering that world, revealing his presence.
Entities that had approached the core of his mind. Different from before, where he consciously pushed them away.
“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve seen this face.”
And his mental world was not solely his own.
Because there was a guest living together with him.
Dawood chuckled and created a cliff-like terrain, gazing at the figure sitting at the edge.
“It’s been so long that I was about to forget even your features. Surprisingly, you found your way here without forgetting, huh?”
“…Valkasus.”
As Dawood sat silently beside the young king, who was looking up at the sky, a voice mixed with laughter immediately followed.
“It seems there has been a change in your sentiments. I can tell just by looking at you.”
Valkasus murmured quietly.
“Have you truly found people who are precious to you?”
“…Yes.”
“Treasure them sincerely.”
It’s a voice filled with a subtle resonance.
“Even if those who have passed away long for them, it can’t compare to the care they received when they were alive.”
“…”
These words are spoken by someone who has experienced losing everyone like that.
The tone may be calm, but the resonance within is so profound that even Daud himself can’t help but stay silent.
Fortunately, his intention in coming to Vakarsis after a long time is not far from that theme.
“Do you remember the promise you made to me when you first said you would cooperate?”
“Yes.”
The fundamental reason why the Boy King remained a Boy King.
He had promised cooperation to fulfill the desire for revenge against the figure who left his mark in history by shaping his kingdom. And the reason behind it, he had known from long before.
“…It will be settled soon. The same goes for that sorcerer with the decrees.”
If he’s going to fight the Vanguard, it’s inevitable that he’ll clash with them as well.
He has never heard the details of the past involving Sunghwaryun and Vakarsis. However, he is well aware that this human has spent his entire life refining his long-cherished revenge during the many years of association.
Bringing this person on board and leaving him alone for quite some time had its reasons.
Despite various crises so far, the decision to diligently “research” and stow away in a corner of the mysterious world such formidable power, in the end.
It was to sharpen the blade.
Small, sharp.
To prepare something that will definitely be effective.
“What about the favor I asked for?”
In response to Daud’s question, Vakarsis flicked his finger instead of answering.
The essence of alchemy that completes by drawing strokes. It’s a sight that doesn’t require a separate preparation period, befitting Vakarsis, who has reached the realm of a master in that field.
And, in comparison.
The following scene is almost sublime.
-…
-…!
The spirals woven by various colors shape the world.
A silent yet intensely rotating spiral.
As if watching the sea.
The sound of drops of water, dyed in a sharp shade of blue to the point of stinging the eyes, between the waves tinged in that color and the white foam.
The lines of the currents, the touch of the wind, the layered stones, and the boundless potential of things beneath the water—Daoud contemplated the intricacies.
And as the entire net of these phenomena unfolded, what lay at its edge was…
“…”
Daoud took a deep breath, gripping his head.
It was an inevitable measure to grasp his fleeting sanity, knowing the expected outcome.
Well.
What Daoud had asked Vakarsus for, the request he had enchanted, was a dagger to be thrust into the seer and talker at the decisive moment.
However, what he saw now was…
It felt like witnessing the limits of what the greatest alchemist in history could achieve given enough time.
“Is this sufficient?”
“…”
Each sufficiency.
“… If one is skilled, could they even kill a demon with this?”
“It might be challenging to go that far.”
Vakarsus responded with a wry smile, but for Daoud, there was a hint of sincerity.
“Anyway, I appreciate the high praise. It feels like I haven’t disappointed a friend who came after a long time.”
“…”
“Why do you wear such a smug face filled with superiority?”
“…Well, you know. It would have been nice if the people dealing with me were only half as quiet as you.”
In Daoud’s words, Vakarsus briefly burst into laughter.
Soon, beneath that laughter, he mixed a bit of concern in his words.
“But, is it alright to spend time like this with me?”
“Yes?”
“You aren’t just drawn here because of me, are you?”
“…No, well.”
He might be talking about the vessels of demons, but honestly, the thought that anything would happen without him was quite absurd.
There might be some traps set up, but as long as he kept his wits about him, everyone should be able to survive on their own—was the feeling.
Especially considering that the seer himself was currently in a pre-exploration state, there didn’t seem to be an immediate intention to harm that side.
“-Hmm.”
However, faced with Daoud’s reaction, Vakarsus, on the contrary, stroked his chin with an expression indicating concern.
“I’m not sure if it’s a situation to be relieved about.”
“Oh?”
“It seems like there’s some misunderstanding. People don’t always act rationally. Especially when it’s a situation where someone they admire so much has been kidnapped. It could be a more serious issue for them than they think, and people who can act calmly in extreme situations like you are quite rare.”
Valkasus, who spoke like that, continued with a doubtful expression.
“The probability of a major event happening on your end is probably low. Still, facing quite a difficult situation is something I think you’re capable of.”
“…Difficult situation?”
“A true enemy could be none other than themselves, not the one who invited them here. Especially given what’s happening outside Dowd’s surreal world. Undoubtedly, it was a statement from a sage with a wealth of experience.”
●
“-Um.”
Uriah Grayhound blinked and looked around as if waking up.
“…How did I end up alone?”
It had been a long time since she found herself alone, especially torn apart from her sister.
She hadn’t been prone to mental instability lately, so she didn’t immediately panic. Yet, the unease was unavoidable.
She fidgeted with her sword, glancing around.
Dark. Nothing was visible.
Due to someone triggering another strange trap in the middle, the group had scattered, leaving her alone inside.
“…”
It was hard to remember the chaotic and confusing situation properly until now, but she vaguely recalled some events happening sporadically.
Intense clashes of opinions occurred continuously. Do it this way or that way, you’re wrong, I’m right.
Of course, since they had built up some trust until now, they hadn’t reached the point of fighting seriously. But the scenario of calmly cooperating to break through this place was not in anyone’s minds from the beginning.
“…Maybe because Mr. Dowd isn’t here-“
Well, the mutual compatibility between them suddenly felt very bad.
Everyone had strong individual consciousness, and just the possibility of something bad happening to Mr. Dowd seemed to make everyone lose their composure.
And thinking about it, it felt like a very unpleasant assumption, but there was a strong feeling that this could be a nasty trap deliberately set up to make them fight each other from the beginning.
Your bond isn’t as strong as you think, without that man.
That seemed to be deliberately hammered into their minds.
“-Stop these strange thoughts.”
With such thoughts in mind, Yuria gazed at the Severer clenched in her hand.
What mattered most was that Dowd was currently kidnapped by malicious individuals in this place.
Calmly, she gathered her composure and moved forward.
With that mindset, Yuria calmly took her first step into the darkness.
And then.
-With a clicking sound, the noise of a switch turning emanated from the spot she had stepped on.
“…”
No matter how you listened, it was an unmistakably ominous sound. In reflex, Yuria raised her sword.
Simultaneously, something shot up directly from the spot she had stepped on.
“Wowowowowowak-!”
While Yuria’s scream, mixed with tears, could be described as truly chilling.
“Wowowowowowaaawak-!”
The scream emitted by the ‘something’ that sprang from the floor was equally eerie, not lacking in strangeness when compared to Yuria.
And somehow.
In that scream, there was an incredibly familiar sensation wafting through. Yuria paused, staring at the other party.
“…Huh?”
In front of her, holding the Severer.
Similarly, with a terrified expression, staring back at herself.
“…Hmm?”
There was ‘herself.’