Chapter 832

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Aris furrowed her brow and kicked the hunched middle-aged man in the butt.

“Urgh!”

The man fell to the ground clutching his rear. Seeing how he straightened his back immediately, it seemed like he had been pretending to be hunched.

“W-Why are you hitting me! I brought back the information, risking my life…!”

“Did you already forget how much trouble we went through because of that damned information?!”

Aris tapped the man’s forehead repeatedly, asking if he remembered.

“Filthy! Cold! Hot! That dungeon was a freaking nightmare!”

She trembled her clenched fist, saying she had considered smashing the dungeon apart.

“If it’s news about the young master…”

Raon looked down at the man.

“Don’t tell me it’s about Brother Sif?”

“That’s right.”

Aris clicked her tongue and nodded.

“I told you I went into a dungeon to find my bratty son. This guy’s the one who gave me that info.”

She wrinkled her nose at the middle-aged man crouching on the floor.

“Y-You must be Sir Raon? I’m Paras, one of Lady Aris’ informants.”

The man introduced himself as Paras and bowed his head.

“Raon Zieghart.”

Since Aris called him her informant, Raon politely acknowledged his greeting.

“No need for formalities. He used to be a thief.”

“…A thief?”

“Yeah. I met him during a mission and reformed him into an informant. He was pretty useful with the skills he had, but he’s gotten worse with age.”

Aris shook her head, saying she wasn’t satisfied with his recent work.

“T-That’s why I went alone and checked again.”

Paras raised his eyes while kneeling in front of Aris.

“The dungeon?”

“Yes! It was just too strange that a dungeon like that was completely empty.”

“Someone must’ve gotten there first.”

Aris shrugged, saying it wasn’t unusual for dungeons to be cleared out.

“And what’s inside the dungeon isn’t what matters. The problem is whether that damn kid of mine went there or not. But there wasn’t even a trace.”

“But considering Sir Sif’s movements, there’s nowhere else he could’ve gone!”

Paras shook his head, insisting that Sif definitely passed through Bulang Village.

“Sigh… so what did you supposedly see when you went back to the dungeon?”

Aris tilted her chin slightly as if to say she’d at least listen.

“There’s one thing I found out first.”

Paras lifted his sparkling eyes.

“I stayed in the dungeon for four days, but when I came out, only a single day had passed outside. I thought time was flowing slowly, but it seems the opposite can also happen!”

He shook his head, saying the flow of time could be altered arbitrarily.

“That’s your big discovery?!”

Aris raised her fist, as if she expected that nonsense.

“P-Please hear me out!”

Paras frantically waved both hands, his chin trembling.

“When I was about to give up and return, I saw some strange figures heading toward the dungeon!”

“Strange figures?”

“Yes. They were wearing robes covered in dust, completely hiding their bodies, and they gave off an ominous aura.”

He swallowed dryly, saying just seeing them gave him chills.

“I had a bad feeling, so I followed them, and just as I thought, they entered the dungeon.”

“Hmm…”

Aris lowered her raised fist and nodded.

“Go on.”

“Y-Yes!”

Paras straightened his posture and took a deep breath.

“I erased as much of my presence as possible and followed behind them. As you know, Lady Aris, that dungeon constantly shifts and makes people lose their way, but those guys moved like they had a map. They reached the end of the dungeon in just a few hours.”

He lowered his voice as if someone might be listening.

“At the end of the dungeon where we couldn’t find anything, they placed a red gem and began chanting some kind of incantation.”

Paras clasped his hands as if mimicking the strange figures.

“Enduring the sharp pain in my ears, I looked down and saw black smoke rising from under their feet—then a pitch-black hole opened. It was a path leading downward!”

He bit his lip, still trembling from the memory.

“A hole?”

Aris narrowed her eyes as she looked at Paras.

“That doesn’t make sense. When I spread my perception, I didn’t sense anything below.”

She shook her head, saying it was just ordinary ground.

“I told you—they used a spell!”

Paras insisted he saw it with his own eyes and repeated the actions of the spellcasters.

“Hmm…”

Aris narrowed her eyes, seemingly in thought.

– If that’s his mother, this king would run away too! Not searching for him would be helping him!

Wrath shook his head, saying Sif shouldn’t be subjected to further suffering.

‘You never know.’

If Sif had truly run away from Aris, that was fine. But there was also the chance something bad had happened—so finding him came first.

“You said there was even a gem?”

Aris looked at Paras and extended her fingers.

“Y-Yes! Each of them placed a gem on the ground.”

“A spell alone wouldn’t be enough to fool my perception. But if those gems are artifacts, it might be possible.”

She nodded, saying that if it was a space imbued with both an artifact and spell, even she might not notice it.

“I had a similar experience recently.”

Raon stepped forward, looking at Paras.

“It was right in front of me, but I didn’t realize there was a path leading underground.”

He recalled the hidden archive door inside the Shadow Agent’s Branch Leader’s office and said it was plausible.

“Alright. Go on.”

Aris tilted her chin again, as if she’d decided to trust Paras for now.

“Th-Thank you.”

Paras bowed to Raon and continued.

“I followed the three of them down through the dark, rippling hole. It gave me goosebumps, like a path to the Devildom.”

– What nonsense! The Devildom isn’t that horrible of a place!

– “Don’t run your mouth when you don’t even know what you’re talking about!”

Wrath shouted in protest.

“The path wasn’t that long, but I could tell we had descended incredibly deep. After suppressing my presence even further and exiting the black hole, I found myself in a bizarre space where the ceiling, floor, and walls all seemed to be made of metal.”

“A space made of iron?”

“Yes. There was nowhere to hide, so I moved cautiously. That’s when I heard human groans coming from the metal walls and underground. Only then did I realize—it was a prison.”

He clutched his shoulders, saying he still trembled at the thought.

“A prison made entirely of iron… ceiling, floor, and walls…”

Rimmer furrowed his brow.

“I feel like I’ve heard of that before.”

“It’s the Iron Pillar Federation that waged war a hundred years ago.”

Aris frowned, saying it sounded like traces of the Iron Pillar Federation.

‘The Iron Pillar Federation…’

Raon lowered his chin slightly.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name.’

The Iron Pillar Federation was a militant group that combined armor and sorcery to craft weapons and armor capable of blocking [aura]. They were powerful enough to rival the [Five Divine Order] and [Five Demons], but in their overzealous conquest, they were eventually destroyed.

“I’ve never seen the Iron Pillar Federation’s prison myself, but it matched the descriptions I’d heard.”

Paras exhaled a thin breath and continued.

“Those spellcasters walked the iron corridors as if they were familiar with them, but I couldn’t follow.”

He trembled, his shoulders hunched and lips quivering.

“My instincts as a lifelong thief warned me—if I went any farther, I’d die.”

Paras looked up with terrified eyes, saying if he had ignored that warning, he wouldn’t be alive now.

‘That’s probably true.’

Raon gave a calm nod.

If there really was a prison made of iron as Paras said, the internal defenses would be far stronger. Honestly, it was a miracle he returned safely.

“I decided it was too dangerous and planned to head back alone, but…”

Paras swallowed dryly and lifted his head.

“From the deepest part of the prison, I heard S-Sir Sif’s scream.”

“Sif?”

“Yes!”

He exhaled shakily, insisting it was undoubtedly Sif’s voice.

“Goddammit…”

Aris narrowed her eyes at Paras.

“There’s no way Sif is locked up in a place like that! And it’s not like he has a unique voice!”

She shook her head vehemently, as if denying it completely—but her expression had hardened gravely.

“You know it yourself. I’ve heard Sif scream after getting beaten by you more than anyone.”

Paras, who had trained with Sif, trembled as he pressed his hand against the ground.

“And as I said at the beginning, we know Sif definitely entered that dungeon. What if he went alone and was captured by those spellcasters…?”

He gripped his head, saying he was deeply worried about Sif.

“……”

Raon turned his gaze from Paras and looked at Aris. She was biting her nails, her eyes trembling.

It was a look she hadn’t shown even in war. She was genuinely shaken.

“If we’re going, we have to move as quickly as possible.”

Paras bowed his head deeply from his kneeling posture.

“Judging by that broken voice, he might not last long.”

“Lady Aris…”

Even Rabawin couldn’t offer advice, merely biting his lips.

“Ugh…”

Aris ran her hands through her hair in frustration, breaking into a cold sweat. Then, as if having made her decision, she walked up to Raon.

“Raon. I’m sorry. I’ll have to visit Sia later.”

She shook her head, deciding to search for Sif first.

“I’ll go with you.”

Raon raised his calm gaze toward Aris, who had bowed her head.

“Why would you…”

“I want to meet this amazing cousin of mine. And I’d like to take a look at the faces of those bastards who’ve been kidnapping people.”

Besides, that strange dungeon might have been created by one of his ancestors, so he was curious to see it for himself.

“But you have to save Sia! You should prioritize your family!”

Aris furrowed her brow, urging him to return to Zieghart and take care of the [soul stone] first.

“Of course, that’s important. But…”

Raon gently took Aris’ trembling hand and smiled faintly.

“You’re family too, Aunt.”

“What the heck? That was well said!”

“Exactly. You’ve always helped us—now it’s our turn.”

“Aunt…”

Martha, Burren, and Runaan also nodded in agreement.

“You guys…”

Aris couldn’t finish her sentence. She just lowered her head.

* * *

“Hmm…”

Federick scratched his temple after finishing Sia’s check-up.

“W-What is it?”

Sylvia leaned so far forward with her hands clasped that she nearly fell over.

“Did something happen to Sia?”

Her eyes were desperate, as if she’d give up her soul for Sia.

“Saint…”

Even Edgar, clearly tense, called out to Federick with pale lips.

“It’s not a big deal.”

Federick lightly shook his head, saying there was no need to be so nervous.

“It seems like the intervals of her soul’s tremors have become a bit faster. But I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.”

He furrowed his brows, saying it could just be part of the adaptation process and not necessarily a bad sign.

“…Could you speak a bit faster?”

Glenn furrowed his brow at Federick. He, too, looked pale with tension.

“I told you, I’ve never had a patient like Sia! Every step feels like walking on thin ice.”

Federick wiped the sweat from his brow and shook his head. Even just performing the checkup seemed to have drained him, and he let out a long sigh.

“In any case, she’s stable for now, right?”

Glenn asked about Sia’s condition with dry lips.

“Yes. There’s no significant change. But as I’ve said before, we don’t know what might happen going forward, so we should find the [soul stone] as soon as possible.”

Federick stroked his beard, saying early treatment was the best way to reduce variables.

“I’m sorry…”

Sylvia caressed Sia’s hand and buried her face in the bedding.

“……”

Edgar, who normally had so much to say, simply held Sylvia’s shoulders in silence.

“…I understand.”

Glenn gave a heavy nod and walked out of the hospital room.

“Huu…”

He exhaled a sigh he couldn’t share with his daughter, son-in-law, or unconscious granddaughter, letting it out into the night air.

‘How powerless.’

Even with the title of Thunder God and the name Zieghart, there was nothing he could do. It felt like returning to the helpless days of his youth.

And yet, he couldn’t move directly either. If word got out and the [Five Demons] attacked while he was away, the damage would be on an entirely different scale.

“So suffocating.”

Glenn pressed his throbbing temple as he gazed at the night sky.

With a small grunt of irritation, he was about to head back to the Head House when he saw Chad, the head of the Biyon Branch, running toward him from a distance.

“L-Lord Glenn! Lord Glenn!”

Chad panted, barely able to form words between gasps.

“Take it slow.”

Glenn raised a hand to calm him.

“What’s going on?”

“L-Lord Raon sent a letter addressed to you!”

Chad, freshly arrived, held out a white envelope.

“So he’s reached the island.”

Glenn smiled faintly as he received the envelope, deciding to find some peace by reading his grandson’s neat handwriting.

“Hmm…?”

But the smile never came. Glenn’s jaw trembled as he read the contents of the letter.

“Is this real?”

“I-I didn’t read it since it was addressed to you personally…”

Chad blinked, confused by Glenn’s reaction.

“…He says he found the [soul stone].”

Glenn immediately turned around and burst through the doors of Federick’s estate.

“F-Father?”

“Father-in-law?”

Sylvia and Edgar blinked at him in surprise.

“What are you doing?”

Federick twirled his finger next to his head, asking if Glenn had lost his mind.

“Raon found the [soul stone]!”

Glenn showed them the letter, wearing a bright smile for the first time in a long while.

“Raon…?”

“Already…?”

“Huh!”

Sylvia, Edgar, and Federick all widened their eyes in shock.

“Raon…”

Sylvia also began shedding tears of relief, unable to hold them back any longer.

“I didn’t think he’d find it this quickly. He really is my grandson!”

Glenn blurted out the words he’d been too embarrassed to say before, letting out a joyful cry.

“Wrong! He’s my son first!”

Sylvia wiped her tears and smiled brightly.

“M-My son too… actually, never mind!”

Edgar started to speak, but bowed his head quickly under Sylvia and Glenn’s gaze.

“What about me? ‘Lifesaver’ feels too weak…”

Federick smacked his lips and rolled his eyes.

For the first time in a while, warmth filled Sia’s room.

* * *

Raon stood on the deck of the Azure Wind, waving at Wrath.

‘Wrath.’

– Why are you calling me?

Wrath rolled his eyes without lifting his head fully.

‘You were looking forward to the festival. Why so quiet?’

– I also understand the importance of family.

Wrath shook his head slowly.

– Don’t think of me as such a cold-hearted king.

‘…Thanks.’

– Hmph!

Wrath snorted as he looked out over the sea.

‘And I have something to ask you.’

– What is it?

‘Lust.’

– Kyaaaaah!

Wrath collapsed dramatically in the pose he had just struck.

– Where! Where is she?! Where’s that crazy woman?!

‘……’

– Huh? W-What? She’s not here?

‘I just said her name.’

Raon let out an awkward chuckle. He knew Wrath feared Lust—but not to this extent.

– Ahem! So what were you going to ask?

Wrath slowly floated up again, his face slightly flushed with embarrassment.

‘Um, can Lust be trusted as a Demon King?’

– “Can be trusted,” huh…

Wrath stroked his chin.

– You saw her too. When it comes to stalking, she’s absolutely untrustworthy. But if you’re asking about basic trust—there’s no more reliable demon than her.

He nodded firmly, saying that aside from stalking, she kept her promises.

‘If you vouch for her, that’s enough for me.’

Raon smiled and turned around.

– You shouldn’t say that so easily.

Wrath shook his head, unsure of what Raon was thinking.

‘I trust you. So I trust Lust.’

– Mmm…

Wrath’s eyelids fluttered. He couldn’t come up with a reply.

“Merlin, Lust. Come out.”

Raon called out, confident the two were present even though he couldn’t feel a hint of their presence.

Whooouuuu!

The moment he finished speaking, a pink current swirled in the air, and the sea otter he’d seen before hopped onto the deck.

“You found me first? Now that’s a surprise!”

Merlin laughed cheerfully, holding a small rock used for cracking clams.

“Hic…”

Lust was still sniffling, as if she still couldn’t believe she had lost.

– W-What the hell?! You lunatics were still following us?

Wrath screamed at Merlin and Lust.

– And why did you call them here?!

He shook his head, utterly baffled.

“I have a favor to ask.”

Raon pulled the [soul stone] from inside his robes.

“Take this [soul stone] to Zieghart.”

As he said this, he held it out toward the two.

“Wha…?”

Merlin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“My mother and grandfather must be worried sick. I want to ease their minds.”

Raon bowed his head and said it was a request.

“Y-You’re trusting me with something this important?”

Merlin’s eyes widened even more, as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Hmm…”

Lust also furrowed her brows slightly, as if she grasped the gravity of the situation.

“Yes. Because I trust you both.”

Raon nodded as he said this.

– No! You must never say such things to those stalkers!

Wrath’s outcry was drowned out as Raon’s words echoed, and Merlin and Lust’s eyes blazed with fiery determination.

(T/N: The greatest scam artist is at it again! lol)