Chapter 837
“Move!”
Aris cut down the warriors and shamans blocking her path and rushed toward the red-haired man bound in chains.
“Sif! Sif!”
She shattered the chains imbued with sorcery with her bare hands and called out to the red-haired man, calling him Sif.
‘That man….’
Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at the red-haired man Aris had called Sif.
‘Is that Sif.’
The man had long, tangled red hair like a rag, and his whole body was dried up like old tree bark. A thick stench of sorcery reeked from the wounds carved all over his body.
‘He’s been through hell.’
Just as the branch leader had said, Sif had endured horrifying sorcery experiments. Raon couldn’t even sense the natural flow of aura he once had.
‘But still…’
He wasn’t completely broken.
Perhaps because the sorcery experiments required it, his [mana circuit] and [energy center] hadn’t been entirely destroyed.
Still, considering how long he must have suffered, Raon couldn’t say it was a relief.
“Wake up already!”
After breaking the cuffs binding Sif’s wrists, Aris grabbed his shoulders and shook him.
“You damned brat! I said wake up!”
She screamed at him to open his eyes, but Sif didn’t budge.
“Explain.”
Raon grabbed the neck of the Iron Pillar Federation branch leader and lifted him into the air.
“Why can’t he wake up?”
“Khk…”
The branch leader bit his lip, clearly refusing to speak.
“You think you can endure this?”
Raon sneered and tightened his grip around the leader’s throat.
“Ughhhk!”
The branch leader groaned like he was on the brink of death. His face turned red, and veins bulged on his forehead.
“It’s… it’s just a sleep sorcery!”
A terrified shaman in the back shouted that a sleep-inducing sorcery had been cast.
“Then undo it.”
Raon gestured with his left hand for Sif to be awakened.
“He… he mustn’t wake up while being transported, so the branch leader cast the sorcery himself. We can’t undo it.”
The shaman looked toward the leader.
Thud!
Raon twisted the branch leader upside down and slammed him into the floor.
“Khak! Hurrgh!”
The branch leader clutched his neck, marked by Raon’s grip, and coughed up blood.
“Wake him. If you try anything foolish, I’ll make it so you can’t even die even if you want to.”
Raon lowered his chin, fury swirling in his eyes.
– “Are you not going to do it yourself?”
‘Still too inexperienced.’
Raon could undo the sorcery himself, but his control was lacking and might be too forceful.
Given that Sif’s body and mind were already damaged, he didn’t want to risk hurting him further.
“Urgh…”
The branch leader trembled all over, overwhelmed by Raon’s presence, then crawled on his knees and approached Sif.
“Auntie. Please step back for a moment.”
“…….”
Aris looked back while holding Sif’s hand. Her glare was chilling, as if she’d crush the branch leader with her fist any second. Despite being exhausted both mentally and physically, she radiated an icy killing intent.
“J-just a moment!”
The branch leader shook his head, wrinkles on his forehead trembling.
“U-unless you promise to spare me, I won’t wake him!”
He rolled his eyes and begged for his life.
“If he wakes without any issues, I won’t kill you. I swear it on my name.”
Raon nodded with serious eyes.
“Mm…”
After hesitating whether to believe him or not, the branch leader placed his hand on Sif’s chest.
As a red aura of sorcery spread from his palm, the lingering sorcery inside Sif’s body began to fade.
“Whew…”
The branch leader stepped back after absorbing the remaining sorcery from Sif’s body.
“He should wake up now.”
He nodded his chin, saying he’d wake soon.
“Then will you let me…”
“Vice-division leader!”
Without even looking at the branch leader, Raon called Rimmer.
Boom!
Rimmer burst through the iron door and turned his head.
“What now? Something else went wrong?”
“No. Please subdue this guy.”
Raon pointed at the branch leader.
“Huh…?”
The branch leader widened his eyes at Raon.
“W-what are you saying! You promised to let me go!”
“I wanted to, but our vice-division leader said no.”
“That’s absurd!”
“I’m staying put like I promised. Don’t blame me.”
Raon chuckled and waved his hand.
“You rotten swindling bastard… Khak!”
As the branch leader cursed through gritted teeth, Rimmer struck the back of his neck, knocking him out.
– “Tsk tsk. Trusting this bastard is like trusting the Angels.”
Wrath clicked his tongue, saying he knew this would happen.
“Not sure what it is, but looks like you conned him again.”
Rimmer smirked at Raon.
“It wasn’t a con, just a righteous lie.”
Raon shrugged.
“Yeah. I’ll give you that this time.”
Rimmer nodded gravely, checking Sif’s condition.
“You don’t need me to kill him?”
A bloodthirsty aura rose over his blade, as if he still wanted to kill the branch leader right then and there.
“There’s still a lot we need to ask him.”
The Iron Pillar Federation Branch’s headquarters location, its true objective, and how to restore Sif. There were still many questions that needed answers.
“Then I’ll handle this room.”
Rimmer let out a brief sigh and stepped toward the cornered shamans and warriors.
“Auntie. Try waking him now. The sorcery’s gone, so he should be able to wake up.”
Raon stepped back and gestured toward Sif.
“Mm…”
Aris didn’t wake Sif right away and only bit her lip.
“Auntie?”
“It’s just…”
She looked down and let out a long sigh.
“I’m scared.”
“Scared?”
Raon widened his eyes and stared at Aris.
“Yeah. I’m scared he won’t wake up again… and I’m afraid he’ll resent me for being too late.”
Aris sobbed as she gently traced the wounds carved all over Sif’s body.
“Auntie…”
It was the first time Raon had seen Aris so weak. Always bold and refreshing like the sea, she seemed to shrink when it came to her child.
“Still, you have to wake him.”
Rimmer, having subdued the shamans and warriors, nodded his chin.
“Whether he resents you or thanks you, he’s still your son.”
“The vice-division leader is right.”
Raon nodded as he held the back of Aris’s hand.
“He’d never blame you for being late. He’ll thank you for saving him. And if he does resent you, I’ll slap him for you.”
He smiled at Aris, telling her not to worry.
“Heh…”
Aris let out a faint chuckle and nodded.
“Getting comforted by my nephew… I must have gotten weak. Alright. I’ll do it.”
She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and transmitted her aura into Sif.
Wuuuuung—
A blue light, like the sea itself, spread in all directions as Sif’s shoulders began to tremble.
“Ugh…”
With a groan that sounded like he was on the brink of death, Sif’s eyelids opened. His characteristic Zieghart crimson eyes faintly glowed.
“Sif!”
Aris cried out his name, choked with emotion.
“M-Mother? What are you doing here…?”
Sif looked at Aris in disbelief, his breath uneven.
“You stupid boy!”
Aris clenched her teeth and pulled Sif into an embrace.
“Why were you letting yourself get tortured like this here!”
She shouted, overcome with grief, and held him tighter.
“Ah…”
Seeing the collapsed branch leader and the shamans, Sif seemed to understand what had happened. His scabbed lips trembled.
“You saved me, Mother.”
He closed his eyes tightly, overwhelmed, and gave a faint nod.
“Thank you… and I’m sorry…”
Sif lifted his right hand to gently touch Aris’s back. Though his fingers trembled from weakness, to Aris, it was the most comforting touch in the world.
Raon quietly stepped back and watched the embrace between Aris and Sif.
In a past life, he wouldn’t have understood why someone would cry in such a joyful moment. But now, he could sense the color of their emotions.
‘I guess I’ve changed a little too.’
-Hmph…
‘It’s true.’
-Hmmmmm…
* * *
“Whew…”
Sif let out a heavy breath after drinking water from Dorian.
“Don’t drink it! Spit it out first! You’ll mess up your insides if you drink too fast!”
Having finally calmed down after crying her heart out, Aris immediately launched into nagging.
“Ha…”
Sif chuckled faintly and lowered the bottle.
“That nagging used to be annoying, but now I’m glad to hear it.”
His words were fragmented and awkward, unfamiliar with speaking at length, but he smiled faintly.
“Ah, sorry.”
Aris touched the back of her head and shook her head.
“We only just met again and I’m already nagging. I really…”
She scrunched her nose in apology.
“It’s fine.”
Sif gave her a soft smile.
“I missed your voice even in my dreams. Please, nag away.”
He waved his hand, saying it made him happy to hear her voice again.
“Are you really my son? You weren’t like this before.”
Aris let out a laugh as she looked at him.
“I was rebellious back then. And I’ve been stuck in this place for over two years. I’m not exactly in my right mind.”
Sif ran a hand through his tangled hair, saying he didn’t even know what kind of person he was anymore.
“Either way, I’m just glad to see everyone again.”
He licked his lips, expressing how happy he was to be free.
But behind his eyes, there was a chilling killing intent. His rage and grudge toward the Iron Pillar Federation was clearly visible.
“Think about revenge later. Focus on recovery first.”
Aris also sensed his killing intent and held his hand tightly.
“Of course. I’ll recover as fast as I can and…”
Sif gritted his teeth and glared at the shamans.
“I’ll wipe out the Iron Pillar Federation entirely.”
He let out a breath laced with the scent of blood, vowing to erase the remnants of the Iron Pillar Federation hiding in the shadows.
-Hmmmmm….
Wrath groaned as he looked at Sif.
‘Why are you groaning like a dog? You’re not a puppy.’
-I feel like I’ve seen that guy before, but I can’t recall where.
‘Brother Sif?’
-Yes. But maybe not. His body is too messed up, and the sorcery clinging to him is confusing.
Wrath shook his head, saying he might’ve been mistaken.
-Maybe not? Just ignore it.
He turned away, dismissing his own thoughts.
“Can I call you brother Sif?”
Martha approached Sif and lowered her gaze. Calling him brother right away—typical Martha, never backing down even against Aris.
“Yeah. You’re Martha, right?”
Sif nodded, saying it was good to meet her.
“You’re a Grandmaster, but how did you end up getting captured by trash like them?”
Martha blinked, clearly not understanding.
“Martha!”
“It’s alright. That’s a valid question.”
After wetting his throat with water, Sif turned to face everyone.
“Mother kept me locked up for training for so long that I was dying to go on a journey. I wanted to see ruins and dungeons I’d only read about in books.”
He smiled softly, recalling those days.
“As soon as she allowed me to leave, I explored ancient ruins, dungeons, and legends across the continent. Even now, I don’t regret it.”
“So that’s why we never heard from you.”
Aris nodded as if she finally understood.
“Yes. I only wandered through remote places. But it helped me understand why you said strength was necessary.”
Sif said that, thanks to the training Aris had made him endure, he had been able to explore without much difficulty.
‘That makes sense.’
Raon nodded as he looked at Sif. He could relate—he, too, had once wanted nothing more than to escape the life of an assassin and live in peace.
“I heard rumors that this dungeon had a different flow of time and suspected it held a hidden secret. But…”
Sif clenched his fist and struck the ground weakly.
“It was the Iron Pillar Federation’s den. Even though they were strong, I could have escaped. But the guide who led me there turned out to be one of their shamans and ambushed me from behind.”
He pointed to a wound on his abdomen and bit his lip.
“More than the pain I went through, hearing other people scream was worse. This place… it’s hell, where humans are used as sacrifices to amplify the power of sorcery.”
Sif lowered his head, covering his face with his hand, overwhelmed by the pain of those days.
“Brother Sif…”
“Ugh…”
Burren and Dorian bit their lips, their expressions mirroring the sorrow and rage they felt.
“Still, I learned something important.”
Sif slightly bowed his head toward Aris.
“Learned something?”
“Yes. It’s about our family’s bloodline.”
“Bloodline? What do you mean?”
Raon stepped closer to Sif.
“That is… kuhk!”
Sif suddenly vomited black blood mid-sentence. It seemed the damage accumulated in his body had erupted.
“Sif!”
Aris grabbed hold of him and screamed.
“I-it’s alright.”
Sif extended a trembling hand to stop her.
“The Iron Pillar Federation’s sorcery has seeped into my bones. This happens often.”
He shook his head, saying he could handle it.
“Let’s get out of here first.”
Raon frowned as he looked at the dungeon floor, still thick with sorcery.
“This space itself is bad for brother Sif. We should prioritize getting him outside.”
“Yes. That’s best.”
Aris nodded and supported Sif.
“Light Wind Division, take the hostages outside along with the subdued shamans.”
Raon gave the order to the Light Wind Division and slung the unconscious branch leader over his shoulder.
“Understood.”
“I’ll handle the shamans. With my fists!”
“Leave it to us.”
Burren, Martha, and Runaan headed out to relay instructions to the Light Wind Division members who were tending to the hostages.
“I just need to deal with these guys, right?”
Rimmer led out the remaining shamans and Iron Pillar Federation warriors from the chamber where Sif had been imprisoned.
“Dorian. Gather all the sorcery equipment and documents in this place and come out last.”
“Yessir!”
After issuing his final orders to Dorian, Raon exited into the blood-soaked chamber they had first entered.
‘No matter how many times I see it, I’ll never get used to this.’
The stench of blood was so thick it made his head spin.
If his realm hadn’t advanced, even using [Sword Control] would’ve been difficult here.
‘Might be best to come back later and destroy this place entirely.’
The negative energy lingering here wasn’t something that could easily be cleansed by burning it away.
Once everyone was gone, returning alone to level this place seemed like the best option.
As Raon offered a silent prayer for the dead while staring at the chamber, he heard noisy voices from behind.
“You’re so damned skinny, really!”
Aris sighed heavily as she supported Sif.
“Why are you so light!”
“S-sorry…”
Sif couldn’t even lift his head, clearly embarrassed.
“Sorry my ass! Shut up! The moment we get back to the house, you’re eating everything I give you. Got it?”
Aris fired off curses like her usual self as she scolded Sif mercilessly.
‘They look good together.’
Raon thought about how he and Sylvia might look the same to others, and a smile naturally formed on his lips.
‘The Saint should be able to treat him without issue.’
He was just thinking that he’d call Federick as soon as they returned to Zieghart—
Schluck!
A sickening sound of flesh being pierced rang out from behind.
“Uh…”
Raon’s teeth clattered as he turned his head.
Crackle!
A pitch-black blade had burst out from Aris’s chest, and behind her, Sif wore a wide, twisted smile.
“Thank you, Mother.”
(T/N: Oh damn!)
