Ian, too, turned his gaze beyond the outer wall. Past the black hill scattered with the tower’s remnants, a lake-like haze of ashen mist lay thick and unmoving—except for one part. There, the mist rose and fell in slow, rhythmic waves, as if sothing beneath the surface was stirring.
There was no visible shape, no sound, but he was sure of it—it was the shadow beasts.
“I thought they were waiting in the forest, planning to retreat without a fight,” said Hyked, watching the ripples spreading along the edge of the mist. “But it seems that wasn’t the case. If anything, it looks like their numbers have grown. This isn’t good.”
At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before the entire area was completely surrounded.
“Even so, it doesn’t seem like they can enter,” Lucia said, having quietly approached the outer wall to peer down.
Ian gave a small nod. It really did seem like the shadow beasts couldn’t step outside that mist.
Turning back to Hyked, he asked, “This domain—will it hold even if you leave it, Your Highness?”
“Not for long. It isn’t a fully ford territory. The priests will do what they can to maintain it, but at best, it’ll be a few hours before the mist swallows this place again.”
That was likely why the smile had faded from Hyked’s lips. He narrowed his eyes, stroking his chin, and muttered, “It’d be better if they chased after us instead. If not, it’ll be a disaster.”
Would it really be better if they followed us?
Ian clicked his tongue at the thought. Either way, if those beasts attacked when only the Wolves were there, the damage would be imnse. It wouldn’t be surprising if they were wiped out entirely.
The walls surrounding the tower were low and partially collapsed. The tower itself had no gate and was riddled with gaping holes—not exactly built for defense.
Lucia, her expression just as grim, murmured, “Then we’ll have to deal with them before we go.”
“That wouldn’t be a fundantal solution. Those things can just retreat again. And once we’re gone, they might attack this place to cut off our retreat.” Letting out a low hum, Hyked finally turned to Ian, as if having made up his mind. “There’s no choice but to fully establish the domain before we leave.”
“Are you sure about that?” Ian asked. He didn’t know how establishing the domain worked, but it was obvious it wasn’t easy. If it were, Hyked would’ve done it from the beginning.
Hyked inhaled deeply, his shoulders lifting with the effort. “It’ll cost quite a bit of strength, but there’s no other choice. Don’t worry. Exhaustion and fatigue—those, I’m well used to.”
That’s not what I’m worried about.
They were about to march into an archdemon’s stronghold with only seven people. Every one of them mattered—but Hyked was especially vital to their strength. If he couldn’t fight at full capacity, it put everyone at risk. And Ian had no intention of taking that kind of gamble on a mission where their lives were at stake.
Ian clicked his tongue again and spoke. “What about borrowing outside power?”
“Outside power? Don’t tell —” Hyked’s eyes narrowed in an instant.
So, he sensed it too.
Seeing the look in his eyes, Ian shook his head slightly. “I’m not talking about the chaos I carry.”
Ian slipped his right hand behind his back and reached into his pocket dinsion.
Hyked’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Then?”
“Lucy. Step back,” said Ian.
Ian then extended his right hand forward, revealing a neatly crafted wooden box, just a little larger than his palm. Intricate spell circuits engraved on its surface glowed faintly, releasing a subtle wave of magic.
After confirming that Lucia had retreated, Ian added, “See for yourself.”
Hyked tilted his head curiously and carefully took the box. As he slowly opened the lid, a sinister violet light seeped out.
A faint crease ford between his brows. “What is this?”
“This is the Mark of the Void,” said Ian.
Inside the box was a small stone inscribed with symbols that resembled ancient runes.
“You’ll need to steep it with your darkness, but the power it contains should be quite helpful.”
As Ian explained, Hyked’s gaze remained fixed on the mark. “Where did you get sothing like this?”
“I took it from a corrupted one I killed in the Empire.”
“If they were carrying sothing like this, they must’ve been no ordinary person. Do you know their na?”
“Edward Kralen.”
It had been one of the spoils from Ian’s battle with Duke Kralen, the forr ruler of the Western Empire.
He’d originally intended to absorb the chaos sealed within it, but due to various complications, it had been left untouched—until now.
Hyked’s eyes widened as he stared at Ian. “Edward? You an that polite, brilliant young man? He fell into corruption?”
“Yes, him.”
Though Ian didn’t show it, he was surprised that Hyked recognized the na. Even more so because the description didn’t match the image he had of the man at all.
“Good heavens. Then again, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, I embraced chaos too.”
“So, is it possible?”
“Of course,” Hyked said with a nod, his gaze dropping back to the Mark of the Void. “There’s powerful energy in this. Dangerous, yes—but with it, I’ll be able to form a domain with far less effort. However…”
With a soft click, he closed the box and looked up at Ian. “Are you sure you want to hand over sothing like this to ? It seems like it would be just as useful to you, Agent of the Saint.”
He was clearly referring to the chaos Ian carried.
Ian shrugged. “It’s not free. In exchange, I want the essence bead of Inaskurgl.”
“Ah, so you had another plan in mind. Very well. Agent of the Saint, that’s a fair trade.” Hyked smiled, his expression softening as he glanced briefly at Lucia behind them.
“So the Priestess wasn’t just quick to adapt. She already knew you carried chaos, didn’t she? I kept quiet, thinking it was a secret—but it seems that wasn’t necessary.”
So that’s why he didn’t say anything.
Hyked added, “I’ll protect your secret with my na. You don’t have to worry.”
“I wasn’t particularly worried, but I appreciate the gesture, Your Highness,” said Ian.
Hyked bent down and picked up the helt resting on the floor. “I’ll stay here and attune the Mark with my darkness. Would you mind heading back first? I’d rather not show you what that process looks like.”
“Understood,” Ian replied without hesitation, then turned to Lucia, who had been watching quietly. She quickly stepped up beside him.
As Hyked slipped the helt over his head, Ian gave him a brief bow before walking past.
“…Agent of the Saint.”
He hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Hyked called out again.
“Yes, Your Highness?” Ian paused and looked back.
Hyked, now wearing the horned helt, was looking at him. With his face hidden, his presence felt completely different. He was no longer the warm, easygoing crown prince—what stood there now was the Dark Prince, steeped in shadow.
A faint bluish glow flickered behind the visor as Hyked spoke in a cool, steady voice. “I’m more than willing to yield the archdemon’s chaos to you. But be careful not to let it consu you. I have no desire to witness the birth of another archdemon.”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Ian’s lips. “I was about to say the sa to you.”
Hyked’s glowing eyes narrowed a touch. It wasn’t hard to tell he was smiling behind the visor. “If that ever happens to , I’ll leave it to you to stop . Just like you did with Edward Kralen.”
Ian didn’t respond. Instead, he dipped his head once more and resud walking. The sensation of Hyked’s gaze on his back faded not long after.
Without looking back, Ian made his way around the top floor to the staircase. But before descending, he ca to a halt.
“His Highness is still above,” said Ian.
Standing mid-step on the stairwell was a Black Lion clad in full plate armor.
It wasn’t Seren. This one bore a sword and shield—the sa warrior who, instead of slamming his weapon into the ground like the others, had tapped the flat of his blade against his shield. The glow behind his visor wasn’t a dark blue, but a muted yellow, and it flickered with no hostility.
The Lion bowed politely and spoke. “I am Gwellrod Dallin. I’ve been waiting to escort the two of you.”
“Ah, you’re the one who received Diana’s letter.”
“Yes. Sir Diana is resting at the mont. Now, please follow .” With that, Gwellrod turned and led them down the corridor just below the top floor—technically the highest enclosed level of the tower. They had likely been assigned quarters on the sa level as Hyked.
“This way, Agent of the Saint.” They walked down the circular hallway until he ca to a stop, opening a wooden door to the side.
“Thanks,” said Ian.
“Have you decided to join the subjugation?” Gwellrod asked as Ian stepped toward the room.
Ian stopped and gave a slow nod. “I have. Let’s give it our best.”
“Then I may get the honor of witnessing the Agent of the Saint wield the dragon relic.”
This again, Ian thought.
Still, Ian replied. “Perhaps.”
“I’ll look forward to it. Rest well.” Gwellrod gave a polite bow.
Ian returned the gesture with a nod and stepped inside.
The Black Lions’ interest in the Dragon Relic—it might have been a kind of longing for what they had lost. Just like Hyked, they likely hadn’t chosen corruption willingly. Sowhere in their hearts, the longing for the Radiant Goddess remained.
I shouldn’t be feeling sympathy for people who might end up as enemies.
Brushing the thought aside, Ian glanced around the room. It was small, cramped, with a few narrow beds set along the walls. The open window let in the faint flicker of darkness outside, giving the space an almost prison-like feeling.
On the farthest bed, of course, was Diana—curled up and asleep, still wearing her mask, as if dead.
“Lu Enter, good heavens…” Lucia’s breathless sigh ca a few seconds after the door closed. As if she’d been barely holding herself together, she sank to the floor, her legs giving out beneath her.
Ian turned to look at her, and she murmured without even lifting her head. “I’m sorry, Sir Ian, for speaking out of turn earlier.”
“No need to apologize. Thanks to you, a lot of questions got answered,” Ian replied and took a seat on the edge of a bed. It creaked beneath him.
Lucia’s voice ca again, hollow and dazed. “What are we going to do? If things stay like this, there really will be another war. But I couldn’t bring myself to argue with him…”
“Of course not. He didn’t say anything that could be denied, did he?” Ian answered.
Once again, the thought crossed his mind—Chapter Five would mark the start of the war between the Emperor and the Black Prince.
It would be a branching point. Depending on whose side he chose, the ending would shift.
Lucia’s quiet voice continued, low and heavy. “But even if the wall disappears, that doesn’t an everything will be okay. The monsters inside won’t just vanish. And if the Empire splits in two on top of that, the entire continent will spiral into chaos.”
Ian just shrugged. It wasn’t a problem they could solve right now. From what he’d seen so far, even killing Hyked wouldn’t fix anything. It would probably make things worse. Hyked would be hailed as a martyr, and the survivors of this land would carry on his will. And the survivors, no doubt, would turn to more extre and violent thods.
Of course, Lucia had no way of knowing that. The thought of killing Hyked likely didn’t even exist in her mind.
She whispered faintly, “I don’t understand what he’s trying to do. There’s no way he doesn’t know what I know… So why?”
“He must have sothing else in mind,” Ian said bluntly.
Lucia looked up at him. “He didn’t seem to be after the throne. Then is he trying to build a new empire? But if he does, it’ll never be rembered with honor—”
“Doesn’t matter right now,” Ian cut her off.
He t her gaze, then added, “We’ll find out when the ti cos. For now, only one thing matters.”
“And what’s that?”
“That this isn’t the ti to be worrying about that kind of thing.” With that, Ian tossed the sacred box in his hand toward her.
Startled, Lucia caught it just in ti—and looked up in surprise. “You’re giving this to ?”
“I’m letting you borrow it. You need it more than I do right now,” he replied. Honestly, he’d been thinking about it since the mont he received it.
His Resistance was already high enough without the sacred blood, and the only equipnt he had that required holy power was the Saint Damiel's Ring.
Besides, in the battle ahead, divine fire would be more useful than magic. Red magic could burn allies if mishandled, but divine fla didn’t co with that risk.
Lucia stared at the box, her earlier worries pushed to the back of her mind. “I’ll take good care of it. I won’t lose it.”
“The process might hurt. Especially if there’s any corruption in your body you don’t know about.”
“I can handle it.” She gave a firm nod, clutching the box tightly.
Ian gave a small laugh and gestured toward the other side of the room with his chin. “Then get so sleep. Better to get even a little rest than spend the night worrying.”
Lucia sprang to her feet, and Ian let himself fall back onto the bed. He closed his eyes and slipped into ditation at once.
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