#066

Something immediately came to mind. The mask worn by the attacker at Exion Castle. What he hadn’t seen clearly in the dark corridor became vivid upon hearing Gael’s description.

“It seems you have some idea.”

He had suspected it since killing Pellar, but now it was certain. These individuals were entangled with curses, or what he inferred to be Akesis’s power.

“Yes.”

At Cullen’s reply, Gael straightened his back and continued his explanation.

“I didn’t hear the details, but the Sorcerer was supplying them with Cadmium. The reason he became stronger than before was likely due to their help.”

Cullen watched Gael’s reaction. He had heard from Ulli what the Sorcerer’s weapon was, but why did Gael say the Sorcerer had become ‘stronger’?

“You said stronger than before… Do you know him?”

Gael immediately affirmed.

“I do. He’s from here, Dadin.”

It seemed there was a connection. The Sorcerer appeared to hate Dadin.

“How can he do such things to the people of his own birthplace…?”

Arne, who had been listening quietly, reacted to those words. Gael gazed at her with eyes that seemed to hold the weight of years and said,

“There are many twisted people in the world. Those who shift their misfortune onto the innocent. That is Tahan.”

With a slightly clumsy hand movement, Gael rubbed the bronze cup filled with juice.

“Tahan was born in the Endless Flame. His father was a wandering mercenary who never returned, and only the innocent Hanna bore the burden. Even with me monitoring the mercenaries, such incidents couldn’t be completely eradicated.”

Although it was a region neglected by Duke Refellon, it was ultimately his territory. Unless the Duke prohibited it, the Endless Flame could not be eliminated. For this reason, Gael likely tried to regulate the situation through surveillance, but there were limits.

“Hanna died when Tahan was ten. From then on, Tahan drifted through the alleys. He was tall, but not the build of a mercenary, so he lived doing odd jobs. Then, on his coming-of-age, his abilities manifested, and he became quite arrogant.”

“He wasn’t as bad as he is now back then?”

At Cullen’s words, Gael nodded.

“Yes. He could only use mind-control Magic to manipulate one or two ordinary people. Tahan attempted to cast Magic on me, but after failing, he was banished from Dadin.”

Lasano, who had been silent, asked.

“What kind of grudge could he possibly hold? Was he ostracized and abused by everyone in the village?”

Lasano’s face was cold. It was the first time Cullen had heard Lasano’s dry, chilling voice. He had never spoken with such a lack of humor, not even when arguing with Arne.

“Nothing like that happened here. Rather, indifference was the tragedy that befell him.”

Gael replied, then continued.

“However, we have no reason to indulge his circumstances entirely. He harmed innocent people and exploited them. No excuse can justify this heinous act. Though he is already dead…”

Gael turned his head. Staring into space for a moment, he clenched the bronze cup and gritted his teeth.

“How convenient. It’s over just because he died. While the innocently sacrificed people do not return.”

An uncomfortable silence settled. The words “escape through death” kept echoing in Cullen’s mind, so he remained silent, and Lasano and Arne also fell into thought.

At that moment, Kiyen broke the silence.

“There must be accomplices.”

Gael glanced at Kiyen, then calmly affirmed.

“Indeed. The women and children must have been kidnapped from the village.”

“And here, without you, no one would have paid them any attention.”

“Yes.”

Gael answered politely, despite Kiyen’s condescending tone. Kiyen’s questions ended there. However, his unspoken message was conveyed.

“From now on, I will find those who cooperated in this matter. I must also help the victims, so I will be busy for a while. Therefore, Cullen, if you don’t mind, would you help me one more time? It seems everyone has come out, but there might still be victims trapped in the cave…”

“Understood.”

It wasn’t something to ponder. He accepted immediately, and Gael offered a faint smile. It was a sad face, as if he were forcing a lost smile back into place.

“There are a few whose deaths are not certain. One merchant from the Pierre Trading Company and about two hired mercenaries. It might be helpful for reference.”

Gael let out a deep sigh and stood up first.

“I have much to do, so I must leave now, Cullen. Thank you to all your companions as well. For the treatment… I am greatly indebted. I will surely repay this kindness.”

After a brief nod to Kiyen, Gael bid farewell to the entire group and left.

The group headed to the ruins without delay. As if they had grown accustomed to it, Arne and Lasano were already preparing for the next task. Arne said she would pack some food, just in case, and Lasano was checking the list.

Cullen prepared his words. Kiyen knew the way to the entrance, so a guide was not needed.

“The name of the missing merchant is Kus. Is that the person you were looking for, Cullen-nim?”

Unlike when they moved as a group, after a few hours, they reached the ruined cave. The sun had just begun to set, dyeing the sand in red hues. Flowing red sand quietly rolled and disappeared into the vast opening in the middle of the desert.

Upon reaching the massive scar Kiyen had created, Lasano spoke.

“Yes. There is something to confirm.”

Besides getting back the overcharged amount from Kiyen, they needed to find out where he found the artifact.

“I don’t know if it will be inside. When I spoke with the head of the trading company while traveling by carriage, he said the person had been missing since before they departed. Hmm, perhaps they fled knowing you would chase after them? I would do the same. It would be very frightening.”

“We’ll know once we check.”

The hole, which was immensely deep, was too difficult to descend directly. There was no need to use Kiyen’s power for such a task, so the group headed to where the cave entrance had been.

The situation there was better than where the Demonic Beasts had been dealt with. Perhaps because it was closer to the surface, there were some collapsed areas, but the height was manageable for examination.

“It doesn’t look like anyone survived.”

Lasano looked around and spoke. Cullen agreed. Even if they were alive, a full day had passed, so unless they were incredibly lucky, they would already be dead. Thinking so, Cullen decided to check everything anyway.

Just then, Kiyen, who had been silent all along, spoke.

“I hear something over there.”

At those words, they held their breath for a moment. The surroundings were silent. Only the faint sound of wind carrying sand could be heard; even Cullen, trained in sensing presences, could hear nothing.

“From which direction?”

To Cullen’s question, Kiyen pointed to where a large desert rock had collapsed.

“Inside there.”

“Since Kiyen-nim says so, it must be true… but it’s impossible for us, isn’t it?”

As Arne said, the fallen rocks were large enough that several strong men would barely be able to move them. Kiyen’s Magic had conditions, and Lasano’s Magic was useless here. Cullen could move a few, but it would be impossible to clear them out safely.

Kiyen ignored Arne’s words and headed towards the rocks.

Standing before rocks much taller than himself, Kiyen reached out and pointed to the topmost one.

“What are you doing?”

Lasano asked, puzzled, and Kiyen replied curtly.

“Step back.”

His actions followed immediately. The rocks began to vibrate. Just like the night Cullen was saved, rock dust trickled down, and something unbelievable happened. The rocks slowly turned to dust and began to oxidize. Gray dust swirled and began to spread in all directions. Though they should have grown accustomed to it by now, it was still an unfamiliar sight.

“…Are you allowed to use your power?”

Cullen whispered as he approached Kiyen. He replied, spreading his still-visible wings behind him.

“In my current state, this much is possible. Though the power of the clone I left at the palace will weaken.”

“Does this happen every time Kiyen-nim overexerts himself?”

“Yes.”

While they were learning something new, the rocks that had blocked the way disappeared. And the scene they encountered was one no one had anticipated.

“Hah!”

A man in ragged clothes was beyond the vanished rocks. He was trapped in a space that looked like it could collapse at any moment. Seeing the precarious dirt ceiling and the cracked walls, it appeared to be a sealed space.

“I-I’m alive!”

The man gasped, shouting into the pouring light. Crawling out as if rolling on the floor, he approached Kiyen, the first person he saw, and frantically grabbed the hem of his robe.

“Thank you, thank you! I thought I was going to starve to death right here, but the goddess’s grace…!”

Having spoken that far, the man looked up and saw Kiyen’s face, his expression turning blank. It wasn’t that he was struck by Kiyen’s beautiful features, but rather a look of surprise.

Then, Kiyen’s indifferent eyes looked down at him. Kiyen, observing the man expressionlessly, said to Cullen.

“This is him.”

Without detailed explanation, Cullen understood instantly.

The man was not a handsome man, as Kiyen had described. His red hair and appearance matched the information. The man, Kuss, with his unsettling aura, scrambled backward. He returned to the room he had emerged from and shouted.

“P-please save me! If you save me, I’ll specially return half the price of the goods!”

He seemed to have quickly assessed the situation. Judging them all to be Kiyen’s companions, he attempted to negotiate, pressing his head to the floor with almost servile desperation. Cullen refused firmly.

“If it’s for saving you, shouldn’t you offer 300 Luna? It’s cheap for the price of keeping your head attached.”

“3, 300 Luna? I don’t have that much money…!”

“Is that so.”

Cullen replied as if accepting, then drew his sword.

“From what I hear, it hasn’t been just a day or two. To say you don’t have that kind of money…”

As soon as he saw the sharp blade, Kuss let out a yelp and quickly compromised. He seemed to value his life.

“A-Alright! But I truly have nothing right now. I’ll give you everything when I return. I swear it!”

Cullen approached him and tied Kuss up. He didn’t seem to have the energy to escape, and he meekly allowed himself to be bound by Cullen, his face contorted in a grimace. Cullen, with practiced movements, searched Kuss’s body, bound by rope. His clothes had so many hidden pockets.

After a few minutes of searching, Cullen found 10 Luna and a merchant’s token on his person. After all, Luna itself was quite heavy, so it would be difficult to carry a lot of money.

“I was right, wasn’t I? S-So please take me to Dadin quickly…”

“Not yet. Where did you get the items you sold?”

At that question, Kuss glanced at Kiyen.

“That’s…”

Cullen cut through his hesitation with his blade. As the sword was quietly extended, Kuss quickly answered.

“I found it here, where I was just trapped!”