Chapter 41
[Human World]
Victor slowly regained consciousness. The first thing he noticed was the familiar ceiling of the medical room. He was lying on the bed, his body heavy but stable.
Supporting himself against the pillow, he sat up and called out,
"Ginsho."
Ginsho, the head doctor of the palace, was nearly the same age as Victor. He was the one who had treated Mia as well. Ever cautious, he had been staying in the room next to Victor to keep a close watch on him.
Hearing Victor's voice, Ginsho immediately entered the room. A warm smile appeared on his face when he saw Victor awake.
"Good to see you well, Victor," Ginsho said.
"You old friend," Victor replied with a faint smile. "Calling me Victor so casually… so tell me, what's the situation out there?"
Ginsho sighed softly.
"Hmmm… honestly, not very good. You've been unconscious for five days."
He paused, then continued,
"You're a different beast altogether. I thought it would take at least ten days for you to wake up. That girl recovered her mana in three days, but you…"
Victor smirked.
"Are you not happy to see me well?"
Ginsho's eyes suddenly welled up.
"Actually… thank you, Victor. Thank you for waking up."
Victor swung his legs off the bed and stood up.
"Come on, Ginsho," he said calmly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you tell me the whole story?"
Then his expression sharpened slightly.
"And where is Kael?"
Ginsho hesitated.
"Actually…"
He explained everything that had happened after Victor lost consciousness. Kael's fight with Galen, Ossban's arrival, and finally, Kael's disappearance.
After hearing everything, Victor clenched his fists.
"Damn it… damn it," he muttered in frustration.
"Where is Ossban? I want to meet him. Bring my spare clothes, Ginsho. The ones I keep here. I need to take action myself."
After changing, Victor walked toward the main building. As he passed through the corridors, maids, servants, and soldiers noticed him and lit up with joy. But Victor didn't stop. He headed straight for Ossban's office.
Beatrice and Selene spotted Victor in the mansion and smiled in relief. Selene called out to him, but he didn't notice. Seeing his urgency, they followed him toward Ossban's office.
Victor pushed open the door.
"Ossban," he said firmly. "Where are they? Tell me their location."
Ossban stood up immediately. Seeing Victor awake, relief washed over his face.
"Sir, please. First, you should rest," Ossban said.
"I've placed my best spies to monitor them. The moment I receive solid proof, I'll act personally. Tomorrow I must report everything to His Highness. After that, I will move against them. Please wait just one more day."
Victor exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself.
"And Kael? Have you found him?"
Ossban shook his head.
"Unfortunately… no."
Before he could say more, Beatrice, Selene, Mia, and Irena arrived at the doorway.
Victor frowned slightly.
"Ki isn't here," he muttered. "That's strange. He usually rushes in the moment I call him."
Then realization struck him.
"I see… He followed my orders to look after Kael. That means he's still with him."
Victor straightened.
"Kael is safe. Ki is with him."
Mia's eyes widened.
"Really? Kael is safe?" she asked, both relieved and anxious.
Victor turned toward them.
"Good to see you well, Mia. Don't worry. Kael is safe. Ki isn't answering my calls, which means he's still with him. To be sure…"
Victor closed his eyes.
"Blood Art: Blood Eye."
"I will connect to Ki's vision."
After a brief pause
"Connect."
Victor's vision shifted. Through Ki's eyes, he saw Kael walking beside Reiro, entering a castle. He couldn't hear their conversation, but Kael looked composed, focused.
Victor continued watching. Kael soon faced Kaede in combat.
After a few minutes, Victor broke the connection.
"There's nothing to worry about for now," he said with a faint smile.
"He's doing what he needs to do."
He turned to Ossban.
"Once you return, we'll act."
"Yes, sir," Ossban replied. "Should I inform them about Kael?"
"No," Victor said firmly.
"Hide it for now. Until Kael becomes self-sufficient, we must not do anything that could put him in danger."
Selene tried to speak, but Beatrice stepped forward.
"Where is Kael?" Beatrice asked quietly.
"I know he's safe, but he's only eight years old. After leaving that place… this is the second time he's been in danger."
Victor looked at her calmly.
"Beatrice, that's life. Either you abandon your responsibilities and live carefree, or you fulfill your role in this world."
He paused.
"I feel he's exactly where he needs to be. And now that the Blood Beast is with him, there's no cause for worry."
Beatrice nodded, though her concern hadn't completely faded.
"If you say so, Master."
[Soul World]
Kael cut down another soul eater with his sword. One-star and two-star soul eaters were approaching the castle relentlessly.
Thirty lay dead behind him.
Kael turned west, toward the prison.
"I made it in time," he whispered.
"Please… please let me reach there at the right moment."
Inside the prison, villagers were chained and tortured. Reiko stood before a man in his thirties, suspended by his wrists above burning flames.
"Shinji," Reiko said coldly, his deep voice echoing through the chamber.
"Tell me where the soul stone is. Give me its location, and I'll free you and your people."
Shinji, Yui's father, trembled in pain.
"Just… just kill me," he replied weakly.
"Fool," Reiko snapped angrily.
"What's the point of enduring this pain? Tell me the location, and I'll give you everything you've ever desired."
Shinji lifted his head despite the pain.
"Greed is never fulfilled," he said softly. "It never brings peace."
Reiko's expression darkened.
"Then watch closely. First you… and then your village will burn."
At that moment
The prison doors opened.
Kael stepped inside.