"You've got to be kidding me!"
Alice frowned and kicked the hunched middle-aged man's backside.
"Oof!"
The man collapsed on the spot, clutching his rear. Seeing him straighten his back, it seemed he had been pretending to be hunched over.
"Why, why did you hit me? I risked my life to bring you this information..."
"Have you already forgotten the trouble we went through because of that damned information?"
Alice tapped the man's forehead, asking if he didn't remember.
"It was filthy! Cold! Hot! An absolute nightmare of a dungeon!"
She shook her clenched fist, saying she had considered destroying the entire dungeon.
"If it's news about the young master..."
Raon lowered his gaze to look at the middle-aged man.
"Could it be about Sif?"
"That's right."
Alice clicked her tongue and nodded briefly.
"I told you I went to the dungeon looking for my son. This guy brought back that information."
She wrinkled her nose as she looked at the crouching middle-aged man.
"L-Lord Raon, right? I'm Paras, Lady Alice's informant."
The middle-aged man introduced himself as Paras and bowed his head.
"I'm Raon Zieghart."
Since he was introduced as Alice's informant, Raon received his greeting politely.
"No need for formalities. He's an ex-thief."
"...A thief?"
"Yeah. I met him on a mission and rehabilitated him as an informant. He used to be quite useful with his old skills, but he's not like he used to be now that he's older."
Alice shook her head, saying she wasn't satisfied with his recent work.
"So, I went alone to check again."
Paras knelt before Alice and raised his eyes.
"The dungeon?"
"Yes! It was too strange for such a dungeon to be completely empty."
"Someone probably got there first."
Alice shrugged, saying it was quite common for dungeons to be empty.
"Besides, what's in the dungeon isn't important. The issue is whether my damn son went there or not, and there wasn't even a trace of him."
"But considering Sif's movements, there's nowhere else he could have gone besides that dungeon!"
Paras shook his head, insisting that Sif had definitely passed through Burang village.
"Sigh, so what did you hope to see when you went back to the dungeon?"
Alice tilted her chin, indicating she would at least listen.
"First, I discovered something."
Paras raised his sparkling eyes.
"I spent four days in the dungeon, but when I came out, only one day had passed. I thought time flowed slower, but it seems the opposite can happen too!"
He shook his head, saying that the speed of time flow seemed to change arbitrarily.
"Is that your discovery?"
Alice raised her fist, saying she knew it would be something like this.
"P-Please listen to the end!"
Paras waved both hands and trembled his chin.
"Just as I was about to give up and return, I spotted some strange figures heading towards the dungeon!"
"Strange figures?"
"Yes. They were covered from head to toe in robes caked with dirt, and the aura they gave off was ominous."
He swallowed hard, saying that just looking at them gave him goosebumps.
"Sensing something was up, I followed them, and as I expected, they entered the dungeon."
"Hmm..."
Alice lowered her raised fist and nodded.
"Go on."
"Ah, yes!"
Paras took a deep breath and sat up straight.
"After suppressing my presence as much as possible, I followed behind them. As you know, Lady Alice, that dungeon constantly changes to make you lose your way, but they found the correct path as if they had a map. It took them less than a few hours to reach the end of the dungeon."
He continued speaking in a lowered voice, as if someone might overhear.
"At the end of the dungeon where we couldn't find anything, they placed a red gem and began chanting some unknown incantation."
Paras clasped his hands together as if imitating those strange figures.
"Enduring the pain in my ears, I lowered my gaze to see black smoke rising from beneath their feet, and a pitch-black hole opened up. It was a path leading downwards!"
He bit his lip hard, as if still trembling at the memory.
"A hole?"
Alice narrowed her eyes as she looked at Paras.
"That's impossible. When I spread my aura perception, I didn't sense anything below."
She shook her head, saying it was just ordinary ground.
"I told you, they used magic!"
Paras described the actions of the shamans again, insisting he had seen it with his own eyes.
"Hmm..."
Alice narrowed her eyes as if in deep thought.
-With a mother like that, even this king would run away! Not finding him is doing him a favor!
Wrath shook his head, saying not to cause Sif any more pain.
'You never know.'
If Sif had really tried to escape from Alice, that would be fortunate, but there could also be something bad happening, so finding him was the priority.
"You said there was a gem too, right?"
Alice spread her fingers as she looked at Paras.
"Huh? Yes! They each placed a gem on the ground."
"Magic alone wouldn't be enough to fool my aura perception. But if that gem is an artifact, it's possible."
She nodded, saying that if it was a space manipulated by both an artifact and magic, even she might not be able to detect it.
"I had a similar experience recently."
Raon took a step forward, looking at Paras.
"Even though it was right in front of me, I didn't know there was a path leading underground."
Recalling the door to the underground archive in the Shadow Agents' office, he said it was possible.
"Alright. Continue."
Alice tilted her chin, seemingly deciding to believe Paras for now.
"Th-Thank you."
Paras bowed his head to Raon and continued speaking.
"I followed those three down the rippling dark hole. It felt like I was heading to the Devildom, sending chills down my spine."
-What nonsense! The Devildom isn't such an evil place!
Wrath shouted, telling him not to speak about things he didn't understand.
"The path wasn't very long, but I could tell we had descended very deep. After suppressing my presence even more, I emerged from the black hole to find a grotesque space where the ceiling, floor, and walls seemed to be made of metal."
"A space made of metal?"
"Yes. There was nowhere to hide, so as I was trying to move carefully, I heard human groans coming from the metal walls and underground. That's when I realized. This place was a prison."
He clutched his shoulders, saying he still trembled at the memory.
"A prison made entirely of metal, including the walls, ceiling, and floor..."
Rimmer furrowed his brow.
"I feel like I've heard of this before."
"It's the Iron Chain that started a war a hundred years ago."
Alice lowered her eyebrows, saying it seemed like traces of the Iron Chain.
'Iron Chain...'
Raon slightly lowered his chin.
'It's been a while since I heard that name.'
The Iron Chain was a militant group that harmonized armor and magic to create weapons and armor capable of blocking Astral Energy. They were said to be as powerful as the Five Kings and Five Demons, but they eventually perished after waging excessive wars of conquest.
"I've never seen the Iron Chain's prison myself, but it was similar to what I've heard."
Paras continued speaking, exhaling a shallow breath.
"Those shamans walked down the metal path with familiar steps, but I couldn't follow them."
He trembled his lips with hunched shoulders.
"My instincts as a thief warned me. If I went any further, I would die."
Paras raised his terrified eyes, saying that if he had ignored that warning, he wouldn't be here now.
'I suppose so.'
Raon nodded calmly. If there really was a prison made of metal as Paras said, the security inside would be much stronger. All things considered, it was impressive that he had returned safely.
"I was about to turn back, thinking it was too dangerous to pursue alone, when..."
Paras swallowed hard and raised his head.
"I heard S-Sif's scream from the innermost part of the prison."
"Sif?"
"Yes!"
He exhaled a turbid breath, insisting it was definitely Sif's voice.
"Bullshit..."
Alice frowned as she looked at Paras.
"There's no way Sif would be captured in a place like that! Besides, there are plenty of people with similar voices!"
She shook her head as if it was absolutely impossible, but her expression had become seriously rigid.
"You know, I've heard Young Master Sif's screams more than anyone else as he was knocked down by your punches during training, Lady Alice."
Paras trembled his hand on the ground, saying he knew well because he had trained alongside Sif.
"Moreover, as I said at the beginning, it's certain that Sif went to that dungeon. I'm worried he might have been captured by the shamans while exploring the dungeon alone..."
He clutched his head, saying he was worried about Sif.
"..."
Raon turned his gaze from Paras to look at Alice. She was biting her nails, her eyes trembling. It was a look she hadn't shown even during the war. She was genuinely flustered.
"If, if we're going, we need to move as quickly as possible."
Paras knelt and bowed his head.
"Judging by that cracked voice, he might not last long."
"Lady Alice..."
Even Lawaine couldn't offer any advice, just biting his lips.
"Ugh..."
Alice messed up her hair in a cold sweat, then finally seemed to make a decision and walked over to Raon.
"Raon. I'm sorry. I think I'll have to visit Sia later."
She shook her head, apparently deciding to find Sif first.
"I'll go too."
Raon raised calm eyes towards Alice, who had lowered her head.
"Why would you..."
"I want to meet this amazing brother, and I'd like to see the faces of those kidnappers too."
Additionally, he wanted to see if that peculiar dungeon might have been created by his ancestor.
"But you need to save Sia! Think of your family first!"
Alice frowned, telling him to go back to Zieghart and take care of the Soul Crystal first.
"Of course, that's important. But..."
Raon gently smiled as he held Alice's trembling hand.
"You're my family too, Aunt."
"Well, well! You said it right!"
"That's right. We've always received help, so now it's our turn to help."
"Aunt..."
Martha, Burren, and Runaan nodded, seeming to share the same thought.
"You all..."
Alice finally couldn't continue speaking and lowered her head.
* * *
"Hmm..."
Federick scratched the side of his head after finishing Sia's examination.
"W-What is it?"
Sylvia leaned forward so much she almost fell over, clasping her hands together.
"Has something happened to Sia?"
She showed a desperate look in her eyes, as if she would offer even her soul for Sia's sake.
"Saint..."
Edgar also called out to Federick with blue-tinged lips, seemingly tense.
"It's not a big deal."
Federick shook his head lightly, saying there was no need to be so tense.
"It seems the interval at which Sia's soul fluctuates has become a bit faster, but I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing."
He lowered his eyebrows, saying it might not necessarily be bad as it could be a stage of adaptation.
"...You should speak more quickly."
Glenn frowned as he looked at Federick. He too seemed tense, his complexion pale.
"I told you, this is my first time with a patient like Sia! Every step feels like walking on thin ice."
Federick shook his head, wiping the sweat dripping from his forehead. He exhaled a long breath, as if tired just from the examination.
"Anyway, she's alright for now, right?"
Glenn asked about Sia's condition with dry lips.
"Yes. It's not a significant change. However, as I said before, we don't know what will happen in the future, so it's best to find the Soul Crystal as quickly as possible."
Federick stroked his beard, saying they should treat her quickly to reduce variables.
"I'm sorry..."
Sylvia buried her face in the bed, caressing Sia's hand.
"..."
Edgar also held Sylvia's shoulder tightly, keeping all his many words locked inside.
"...I understand."
Glenn nodded heavily and went out of the hospital room.
"Whew..."
He let out a sigh he couldn't show his daughter, son-in-law, and unconscious granddaughter as he breathed in the night air.
'How powerless.'
It was frustrating that he could do nothing, despite his title as the Lightning God and his name Zieghart. He felt like he had returned to his helpless childhood. Yet he couldn't move directly either. If information leaked out and the Five Demons attacked while he was away, the damage would be on a completely different scale than before.
"How stifling."
Glenn pressed his throbbing temples tightly as he looked up at the night sky. Just as he was about to return to the Lord's Manor after letting out a small irritation, he saw the Shadow Agents' Leader Chad running from afar.
"H-Head of House! Head of House!"
Chad exhaled raggedly, unable to speak properly.
"Take it easy."
Glenn waved his hand towards Chad.
"What's the matter?"
"L-Lord Raon has sent a letter to you, Head of House!"
Chad held out a white envelope, saying it had just arrived.
"Has he arrived at the island?"
Glenn received the envelope with a faint smile. Thinking he should at least lighten his mood by seeing his grandson's neat handwriting, he unfolded the letter.
"Hm...?"
But Glenn couldn't smile. He trembled his chin as he read the contents of the letter.
"Is this real?"
"I-I couldn't see it because it was addressed to you personally, Head of House..."
Chad blinked his eyes, asking what was wrong.
"...He says he's found the Soul Crystal."
Glenn turned around and burst through the door of Federick's mansion.
"F-Father?"
"Father-in-law?"
Sylvia and Edgar blinked their eyes as they looked at Glenn.
"What are you doing?"
Federick twirled his finger, asking if he had lost his mind.
"Raon has found the Soul Crystal!"
Glenn showed Raon's letter, displaying a bright smile for the first time in a long while.
"R-Raon?"
"Already...?"
"My!"
Sylvia, Edgar, and Federick all widened their eyes in surprise.
"Raon..."
Sylvia also shed tears she had been holding back, seemingly moved.
"I didn't expect him to find it so quickly either. As expected of my grandson!"
Glenn let out an exclamation, saying words he had been too embarrassed to say before.
"No! He's my son before that!"
Sylvia wiped away the tears in her eyes and grinned.
"He's my son too... No, I'm sorry!"
Edgar started to speak but quickly bowed his head after seeing Sylvia and Glenn's expressions.
"Don't I get anything? Life-saving benefactor is too weak..."
Federick smacked his lips and rolled his eyes. A warm atmosphere enveloped Sia's hospital room for the first time in a long while.
* * *
Raon gestured to Wrath on the deck of the Azure Wind, which was cutting through the waves.
'Wrath.'
-Why are you calling me?
Wrath rolled his eyes, slightly raising his head.
'You were looking forward to the festival. Why are you so quiet?'
-This king also knows the importance of family.
The fellow shook his head.
-Don't see this king as too cold-blooded.
'Thank you.'
-Hmph!
Wrath snorted, looking at the sea.
'And I have one thing to ask.'
-What is it?
'Lust.'
-Aaaargh!
Wrath collapsed in the pose he had been maintaining.
-Where! Where is she! Where is that crazy woman!
'...'
-Huh? W-What is it! She hasn't appeared?
'I just said Lust's name.'
Raon let out a dry laugh. He knew Wrath was afraid of Lust, but he didn't expect it to be this bad.
-Wrath slowly lifted his body, his face red with embarrassment.
-Ahem! So what did you want to ask about?
'Well, is Lust also a trustworthy demon king?'
-Trustworthy, you say...
Wrath stroked his chin.
-You've seen it yourself, but in terms of stalking, she's absolutely untrustworthy. However, if you're asking about basic trust, there's no demon more reliable than her.
The fellow nodded, saying she would keep her promises well except for the stalking.
'If you vouch for her, I guess I can trust her.'
Raon turned around with a smile.
-It's not something you can say so easily.
Wrath shook his head, saying he didn't know what Raon was thinking, but to judge carefully.
'I trust you, who trusts Lust.'
-Hmm...
The fellow trembled his eyelids, unable to speak.
"Merlin, Lust. Come out."
Although he couldn't sense Merlin and Lust's presence at all, he called out to the two, thinking they must be there. With a whoosh, a pink current rose from the air, and the sea otter he had seen before hopped onto the ship.
"It's rare for you to find us first!"
Merlin grinned happily, waving a small stone used for cracking shells.
"Ugh..."
Lust was still sniffling, as if she couldn't believe she had been defeated.
-W-What! These crazy ones were still following us?
Wrath screamed at Merlin and Lust.
-And why did you call these things!
The fellow shook his head, saying he didn't understand.
"I have a favor to ask you."
Raon took out the Soul Crystal he had kept in his bosom.
"Please take this Soul Crystal to Zieghart."
As he said this, he held out the Soul Crystal to the two.
"Huh...?"
Merlin widened her eyes in surprise.
"My mother and grandfather must be worried, so I want to reassure them first."
Raon bowed his head, saying please.
"Y-You're entrusting something this important to me?"
Merlin widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Hmm..."
Lust also lowered her eyebrows, seeming to understand the general situation.
"Yes. Because I trust you."
Raon nodded as he said this.
-N-No! You shouldn't say that to stalkers!
Ignoring Wrath's cry, Raon's words flowed out, and Merlin and Lust's eyes blazed with fierce flames.