Chapter 24 - Wake
"A deal is rejected. That is a shame. I have to follow the old plan." Thamior muttered.
Silas remained, gathering mana in his palm.
This domain is harmless but it was still a domain. If Thamior wanted to kill him, he could with the last strength.
"You see, before your group entered into views. I was planning to hand over this crest and hope that I would be revived. But those in the family would never do that. So the chance was slim."
"I would rather make a deal with you than waiting for their mercy."
Silas didn’t speak. His breathing was slowly getting smoother. The energy inside his body healed the wounds or he was just getting used to this state? He didn’t know.
"And you rejected the deal." Thamior stated the obvious.
Silas remained unmoved, waiting for the chance to break free the domain and killed the old mage.
"Nevermind, I am a sixth circle mage. My will is the order." Thamior declared.
As soon as the voice ended, the domain trembled.
Silas grinned his teeth, bracing himself and released every ounce of mana from his body. Fighting the invasion of the will with his pure mana.
"Oh, you know a way to defend against the domain. Your knowledge surprised me, Viremont. But in your current state, you are destined to fail."
Immediately the invasion became strong and he felt his limbs moving against his will. His heart beating at the thought of someone. If Thamior ordered him to stop, he would stop.
Only his state of mind was untouched by the old mage.
"From the moment you enter into the lighthouse, you are already inside my domain." Thamior said.
A lie. This must be a lie.
Silas’s body floated and arrived in the middle of the crest. The crest shifted. It was being changed by Thamior.
The world barrier was breaking apart as time passed. Thamior couldn’t hold any longer. He was working on understanding Silas mind and twisting his crest according to that.
"Ah." Silas felt his soul melted, the pain he didn’t think existed overwhelmed him. If he lost his mind, he would never recover from this. So he endured.
The sensation of ripping apart and strange things attached to his soul was unpleasant. He couldn’t use words to describe how disgusted he felt right now.
"Done. Haha. But the risk is not gone yet. I suggest you find a suitable vessel for the crest or you will die along with me, Viremont."
With the final words, the white, untainted domain collapsed.
***
"Silas. Silas."
Someone called out his name. The voice was hoisted and soft. Seems like she cried, calling his name.
Who would cry for him? He was a monster. He led himself to kill children.
He wanted to sleep. He had failed in past life. He had screwed up even more now.
Saying that he wanted to live a normal life was a lie. A cruel lie he told himself to forget his goal.
He was born in the slum. He didn’t know his mother or father but looking at his face he knew his mother. She was a prostitute.
And his father was likely her customer.
His mother abandoned him to the orphanage. The orphanage in the slum was not a good place for a child. But he was smart.
He knew how to make himself. How to present himself to people.
So he followed. He had a fight with other kids in the orphanage. But during those times, he met a wonderful kind man. A priest. He showed him kindness in the bleak world he lived in.
Sure, the priest didn’t understand the pain he was feeling but he listened.
When the priest moved, Silas vowed that he would be that kind of man.
Did he achieve that?
He did save a few children. He did give all his money to the children.
"Silas. Silas."
A hand grabbed him and lightly whispered. Someone was tending him now.
He didn’t know how much time passed. It would be great, if the dream doesn’t end. He didn’t have to face his mistakes.
Ah... He still needed to know Roland’s situation. Did the children from the cage survive?
What happened to Thamior? Did he get stuck inside me?
I need to move. I don’t want to move.
The conflict in his heart didn’t stop.
"Silas. Silas."
Another call. How long was it?
Silas opened his eyes, a blinding light enveloped his visions, causing him to shut his eyes.
"Ah." He groaned in annoyance and lifted up his hand to cover the light.
"Huh!?" Looking at his hand, he couldn’t see his skin. The hand was warped in bandages so thick that he didn’t see the skin beneath.
But he was not sure he still had the skin at all from the explosion made by Zeke.
He slowly stood up and looked down at his body. Everything was warped. He grabbed his face and noticed that the warping didn’t stop at all. Even his face was covered.
He looked around the surroundings. He was in a tent. Not just a simple tent, it was highly made. Even the ground was covered in wood.
’They should just build a house at this point.’ Silas sighed.
Suddenly, the tent was lifted up and a young woman entered, carrying a bowl of water and towels.
She paused and stared at Silas who was sitting. Her eyes were stunned.
Silas waved his hand and smiled, "Hey, Luna, did I surprise you?"
She dropped the water bowl and jumped up. She then immediately headed outside the tent and calling out people.
"The young master is awake!"
The atmosphere was quiet and awkward. Seeing all the eyes fall upon him, Silas didn’t know what to say.
He sighed and enjoyed the tea made by Old Gin.
"How are your wounds?" Silas asked, looking over at Roland.
Roland had already returned to normal. The only mission was the hair on his face and head. Otherwise, he was perfect.
He nodded. "All my wounds are healed. But I still need some time for my internal organs."
"I see. Good to hear. How about the kids?"
"They are all saved. We sent the kids to Floen city under Max. Did we make a mistake?" Roland asked.
Silas waved his hand. "No, good job. The kids can’t stay in the forest. So the four knights accompanied Max and the kids."
Roland nodded.
"I see." Silas muttered. ’Guess, going to Floen City was unavoidable.’
"Now that my body is healed, we will resume our journey."
"You need rest."
"Yes sir, you need to take care of your body. Your skin is not healed yet."
"I don’t care."
The last voice belonged to the wonderful succubus. She was sitting in the corner, drinking a wine glass.
Everyone shot at her with fierce glances.
"I am just stating my feelings." She shrugged off and left.
Silas smiled at the scene. Next was Old Gin who had to take care of preparing a meal and camp fire for the crew.
So Roland and Luna were left in the tent.
Silas looked at Luna and voiced. "Give me a mirror, Luna. I need to see my face."
Luna didn’t speak and looked down at the ground, silent.
"I am sure you would like to see your appearance." Roland said.
"That is what I will decide." Silas said flatly and ordered Luna again for a mirror.
She sighed and gave up. She went out and came back with a mirror.
She held it in front of him. Silas saw himself in the mirror. His face was warped around in white bandages.
He slowly unwrapped the bandage and looked at the mirror. In front of him was an ugly face. His nose was gone almost like it fell from his face. And he could see his teeth even if he closed his mouth.
Silas’s previous face was undoubtedly handsome.
Now, it is gone. Anyone would puke at the sight of him.
That was why Luna warped his face.
He assumed the skin on everything was the same as his face.
"Cool. I look like a demon." Silas joked. He didn’t care about his face. It sucked that he couldn’t use his face to advantage but he still had a way to fix his face.