Chapter 729

Berrick and Cedric expertly made their way down the steep slope. Eirin, following behind, managed to keep her balance without much trouble. The grass along their path was flattened, leaving a long trail of evidence.

Whoosh!

Reaching the Bariel camp, Berrick rolled forward once and landed perfectly, while Cedric lowered his stance to slow down. With a bright smile, Berrick spread his arms wide in greeting.

“Back.”

“Back!”

Cedric echoed him in unison.

Jaret frowned, stroking his scruffy beard. Before heading to the Masantar temple, they hadn’t been this carefree. How had Cedric ended up picking up such antics? He’d sent Cedric under Berrick’s wing to help him grow, but now he worried he might be leading him astray.

“Ugh!”

Thud!

Unlike the others, Eirin’s landing was clumsy—she banged her head against a wooden barrel.

She staggered to her feet, glancing up at the portal hanging high in the sky. The height she’d fallen from hit her all at once, making her heart skip a beat.

“Eirin?”

“Ah, can someone help me up?”

“Good grief. What happened?”

A soldier recognized her and reached out a hand. Then Xiaoshi stepped forward to greet the three.

“Berrick, what about Lord Ian?”

“Ah, he’s smashing through Masantar and heading toward the Tolrun capital. I’m taking the kids back to the palace guard. That holy knight keeps complaining about some bad vibes or something.”

“Bad vibes?”

“No idea. Everything’s fine here, right?”

“Problem…?”

“Is there?”

Berrick brushed off his coat and turned his head. Following Xiaoshi’s gaze, they saw a line of figures standing on the hill. Surprised by Berrick’s sudden arrival, they all froze, clutching daggers tightly.

Look at them—faces battered and bruised, bodies smeared with blood, weapons pressed against their necks…

“What’s this? Intimidation?”

“Something like that. Seems they’re people kidnapped from Bariel.”

“Oh, for the slave market?”

“They say if we wait a week, they’ll release the hostages and clear the way. But we can’t afford that. The Tolrun regular army will arrive by then. Still, His Majesty is troubled—he can’t turn his back on his people.”

“Of course.”

Because he loves Bariel.

Berrick shrugged and asked, puzzled, “Isn’t it enough just to rescue the hostages?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“Captain Jaret! What are you waiting for? Don’t just stand there.”

Berrick shouted toward Jaret, who frowned and signaled to keep quiet, as if aware of the situation. Just arrived here, and already causing trouble.

“We were just discussing that, you fool. What about Masantar?”

“We killed the envoy Lazu, completely destroyed the temple. The underground connects to the Abyss, but we sealed it with Idgallo, so no special issues.”

“No issues? That doesn’t sound so simple—”

“Ian said so, so it must be true.”

Ah, if Ian says so…

At that moment, mages flying overhead descended lightly near the barracks, preparing for a possible hostage rescue operation. With their skills, they could retrieve the captives quickly and safely.

Jaret nodded, as if satisfied, and bowed toward the emperor.

“Your Majesty, the timing is right. Let the mages bind the enemy, and we will move in to rescue the Bariel people. Once the hostages are confirmed safe, we will eliminate the enemies without mercy.”

Jin let out a small sigh of relief and nodded.

They would deal with these foes differently than before—no mercy, punishing them for daring to threaten his people.

“Show no mercy. Kill them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Had the emperor ever given such an order before? Jaret sensed the depth of his anger and gestured to the palace guards. Aside from Barsabe, who guarded the emperor personally, three were chosen.

“With mages on our side, three is enough.”

“Uh, Berrick seems like he wants to come along.”

“Let him do as he pleases.”

Berrick whispered something to Cedric, pointing toward the enemy camp. Still acting like the senior, he was giving advice.

“No, idiot. Going up that way is faster.”

“No, see? There’s a slope over there.”

“Arrogant brat. Do I have no eyes?”

“Then want to try it yourself?”

They bickered over something pointless, arguing who was right.

Watching Berrick closely, Jaret suddenly tilted his head.

‘Come to think of it…’

That strange feeling when he saw the enemy Helna earlier—the sharp eyes, the red irises, the slightly curled lips…

And above all, that irritating tone.

Who did it remind him of? That’s right—Berrick himself.

“Captain, we’re moving out.”

The palace guards nodded and charged forward. Noticing this, Berrick pushed Cedric aside and sprinted up the hill.

Tap! Tap!

The mages, informed of the situation, traced magic circles with their fingertips, locking coordinates on the enemy camp. Helna and her subordinates froze in shock.

“W-what do we do, boss?”

“Damn it… Listen! Choose wisely! Don’t think this is all we have! If you count those behind us, we’re two or three times stronger! I tried to be polite, but is this Bariel’s answer?”

Whoosh!

Helna grabbed a slave by the hair and slit their throat in a hurry—a warning that she’d gladly kill more if they came closer.

The slaves collapsed weakly, begging in terror.

“Please spare us! Don’t come! Please!”

“Ahhh! We’re going to die! We’re going to die!”

“We can prove they’re Bariel citizens! Does Your Majesty truly want to kill his own children?”

Whoosh!

Thud!

“The deaths of these people are Your Majesty’s choice! You are the one killing them!”

Helna’s fierce cries reached the emperor. Jin’s jaw clenched tightly, his eyes burning with cold fury. He had never seen such arrogance and cruelty.

Meanwhile, Berrick, Cedric, and the palace guards reached the hilltop at lightning speed.

Ziiing! Ziiing!

The mages’ bindings snapped tight. Invisible cords wrapped around Helna and her men’s wrists.

They struggled desperately to break free, but how could they overcome the mages’ power?

Slash!

Cedric was the first to strike, swinging his sword and severing the neck of a henchman near Helna.

It was over in an instant. The head flew off, landing with a thud, blood spurting from the wound.

“Well, not bad—”

Berrick grinned and aimed his sword at Helna’s neck.

At that moment, Helna’s eyes widened as she locked gaze with Berrick. He froze too—how could he not?

Those red eyes, so much like his own.

Red irises weren’t rare, but something was off. Like two magnets suddenly snapping together after being broken.

Swish!

Berrick’s blade barely grazed Helna’s neck. He pulled back, looking at her with a puzzled expression. Helna, panting, stared back.

A heavy silence fell.

It was broken by Cedric, clueless.

“Senior, why are you swinging your sword like that?”

“…”

“It’s barely more than a scratch.”

“…”

“Senior? Hey, Berrick?”

Berrick didn’t respond. Contrasting with Helna’s slightly parted lips when she heard his name.

“…Berrick?”

“Who are you?”

“Good heavens.”

Berrick steadied his sword, aiming again at Helna’s neck. But Cedric could clearly feel there was no killing intent in his strike.

Helna bit her lower lip hard. Berrick saw her nose redden and her eyes glisten.

“Is it really you, Berrick?”

“What are you? I asked.”

“I—I’m Ibia.”

The moment he heard that name, Berrick couldn’t help but hold his breath. A name he’d never forget, even in death.

“Sis?”

As he whispered, Helna let out a scream—half joy, half despair at the absurd situation.

“Impossible! You’re alive! Oh my god, oh my god!”

“Is it really you, sis?”

“Yes! We used to roast beans every Saturday morning! Meria caught rabbits and we built a house in the backyard. Mom loved polishing the wooden cutting board. Don’t you remember?”

Words spilled out like a flood, almost unconscious. Then her voice cracked.

“…Why, why that night…”

That rainy night.

The sisters were kidnapped by strangers and disappeared, leaving Berrick alone. Just as much as Berrick had endured, his sisters must have suffered untold horrors. That’s why they were here now, caught in this moment.

Beric stared in confusion, shifting his gaze between the dagger in her hand and the bodies sprawled across the floor. Then, with a soft thud, he dropped his sword completely.

“No… this can’t be.”

In his memory, his sister was nothing like this. She was the type who couldn’t even twist a chicken’s neck properly without getting scolded by their mother.

“Beric. This is good. Save me, will you? Huh? Looks like you’re with the Emperor’s Royal Guard. Please, speak well to the Emperor. Save me. We have so much to talk about, don’t we?”

“Sis, wait a minute.”

“Oh my god, you’re a magic swordsman? That’s impossible. Why… why couldn’t you use any power that night?”

Without realizing it, Beric took a step back. The sudden confrontation with his family was throwing him into chaos.

Cedric lowered his sword tip and glanced toward Bariel’s camp. Wasn’t this situation going sideways? Were they about to receive new orders…?

“Beric! What are you doing?”

Clack, clack!

That was when the Emperor’s Royal Guards arrived, swiftly leaping forward. They were baffled—how could he not cut down a single magic-bound fiend? For them, this was supposed to be an easy task.

Ching! Clang!

BANG!

As the guards moved to strike Hellna, Beric instinctively parried. Completely caught off guard, the guards were pushed back several steps.

Whoosh!

“…?”

Jaret, Jin, and Xiaoshi, who had been watching, all furrowed their brows. As the dust settled, Beric emerged, still in a defensive stance.

“Ugh, damn it. That hurts.”

“Beric, you crazy bastard! What the hell are you doing?!”

“What are you trying to pull now? Huh?”

Grumbling in frustration, the guards got back on their feet. Even if he was a fool, they thought, he should know the difference between friend and foe.

“Beric?”

“Ah, s-sorry. Just wait a moment.”

“What?”

“Please, just wait a moment.”

“What are you talking about…? The Emperor is watching. You just arrived and don’t even understand the situation?”

The guards glanced nervously behind them, whispering among themselves. Facing the Emperor’s rare fury, what nonsense was Beric trying to pull?

But Beric didn’t lower his guard; his sword tip remained pointed at his comrades.

“…Because she’s my sister.”

At those words, the Royal Guards froze instantly. That single sentence explained everything. Unsure of what to do, they looked back and forth until they caught Jaret’s cold gaze, then readied themselves again.

“Beric, you can’t do this.”

“No, damn it. I don’t want to be doing this either.”

“The Royal Guards follow only their superior’s orders.”

“I know that! But she’s my sister!”

The moment a comrade spotted an opening and tried to strike, Beric unleashed his magic, blocking the attack once more.

Watching from afar, Captain Jaret let out a quiet sigh.

‘Beric is undoubtedly talented. His combat skills surpass even the Royal Guards.’

But at the same time, Jaret lacked what a captain must possess. The one thing essential to command.

“What’s going on, Captain Jaret?”

The Emperor’s voice cut through. Jaret immediately drew his sword and bowed his head to Jin.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. It seems my inadequate disciple has yet to fully grasp his training. I will go and instruct him properly.”