CHAPTER 124: DOMINIC’S DESPAIR

Was Dominic’ rampage his fault? Shiao Yi’s chest twisted with guilt.

If he hadn’t acted, everyone there would have died, or at the very least been gravely injured by the robed man’s magic circle attack.

Out of the corner of his eye, Shiao Yi caught sight of the robed man, Roaille and Libertus who are being escorted away by the guards. Both of them seemed unhurt.

"Shiao Yi, are you hurt anywhere? My heart was trembling the whole time, I was afraid that you might be die. Thank you... for risking your life to protect us."

Jircniv clasped both of Shiao Yi’s hands in his own while speaking with deep emotional gratitude.

Between Jircniv’ palms, Shiao Yi’s hands pressed against each other.

The broken crystal cuff in his grip touched lightly letting out a small brittle chime.

...

The sound of a heavy clank echoed as a key turned in the lock, and with that sound, Dominic’ mind surfaced back into awareness.

His head still felt hazy, as if covered in a thick mist and it seemed he had been sitting in a daze, lost and powerless.

He had no memory of how he had been brought here from the viewing platform of the parade ground. Both of his wrists were bound by thick iron shackles, joined by chains. He was restrained, imprisoned—that much was clear.

Yet the room did not look like a dungeon cell.

It resembled a guest chamber, furnished with decent furniture and arranged with care.

For someone treated as a criminal, the accommodations were far too generous.

Likely because of the diplomatic complications, they had not dared to throw him into the underground prison.

Still, he could sense the layers upon layers of powerful barriers surrounding the chamber.

Even if he tried to break free, the bindings would only suppress and neutralize his power.

It was not surprising.

After all, he had unleashed such a massive magic blast and caused so much destruction.

A violent shiver ran through his body.

In front of his eyes, the image of Shiao Yi’s face appeared.

The tremor grew so strong that he could not remain standing.

He collapsed into the chair before the table.

When he lowered both hands onto the wooden surface, the iron cuffs struck it with a heavy thud, and the chains clattered together with a harsh sound.

His fists trembled so violently that the tabletop itself rattled beneath them.

He remembered the sight of Shiao Yi being thrown back.

The moment had consumed him with rage.

He could not forgive the robed man who had unleashed the magic circle.

It was true—he had been frustrated even before that.

Frustrated that Shiao Yi had to go to the castle alone.

Frustrated that they had so little time together because of endless duties.

And yes, frustrated by the way Jircniv and other men spoke to Shiao Yi with such familiarity.

But still... how could he have lost his composure to such a degree? How could he have let emotions boil up until he lost all control?

Before he even had time to think, magic power swelled inside him, overwhelming his body, and he had released it in a burst.

And then—

Shiao Yi had appeared right in front of it!

Right in front of that uncontrolled power born of rage.

He had tried desperately to stop it. He had seized his right wrist with his left hand, pulling, trying to force the blast aside.

But it was too late.

The magic was already released.

And in his eyes—eyes wide with terror—he saw Shiao Yi.

But Shiao Yi showed no fear.

No shock.

No despair.

There was only determination and unshakable trust.

That Shiao Yi—

It was him who had fired at him!

It was him, who had tried to kill him!

With power born from uncontrollable rage, Dominic had attacked Shiao Yi with all his might.

His one and only.

His most beloved.

These very hands!

He himself had done it!

"Uoooooooaaahhhhhh!"

Despair tore him apart from the inside. He clawed at his own head. Crying out in grief, he slammed his forehead against the table.

Even so, the inexpressible screams kept pouring out from the deepest part of his body.

"Aaaahhh—aaahhh—aaaaaahhhh!"

Unable to remain in the chair, he threw himself onto the ground. He rolled across the floor again and again. He struck his head hard against the stone, smashed his arms against the floor. His forehead split open, blood streamed into his eyes—yet he felt no pain at all.

It was as if all his senses had broken away from his awareness.

Lying face down on the floor, he clenched his fists. He forced magic through his body. This was the moment—he should let it go wild, destroy himself into dust.

But the moment the power rose inside him, it was absorbed into the barrier surrounding the chamber. He could not hold it. He could not fire it.

With bitterness, he slammed the floor with his fist. A dull crack sounded as the stone beneath the carpet shattered. His bones broke—blood welled up slowly from his hand, and he stared at it blankly.

Was he not even allowed to follow after Shiao Yi?

Even after erasing Shiao Yi with his own hands, was he still expected to go on living?

Was he condemned to carry this despair and this agony forever...?

...

Dominic! He had to get to Dominic!

Shiao Yi felt a surge of panic.

The look he had seen on Dominic’ face a moment ago refused to leave his mind.

Empty eyes.

A stunned, motionless figure, as if even the act of breathing had been forgotten.

It had been far from normal.

Shiao Yi knew that state of Dominic all too well. He had seen it before. More than once.

On merciless battlefields.

During the vast wars across the stars, when humanity and the non-human races fought for domination of the universe.

The enemy never showed mercy. They used every method to torment the nerves of humankind.