The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 221: That Day’s Story (2)

The Tower of Shadows, a place perpetually cloaked in Blackness, took the form of towering structures beneath the ominous sky where crows gathered.

At the apex of the tallest tower, in the seat of the Grand Council, sat a man overlooking the scene below. With a lean frame, towering stature, and an aura of dampness emanating from him, It was Snake Morg, responsible for the Morg Clan’s Black Faction.

He occupied the third position in the hierarchy within the Morg Clan.

After Respane Morg and Adolf Morg.

Unlike the amicable relationship between siblings Respane and Adolph…

Snake was slightly distant from the family, controlled the Black faction, and the Morg Clan itself was under his dominance.

However, his demeanor set him apart, and the secretive nature of the Black faction reinforced the impression of isolation within the family.

Nonetheless, Snake was an essential figure, leading everything within the Black faction, Morg Clan’s Hidden Faction, aligning with his enigmatic personality.

Engaged in covert research and experiments, the outcomes of which became Morg Clan’s weapons and shields.

Snake played a crucial role in Morg Clan’s affairs.

Currently, Snake frowned as he gazed down from his elevated position. Standing below was a girl with a bright face, looking up at him.

Camus Morg, his niece and the one destined to become the future head of the Morg Clan.

Snake, with his crimson hair and eyes, emitted a chilling aura as he observed her.

Snake opened his mouth with a hushed voice. “Camus Morg, the representative of the Light Faction, what brings you here?”

Typically, there was little reason for a member of the Morg Clan family associated with the light Faction to visit this place, except for the quarterly exchange of knowledge.

Even then, these interactions were limited to those deeply involved in practical matters.

Despite this, at the age of seventeen, Camus had seemingly no reason to be in this place.

But…

“I’ve left the Light faction.”

Snake raised an eyebrow at Camus’s statement, and following her explanation, he inquired, “Why?”

“I’m tired of the futile struggles.”

Camus’s concise response left Snake perplexed for a moment.

Then, in a low voice, he asked, “…What now?”

“I want to join the Black Faction.”

Changing allegiances was an unusual occurrence, especially for someone set to become the leader of the Morg Clan. Snake, appearing indifferent, questioned her decision.

“…Why?”

“I’m weary of pointless hardships.”

Camus’s straightforward answer made Snake fall silent once again.

For years, Camus has been diligently searching the red and black mountain every day in order to find Vikir, and Snake was well aware of it from the reports.

Camus not only failed to achieve her goal during these years but also had little success.

“…In the end, you couldn’t find him.”

“Yes.”

Camus nodded decisively, admitting her failure.

Despite thoroughly exploring the mountains like a madwoman during these past years, Vikir’s remains could not be found.

They met at the age of 8 and the reunion happened at the age of 15.

The days spent in the Red Castle were the happiest in Camus’s life.

Could it have been the same if they had gotten married sooner and spent their honeymoon?

At that time, Camus believed that such happiness would last a lifetime.

However, it shattered. Because of the hateful natives!

Camus clenched her teeth and continued to search the mountains.

And the more she searched, the more she had to admit….

Vikir was no longer there. He’s dead. Not even bones remain. Perhaps that’s why Camus felt everything was futile.

“I want to learn black magic to revive him.”

“…Even if you couldn’t find the body?” Snake said is a soft voice…

“His soul is probably still wandering in the afterlife. Maybe he has already turned into a ghost. Either way, I plan to summon him. I’ll just find the remains later.”

Snake’s hand touched his brow when he heard that. “Are you so easily changing allegiances? Leaving the Light Faction to join the Dark Faction, and even practicing Black Magic. Do you know what this means?”

“It means I’ll have to live in the shadows for the rest of my life, abandoning my mother, uncle, and all of my authority as a young lady.”

Snake’s words were abruptly cut off by Camus. Snake mumbled and half-opened his mouth.

Snake eventually made a groaning sound and adjusted his sitting posture.

” …What exactly do you expect from me, Young Lady?”

“As I mentioned before, there is someone I want to revive by learning Black magic.”

“At best, you can only get him back as a ghost or a corpse.”

“No, there might be some way in the ancient texts..”

Snake’s expression trembled again.

What Camus was talking about was a type of ancient Black magic called ‘Complete Resurrection Ritual,’ which almost completely revives the dead in their original state. It was an extremely dangerous form of ancient Black magic, even among the forbidden magic.

It was strictly prohibited by both Morg and the Empire.

“…That magic is not only difficult to learn, but the success rate is extremely low. And even if you succeed in bringing the target back to life, the likelihood of corruption or a rampage afterward is high.”

“The soul I’m trying to revive is resilient and strong. Once I’m successful, there’ll be no need to worry. As long as I can succeed.”

Camus’s conviction was strong and unwavering. Snake, upon seeing her determined gaze, hesitated for a moment. After contemplating for a while, he decisively said, “I refuse.”

Following that, a black curtain fell, obscuring the space between Snake and Camus.

An explicit rejection. However, Camus didn’t budge. Instead, she opened her mouth without taking a step.

“Uncle Snake, I know that you love my mother.”

The falling curtains suddenly halted.

Camus continued to speak towards where Snake was.

“Love between relatives is forbidden. You hid in the shadows of Morg, claiming the position of Dark Faction leader due to your brilliant talent. Even now, you love the leader of our noble clan.”

No response came. Only…

Swoosh!

All the black curtains that blocked the view were removed.

Snake, with a rigid expression, had descended from his seat and approached Camus.

“Did Adolf say that? That I’m a dirty human? Did he tell you to MOCK ME WITH THOSE WORDS?!?!”

However, Camus was not at all flustered.

“Mother and uncle didn’t say anything to me. I just heard and learned about the rumors circulating among the elders.”

“Nonsense. The elders are probably all dead by now.”

“The dead have words. Even in the afterlife, they talk a lot.”

Eventually, Camus raised her mana. Behind her, an eerie aura began to manifest, and the souls of the old men with thick beards floated.

Spirits of the elders.

Snake, surprised at seeing Camus, who had already learned Black magic, asked with amazement, “What in the world is this Black magic!? Who taught you this?!”

“I learned myself.”

“…What, what did you say?”

Snake couldn’t close his mouth. Learning Black magic on her own? Was that even possible? If true, Camus would be a talent seen once in a thousand years.

“Well, well. It seems you truly are a once-in-a-century talent.”

Snake said, stroking his chin. However, his attitude did not change.

“But that has nothing to do with this. I cannot permit you to join the Dark Faction.”

“Is it because you don’t want to upset Mother? Because you still love her?”

In response to Camus’s question, Snake experienced a momentary loss for words. Then, Camus’s subsequent actions were even more bewildering.

She tried to unfasten her clothes and walked forward.

Camus said to Snake, “I closely resemble Mother in her younger days. If I offer my body to you, can you then accept me in the dark faction?”

She approached Snake, who stood there perplexed.

Camus’s eyes shone brilliantly, willing to use any means necessary to achieve her goal.

She can do anything to get back Vikir.

Looking into those eyes, Snake’s pupils trembled.

“…Stop this.”

“…”

“Stop this, Young lady.”

Snake turned his head and gestured.

Snap!

With a snap of his finger, he stopped Camus and said in a low voice.

“Never insult my feelings towards her.”

Count Snake Morg dropped his head and nodded after contemplating for a while.

Camus, who had been silently staring at Snake, finally spoke.

“Thank you. Master.”