CHAPTER 76……………………………..

Hiiihiiing—!

The loud, startled neigh of a horse as the train began to move was what finally allowed Ashur to open his eyes.

But the place he was trapped in was pitch-black, without even a window, so he couldn’t make out anything at all.

The stale, damp smell and the unfamiliar rattling vibrations instinctively put him on edge.

Judging by the thin beam of sunlight leaking through a tiny crack in the door, not much time seemed to have passed.

In the darkness, he noticed the magic circle on the back of his hand faintly glowing.

And Ashur understood immediately.

So Sierra saved me.

When he had called out to Lucan while wrapped in those grotesque chains, a horrifying pain had erupted through his entire body.

It was the kind of agony that left him completely helpless.

He remembered her back—standing in front of him, lifting a gun.

“…Reckless…”

More painful than the sensation of something digging into his body was the fact that he could do nothing now.

Where was Sierra? What was she doing?

The only comfort was that the quiet earring connected to her still guaranteed her safety.

As his eyes adjusted, he saw the arrow still lodged in his chest.

But there was no blood flowing anymore.

No pain, either.

It wasn’t as dangerous a wound as he’d thought.

The strange part was how it continued to siphon his mana little by little, against his will.

Yet because of that, he felt like he was finally beginning to understand what the “flow of mana” meant.

Is this what Sierra was talking about?

Still wrapped tightly in chains of mana, he could barely turn his head.

How could he undo these bindings?

And even if he did, could he truly escape with Sierra safely?

He had no clue.

For now… I can only watch and endure.

It felt like he was locked in some kind of room, yet it swayed oddly.

Ashur couldn’t even imagine that he was being transported inside a massive machine of iron.

Through the narrow crack in the door, it was impossible to grasp what was happening outside.

“…Hngh.”

He tried forcing the chains apart, but the magical restraints didn’t budge.

“…Haah.”

Thud—

In frustration, Ashur slammed his head against the floor.

Derek… that was his name.

He recalled the figure he had once seen in Sierra’s vision.

But the man felt different now.

His shadowed, unstable expression looked like someone who had suffered for a long time.

Perhaps…

Had losing Sierra made him this way?

I will never lose Sierra.

No matter what it took, he would reclaim her.

And return together to the home they had promised.

For that single goal, Ashur chose patience.

The moment the train brushed past the border of the Sanctuary, Lucan’s voice scattered faintly in his ear.

— “Be careful.”

“…Yeah.”

Now that he had truly left the Sanctuary, it was time to sharpen his instincts.

In the darkness, his piercing blue eyes flashed coldly.

* * *

Ashur’s companions, led by Barel, headed toward Terranok.

They needed outer garments to conceal their ash-gray skin.

The people of the Sanctuary were generally free-spirited, preferring comfortable clothing.

But infiltrating the Kingdom of Altareon required hiding the distinct skin of the Eshkal.

They wrapped wide cloth around their necks and pulled their hoods deep down.

“[Ugh… it’s suffocating. Do we really have to go this far?]”

Rohita complained, tugging her hood off.

Barel handed her gloves with a firm look.

“[Yes. We do. If even a speck of your skin shows over there, Ashur and Sierra are finished. So endure it.]”

Only then did the grumbling die down.

Kadiya spoke with a hardened expression.

“[What do we do now?]”

“[We wait for the train. Outside the Sanctuary, we can’t summon spirits or divine beasts. If we walk, it’ll never end.]”

“[Train? What’s that?]”

“[You’ll see.]”

Barel sighed, muttering that once this was over, he’d need to give them at least a basic lesson about Altareon.

To think they know this little… The Eshkal really have lived peacefully.

The small city of Nibaron, ruled by Altareon, bordered Terranok across the forest edge, so there had been occasional exchange.

Barel had grown up hearing stories of Altareon.

As a child, he’d once visited out of curiosity—only to be overwhelmed by its dazzling splendor.

Is Ashur experiencing that right now?

Though honestly…

Ashur didn’t seem like the type to be intimidated.

After finishing preparations, they decided to lie in ambush in the forest near where the train would pass.

“[When does it come?]”

“[Not often. But once or twice a day, I think. We’ll have to hope we’re lucky.]”

“[Wouldn’t running be faster than waiting all day?]”

“[That would take at least three or four days. What if we arrive and are immediately thrown into battle?]”

Thankfully, Barel’s decision proved correct.

Not long after, they saw it approaching in the distance.

“[That… is a train?]”

A massive chunk of iron thundered forward, the earth trembling beneath it.

“[It’s enormous… far beyond even a divine beast. How does something like that move?]”

“[It’s black. It looks disgusting.]”

At their innocent reactions, Barel snorted.

“[When you reach Altareon, you’ll faint. Don’t get so distracted you let your hood slip off.]”

At the agreed signal, Kadiya summoned a divine beast.

They climbed onto the enormous bird and flattened themselves down.

“[Now!]”

Suppressing its presence, the beast flew low and landed atop the train.

“[Stay safe…]”

Kadiya patted it with reluctant eyes, and the bird’s form slowly scattered and vanished.

They crossed the Sanctuary’s boundary.

* * *

The train passed the platform and arrived deeper within.

“Get down!”

Ashur, wrapped not only in magical chains but ropes as well, was treated like a complete prisoner, dragged roughly along.

He glanced around, but had no idea where he was.

Then Sierra appeared before him.

With her hand resting on Derek’s arm, she bit her lip anxiously.

She’ll hurt herself like that.

The two silhouettes climbed into a carriage together.

Ashur couldn’t look away—

until black cloth covered his eyes.

The knights escorting Derek’s carriage marched proudly ahead and behind.

The uncomfortable, roofless cargo wagon carrying Ashur followed at the very end.

The farther they went, the more people gathered.

“Make way! This is the carriage of Duke Esteban!”

At the loud shout from the front, the crowd parted, murmuring as they pointed toward Ashur at the rear.

“So they’re preparing to subjugate the barbarians… Is that the barbarian prisoner?”

“Look at that skin color. How is it even possible? Even working under the sun every day wouldn’t make someone that dark.”

“He looks sturdy. It’s been a while since there was a big slave auction.”

Ashur couldn’t see, but he could feel the contempt like needles on his skin.

Humiliation clenched his teeth.

Clatter—

Only after a long time did the carriage finally stop.

Still blindfolded, Ashur was dragged somewhere harshly.

“Go in.”

Creeeak—

A chilling sound, followed by the damp metallic stench of iron.

At last, the blindfold was removed, revealing his icy blue eyes.

“Where is this place?”

At his low voice, the man before him flinched.

As if embarrassed by his own fear, the man snapped back angrily.

“I-It’s prison! A barbarian dares speak first? Hah… Stay quiet!”

Then he yanked the arrow shaft out violently.

“Ghk—”

Blood spilled again from Ashur’s wound.

“There’s no medicine for savages! Survive on your own if you can!”

Spit—

The man slammed the door and left.

Right after, the magic circle on Ashur’s hand glowed faintly.

The pain faded, and it felt as though Sierra’s touch reached him.

The wound sealed in an instant.

Just wait a little longer.

Still bound, Ashur’s sharp gaze sank into the darkness.