SYMDF 30

Chapter 30

 

Without even bothering to chant, flames erupted across Vernian’s blade, fire streaking toward them. Camillus moved instantly, throwing his body against Ion’s, shielding his head with both arms as he rolled them across the ground.

“Ugh, Camillus!”
“Haa…”

He rose almost unscathed, a bitter laugh leaving his mouth. The attack had been directly aimed at Ion. Vernian’s intent was clear—force Camillus into fighting while protecting at the same time, chaining him down.

Camillus’s teeth ground audibly. As long as Ion remained, Vernian would keep exploiting him.

Still keeping the boy covered with his body, Camillus spoke quickly.

“Don’t worry about me. If you see a chance—get out of here. He’s right. I can’t react a moment faster than I already am, and that puts you at risk.”

His logic was sound, but Ion couldn’t agree. Alone, escape was impossible. What if he collapsed halfway? He’d die without question.

At that moment, the system chimed:

[“Reunion with Camillus Valderas Clodel (2/3)”]
[Condition fulfilled. Quest progression updated.]

The count ticked upward, urging him like a push. But Ion still faltered. Then Camillus seized his hand firmly.

“You can do it, right?”

His blue eyes glinted, intent absolute. From his grip, mana poured directly into Ion. His chest eased, breathing grew lighter, and another message appeared:

[Status “Overflowing Mana” temporarily strengthened. Duration: 90 minutes.]

Ion froze, watching Camillus’s back. Words failed him.

Camillus had already chosen. He turned to face Vernian, knights’ blades glinting between.

Ion’s heart screamed to stay. Chaos in the Crown Prince’s palace wasn’t something Camillus alone could walk away from. He had invaded with forbidden magic, threatened the heir himself. However pathetic Vernian seemed, he was no paper tiger—the Emperor’s will and loyalists backed him, even House Craiger was among them.

Maybe if Ion himself was injured, their family could intervene. After all, even the Emperor could not ignore harm against a Duke’s heir.

“But Camillus, if you’re imprisoned again…”

Camillus cut him off, firm.

“I have you, Ion.”

“…What?”

…Asking me to free him again if he’s caught? No—his words came sharp:

“I’ll always go to where you are. Because I must be the one protecting you.”

Then, softly but firmly, he pushed Ion back, releasing his hand.

“No one can cage me again. Not unless I choose to walk in.”

His lips whispered the start of a spell. Water formed at his palm, crystallizing into spears of ice blooming like glass flowers.

“And your safety matters most.”

Shhk!

They rained toward Vernian. Camillus pressed Ion’s shoulder, urging him back.

Ion bit his lip bloody. It was true. Staying meant dragging him down.

At last, before leaving, Ion forced the question:

“You’ll find me again? I’ll wait?”

“Anywhere. Always,” Camillus replied.

Ion clutched the pendant back under his clothes, steadied his resolve, and sprinted.
Thunder roared from clashing spells behind him—the air shivering as ice clashed with fire.
Every step, his chest burned, vision swam.

Just a little further…

At last, through blurred eyes, Ion stumbled past the Crown Prince’s gates. Sir Ernst’s arms caught his frail body.

“Young master! What happened?!”

“Have… to go. Hurry!”

Breathless, his chest tore, yet he managed to raise his head—only to see them.

Blocking the carriage: a squad of knights.

“What…”

He straightened weakly just as the foremost—a towering man—stepped forward, armored hands folded, bowing with stiff courtesy.

“Young heir of House Craiger. I am Astatine Dylan, vice-commander of the Noah Knight Order.”

Ion’s blood ran cold. Noah Order—the Imperial spellknights. They moved only at Emperor’s command.

Before he could speak, Ernst stepped forward.

“The young master’s affairs with the Crown Prince are concluded. Open the way, sir.”

Astatine chuckled low, mocking.

“…I regret this is impossible. I too serve the Royal House. I cannot withdraw.”

Alarm spiked in Ion’s chest. “…Abduction?”

“No, young master. Fear not—we would never dare. That would spark civil war. Even weakened, the Duke’s power is no trifle. The Empire cannot bleed its own brothers.”

“Then… what do you want?”

“Only to perform one task. The Crown Prince has asked a single favor of us. A trivial one.”

Steel cut the air as the large man moved closer. Ernst tried to bar him, blade half-drawn—

Ion flinched, closing his eyes as a gauntleted hand reached his throat—

Clink.

Not his throat. His necklace.

“…!”

The chain tore free.

“Stop! How dare you!” Ernst barked, sword raised.

But Astatine only scoffed.

“Would a mere house knight bare steel against the Emperor’s shadows?”

Ernst froze, teeth gritted. The Noah Order’s word was the Emperor’s. To attack them was rebellion itself.

Ion’s stomach twisted. Bowing slightly, the vice-commander murmured coldly.

“Forgive me, young heir. I bear you no ill will. But I was ordered to destroy this jewel.”

“…What?”

Ion’s eyes widened. Did he not even know what it was? To him, it was a simple blue gem.

Yet his explanation came anyway:

“The Crown Prince fears disgrace, and asked privately. This stone is his concern.”

The moment those words landed, Ion knew. It’s because it is Camillus’s.

Too late—

CRACK!

Blue light flashed between gauntlet and gem.

Camillus’s mana stone shattered.