The Price of Salvation

“That’s perfectly fine! But what should we do about these people? Now that I’m wearing this [Holy Suppression] armor, I can’t cast any recovery magic…” Domu readily agreed to Mofimod’s request.

He then glanced at the people lying around them and at Phil, who was still foaming at the mouth at his feet, a hint of helplessness in his voice as he questioned Mofimod.

“Please rest assured, Lord Domu. I shall take care of these people. Consider it my way of making amends for the mistakes I just made.” Mofimod placed his hand on the [Rotten Dragon Blade] at his waist.

Everyone knew that the [Rotten Dragon Blade], one of the Norachi Kingdom’s most powerful holy artifacts, granted its wielder immortality.

What no one knew, however, was that the wielder could also control the immortal souls stored within the [Rotten Dragon Blade] to heal others.

Feeling the blade in his hand, Mofimod realized his supply of immortal souls was dwindling. Yet, immortal souls could always be accumulated again, whereas an opportunity to atone for his mistakes before Lord Domu was fleeting.

Mofimod channeled the immortal souls from the [Rotten Dragon Blade]. Vibrant, multicolored lights flew from the blade, one by one, settling into the bodies of the unconscious people on the ground.

“Domu…”

Under Domu’s expectant gaze, Soronna, who had been unconscious, slowly awakened. Opening her eyes and seeing Domu beside her, she mumbled, as if just roused from sleep, “Domu…”

“Soronna! Are you alright? You truly scared me to death just now.” Watching Soronna regain consciousness, Domu knelt down and helped her sit upright, ensuring she was more comfortable, all while asking with concern.

“Domu~ Hehe~ I missed you so much, Domu~” As her awareness gradually returned, Soronna suddenly turned and tightly embraced Domu, seemingly unafraid of being poked by the armor. She laughed joyfully, a blissful expression on her face.

“Don’t… don’t do that, Soronna. Mofimod is still right there…” Domu, flustered by Soronna’s sudden action, whispered to her as her cheek was pressed against his helmet.

“Hmph! I don’t care about that perverted old man. Domu, what happened just now? I only remember seeing you and that perverted old man inside the magic energy barrier… and a huge black dragon kept attacking you two… I wanted to find you… and then… I don’t remember anything else…” Soronna pouted, casting a sidelong glance at Mofimod, who wore an awkward expression nearby. Then, her eyes wide, she curiously questioned Domu.

“This… Soronna, it’s a long story… How about I tell you slowly once we get home today?” Looking at the people around them who were gradually regaining consciousness, Domu decided it would be best not to let others know what had transpired. Thus, he proposed this to Soronna.

“Home~~ I remember! Domu seemed to have promised me something today!” Hearing the word ‘home,’ Soronna suddenly blushed and whispered very softly into Domu’s ear.

“…Did… did I?” Domu decided to play dumb. ‘Isn’t it true that people briefly lose their memory after being unconscious for a while? But why does Soronna remember that particular thing so clearly?’

“Hehe, Domu, I won’t let you get away!” Seemingly unconcerned by anything Domu said, Soronna merely hugged Domu tightly, a grinning expression on her face.

“Lord Domu, Mofimod, Lady Soronna, are you all alright? I am truly very sorry… The black dragon is gone. Did Lord Domu and Lord Mofimod save us? But… how did Lord Domu and Lord Mofimod escape the magic energy barrier…” Just as Domu was helplessly holding Soronna in his arms, Mr. Tule’s somewhat nervous voice drifted over.

His once handsome and refined face and neat clothes were now incredibly disheveled. He was gently rubbing his temples with one hand as he approached Domu, speaking with a worried tone.

“Mr. Tule… This matter, it’s a bit…” Domu hesitated. He trusted Mr. Tule implicitly, but as mentioned before, he didn’t want too many people to know what had just happened. He cast a hesitant glance at Mofimod, who stood rigidly beside him.

“Mr. Tule should be aware of the abilities granted to me by the [Rotten Dragon Blade]. As for more specific details, it’s not convenient to disclose them at this time.” Mofimod sensed Domu’s gaze and, understanding his intentions, took over the conversation.

‘It seems Lord Domu doesn’t wish for others to know his true strength, which is understandable.’ Thus, Mofimod gave Mr. Tule a meaningful look as he spoke.

“I see… Lord Mofimod, I understand. Then please leave the aftermath of this incident to me.” As a merchant and an exceptionally intelligent man, Mr. Tule immediately understood, upon seeing Mofimod’s meaningful glance, that there were certain matters he shouldn’t probe into for now.

He swiftly formulated several solutions in his mind for handling the incident. Although the sudden appearance of a colossal creature above Morgan City’s lord’s manor—a demonic dragon that had once destroyed several cities in the Norachi Kingdom—would likely escalate to a national-level crisis, Mr. Tule still possessed the means to manage it.

Moreover, Mofimod’s demeanor suggested that he was merely temporarily unable to explain, and further clarification would follow. Without hesitation, Mr. Tule took full responsibility for the matter before Lord Domu and Mofimod.

“Domu, I’m so tired. I want to go back and rest.” Soronna, nestled in Domu’s embrace, quietly tugged on Domu’s arm, her voice laced with fatigue as she whispered.

Domu looked at Soronna, who appeared delicate in his arms, and felt a slight headache. Soronna’s performance was clearly an act. However, a great deal had indeed happened today, and Soronna had almost been in danger…

‘Forget it, I’ll take Soronna back to rest today.’ ‘Dora must be awake by now, that little sleepyhead.’ Thinking of Dora, who was still sleeping in the inn, and looking at Soronna in his arms, Domu thought with a soft chuckle.

Ah, and Mr. Philavman. He had bravely saved Soronna without a thought for his own safety. He definitely needed to thank him properly. It was a pity, though, that today’s charity event would likely have to be canceled.