HDBMTD 67

~Chapter 67~

“It’s okay. Kane is in that building over there.”

I also figured out why I couldn’t sense him before. The room Kane was locked in was made from a special material used for control rings, completely blocking abilities.

As we headed that way, the Grand Phantom Ghost looked at us.

“…!”

Its massive body slowly turned in our direction.

I met its gaze and said,

“Stop.”

At my voice, the Grand Phantom Ghost paused for a moment.

“Grrr…”

At the same time, countless memories of the dead and beasts it had swallowed poured into my head. I gasped, and the Grand Phantom Ghost started walking toward us again.

“Ugh…”

“Are you all right?”

I groaned and grabbed my head. It felt like all my mental strength was drained.

Jason quickly supported me. He glared at the ghost walking toward us and spoke.

“I’ll lure it away.”

“What? But…”

“It’ll be fine for a moment. Your Highness, rescue Kane in the meantime!”

I hesitated, then nodded. Jason drew his sword and charged at the ghost.

I ran toward the building where Kane was. Thankfully, the Cambiata hadn’t set any fire-starting materials inside their own building, so it was still mostly intact.

The roof was burning, but luckily, the fire hadn’t reached the first floor where Kane was.

The entrance was locked. Using what I saw in Linata’s memories, I entered the code and unlocked it.

I soaked my clothes with water from my bottle, covered my nose and mouth, and ran inside.

Through the smoky haze, I quickly found the special-material room.

When I opened the door, I saw a twelve-year-old boy tied to a bed.

“Kane!”

I shook his shoulder, but he didn’t move. Even my psychic sense didn’t work on him.

I quickly untied him, covered his face with the wet cloth, and carried him on my back.

As I stepped out, I froze. The fire had spread to the hallway.

I looked for a window to escape through, but every one had iron bars.

If I wasted time here, the building could collapse. I had to decide fast.

I can do it.

I steadied my breathing and cast strong brainwashing on myself.

I had survived fire before—surely I could do it again.

With pain blocked, I could force myself to move. I bent low to avoid smoke and moved forward.

Cold sweat slid down my back.

Then, the ceiling collapsed in front of me.

Burning wood and debris fell to the floor, becoming a new source of fire.

I stepped back in shock. Airflow shifted through the sudden hole, and the flames roared higher.

I clenched my teeth as the fire rushed toward me.

But just before it touched me, it suddenly went whoosh and died down.

Like a wild beast lowering its tail to its master’s hand.

The flames split to both sides, forming a path.

Beyond the flames, I saw a familiar silhouette.

Black hair swaying in the firelight, long legs striding confidently.

And eyes fixed on me — glowing faintly blue.

“What are you doing in a place like this?”

In that hellish fire, I stared up at him like a believer seeing God.

It was Nocturne.

“Here… cough…”

The smoke clogged my throat, making it hard to speak.

Nocturne looked down at me with a complicated expression, then pulled me outside without waiting for an answer.

Commanding the flames so they obeyed like tame creatures, Nocturne looked like an absolute ruler.

At the same time, he seemed frighteningly angry.

But I didn’t feel good either.

This is the worst.

Needing his help in a crisis.
Meeting him of all people in the middle of the fire.
And knowing exactly why he was angry.

Jason helped me to the safe zone.

All rescued residents were to be sent to the hospital. I reassured those worried about the cost that the Duke’s family would pay for everything.

The seriously injured had already been transported using a teleportation artifact found in the Cambiata’s armory. Martha had been sent ahead that way too.

The rest were moved by vehicle. Kane was loaded into one as well. Thankfully, his unconsciousness was caused by drugs, and his health was fine. I entrusted him to a healer. He would reunite with his mother at the hospital.

“Your Highness, you should go too. You haven’t slept well and your condition isn’t good…”

The healer treated me and tried several times to persuade me to go, but I refused.

There was no space in the car, and I was worried about Nocturne. Even before the real battle started, he was already consumed by rage.

I wasn’t his partner yet, but I might be soon… and in times like this, I needed to stay near.

I wasn’t the only one who stayed. Though not for the same reason, most healthy people, including the support team, chose to remain.

They didn’t even retreat to the safe zone. Instead, they climbed a hill near the village, staring in a trance at one spot.

Boom!

“Wow…”

Flames shot up again, turning the sky red. The people gasped at the majestic sight.

The only S-rank combat-type Eshafé.

With Aria gone and only a half-clone remaining, this was truly the last S-rank Eshafé’s battle.

A once-in-a-lifetime sight. People ignored their injuries to watch.

“I can’t believe that kind of firepower is possible.”

“How long can those flames last?”

Excited voices came from everywhere.

Nocturne was overwhelming the Grand Phantom Ghost that humans alone could never defeat.

Then the ghost pulled out a hidden horn and pierced Nocturne’s arm.

“Ahhh!”

“Th-the Duke!”

The wound looked deep — enough to be life-threatening for an ordinary person.

But flames wrapped around Nocturne’s body. When they went out, his arm was uninjured.

He resumed attacking like nothing had happened.

“Do you know the Duke’s crest is a burning bird?” Jason proudly told the confused crowd.

“It’s an immortal bird that revives endlessly as long as flames exist.”

“My goodness, then the Duke can just keep recovering like that…”

Someone murmured in a trembling voice.

“He’s… human, right?”

The ghost, flailing in lava-like flames, was helpless. It was like a fight between a child and an adult.

“He seems more brutal than usual,” Jason said cautiously.

My chest grew heavy. I knew the source of Nocturne’s anger.

The battle only ended when the ghost could no longer move. Nocturne could have finished it quickly, but he had chosen to torment it and erase it without a trace.

After the fight, I walked alone to the village entrance.

I waited, and in the distance, Nocturne appeared, walking slowly.

He looked immaculate, as if he hadn’t fought at all. It was as though the fire had burned away every speck of dirt. I suddenly became aware of the dust and blood on my own body.

As he came closer, I opened my mouth.

“Duke, earlier—”

But Nocturne didn’t stop walking.

In his eyes, I saw that dangerous flicker of blue.

Before I could react, he was already in front of me. He reached out and lifted my chin.

And slowly — so slowly it stopped my breath — he leaned toward me.