Chapter – 128
“An extreme domain… Ah.”
The extreme domain was also a concept that existed within the Sigmund bloodline’s abilities.
It was said that those who had inherited the Breath of Sigmund could momentarily make the flow of time feel slower.
It sounded absurd—practically magic—but once he experienced it, he realized it wasn’t that far-fetched.
They weren’t literally slowing the flow of time. Instead, they developed their brain core to the limit—boosting their reaction speed and cognitive ability to an extreme level.
“The extreme domain. This is why we Sigmund are called invincible. Look—does it not seem as though everything around you is moving slowly?”
Gorbad glanced around.
“…Amazing.”
It was the first time in his life Carlisle had ever experienced something like this, and he was stunned.
Everything looked so slow that he could clearly see even the tiny movements of the leaves fluttering in the wind.
But as he watched this strangely slowed world, a chilling thought crossed his mind.
How utterly unfair must it have been for those who had to fight the Sigmund?
If you were the enemy, and you had to face someone who had entered this extreme domain…
A shiver ran down his spine.
Life-and-death battles were often decided in the span of a fleeting moment.
But when fighting a Sigmund, that fleeting moment was stolen from you entirely. No wonder their opponents died so easily.
“Our swordsmanship polishes the brain core to its absolute limits, allowing us to control not only the body but even the flow of time. And ultimately, its goal is to seize the power of the gods themselves.”
“The power of the gods?”
“Have you forgotten? We are the descendants of the ancient monstrous demigods.”
Gorbad’s voice brimmed with absolute pride in her bloodline.
“Should one of us awaken that true power, our long-held wish will finally be within reach.”
“Your long-held wish…?”
“To break free from the wretched yoke of the royal family, of course. The liberation of the North—true independence.”
Carlisle snorted before he could stop himself.
The royal family’s prophecy had already been exposed as a massive fraud. Talking about liberation from their rule now was so ironic it bordered on comical.
But that didn’t mean they were actually freed from the royal family.
Their power was overwhelming, the other noble houses kept each other in check, and beyond the northern border roamed countless monsters that could match the Sigmund.
“As you know well, various demigod-like powers reside within our family’s blood. Throughout history, there have been families who awakened similar powers. But in your case, I found not a single record.”
“Really…?”
“Yes. The ability you awakened is the first of its kind in our family’s entire history.”
“Hm.”
“So you must study it—deeply explore it, research it, and train earnestly.”
“…Why should I?”
Carlisle frowned.
“You should know better.”
“You insolent brat! As a member of the Sigmund, this is your duty! How dare you shirk it?”
“I don’t really ca—”
Carlisle suddenly convulsed as if shocked by electricity.
At the same time, time began to flow normally again.
“Gah!”
He coughed up blood.
And that wasn’t all.
Drip…
Blood gushed from his nose, eyes, even ears.
His head spun, his stomach churned, and his vision blurred so badly that he couldn’t even stay standing.
Thud!
Carlisle collapsed instantly.
He’d clearly passed out.
“Oh ho.”
Gorbad looked down at him with interest.
“He truly isn’t ordinary. To endure that long the very first time stepping into the extreme domain… even the head of the family can’t manage that…”
She thought perhaps Carlisle’s potential might exceed anything she’d imagined.
* * *
Vacation ended quickly.
After repeatedly training, fainting, waking up, training again, and fainting yet again, a month flashed by before he realized it.
Before long, the day he had to return to the front lines was only a day away.
“Did you enjoy your leave?” Grand Duke Guntram asked, coming to see Carlisle.
“Not really.”
“…”
Guntram was at a loss for words at his son’s blunt reply.
“Still, you rested well at the estate, did you not?”
“I don’t think being beaten senseless every day counts as resting.”
“For a Sigmund, that is resting. At least you weren’t fighting for your life.”
“I almost died, though.”
Carlisle shuddered.
Gorbad’s training was brutal.
She pushed him mercilessly for an entire month, and more than once, she nearly killed him for real.
Just a few days ago—
Her sword had sliced across his throat.
Blood had erupted like a fountain. The sensation was so horrifying he doubted he would ever forget it.
If not for the Sigmund’s monstrous natural regeneration, he would’ve passed out within seconds and died of blood loss.
“Death is always by our side.”
“…Let’s not talk about it.”
Carlisle shook his head, exhausted.
It had been almost a year since he’d lived as a Sigmund, but he still couldn’t get used to their insane mentality.
“So, did you achieve much?”
“Eh, so-so.”
“Your aunt said you’ve improved remarkably. Was she wrong?”
“It probably didn’t even tickle her. Everyone except me is a monst—”
Carlisle suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
Something felt wrong.
He instantly activated the extreme domain.
A sharp jolt shot through his brain, and the world slowed.
“Your reaction has gotten quite fast.”
“…Did you really have to test me like this?”
“How long can you maintain it?”
“If I move fast, about two seconds. If I just talk like this, around thirty seconds.”
“Good. That’s enough to pass.”
“Pass…?”
“To achieve this in less than a month is not slow at all. It is impressively fast.”
“Huh?”
Before he could react, the extreme domain dropped, and the world returned to normal speed.
“You trained well.”
“…What?”
“I’m proud of you, my son.”
Carlisle flinched when Guntram placed a hand on his shoulder.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Hmm?”
“Please stop that.”
Carlisle quickly stepped back, shrugging off Guntram’s hand.
Damn it. This is unbearable.
He simply couldn’t handle Guntram’s praise.
He had never once been praised by his parents in his previous life. This was his first time receiving a gesture of affection.
It felt foreign.
Too foreign.
That must’ve been why he couldn’t stand it.
“…It seems you hold much resentment toward your father.”
“Resentment? No. I just don’t want us to pretend we’re close.”
Guntram seemed hurt but held his tongue.
He’d hoped to use this chance to improve their chilly relationship, but instead, they seemed even more distant.
“You have nothing else to say?”
“No. Do you?”
“Hm.”
Carlisle thought briefly, then said:
“You’re preparing for the winter famine properly, right?”
“We are distributing magi-stones for heating, as you advised.”
“What about food and winter supplies?”
“We are opening the emergency storage. Do not worry.”
“Good.”
Carlisle looked out the window.
A cold wind blew—too cold for the season.
Winter was coming earlier than usual.
“If you’re careless, you won’t survive it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tens of thousands of your people will freeze to death. Can you stomach that?”
“If such a tragedy happens… and if it stems from my incompetence as ruler… then no. I could not endure it.”
Guntram didn’t deny it.
He was a man who valued duty more than anyone.
“Then that’s all. I’ve done what I can. The rest is on you.”
“Very well.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Carlisle added as if remembering something.
“Send supplies to the Schuvern forces stationed on the Blood-Soaked Plains. If you leave them as they are, they’ll freeze to death.”
“Is this about the Loren family’s daughter?”
Guntram grimaced.
“Yes. She helped me last time.”
“I see.”
“If not for them, I’d be dead. A debt is a debt.”
“Then I will send supplies. Unlike those snake-spawned nobles, our family does not forget favors. But nothing more than that.”
“More than what?”
“Do not pretend ignorance.”
Guntram said sternly:
“I will never approve of the Loren girl.”
“…What?”
“Have you forgotten the bad blood between the North and Schuvern? I would sooner die than accept a Loren as my daughter-in-law—”
“That’s not it.”
Carlisle rudely cut him off, scrunching his face.
“Why would I ever get involved with her?”
“…You wouldn’t?”
“I’m disappointed. I didn’t think someone of your stature would have such ridiculous delusions.”
“A strong denial is a strong affir—”
“Please stop.”
Carlisle abruptly stood and left the room.
He couldn’t kick Guntram out—Guntram was the Grand Duke.
So Carlisle had to leave instead.
“…Did I make a mistake?”
Guntram sighed.
He had tried to bridge the gap, but somehow they drifted even further apart.
Such was the nature of children…
* * *
After leaving his room, Carlisle realized he hadn’t seen Gorbad today and immediately went to find her.
He was returning to the front tomorrow. If he didn’t see her today, he wouldn’t get another chance.
‘Guess I should check her house. Ugh, annoying. She always appears on her own… except when I actually look for her.’
Gorbad’s house was a small mansion in the inner city—small but refined, clearly fitting for a noble lady.
“What brings you here?”
Of all people, his aunt Medeia happened to be stepping out of the house.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“‘Isn’t it obvious?’”
Her eyes flared with irritation.
“I thought you’d grown up a little after your investiture, but I see I was wrong.”
“People don’t change that easily.”
“I suppose not. Otherwise some ungrateful brat wouldn’t be here sucking dry an elder’s strength without shame.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t know?”
“…?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t heard. Your grandaunt has fallen ill because of you.”
Medeia’s eyes burned with contempt as she glared at him.
