“Please send me off as well.”

The mysterious blue light was none other than Acid.

He, who seemed to exist and not exist, had appeared here using the healer’s power.

Ted, taken aback by the sudden intrusion of his younger brother, hurriedly clapped his hands and said, “Acid! What are you talking about?”

“…Ted.”

“Acid, you can’t do that. You’re… in danger.”

If he stepped forward now, it would be in the midst of the power struggle between the temple, the imperial palace, and the Mirmord family.

Young Acid was expected to know nothing about this situation.

At least, Ted wanted to prevent Acid, who knew nothing, from leaping into danger like rushing into the fire.

Acid looked at Ted, his older brother.

Although the baseless anger had dulled over the years, Ted had never called Acid his brother. That was because the emotional barrier between them was deep.

“Hyung.”

“…Acid?”

After the reunion of the brothers, it was the moment when Acid called Ted his older brother for the first time. At the word ‘hyung’ from his younger brother, Ted bit his lip.

Since their relationship as brothers had not been restored, Ted always found it difficult to deal with Acid. But today, Ted had not felt such a strong barrier against Acid.

“Siyan is in danger. I have to go. Even if I fall into danger, it’s natural, hyung.”

“Why is it natural? Acid!”

“I should have died when I was still in the orphanage, but thanks to Siyan-nim, I lived again. So, I have to go.”

Matthias, who had been quietly listening to the conversation between the brothers, finally spoke up.

“There are no sacred power users in this family.”

“Yes, only me.”

“Moreover, to break through the temple’s barrier, we need a healer with sacred abilities.”

The temple’s barrier consisted of two parts. The first barrier was made up of a complex magic circle, and if Matthias exerted all his power, he could destroy the first barrier.

The problem was the second barrier. Matthias, who was exhausted from dealing with the first barrier, could not possibly break through the second barrier unscathed. Moreover, a barrier composed of sacred power automatically repelled anyone with impure thoughts.

Even for Matthias, who was considered a master in the Mirmord family, destroying both types of barriers required an enormous mental strain.

However, the situation changed if there was a sacred power user present.

“I can be of help since I’m a healer. I’ll continue to assist Matthias-nim with sacred power to help him recover his strength.”

Ted’s voice, which had been persistently objecting, gradually subsided at his younger brother’s firm determination.

“No, even if you’re in the rear, it’s dangerous. You…”

But Ted still wanted to oppose. At least, he quickly threw his body forward, feeling that he had to stop Acid, his younger brother.

Approaching Acid, he looked into the boy’s eyes and muttered.

“You’re still too young.”

But Matthias was faster.

With an interesting look, he stared at Acid and tilted his head.

“What does age matter for a healer? Move aside. I need that young one.”

In Matthias’s attitude that nothing else mattered except saving his daughter, Ted ground his teeth.

As if he knew something, Acid spoke stubbornly and tenaciously.

“Yes. I will go. I have to save Siyan-nim.”

Acid closed and opened his eyes as if he had received a mission.

Matthias looked at Acid intently and said, “Siyan said that?”

“Yes. She told me to come and save her if I got into trouble.”

“Is that so? Then, go.”

Matthias didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, he looked at Acid, who knew something, and said with a firm grip on the boy’s soft hand.

“Hand.”

Surprised by the sudden words, Acid questioned with confusion in his voice.

“…Yes?”

“If we’re going to move together, we have to hold hands. So, let’s go and save her.”
Matthias’s words, “We’re attacking the central temple,” had the attendants frozen for a while, but it was only then that they regained their senses and began to murmur with excitement.

Ted quietly bit his lip and murmured, “Acid, trust your instincts. I’ll do my best to make sure you can come back. From this place.”

It was a decision to respect Acid’s choice.

In response to those words, Acid spoke with a faint smile, “Thank you. Well then, shall we go?”

To the young Acid, transitioning from a boy to a young man, a subtle sense of maturity had emerged. Matthias, who had become noticeably more uncomfortable, whispered in a low voice.

“Oh, and one more thing. Since I’m taking you as a healer, don’t harbor ill intentions toward my daughter.”

Acid did not respond to those words. Instead, he nodded his head slightly.

Though it was a courtesy protected by etiquette, it did not sit well with Matthias. With an uncomfortable expression, Matthias activated a portable magical device.

A sparkling light rose sharply from the magical device.

That way, Acid and Matthias moved toward the central temple.

It was when I was about to fall asleep after a long time.