Moreover, for some reason, Ferdikion didn't dislike this elf.
On the contrary, the feelings he had always believed in towards his father were now wavering.
'If it's true, have I been bowing my head and living to a father who succumbed to a curse?'
At the same time, he felt shame, impulse, anger, and fear.
He was also angry at himself for feeling this way.
He couldn't admit that he had felt fear even for a moment, and the muscles in his cheeks stiffened as he recalled his submissive self before Pasias.
Lun, sensing something strange, called out to him.
A destructive and blood-red killing intent rose from the young fire dragon.
For all the years his father had trampled on his self-esteem with violence and fear.
The fact that enduring all this had been in vain.
The young fire dragon's fierce eyes, dyed crimson, turned to look at Lun.
Then he took in the seal in Lun's hand, which still burned with pure flames.
The seal of fire that Lun showed was very pure and calm.
It was like a campfire quietly crackling in the dark.
The humiliating feelings slowly subsided.
As he gazed at the quietly burning flames, the fierce thoughts gradually disappeared.
His vision expanded, and he met Lun's eyes, which were like a dark night sky.
His red hair slightly shook as he spoke to Lun.
"For a long time, I have lived bowing my head to a father who succumbed to a curse. If it's a lie, you will be bound in the Lair of Fire and interrogated, but does it matter?"
To Lun, it didn't matter what conditions were set, because everything he said was the truth.
'Someday, I had to reassess my relationship with my father.'
This trauma was something Ferdikion had to address at some point.
Though it was a terrible experience, it was also a moment to vividly recall the past.
'Hang in there. This is a good opportunity for you.'
Lun looked at him calmly and smiled slightly in encouragement.
Ferdikion's brows twitched, and he showed a somewhat uncomfortable expression.
Lun pretended not to notice and cleared his throat.
'This must have seemed strange to the young one.'
Trying to change the subject, Lun asked a question.
"What is Pasias doing now?"
"He's probably receiving a report from the dwarves."
Tension was evident on his face as he answered.
As Ferdikion walked past the door, Lun casually said,
"What's bothering you? Your expression is terrible."
If someone doesn't show the minimum respect, the dwarf who comes to report will die. Father is merciless to those who are useless. I've seen it many times. Honestly, it's not a good feeling..."
How long had Pasias been teaching his child to kill?
'You must have had to suppress your emotions because you were taught to kill, Ferdikion.'
Ferdikion had a natural talent and worked hard to handle fire, but Pasias was a cruel person.
He endlessly belittled Ferdikion, who couldn't become heartless, and didn't tolerate even the smallest mistake.
If he treated his own child this way, it was natural that he wouldn't give a proper response to the dwarves, whom he considered trash.
Lun looked at Ferdikion intently.
'This must have been a point that Ferdikion realized later, but by then, the dwarves' resentment had deepened, making it difficult to resolve.'
For a long time, Ferdikion must have been the dwarves' greatest enemy.
Lun raised his head and looked at the huge door at the end of the corridor.
The illusion wouldn't end so easily.
'It's fine. Even if Ferdikion doesn't know, the conclusion has already been reached since I can't be deceived.'
Lun frowned at the scene beyond the opened door.
The stench of blood was overwhelming.
Three dwarf corpses lay in front of Pasias, forming a pool of blood.
The beast's claws, which had materialized, were dripping with sticky blood.
"Do you dare to think impure thoughts about your father!"
Lun activated the magic of the black agate that Ferdikion held.
Ferdikion, who could now see through the darkness, saw the true form of Pasias.
The form was made of Ferdikion's fear and dread of Pasias.
And the most hated appearance.
"Yeah. It's not my father."
The dark, sticky voice was black.
Shame and malice surged, and Lun called out to him, sensing the ominous signs.
Ferdikion grabbed the handle of a rapier hanging on the wall as a decoration.
The darkness in the form of Pasias chuckled and sneered.
"Brat! I never expected anything from you. You were nothing but a defective product."
"I don't want to hear it!"
Ferdikion's veins bulged as he shouted. Then, the emotions he had long suppressed burst out all at once.
Meanwhile, Lun felt bewildered by Ferdikion's excessive reaction.
'Is this because of the scent box?'
The box that increased the likelihood of succumbing to the darkness's magic.
The original intention was to make him realize it was an illusion and see through the large darkness he believed to be Pasias.
Then, due to instinctive rejection, he wouldn't fall for the illusion.
Lun planned to absorb the darkness that could no longer parasitize Ferdikion's memories.
And explaining the truth would end it.
However, due to frequent exposure to the scent box, his affinity for the darkness had increased, making him overly immersed in the illusion.
'And the hatred he originally had for his father has also erupted.'
His eyes, filled with murderous intent, were terrifying.
The sword he held, though blunt, seemed sufficient as a weapon, being a product of a dwarf craftsman.
Lun flew in front of Ferdikion.
If he lost his composure and succumbed to anger, he would be completely taken by the darkness, and there would be no way out.
"Even if you cut him down, it will only be a vent for your anger. It's not your real father."
"Then it doesn't matter if I kill him, does it?"
The murderous intent was evident in his firm grip on the sword.
A calm darkness spread around Ferdikion and Lun.
Fortunately, though his tone was rough, he couldn't ignore Lun.
'Even if he doesn't remember me, if my control and affinity have increased...'
The scent box, tainted by darkness, had an effect beyond expectations.
If he couldn't control his anger because of it, the influence of the box's owner, Lun, would be even greater.
Lun extended his hand and lightly touched Ferdikion's forehead.