Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 287

After being sent out, Harald composed himself, tidied up, and finally passed Lodbrok’s inspection, granting him reentry.

“You’re in much better shape now,” Lodbrok remarked approvingly, nodding as he examined Harald’s state.

The mana Harald had expended to warm himself up had inadvertently primed his mana circuits, leaving him in an optimal state. The room had been cleared of all furniture, leaving only an empty space with a blanket where Ash’s bed once stood.

“Hand me a sword.”

Theo unsheathed a Deathbite sword from his side and passed it to Lodbrok. Without hesitation, Lodbrok cut his fingertip, letting his blood drip onto the floor.

“Until my blood dries, do not disturb me.”

Lodbrok began drawing a magic circle in the center of the room with his own blood.

Swish, swish.

He’s even weaving mana into the formation…

The divine power inherent in Lodbrok’s blood mixed with an intricate flow of mana, settling into each stroke of the circle. The lifeblood of the dragon coursing through him seemed to breathe life into the circle, making it pulse like a living heart.

When the circle was completed, warmth began radiating from it, filling the space with an almost tangible vitality.

“Place Ash in the center,” Lodbrok instructed.

Following his words, Harald carefully carried Ash and laid her gently at the circle’s core.

“Starting now, every six hours, you must channel your mana into her through the crown of her head. Spare no effort, but be precise and controlled. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Shall I begin immediately?” Harald asked, his tone tinged with unease.

He instinctively understood that this process was directly tied to his daughter’s life. Yet, as he re-centered himself, his resolve solidified. The father who had once been powerless to help his child now had a role to play, and it filled him with a bittersweet sense of purpose.

“Remain calm and proceed,” Lodbrok encouraged.

Harald reached out and placed his hand gently on Ash’s head.

Wooooo…

He began circulating his mana, carefully directing it through his hand and into her. The flow was steady, precise, and controlled.

“You’re surprisingly delicate for such a large man. You’ll do this every six hours, draining your mana entirely each time. The process will continue for a week,” Lodbrok stated matter-of-factly as he returned to preparing additional magic circles.

So that’s why he said this would be grueling.

Even hearing the instructions felt exhausting. Pouring out vast amounts of mana with such precision, four times a day, for seven days straight—it was a daunting task for anyone. And yet…

No, I couldn’t do it.

Theo concluded without hesitation. For someone else’s sake, such a task was unimaginable. But for blood family? It made perfect sense. Only a parent could undertake such an ordeal.

“I understand,” Harald replied without a flicker of hesitation, his face calm and resolute.

Fathers truly are extraordinary.

Even if the timeline were longer, Theo was sure Harald would have accepted it without question. The sight of such devotion stirred something deep within Theo.

“I’ll patrol the vicinity to ensure no disturbances interrupt my lord’s rest,” Iril, Harald’s adjutant, said, standing to leave.

As she moved, Theo hesitated, as though about to say something.

“Is there something you wish to add?” Iril asked, noticing his pause.

Theo smiled faintly, shaking his head. “No, just be careful. This territory is no stranger to monster attacks.”

“Thank you for your concern. You’re quite kind,” she replied with a soft smile before exiting the room.

Theo sat back down, his earlier thoughts lingering.

Compassion, at times, can feel like an insult.

He had been about to suggest she restock supplies using his name but realized such an offer might inadvertently belittle their efforts. In a situation where they were already profoundly indebted to him, offering assistance for something they could handle themselves might feel patronizing.

I could’ve easily offended them.

Harald’s adjutant seemed to have grasped Theo’s intent, as her parting words carried a subtle acknowledgment of his restraint. The realization brought a faint smile to Theo’s lips.

While Harald channeled mana into Ash, Lodbrok meticulously completed additional magic formations. By the time he finished, the room had been transformed into something otherworldly.

“This is… astonishing.”

Theo’s admiration was audible as he examined the completed formations. From the floor to the ceiling and across every wall, the intricate magic circles spanned the entire space, turning the room into an entirely separate dimension. The craftsmanship was flawless, every detail radiating an aura of grandeur and purpose.

Thump, thump.

The sound of a heartbeat reverberated through the room, rhythmic and profound. It was the unmistakable pulse of the magic circle itself, as if the space itself had come alive.

“You’ve outdone yourself, Loddy,” Theo remarked, unable to keep the awe from his voice. It was the first time he had seen Lodbrok deploy such an elaborate array of magic.

“Watching is enough to help,” indeed.

“Did you think saving a life would be simple? Even I have to push myself to the limit for this,” Lodbrok replied, patting his shoulder with a wry smile.

“There must be another reason for going to such lengths. May I ask what it is?” Theo inquired.

While he understood the necessity of such an effort to save a life, creating an alternate space of this magnitude seemed excessive for a mere healing process.

Lodbrok pointed upward with his finger.

“To escape the notice of divine providence.”

Theo understood immediately.

This was to shield Ash from the eyes of the heavens.

Healing her wasn’t just a matter of survival. The Sacred Demon Cult’s involvement meant that external forces, possibly even malevolent deities, might take an interest in her condition.

If she had reached such a state, her life force must have been severely depleted.

With that realization, Theo could understand why Harald was pouring every ounce of his mana into her recovery.

***

As the days passed, Harald’s appearance grew more and more haggard.

“…My lord.”

Even Iril, who frequently ventured out to hunt wild beasts, couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity at the sight of him. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his once-bulky muscles had visibly thinned.

Yet, despite this, Harald’s resolve remained unshaken.

“I’m fine,” he said with a radiant smile, his eyes still gleaming with determination.

Lying flat on his back, he gazed up at the sky and murmured softly, as if in prayer, “I leave it in your hands.”

For the past week, Harald had fulfilled his duty without fail. Now, all that remained was to trust and wait.

But first…

“I should regain some of my strength.”

He was fully aware of his deteriorated condition. He didn’t want his daughter to be alarmed by his gaunt appearance when she woke up, so he resolved to recover, if only slightly.

“…Fathers are truly remarkable,” Iril remarked with a smile as she supported Harald. She, too, cast a hopeful gaze toward the small window leading to the room where Lodbrok was performing the ritual.

Inside the small, dimly lit room that had absorbed all of Harald’s mana over the past week, the air was heavy with a dense, living energy. The overwhelming concentration of mana made the atmosphere stifling, yet it also exuded a sense of omnipotence, as though anything could be accomplished within these walls.

“Let us begin.”

Lodbrok stood tall at the center of the magic circle, his presence commanding. Before him lay Ash, her breathing shallow and steady as she slept.

????????

Lodbrok spoke the words of a draconic incantation, signaling the start of the ritual. At the same time, the materials Harald had gathered over the past week began to emit a radiant glow.

Fwaaah—

Mana surged through the room, obeying Lodbrok’s commands with precision. The air was filled with dazzling golden light, radiating from every corner and coalescing into intricate patterns.

Wow…

Theo, standing to the side, felt the urge to voice his awe but held back. The scale of the magic before him—profound and forbidden—was enough to leave him breathless. Even the faintest sound could disturb the delicate balance of the ritual.

Fwhooosh—

The golden light twisted and coiled into the form of chains, which began binding and pulling together. A small orb Lodbrok had retrieved from his hoard served as the anchor point, drawing the chains toward a single focus.

??????????

The unintelligible words echoed, filling the space with an almost divine resonance. Ash’s body slowly began to rise, suspended in midair. Magic circles engraved into the walls, floor, and ceiling rotated and passed through her, releasing shimmering heatwaves as they did.

Clink!

The golden chains extended toward the mystical orb, which absorbed the gathered materials and began wrapping them gently around Ash’s floating body.

Boom!

At the same time, the mana stored in the room’s four corners erupted into towering pillars of energy.

“Grrrr… Aaaaaaaagh!”

Ash screamed in agony, her body writhing as black, tar-like tendrils began seeping from her pores. The sinister energy twisted and curled as if unwilling to leave her body, then was violently drawn into the four mana pillars.

What vile energy…

The sheer malice emanating from the black tendrils was suffocating, a clear manifestation of the <Nameless Sovereign>’s influence. The energy disintegrated upon contact with the mana pillars, unleashing resounding booms that shook the entire building.

Rumble!

Still, the black energy continued to pour out, refusing to vanish without a fight. The remnants clashed violently with the golden mist emanating from Lodbrok’s magic circles, causing sparks and ripples to spread through the air.

????????!?

Sweat beaded on Lodbrok’s forehead as he maintained his focus. Slowly but surely, the golden mist overpowered the black energy, purging it from the space.

Rumble!

As if in a final act of defiance, the energy swelled, threatening to explode at any moment.

?????.?

With a sharp motion, Lodbrok raised his hand, slicing the air with his fingers as if wielding a blade. The magic circle on the ceiling responded, splitting open with a deafening crack.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A massive column of light surged upward, piercing the sky and seemingly reaching beyond the heavens, as though it might touch the moon itself. The explosion shook the earth, but within moments, the light began to fade, leaving behind a serene stillness.

When the dust settled, Lodbrok stood at the center of the room, cradling Ash in his arms. She had survived.

“Young one, you’ve endured so much,” Lodbrok murmured, his voice soft with admiration.

Thump, thump, thump!

The sound of bare feet slapping against the floor announced Harald’s arrival. He burst into the room, his breath ragged and his expression frantic.

“Ash!” he cried, rushing to Lodbrok’s side, his eyes locked on his daughter.