Chapter 541

Chapter 541

"Um… well." Lucia, narrowing her eyes as if trying to recall, continued, "I heard all sorts of rumors were circulating. His Excellency didn’t seem to have any precise information either. He asked me a whole bunch of questions. Of course…"

Lucia tilted the wine glass in her hand and smiled. "I handled it well, so don’t worry."

"I wasn’t worried about that in the first place," replied Ian.

It seemed the story he had heard in the deep forest from the Elder Chief was the most recent news. Then again, it had been over a fortnight since Lucia had met the Duke.

"Don’t tell me that the situation we were expecting has already happened," Lucia added cautiously just then.

Ian, who had extinguished his cigarette on the floor, swung his legs onto the bed and said, "Not yet. But it seems it will be soon."

"I see. That’s faster than I expected." Lucia nodded, then brought the wine glass to her lips and added, "And the Platinum Dragon… still no response?"

"None."

Ian placed his left hand on his chest. The pouch containing the Platinum Dragon’s talisman was tucked against his bare skin, under his shirt. Of course, the talisman remained silent.

"Yes. Still, it worries me. If the trouble reaches you, Sir Ian, unnecessary blood will be shed," murmured Lucia. She took a sip of wine, unable to hide her concern.

Ian smacked his lips briefly. "Well, that can’t be helped."

"May I ask a question?" Mukapa interjected then.

Ian, who had been about to lie back, paused. He leaned back on his arms and looked at him. "Go ahead."

"It will take time, but soon the Empire’s Blue Fleet will set out to subjugate the sea monsters. If news of the archdemon spreads, it is highly likely that not only the archipelago’s Black Fleet but also the Order’s Golden Fleet will be mobilized."

Mukapa looked at Ian and Lucia in turn and added in a polite tone, "And yet, must you cross the inner sea in such a hurry? Choosing to smuggle your way across before the subjugation even begins seems like a very dangerous decision. Of course…"

He let out a long sigh through his nose and met Ian’s eyes again. "I will follow your decision. I ask only because I doubt it will serve my duty or your safety."

"You haven’t heard anything from Lucia, I see," Ian finally murmured, looking at him.

Mukapa nodded."I’ve asked something similar before, but the Priestess only said she follows your will."

Of course, she had.

One corner of Ian’s mouth curled up. He glanced at Lucia and said, "Yes, it’s a dangerous decision. The chances of safely crossing the inner sea are far lower than the chances of finding a boat. However, we cannot just sit back and wait for the monsters to be subjugated."

He looked into Mukapa’s yellow eyes for a moment and lowered his voice. "Because a war will begin soon."

Mukapa’s thick brow twitched.

Without paying him any mind, Ian added, "Before that, I intend to return to the mainland and deliver the news to those who will follow my will. So that they don’t get dragged in before they’re ready."

Of course, there was another, bigger reason he wanted to return quickly. He had no idea what would happen once the war began. And based on his experience so far, he would somehow end up being sucked into the heart of it.

So, he had to finish the quest related to the White Mage before the war started. He still didn’t even know exactly what kind of reward awaited him, but even without knowing the details, he was sure it would improve his chances of surviving the coming chaos. And, of course, the chances of survival for those he cared about as well.

"Are you saying the monsters from beyond will invade? Or…" Mukapa, who had been staring at Ian, finally moved his thick, tusked mouth. "Is His Highness Hyked truly alive over there?"

"You’d be better off not hearing the answer to that," Lucia interjected suggestively.

As Mukapa’s gaze fell on her, a bitter smile touched her lips. "I’m saying this for your sake, Mukapa."

Of course, her words were as good as an answer. A ripple spread through Mukapa’s usually deep and calm yellow eyes.

He barely replied, "…Why do you not inform the royal family of this, Agent of the Saint?"

"Because it would only lead to more unnecessary sacrifices," Ian replied calmly.

Looking into Mukapa’s trembling yellow eyes, he continued, "His Highness Hyked has endured the Black Wall, planning and re-planning in his mind what must be done after the Wall falls."

That was likely why Hyked had been able to gather his forces much faster than expected. The plan was already in his head, so much so that he didn’t even need to think about it.

"So no matter what preemptive preparations the royal family and the Order make, it will only delay the time His Highness sets foot on Imperial soil."

The deaths that would accompany that delay weren’t something that required deep thought to realize. He had no sense of justice, but neither did he intend to deliberately involve himself and bring about those deaths with his own hands.

Besides, the Dark Prince wasn’t the kind to slaughter his people simply for refusing to follow him. From what Ian had seen so far, the royal family and the Order were far more likely to make reckless, irresponsible choices.

Mukapa pressed his lips shut and bowed his head. Whatever thoughts were turning in the mind of this seasoned orc warrior, only he would know.

"Lu Entre…" A low sigh escaped from Lucia’s lips as she clutched her wine glass.

The reality of an impending war seemed to sink in for her all over again. And this time, it was a war between people of the same Empire. There would be many with traces of chaos in them, of course, but Lucia would not see them as corrupted.

I was just going to get a report and get some sleep.

Swallowing a sigh, Ian laid his head on the pillow and said, "Come to think of it, I forgot to mention this."

As Lucia looked back a beat later, Ian added, "Apparently, Sir Mev was here last year."

"She was?" At last, Lucia’s eyes widened.

Staring at the ceiling at an angle, Ian nodded. "Yes. Nasser and Miguel, too. And even Nila."

"Nila is alive?" Lucia, who had been blinking blankly, finally asked again.

Her expression was similar to the one Ian had made when he heard that news. In any case, it was clear that the gloomy thoughts that had been filling her mind had been washed away in an instant.

With a smile on his lips, Ian said, "Yeah. So I’ve heard."

"So? Why did they come all this way? And how did Miguel and Nila end up with my sister?"

"The Platinum Dragon went to see Miguel."

With his gaze fixed on the ceiling, Ian calmly relayed the story he had heard from Thesaya. That the Platinum Dragon had appointed Miguel as a messenger to prepare for the aftermath of the Wall’s collapse, and that everyone believed they were still alive.

"That’s a relief," Lucia finally said after listening in silence.

A relieved smile spread across her lips. "I had hoped for it, but I thought it was just wishful thinking. To think that everyone really believed we were alive."

"So when we arrive safely on the mainland, let’s stop by the frontier first."

Lucia’s eyes widened once more. "Me too?"

"Those at the temple know you’ve returned safely, but Sir Mev’s side probably hasn't yet. Let’s show them that their faith was not in vain."

Lowering his head slightly to look at Lucia, he added, "But after that, you’re going back to the north without a word of complaint. And you’re not leaving the temple until all the chaos has passed. Got it?"

"Of course! I promise." Lucia nodded as if her neck would break, a bright smile filling her face.

Smiling, he turned his gaze back to the ceiling. "Good. Then I’m going to get some sleep now. I haven’t slept for two whole days."

"Rest well. I’ll just read quietly."

"Don’t drink too much. We’re having dinner with the Head of House."

"Yes, I will. I’ll wake you up, so don’t worry."

She’s always so good with her answers.

Ian closed his eyes. His consciousness slipped into the inner darkness without even needing to activate Meditation.

—You’ve finally returned, my friend.

It felt like only a moment had passed before a whisper suddenly tickled his mind. However, when Ian opened his eyes, he realized the sun had already set. The shadows cast by the flickering candles were shimmering like patterns on the ceiling.

Lifting his head slightly, Ian glanced at Lucia, who was asleep with her arms on the table, then looked down at the back of his right hand. Yog, who had crawled up at some point, was staring at him with its obsidian-like eyes.

—This isn’t something to say right after we’ve met after so long, but. Would you let me drink some blood? I may be smiling, but I’m actually in a bit of a dangerous state right now.

Ian let out a soft laugh, sat up slightly, and murmured, "Go ahead. Drink."

As if it had been waiting, Yog opened its mouth wide and bit down on the back of his hand. At the same time, the bead of chaos essence let out a faint hum. Ian made no move to suppress it.

—Now… I finally feel alive…

As dark red blood spread thickly, Yog, its head buried in the center of it, slowly wagged its tail.

"We’ve always been together, but it’s been a while since I’ve heard your voice, Yog," Lucia said sheepishly. She, who had been slumped over the table, shakily sat up and stretched.

—Indeed, Lucia. Of course, not being able to communicate had its charms, too.

Yog whispered with a chuckle.

Even so, it didn’t stop sucking blood.

"I heard you were looking after Moro all this time," Ian added bluntly, looking down at it.

Amidst the spreading blood, Yog’s tail, which was slowly regaining its luster, wagged.

—I was. A lot of troublesome things would have happened if that thing’s disguise had been broken. Of course, I was curious to see what would happen, but for now, that thing is, in any case—

"Good job," said Ian.

Yog’s undulating tail paused for a moment. A low chuckle tickled his mind right after.

—To hear that from you. It doesn’t feel that bad. Of course, I indeed did a good job.

"While you’re at it, do me one more favor. Go and share some of the chaos you just ate with Moro. And ask it if it can’t hide the chaos it holds any better."

At Ian’s addition, Yog chuckled more clearly.

—Gladly, my friend. Gladly…

As it focused on drinking blood again, Ian looked at Lucia, who was wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth. "Is Mukapa at the door?"

"Probably. He stands out there even when he has a lot to think about."

Ian nodded and added, "Get ready. A servant will probably be here soon."

"I’ll finally get to meet your lover, Sir Ian," Lucia said with a playful smile, standing up.

She smoothed down her messy hair with her palm and added, "I was actually really curious. The story I heard from my sister and Nasser was so different from the story I heard here about the Head of House."

"What did they say here?"

Lucia’s hand paused. "Uh, well… that she’s a scary person…"

She had clearly softened the words from what she’d actually heard. Of course, she would have heard it from Diana.

"The story you heard from Sir Mev is the right one. She has to act that way here because of the circumstances, so I hope you won’t be too offended even if it’s a bit unpleasant."

"Aha,

It was enough to make Ian burst out laughing.

Lucia, smiling back, smoothed down her flattened hair and added, "Don’t worry. She’s your friend and my sister’s, so of course I understand. Besides, we’re leaving in a few days anyway, right?"

Looking down at Yog, who was finally detaching itself, Ian shrugged. "Well, it seems she’ll probably be coming with us to the mainland."

"Pardon?" As Lucia tilted her head in confusion, Yog crawled out, leaving a long trail of blood on the back of Ian’s hand. Its rough scales were already regaining their luster.

—I want to see that elder pointy-ear too, so wait for me. Well, even if you leave me behind, I’ll follow you on my own anyway.

Whispering this, it dropped off the bed and slid into a crack in the floorboards. The reason it didn’t turn into smoke was likely because of the fairies.

"She’s coming with us?" Lucia finally asked, looking down at the floor.

Wiping the back of his hand on the bedsheet, Ian gave a casual shrug. "Well, it seems that’s what she’s planning."

"It’s not surprising since she’s your friend, Sir Ian, but shouldn’t you try to stop her? She has to rule her family. And there will be plenty of dangerous situations waiting."

"I was thinking of doing that at first, but she seemed to want revenge on the Round Table Parliament, so I couldn’t stop her," said Ian.

"The Round Table…" Lucia’s eyes narrowed automatically.

"Yes. They are Thesa’s true enemies. And this time, they almost killed Charlotte, too."

"I’d heard you’d ruined their plans completely. So they’ve managed to rebuild their strength."

"So it seems. If we break the balance one more time, it will truly be irreversible, but in any case—" Ian, who had been adding on, suddenly closed his mouth. His gaze turned to the firmly shut gate.

"Agent of the Saint. The acting Head of House has arrived."

Along with a knock on the door, Mukapa’s deep voice was heard.

Exchanging a glance with Lucia, Ian said, "Come in."

Mukapa opened the closed door. Beyond it, the figure of a platinum-blonde fairy was revealed. Holding a neatly folded set of clothes in both hands, she was, of course, Diana.

"The Head of House has sent you a change of clothes. Once you are ready, I will escort you to the dining hall…" she said in a lifeless voice that matched her haggard face as she entered the room.

As she carefully placed the formal attire she had brought on the bed, Mukapa closed the door again.

Diana’s face crumpled into a sob right after. "Ian! Please stop the Head of House!"

Her desperate attitude was as if she were about to grab onto the hem of Ian’s pants.

Ah, right. She’s already heard the whole story.

Letting out a silent, dry laugh, Ian simply took off the shirt he was wearing without another word.

Looking up at him as he picked up the black formal shirt, Diana continued pleadingly, "She said she’s leaving the family again. That she received a secret mission from the Deep Forest! If you don’t stop her, I’ll be stuck acting as the Head of House—"

"You gave Lucia a cigarette, I hear."

"—indefinitely. …Huh?"

At Ian’s blunt interjection as he put on the formal shirt, Diana froze a beat later. She looked up at him, her mouth agape, and her gaze shifted to Lucia standing beside her.

Lucia licked her lips and quickly murmured, "I did tell him that I was the one who asked for it…"

"But actually giving it to her is another matter entirely," Ian added, buttoning up his shirt.

Diana squeezed her eyes shut. A sigh that seemed to shake the very ground escaped from between her lips.

"Accept it. Your Head of House has really earned the title of a representative of the Deep Forest," Ian added, not paying her any mind as he changed his pants as well.

Of course, unlike usual, Diana didn’t even open her closed eyes.

Straightening the formal attire that fit him snugly, Ian added, "Besides, if you forcibly stop her from going, all that anger will be directed at you. Wouldn’t that be more tiring?"

"Hah… fuck…" A sigh escaped between Diana’s lips.

A low laugh on his lips, Ian tilted his chin. "If you get it, then get up. I’m starving. Let’s go eat."

Diana, who had been biting her lower lip, finally got up, staggering like a reanimated corpse. "This way…The Head of House is waiting…"