Chapter 536
"Oh, right, I forgot." Thesaya blinked for a moment before nodding a beat later.
Fortunately, she seemed to know what the twilight of magic was. Then again, no matter how uninterested in history she was, she wouldn’t be ignorant of matters related to magic.
Ian shrugged and said, "Back in the Black Lands, magic recovered fast after you spent it. It seems the continent has become that way now."
In fact, he had made a similar guess before. Thanks to Thesaya, he had now confirmed it to be true.
"So, was the Black Wall really the reason that brought the Twilight of Magic, just as the stories say? Why, though? Did the Black Wall absorb magic to maintain its existence?"
A curiosity unique to mages flickered in her swamp-green eyes. However, of course, Ian wasn’t the least bit curious about the reason. What was crossing his mind was a much more practical question.
"Whether the twilight of magic is ending or still ending, in any case, other spellcasters must have definitely noticed the change by now," he said, thinking of the magic towers, whose exact locations were unknown, and the mages secluded within them.
Thesaya’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Ian. "Are you saying those crazy spellcasters might crawl out of their towers?"
At her question, Ian smiled. "I was saying that those crazy spellcasters would have gotten stronger. But yeah, you’ve got a point there too."
The twilight of magic was likely a setting created to increase the difficulty of the latter half of the game, just like how the influence of the gods grew progressively weaker.Of course, if I had corrupted my character, things might have been different.
At the unconscious thought, Ian nodded slightly. The Corruption DLC was like an expert-level package. Until the mid-game, one would have to make various efforts to avoid being discovered as a corrupted being.
However, at this stage, there weren’t many restrictions left. Instead, the tension was maintained by increasing risk factors like being consumed by chaos or mutating due to madness. Of course, that was something even he still had to watch out for.
"You don’t have to worry so much, Ian," Thesaya said, misunderstanding his expression. "Not all spellcasters are crazy, right? Besides, you and I are getting stronger, too."
"Well, unfortunately, I won’t benefit as much as other spellcasters." Ian smacked his lips bitterly.
"Why? You can cast all the spells of a White Mage." Thesaya tilted her head.
"I can only use them."
Even with the twilight of magic behind him, his fighting style would remain the same—especially when facing other mages. Unless there was an overwhelming gap in level, he stood no chance of winning a magic duel against a high-level mage. He held no advantage at all, whether in the sheer volume of magic he could gather or the strength of the spells he could cast.
My casting speed might be faster…
However, that wouldn’t mean much in the face of overwhelming firepower unleashed from a distance. Besides, spellcasters usually had bodyguards with them.
"And I don’t know all the spells, either," said Ian.
"You don’t?" Thesaya’s frown deepened.
Ian didn’t answer, thinking instead about the lineage quest he still hadn’t cleared—the one thing that might change everything.
"Aha, right. I get it now. You haven’t obtained all the spells engraved on your soul. You need a process to find them." Thesaya nodded slowly, as if she had found the answer herself.
"Something like that," said Ian.
Although he had learned them through skill points, Ian didn’t deny it. From the perspective of someone native to this world, the way he had gained magic wouldn’t seem all that different.
A strange smile appeared on Thesaya’s lips. "Now I know why you meditate so often, Ian. You were exploring your inner world. Until you discovered a new spell."
No, I’m just tired.
Shrugging, Ian said, "In any case, it’s going to get harder and harder to find a sane spellcaster from now on. As you know, the destruction of the Black Wall released the chaos and madness it held."
"You’re right. The end of the twilight of magic might actually encourage the corruption of mages." Thesaya sighed.
She gets it fast.
"So you be careful, too, Thesa."
"Please," she said, tilting her chin up proudly. "Did you forget what I am? Everything I’ve been through? A bit of darkness won’t be able to stain my soul, not even a tiny amount."
"You’re right." Ian nodded easily.
It wasn’t just because she had overcome a terrible experience; it wouldn’t be strange at all if she actually had a greater resistance to madness. After all, she was a former vampire fairy.
"Besides, the root inside me will filter out any corrupted magic."
"Even filters have limits."
"Of course they do. The impurities burn out on their own. I release out the filth, and the roots just grow back clean."
Thesaya shot him a sideways glance. "I spit it out, so don’t get any weird ideas."
"I didn’t. In any case, you have experience with it, then."
Thesaya nodded. "Only rarely, when I commune with the Tree of Life. It’s part of an elder’s duty to filter out the impurities that seep into it."
"Aha…" Ian nodded.
So it really is like a filter.
"Still, it feels nice to be worried about. For your sake, Ian, I won’t let my guard down…" Thesaya’s voice trailed off.
Ian had suddenly turned his gaze and held up his index finger toward her.
Thesaya blinked, and a faint smile touched her lips. "Sharp ears, Ian."
From far ahead, there was a faint rustling, like leaves brushing together in the wind.
"To think you noticed before me. A pointy-ear’s pride is in tatters."
Thesaya’s compliment, of course, did not please Ian at all. The reason he had senses comparable to a fairy’s was thanks to his high Agility stat.
"In any case, we’ve run into them sooner than I thought. They are probably sentinels. Since it’s come to this, do you want to see the Tree of Life before we go, Ian?"
At Thesaya’s question, Ian shook his head. "No thanks. We’re already behind schedule; I don’t want to waste any more time."
"I thought you’d say that. Alright, let’s do that," Thesaya replied with a grin and wrapped her arms around Ian’s left arm as if to hug it.
As Ian looked at her, she pulled her hood down deeper and said, "Why are you looking at me like that? Have you already forgotten the pretext we used to leave the family?"
"I haven’t forgotten, but rumors will spread in fairy society. Are you okay with that?" Ian asked.
"This is the middle of the Deep Forest. This way, I have an excuse to avoid punishment from the Council of Elders. Of course, I’m also doing it so that rumors will spread. That way, no matter how the situation changes, the old folks in the family won’t be able to back out," Thesaya shrugged one shoulder.
"Your marriage prospects will be ruined."
"Then Ian will really have to… just kidding. It’s just so fun to see you make that face that I can’t stop."
Thesaya stuck out her tongue with a smile and added, "I have no intention of getting married anyway, Ian. I have more than enough to be responsible for as it is. So it’s all for the better. Now, who would dare mention an arranged marriage in front of me?"
She winked mischievously. "So, just play along. Let’s give the pointy-ears a hard time."
"Well, that is something I enjoy doing," Ian replied with a soft laugh.
He didn’t have any particular grudge against the ones who were coming, but he had intended to play along anyway. It was just a comfort that Thesaya was also getting something out of it.
Swoosh…
The rustling of branches crept steadily nearer, the presences above becoming sharper in Ian’s senses.
They are not as stealthy as the beastfolk.
Of course, that was an observation only he could make. Most people wouldn’t be able to sense their presence until they were right upon them.
"A beautiful forest, isn’t it, Agent of the Saint?" Thesaya said sweetly, clinging to his arm as if nothing were amiss. The tone was calculated. She knew the ears in the trees would hear it.
Ian nodded. "I would believe it if you told me it was a forest on the mainland."
"You have a discerning eye. That’s right. We moved the trees from the mainland. That’s why it’s even more of a shame." Thesaya said, loud enough for them to hear, and slowly turned her gaze. "If it weren’t for the intruders, we could have enjoyed this night walk a little longer."
Ian also finally looked up. Although darkness still shrouded the tops of the tall trees, he could easily make out the shadows hiding among them.
"Stop where you are. You have now set foot in a forbidden area. If you do not stop and follow our instructions, you will become fertilizer for the forest." The cold voice came from above. It was a male fairy, his tone carrying more threat than courtesy.
It wasn’t just a verbal threat. Ian’s senses sent a faint warning. The sentinels seemed to have aimed their arrows at them.
"You’re the ones who should show some courtesy. You are currently looking down on and commanding an elder," Thesaya spat coldly then.
Still holding Ian’s arm with her right, she lifted only her left hand and removed her hood.
Silver hair spilled over her shoulders, and a subtle ripple of magic pulsed out from her, undeniable and commanding. Dark veins threaded through her eyes as she stared up at the treetops.
A sharp intake of breath echoed through the trees, and shadows hastily dropped from the surrounding trees. Even in the darkness, Ian caught sight of the four sentinels dropping down to land in a circle around them.
They all look like Diana.
They wore fitted leather armor, with straps securing daggers all over their bodies. The animal-shaped masks they had on were especially alike. Of course, unlike Diana’s mask, these carried no particular magical presence.
Well, it’s not like masks carved from the Tree of Life would be common.
The sentinels stood up straight, still holding arrows nocked in the bows in their left hands.
"Oh, I know that voice. That’s why it sounded familiar," Thesaya said idly, her features returning to normal as she tilted her head.
The sentinel wearing a fox-shaped mask bowed his head slightly. "Elder of Erenos. I didn’t realize… forgive my rudeness."
The others stiffened at the name, exchanging sharp glances. It was obvious they all knew who Thesaya was. Then again, as a newly appointed elder and the head of the Erenos family, it would have been strange if they didn’t.
"Your name is… Eli. Eli Aseniv, was it?"
"Yes. That is correct," Eli, the fox-masked fairy, nodded.
He didn’t look happy at all that she had remembered his name. In fact, it was likely the opposite. The reason for wearing a mask had just disappeared.
Thesaya nodded. "Okay, Eli. I will gladly accept that apology."
"Thank you for accepting it… Elder. But the fact that you have broken the laws of the Deep Forest remains unchanged," he said with a sigh, looking at Thesaya. "Not only did you set foot in the forest at this late hour without notice, but you also brought a stranger with you. The elders of the Deep Forest will not let this slide."
"This isn’t the path to the garden. Besides, this person is not just a simple stranger. He is the benefactor of Erenos," Thesaya said, pulling Ian’s arm deeper into her embrace.
Eli paused and finally turned his gaze to Ian’s face. "A benefactor? You mean the…"
"That’s right. As for this person here—" Thesaya, who had been raising her voice solemnly, paused. Ian had gently grasped her arm with his right hand.
Meeting Eli’s gaze, Ian said calmly, "This doesn’t seem like a conversation for a moonlit night. I will speak for myself."
"If that’s what you wish," Thesaya said after a beat, masking her disappointment with a small, closed-lipped smile.
Patting her arm as if to make a point, Ian turned to Eli. "Forgive the intrusion. My name is Ian Hope."
The reaction was immediate. Eli’s eyes flew wide, and the other sentinels looked as though they’d just seen a ghost. The name alone was enough to shake them.