Chapter 501

Chapter 501

"N-No, sir." Billion, who had been blinking blankly, finally shook his head as if startled back to his senses."No matter how strict military law may be, it cannot possibly take precedence over the command of His Imperial Majesty."

"Are you really sure? This seems to be a very sensitive time."

"No, truly, it’s alright!" Billion waved his hands furiously, his chubby cheeks wobbling with the motion. "Please don’t worry. Simply reporting your safe return will be more than enough to say I’ve done my duty."

"Wise of you. There is, after all, such a thing as information that can endanger one's life just by knowing it," said Ian.

Billion let out a long, muddled sigh of relief and mumbled, "Of course, there are parts that I must report regardless…. For instance, what the Apostle said…"

"You must record such parts without omission. I am aware." Ian, receiving the words with a faint smile, picked up the wineglass placed before him again.

A smile finally spread across Billion’s sweat-beaded face. "Thank you for your merciful decision, Agent of the Saint."

Lucia, who had been watching quietly, also lifted her glass to her lips again. A smile played on her lips as she exchanged a glance with Diana, who sat opposite her.

"I suppose it’s a relief, in a way. You must be exhausted."

Billion wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, then lowered his voice slightly and added, "However, if you are to report directly to His Majesty… will you also mention which fortress you returned to the Empire through?"

"Of course, I cannot omit such an important fact," answered Ian, bringing the glass to his lips, his mouth hidden by the glass. "His Majesty will surely be curious as to how promptly the front lines responded to the unexpected situation."

"Indeed!" Billion’s eyes sparkled. "Just as the rumors say—Saint’s Agent, you are truly a just and honorable man."

That’s not exactly the kind of word that usually shows up in rumors about me.

Ian slowly drank the wine.

It was obvious the Imperial commander wanted nothing more than a way back to the mainland. To him, Ian must’ve seemed like a miracle dropped from the heavens—a golden rope to pull him out of this forsaken outpost.

"I will do everything I can to ensure you are comfortable during your stay."

He’d probably figure out soon enough that the opposite was true. But there was no need to tip him off early. For now, it just made everything run more smoothly.

"Thank you. In that sense, there is something I would like to ask." Ian set down his glass.

Billion nodded eagerly. "Please speak."

He lifted the pewter bottle beside him and refilled Ian’s glass with the wine.

"Have you heard anything about the situation in the North? As you know, I have been away for a long time," said Ian.

"The North…" muttering softly, Billion sat back down.

As Lucia held her breath, he finished his thought and continued, "I do not know the details myself, but I am aware of the general situation. A newsletter arrives from the central region from time to time."

"Newsletters, huh?"

The Empire really has everything.

"The restoration of the northern front should be nearly complete. Unlike the South, the damage to the eastern and northern fronts was reportedly not insignificant."

Pouring himself another glass, Billion added, "Nearly half of the southern garrison was called back to the mainland for recovery efforts, and they’ve yet to return. This is something I heard separately, but public order in the central and northern regions is said to be unstable."

"Because of the demonic beasts that crossed the front lines, and the cursed lands imbued with the madness of the Black Wall that must have sprung up everywhere." Ian received the words calmly.

It was not a surprising fact at all. It was something he had experienced in the game.

"That is correct. Indeed, your insight is extraordinary. Among them, the situation in the North was said to be a little worse. The, uh, barbarians…" Billion paused for a moment. That Ian was the leader of the barbarians must have crossed his mind.

Looking at him, Ian tilted his head. "Continue."

"Yes. I heard there was a small... clash between the barbarian units and the autonomous territory legions for a while."

"Clashes?" asked Ian.

Billion swallowed dryly. He couldn't even lift the wineglass in front of him. "I don’t know the full details. I heard some of the barbarian tribes wanted to remain stationed on the front, but the Archduke of the North refused. The barbarians didn’t accept that, and before long, I was told they were all exiled beyond the barrier."

"I see…" Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

So that's why Hope City was so crowded.

It was not difficult at all to imagine what kind of situation had unfolded.

The Archduke of the North, Olaf, had always treated Ian and his tribes as thorns in his side. Moreover, with the Great Warrior missing, the barbarian tribes likely had no one left to stop them and no protection from being cast out. It would have been the perfect excuse to remove them.

Of course, the monsters and corrupted lands that had crept into the snowfields were no doubt dumped on the barbarians to deal with.

How generous of him, giving me such a fine excuse…

They must’ve truly believed Ian was dead to have done something so bold. The Archduke probably wanted to kill the barbarians if he had his way, but if he did, he wouldn't have been able to handle the angry public sentiment in the North.

Ian sipped from his wineglass, hiding an icy smile behind it.

"This is all the news from the North that I know of," Billion added cautiously.

Ian, setting down his glass, nodded. "You’ve been more than helpful."

"Is that so? I'm glad." Billion, who had swept his chest in relief, finally brought the glass to his mouth. He gulped down the wine as if it were water.

However, Ian's questions were not yet over. "It seems you haven't yet heard how the Black Wall came to collapse."

"Yes."

Billion, who had quickly lowered his glass, wiped his mouth and added, "I only guessed that the Great Platinum Dragon must have done something. It is about time for a messenger to arrive from the central region, but for some reason, there has been no news yet."

Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Unaware, Billion reached for the wine bottle and continued, "I was thinking of sending a messenger to the headquarters tomorrow, but perhaps I’ll have to delay and deliver the report myself. So, if I may ask again…"

Billion, glancing at Ian, lowered his voice and asked, "Did you truly bring down the Wall yourself, Agent of the Saint?"

"No. Most likely, the Great One acted to rescue me," answered Ian, shaking his head. Aside from the side effects, there was nothing here that needed to be concealed.

"I see. It seems it proceeded secretly after informing only His Majesty the Emperor and His Holiness the Pope."

Nodding, Billion stroked his thick, bearded chin. "Because if it were known in advance, unnecessary tension and fear would have become rampant."

Though he thought it was highly unlikely, Ian brought the glass to his mouth. It was a statement made to please him in the first place. Perhaps inwardly, Billion was already finding something suspicious. There must have been more than a few strange parts.

"Is it common for messengers from the mainland to be late?" Ian asked, unconcerned.

Clutching his glass, Billion shook his head. "Not really. Each port city has regular ship routes, and there are plenty traveling between the mainland and the South."

"I see."

So, there’s a problem with the inland sea, then.

Ian nodded. It wasn’t hard for Ian to imagine monsters stirring in the waters—he’d seen them himself. If that were the case, then the South was now no different from a giant island.

It wasn't an entirely bad situation for Ian. If the South were isolated, the Platinum Dragon's punishment wouldn't be the main issue.

"Please don’t worry. It’s not common, but it’s happened before. And I’m sure the central region has its hands full right now," Billion added casually, misunderstanding Ian's expression.

Meeting Ian's gaze, he smiled. "There should be no issue with your return to the mainland, Agent of the Saint. I’ll prepare a letter to ensure you can board a ship in Foclone."

"I will not refuse. And thank you for your kind answer." Ian answered sincerely. This alone was already a result beyond his expectations.

Billion curled his purple-stained lips. "I’m glad I could be of help. I look forward to what lies ahead, Agent of the Saint."

What a transparent fellow.

Gently setting down his glass, Ian smiled. "It's a shame my mind is not clear because I am tired and hungry. Otherwise, we could have had a deeper conversation."

"Oh! I was thoughtless." With exaggerated regret, Billion set down his glass—it was already empty again. "I have already given instructions to prepare not only lodging for our honored guests but also a banquet."

"That is a most gracious offer, but…" Ian rose to his feet and looked down at Billion. "It has been a long time since I've had a civilized meal. I cannot show a ravenous side in front of you, sir, and your soldiers, can I?"

"I see. I was thoughtless again." Billion immediately bowed his head.

He’d probably hand me his liver if I asked.

As Ian swallowed a dry laugh, Billion stood up from his seat and added, "I will take measures so that you do not have to be conscious of the soldiers' gazes."

"By any chance, are you keeping the newsletters from the mainland, sir?" Lucia asked.

She was already standing and adjusting her cloak.

Billion nodded. "Yes. I will have them sent up."

"You are very kind. Thank you. I will not forget your help."

Lucia had clearly read Billion’s character with precision.

Billion smiled, as if honored. "It is only my pleasure to be able to help such noble people."

"The gods are surely watching as well," Ian replied, casting a sharp glance at Diana, who was still sipping her wine.

Then he asked, "By any chance, is there a separate space within the fortress where one can offer prayers?"

"You truly are devout," Billion murmured in admiration, smiling. "An excellent prayer room is prepared. If you wish, a servant will guide you."

"I will do so."

"Glory to the radiant light," Billion murmured as he walked over and opened the office door.

The soldiers waiting outside stepped aside, and a boy who appeared to be a servant bowed deeply. He was a dark-skinned Vantruian youth.

"Escort our guests to the dining hall. See to it that they are not disturbed under any circumstances," Billion said, his tone more solemn than it had been with Ian, signaling to the soldiers with a glance.

"Well then, see you soon." Ian brushed past him.

As the servant turned and quickly led the way, Lucia, with her hood pulled down, and Diana, wearing her mask again, followed.

"Rest well, Agent of the Saint." Billion bowed politely to Ian's back. Then, the soldiers who had received his gaze disappeared into the office with him. If they didn't want to lose their golden rope, they too would have much to attend to from now on.

"Would you mind walking a bit ahead of us?" Lucia whispered softly. "

The servant, who had quickly answered, strode ahead.

Looking at the servant’s back, Lucia said, "Are you really going to report directly to His Majesty?"

"Of course, though it'll probably take quite some time before I do," Ian answered immediately and then shrugged. "He didn’t exactly give me a deadline."

He looked at Lucia, whose eyes were wide with surprise, with a faint smile.

Lucia let out a chuckle. "My goodness… Honestly, Sir Ian, you’re something else."

"Anyway, it's not a lie, is it?" Ian nonchalantly shrugged. Thanks to that, he had skipped all the troublesome procedures and had also obtained a lot of necessary information.

"He showed a surprisingly complete lack of interest in me," said Diana.

As Ian and Lucia looked back, she let out a sound like air escaping from under her mask. It was a dry laugh. "He didn't even ask my name. Perhaps he didn't even notice my existence."

"That's a good thing. Returning quietly was what you wanted, wasn't it?" Ian added, as Lucia comfortingly took her arm.

Diana shook her head from side to side. "Sure, but still… It’s ridiculous. The military discipline here is a mess. And that knight—how can he be so out of shape? Back in my day, that would've been unthinkable."

"In your day, you say…" Ian let out a dry laugh.

Well, she had originally been part of the Imperial military, after all. Strictly speaking, her rank was probably higher than Billion’s.

The servant, who had been waiting beyond the corridor, went down the stairs that led below.

Following him, Lucia lowered her voice and added, "Anyway, the situation in the inland sea seems to be as bad as we expected."

She was subtly glancing around. Though no presence could be sensed nearby, it seemed to be a habit deeply ingrained in her.

Ian nodded. "It's not certain, but. It seems so."

"When we leave here, I think we need to find out exactly what the situation in the inland sea is first," said Lucia.

"It won't be difficult. Lavani isn’t quite at the southernmost edge. If my memory serves me right, we should be able to reach another village in a few days. To Tahena, it will probably take ten days at most…" Diana, who had been answering, trailed off. Her head turned forward, and Ian looked up as well.

Their eyes shifted toward the end of the corridor—toward the open door, and the servant waiting just beyond it.

"Why are you all suddenly…" Lucia, who had been tilting her head, paused mid-question. She had just caught a whiff of it too: the delicious aroma wafting in from the other side of the open door.

The aroma of the wine she had smelled in the office was no comparison to the smell of food spreading from beyond.

Ian stopped in front of the open door, one brow raising slowly.

"Crazy… my goodness…" Diana exclaimed.

At the center of the dining hall stood a large round table, laden with plates of all kinds, most of them heaped with meat. There was even a basket overflowing with bread and a large pot of stew, likely the source of the rich, savory aroma that had drifted all the way out into the corridor.

"Please call me if you need anything else. I will be waiting over there." The servant turned around. The page bowed and turned. His tone was perfectly polite, but none of them responded.

All three were too spellbound by the sight and smell of the feast laid out before them. It wasn’t until the boy had walked off that they slowly turned to look at one another.

Ian shrugged. "Let’s eat first. We can think after."