Chapter 493

Chapter 493

Ian smoothed out his contorted expression, and turning forward again, forced the words out. "It's nothing. Nothing at all."

He barely swallowed the sigh that threatened to escape. Magic, of all things.

It wasn't new for an item to have additional effects not listed in its description, but the coincidence was too much.

Then again, it said it contained dragon blood…

Ian inwardly vowed to get another vial from Archeas somehow the next time they met.

Lucia, as if sensing his inner turmoil, said with a gentle smile. "It's not minor at all, Diana. Any mage would be envious. To think the elixir had such an effect…"

Diana, who had been staring at the back of Ian's head with a puzzled expression, finally nodded. "Luck must have played a part. In the process of my body healing, the dragon's magic must have affected my pineal gland."

"Pineal gland?" Seren asked, tilting her head.

Diana turned to her and tapped her temple. "It's the vessel in our heads that holds the soul. I've heard that those born with special talents or who have undergone rigorous training have developed it in a much larger and more diverse way than ordinary people."

"There's still debate on that part," said Lucia. "Even now, many scholars and mages are conducting research to find out exactly where the soul is contained. But it's a well-established fact that various extrasensory perceptions are closely related to the pineal gland."

As Seren nodded with an expression of awe, Lucia looked at Diana with newfound surprise. "I never thought I'd hear something like this from you, Diana."

"I've felt this for a while, but you underestimate me, Lucifer. Don't forget that I'm a fairy," Diana retorted, narrowing her eyes.

Lucia smiled sheepishly. "I was just surprised because it's knowledge that usually only mages would have. I wasn't looking down on you."

"Actually, it's something I heard from the mage who taught me the lightning spell. He was from the Gray Magic Tower, and he had a particular interest in the brain." Diana admitted with a shrug, then clicked her tongue.

"He said all truth was contained within it. Said he was researching ways to extract memories or artificially develop the pineal gland… He was a creepy fellow, spouting strange nonsense like how he could make puppets move by running an electric current through their brains."

"Aha, I see, so that's it."

While Lucia nodded as if she finally understood, Seren's eyes narrowed slightly. "How do mages know such things?"

"I don't know. I didn't ask that far. But isn't it obvious?" Diana replied, tapping her head again. "You can't know things like that unless you've opened up a head yourself. I'm sure they haven't just opened one or two. Maybe the entire Gray Magic Tower is up to that kind of business."

Diana's eyes curved into a contemptuous smile. "When you have a bunch of spellcasters who believe truth lies in the brain, what wouldn't they do?"

"That's a bit… disgusting," Seren finally let out a low groan.

Lucia shrugged. "Research related to the human body can't be beautiful in its process. If not mages, who would dare to explore such knowledge? Of course, I wouldn't want to see them conducting their research myself."

As Diana and Seren nodded in agreement, Lucia's gaze suddenly turned to Ian. He had been looking down at her with a strange expression, his face impassive.

"What is it, Sir Ian?"

"It's nothing. I just hope you don't get entangled with the Gray Magic Tower, not even by a millionth chance. You were born with the traits those people would love."

"Are you worried I'll become a subject of the experiment? Oh, Sir Ian." Lucia laughed as if she couldn't believe him. She would never imagine that this was the fate she would have suffered if this world were still a game.

"Just be careful," Ian said. Of course, it was now a possibility Ian didn't even want to consider.

"In that sense, I have a favor to ask, Lucifer," Diana interjected. When Lucia looked at her, she added cautiously, "Would you teach me a spell?"

"Red magic? But haven't you already taken the secret oath, Diana?"

"I did. I know this is forbidden. But…" Diana shrugged. "This is the black lands, isn't it? And all the red mages in this land have gone mad."

She didn't ask Ian—probably assuming he wouldn't tell her. And she wasn't wrong. Not because he was unwilling, but because he had nothing to teach.

Swallowing nervously, Diana added, "I'm not being greedy. Just one fireball spell is enough. The lightning spell, honestly, takes too long to prepare. It's not suitable for emergencies."

"Hmm…" Lucia, pretending to be conflicted, glanced at Ian. It was probably to ask for his permission. Ian shrugged as if to say, do as you please.

Lucia's eyes finally twitched slightly as she opened her mouth. "Actually, the fact that I learned red magic is a secret. It means I broke the rules of the Magic Tower. And the Imperial law, of course. So, you have to keep it a secret that you learned the spell from me. And you must never use the lightning spell again."

Lucia looked into Diana's eyes and added, "Can you promise?"

"Of course! I can swear on the honor of my family."

Of all things to swear on, she chooses the most meaningless one.

Thinking this, Ian let out a low snort. He realized, with a sense of novelty, that he had come to trust this mask-obsessed fairy quite a bit. Whatever she swore on, he felt she wouldn't put Lucia in a difficult position.

"Alright. I'll teach you then. Not just the fireball spell, but all the red spells I know."

"Really?"

"I only know the lower-level spells, anyway."

"That's great." While Diana's eyes lit up, Ian casually interjected and looked at her. "Looks like everyone has something to do. The journey across the desert won't be boring."

"What about you…" Diana, who had been asking with a tilted head, narrowed her eyes. A dagger fixed to her leather strap had slid out and was floating in the air. It was one of the two daggers she had left.

"Don't you have a few of the daggers you took from me?"

"Those are all coated with poison. It's dangerous if they accidentally graze someone. But yours seems to have all the poison worn off."

At Ian's point, Diana let out a sigh. "Just don't lose it. Just don't."

***

"That's correct. You've memorized it perfectly. That was the most difficult spell."

"I've only memorized it. Casting it is a different matter, you know that, right, Lucifer?"

"We can take it step by step. It's just us for a while anyway, right?"

Walking alongside Moro, Diana and Lucia continued their conversation. The two had been completely absorbed in teaching and learning spells throughout the desert crossing.

From time to time, even Seren perked up her ears to listen, but Ian, the actual mage, didn't even pay attention. Not just because he had long since given up on trying to understand how spells worked, but because he had something of his own to focus on.

Swoosh— Swoosh—

He was currently juggling two daggers and a short sword with his Willful Grasp. It was the result of days of intense training, pushing himself until nosebleeds.

Swaaaa—

A dry wind swept past him, but the trajectory of the blades flying didn't waver at all.

While skillfully continuing the trick, Ian narrowed his brows at the salty smell mixed in the wind. The saltiness, which had started to mix in the breeze half a day ago, was now very distinct. It was proof that the sea was not far.

"Ian. I need a blade." Diana said then, pushing Lucia toward Moro.

Ian, instead of answering, turned his head to the left. A dagger, which had been falling in a curve, refracted as if following his gaze and shot out like a ray of light.

Woosh— Crunch!

The blade plunged deep into the torso of a scorpion that had been silently approaching Diana's side from the middle of the sand. Another dagger followed, embedding itself precisely in the lower part of the tail segment.

Diana and Lucia, who had been looking at the struggling scorpion, then turned their heads back to Ian. Watching him lightly catch the handle of the short sword, Diana let out a low exclamation.

"Amazing. You've become very skilled."

"That's why training is important." Ian, who had answered nonchalantly, tossed the short sword and added, "Thanks to that, we don't have to worry about our meal."

Diana, who had caught the short sword as if snatching it, turned.

Chop.

She ran straight to the scorpion and cut off the upper part of the tail with the stinger in a single stroke. Sliding to a stop, she grabbed the struggling scorpion's tail and lifted it.

"Let's eat by the shore," Ian said leisurely, walking back to Moro.

As Diana returned to Moro's side, she nodded her head. "It should be possible. I think those are coastal dunes."

Ian looked at the long dunes far in the distance and nodded. "So the sea's just beyond that?"

"Follow me slowly. I'll make sure it's safe first." Diana tossed the scorpion she was holding toward Ian. The scorpion, flying in a parabola, stopped dead in the air the moment his gaze touched it.

"Get on, Lucifer," Diana added and ran off.

As Ian glanced at her back, Seren's arm reached out over his shoulder. "I will hold it, Agent of the Saint."

The struggling scorpion in the air moved smoothly into her hand. As Seren gripped its tail, the daggers embedded in its body and stinger slid out one by one and flew back into Ian's waiting hands. He flicked off the fluid clinging to the blades, then bent down to lift Lucia back onto the saddle.

"I never thought I'd get used to eating something like this. And now, my mouth is watering," Seren murmured, gripping the giant scorpion dripping with ichor. There was a trace of self-disgust in her voice.

Lucia, looking back at her, smiled. "I don't know if this will be a comfort, but you're not the only one, Sir Seren."

On their journey, the group had eaten every demonic beast that crossed their path—scorpions, spiders, snakes, and even arthropods whose names they didn't want to know. Among them, scorpions were a pretty edible ingredient.

—I must have slept for a long time. The moment I open my eyes, I taste a disgusting salty taste.

A low whisper spread through the group's minds then. Diana and Lucia, who had been looking at each other and chuckling, widened their eyes at the same time.

"You're finally awake!" said Lucia.

With a chuckling laugh, Yog emerged from the gap in Ian's gauntlet.

—As expected, you're the only one who welcomes me, Lucy.

Ian, who had been looking down at the creature crawling up his forearm with a nonchalant expression, finally said. "You were out for quite a while this time."

—I overdid it in many ways. You know?

The creature added as it climbed onto his shoulder guard. Ian just shrugged. He had already known its condition for a while. Not only had all the additional stats disappeared, but the Mask of Deception skill had also become unusable.

—So, next time, please listen to my advice a little more carefully, my friend.

Still, it wasn't a bad outcome. If Yog had been plotting something, those plans were now in complete disarray. For a while, at least, he wouldn't have to worry about the creature stabbing him in the back.

"It's nice that you're cute again, Yog," Lucia said with a smile.

Yog flicked its tongue.

—That hurts a little. If Ian's chaos licks my soul again, I might really die.

"Well, you have enough energy to talk, right?" While Lucia shrugged, Ian interjected.

Receiving Yog's gaze, he nodded his head. "Sir Seren was waiting for you. Answer her questions sincerely. Unless you don't want to go meet your friends as soon as you wake up."

—I'll do my best. Though my memories are a bit jumbled thanks to your chaos.

Yog, who had answered leisurely, turned around and then chuckled.

—You've come a long way. Soon, I might not even be able to call you a halfwit anymore.

"What I want to ask is related to that, Yog," Seren answered, with no sign of being offended.

—Don't tell me you're asking for a way to reverse the body and soul tainted by chaos.

"That is what I'm asking." Seren nodded after a brief pause.

Yog burst into laughter. At the sound of that unmistakable ridicule, a faint crease appeared between Ian's brows, but Yog continued in an amused tone.

—Ian's soul was never tainted by chaos. That's why he could return to normal. Of course, it's also thanks to me tricking the chaos. But you're different, Halfwit.

Yog's whisper lowered.

—Your soul's already been stained. Your body is merely a reflection of that. There's no going back for you.

"I see… so that's it." Seren nodded. There was no sign of frustration or despair on her calm face. It was probably because she was just confirming what she already knew.

—Of course, there is a way to not get worse from here.

Yog added then.

Seren's gaze turned to the creature. "What is it?"

—The spirit of a vassal is influenced by its master. And in that sense, you're incredibly lucky. Your master has the most extraordinary soul in this entire world. You've felt it, haven't you?

Seren, who had been tilting her head, soon narrowed her eyes slightly. She had just realized that despite her transformation progressing further, her reason was clearer than ever. Of course, the dark desires in the corner of her heart were still there, but it wasn't difficult to suppress them.

Yog, who had flicked its tongue as if it had known, then turned its head toward Ian.

—And if you don't give this Halfwit any of your power, my friend, she'll stay like this forever, neither human nor demon.

This little bastard just can't help himself.

Ian, who had been looking down at the creature with a cool expression, finally turned his gaze to Seren. "Anyway, it seems there's one more reason you shouldn't receive the baptism."

"It seems so," she murmured, nodding. "Not that it means I'll be able to reject chaos entirely, or change the fate of the other Black Lions."

—Why not? You can just make all your friends serve Ian. Your former master isn't bad, but he can't compare to Ia…

Yog's whisper was cut off. Ian, who had picked up the creature, had thrown it into the pocket dimension.

Looking at Seren's eyes again, he said nonchalantly, "Wait and see. Once it's had a little time to reflect with its friends, maybe it'll come up with something more useful."