I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 597

Declan blinked, as if the question was completely unexpected, then asked, "Are you referring to the swamplands on the outskirts?"

The other group members looked just as bewildered. Only Thesaya narrowed her brow, watching Ian as if something had clicked for her.

"Yes. Have the swamplands been abandoned, like southern Agel Lan?" Ian added, without even a glance at her.

Declan finally nodded. "To give you the conclusion first… yes. That is so. From the beginning, we never tried to defend it or claim it."

He tilted his head, as if he couldn't guess Ian’s intention. "That place was nothing more than a useless land of exile to begin with, and it borders that cursed jungle besides. A few years ago, there was even a rumor that some elves from the Empire went in and never returned."

"Then you have no idea what state that area is in now."

"Yes. But it is certain that the situation cannot be good."

Of course not.

Ian brought the cup to his lips. By now, the swamplands had surely become a demonic realm where all manner of things had mingled together. The forest where the crazed swamp fairies hid would have become even more dangerous.

"But why are you curious about the situation in the swamplands?" Declan asked carefully, watching him drink his beer.

"I have business there," Ian replied, setting down his cup.

He had to complete the White Mage quest, after all. He wasn't certain, but for now, that cursed jungle was the most likely candidate. Even if he couldn't complete the quest there, he would at least be able to get an important clue.

Declan’s brow furrowed slightly. "What business could you possibly have there?"

"Well, it’s a private matter," Ian said dismissively, and continued, "In any case, it seems it will be difficult to make a round trip before Sir Mev returns."

"Yes." Declan, as if shaking off his confusion, exchanged a look with Patton. "We can offer our strength if you wish, but even so, making a round trip within a fortnight will not be easy."

"Thank you for your suggestion, but if anyone were to follow me, most of them probably wouldn't make it back," Ian said calmly.

Just getting to the swamplands would be dangerous, and he had to go even further, into the cursed jungle.

"I see," Declan murmured, tilting his head.

Lucia and Thesaya were watching Ian with curious looks, clearly holding their questions until after Declan had left.

"Well then…" Declan took a sip of beer and looked back at Ian. "You will be staying in Orendel until Sir Mev returns, right?"

"It seems I’ll have to."

As Ian nodded, Declan smiled and added, "In that case, may I ask you a favor, Agent of the Saint?"

"You mean you would commission me for something?" Ian asked, putting a piece of meat in his mouth. He wasn't surprised; he had expected this. Rushing here was one thing, but he wouldn't have stayed for a meal just for old times’ sake.

"So you still accept commissions," Declan said with a smile, and then added, "If I were to call it a commission, would you accept?"

"I’ll have to hear the details before I decide."

"You haven’t changed at all. Understood." Declan, who had let out a soft laugh, suddenly straightened his posture and looked at Ian.

"It is true that I am called the king of this land. And I have claimed the title myself. However, I have not received official recognition from the Empire, nor the acknowledgment of the Great Church."

His tone was even, but the substance was not. The group’s eyes naturally fixed on Declan.

Patton, seated beside him, let out an uneasy cough, yet Declan added, "When I declared independence, I naturally assumed the throne. But I have never held a coronation. That is why even now I do not wear a crown."

"You’re not about to ask me to put the crown on your head, are you?" Ian said, his brow slightly furrowed.

Declan’s lips curled up. "That is precisely it, Agent of the Saint."

Ian closed his eyes and sighed. Ominous premonitions were never wrong.

Of course, Declan continued, unconcerned, "I thought it didn’t matter. The other new kingdoms on the frontier are in the same situation, and there was never a right moment. But the moment I heard you had returned, I realized it wasn’t that I didn’t care—it was that I’d been waiting for the moment fate was guiding me toward."

As he opened his eyes again, Ian smacked his lips unconsciously. But he was the only one who reacted like that.

Simon, already listening with a face full of excitement, now had eyes that looked ready to shoot beams of light. Thesaya wore a smile as if she had found a new toy, and Lucia and Mukapa were nodding with serious faces, as if in agreement.

"Even if I place the crown on your head, that does not mean you have the recognition of the royal family or the Great Church," Ian finally said with a sigh.

Declan shook his head. "The positions of the royal family and the Great Church will not be important. Who on the continent would dare question the Agent of the Saint’s authority?"

"Of course, it is more than enough!" said Simon

Brennen gave a warning cough and gripped his arm, but Simon did not even glance his way and added, "I have no intention of challenging the august royal family and the Great Church, but the Agent of the Saint has already proven his nobility and greatness."

He raised a hand as if giving a speech and piously pointed to the sky. "The Radiant Goddess, the Blazing Goddess, and the God of Battle would all vouch for him. And of course, my opinion as a human is no different."

"As an Elder fairy, I agree as well." Thesaya tilted her head, a mischievous smile still on her lips. As Ian looked at her, she shrugged nonchalantly.

Declan smiled to express his gratitude and said, "I will not resent you at all if you refuse, Agent of the Saint. But if you believe I am qualified to rule this land and if you judge I am leading this kingdom well, then please, help me."

This is driving me crazy.

Ian brought the cup to his lips again.

If he accepted the proposal, Declan would surely prepare a proper coronation ceremony. That it would be an unbearably embarrassing ordeal was something he did not even need to think twice about. And yet, the reason he didn't refuse outright was, of course, not because of the ardent gazes of Declan or his group.

"Accepting a crown from me could, in turn, be interpreted as Orendel supporting me," Ian finally said, setting down his now-empty cup.

He stared for a moment into Declan’s unwavering eyes.

"It means that if my relationship with the Empire and the Great Church were to change from what it is now, Orendel’s would as well."

As Declan’s eyes widened slightly, Ian finished, "Even if such a situation were to occur, would you be fine with that?"

A strange silence hung for a time. Simon, Brennen, and Edward all frowned. Then, quite suddenly, Simon lifted his eyes wide and gasped. "By any chance, is this because of the rumor that the Great Platinum Dragon destroyed the Black Wall?"

Ian tilted his head. "That’s one of the reasons."

He never took his eyes off Declan, in whose eyes a strange light was now spreading. It wasn't fear or hesitation. From what Ian could see, it was closer to the opposite.

Finally, Declan raised his cup, drained the contents in one go, and set it down. "If such a moment were to come, what would you do, Agent of the Saint? Surely you wouldn't—"

His voice grew heavier, lower. "Would you truly stand against the Empire and the Great Church?"

"Well, if the situation calls for it."

As Simon and his group’s eyes widened, Ian added nonchalantly, "Even if I do not wish it, I would have to."

Even Mukapa turned to stare quietly at Ian. Shahin, holding his breath, was just darting his eyes back and forth.

"I see. Understood." Declan, his face hard, nodded, then stood up from his seat. He picked up the keg from the side of the table and poured wine into Ian’s cup.

Looking down at the cup, Declan parted his lips. "If such a moment comes, Orendel will stand with you, Agent of the Saint."

His eyes, as he looked back at Ian, shone brightly.

Is he hoping for that to happen?

Ian finally realized that this man’s ambition was far greater than he had thought. Born a bastard and risen to the throne, he was still unsatisfied.

"So, will you anoint my head with oil and place the crown upon it?" Declan asked, setting the keg on the table. Everyone in the room held their breath, waiting for Ian’s answer.

"Prepare the coronation as quickly as possible. Even I don’t know when I might change my mind," Ian finally said with a sigh, and stood up. He filled his own cup with beer, then poured some into Declan’s.

As Patton, who had been tense, let out a sigh mixed with emotion and relief, a smile spread across Declan’s face. "I will do so!"

The group members all looked at the two of them, each with different emotions in their eyes. Ian, who had set down the pitcher, sat down again, but Declan did not.

"A coronation requires witnesses," he said, still standing as he picked up his cup.

He looked around at the group members in turn. "It would be an even greater joy if our esteemed guests from the Empire were to attend. It may be only a frontier’s coronation, but would you grace us with your presence?"

"I would be delighted," Thesaya replied immediately, raising her cup.

Simon shot up as if on a spring at almost the same time. "It is an honor to be able to attend, Your Majesty!"

"Y-Young Master!" Brennen cried, his eyes wide. He quickly leaned behind Simon and whispered, "If His Grace finds out, the family will be turned upside down!"

"What does it matter? It’s not like I’m going to inherit the family anyway," Simon said without blinking, and pointedly picked up his cup. "I will attend the coronation. And I will let high society know exactly what I have seen. If he doesn't like it, well, he can strike my name from the family tree."

"My goodness, by Lu Solar…" Brennen squeezed his eyes shut as if in resignation.

Declan, of course, looked over at Simon with a smile. "You are a man after my own heart. If you are ever exiled from your family, please come here. This city requires vitality. And of course, someone who is well-versed in the culture and stories of the Empire."

"I think I could live off my friends in the capital for a good ten years," Simon said with his characteristic irresponsible smile, and swirled his cup. "But I will keep Your Majesty’s offer in mind."

"I will attend as Sir Ian’s representative. He will need a representative to guarantee his legitimacy and authority," said Thesaya.

"If the sister of Sir Mev and an Apostle of the Blazing Goddess were to take on that role, no one would dare to question it," Declan replied, and turned to Lucia with a polite addition. "Will you be the presenter of my crown?"

"It would be an honor, Your Majesty." Lucia also stood up and raised her cup.

It was then that Mukapa raised his cup. Receiving Declan’s gaze, he parted his tusked mouth. "Mere attendance does not violate the code."

"Thank you."

They’re really going all out.

Ian’s mouth twisted as he watched the scene unfold. He now realized why Declan had wanted to have a meal together. It had looked as if he were talking to Ian, but his intention had also been to persuade the group. If Ian had refused his proposal, he would have sought their help.

He’s become even more of a fox than before.

Just as Ian thought this, Declan looked at him. "Will you raise your cup, Agent of the Saint?"

"Just know that this could be a decision you’ll regret for the rest of your life," said Ian.

He was just reluctant; in truth, this was a proposal that held no loss for him. If the time came when he needed it, the elite soldiers of the frontier, tempered in a land teeming with demonic realms and monsters, would come to his aid.

"If that is my destiny, I will accept it humbly."

Of course, Declan showed no signs of fear. Perhaps that would change if he knew the Dark Prince was gathering legions beyond the Black Wall, but Ian had no intention of sharing that.

"Then, prepare the crown," said Ian.

As he stood up and raised his cup, Brennen and Edward also stood, as if in resignation, and raised their cups. Declan smiled, held his cup out to Ian, and then drained it in one go. Ian, who had clicked his tongue, also brought the cup to his lips.

"Agent of the Saint, may I make one more request?" Declan lowered his empty cup, his eyes alight once more.

With the cup still to his lips, Ian just furrowed his brow slightly and looked at him.

Declan smiled as he whispered, "Until the ceremony is held, would you mind keeping the fact that you are staying in Orendel a secret? If you would do so, I believe it would provide a greater surprise and joy to the people."