I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 605

"Pardon?" Fael asked, frowning.

It wasn't that he didn't understand; it was that the statement was completely unexpected. And of course, unbelievable.

The former Crown Prince was alive?

While the royal family and the Great Church claimed as much, everyone knew it was merely a pretext to rule through fear—a justification to execute nobles without trial or crime.

Yet Ian’s expression didn’t so much as flicker as he took a drink. He wasn’t the type to make such jokes or empty statements in the first place.

"So, by the former Crown Prince, you mean..."

Fael’s brow knitted tighter, but before he could finish, Simon cut in from across the table. "Are you speaking of the very same Prince who was called the Son of Light?"

Unlike Fael, his eyes were wide with wonder.

"That’s right," Lucifer answered.

She added in her usual calm, unreadable tone as Simon turned toward her, "His Highness Hyked survived in the demonic realm beyond the Wall, known as the Black Lands, along with other survivors who followed him."

"Good heavens..." Fael couldn’t help but gasp in disbelief. It was shocking enough that the Prince had survived, but hearing there were others with him was even more unbelievable.

"Lu Solar, my goodness!" Before he could even process his surprise, Simon burst out with an exclamation. "I grew up hearing tales of His Highness Hyked’s glory, but I never imagined he truly lived!"

Fael stared at him blankly.

Simon’s face was radiant with excitement, his eyes shining. "So the faith of the royal family and the Great Church has been rewarded after all!"

Fael finally realized that this young nobleman was even more naïve than he’d thought. It wasn’t surprising, given his comfortable upbringing and his status as a second son, but it still left Fael at a loss for words.

"Contrary to popular opinion, the Martyrdom Expedition was not a punishment! How glorious..." Simon trailed off, blinking as he looked around and finally noticed the somber mood in the room. "Wait. Why do you all look like that? Isn’t this good news?"

It seemed he had only just noticed the tension in the room. Ian set his cup down with a quiet clink and shook his head.

Thesaya, lips curving faintly, said, "And why wouldn't it be a problem?"

Simon tilted his head, his expression crumpling a moment later. "Surely, you don’t mean to say His Highness will covet the throne?"

"Well, he’s not the type to desire something like that," Ian said, placing a cigarette between his lips. Fael’s eyes widened as he turned to look at Ian.

"Of course! That would be absurd," Simon said with a chuckle, as if he’d been right all along. "He may have been the Crown Prince, but that was in a past era. His Majesty ascended the throne through the proper procedure and under the grace of the heavens. Therefore, if His Highness were to return, it would only be natural for him to be called the Royal Prince—"

"But a war will happen," Ian cut in, exhaling a plume of smoke.

Simon’s voice died as if severed by a knife.

Fael, who had been watching Ian, was not shocked. He had already felt a deep sense of unease from Ian’s gaze.

Still, he couldn't stop the blood from running cold in his veins. He took a shaky sip of his drink and said, "If His Highness harbors no rebellious intentions, then His Majesty the Emperor will surely welcome him. Having already dispatched countless Martyrdom Expeditions, he would have no choice, even if he didn't want to. For you to say otherwise means..."

Fael paused, steadying his breath under Ian’s gaze, then continued, "You must have another reason for your certainty."

"As Lucy said, the land beyond the Wall is a demonic realm," Ian replied, exhaling smoke.

He moved the cigarette between his fingers and added, "It is a hell overflowing with chaos and madness, teeming with horrific monsters, including the archdemons. In that place, where even the gods’ gazes cannot reach, how do you suppose the Prince could have survived?"

Fael’s eye twitched. The answer flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He, too, had grown up listening to the heroic tales of Hyked.

"No way." Once again, Simon was faster to speak.

Unable to hide his shock and disbelief, he stammered, "Are you... saying... that His Highness has been... corrupted?"

"He, no, they had no other choice," Lucifer said in a subdued tone.

Both Simon and Fael turned to her as she added grimly, "It was the only way to protect the surviving people. They willingly sullied themselves, knowing that they would one day be consumed by chaos and seized by madness."

Only then did Fael realize she pitied them. It was something that shouldn’t have been possible—an Apostle of the Goddess feeling sympathy for the corrupted.

"So it’s not corruption; it’s sacrifice that’s sacred in its own way."

Her gaze swept between Fael and Simon. "Of course, to the royal family, the Great Church, and the people of the Empire, they’ll just look like a legion of heretics led by a Dark Prince. Just as you’re seeing them now."

Fael could not form a reply, and neither could Simon. The young noble sat frozen, eyes hollow, lips trembling without sound. Fael imagined his own face looked no different.

"Soon enough, neither the Church nor the Empire will have the time to worry about me," Ian said, breaking the silence as he drained his cup.

He glanced toward Shahin, swirling the empty cup. "In fact, I doubt I’ll be a problem at all. If anything, they might end up needing my help."

Shahin, more intrigued than alarmed, quickly approached the table.

"Sigh..." Finally letting out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, Fael covered his face with his hands.

His thoughts were in complete disarray, spinning like a storm. His chest ached with confusion, as though the world itself were swaying.

As Fael struggled to sort through his thoughts, Simon said, "I-I think this is a matter that should be reported to the royal family..."

"It’s not your role to make that judgment, Simon," Ian said sharply. "The same goes for you, Master. You are merely a messenger who will relay the news to Her Highness the Princess."

Fael lowered his hand and blinked, startled.

As Shahin carefully poured him another drink, Ian, who had been watching him, added, "The decision will be hers. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes, of course," Fael replied, slowly nodding his head.

Ian was right—this was far too great a matter for a mere merchant to judge. Accepting that truth steadied him. His racing heartbeat slowed, and the haze clouding his vision cleared.

"How long do we have?" Simon asked.

Shahin stepped back toward the window as the young noble stared blankly ahead, his words trembling. "The war, I mean. It won’t begin... until His Highness returns, will it?"

"Hard to say. The fall of the Wall must have been sudden for him as well, so he’ll need time to prepare. But it’s been a while since the Wall came down."

Ian narrowed his eyes, took a sip, and finally added, "At the latest, I don’t think it will be more than half a year."

"Oh, Lu Solar," Fael breathed, raising the cup to his lips. His throat felt parched.

As Fael drained the wine, Ian said, "This can’t go into writing. So, take Master Simon to the Princess. Since he fancies himself a storyteller, he will be able to relay the details far better than you." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Ian’s gaze shifted to Simon. "Can you do it?"

"Of course, I can... Agent of the Saint." Simon nodded slowly, though he seemed to lack confidence.

Fael couldn’t blame him; he was just as clueless as to how he would break this news to the Princess. Still, knowing someone else would bear the burden brought a small sense of relief.

"Unfortunately, it seems you won’t be able to wait with us for Sir Mev’s return," Ian said, accepting a cigarette.

As Fael set down his cup, Ian gestured with his chin. "After you deliver the news to Her Highness, you too will have to prepare for the war."

Fael’s eyes widened. After all the shocking revelations, it was something he hadn’t even thought of—and yet, it was the most crucial point of all.

If the war came before he was ready, it would destroy not just the Hexagonal Alliance but his caravan as well.

Two large hands suddenly gripped his shoulders. It was Bor who had been silently listening the whole time.

Meeting Fael’s gaze, he said in a firm voice, "Even so, do not forget that it is only proper to conclude your business with His Majesty the King, Master."

"Of course. Don’t worry. I’ve no intention of running off," Fael replied, forgoing his usual retort. He turned back to Ian. "But as you said, I’m not sure I’ll be able to meet Sir Mev. I’ll likely have to leave the day after tomorrow."

"Take them with you when you leave. And the boy, too," Ian said, nodding toward the boy standing by the window.

Fael turned to look as Ian added, "I’m sending him to Philip. The revelation hasn’t descended yet, but the boy carries the blessing of the Radiant Goddess."

"So he is a potential apostle," Fael murmured, finally realizing that Shahin was not Mukapa’s attendant.

Not taking his eyes off the boy, who was now scratching his head awkwardly, Fael nodded. "Yes. I will take them to Her Highness the Princess and relay the story."

"Is Philip doing well?"

"I’m afraid I don’t know the details, sir. I’ve asked Her Highness from time to time, but she only ever said he was doing well." Fael bowed his head with an awkward smile before adding, "She still places orders for his supplies now and then, so I assume they keep in touch."

"So you know enough, then." Ian nodded and picked up his cup again. "You must be exhausted. Go get some rest. You’ll need time to clear your head."

"Then I’ll gladly accept your kindness. Thank you, Agent of the Saint." Fael set down his empty cup and rose to his feet.

Just as Ian said, he desperately needed time alone.

As he rose from his seat, Ian said, "If you have any decent arms and armor among your goods, leave some aside. I’ll come by after you meet with His Majesty tomorrow."

"Will you be using them yourself?"

"Not me. My friends."

Thesaya’s eyes gleamed as she took a drag from her cigarette.

Fael stroked his chin. "They’re nothing extraordinary, but a few come to mind. I’ll set them aside."

"Don’t worry about the price. I’m rich now," Thesaya interjected quickly.

Fael smiled faintly, stepped back, and bent his knee. "It’s been an honor. I’ll see you again tomorrow, Agent of the Saint."

"See you tomorrow, Great Warrior," Bor said with a bow.

Fael met each of their eyes in turn before turning to leave. He couldn’t help quickening his steps toward the door. All he wanted was to get back to his quarters, lock the door, and be alone with his thoughts.