I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 609

"Exactly what I said. The heavens will never forgive me. I have, after all, completely shattered the continent's balance with my own hands. I've committed the very act they feared most and warned against countless times." Archeas shrugged.

Listening with a frown, Ian said, "The balance was already broken long before that."

"The heavens' perspective is different from ours. As I've said before, to them, the continent's chaos likely seemed a perfectly natural flow. Just as the Round Table Parliament intended. Besides, they finally have a way to get rid of me from your side, don't they?"

"As if I’d ever—"

"I know a mage like you would never accept divine revelations. But that’s still just your perspective. Whether you like it or not, you’ve already drawn their favor and their protection."

As Ian's frown deepened, Archeas added in a soft, whisper-like tone, "And I want you to keep it that way, Ian. I believe you are the hero of this age who will quell the continent's chaos. But you cannot achieve that great feat if you turn your back on the heavens. So, do not interfere in matters between me and the heavens. The last thing I want is for you to be harmed because of it."

"So are you saying you intend to live here, confined in this underground nest alone, forever?" said Ian.

"... Ian." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"And I'm supposed to just carry on, acting the hero, using your name and receiving the heavens' protection as if nothing is wrong?"

"That is not what I meant."

"From my perspective, it's the same. And I refuse," Ian said firmly.

Archeas stared at him for a moment before squeezing its eyes shut and sighing.

Ian paid it no mind and added, "Even if your sin cannot be completely forgiven, there must be a way to substitute it with a lighter penalty. As you said, it won't be easy. So, let's find a solution together. I already have a few ideas."

Without opening its closed eyes, Archeas murmured, "Truly, you’re as stubborn as ever. I've always liked that about you. But right now, it is nothing short of cruel."

Ian shrugged. "You choose me. Accept it."

"Yes... Honestly, I am pleased. To think you care for me this much. I chose my Agent very well. However..."

Ian, who was about to pick up his cup, froze.

Archeas opened its eyes at that very moment.

"The reason I like you, Ian, is that I’m just as stubborn."

Archeas’s eyes were no longer human. They gleamed like a dragon’s, shimmering with surging magic.

"It’s a pity our reunion has to end this way. But please understand my decision. Now, return to your companions—" Archeas trailed off.

The chair Ian was sitting on screeched as it was pushed back, and he lunged to the side, breaking into a run.

Thud— Tap, tap, tap

Archeas stared blankly as Ian instantly put distance between them, reaching the middle of the room.

Unable to hide its bewilderment, it said, "I understand how you feel, but this is a futile rebellion, Ian. Do not forget that this is my nest."

"An excessively large and magnificent nest." Ian came to a stop and turned, keeping his gaze locked on the dragon as he moved toward the side.

Realizing he was heading for the entrance, Archeas narrowed its eyes and rose from the seat.

"You plan to run from my spells?"

"If I must," Ian replied instantly with a shrug. "As you know, I am fast and have good stamina. My senses are sharp, too. You, on the other hand, are not in good condition. I can keep this up long enough for a proper conversation."

"Good grief. You truly never fail to exceed my imagination." Archeas stared at Ian for a moment, then shook its head and let out a dry laugh.

"So let's not waste our energy, either of us," Ian said, watching Archeas warily.

Archeas brushed back its platinum-blond hair and replied. "My thoughts exactly, Ian."

"And don’t forget," Ian said, stopping by the exit, "I carry chaos within me."

Archeas froze mid-motion. The amusement instantly vanished from its dragon eyes, which locked onto Ian.

"What is the meaning of that?"

"If you force me out like this, I will reject the heavens. No matter how much they cherish me, they won't be able to do anything if I become corrupt."

Archeas's gaze grew steadily colder. However, it could not stop Ian from speaking.

"Perhaps Karha wouldn't mind. Of course, the Dark Prince will be delighted. And I will help him become the new master of the Empire."

Archeas’s expression froze, blank as a mask. Ian met his eyes without flinching and gave a small shrug. "If the heavens lose their place, you’ll no longer need to be wary of them."

"I’ll give you one chance to retract that statement." A low, resonant tone finally emanated from Archeas. "Tell me you do not mean it, Ian."

"Unfortunately, I did. You know that." His knees felt weak, but Ian replied without showing it.

Of course, he was only half-serious. His level would be reset, so he had no intention of actually choosing corruption.

However, he was sincere about siding with Hyked. His friends would willingly follow, and the Dark Prince winning the war was one of the possible endings in the game. Not the best one, perhaps, but still a valid choice.

"So, choose. Will you play this game of tag with my corruption as collateral, or will you look for a solution with me?" Ian said calmly.

The air in the room seemed to freeze. Archeas, who had been staring at him with slitted pupils, finally closed its eyes with a low sigh.

"I have been threatened with death, but never with corruption. And since you have a history, I cannot dismiss it as an empty threat," it murmured with a sigh and opened its eyes again.

They had returned to being human. Looking at Ian with a bitter smile, it gestured with its head.

"Not that it would change anything, but let us hear what this idea of yours is."

"Let's kill the Heaven Defier," Ian said at once.

As a deep furrow formed on Archeas’s brow, he added, "I'm not saying right away. That thing is trying to break the seal. By the time the heavens notice, it’ll be too late to stop it. So..."

Ian gave Archeas a meaningful look and shrugged one shoulder.

"Let's leave it until then. It will also buy you time to recover. If you and I stop a great threat that the heavens noticed too late, they can't pretend not to see, can they?"

It was a method worthy of the Round Table Parliament, but Ian didn't care. If it came to it, he was willing to go further.

"Ian... you truly are..."

As if thinking the same, Archeas shook its head with a deep sigh. It brushed back its disheveled hair and added, "As I told you before, fighting that creature is never a good choice."

"Maybe so. But it’s one we’ll have to make eventually. You know it as well as I do. One day, it will break the seal. So let's stop it before then. It’s not the first time we’ve fought a dragon together, is it?" Ian replied calmly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight smile.

Archeas sighed once more. Its expression showed not surprise or anger, but conflict.

"This story... I did not want to speak of this..." it muttered as if to itself, then faced Ian again. "Yes. It is not a bad plan, Ian. It might have even been possible."

"But you're saying it's not?"

"That's right. We do not have as much time as you think."

"That doesn’t sound like something that should be kept secret," Ian said with a frown.

Archeas took a breath, its face showing a faint weariness as it said, "How about we sit and talk again? I will not force you out. I suppose I cannot. Your threat worked."

Without waiting for an answer, it turned back to the table. It sat down again, leaning forward to pick up the bottle.

"Let's." Ian finally walked back toward the table. He sat down just as Archeas filled a cup and set the bottle aside.

"I do not know if you are aware, but I am the jailer who guards the Heaven Defier, and also the warden of the Dragon’s Tomb. And the Dragon's Tomb is its prison. Its punishment is to guard the grave of its kin forever, while still alive. Ruminating endlessly on the sins it committed."

Archeas raised its cup to wet its lips, then placed a hand on its chest. "And engraved upon my soul are the authority of the tomb keeper and the duty of the jailer. It means I resonate with the prison that confines it. That is, in fact, why I awoke early from my slumber."

Ian picked up his cup and nodded. There had always been something suspicious about it waking up just to summon him. That it had sensed the worsening cracks in the seal was far more convincing.

"As I thought. Is it the aftermath of the Black Wall's collapse?"

"Of course. But other external factors are clearly involved as well. Otherwise, it could not have sped up this much."

"It's apostles," Ian muttered with a click of his tongue and brought the cup to his lips.

Archeas nodded. "The Heaven Defier must have noticed that I am not in a sound state and had entered hibernation. It might have also learned that I incurred the heavens' wrath."

It smacked its lips briefly and added, "That must be why it decided to summon its apostles."

"Even so, it's too fast. Not even half a year has passed since the Wall fell."

"It has likely been preparing for a long time. It has been collecting chaos through its minions to use as a chisel and hammer to deepen the cracks."

Archeas took another sip of alcohol and continued in a subdued tone, "The fact that the heavens' influence is not what it used to be must have been reason enough."

"A golden opportunity for that thing. It doesn't know it yet, but a war is about to break out, too," Ian murmured, smacking his lips, and turned to Archeas. "So, when do you think the seal will break?"

"I do not know precisely. It might only be a few months, or perhaps only a few weeks. Cracks, by nature, accelerate as they deepen." Archeas replied.

Ian watched it stare into the cup and asked, "What did you plan to do, keeping this a secret from me?"

"After sending you back, I intended to go where its apostles are likely to be. They are surely near the tomb."

"So you planned to use divine punishment to wipe them out."

Archeas nodded readily and gripped its cup. "It would also briefly divert the heavens' attention, so there was no reason not to."

"And what did you plan to do after that? The cracks in the seal wouldn't vanish, nor would Heaven Defier’s ambition."

"Correct. Which is why I intended to mend those cracks myself."

Ian froze, his eyes twitching. "Is that even possible?"

"It is no easy task. But it is not entirely without a method."

"That is what I am asking. What is the method?"

"I do not think you need to know that," Archeas retorted and brought the cup to its lips.

Ian, who had been staring at it, finally said, "It must be a method I would oppose if I knew. That's why you won't tell me. Were you planning to sacrifice your life? Or perhaps be sealed away along with it?"

Archeas, which had been listening while slowly sipping its drink, finally set down its cup and answered. "It does not matter which. It is the natural order for all living things to one day die. We who do not are beings who have strayed from that order."

It looked back at the frowning Ian and continued nonchalantly, "Therefore, I merely wish to use this chance to meet an end befitting that logic. If I can help the world in the process, all the better."

All the better, my ass.

While he drank, collecting his thoughts, Archeas added in a gentle, placating tone, "Thank you for choosing me over the heavens, Ian. Beyond comfort and emotion, I even felt that my long life had been worthwhile. That alone is enough for me. So let us leave your plan as just that—a plan."

"No," said Ian.

As Archeas's eyes twitched, he set down the empty cup and added. "I have no intention of letting you go yet."

"Ian..."

"I am saying I still need your help. I cannot just stand by and watch you disappear. You should sleep more and focus on recovering."

He looked straight into Archeas’s golden eyes and plainly said, "I’ll kill the Heaven Defier."

Archeas furrowed its brows. "You really expect me to accept that?"

"I wasn’t asking for permission." Ian shrugged and picked up the bottle. "I already know where it is sealed. I know how to enter it."

Archeas’s eyes widened a beat too late. "What did you just say?"