I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 610

"The Heaven Defier is sealed beneath the coastal mountain range connecting the West and the Central regions, isn’t it?" said Ian as he set down the bottle.

That alone was enough to make Archeas’s already-wide eyes flare even further.

"Impossible. H-How... Just how?" It stammered, its voice laced with shock and disbelief.

Seeing the mighty Platinum Dragon so shaken, Ian couldn’t help but smirk.

"Just happened to find out."

As Archeas gaped, seemingly speechless, Ian brought the cup to his lips. The only reason Ian could stay so composed was that he had long accepted the Heaven Defier as an opponent he would one day have to face.

I wanted to hit max level and finish the White Mage quest before fighting it, if possible...

But things not going according to plan was nothing new. Of course, the decision wasn’t based solely on his desire to save Archeas. He was certain Archeas’s plan would ultimately fail.

If left alive, the Heaven Defier would become the hidden boss after the main ending. Even if Archeas sacrificed itself, it would only delay the inevitable.

In that case, keeping Archeas alive would be far more beneficial in the long run.

Besides, Ian had already slain the Heaven Defier once in the game—though it had taken countless deaths, and even then, he’d only managed it through sheer luck.

Now that it was a reality, the dragon would no doubt be even stronger. Still, Ian had plenty of information to rely on, and he wasn’t planning to depend on that alone.

"So you really did know," Archeas murmured, letting out a heavy sigh. "Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter how you learned it."

Ian, having nearly drained his cup, looked back at the dragon who still hadn’t fully recovered from the shock.

"So, if you want to help, open your treasury. I’ll need proper equipment if I’m to face an ancient dragon," said Ian.

This was the other ace up his sleeve. Hadn't the Platinum Dragon itself mentioned collecting only the most precious treasures? With Ian laying it all out, Archeas surely wouldn't be stingy like usual.

Of course, it wouldn't be as helpful as fighting alongside Archeas. Still, it would be infinitely better than his original equipment.

"Aren't your friends waiting for you? They will worry if you are late," Archeas said, its brow furrowing. It was practically begging.

Ian, of course, just shrugged. "I already told them not to wait if I was late. I didn’t plan for this, but they’ll manage fine on their own. They know you summoned me, so they won’t be too worried."

"How thorough." Archeas sighed.

Ian smiled calmly. "I’m sick and tired of unexpected situations."

"I suppose so. So... even if I refuse to help, you’d still find a way to fight him, wouldn’t you?" Archeas finally murmured, its voice tinged with resignation.

It gripped its cup weakly and added, as if to itself, "I tried to stop you because I knew this day would come. But as always... what’s meant to happen, happens, no matter how hard I try to prevent it."

It emptied the last of its drink in one swallow, then finally turned back to Ian. "Fine. I will give you the treasures."

"A wise decision." Ian picked up the bottle, refilled Archeas’s cup. "We can figure out how to appease the heavens later—after we’ve slain the Heaven Defier, and after you’ve made a full recovery."

Ian met Archeas’s steady gaze and gave a slight nod. "There’s a war coming. A few archdemons still remain, and the mages of the Magic Towers are as corrupt as ever. If we wait, another suitable opportunity that the heavens cannot ignore will arise."

"It is an excellent plan, but I will fight with you, Ian," said Archeas softly.

This time, Ian’s brow narrowed. It wasn’t just because the Platinum Dragon had declared it would fight. A quest window had just appeared before him.

[One Who Dreams of Defying Heaven, Rakhmah.]

It was a Heaven Defier subjugation quest.

"I think it’d be better if you got some rest," Ian muttered without closing it.

"I’m not that weak," Archeas said, shaking his head. "Even if I shower you with my treasures, you will die nine times out of ten. But if I am with you, our chance of victory will be close to fifty percent. Knowing that, how can I possibly send you alone?"

It tilted its head slightly, a subtle smile spreading across its lips. "Besides, we already have experience killing a dragon together, don't we? As you said, our teamwork will be even better the second time. I have already yielded to your stubbornness, so this time, please do the same for me."

"Can you swear to me you’re not planning to die fighting?" Ian asked, smacking his lips.

Archeas let out an ambiguous laugh, half-bitter smile and half sneer, and shook its head. "Of course. If I die, it’ll be by my own hand. I have absolutely no desire to die at its hands."

"If that’s the case..." Ian finally closed the quest window and tilted the bottle over his cup.

Truthfully, having the Platinum Dragon join the fight was the best possible outcome. That had been the plan from the beginning—slaying the Heaven Defier together. Archeas might not be at full strength, but even a fraction of its power would be a tremendous advantage.

"So, how did you really find the location of the Tomb? It is a place kept secret even among my kind." Archeas asked, watching him as he set the bottle down.

Ian just shrugged one shoulder. "Well, let's just say it was a coincidence."

It wasn't a complete lie. Finding the Dragon's Tomb in the game had been a sheer coincidence. Only later did he learn, from a guide, that entry required killing one of the Heaven Defier’s Apostles and claiming the relic it dropped.

So the dragon’s magic in the armament must be what tricks the seal...

Archeas let out a chuckle. "I would call that fate, not coincidence. On that note, come, let us have a toast."

It held its cup forward, grinning at Ian. "A toast to being comrades-in-arms again. This isn't the situation I wanted, but since it has come to this, we might as well enjoy it, no?"

"How wise of you. You’ve even embraced the old truth—if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it." Ian smiled back and brought his cup to Archeas’s.

Their cups clinked together with a sharp note.

Archeas added, "I will also tell you what I know about that being. It will help you to know what you’re up against."

"One thing at a time," Ian said, lifting his drink. "First, we raid your treasure vault."

Archeas burst out laughing as Ian brought the cup to his lips. "Raid, is it? You don’t even bother hiding your true intentions anymore."

Ian just shrugged as Archeas took a sip and added, "They cannot compare to the treasures in my main nest, but there are many excellent items here as well. Of course..."

Its smile faltered slightly, as if something had just come to mind. "The process might be a little tedious. Could you give me a moment to put things in order? I’ll sort them so they’re easier for you to choose from."

"I couldn’t possibly ask that of you when I’m the one receiving." Ian set down his cup and looked back at Archeas. "Speaking of which, let’s go see it right now."

"Now?"

"There's no reason to delay. The sooner we finish preparations, the sooner you can get at least a little more rest. Our opponent is the Heaven Defier. You should recover your strength, even if just for a few more days."

Ian pushed his chair back.

Archeas pursed its lips for a moment, then let out a low sigh. "My Agent always says the right thing... Very well. Let us go."

It set down its cup and rose from its seat. "All we have here is liquor and water, so you can’t stay too long, my dear."

"Don't worry about that," Ian replied, turning. He reached into his pocket dimension, pulled out his storage box, and dropped it.

"I still have some rations left over. I can easily last at least a week. Longer if I ration it," he added, walking toward the entrance.

Archeas glanced down at the box, then finally shook its head in defeat and turned.

***

"You seem quite surprised," Archeas said, stepping onto a wide staircase leading deeper underground.

Ian let out a chuckle. "Well, hearing about something and seeing it for yourself are two different things."

Archeas hadn’t been exaggerating when it’d called it a large and magnificent nest. To even reach the stairs, Ian had to walk down a long, curving corridor.

The walls were carved with rows of seemingly unnecessary round pillars, making it feel less like a nest and more like a castle or a temple.

"Where is the chamber you use for your true form?"

"On the other side. Have you noticed how the corridor forms a great circle? The center of that circle is my resting place."

"I see..."

So it built a circular palace underground.

"I have no idea how you even built a nest like this," said Ian.

"Magic," Archeas replied without breaking its stride, glancing back at Ian with a somewhat sheepish look. "And when you mobilize several hundred skilled dwarves, there is nothing that cannot be built. Especially underground."

"Are you saying this place was all carved, piece by piece, from the top down?"

"Precisely."

Ian burst out laughing. At last, the mysteries of the underground ruins made perfect sense, and so did the nickname ‘mole’ for the dwarves who lived there.

"I regret it myself. It was harsh labor," said Archeas.

At the bottom of the stairs, they entered a passage more like a dim, natural cave, unlike the floor above.

"Please bear in mind, it was an era when working dwarves like that was considered normal. This was also the first and last time I ever built a nest of this magnitude."

"I didn’t mean it as criticism," Ian said with a smirk. "Just thinking how I almost ended up playing tag with you in here."

"Yes... We both would have been exhausted. This place is a giant labyrinth with no exit." Archeas shook its head, as if finding the thought absurd all over again, and suddenly looked ahead into the cave. "We are almost there."

"This isn’t quite what I imagined a treasury would look like," Ian murmured, eyeing the towering stone wall ahead.

It looked less like a treasury and more like the entrance to a dungeon.

Gliding forward, Archeas said, "It probably is. This space likely aligns better with the deep-rooted prejudices about me."

So, a bit of a sore spot, then.

Ian inwardly suppressed a laugh. He’d already guessed Archeas saw the nest as something of an embarrassment.

Archeas finally stopped in front of the tall stone wall.

"It has been a long time since I last opened this. I am not certain the spell circuits will function properly."

With magic flickering in its eyes, Archeas raised both hands. Dragon magic spread like gold dust. A moment later, spell circuits engraved across the entire stone wall lit up, glowing a brilliant gold.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

The giant stone door slowly descended. Archeas glanced back at Ian and gave a slight nod.

"Fortunately, we won’t have to break it open."

Ian said nothing, his eyes drawn to the glow spilling from the space beyond. It was far brighter than he’d expected from a vault buried this deep.

Within a minute, the entire underground chamber was revealed.

"Whoa..." A quiet exhale escaped him.

Gold coins, gold bars, and golden statues—all manner of gold were piled up in a literal mountain.

All over that golden mountain, which scattered the golden light that reflected off the spell circuits, were all kinds of treasures. Swords, spears, shields, and armor were stuck in the pile or jutting out at random angles.

Of course, what was visible on the surface was merely the tip of the iceberg. Far more treasures were surely buried within that mountain.

Ian’s gaze drifted to Archeas, who returned it with an awkward, almost guilty smile.

"I did ask for time to organize."