I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 653

She had done this before. Clearly, she intended to preach this everywhere they went. Knowing Mev, she wouldn't listen even if he tried to stop her.

"A demigod!" Lucas exclaimed

Lucas's exclamation followed. Even though the words were practically a rebuke, the smile on his face only widened as he looked at Mev.

"For the Apostle of the Stern Goddess to make such a declaration, it seems Your Excellency has truly become closer to a god than a man."

"Indeed. That the Goddesses, who are watching even at this moment, do not deny it is the greatest proof." Mev answered calmly, ignoring Ian's persistent stare.

Lucas nodded. "True. What you showed us on the Northern front was already beyond what the word 'superhuman' could describe."

His gaze returned to Ian, whose eyes were narrowed. "It seems you have achieved many historic feats since then, Your Excellency."

"That's right. He has done many things you wouldn't believe even if we told you the truth. Just the fact that he is standing here unscathed is a miracle in itself, isn't it?" Thesaya cut in.

Why are you joining in?

Ian frowned and looked back at Thesaya. She tilted her chin up defiantly, a mischievous glint in her eyes that only Ian recognized. Lucas's smile deepened as he looked at Thesaya.

"They say Karha became a god in much the same way. Perhaps the North will soon celebrate the birth of another god. And you are all witnesses to it."

He looked back at Ian with sparkling eyes and added in a voice filled with subtle fervor, "Will you grant me the chance to be part of that glory and honor, Your Excellency?"

Ian's brow twitched as he looked at him. Not only Lucas, but his adjutant and the gate captain standing behind him were also looking at Ian with gleaming eyes.

"We haven't even had a chance to celebrate our victory on the front lines together. I've been waiting for this day for a long time," said Lucas.

"Unfortunately, you'll have to wait a little longer," Ian finally said, clicking his tongue inwardly. "I heard the priests have set out with the barbarians to subjugate the demonic realm in the snowfields. I want to join them before it's too late."

"Ah, so you're not going to Hope City, but heading that way..." Lucas said with a sigh.

Disappointment also flashed in the eyes of the adjutant and the gate captain. Even Thesaya was looking back with a slight frown.

Lucas nodded. "It must have been a long journey. Yet instead of resting, you choose to head into that cursed land rather than leave it to the warriors... Truly worthy of a Great Warrior."

"So, will you open the gate for us?" Ian tilted his head to the side.

"Of course. At once." Lucas smiled and looked back at the gate captain.

The captain nodded quickly and turned around. Even though he must have been exhausted from running back and forth, he sprinted away at full speed.

"I heard you wish to pass quietly," Lucas said as the soldiers forming the living wall shifted aside to make room. "So after we open the gate, I’ll escort you straight in. It should draw less attention that way."

Ian smiled. "You're still good at your job."

"You flatter me. Is there anything else you need? The path to the wasteland won't be smooth," Lucas added with a humble smile.

Ian nodded and asked, "Do you have the exact location of the demonic realm?"

"When we became aware of the danger, madness had already taken root—and His Grace did not order a purge." Lucas glanced at his adjutant behind him before facing Ian again. "But thanks to several scouting missions we sent independently, we’ve mapped things out to a fair extent."

"Were personnel from this fortress mobilized as well?"

"Of course. Scouting the demonic realm is dangerous, even for the most seasoned and courageous soldiers. We’ve been rotating the duty between fortresses. There are a few experts here who have returned safely from their missions," Lucas answered, sweeping back his hair.

"Excellent. Could I borrow one of them? The most skilled, if possible. We need a guide. I'll do my best to return them safe and unharmed." Ian smiled, glancing back at his companions.

"That shouldn’t be difficult. In fact, someone comes to mind. Caleb seems like the right fit. What do you think, Hester?" Lucas looked back at his adjutant.

Hester nodded immediately. "I agree. Shall I call him?"

"Yes, don’t give him the details, just bring him quietly."

Hester nodded, bowed politely to Ian, and turned away. Unlike the gate captain, he hurried off at a brisk, almost running pace.

Watching his adjutant leave, Lucas let out a soft sigh. "It puts my mind at ease to have you back, Your Excellency. I’ve had a constant headache until very recently."

"Did the priests pass through here?" Lucia asked.

Receiving Lucas's gaze, she added calmly, "You seemed to know already that the priests had set out for the subjugation."

"That is correct. I heard it directly from Priest Miguel."

"So this was the wall the barbarians were trying to tear down," Ian muttered, raising an eyebrow.

Lucas nodded with a bitter smile. "As you know, this is the closest gate to Hope City."

I thought it was Ninglosth.

Ian looked at him. "Is that why you were stationed here?"

"It was never explicitly stated, but I suspect it's related. Most of the commanders currently stationed at the gate fortresses are those with friendly ties to the barbarians."

"The Archduke is quite... cautious," Thesaya remarked in that distinctly fairy-like, lightly mocking tone.

Narrowing her eyes slightly, she exchanged glances with Lucia. "In the South, we call people like that foxes or weasels."

"That sounds quite insulting. I’ll choose to believe the term carries a different nuance in the South," Lucas muttered, smacking his lips.

Ian could easily guess that Lucas was dissatisfied with the Archduke's decision. It wasn't just because the assignment felt like a demotion. Despite being of mixed Imperial blood, Lucas had always had an extraordinary affection and sense of duty toward the North. There might have been political intentions, but his sense of responsibility was undoubtedly sincere.

"Anyway, it must have been difficult for you, being caught in the middle. As Margrave, I offer my thanks and apologies," Ian said.

Lucas's eyes widened, and he waved his hand. "No, Your Excellency. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't difficult, but I fully understand the barbarians' feelings, so there is no need for you to apologize."

"Then at least accept my thanks. Just for not firing the heavy crossbows even when they were openly preparing to destroy the wall, you deserve it."

At Ian's remark, Lucas burst into laughter. "How could I do such a thing? Besides, the warriors targeted a section of the wall far enough away to avoid damaging the fortress itself."

He looked at Ian and Lucia with a meaningful gaze. "Even while sending messengers to Travelga and the temple, I inwardly hoped their reply would be late. That way, I could let the barbarians pass without disobeying the orders."

"But then you couldn't have avoided disciplinary action, Commander," Lucia said.

Ian frowned as well, but Lucas simply shrugged nonchalantly. "That would still be better than shedding the blood of fellow Northerners. Besides, as I said, I was just as worried about Your Excellency."

His gaze returned to Ian. "I heard from the barbarians that you were safe, but you hadn't returned."

"Unfortunately for the Northerners, Your Excellency was on the other side of the continent," said Thesaya with a playful smile. She clearly thought it would have been more entertaining if the wall had been breached.

Ian, on the other hand, was secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

That would have been a real headache.

Thanks to Lucas's goodwill, the wall could have really been destroyed. There was a world of difference between merely having bad relations and becoming a rebel.

"Good thing the priests weren’t late," Ian murmured at last.

Lucas nodded. "In the end, yes. Besides, if you leave right now, you won't be too late."

"Even though it's been three weeks since they passed the gate?" Lucia asked, blinking.

Lucas smiled, stroking his beard. "It took them a few days just to convince the barbarians to dismantle the catapults."

"Aha..."

"They would have needed time to return to Hope City and prepare as well. For all we know, they might be only a few days ahead."

"Then we should hurry." Ian looked at his companions.

It wasn't just out of concern for the subjugation force. He needed experience points urgently. If he could destroy the entire demonic realm, it would be a significant gain.

"You won’t arrive at the same point they’re heading toward, of course. You’ll likely end up at a different—" Lucas's voice faded as a heavy noise spread from far behind. A heavy rumble was swelling from the far side of the fortress.

"Already finished preparing. A shame, truly."

As the sound subsided, Lucas smacked his lips. Sighing long through his nose, he swept back his hair and looked at Ian.

"The gate is open. The guide will be brought here soon. Let us proceed at your pace."

Receiving his companions' gazes, Ian nodded.

Mev immediately turned and went behind the carriage, while Lucia opened the carriage door and added, "It seems we'll meet again soon. Let's finish our conversation then, Commander."

"I'll be counting the days."

At Lucas's reply, she smiled brightly and went inside.

Thesaya, grabbing the door handle to follow, tilted her head. "Make sure to prepare some good alcohol next time."

"I will remember that as well." Lucas looked back at Ian. "Now then, let us prepare."

"Prepare?"

When Ian asked back, Lucas smiled broadly and turned around. Striding forward, he approached the soldiers lined up like a wall in front of them. The corner of Ian's mouth twisted immediately after.

Is that really necessary?

He had heard every word Lucas whispered. He was ordering them to surround and escort the group, ensuring no other soldiers could approach or watch.

Contrary to Ian's expression, the soldiers nodded with faces full of dutiful resolve. The two soldiers who had fought with him in Karlingion were especially enthusiastic.

"Shall we depart?" Nasser asked from the driver's seat as the soldiers, picking up their crossbows, spread out and approached.

Slinging Moro’s reins over his shoulder, Ian nodded.

Clip-clop— clip-clop—

Nasser shook the reins, and the carriage moved slowly. Mev, mounted on Selim, followed alongside it, while Ian walked with the reins over his shoulder.

Thump— Thump—

The approaching soldiers formed a large circle around the group. Though the wide spacing left plenty of room, they scanned the surroundings sharply, as if on guard duty.

"You're not riding your horse." Lucas slipped back into place between Ian and the carriage.

Ian lifted the reins off his shoulder with a shrug. "I still have something to say."

"Aha, I see." The light in Lucas's eyes shimmered as he answered.

Ian swallowed a chuckle. It was a look he had seen often lately.

Clip-clop— clip-clop—

Feigning ignorance, he looked away and took in the fortress's view. Though it didn't seem lacking in supplies or personnel, the rough atmosphere unique to northern fortresses was unmistakable.

Meanwhile, the soldiers gathered sparsely near the fortress and on the open grounds were dispersing. It was likely because the escorting guards were glaring and waving them away.

I’m hardly even visible here...

Ian curled one corner of his mouth and finally said, "I learned that the relationship between the Archduke and the barbarians isn't very good."

Lucas, who had been waiting silently, nodded immediately. "I can't say it's good, even as empty words."

"I hear he is quite conscious of me."

"I haven't heard it directly, but he must be. After all, Your Excellency is the true Great Warrior of the North, and a demigod."

At the strange tone, the corner of Ian's mouth twisted once more. He could guess Lucas's inner thoughts. It wouldn't differ greatly from what everyone else had been whispering to him these past weeks.

Ian scanned the high wall spreading out before him and said, "After I pass through the gate, send an envoy to the Archduke to convey my message."

Staring for a moment at the wide-open gate in the center of the wall, he added, "Tell him that the Margrave of the Snowfields expresses his gratitude for His Grace’s hard work."