I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 670

At Ian’s question, Rigg nodded as he stepped inside.

"Yes. Great Warrior. Inside this are stones heated by the sacred fire. It not only warms the water but is also said to be good for your health."

"Heating stones in the brazier?" Thesaya asked, her eyes widening.

Without slowing his steps, Rigg answered, "Yes. You have to carefully select stones that won’t crack. And once they cool, it takes quite a while to heat them all the way through again."

"Clever," Ian murmured, curling one corner of his mouth.

Though firewood was necessary, the sacred flame’s primary fuel was divinity. Unless it was being used for combat, it consumed far less wood than an ordinary flame. It was a way of conserving resources, possible only in this world. And it probably really was good for one’s health.

Lu Entre had a reason to be kind to me.

That was likely another reason the Temple of the Brazier had continued to prosper even after Lucia’s disappearance. After receiving help like this, it would be hard not to become a follower of Lu Entre. And since Karha wouldn’t care even if the barbarians worshiped other gods alongside him, there was nothing to worry about.

Swoosh...

Rigg pushed the metal sphere into the bathwater. As ripples spread across the surface, the boy, having fixed the hook on the edge of the tub, looked back at Ian.

"Please wait a moment. The water will warm soon. Be careful—touching it directly could cause burns."

"Got it. Good work."

"And once you’re finished bathing, we’ll escort you to the new residence."

"There’s another house?" Thesaya cut in again.

Pausing and looking back at her, Rigg soon nodded. "Yes."

"How big is it? Bigger than this place, at least... right?"

"Yes, it's the biggest in the city."

"Does it happen to have multiple rooms?" Ian, guessing Thesaya's intentions, asked.

Rigg smiled. "Yes. Besides the large room and living room for the Great Warrior to use, there are three smaller rooms. They said they applied some of the methods from the settlement."

"Perfect. My friend will stay there. Show them the way."

At Ian’s words, Rigg glanced briefly at Thesaya and Mev. His lips parted hesitantly.

"... Not sharing a room?"

Mev, who had been drinking, burst into a cough, while Thesaya let out a short laugh. Ian paused as well, momentarily taken aback.

Thesaya, glancing between him and Mev with a teasing look, said, "Well, I wouldn’t mind—"

"Just give these two one room. If they want, give them separate ones." Ian cut her off sharply.

Rigg, looking a bit bewildered by their reactions, bowed his head. "Yes, Great Warrior."

"Shall we go then?" Setting down her cup, Thesaya sprang to her feet.

When Mev cleared her throat and looked over, Thesaya tilted her head.

"My whole body aches from riding the carriage so much. I want to bathe in hot water and lie down on a bed."

"But we still have—"

"What, do you want to bathe here with Ian instead?"

"The drink... what?" Mev asked back a beat late.

When Thesaya jerked her head to the side, only then did she widen her eyes and jump up to her feet. "Thesa! What kind of—"

"I’m joking. Just joking." Waving her hand dismissively, Thesaya walked over and looped her arm through Mev’s.

"Honestly, you’re cuter than you think. Come on, Redhead."

"Ah—no, wait!" Still visibly flustered, Mev let herself be dragged along, unable even to glance Ian’s way.

Unlike her, Thesaya looked back at Ian with mischievous eyes and wiggled her fingers. "Take your time with your bath, Ian."

"Take Miguel and Nasser with you," Ian said, eyes narrowing slightly.

Without breaking stride, Thesaya gave a shrug. "They’re probably already busy pouring and drinking. Whatever. You heard that, right, kid?"

"Yes? Yes, I heard."

"Guide us first, and then go look for them. Let's go. Lead the way."

"Yes? Uh...."

As Thesaya pulled Mev toward the door without waiting for a reply, Rigg blinked blankly, not sure whether he was allowed to follow her orders.

"It’s fine. Go on." At Ian’s gesture, Rigg finally bowed deeply and turned away. Only after the door closed did a dry chuckle escape Ian’s lips.

"Back then, you were the one who asked me to bathe together first...."

If Mev had heard it, her ears would have burned even redder. Shaking his head lightly, Ian raised his cup again. Though he was alone now, the room was far from quiet.

"Demigod of the North—"

The noise from outside spilled straight in. The city was still buzzing with life. Using the passing voices as his accompaniment, Ian took another sip of wine, then slowly curled one corner of his mouth into a bitter smile.

"That damn title...."

That very demigod could end up getting all of you killed.

The thought lingered only a moment as he stared down into his cup. Soon after, Ian set it aside as if nothing were wrong and rose from his seat.

Clink—

He turned toward the steaming bath and started undoing his armor. After all, a bath was no less important right now.

***

"They’re here! They’re here, Ian!"

Thesaya, who had already stepped out into the hallway, shouted as she poked her head back into the living room. Her expression made it clear she was itching to dash outside at any second.

"Calm down. I get it," Ian replied. He rose from the bearskin rug where he’d been warming himself by the fire, picking up the neatly rolled parchment he had set aside.

"Shall we go, my lord?"

Mev and Nasser, seated near the fire, rose as well. Like Ian, they’d removed their armor and were dressed in fur-lined clothes and trousers, heavy cloaks draped over their shoulders. At a glance, they looked every bit like locals.

"Hold on to this." Stepping over to Nasser, who was smothering the fire with his boot, Ian handed him the parchment. It was his reply to the Archduke.

Nasser accepted it readily, smiling. "Yes. Should I deliver it to the Commander?"

"No, I'll give it to him myself. Give it back to me when the banquet starts." Shaking his head, Ian turned toward the hallway.

Mev, looking much tidier now, followed behind. Nasser tucked the parchment into his cloak and came out last.

"Move it. Let’s head out right away. Kid, open the door as soon as I give the signal." Thesaya beckoned from the middle of the hallway.

Rigg nodded from his place by the door.

"Please try to maintain some dignity, Thesa," said Mev in a gentle tone.

"In a land of freedom like this? What dignity? Just look at this place. You really think any of that matters here?" Thesaya laughed.

Ian’s residence was, to put it kindly, a mix of barbarian and urban styles. At worst, it lacked any clear foundation. Even the fact that only the rooms had wooden flooring spoke volumes.

Well, at least it’s not bare ground.

As they reached the door, Thesaya, now walking close behind him, made a small hand gesture. Rigg, now used to it, nodded and opened the door.

Urd, who had just stopped in front of the door, paused. Blinking as if surprised, he soon smiled with his wrinkled face.

"Did you rest well, Great Warrior?"

"Thanks to you."

"Then let us go. I will guide you." Urd bowed and turned.

The moment they stepped outside, the street spread out before them. Even that was a layout rarely seen in more civilized cities.

"Hurry it up! The Great Warrior will come out any moment now!"

"Let’s move! If we’re late, we won’t even get a proper look at the Demigod!"

Cold air rushed in with a clamor of voices. The rich, savory scent of roasting meat flooded the space.

Platters piled with whole cuts of skinned meat and offal passed by, along with residents hauling firewood and barrels of liquor, as people streamed endlessly through the streets and alleys.

As Ian moved into the middle of it, Nasser murmured. "It looks like they’re almost finished."

"Everyone has been working hard since dawn, so it should be," said Mev.

The city was bustling earlier than usual today. It was all in preparation for the banquet, a festival shared by every resident. It was also why Thesaya had been so restless.

Everyone was frantically busy, yet Ian never once slowed his stride as he moved straight through the center of it all.

"Great Warrior...."

"Demigod...."

Before Urd could even give a signal, the barbarians were already splitting to either side, clearing a path.

If anything, they seemed even more reverent than a few days ago, which made sense. During the few days Ian was relieving his fatigue, the barbarian subjugation squad had faithfully carried out the mission Thesaya had given them.

"How majestic."

"I should’ve seen it with my own eyes—the Great Warrior tearing a demon apart with his bare hands. I should’ve joined the expedition, even if I had to force my way in."

Stories that were already exaggerated were embellished yet again, until they crossed the line and became outright legend. Even so, the barbarians believed every one of those absurd tales without the slightest doubt.

Yeah, babble as you please....

Ian no longer bothered to refute or correct them. It wasn’t that letting it stand was helpful—there simply wasn’t anyone who would believe him even if he denied it.

"Hurry it up and get over here!"

"You idiots on the rooftops, get down! How dare you look down on the Great Warrior!"

Soon, a plaza packed with people opened before them. Bonfires burned in long rows along the outskirts, whole cuts of meat roasting above the flames. That was the source of the rich, savory smell filling the city.

"Isn’t this a bit much?" Ian said.

Urd slowed and glanced back. Meeting his single eye, Ian tipped his chin slightly. "Festival or not, it’s winter now."

"Do not worry. Most are things hunted recently." Urd replied with a smile that felt almost warm—very different from their first meeting.

"There’s enough stored away to last us through the winter and then some."

"I don’t see how you could gather that much from around here."

"We have the merchants you sent us, Great Warrior. They come loaded with imperial grain and cured meat every time."

"I didn’t send them, but..." A faint smile touched Ian’s lips. He’d been reminded of a certain Imperial merchant with a perpetually sharp, irritable face.

"It’s about time they visited again. They’re a little late this year."

"Is it still barter?" Ian asked.

Urd nodded. "Yes. Beast hides and monster parts are popular in the capital. Lately, we’ve been making accessories from monster bones."

"Accessories?" Ian tilted his head.

Urd shrugged. "The merchants requested them last year. Apparently, they sell well in the capital. Likely thanks to the Great Warrior’s fame."

"Of all things...." A dry laugh escaped Ian.

Then again, most people in the Central region lived lives neatly insulated from the chaos of the outside world. Even Simon's goal in life was to stand at the center of high society.

Still probably thinking of it all as someone else's business.

Which was precisely why, when civil war broke out, the confusion would be that much greater. In a way, it would be the price for turning away from the world’s chaos and darkness.

Of course, it might already have begun—he just didn’t know it yet.

His train of thought ended there. As the altar came into view beyond the crowd, Ian’s brow furrowed on its own.

Swoosh—

The sacred fire still flickered in the brazier placed on the altar. Although much smaller than when he arrived, it was burning very stably.

Clatter—clank—

Beside it stood Miguel, vigorously stirring the inside with a long, heavy poker. Despite one hand being a prosthetic, he moved with practiced ease, sweat pouring down his face as he focused.

"Damn it... don’t pile the stones so much...."

He grumbled under his breath nonstop, but no one looking at him now would mistake him for a mere backwater mercenary.

The statue of Karha no longer held divinity within it, allowing its original form, far more finely carved than before, to stand out clearly. The same went for the statue of Ian beside it, its muscles exaggerated to an almost absurd degree.

However, that wasn’t what had drawn Ian’s frown.

"When did they even make that...." His gaze was fixed on the towering chair between the two statues.

Its leather-covered back bristled with large, jagged bones of every shape. It was clearly built by lashing together monster bones for a frame, then draping it with various furs. It was big enough to be mistaken for a throne—and it even looked like they’d moved the statue aside just to make room for it.

Urd turned toward Ian then, a proud smile spreading across his face. "The seat prepared for you, Great Warrior."