I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 674

"Yes, understood, my lady," Mev said calmly as Ian’s eyes narrowed.

Ian looked toward her almost reflexively. Thesaya, too, raised an eyebrow and glanced over. Mev alone remained perfectly composed.

So she took it literally.

The corner of Ian's mouth twitched slightly. Seras smiled brightly at almost the same moment.

"Thank you for your understanding. Then, Agent of the Saint, we’ll—"

"My apologies," interrupted Ian, looking back at her while suppressing the corners of his lips.

"I think it would be better for us to talk all together. You must have a lot of news to convey, and I doubt it concerns me alone."

It wasn’t just that he didn’t want to repeat the same conversation later.

The princess had a habit of seizing the initiative and steering things exactly where she wanted them. He needed to make his position clear to her. Whatever her true purpose was, since she had come all this way, she was the one in need.

"Is that so?" Seras paused, studying Ian’s eyes for a moment.

A few seconds later, she nodded. "I suppose you’re right. If these are people you trust, Agent of the Saint, then I trust them too. Since we’re all in the same boat, there’s no reason to keep our distance."

I’m not sure about the same boat thing, though.

Ian turned his gaze over Sera’s shoulder.

"It's been a while, Sir Phaden. Asme."

"It has been a long time, Agent of the Saint. I am glad to see you again. The Blazing Goddess must be protecting you."

The middle-aged knight standing next to Mukapa, Phaden, answered politely. The maid standing beside him, Asme, also bowed slightly and bent her knees.

Nodding, Ian looked at Seras. "Then let us proceed to the residence. Please return to the carriage."

"Is it quite far from here?" asked Seras.

Ian nodded. "Both the main building and the annex are on the other side of the city."

"All the better, then." Smiling more deeply, Seras looked around. "I’d like to see the city as we go. Would you guide me, Agent of the Saint?"

"Is that really necessary?"

"It's my first time not only in the snowfield but also in a city of barbarians. And even more so, a city in the middle of a festival. I may never get a chance like this again. Please."

"Well... if you insist."

Exchanging glances with Phaden behind her, Ian nodded and turned around. Mev followed, her expression unreadable. Thesaya went next, a faint smile playing at her lips.

This city’s going to be in an uproar again.

Ian, looking at the merchant procession that had moved far away near the square, took a step.

"I’ll lead the way. Follow me."

"Yes!" Smiling brightly, Seras immediately fell into step, walking right beside Ian—close enough that their arms nearly brushed.

"... Please keep some distance."

***

Rumble!

Amidst the sound of faint thunder spreading, Seras followed Ian into the hallway of the mansion.

"Thank you."

Rigg, holding the door, bowed in response.

Smiling gently, Seras added, "It was impressive, in many ways."

"Compared to the capital’s festivals, I imagine it must seem rather plain," Ian said without looking back.

Seras looked back at the companions following behind and said. "But it feels freer. Full of life."

The barbarians continued their festivities without paying the outsiders much mind. Thanks to that, Seras was able to take in the city’s many unguarded, natural moments. How much she enjoyed it hardly needed saying.

She brushed her cheek lightly with her hand and added, "It was intense as well. Even without the sacred flame, I don’t think it would’ve felt cold at all."

"That wouldn't be the case," answered Ian.

As Phaden cleared his throat quietly, Ian turned to the right. A living room came into view, its bare earthen floor exposed. A few pelts were spread across the ground, but the interior was stark—almost brutally simple.

"This is also fresh."

Beyond an unlit pile of firewood sat a long table and plain chairs, utterly devoid of ornamentation. However, Seras's blue eyes, having entered the room following Ian, were rather sparkling.

"I never imagined a place like this would be waiting. Is this the traditional style of the snowfield barbarians?"

"Not at all. It is a mix, half with the civilized style."

Phaden and Asme entered next, followed by Thesaya and Mev. Mukapa tilted his head slightly as he stepped inside.

Rigg, who was standing in the hallway looking up at Mukapa's back, soon shook his head and said, "The drink is on the table. Shall I prepare some meat as well?"

Lightly snapping his fingers to throw a spark into the firewood pile, Ian looked back at Seras. Exchanging glances with Phaden, she shook her head.

"I don't have an appetite after riding the carriage for so long. I'll eat a little later."

"As you wish. Sir Mukapa?" Nodding, Ian turned his gaze.

Mukapa, crossing his arms beneath his cloak, let out a low groan.

"I should eat. I do not intend to interrupt the conversation of the honored guests, though."

"Very well. Rigg?"

"Yes, Great Warrior," Rigg answered at once.

Ian tipped his head slightly to the side. "Could you guide Sir Mukapa? Introduce him to the warriors while you’re at it."

"Yes. I will do so."

"Since he is someone equivalent to a Great Warrior of the Southern Wastelands, tell them not to be rude."

"I will do so. Uh, Sir Mukapa?"

Mukapa turned back. Even under the gaze of the massive orc warrior, Rigg didn’t flinch. He nodded once, then turned toward the hallway.

"Then, I will escort you right away."

"If you run into Nasser, tell him to guard the door," Ian added as Mukapa headed down the corridor.

Once the door closed, a strange stillness settled over the room. Only the crackling of the fire remained, its gentle warmth slowly chasing away the chill.

"Now, then...." Ian broke the silence.

Looking at Mev and Thesaya, his gaze stopped at Seras.

"Shall we properly exchange greetings now?"

Phaden, who had been about to step forward, froze. Seras had raised a hand, stopping him. Turning to face Mev and Thesaya, Seras moved her arm beneath her cloak.

Mev’s eyes widened slightly.

Seras’s blue eyes bled into red as if ink had been dropped into water, and her hair shifted into a lustrous gold. Mev needed no explanation of what that combination signified.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly." Seras, having returned to her original appearance, bowed her head slightly. "I am Princess Seras Astrea. I apologize for concealing my identity. I hope you understand that outside the capital, I had little choice."

"I-I greet Her Highness the Princess." Mev, blinking, eventually bowed her head.

The reason she didn't kneel was likely because she wasn't an Imperial citizen. Thesaya, who had been waiting with a straightened posture, politely bent her knees.

"Long live His Imperial Majesty. May there be infinite glory and prosperity to the Empire...."

"You already knew who I was, Elder, didn’t you?"

At the question, Thesaya bowed her head. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Then thank you for not revealing it. Please, both of you, rise. I would prefer it if you treated me comfortably."

"I would hardly dare," Mev replied politely.

While Phaden nodded with satisfaction, Seras looked back at Ian.

"I understand why Sir Philip is so outstanding. The Agent of the Saint must feel very reassured."

"More than that. Now, let's sit." Smiling, Ian gestured toward the table.

Nodding, Seras naturally headed to the head of the long table. Ian did not take the seat beside her, nor the diagonal opposite, but sat directly across from her instead.

Seras glanced at him and let a faint, wry smile touch her lips.

Thesaya promptly took the seat squarely between the two, pressing her lips together as she cast a meaningful look from side to side.

That's the best seat for watching.

While Ian swallowed a chuckle as he sat down, Phaden and Asme moved to stand behind Seras.

Glancing at Mev standing behind him, Ian said, "Why don’t you all sit?"

"I’m fine as I am, Agent of the Saint."

"This is more comfortable for me."

Phaden and Mev answered almost in unison, exchanging brief nods.

Knights, really....

Shaking his head slightly, Ian reached out his hand.

A flicker of surprise crossed Seras’s eyes. At the center of the table, a cup near the pewter bottle slid smoothly toward her, as if guided by an unseen hand.

"So you truly inherited the Sacred Blood of the First Emperor."

"As expected. You've already heard everything." Ian smiled and lifted the bottle into the air.

Watching it tilt over her cup, Seras nodded. "In very great detail. Young Master Simon has excellent eloquence."

"You should keep in mind that his skill in exaggeration is also excellent."

"Of course. I cross-checked everything with Sir Mukapa."

Nodding at the following answer, Ian poured wine into Thesaya's cup as well.

As he pulled the bottle back into his hand, Seras added, "But seeing it with my own eyes is still astonishing. To inherit the Sacred Blood in this manner... You may well be the only one in history to do so. Strictly speaking, you could even be considered a cadet branch of the royal family now."

"Though real Imperial blood doesn't flow in me." Ian corrected lightly, pulling a cup toward himself. "Did you guide Shahin well to Philip?"

Behind him, Mev held her breath as Seras nodded. "Yes. He promised to train him to the best of his ability. He seemed quite taken with the boy. I was as well."

"You too, Your Highness?" Ian asked back while tilting the wine bottle.

A curious smile touched Seras’s lips. "He’s a clever child. It confirmed your judgment once again. I even heard that Young Master Simon didn’t hold back during questioning at the Great Church."

"So he really went all the way there." Ian set the bottle down and shook his head.

Thesaya also curled up the corners of her mouth.

Tracing the rim of her cup, Seras nodded.

"Even with Sir Philip accompanying him, it took great courage. He did everything he could to clear the name of the Agent of the Saint and the Great Platinum Dragon."

"I doubt he succeeded."

"I wouldn’t call it a failure. The excommunication of the Platinum Dragon was postponed."

Ian's eyes widened slightly.

Looking into his eyes, Seras added, "Your achievements were recognized. Subjugating the archdemon beyond the Wall and the one in the inner sea. As well as delivering firsthand information about the situation beyond the Wall."

"That’s... a relief." Ian let out a dry chuckle. That Simon would actually persuade the Great Church, even partially, was something he hadn't expected at all.

"They said the final judgment would be made after meeting in person."

Ian paused at her next words.

"I heard the Platinum Dragon summoned you. Did you suggest presenting itself before the Grand Church?"

"We likely won’t see the Platinum Dragon again in our lifetime. It has fallen into a deep sleep," Ian answered calmly and met Seras’s crimson eyes.

Seras’s eyes widened slightly. Swallowing, she asked, "As a consequence of destroying the Black Wall? Entering hibernation?"

"That’s not the only reason."

Ian looked down at his wine cup as if conflicted for a moment, then said, "The Platinum Dragon fought alongside me against the sealed Heaven Defier."

"The Heaven Defier?" Seras murmured blankly.

Behind her, Phaden looked equally stunned. Even Asme, who was usually expressionless, parted her lips slightly.

"Oh, Lu Solar. So the stories were true. The Heaven Defier Dragon wasn’t slain, but sealed somewhere beneath the earth." Seras gasped.

"You knew?"

"There is a restricted archive in the palace, accessible only to those of royal blood. It contains many ancient texts. I read them as a child. I never believed them, of course...."

Seras stared intently at Ian. It probably meant she had confirmed the truth thanks to him just now.

When Ian shrugged, she added, "Did that evil dragon finally meet its end this time?"

"It had followers who worshiped it as a god. I suspect they were members of the Round Table. In its final moments, the Heaven Defier split its soul and fled into them."

"Such... cursed deeds...." Phaden lamented blankly.

The reason they didn't deny the unbelievable story was likely because it was Ian's testimony. Ian picked up his cup.

The story was hard to believe, but no one questioned it. After all, it was Ian who had said it.

"But it will never be able to reclaim its original body. Even if its divided souls were to reunite, it could no longer be called a dragon. So for now, it may as well be dead."

"Instead. There will be heretics somewhere within the Empire, harboring fragments of a dragon’s soul," Seras murmured almost to herself as she picked up her cup. "Reporting this to the Great Church would resolve the problems."

"That is, if they believe it," replied Ian.

Thesaya lifted her wine cup and held it out, one corner of her lips curling in a way only Ian could see.

Meeting her gaze, Ian raised his cup and said, "It's strong, so just wet your lips."

The princess wasn’t particularly good with alcohol. Following Ian and Thesaya, Seras brought the cup to her mouth, then frowned and let out a soft cough.

"It really is strong."

"How has Philip been?" Ian asked with a smile.

Seras nodded while stroking her throat. "There were many difficulties, but things have settled down. He’s been staying in the Papal States for some time now. He asked me to tell you he’s waiting for your call."

"Excellent." The corners of Ian’s mouth lifted on their own. He’d already been satisfied simply knowing Philip hadn’t followed Seras here. Behind him, Mev let out a small sigh of relief.

"Elia is doing well, too. She kept in touch with Sir Philip and me, and now she’s a proper scholar, even an assistant professor. She’s researching the aftereffects of the Black Wall."

"Well, she was always sharp."

Ian smiled, recalling his dwarf goddaughter. Except for her excessive interest in dark magic, she was flawless.

"They say she recently discovered two spells related to the void. She seems to be exceptional in the field of designing and restoring spell circuits as well."

"That’s unfortunate," Ian sighed, the smile fading.

Seras, holding a faint smile, added, "Before coming here, I also attended a banquet hosted by House Sonnier."

"A banquet?"

Receiving Ian's gaze, Seras shrugged.

"It was a banquet prepared with Young Master Simon as the central figure. Sir Philip took on the escort duty, and the young master played his role splendidly."

Thesaya let out a short laugh and hurriedly covered her mouth, sending an apologetic glance with her eyes alone.

Ian’s lips, too, curled upward again. "It must have been the best day of his life."

"So he says. Thanks to that, your name is being spoken everywhere in the capital’s social circles, Agent of the Saint. They call you a demigod who roamed the Black Lands and slew archdemons."

Of course it is...

He’d already heard how Simon was spreading the tale through the frontier settlers.

Soon, taking a sip of wine, he added, "It’s not just the social circles who know, is it?"

Seras's smile stiffened slightly.

Putting down the wine cup, Ian looked at her. "His Majesty knows as well."

"... Yes. My father knows everything. My brother, Sir Mukapa, and I explained everything to him ourselves." Seras answered calmly.

Glancing at Thesaya, who was looking at them meaningfully, Ian added, "It seems he’s preparing for war. He’s requested reinforcements from Archduke Olaf."

"I thought as much," Seras murmured, narrowing her eyes.

It seemed she’d only just learned that the Emperor had contacted the Archduke.

"I told him he should ask for your help, Agent of the Saint."

"Well, perhaps he simply assumes I’ll join him, regardless."

Ian faced Seras.

"Or, he doesn't trust me."

Seras froze, her hand still wrapped around her cup. The only one moving was Thesaya, who was sipping her drink with a look that said she was enjoying this far too much.

"That’s why you came all this way, isn’t it? To confirm my intentions, and to persuade me." Ian added calmly.

Seras finally exhaled the breath she’d been holding and lowered her eyes, swallowing dryly.

"Such intentions... were not absent but...."

After steadying herself, she brought the cup to her lips and swallowed a mouthful.

A moment later, she grimaced deeply and added, "My true purpose is to ask the Agent of the Saint for a favor—no, a request."

"Request?" Ian’s eyes flickered.

Seras set her cup down and nodded. "Yes. Please stand with the royal family. At this rate..."

She faltered, her lips trembling. Drawing in a deep breath, she let it out in a slow sigh.

"...At this rate, my father will lose to my uncle."