I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 681

As the eyes of everyone present widened in turn, Lucas bowed his head slightly and finished his report.

"For that reason, I regret to say that I was unable to hear His Grace’s reply, nor bring back a response."

"So the situation had already begun by the time you arrived?" Ian asked, watching him for a moment before lifting his cup to his lips.

Lucas shook his head.

"No. I should have explained this first. After reading the letter from the Agent of the Saint, His Grace was visibly shaken. He then ordered me to withdraw and remain on standby."

Lucas looked down at his nearly empty cup, his eyes narrowing.

"For ten full days, there was no further word. I requested permission to return, but the only answer I received was to wait."

Lucas let out a low sigh and looked at Ian.

"Then, three days later, a messenger arrived from Badifel, reporting an invasion. After that, new reports began pouring in one after another."

Ian’s eyes narrowed.

It’s playing out just as expected.

Had he followed the current and clashed with the Archduke head-on, the outcome would have been catastrophic. Both sides would have suffered heavy losses, and neither would have been able to respond in time.

"The northernmost front collapsed. Badifel and two other fortresses fell, with only a few troops surviving and retreating."

"Dammit, Lu Entre..." Miguel groaned low.

"Was that the last news you heard before leaving Travelga?" Thesaya asked.

"Yes, Elder."

"Then the information is at least a week old. By then, was there still nothing known about the invading monsters?"

"Yes. Neither the reason for the invasion nor the exact scale was identified. Likely due to the blizzard and darkness. However, some messengers claimed to have seen purple shimmering trails or winged shapes flapping in the air." Lucas forced a bitter smile as he answered Thesaya.

"Wings..." Thesaya murmured, narrowing her eyes.

Ian finally set down his cup. "How did the Archduke respond?"

Lucas swallowed, his throat visibly tight. "He stated he would gather all troops at Calbrook, except for a portion of the outer defensive units."

"Calbrook... That’s practically the final defensive line of the northeast," Miguel said, frowning.

It seemed to be an area serving a role similar to Bellium, where Ian had fought the Corrupted Dragon in the past.

Lucas sighed briefly and nodded. "Considering the time needed to regroup and the scale of the gathering forces, it is an unavoidable choice. The troops from the First and Second Gates have likely already arrived at the fortress to form a defense line."

"Are you going there too, Commander?" Ian asked, refilling his own cup and sending the bottle toward Lucas with the Willful Grasp.

Lucas accepted the drink with a bitter smile. "Only the troops dispatched from the front are going there. They likely already left. I am heading to Travelga. I plan to join the Ninglosth defense forces and proceed from there."

"So Ninglosh was part of the outer perimeter," Ian murmured.

It was a city he, Charlotte, and Thesaya had once passed through when they first entered the snowfields. That explained how Lucas had been able to reach Hope City even now.

As Lucas raised his cup, he nodded again. "The garrison from the Fifth Gate Fortress is there as well. By now, they should have finished their preparations."

"So, you’ve come to ask the Agent of the Saint for help?" asked Thesaya.

Lucas paused, then lowered his cup and bowed his head. "I would be lying if I said I didn’t wish to. But how could I possibly ask such a thing?"

Ian’s eyebrow twitched slightly as he lifted his cup.

"It is a situation His Grace brought upon himself. All while trying to keep the Agent of the Saint in check," Lucas added, a bitter smile gracing his lips once more. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Hmm..." Thesaya let out an amused sound, lips curling.

A faint arc also touched Ian's lips as he sipped. He hadn't expected Lucas to think this way.

"Though there have been losses, the northern army remains intact. Had His Grace not withdrawn troops to the Wall, the front would never have collapsed in the first place."

Meeting Ian’s gaze, Lucas added, "So please do not worry, Agent of the Saint. More importantly, there may be monsters flowing into the snowfields—"

"Well, I am worried," Ian interrupted.

"—so please handle them well... Pardon?" Lucas blinked a beat late at Ian’s abrupt remark.

Ian looked at him. "Because from where I’m standing, those monsters sound like servants of an archdemon."

"Arch... demon?" Lucas’s eyes widened slightly.

He was clearly shocked—but the weight of it hadn’t fully sunk in yet. That was only natural. To him, an archdemon was still something closer to legend than reality.

"The Godmother of the Feathered Crown. Right?" Thesaya interjected.

As Lucas and Ian turned to her, she glanced to the side and smiled. "I just remembered hearing about it before."

"Oh, Lu Solar..." Nasser gasped. He looked at Ian and added, "You believe Akihatara has invaded."

"Yes." Ian nodded.

He had several reasons to be certain, but he didn't intend to explain them. There was no need.

"So, in a sense, it is fortunate the troops had withdrawn. The casualties were likely minimized because of it," said Ian.

What mattered now was something else entirely.

Meeting Lucas’s eyes again, Ian lowered his voice. "But if we leave things as they are, nothing will change."

"You believe the defense forces will be wiped out?" Lucas asked at last. He’d been listening with his mouth ajar. Only now was a realistic sense of crisis blooming in his eyes.

"Hard to say. The Northern Army is strong. They might hold this time. Even so, the losses will be severe. And they won’t be able to kill the archdemon. It will retreat, rebuild its forces, and return. Before long."

That could be when the future Ian had foreseen truly came to pass.

As Lucas swallowed, Ian lifted his cup again. "So before that happens, I must hunt it down now."

"Commander, proceed with your orders. This has nothing to do with you. I’ll cross the empty gate fortress on my own. Of course..." Ian stared into Lucas's wide eyes for a moment, then curled his lip slightly. "It would be even better if, by some luck, I could secure extra weaponry remaining in the armory."

"Oh, Demigod of the North..." Instead of an answer, a low, reverent murmur escaped Lucas’s lips, as though he were witnessing something divine.

Was it too much to ask? Ian wondered briefly.

Lucas bowed his head and said, "I wish to follow you as well."

That was enough to make Ian furrow his brow.

Lucas raised his head with determined eyes. "Please allow me to fight alongside you, Agent of the Saint. I will bring the fortress garrison and the forces from Ninglosth. I will persuade them. It won't be difficult."

"It would be best not to defy His Grace’s orders," Ian replied, his brow still furrowed.

Lucas shook his head at once. "Travelga’s defenses are sufficient as they are. I would rather lend my strength where even one more life can be saved. If that is a crime, I’ll gladly pay the price."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Besides, I have already disobeyed His Grace’s orders. I was specifically instructed to prevent news of the invasion from reaching you."

"Of all things to hide! That damned—" Miguel spat out a curse in disbelief.

Mev’s eyes twitched, and Thesaya and Nasser scoffed almost simultaneously. Ian also let out a hollow laugh.

Shaking his head, Ian raised his cup. "Do as you please."

"Thank you, Agent of the Saint!" Lucas responded, placing a fist over his chest.

Ian took a sip of his drink and indifferently added, "We need a full day to finish preparations. We will depart the day after tomorrow. Commander, get some sleep and return to the fortress."

"I am grateful for your concern, but I can still hold on."

"Don’t tell me you plan to leave immediately?" Ian asked with a frown.

Lucas nodded. "Yes. That’s why I came alone. I need to dispatch a courier to Ninglosth while there’s still time. Also, the Dragon Slayer’s Warriors are gathered there."

"Why are they there?"

"Trude left word. Since they can no longer pass through the gates fully armed, they’re waiting in Ninglosth."

Both Ian and Miguel smiled.

After exchanging a glance, Ian added, "Tell them to assemble at the fortress. And to gather every usable weapon they can find in the cities along the way."

"I will do so."

"You and your adjutant may be fine, but your horses won’t be. I’ll lend you mine. Mukapa?" Ian said, looking toward the hallway.

Mukapa appeared at once, head bowed. "Yes."

"Saddle Nila. Tell it to take good care of the commander—and to wait for us."

"Understood."

Mukapa turned and left. Almost simultaneously, Lucas rose from his seat. Pulling his hood low, he looked around at the group once more before meeting Ian’s eyes and bowing deeply.

"We’ll be waiting with the gate wide open, Demigod of the North."

Ian nodded, and Lucas turned and faded into the distance.

"Good heavens... I might actually live to see an archdemon myself," Nasser muttered as soon as the door closed.

Miguel followed with a weary laugh. "Yeah. Damn it all—I spent my whole life hoping I’d never see one."

"I meant that I’m looking forward to it."

"Of course you did. Bloody hell."

"Don’t sulk, Prosthetic. I’m not exactly thrilled either. Still, I had a feeling this was coming the moment it came up," said Thesaya.

Mev, who had been watching Ian with gentle eyes, said, "It was a noble decision, Ian. As always."

"It's only because if the defense forces crumble, we are next. This is simply the way to minimize our damage," said Ian.

Of course, the ominous foresight and the potential quests and experience points from the archdemon and its minions were much bigger reasons. Still, he had no intention of saying that aloud.

Thesaya grimaced and looked between the two of them. "But can we even make it in time? The schedule sounds tight."

"That's why we need to hurry." Ian turned to her and tipped his chin. "Tell the Council of Elders to convene immediately. Adjust the schedule so we can move by the morning after tomorrow."

"Got it. I’ll do it." Smacking her lips, Thesaya rose from her seat.

Ian scanned Mev and Nasser. "Sir, tell the centurions to prepare. And make sure no minors are included in the expedition."

"I will."

"Nasser, you take the horses—"

"Feed them until they burst, right? Understood."

Following Mev and Nasser, Miguel stood up and turned around. "I'll inform the craftsman and priests. We'll need covered braziers to march through this blizzard."

Once they were gone, only the soft crackle of the fire remained. Ian, who had been quietly sipping his drink, let out a low hum.

Did Hyked's movement stir the flow of chaos in the Black Lands?

It was a conclusion he’d reached after quietly turning the thought over. Of course, it wasn't the important part. Shaking off his thoughts, Ian set down his cup and stood up. He had work to do as well.

This time, she might really say she’s going back.

He had to inform the princess, who likely knew nothing of the situation.