I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 690

Low-hanging storm clouds churned overhead as the blizzard raged on.

Crunch— crunch—

Legionnaires trudged through the snow-covered valley, their eyes fixed on the heels of the person ahead. Though the sacred fire burning in two braziers helped blunt the worst of the storm and bolster their stamina, the unbroken march remained punishing.

Their only consolation was that their destination lay close at hand, though most were still entirely unaware of this.

Seated in Nila’s saddle, Ian was among the few who did. His gaze pierced the darkness and swirling snow without effort. As the rolling clouds took on a faint purple hue, he pulled his hood lower.

Rumble—

Thunder split the air, the sound resonating through him. For a single instant, the world beyond the storm was laid bare. A vast wall stretched endlessly along the valley’s ridgeline, rising like a colossal folding screen.

Even after darkness reclaimed the land, Ian continued to study the silhouette. It reminded him of the Northern Barrier.

So this is the final defense line.

According to Lucas, the wall extended downward from the Northern Barrier itself. The original plan had been to encircle the Northern heartlands completely, which was why such an enormous concentration of troops could be stationed there.

It wasn’t nearly as tall as the wall rising from the snowfields, but it was sturdy enough that only a meteor dropping on it, like in the old days, could make it budge.

—It’s close, but looks like we’re not too late.

Ian nodded faintly at the whisper in his mind and shifted his focus to the spires jutting up from the wall’s center. They had reached the Calbrook Fortress.

The lower walls enclosing the fortress stretched farther than he had expected. Judging by the clusters of rooftops beyond them, the fortress also functioned as a city.

By now, the residents had likely been fully evacuated, their homes repurposed as temporary barracks for the garrison.

At that moment, Ian turned his head to the left.

Crunch— crunch—

The sound of hooves grew closer. Mev approached with her face uncovered, while Thesaya rode beside her with her hood drawn deep. Thesaya, too, had clearly seen through the storm.

Faint lights were beginning to dot the length of the wall ahead.

"Will you take the lead, Your Excellency? We will reorganize the formation and follow," Mev asked, her tone formal.

Ian nodded without hesitation. "Let’s do that."

Mev dipped her head in a brief bow and turned her horse away. Thesaya, however, did not follow. Instead, she guided her mount up alongside Ian on his right.

Snort...

Moro lifted its head and snorted while staring at Nila.

"No matter how I look at it, this blizzard doesn’t seem natural," Thesaya said.

Yog let out a quiet chuckle.

Ian nodded calmly. "Maybe."

It was a suspicion he had held for some time. No matter how much time passed, the world remained locked in an unnatural dimness. That alone was evidence enough. And Yog had not slept even once.

"Front line! Slow it down!"

"Everyone, break and regroup!"

Shouts rippled through the legion. The wagons split into two columns, and soldiers hurried left and right, reforming ranks according to their units.

It was all part of Mev’s plan. Entering with a proper formation would save precious time when deploying along the front.

—Watching them scramble like that is oddly entertaining. Humans really are...

While Yog whispered mockingly, Thesaya, riding ahead with Ian, said, "There are more troops gathered here than I expected."

Her gaze swept across the wall stretching into the storm. Though her view was obscured, she could still make out flickering lights, fluttering banners, the silhouettes of soldiers, and the outlines of massive ballistas. There were likely even more troops waiting within the fortress.

"That’s because the civil war hasn’t happened," Ian replied evenly.

In a sense, the archduke’s decision to keep most of his forces in reserve had proven to be a blessing in disguise. Otherwise, assembling such a force in one place so quickly would have been impossible. They might have been picked off along the way.

It was far too early to relax, especially if they truly faced two archdemons. Still, having a powerful defensive force in place was hardly a disadvantage.

"That’s good. We can reduce casualties on our side," said The Saya.

Ian turned to look at Thesaya.

She met his gaze and shrugged. "Why? Someone’s going to die anyway. There’s no reason it has to be us."

"Didn’t know you cared about barbarians’ lives."

"Oh? Is that what this is about?" Thesaya flashed a crooked grin and glanced back. "How could I hate those idiots? Watching them just makes me think of Kitty."

Ian’s eyes twitched as he followed her gaze. The legionnaires were now marching in proper formation along both sides of the wagons, receiving the weapons that had been stowed away during the march.

"It looks nice and all, but once the fighting starts, they’ll rush in, trying to get themselves killed. Just like that stupid Kitty."

Her voice dipped, turning faintly sullen. "Can’t let that happen. Honestly, I don’t care if other people die.‌"

Ian let out a quiet snort. In truth, he felt much the same. If it were possible, he didn’t want to lose a single one of them.

"What about the princess?"

"She’s holed up in the carriage with the High Priestess. The two of them keep whispering about something, but I can’t hear a word."

Shrugging, Thesaya glanced at Ian.

"Though I can guess what they’re talking about. Either way, don’t worry. That knight and his squire are watching with their eyes wide open. She won’t be able to do anything reckless. Besides, that attendant looked like a spellcaster too."

How did she notice that?

Ian shifted his gaze forward. Mev, Lucas, and Edith were approaching from ahead of the procession. Like Thesaya, they seemed intent on gathering around him.

As his eyes briefly passed over Mukapa, who stood conspicuously beside the brazier wagon, a faint ringing sound spread through the blizzard.

Ding— ding—

Thesaya stopped short and looked at Ian. "No way."

Instead of answering, Ian stared straight ahead. Even to his ears, the sound was unmistakably coming from the fortress. It could have been a signal warning of approaching monsters.

He focused on the darkness beyond the storm, but only for a moment.

Thesaya’s eyes narrowed slightly. Ian felt the same unease. The bell faded just as quickly as it had appeared, yet there was no visible reaction from the walls or the fortress itself.

—Doesn’t feel like a good sign.

Yog whispered with thinly veiled anticipation as hoofbeats approached from behind.

"So it’s not an attack?" Thesaya asked.

"No. When the fortress is attacked, horns are blown."

The answer came from Lucas. He rode up alongside them as Mev approached on Ian’s left, Lucas keeping pace just beyond her.

Ian, Mev, and Thesaya all turned their gazes toward him.

"They probably spotted us and rang the bell. Most likely because of the light from the braziers. As for why they rang it specifically, I’m not sure." Pausing, Lucas let out a low groan.

Noticing the slight twitch at the corner of Lucas's eye, Ian asked, "Something bothering you?"

Lucas hesitated before answering, "General Harald, commander of the First Legion, is a close aide to His Grace. They’re also in-laws."

"So you think he might be wary of the Agent of the Saint arriving with reinforcements?" Thesaya asked.

Lucas let out another low groan, then shook his head. "Even if he isn’t pleased, he won’t be able to refuse us. Besides, the Second Legion is stationed at the fortress as well. Its commander is General Gelud."

"General Gelud?" Mev asked.

"He fought alongside Your Excellency at Bellium Fortress," Lucas replied, glancing at Ian. "After that, he became a fervent supporter. His appointment as commander of the Second Legion was also recognition for his contributions back then."

"You mean when the Agent of the Saint killed the dragon? Hmm... then yes. No matter how close an aide he is to the Archduke, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to reject reinforcements of this scale. Right?" Thesaya turned to Ian a beat later.

Ian didn’t answer. His gaze was fixed on the fortress walls, now looming closer through the storm.

Sensing the shift, everyone’s attention followed his line of sight. Ian tilted his chin slightly before he said, "I hope I’m wrong, but the gate is closed."

Thesaya’s eyes widened as she snapped her gaze forward. Mev and Lucas exchanged looks, as did Edith riding on Thesaya’s right. Each of them was likely considering a possibility none of them had ever truly entertained before.

"It really is closed."

"They’ve probably sealed them to prevent desertion. Especially now, when they’re meant to face an archdemon," said Edith.

Thesaya's eyes narrowed. "They won’t know that, though. Well, I hope you are right. Personally..."

She glanced at Edith, then looked back at Ian as she finished, "I can’t shake the feeling that the archduke issued some kind of order."

"An order?" Lucas asked.

Exchanging a glance with Mev, Thesaya said, "He’s suspicious by nature. Would it really be strange for him to expect the Agent of the Saint arriving with a volunteer force? If that happens, the credit for stopping the invasion would once again go to the Agent of the Saint."

"Lu Solar... gods above..." Lucas muttered blankly.

It was clearly a line of thought that had never crossed his mind. That sort of reasoning came far more naturally to Thesaya—both a fairy and someone well versed in aristocratic power struggles.

"We’ll know soon enough," Ian said evenly.

Meeting Thesaya’s gaze, he removed his hood and added, "It looks like they’re coming out to receive us."

All eyes turned forward. The wind eased slightly, no doubt because the towering wall now shielded them. The fortress ramparts and the massive metal gate, sealed at their center, were close enough that even the human commanders, Mev included, could see them clearly.

Knights clad in plate armor and cloaks lined the wall above the gate. At their center stood a single middle-aged knight.

He wore an elegant gray cloak, his beard and hair left uncovered. Two adjutants stood at his side, and behind them lingered a hooded figure who was unmistakably a spellcaster.

"That’s General Harald," Lucas murmured.

Ian looked to Mev. At his nod, she raised her right fist above her shoulder.

"Halt—"

"Halt!"

The centurions’ shouts echoed from the rear, and the legion came to a unified stop. Only Ian and those beside him continued forward.

"I’ll step out," Mev said, lowering her visor with a sharp click.

"It might be simpler if I went," said Ian.

"There is an order to things, Your Excellency."

"Then don't delay time with useless words." Ian clicked his tongue lightly and pulled Nilla’s reins.

Moro also came to an abrupt halt, and Lucas and Edith followed suit, each pulling their reins as they drew their visors down in turn.

Crunch— crunch—

Mev advanced alone for a short distance before stopping at a measured point before the gate. She lifted her gaze to General Harald.

"The Demigod of the North, Margrave Ian Hope, has arrived, leading the Crimson Legion and the Ember Priesthood. Open the gate and receive him with due respect."

Her voice rang out, cold and resolute.