Chapter 18

# Episode 018

For a moment, her eyes widened.

"Of course. Ian."

Meb nodded in response.

It seemed she was relieved that Ian did not refuse, as her eyes showed a sense of ease.

She spoke again.

"Since the matter is serious and dangerous, I will promise a suitable reward. If you wish, even a noble title—"

"That's not the issue right now."

Ian cut her off.

"Before that, we need to reconsider the terms of the contract."

"The terms...? Why is that?"

Her eyes showed confusion.

She couldn't understand this part right away.

Ian shrugged and said.

"If your next goal is to find and punish the traitors, the method of continuous travel won't work."

Only then did Meb hesitate.

"...There must be a reason for you to say that."

"It's because you stand out too much. You know that well, don't you?"

A fully armored knight was a rare sight in Agel Rahn.

As such, he would attract attention wherever he went.

Just like when they entered the village.

"You can't avoid the eyes of the traitors."

Meb finally murmured.

Nodding, Ian added.

"You also need to go to the castle immediately. Besides wasting time, once you enter the castle, it won't be easy to leave. I am a witness to the existence of the black mage, and the king is preparing for war."

"Indeed, even in such a situation, the king is preparing for war—"

"Even if the black mage is plotting and there are traitors involved, do you think the king will abandon the war?"

Meb's mouth closed, as if she was at a loss for words. She couldn't be sure what decision the king would make.

"That's why, if I take on a new mission, we need to divide our roles. You inside, me outside."

Looking Meb in the eye, Ian concluded calmly.

"Then we can find more traitors."

The reason he gave was plausible.

Ultimately, it meant he would travel alone.

After all, the quests he needed to complete were mostly related to the corrupt individuals in Agel Rahn.

By continuing with his original plans, he would also complete her mission and the linked quests.

It would be a bonus that she wouldn't fall into the traps of the corrupt.

At least, it would give him some assurance.

Meb, who couldn't know Ian's true intentions, thought for a moment.

"...That makes sense, Ian."

Finally, she spoke.

"But as you said, an external witness to prove the existence of the black mage is still necessary."

"That's true, but now we have more than just me as a mercenary in the group."

"…! That's right. Miguel is here."

Meb's eyes widened in realization.

Regardless of his true character, Miguel looked like a seasoned veteran mercenary.

He was the perfect witness.

This was the moment Miguel's fate was decided, without his knowledge.

"Think about it. What would be the best course of action. We still have time."

Ian added calmly.

He was confident that Meb would accept his proposal.

So far, she had been no match for him in such matters.

"Understood. Let's do it that way."

Nodding, Meb suddenly looked at him and said.

"You're really hard to read. I thought you would ask what I could offer as a reward first."

There's always an order to things.

Ian chuckled inwardly.

"So, that's why you offered a title?"

"It wasn't just for that. I thought you could play a significant role in the kingdom."

"Unfortunately, I'll have to decline that. More money might be a different story."

"Money will eventually come with a fief."

"But in exchange, you can't leave. You'll have to serve the king."

"That's better than a life of wandering."

"There's a reason for that."

Ian's voice grew serious.

He needed to see the end of this world.

He needed to find out who had brought him here.

Even if it was a god, he wanted to hear the reason for this treatment.

If he couldn't hear the reason, he would at least make them pay.

Helping a saint knight who might become a mad avenger, or completing quests to defeat those obsessed with the madness and darkness of the Black Wall, were all part of the process.

"…I see. You have your reasons."

Meb murmured, as if understanding.

Ian picked up the lantern from the rock, shrugging.

"Then can we go back now? I've been wanting to wash up."

"Sure. That's a good idea."

As Meb nodded, Ian turned around, as if he had been waiting for it.

Meb, who had been leaning against the rock, suddenly swayed but quickly regained her composure and followed Ian.

Ian spoke shortly after.

"By the way, what you said was true."

"…What do you mean?"

"Really, a god was watching over me."

"…!"

***

The next day. The group left the village a little after noon.

On both sides of the saddles of the newly bought horses, supply bags were securely fastened.

There were no more villages to pass through before reaching the Tomb Forest.

It also meant they wouldn't have the luxury of returning.

However, the silence among the group was not due to the solemnity of the situation.

Meb, deep in thought about Ian's proposal, had her face mask down and remained silent.

"…"

"…"

Philip and Miguel, who hadn't met each other's eyes since last night, were hesitant to speak, watching Ian's reactions.

In a sense, Ian was at the center of all the silence.

"Hmm…"

As always, he was indifferent to such matters.

Instead, he was content with the rare quiet, focusing on the sensation in his hand.

When Ian slightly opened his hand, a translucent white orb was revealed.

The magic inside swirled like a thick fog.

One of the two purified magic essences from the temple.

This was a precious item, incomparable to magic stones.

Magic stones were merely magic batteries.

Essences, on the other hand, also served as magic amplifiers.

Even Ian, who could only cast intermediate-level spells, could display the firepower of an archmage.

'Pity it's a consumable…'

At least while the essence was active, he would be unmatched in Agel Rahn.

Ian's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he clenched his fist again.

'…I hope there's a chance to test this properly.'

And as always, the opportunity came soon.

The group had fully entered the side path Miguel had mentioned.

Despite its name, it was a grayish, almost red valley's outskirts.

As expected of a path known only to a few, it was narrow and had a lot of ups and downs.

However, the group faced a different kind of obstacle.

"This is ridiculous. We can't even ride the horses."

Philip, dismounting and walking, blurted out.

The grass and trees grew increasingly dense.

At some point, the branches began to obstruct the path.

In the end, everyone had to dismount and move in a line, holding the reins.

Thanks to being right behind Miguel, Philip finally began to voice his complaints.

"You two are suffering, aren't you? If the horses trip and break a leg, it will be a real problem."

"That's true… Damn, this is strange. It wasn't like this before."

Miguel scratched his neck, muttering.

Philip's brows furrowed.

"When was the last time you came here?"

"Let's see. About three or four years ago…? Anyway, it hasn't been more than five years. I went to Balke through this path."

"What? You came here based on a path you took so long ago?"

"Well, the path is still there."

Here we go again.

Ian, walking at the back, clicked his tongue.

But he didn't bother to silence them.

Their conversation contained some useful information.

'Strange, this place feels familiar.'

The surroundings were ominous.

Despite their size, the grass and trees looked withered and lifeless.

At the same time, they felt strangely familiar.

"Clear the path. If you make a mistake, it will be a big problem."

Philip's scolding continued. It seemed he was determined to get back at Miguel for the trouble last night.

"Hey, stop it. I'm doing my best. I warned you it was a dangerous path before we started. What's the big deal if it's a bit rougher?"

"It's not just rough; it's dangerous too."

"But it seems less dangerous than before. When I came here last, it was infested with goblins and gremlins. Unless they've all left, the vegetation wouldn't be this dense."

"Goblins and gremlins?"

It was Ian who interjected.

"Y-Yes. This was their lair."

Miguel answered quickly.

Philip's voice continued.

"How could monsters live here when there's a valley fortress a day's journey away?"

"Who knows about the border areas, but here, soldiers don't just go around killing monsters. Who would bear the cost if they got hurt or killed?"

Miguel added with a snort.

"Unless the damage is significant enough to draw the attention of the lords or if they launch a preemptive attack, no one cares. That's how mercenaries like me make a living."

"If the monsters are hiding here, it will be troublesome for us. Thanks to you."

"They wouldn't be here if the vegetation was this dense. They eat everything in sight, even plants. In the forests where they lived, only barkless trees remained. You should know that. Tsk."

"They might be in a state where they can't eat."

Ian concluded in a low voice.

He was already frowning, looking around.

'This place feels familiar. Could this path lead to the contaminated forest…?'

"What do you mean by 'a state where they can't eat,' sir?"

Reading the ominous tone in Ian's voice, Philip asked.

"Exactly what I said. You've seen them before. Dead things that move."

"Undead…? Can monsters become undead?"

"Usually not, but if the forest itself is contaminated by dark magic, anything is possible. Like the forests in the swamps."

"You've been to that cursed forest? Not just the swamps?"

"Yes."

It was a precious place.

Ian left the rest unsaid.

It was a story from when he didn't have the confidence to fight the Swamp Drake.

Instead, he entered the forest and moved forward recklessly.

He faced all kinds of animals that had become undead, living trees, and mad fairies.

They weren't particularly strong, but the endless forest was the problem.

Ian eventually fled after a few days and never entered any of the forests around the swamps again.

Of course, this forest was a bit different from the one he knew.

From his game experience, the madness of the Black Wall was the cause.

How the madness seeped into this remote forest was unknown.

When he received the quest in the game, the contamination was so severe that even the lord's army couldn't handle it.

From his perspective, this place was very close to the source of the contamination.

"Is it impossible to pass through here before nightfall?"

Ian asked, and Miguel responded with a troubled voice.

"Sunset is only a couple of hours away. We won't make it in that time."

"…Then we need to prepare for a fight."

"Another cursed forest besides the Tomb Forest? And it's only a day's journey from the fortress?"

Philip asked, amazed.

Ian smiled wryly.

"The contamination started recently. This is a rarely visited forest. It will take a while for the news to spread."

After the man-eating plants have eaten at least dozens of people.

It was a curious coincidence.

The contaminated forest was connected to the side path leading to the Tomb Forest.

He hadn't thought much about the connection in the game, but in reality, it was significant.

'It seems they're trying to block the path to the Tomb Forest. …That's why I didn't know about this path.'

Ian spoke.

"So, be careful from now on. The plants have also mutated."

"…Are you saying the grass and trees have become monsters?"

"Yes. You can tell them apart at a glance, so don't touch them."

Plants tainted by the madness of the Black Wall had mutated into various forms of monsters.

Most were carnivorous trees, a kind of trap.

They had noticeable fruits or leaves and attacked reflexively when something touched them.

As a result, many areas were covered with carnivorous trees, making them impassable.

Even after Ian dealt with the source of the curse, they didn't return to their original form.

'If the contamination started here…'

Even at this early stage, they could encounter them at any time.

"Is that… what you're talking about?"

Miguel asked in a cold voice.

The group, having stopped, turned their heads to the direction Miguel was pointing.

A tree, unusually dense, suddenly sprouted beside the path.

The surrounding trees were thin but grew tall, completely blocking the sky.

What made this tree stand out was the red fruit hanging from it, as if inviting a taste.

"Seems like it."

Ian nodded and added.

"It's best not to pass in front of that tree."

Miguel sighed.

"Damn… I've never seen a tree like this before. It's impossible for a tree to grow so much in a few years."

"It's your fault for leading us into this abnormal forest, Miguel."

Philip's retort made Miguel swallow hard.

"How was I supposed to know this would happen in the meantime?"

"Keep talking, and you'll experience what kind of monster it is firsthand."

Ian's words silenced Miguel and Philip.

A brief silence followed.

Ian chuckled and said.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go."

Miguel, pale, swallowed and said.

"…Damn it. Fine. As long as we don't touch it."

He started walking, his legs trembling and his eyes fixed on the tree, but he didn't stop.

Philip, who didn't even breathe, and Meb, walking calmly, followed.

Both were gripping their reins tightly.

'This one hasn't fully grown yet. When it's fully grown, it will look like the one I know.'

Observing calmly, Ian passed the carnivorous tree.

He didn't say it, but the tall trees around were of the same kind, just not fully grown yet.

If other carnivorous trees were like this, it seemed they could still pass through the path.

"By being careful not to touch them…"

As he pulled the reins of the horse that was hesitating to follow, he murmured.

Swoosh!

The leaves of the tree they had just passed suddenly trembled.

Whoosh!

A black something fell like a whip behind Ian.

"…!"

Turning his head, Ian saw a flytrap-like mouth with a gray, saw-like shell clamping down on the horse's head.

The horse, now a flytrap, had a gray, saw-like shell.

It was much smaller than Ian remembered.

The horse, with its head crushed, didn't even let out a final scream.

Crunch!

The mouth, which had crushed the horse's head, quickly rose and disappeared into the dense leaves.

Splat!

The horse, with its neck severed, collapsed, spewing blood.

Ian's eyes, covered in blood, flared with anger.

"Damn… shit…?"