Chapter 29

Meb, who had momentarily stiffened, asked,

"You can't do it?"

"There's still a request between us, isn't there?"

"Ian, I mean to cancel that request."

Ian shook his head slightly.

"I've never canceled a request I've taken on due to the client's circumstances. Once I accept a request, it's none of my business."

Looking Meb straight in the eye, he added,

"I regret what has happened. But I can't make exceptions."

"……"

Meb's divine power wavered.

It seemed she hadn't expected Ian to react this way.

Philip and Miguel were the same.

They stared at Ian with their mouths agape.

But Ian wasn't finished speaking.

"Moreover, I've never let a client who unilaterally breaks a contract or withholds payment live. If you break the contract…."

Ian adjusted his grip on his sword.

"You'll have to fight me. Until one of us dies."

"Such…."

"Why would it be difficult? If you're going to kill so many people, as you said, what difference does one more make? Of course…."

Ian's gaze swept over Meb.

Her broken shoulder. Her trembling fingertips from exhaustion.

"You might be the one to die."

"……"

Meb's divine power settled quietly.

Behind her visor, her eyes were filled with a mix of anger and disappointment.

Ian met her gaze without flinching.

"Two, two, calm down first—"

Philip, who had hastily interjected, was quickly silenced by Miguel.

As Miguel whispered for Philip to shut up and backed away,

Meb gripped the sword embedded in Vernon's chest.

The sword was slowly pulled out.

"I've already lost someone precious today."

She looked at Ian again.

"…I don't want to lose anyone else."

Meb's divine power subsided.

She sheathed her sword.

Philip and Miguel, who had been tense, let out a sigh of relief and collapsed.

But Ian didn't move and asked,

"You're not canceling it?"

"Yes. Our contract is still valid. But… my revenge remains as well."

"I don't intend to stop your revenge."

Lowering his sword, Ian added,

"I don't know if you'll succeed, though."

"…Are you saying my method is wrong? Or that it's too difficult to do alone?"

Ian didn't bother to explain how abstract her method was or what kind of conclusion she might face by choosing it.

He just shrugged as usual.

"Both."

Meb, who had stiffened, finally let out a long breath.

Clank, the visor lifted.

The face of the knight, filled with sorrow and fatigue, was revealed.

"…If you help me with my revenge?"

"Then things would be different."

Ian sheathed his sword.

After looking at the group, he turned around.

"Let's go. This rotten air isn't something to talk about underground."

Of course, there were still things to sort out before that.

***

It was already midnight.

Miguel had built a bonfire at the entrance of the underground tomb.

With the black mage gone, ironically, this place became the safest spot to spend the night.

"You were impressive, sir."

Miguel, who had laid strips of jerky on sticks by the fire, turned to Ian.

Ian, who had been resting, only moved his lips.

"What are you talking about?"

"Stopping the lady."

Looking at the two who were arranging Vernon's body in the distance, Miguel lowered his voice.

"You knew the lady wouldn't kill you, even if she was blinded by rage, right?"

"Maybe not."

"What do you mean? Unless you were crazy, in that dangerous situation, you really…."

Miguel's mouth gaped when he saw Ian's eyes.

"…You were serious. You could do it."

"Once you start making exceptions, there's no end to it."

He didn't intend to kill, but he had swallowed his words.

In fact, he had planned to subdue Meb by severing one of her arms.

He couldn't stop her from becoming an avenger, but he didn't want to see her die a dog's death.

It was unexpected that Meb had sheathed her sword first.

She was clearly seething with hatred and madness, and it wouldn't have been easy to suppress it.

"What do you mean, no end to it?"

At that moment, Philip sat down beside him.

"You don't need to know, but take this."

As Miguel handed over the jerky, Meb sat opposite Ian.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

While Philip and Miguel looked away and chewed on the jerky,

"Are you alright?"

Ian broke the silence.

Meb looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"You've become an avenger. A lot must have changed for you."

"…Yes."

Meb looked at her hands.

"From now on, the goddess will only grant me divine power for revenge."

An extreme restriction.

But in return, she would wield even greater power in her quest for revenge.

'The constraints of being an avenger are gone. …Now, I can do anything for my revenge.'

While Ian nodded,

"I don't regret my choice. But not being able to kill the black mage with my own hands will be a lifelong regret… I abandoned both the greater good and my revenge, driven by personal feelings."

Meb, who had muttered this self-deprecatingly, looked at Ian.

"How did the battle with him go?"

"It was the same as usual. We fought, and I killed him."

Ian threw a cloth bag he had set aside to her.

"It's the black mage's head. You can take it back."

"……"

Meb opened the bag and looked at Conraud's head inside.

Her eyes were filled with mixed emotions.

Philip, who had been rolling his eyes, finally spoke up.

"So, did you… kill him with magic?"

Ian, who had been wondering why he hadn't said it earlier, replied indifferently.

"Something like that."

"…Philip. I'm giving you advice for your own good."

Miguel, who clicked his tongue, interjected.

"You need to improve your perception. Or think before you speak."

"What do you mean…?"

"Why would sir hide his magic? He probably didn't want to reveal it. If he had used it to save us, you should express gratitude, not ask questions. And pretend you didn't notice. Perception."

"……"

Philip, whose mouth was shut, finally turned to Ian.

"I'm sorry, sir. And thank you. I'll take your secret to the grave."

As Ian nodded, Meb set down the cloth bag.

"…Since the request is completed, it's time to pay the fee."

She looked at Ian.

"We agreed that you would receive additional payment for killing the black mage. What do you want?"

"Hmm…."

Ian scratched his chin.

Originally, he had planned to demand all the spoils from killing the black mage.

But since Meb had made concessions, there was nothing more to ask for.

He couldn't refuse, though.

Ian shrugged.

"Give me what you think is appropriate."

"Appropriate…."

After a moment's thought, Meb stood up.

She then removed the sword from her belt.

"Will you accept this sword?"

Philip and Miguel, as well as Ian, were momentarily wide-eyed.

Philip stammered.

"Sir, that's a sword made of imperial steel, isn't it…?"

"Then it should be a fitting reward."

Meb extended the sword.

To think she would give it.

Admiring her generosity, Ian accepted the sword without hesitation.

In the game, this sword was a spoil that could only be obtained by killing her.

The Avenger's Sword.

'The Sword of Judgment…'

But now, it not only had a different name but also different stats.

Back then, it was almost broken and irreparable.

Now, it had no penalties.

Most importantly, it had a power he had never seen in the game.

A level 2 Judgment Strike with a 24-hour cooldown, but no cost to use.

It was a unique-grade sword, but practically a holy relic.

The game didn't have such a thing, probably because it had lost its divine power by being drenched in innocent blood.

"As you heard, it's made of imperial steel and has been with me for a long time. It's not a famous sword, but it will be helpful."

"…This is a famous sword."

Ian, holding the hilt, lightly flicked his wrist.

Good balance.

But it was much heavier than it looked.

He wouldn't be able to wield it as easily as Meb with his strength.

'I'll try to adapt as much as possible, and if not, I'll level up my strength a bit more.'

Given that he kept breaking weapons.

If he could use this famous sword for a long time, he could afford the expense.

While Ian continued to examine the sword,

Meb turned to Miguel, who couldn't hide his envy.

"I'll also give you a fitting reward, Miguel."

"Really, sir?!"

"In return, accompany me to the capital."

"Eh…? To the capital?"

Miguel, who had widened his eyes, looked puzzled.

"I have another request for you. I want you to be a witness to the events here for the king."

"Witness…? But, don't we already have all the evidence?"

Miguel, who seemed uneasy about meeting the king, asked hesitantly.

Meb shook her head.

"The king has his advisors. Some of them are traitors. To prevent them from refuting, we need not only evidence but also witnesses. The more, the better."

"Then, what about Ian sir…?"

"I'm going to Ordell."

"Ah, right… Damn…."

Miguel, who groaned, nodded.

"It's not like I'm making up a story. I'll go with you."

"Thank you. Even if there are dangerous moments, don't worry. I'll protect you."

"Danger…? Ah, whatever. Even if it's dangerous, it can't be as bad as a tomb full of undead, right? I'm fine."

You've grown a bit, haven't you?

Ian, who had a sword on his belt, chuckled, while Meb turned to Philip.

"I have a request for you, Philip."

"Yes, sir. Just say it."

"You'll go with Ian."

"Me…?"

Philip, who looked bewildered, asked.

Ian's brows furrowed as Meb continued.

"Even if it's a request, I can't send a valuable… witness and mercenary like Ian alone. I want you to assist Ian and be a witness to the events he encounters."

"But, sir. I need to stay with you."

"Miguel is here. Can you be my vassal, Miguel?"

"Of course, sir."

Miguel said with a grin.

Philip sighed, looking at a loss.

Ian, who had been watching him with a strange look, finally spoke.

"I understand your intentions, but this request is dangerous. This guy might die. Is that okay?"

"……!"

Philip, who widened his eyes, turned to Ian.

Meb nodded.

"Philip is a capable vassal and warrior. He should be prepared for such a situation."

"I'll take it to mean you won't blame me if something happens."

"Sir…!"

Ian chuckled, while Philip turned to Meb again.

She added sternly,

"You'll learn a lot from traveling with Ian, Philip. Serve him diligently and learn as much as you can."

"…Yes."

Philip finally nodded, though reluctantly.

What is he thinking, leaving me alone with him? Does he have two lives?

Ian, who inwardly scoffed, was looked at by Meb again.

"From this moment, you are my representative, Ian. I want you to thoroughly investigate the entire case of the Ancient Water. And come back alive."

"Don't worry about me. You should be worried about yourself."

Ian, who had suddenly become cold, said.

"Don't kill anyone or reveal your true intentions. If you want to achieve your revenge, you need to be cautious. …At least until I return."

Meb, who seemed to have been caught off guard, bit her lower lip.

Ian added,

"You need to be alive to pay for the information I find."

Meb finally nodded.

"I swear. I won't cause any trouble until you return."

A strange silence fell again.

"Have we discussed all the important matters now?"

Surprisingly, it was Miguel who broke the silence.

"Since we won't see each other for a while. One last…."

He pulled out a tightly wrapped bottle from his bag.

"What do you think?"

It was a bottle of wine.

Despite the chaos, the fact that it hadn't broken was secondary, and the fact that Miguel had brought wine to a dungeon was impressive.

Instead of scolding him, Ian looked at Meb.

After a moment, Meb nodded.

"I don't enjoy drinking, but… I want to today."

"You made the right decision! We've faced death together, we can't part without sharing a drink."

The group drank until they were thoroughly drunk and fell asleep.

They exchanged light-hearted jokes and tales of adventure, avoiding any heavy topics.