Chapter 38

Orandel's inner castle.

Ian walked down the dim corridor.

Upon entering the inner castle, he first searched the bedrooms of the marquis and the duke's son.

No one stopped him.

It was because everyone regarded him as a knight of Tyr En.

Of course, they were also too busy to pay attention to him.

Declan had to proceed with the formalities of inheriting the marquisate and the governance of the territory, even if it was provisional.

The mercenaries were sorting out the marquis and the duke's son's confidants, identifying and dealing with the corrupt ones.

In effect, a purge.

Since the coup had succeeded, it was a natural process that followed.

"The smell of blood seems to reach even here."

Philip, who was following behind, said.

Ian replied calmly.

"It might soon be covered by a stench, but this is better."

"...That's why I'm saying. Can't we search the basement tomorrow? We've had a battle today, and searching the marquis and the duke's son's rooms should be enough. The evidence won't run away on its own, right?"

"That's true. The castle is swarming with thieves."

"...Ah."

Philip sighed briefly, recalling the mercenaries.

Stepping onto the spiral staircase leading to the basement, Ian continued.

"Everyone is intoxicated by a shallow sense of justice and duty today, but it will be different tomorrow. If the evidence falls into the wrong hands, it will only cause us trouble."

"Indeed. Whatever is hidden, we must take it all. Honestly, I find it hard to believe too."

The flickering candlelight cast a vague shadow on Philip's face.

"To think that the duke is a corruptor... No one would believe it without evidence."

"He seems to have a good reputation."

"More than that. He is the one who travels between territories on behalf of His Majesty to deliver imperial commands and handle the requests of the lords. I've seen him a few times in the border region. He was wise and merciful. I heard he even opposed the war…."

Philip's eyes flickered with sadness.

"To think he was the leader of the corruptors."

"Exactly, which is why he must have deceived everyone perfectly. In that sense…."

The staircase ended.

Ian took in the damp basement.

"Leaving him be, he will eventually destroy the kingdom. It's not my problem, but it will be yours."

"…Of course."

"Then stop daydreaming and move. There must be a secret space the marquis used. If not here, we'll go to the sewers. Don't miss anything."

"Yes."

Philip, who was not surprised by Ian pulling a box out of the air, approached the desk.

He had already come to think that whatever magic Ian showed was just that.

"Hmm."

Ian hummed as he stood in front of the altar.

The last memory associated with such a sphere was so vivid that he didn't immediately reach out.

'Surely... it's not a fragment of chaos. Not a core either.'

Ian was different now.

He could now distinguish chaos energy to some extent.

A change that came from possessing a fragment of chaos.

The chaos energy contained in the polluted magic within the sphere was very faint.

'So, let's see…'

Ian extended his hand.

The magic inside the sphere responded to his touch, rippling.

The moment his hand touched the surface, the purple magic surged up his arm.

Ian was not surprised.

He had intended it to some extent.

He was holding a small amount of chaos energy in his palm.

Perhaps it could connect him to the duke, the mastermind behind everything.

A vision unfolded before his eyes.

It seemed empty, but it was a different scene from what he had seen before.

A space covered in purple and crimson, rippling.

'Another region of the void...? Or is the void not a single entity? Well, there's more than one black hole, after all.'

It was a thought he could have, knowing that the void was the interior of a massive black hole.

Suddenly, he felt someone's gaze.

It was not a transcendent being.

A very blurry silhouette, similar to a human form.

Despite seeing it, he felt no pressure or shudder.

Ian guessed it was the consciousness of another corruptor, spying on this void.

Perhaps the duke.

-Who are you?

The following thought was unexpectedly not hostile.

On the contrary, it was the opposite.

-As an apostle of someone, you have entered the abyss without warning. Could you be an apostle of chaos?

What is this guy talking about?

Ian couldn't help but chuckle at the persistent thoughts.

The corruptor's thoughts, whose age and gender were unknown, flinched.

-If I offended you... please forgive me...

-Why do you think I'm an apostle?

This works.

Surprised that his thoughts were conveyed, Ian asked.

The corruptor's consciousness, which had hesitated for a moment, cautiously replied.

-Well... obviously...

The vision began to blur like a radio with a wrong frequency.

-...Fusion with the chaos of the void...

The thought, mixed with static, disappeared.

The purple magic that had covered Ian's eyes evaporated instantly.

"..."

Ian blinked.

The magic that had filled the sphere was now empty.

Ah, right. It was a consumable.

Philip's voice came from behind.

"What was that just now?"

"I was about to ask you. What did it look like?"

"The magic from the sphere enveloped you and rippled. It seeped into you and then disappeared."

"Oh, is that so?"

Seeping in.

Ian's eyebrow twitched as he pondered.

The fragment of chaos in his mind had grown slightly, barely noticeable without focusing.

A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

It seemed he had gained a special ability that could only be obtained by corrupting in the game.

The total amount of chaos energy could be increased this way.

It added another reason to hunt down and kill the corruptors.

"...Are you alright, sir? I hope you weren't bewitched by the polluted magic."

"From the fact that you're still alive, it seems not. Take care of the items. We've seen everything we need to."

Ian's calm gaze lingered on the empty sphere.

'An apostle of chaos...'

Come to think of it, it might not be entirely wrong.

***

The next morning.

"Is this enough?"

Declan asked as he walked.

Despite being freshly bathed and dressed neatly, he exuded an aristocratic dignity.

"It's enough."

Ian nodded.

It wasn't a lie.

New gloves and boots, shoulder guards reinforced with thin chains, and bands made of unknown leather were all he wore.

All were high-quality items with information verification.

Philip, who followed behind, also wore new armor.

Choosing practicality over uniformity.

A typical mercenary's equipment.

"Then, here. I've put in more than enough. I'd like to give more, but as you know, I now have to consider the finances of the territory."

Shrugging, Declan handed over a money pouch.

"...This is enough too."

Despite his words, the pouch was quite heavy.

Ian smiled and put it in his pocket.

They moved towards the stables outside the inner castle.

Declan suddenly said,

"It's a shame you're leaving after just breakfast."

"We have to finish the mission. Besides, you have a lot to do from now on."

"That's true, but..."

Declan's voice lowered.

Waving to the new stablemaster, Declan suddenly stopped.

"Ian. ...Is it alright to call you by your name?"

"It's fine. Lord Burchard."

Stopping, Ian replied.

A smile appeared on Declan's previously stiff lips.

"It feels strange to be called that. Anyway... as you said, I have a lot to do from now on. I have a lot to think about. My position and everything has changed."

"So, what do you want to say?"

"Will you come back after the mission? I'm not asking you to settle here for life. But it would be nice if you could stay until I get used to all this. I need a capable and trustworthy right-hand man."

Ian chuckled.

A dry but not unpleasant smile.

"You need a right-hand man who can communicate well."

"Of course, that too."

"But unfortunately, I can't accept that request. I can't settle in one place."

"I see... I expected you to say that."

Declan nodded with a bitter smile.

"It was a regretful thing to say. You're the first person who seemed to see through me so clearly."

"Perhaps it's because we have similar traits. I'm also used to deceiving others."

Despite his calm tone, it was enough to surprise Declan.

Ian smirked at his gaze.

"You don't actually like the mercenaries or the people, do you?"

"…How long have you known? How did you know?"

"I don't know... I just did."

"Right. You have a good eye. That's a relief. I thought my acting was terrible. That would be a problem. I have to keep it up."

Finally sighing in relief, Declan made Ian chuckle.

"To worry about your acting skills."

"It's already out, so there's nothing I can do. But it's not wrong. In fact, I'm worried about it now. With the rebellion successful, the mercenaries will start to see through me."

It was a natural concern.

Thanks to Ian, he had the opportunity.

But his original plan was in disarray because of Ian's appearance.

Originally, he intended to roll through the battlefield with the mercenaries, firmly establishing his dominance over them.

Eliminating the uncontrollable ones and taming the rest.

With that process gone, Declan had to find another way to control the unruly mercenaries.

"If you're worried about the wild dogs, bring in hunting dogs to fight them."

Ian said casually.

Declan's eyes sparkled.

"Hunting dogs?"

"There are those who were abandoned by their masters, waiting for death."

"…Ah!"

Declan let out a short exclamation.

He immediately understood that Ian was referring to the surviving commanders and officials from the purge.

"If the new master puts a new collar on them, won't they be grateful? They'll try to please their master and fight the wild dogs."

"I just need to skillfully manipulate the collars of both sides. ...You're amazing, as always."

Declan genuinely admired Ian.

The thought crossed his mind that with this man by his side, he could dream of even greater things.

But he didn't say it out loud.

If he brought up the rejected offer again, the last bit of possibility would disappear.

At that moment, the stablemaster led out a horse.

A glossy black horse.

Declan turned his gaze.

"There's your horse."

"…That doesn't seem to be my horse."

"The horses you came with were too thin. I picked a suitable one. It was your brother's favorite."

"I won't refuse... but..."

"It's also a bribe. Please speak well of me to His Majesty. Say the new lord is deeply loyal to the kingdom."

"It's not difficult. I don't care if it's true or not."

"Indeed. You can't lie to me."

"Well, as long as you don't corrupt. Remember, when temptation comes, you might meet me again."

Then it probably won't be as a friend or ally.

Declan smiled.

"Indeed, a frightening statement. I'll keep it in mind. Meeting you as an enemy is something I don't want to imagine."

"I'll see you again, Lord Marquis."

At that moment, Philip bowed and ran to take the reins.

Ian also moved.

Under Philip's guidance, he mounted the horse skillfully, and Declan watched him.

"One last question?"

"Considering the generous bribe, of course."

"Will His Majesty still wage war despite the conspiracies in the kingdom?"

"You're treating me like a prophet."

A strange smile appeared on Ian's lips as he held the reins.

"But I think it will happen."

"…!"

"And after that, something even worse might happen. It's a world in chaos, after all."

Shrugging, Ian turned the horse's head.

"Do your best. This place is in your hands now."

Ian spurred the horse.

Philip, bowing once more, ran to take the reins.

On the opposite side of the stables, at the castle's back gate, the mercenary and his companion rode away.

Without a single look back, as if with no regrets.

After watching them for a while, Declan turned his gaze.

Pattan was running towards him.

"Have they left?"

"Yes. They've left, Sir Pattan."

Declan, now with a smile, said.

Pattan, laughing at the unfamiliar title, added.

"Let's go. The citizens are all gathered at the castle wall, waiting for the lord's speech."

"What about on the wall?"

"The mercenaries... no, our hundred men, and the surviving officials and commanders are all gathered there."

"Good. Let's go."

"Like this? You should change your clothes."

"It's fine. This looks more natural."

Declan turned and walked.

'Collars for both sides... I need a good reason. I don't want to be hated from the start.'

Pondering the advice, he suddenly turned back.

Ian and Philip were already out of sight.