Chapter 39

"Are you not worried?"

Philip, who had been walking, suddenly spoke.

Ian, who had been reading the third volume of the records taken from the marquis's secret room, replied indifferently.

"About what?"

"Ortendel. From what I see, there are many things that are unsettling. Even without the conversation between you and the lord."

"Finally, you've learned to think. It's a cause for celebration."

"Do you feel the same way, sir?"

Ian shrugged.

As Philip said, there were still many sources of unease in Ortendel.

Including Declan himself.

But it didn't bother him.

In a world heading towards destruction, ultimately, the changes individuals could create had their limits.

Since he had prevented Ortendel from falling into the hands of the fallen, this could be considered a satisfactory conclusion.

"Stop worrying. Is this the time for you to be concerned about Ortendel?"

Philip's face suddenly became tense at the added words.

"Indeed. You're right. The problem with Agel Ran is the most significant and urgent. In that sense..."

He nodded.

"Have you found anything?"

"Not yet. It's best to hope for something. If there's nothing... the day we return to Agel Ran might be delayed."

"..."

Philip's face tensed.

Actually, Ian wasn't too worried. The fallen, like mages, tended to record their deeds.

The content varied greatly depending on whether it was evidence of betrayal or self-aggrandizement due to overconfidence.

The marquis seemed closer to the former.

As he continued to read all sorts of trivial knowledge and information he didn't really want to know.

"There it is."

Ian muttered.

Philip, who had been looking anxious, turned his head sharply.

"What? What is it?"

Ian pushed the document he was reading towards Philip.

Philip blinked.

"I don't see anything."

"Really?"

Ian smiled and infused mana into the emblem on the cover.

Words suddenly appeared on the paper.

"Now?"

"...It's a magic book."

"Exactly. Perfect for recording things you don't want others to see."

He hadn't thought that a clean notebook among so many records would seem suspicious.

"So, what's written in it?"

"A list. The marquis really didn't trust anyone. Not only the names of those mentioned, but also personal information he investigated."

This guy really wanted to be king.

A sneer spread across Ian's lips.

But even he, the old deer, didn't seem to know Regis Brant's true purpose.

Nowhere in the summaries of their secret meetings or conversations was there any mention of transforming all of Agel Ran into a demonic realm.

The detailed plan was to establish a coalition state led by the fallen, create an immortal army using forbidden knowledge from the abyss, and expand their power.

Their grand ambition was to swallow up the border states and eventually threaten the empire.

'In the end, they're all just Regis's puppets.'

Ian thought he understood Regis Brant's methods.

He must have incited the secret ambitions and desires of the powerful and knowledgeable, pushing them to cross the line.

Of course, he must have made countless promises that their desires would be fulfilled.

But in Ian's view, if Agel Ran were transformed into a demonic realm, all that would be nullified.

When that time came, the fallen would have to submit, whether they wanted to or not.

Or perhaps, they would be mere sacrifices.

'With such madmen secretly operating across the continent, how could this world not be doomed?'

And yet, humans were still plotting wars against each other.

Ian, who was shaking his head, was looked at anxiously by Philip.

"What names are there? Are there any you recognize?"

"Regis Brant is definitely there."

Ian's hand paused as he flipped through the pages.

"Frederick Henson..."

"...Who is that?"

"A priest in Balk. He was close to the lord. Oh, Hannah Burton. That's a name I recognize."

"Who is she?"

"A noblewoman in Balk. Not a formal noble, though."

"...So they were hiding throughout the kingdom. I suggest sending a raiding party. If not, we should report to the empire-"

"There's no need."

"..."

Philip tilted his head.

"Dead? Who...?"

Ian's gaze made Philip's eyebrows rise.

"You, sir?"

"It wasn't intentional. They tried to cheat me out of my fee or stab me in the back, so I had no choice. I only found out they were fallen right before I killed them."

"The lord of Balk Castle wouldn't have just stood by, would he?"

"Actually, he was pleased."

"Really?"

"He was the only one who knew. With those who shared power and meddled in his affairs dead, it was all for the better. Plus, the evidence of their fall was clear. He even offered money to keep it secret. He didn't want the matter to escalate. After that, I was exiled, but anyway. Half of the names here..."

Ian added with a smirk.

"I think I killed them."

"..."

Philip, who had been stunned for a moment, finally spoke.

"You are truly... an extraordinary person. With this, you could be called the protector of Agel Ran without any shame."

"I've never done anything for Agel Ran. So don't add any strange adjectives to my name."

Ignoring Ian's cold voice, Philip added.

"Then perhaps you were born to defeat the fallen."

"..."

That was a convincing argument.

After all, Ian Hope, his physical form, was, strictly speaking, the protagonist of the game.

Getting entangled with the fallen, monsters, and demons wherever he went was, in a sense, inevitable.

The quests related to them had the best rewards, so he had no choice but to do them to become stronger.

"Anyway, it's a good outcome. If we can thoroughly root out the source of corruption, the remaining fallen will lose their foundation."

A smile spread across Philip's lips.

"Now we just need to go to Agel Ran. As soon as possible."

"Hmm."

Ian, who had safely stored the book in a subspace, hummed in response.

Philip, frowning, looked up at him.

"You're not planning to stop somewhere else, are you?"

"Shut up. I'm thinking."

"..."

Ian, ignoring Philip's gaze, was conflicted.

He could almost see what would happen if he went to Agel Ran now.

After everything was over, he would probably have to leave Agel Ran.

He wouldn't be able to return for a while, just like in the game.

It also meant parting with the quests that were still left.

He had no regrets about leaving Agel Ran, but not about this.

'Although I've been to all the major cities... there must be a few more.'

Could Mev hold out until then?

Ian recalled her last appearance.

She was unusually calm.

Perhaps it was a brief moment of peace after a violent emotional outburst.

He couldn't tell if she would remain that way now.

As his inner balance shifted.

Suddenly, Philip stopped.

"What is it?"

Ian looked down at him.

Philip gestured ahead.

"It's a fork in the road, sir. One path leads back to Balk. The other... directly to Agel Ran."

"..."

Ian looked ahead.

In the setting sun, a long road split to the left and right.

"I'm a servant, so I'll follow whatever choice you make."

Philip added.

After scratching his chin for a moment, Ian finally spoke.

"Let's go this way."

The path leading to Agel Ran.

Philip's expression, which had been tense, brightened dramatically.

"You've made a good decision!"

"..."

"Making such a wise decision. I have a feeling everything will go well. We'll be welcomed into the castle and remove the darkness that has fallen over it, earning honor."

"Listening to you, I have a feeling my choice was wrong."

"That's not true. I'll shut up."

Philip quickly pulled the reins, fearing Ian might change his mind.

Ian smirked and turned his gaze.

He didn't expect things to go smoothly in Agel Ran, but he hoped the journey would be.

***

"Finally..."

Philip sighed in awe as they descended the slope.

In the distance, the landscape of Agel Ran spread out.

"Not bad for a backwater."

Ian muttered.

Agel Ran, centered around a gentle hill, was at least a few decades ahead of other cities in the kingdom.

It wasn't a small city even in the game, but now, he realized many details had been omitted.

The inner castle stood at the top of the hill, with buildings extending below, surrounded by a wall at the mid-slope.

There were many buildings below the hill, and another wall encircled the city.

More buildings surrounded the area, and construction was underway to add another wall at the edge.

A river of moderate width flowed nearby, and the opposite plain was filled with fields.

The location, which was one of the secrets of the kingdom's establishment, was undoubtedly excellent.

Perhaps the previous Viscount Verchard wanted to make Ortendel like this.

'And the storm hasn't even begun yet.'

Ian nodded at the intact appearance of the castle.

It meant Mev had kept her promise.

"Finally, we can sleep in a warm room tonight."

Philip's pace quickened.

He had been clean when they left Ortendel, but now he looked like a vagrant.

The weather was also getting colder.

Though the seasonal changes were not significant, even small changes were significant for those living on the streets.

Soon, Ian entered the outskirts of Agel Ran.

A considerable crowd. Most of them paid no attention to Ian and Philip.

It meant the city had frequent visitors and good security.

Then Philip stopped.

At the gate of the first wall.

"You look like outsiders. State your identity and purpose."

The guard said.

Despite repeating the same task countless times, he was quite disciplined.

"I am a servant of Sir Mev Liurel, the Sword of Agel Ran. This gentleman is Sir Ian Hope, a guest of Sir Liurel."

"A guest of the Liurel family...?"

The guard, who had been looking at them with suspicion, gestured.

"I'll send someone to verify. Please wait."

"Yes."

Philip led the horse to the wall.

Ian didn't object.

He was actually surprised.

Such a normal and proper procedure.

"The city is well-organized."

"Of course. This is the center of the kingdom. Everything from the law to the residences is systematic."

Probably following the empire's example.

Ian nodded in agreement.

In any case, this was a very livable place in this world.

A scene from the game flashed through his mind.

The city, engulfed in flames and chaos.

It was a scene he couldn't imagine now.

'If we slip up this time, it will end the same way.'

Then, someone ran out of the gate.

A well-built man in a robe and hood worn by noble servants.

He spotted Ian and Philip and approached.

The face smiling under the hood was familiar to them.

"Miguel! I never thought I'd be glad to see you!"

Philip hugged him.

Miguel, muttering "Why?" but patting his shoulder, looked at Ian dismounting.

Ian said.

"Your face is dripping with oil. You must have been living well."

Miguel burst out laughing.

His well-groomed beard and scar shook.

"Looking at your state, I can't say that. Come, let's go in."

He turned and walked, exchanging a nod with the guard.

Philip smirked.

"You've become a local."

"As you know, I adapt well. Considering the time I've spent here, it's only natural. You, on the other hand, have a bit of a mercenary vibe now."

"I didn't want to, but..."

"Everyone starts that way."

Miguel laughed and continued.

"We have to cross one more wall. Philip knows, but the Liurel residence is in the innermost part."

"But why did you come out? I thought Sir Ian would come out himself. The matter is serious."

"Of course, he did. He was waiting for you more than I was. But he couldn't come out."

Miguel, scratching the scar on his cheek, lowered his voice and looked around.

"Sir Ian is currently under house arrest."