Chapter 47

The meeting was held in the grand hall.

Ian and Mev sat side by side in the center of the hall, where the smell of blood had yet to fully dissipate.

The gazes of the assembly members were completely different from a few days ago.

The king, too, treated Mev with the utmost respect, as if he had never treated her as a madwoman.

Even as the king delivered his speech, Mev showed no change in expression.

She only said what she needed to say.

Ian was the same.

He submitted the evidence he had brought from Orndel, including the heads of Viscount Burcharde and Mason, and the letter written by Declan.

The king was very pleased with the contents of the letter.

"The new lord of Orndel is very loyal and devoted."

Immediately recognizing Declan's legitimacy, the king then turned to Ian.

"This letter speaks highly of your contributions. It says you are trustworthy and highly capable, and that you personally beheaded Viscount Burcharde."

"That's correct."

Ian answered matter-of-factly.

Despite his lack of courtesy, no one cast a disapproving glance at him.

After all, he was a hero who had saved the nation.

Rumors even spread that he was a swordmaster on par with Mev.

The king smiled and added.

"As you can see, Agel Rahn needs capable people like you. Especially now, after the tragedy. What do you think about living as a noble in Agel Rahn?"

It was a proposal that didn't even elicit a snort.

"I'll think about it."

Ian shrugged and said.

After all, he needed to stay in Agel Rahn until he recovered, so there was no need to pour cold water on it.

There was also a suitable topic to shift the conversation to.

Ian took out Viscount Burcharde's book and added.

"Right now, we should focus on rooting out the remaining corruptors."

"Are there still corruptors left?"

Ian gestured to the knights who were watching.

He had already been keeping an eye on the corruptors as he entered the meeting hall.

The meeting turned into a trial.

Corruptors who never thought their true identities would be revealed were lined up and bound one by one.

"No, no! This is a false accusation!"

"I am wronged, wronged, Your Majesty!"

"Please save me! I only did what I was told-"

Their reactions varied, but the outcome was the same.

Soldiers dragged the corruptors to the execution grounds.

To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, the royal guards, swords drawn, followed behind them.

Another wave of bloodshed swept through, but the king looked satisfied.

Most of the corruptors were those who had advocated for peace, like Regis. The minions had opposed the war to provoke the king's resistance.

Thanks to this, the remaining meeting proceeded smoothly.

"We have suffered a great tragedy. But we have overcome the trials and rooted out the darkness from the kingdom. The Radiant Goddess and the Just Goddess could not be clearer in their protection of the kingdom."

The king, standing on the city wall with Mev, declared to the gathered people.

"From this moment on, Agel Rahn will become a stronger and more loyal kingdom. Victory and glory will fill the kingdom's future!"

Soldiers pulled carts filled with wine, wheat, and meat.

The cheers of the people, praising the king and the kingdom, grew louder.

It was a moment that decided Agel Rahn's future.

***

"Victory and glory. I really don't get it."

Miguel muttered while chewing on his meat.

The voices of the nobles eating and drinking were loud.

Just like the citizens of Agel Rahn, a banquet was held in the royal palace.

Ian, Philip, and Miguel gathered in the corner of the banquet hall.

"To His Majesty, this incident must have felt like a revelation. The damage was not as great as expected, and all those who opposed the war turned out to be corruptors."

Philip said bitterly, taking a swig of beer.

His gaze towards the king at the head table was not kind.

It was understandable. The king's mourning today was limited to a few formal words. The rest was all talk about the war.

Philip, who had been with Ian, knew well that now was not the time for war.

Philip's gaze then turned to Mev, who was sitting next to the king.

She was chewing her food with a blank, expressionless face.

"...I'm worried about you, sir."

Philip's voice went in one ear and out the other as Ian focused on chewing and swallowing the meat in front of him.

To recover as quickly as possible, he needed to replenish his nutrients.

"Sir Ian."

At that moment, a knight sat down in front of him.

Philip and Miguel exchanged glances, and Ian only rolled his eyes to look at him.

Jonathan, a young man from the royal guard.

"I came to express my gratitude. I also have something to say."

"What is it?"

Ian turned his gaze back to his plate and asked.

Jonathan didn't mind.

His gaze towards Ian was full of admiration and respect.

At the meeting, Mev had said that Ian had made the greatest contribution to the execution of Regis.

Most of the nobles, including the king, thought it was a display of her virtue of modesty.

But a few knew it wasn't an exaggeration.

Jonathan was one of them.

"Once your health improves a bit more, please come back to the castle. As His Majesty mentioned, there will be a fitting reward for you. If possible, I would like to serve you then."

"Money?"

"Yes. And the royal armory will be opened to you. You will be given weapons that suit you. You can choose what you need."

"That's a welcome piece of news."

Ian nodded.

His equipment had been almost completely destroyed in the battle with Regis.

The only thing left was the Sword of Judgment.

"I look forward to the day when you will join the knights."

You sure know how to talk.

Ian shrugged, and Jonathan added.

"If the two heroes of Agel Rahn work together, we will surely win the upcoming war-"

Thud. Philip slammed his beer mug down at that moment.

Without even glancing at Jonathan, who was looking at him, Philip turned to Ian.

"I'll go back first, sir."

"Huh? Already leaving?"

Miguel's eyes widened.

Philip stood up.

"I'm worried about the lady being alone. She's lost her appetite. I'll guard the house, so please enjoy yourselves."

He walked away without looking back. Miguel clicked his tongue.

"You've become quite irritable since I last saw you. You could have just ignored it."

Philip's gaze towards Jonathan was not kind either.

You kids, you're so full of yourself.

Ian chuckled and gestured.

"Got it. If you're done talking, go. Let me eat in peace."

"Ah. I see I was in the way. I understand."

"If anyone else tries to talk to you, stop them."

"I'll pass that on."

Jonathan bowed and turned around.

Miguel grinned as he glanced at his back.

"You already have a fine subordinate. I understand Philip's feelings, but honestly, it's not a bad offer, is it?"

Ian chuckled and said.

"Then you do it."

"Do I want to? You have to ask me."

"You do want to, don't you."

"Well... I don't have any affection for the kingdom. But... "

Miguel scratched his chin, took a sip of beer, and said.

"I'm worried about you, sir. And Miss Lucy too."

"So, you're going to stay?"

"If you allow it, sir."

"Well, with your skills, you might live longer that way."

Miguel glanced at Mev.

"Aren't you worried about him? He looks like he has no will to live."

"Now that he has nothing left to protect. His revenge is over. The remaining goal in life is something he has to find for himself."

"From what you say, it seems you're planning to leave. I had a feeling."

"Don't worry, I won't ask you to come with me."

"It's not worry, it's disappointment. Disappointment. Damn."

Miguel let out a snort and suddenly looked at Ian.

"By the way, there's something I wanted to say before."

"What is it?"

"I heard an interesting rumor. About that night."

Miguel lowered his voice.

"There's a rumor that a strange person was fighting the hounds around the outer city. It seems they saved several residents."

"A strange person...?"

"It's a bit far-fetched, but according to what I heard, they twisted the hounds' necks and drank their blood."

Ian's gesture stopped.

He put down his fork and looked at Miguel.

"Tell me more."

"Of course, I knew you'd be interested. Some say it was a beautiful woman with gray hair and red eyes, and others say it was a monster with fangs. Anyway, they told the people to stay inside and not come out."

Miguel smiled subtly.

"Perhaps His Majesty will issue a wanted notice."

"Hmm. If they drank that much blood, they won't show their face for a while."

"Huh...? Do you have any idea who it might be?"

"To some extent."

We were once enemies to the death.

Thinking about it, Ian smacked his lips.

It was definitely Tesia.

The vampire fairy was in Agel Rahn.

'Could she have followed me?'

It was a guess, but it wasn't impossible.

'Just in case, I shouldn't go out of the house for a while.'

Ian nodded, recalling the ancient vampire setting that was not an exception in this world.

But if she really followed him, he would need to be careful from the moment he left Agel Rahn.

"Your expression is too serious. Is it that dangerous? A monster?"

"...No. Just from today, make sure to close the windows when you sleep."

As he picked up his fork again, Ian added.

"If someone asks if they can come in from outside, don't answer."

Miguel's face, which had been confused, eventually crumpled.

"It's really dangerous! What is it? What is it?"

You don't need to know.

Ian didn't respond and brought the meat to his mouth again.

***

"Hmm..."

Ian awoke from his meditation.

His head was clear, and his body felt lighter.

Meditation was effective not only for magic but also for recovering from injuries.

He moved his body around and then looked at his arms.

The result of a momentary lapse in attention left scars on his arms and legs that wouldn't fade.

Of course, the fact that he had recovered to this extent in just over a week was a testament to his superhuman recovery ability.

An ordinary person would have needed several months of convalescence.

Given the severity of the injuries, it wouldn't have been strange if he had been left with permanent disabilities.

"Perhaps next time, it really will be."

Ian's eyes darkened.

He had reflected on similar matters before.

As the number of times things went according to plan and the number of times he handled variables well increased, he had become arrogant.

He needed to always keep variables in mind.

Before he found himself in a situation he couldn't reverse.

Of course, if he could predict all possible variables, it wouldn't matter. But he wasn't that smart.

'The dilemma of a half-smart person.'

Ian clenched and unclenched his fists, thoroughly checking his body's condition.

The king's offer, disguised as a suggestion, was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

So far, he had managed to hold out by claiming he was still recovering.

It was only a matter of time before the king realized he had no intention of staying.

Ewin II, that narrow-minded and foolish man, might even try to take back the rewards he had granted.

'Then I'll have no choice but to rebel. And the city will be in chaos again... '

He didn't want the situation to become complicated and messy.

Leaving quietly in the middle of the night would be the cleanest option.

Ian naturally thought of Bel Rond.

The neighboring kingdom that would go to war with Agel Rahn.

Another small town, but a gateway to the wider world, whether in the north or the east.

The border checks were not yet strict, so he could move leisurely.

'Once I take care of the remaining matters-'

Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door at that moment.

"Ian, is it alright if I come in for a moment?"

Mev's voice followed.

What's the matter at this late hour?

Ian opened the door and said.

"Was today's sparring not enough?"

Ian used the excuse of rehabilitation to spar with Mev almost every day.

It was for his own benefit, not because he was concerned about her.

He felt his sword skills improving by following her.

He wanted to learn as much as possible before they parted ways.

Of course, Mev didn't refuse.

Her recovery ability was even more remarkable than Ian's.

Despite clearly having more severe injuries.

Ian had never won a single sparring session against her.

Not only in skill but also in strength, she was unmatched.

Her body, blessed by the gods, seemed to be made of entirely different components from an ordinary human.

In any case, it was clear that Mev enjoyed sparring with him.

It was the only time she smiled during the day.

She even pointed out his weaknesses openly and made jokes under the guise of encouragement.

"Of course... I didn't come for sparring."

Mev turned her gaze away slightly as she saw Ian's bare upper body.

After bathing together, this sudden formality.

Ian chuckled and stepped aside.

"Come in."

Ian put on a shirt and turned to Mev, who was sitting in a corner chair.

"So, what is it?"

"Well, um... "

Mev hesitated, her lips moving a few times.

Her gaze was a mix of hesitation and guilt.

Ian easily sensed that she had something to ask.

Despite all the help he had given her, she seemed very apologetic about bringing up another request.

'If I don't say anything, it'll be morning.'

Ian chuckled and finally said.

"Just say it. You have a request."

"!"

Mev's gaze met his as he shrugged.

"Ultimately, I'll decide whether to accept it or not. If it's an impossible request, like asking me to take care of the remaining people, I'll refuse. Just say it."

"...Right. That's true."

Mev cleared her throat awkwardly and looked at Ian cautiously.

"Ian, have you decided on your next destination?"

There were several topics they never discussed or mentioned.

How Ian could use blue magic, for example.

Saying goodbye was in the same vein.

She had never asked when or where Ian would leave.

Because it wouldn't change anything.

He had been thinking about it just now, but Ian shook his head.

"Not yet. I'm still considering."

"Good. Then... do you know about the Temple of the Forge?"

"The one in the north?"

"Yes."

"I've heard of it. It's where the priests of Ru Enter and the crazy blacksmiths live."

He had even visited it in the game.

But he didn't say that.

Mev nodded, satisfied with the answer, and then looked at Ian again.

"Can you take Lucia... to that place?"

"..."

Ian's brows furrowed slightly.