Chapter 48

#048 Chapter

"Lucia, all the way there?"

"Yes. That's why I'm asking you, Ian."

Ian fell silent for a moment.

Because he could find no connection between the Holy Temple of the Forge and Lucia, who was from Bulgar.

"Is there a reason we have to?"

"There are several reasons. Yes... It might be a long story, but are you okay with that?"

"Start with the most important thing."

Ian picked up the bottle of wine on the table.

"Would you like a glass, sir?"

"Yes, that would be good."

This is certainly not an ordinary matter.

Ian poured the wine into a glass and handed it to him.

Maeve looked down at the glass.

Her voice continued.

"Before long, Lucia will be sent to the Empire. As you predicted before, His Majesty will not give up the war."

"To the Empire...?"

"Yes. On the surface, it's an adoption... but in reality, it's a tribute. It could also be seen as a hostage."

"The Empire doesn't even care about Agel Lan."

"You're right. But the war might change that. Of course, they could continue to remain neutral as they have been. But it would give them a sufficient reason to intervene."

"Hmm..."

Ian recalled the game.

The Empire had no interest in the border kingdoms. As long as they didn't refuse to pay tribute or rebel, they didn't care what they did.

Their interest was solely in the Black Wall and what lay beyond.

The same went for wars between kingdoms.

The Empire never intervened.

But it was unclear whether this was due to the tribute or simply a lack of interest.

"Perhaps they might conquer the kingdoms outright. That's why His Majesty has decided to pay tribute to a powerful noble family in the Empire."

"...When did he make that decision?"

"Before I returned. When he started preparing for the war, he must have thought it necessary to have allies within the Empire to protect Agel Lan."

He's really serious about this war.

Ian chuckled.

"But why Lucia?"

"That's... "

Maeve took a sip of wine and looked at Ian.

"Because Lucia has royal blood. Her birth mother was His Majesty's younger sister."

Ah, a political marriage.

It wasn't surprising.

There were few methods as sure as mixing blood to strengthen bonds.

"Princess gave birth to Lucia and passed away. Her uncle... passed away a few years later. His Majesty didn't consider Lucia as a niece. He saw her as an enemy who took his sister's life and a thorn in his side."

"Hmm..."

Selling off a niece he hated.

It was a understandable reason, but...

"Lucia is also a member of the Liurel family, so she could have refused."

"If His Majesty had asked, she might have. But they wanted Lucia. So, there was no other choice."

"There must be more reasons why it has to be Lucia."

"Lucia is... a blessed child."

"Blessed?"

"According to the elders of the family, she has the favor of Ru Enter."

"......!"

Ian's face, which had been puzzled, finally showed surprise.

The origin of the world's mages began when those born with the talent to handle magic started to mimic the power of the gods.

Among them, those with special talents were considered to have the favor of the gods.

Ru Enter is the god of passion and madness.

Having his favor means she was born with the talent to handle red magic.

It probably has similarities to elemental affinity.

It was a trait that reduced the mana cost and increased the performance when using magic of the corresponding attribute.

The exact difference couldn't be known without experiencing it firsthand.

"Have you seen her handle fire?"

"Yes. When she was about two, she made fire appear in the air. Of course, no one had taught her magic. You would understand the significance of this better, Ian."

I understand. I'm really jealous.

Ian chuckled.

"...What a remarkable family, producing both paladins and mages."

"This is the influence of the royal family. The first king was like this, and it's said that descendants with the favor have appeared across generations."

Ian's chuckle deepened.

In a world where people with special abilities and talents exist, bloodline is a part that cannot be ignored.

Tracing back the lineage of those called nobles, most of their ancestors had some special ability.

"And they ascended to the throne. ...Until the Dusk of Magic, that is."

Ah, now we're getting to that.

Ian took a sip of wine.

The Dusk of Magic, one of the terms that runs through this dark age, literally means the decline of the age of magic.

After the Black Wall divided the continent, magic power began to weaken.

Mages could no longer abuse magic as they used to, and their influence inevitably diminished.

It's also a reason why mages in this world tend to fall into corruption.

The number of people born with magical talent has also naturally decreased.

"Lucia doesn't know the full extent of her talent. The family hasn't mentioned it. It could be seen as disrespectful. Of course, it was also to protect Lucia."

"The king doesn't seem to have any talent."

"Yes. The previous king didn't either. So, he might have treated Lucia as if she didn't exist."

"Once she's sent to the Empire, he'll feel relieved. ...So, you don't want to see that happen?"

I knew you would deny it.

Maeve took another sip of wine and smiled bitterly.

"I can't say I don't have that feeling. Lucia is the last of my blood. ...But it's not just for that reason."

Maeve's voice grew softer.

"Vernon was also worried about Lucia. He had documents investigating the noble family. After reading them, I was convinced that I shouldn't send Lucia."

"Hmm."

"It was a family with deep knowledge of magic. They often recruit talented children and promising individuals. They also seem to have a close relationship with the Gray Tower. But there's no information on how they live or what research they conduct. They keep everything about the family's internal affairs secret."

Ian's eyebrows twitched.

"Is the family's name... Larmute?"

"How did you... Well, since it's one of the most powerful families in the Empire, you might know."

"Damn..."

Ian sighed involuntarily.

The wine bottle found its way to his mouth.

"...Lucia won't be an exception. If she's sent there, we might not be able to contact her or know how she's doing."

Actually, it could be worse.

Ian swallowed a sigh.

Although it's a distant future, it's a fact.

The Larmute family's stronghold is destined to become a magical wasteland.

A nightmare for mages. A place where the corruption of the Gray Tower is revealed.

Thinking of the horrific experiments inside, Ian took another sip of wine.

The taste of the wine didn't register.

If Lucia goes there, she will undoubtedly become one of those experiments.

Perhaps he had already met her through the game.

"That's why I want to send her to the Temple of the Forge. As a child with the favor of Ru Enter, the priests will take good care of her. She will receive their teachings and might have the opportunity to fully develop her innate talent. So..."

Maeve looked at Ian.

"I had no choice but to ask you, Ian."

"I understand the situation... but..."

Ian fell silent, then finally met her gaze.

"The North is very far from here. The journey won't be smooth. It will be tough, especially for a girl. And for me too."

"Of course."

"I, for one, can handle it, but Lucia herself must be prepared to endure it."

It would be practically impossible to make such a long journey with a whiny child.

"I will get her answer directly."

"The journey itself is also a problem. I don't know the fastest and safest route to the temple. The journey might be too long, or we might end up on the wrong path."

"Hmm..."

Maeve, seemingly caught off guard, fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"I do know a guide from the North. I don't like it, but..."

"Who is it?"

"Miguel."

"......!"

Ian's expression suddenly changed.

He recalled Miguel's words about settling in Agel Lan.

Maeve continued.

"He's from the Northern Mountains. He lived there for half his life. It's embarrassing to ask for help again, but... there's no one as reliable as Miguel when it comes to guides."

"...Ha."

Ian let out a short laugh.

I wonder what expression Miguel will have when he hears this.

"Then, you should get his answer as well."

"I will. ...Is there anything else you're concerned about?"

"There is. It's you."

Ian leaned towards Maeve.

"We will leave, but you will have to deal with the aftermath. Are you okay with that?"

Maeve answered without hesitation.

"I have nothing left to lose, Ian. If I can give Lucia a peaceful life, that's enough."

"You're always ready to give up your life."

Ian tapped the wine bottle with his fingers, lost in thought.

After a moment, he looked at Maeve.

"Then, let's do it this way. If I accept the request."

"......?"

"I and Miguel will demand additional payment from you. For example, this mansion."

"You can have it if you want."

"That's just a formality. You would naturally refuse... "

Ian shrugged.

"I and Miguel will kidnap Lucia and leave. We'll sell her because of her talent. It's something a mercenary might do."

"......!"

Maeve's eyes widened, finally catching on to Ian's plan.

Ian spoke casually.

"Then you'll be a victim too. As for me and Miguel, we won't set foot in Agel Lan again. You're no longer the Herald of Judgment, so a little lie should be fine, right?"

Ian added with a slight smile.

"Even the goddess would be pleased. She would see it as the right choice."

"...Ian, you really are..."

Maeve, after a few attempts to speak, suddenly came forward and embraced him.

As if this was the only way to express her gratitude.

Surprised.

A quest window appeared in front of Ian's suddenly widened eyes.

The Spark of the Forge.

Closing the window, Ian whispered.

"I still have something to say."

"...Ah."

Maeve finally stiffened.

Her ears turned red, and she awkwardly released her arms and stepped back.

Ian added with a smirk.

"I haven't talked about the most important part yet."

"......? Ah, right. We haven't set the payment yet."

"Also, I haven't received the payment for the previous request."

The king did give a reward, but it was more like a bonus.

Maeve's eyes became determined.

"I'll give you anything I can. What do you want?"

"Maybe it's the least valuable thing to you now... but..."

Ian, after leading up to it, stated his request.

It was enough to make Maeve's large eyes widen even more.

After a moment of stiffness, she finally spoke.

"...Are you serious?"

"Will you accept it?"

"If that's what you want... Yes. I'll give it to you. Definitely."

A satisfied smile formed on Ian's lips.

"The contract is sealed."

***

The next day.

Ian, who woke up late, immediately realized that Maeve had already talked to Miguel.

Miguel's face, as he swept, was literally ashen.

"You're up."

Miguel, spotting Ian, spoke with a sigh.

Ian smirked and asked.

"What did you decide?"

"What else? Who else can guide us on that long journey? Damn. I was just starting to settle down here. And now I have to go back to the North. It seems I'm destined to wander and die on the road-"

Miguel's lament continued.

Ian, chuckling, cut him off.

"Stop talking nonsense and get ready to leave. You have a lot to do."

"Once you're fully recovered, we can prepare... Wait, are you already fully recovered?"

Ian moved his bandaged arm and leg as if nothing was wrong.

"Yeah. I'm just pretending."

"That's impossible... The doctor said it would take months to recover. I thought so too. But you're saying you're fully recovered?"

"I have good recovery. And I'm not the only one who's fully recovered."

"No, you're the Herald of Judgment. ...Did you become one without me knowing?"

"Ridiculous."

Miguel, realizing it was true, sighed as if the ground had given way beneath him.

He had thought he would stay here for at least a while.

"Give us a day and a half. Get everything ready."

"Damn... Got it. And Lady Lucia is waiting in your room. She's been there for about an hour."

"Then let her wait a bit longer. I need to have breakfast now."

I'll miss the food here in a few days.

After finishing his meal, Ian leisurely headed to Maeve's room.

Maeve and Lucia were there, along with Philip.

Ignoring Philip's complex gaze, Ian asked.

"Did you have a good talk?"

"Yes. Lucia wants to go."

Ian turned to look at Lucia, who was sitting quietly in a chair.

Her expressionless face made her look like a carefully crafted porcelain doll.

This kid is a genius mage.

Thinking this, Ian spoke.

"It will be tough. You won't be treated with