Chapter 76

“Ugh….”

Charlotte lifted her heavy eyelids.

The first thing that came into her view was the emerald green eyes of the elf, who wore a peculiar smile.

Tessia whispered,

“Did you sleep well, useless beast?”

“…Huh!”

Charlotte, who had taken a deep breath, sprang up as if jolted.

Faint memories flashed through her mind in a disordered manner.

Thick black mist. Numerous eyes hidden in shadows. Ian’s back, walking alone in the darkness.

And at the intersection, the demon standing silently.

“Judicator…! What happened to him-?”

“Calm down, Charlotte.”

Tessia pressed her shoulder gently and smiled.

“It’s all over now.”

“Over… over?”

“Yes. It’s all over. While you were snoring in your sleep.”

“……”

Charlotte’s mouth opened slightly.

Her gaze suddenly fell to her exposed arm.

More precisely, to the bandage carelessly wrapped around it.

Tessia’s voice continued,

“I drank a little of your blood. I didn’t really want to, but the situation was that urgent. Of course, you won’t remember it.”

“……”

“Surely you won’t be angry about that? After all, I risked my life to protect you too.”

“……”

Charlotte couldn’t even respond to Tessia’s words.

There was nothing to refute. Not a single word was wrong.

Her trembling orange eyes eventually became hollow.

They were the eyes of someone completely swept away by a storm of self-loathing.

“Oh. Look at those drooping ears. How pitiful. Were you that shocked, Charlotte? Don’t worry. As you can see, we won in the end.”

Tessia whispered in a soft voice. She was clearly enjoying the current situation.

“Ian turned that damn vampire into ashes.”

“…Ian.”

Charlotte said in a hoarse voice. She turned to Tessia with a dazed look.

“Where is Ian now?”

“He said he had some cleanup to do. He was surrounded by soldiers and went somewhere. Probably….”

Tessia walked to the window and opened the wooden shutter.

A cloudy sky and a chaotic street were revealed. Citizens were cleaning up, and a noble was giving them orders.

Tessia’s gaze swept over the scene and stopped at the dull, grayish-white castle that rose crookedly beyond the rooftops.

“He’s probably somewhere around there by now. It’s a bit late. It’s been quite a while.”

Tessia turned to Charlotte, who was also staring at the castle, and smiled brightly.

“Do you want to sleep a bit more? I’ll wake you up when Ian comes back.”

“……”

***

The silence in the conference room grew heavier.

The guards standing in front of the door remained expressionless, but as time passed, they began to glance at Ian, who sat alone at the round table.

None of them had missed seeing the state of the city center.

Of course, Ian had been cooperative and testified that the chaos was caused by a demon.

But in their eyes, this mercenary who had single-handedly turned the demon into ashes was just as much a monster.

Leaving such a monster unattended for over an hour naturally made the soldiers anxious.

“……”

But Ian himself didn’t really mind.

He was actually in a good mood.

He had been prepared to be temporarily imprisoned, but not only was he not shackled, he was even treated to a warm room and a decent meal.

Given the clear evidence of his killing the demon and the temple of the Hearth’s vouching for his identity, he could wait here comfortably for another half-day.

Clank, clank—

Then footsteps approached from beyond the door.

The one who entered the conference room was a brown-haired knight in plate armor.

He looked to be in his mid-20s, with a typical imperial appearance.

He smiled as he sat across from Ian.

“Pleased to meet you, Sir Ian. I am Lucas Rampfield, commander of the Glumir defense forces.”

“…Pleased to meet you, Sir Lucas.”

Ian replied with a peculiar look.

Of course, being addressed so formally was a bit surprising.

But the real reason his eyes narrowed was different.

‘To see this guy here.’

Lucas was a major NPC in the game who had given him several quests, big and small.

But at that time, he was in Travella and Carinngion.

‘Did he start from the outskirts and gradually work his way up…?’

While he was thinking, Lucas, still smiling, continued.

“We have finished verifying the evidence you submitted. There was blood in the vial, which appeared to be made like wine, and the traces of use on the sinister magical artifact were clear. The remains also matched the description of the vampire’s remains in the records. I’m here to confirm your testimony and any remaining questions.”

“I will certainly cooperate….”

“……?”

“I’m not a knight, so there’s no need to call me that.”

Lucas’s lips curled up.

“You are modest, Sir Ian. I saw the sword you use. I could feel the divine power within it. I’ve felt similar divine power before, from the blessing of the Just Goddess.”

“That was a reward for a commission.”

“I also serve the Just Goddess, Sir. She would not grant divine power to someone unworthy. Rather, she would send her wrath. Even if you are not a knight, you are still a paladin of the Goddess. Moreover….”

Lucas shrugged.

“You also helped revive the sacred fire of Lu Enter. I already have more than enough reasons to respect you.”

“…Did you hear that from the captain of the guard?”

“Yes, from the one who confirmed your identity.”

Knights, after all.

Ian finally sighed.

“Do as you please. Let’s get to the main point.”

“Were you saved from the demon’s curse thanks to the Goddess’s holy relic?”

It was his mental strength, but…

Contrary to his thoughts, Ian nodded.

His testimony already contained several fabrications. One more wouldn’t make much of a difference.

“You used the Goddess’s divine power to defeat the demon.”

“Yes.”

A few questions and answers were quickly exchanged. Eventually, Lucas stroked his chin and murmured.

“The reason that monster visited Niglos is still… a mystery. There doesn’t seem to be any reason for it….”

“There must be something.”

“The church in the capital will uncover it. Your testimony and evidence will be sent to the capital.”

“Understood.”

“I thank you, Sir. Whatever the cursed demon’s purpose was, if it weren’t for you, many innocent lives might have been lost. Your cooperation in the investigation will be an example to many.”

An example? I just didn’t want to get more involved.

Ian smiled.

“Can I go now? My companions are waiting.”

“Oh, you mentioned you are a mercenary.”

“I am a mercenary by profession.”

“Really? If you were just a mercenary, you wouldn’t have risked your life to fight when you knew the demon’s magic had covered the city. You wouldn’t have gained anything. And you would have faced these troublesome consequences.”

This is getting out of hand.

He was being treated like a traveling apostle of Tir En.

Ian suppressed a hollow laugh.

He wondered if this young commander would look at him with such eyes, knowing that his party included vampires and that he fought for experience points and quest rewards.

Of course, he didn’t say that.

He would likely meet Lucas again in the future.

“There were too many unnecessary words. I didn’t mean to flatter you.”

“Do you have other business?”

“By any chance, do you have plans to visit Travella or Carinngion?”

“I do, but….”

“That’s good to hear.”

Lucas’s expression brightened.

“I am scheduled to transfer to Travella next month. After working there for a while, I will join Carinngion.”

Carinngion was essentially a fortress on the northern front line.

Because the Black Wall was not far away.

“So…?”

“I’ve heard that the state of the Black Wall is not good. I don’t know the exact details, but there have been noticeable changes.”

Ian’s eyes narrowed.

It shouldn’t be that soon.

“So, the entire front line is on high alert. There might be another invasion or corruption.”

Ian nodded.

Both the invasion and the corruption would happen.

In a year, or a year and a half.

And the front line would fall.

At least, that’s how it was in the game.

“So, all troops will be deployed near the Black Wall. But as you know, there are many other problems in the north.”

“You mean more help is needed.”

“Yes, definitely.”

“I understand your point, but I have a commission to complete right now.”

“I’ve heard you’re heading to the mountains.”

The captain of the guard, that guy, must have been talking a lot.

Lucas nodded as if understanding.

“When you finish all your business and visit Travella, will you come see me?”

The quest window appeared at that moment.

Young Commander.

‘Could this be how linked quests start?’

This was already his second quest in a city where he didn’t expect to find any.

Ian smiled.

“Making a reservation for a commission with a mercenary you just met. You’re bold.”

“Northern commanders always need external help. They have already formed their own power bases. Young commanders like me can’t last long in the north because we lack such a foundation.”

“Mostly because they fear risking their lives.”

“I do too, but we must try our best, don’t we?”

Lucas smiled.

Ian recalled his appearance in the game.

Though he was more worn out now, he had always done his best for the peace of the north.

“I’ll visit Travella when my commission is done. We can discuss this issue then. It’s not something to talk about yet.”

“An excellent decision. A mercenary with both skill and responsibility is rare. I will wait for you.”

He didn’t seem to be the type to talk so smoothly.

Ian finally chuckled.

“If I don’t show up in a few months, assume I’m dead.”

“The Just Goddess will protect you. The investigation is over, Sir Ian.”

Lucas stood up.

Ian followed suit and asked,

“Where can I find my weapons?”

“They are prepared. They will be waiting for you when you go out.”

As Lucas said, the captain of the guard, who had been waiting at the end of the corridor, was holding Ian’s weapons.

He smiled when their eyes met.

“Did you think I would just rest and spend all the money before leaving?”

“…It wasn’t as easy as that, it seems.”

***

“Ian…! Why are you so late? I was worried.”

As Ian opened the door, Tesia ran up to him as if she had been waiting.

Ian, frowning, pushed away her outstretched arm, but she ignored it and grinned.

“Did you finish the cleanup properly?”

“Yes.”

Ian’s gaze, after giving a brief answer and closing the door, eventually turned to a corner of the room.

Charlotte was standing close to the wall, unable to meet his eyes.

“Why are you standing there?”

Tessia answered for her.

“Why not? She’s probably ashamed.”

“……”

Ian’s frown deepened as he looked at her.

She must have been thoroughly scolded.

He clicked his tongue and moved, then sat on the bed.

“Are you okay?”

Charlotte answered with hollow eyes.

“What reason do I have to not be okay…? While you were fighting… I… just… slept….”

“……”

Ian’s gaze swept over Tessia again.

To make the one who should have been fighting at the front line look like this.

“Take it.”

He clicked his tongue and threw something he took from his coat.

Charlotte, who caught it