I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy

Chapter 285

Ian received the wooden box and spoke, to which Fael nodded.

Fael replied, "You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to. Just show it to merchants who carry this insignia."

Fael indicated his collar, where a hexagonal iron insignia was attached. Merchants affiliated with the Hexagonal League were required to wear iron insignia. While Ian nodded and pushed open the top of the box, Fael turned and handed another wooden box to Elia beside him.

"Please accept this, my lady. It’s a silver insignia."

"Thank you."

"It’s only natural. As I mentioned, from now on, you will receive support under the Hexagonal League's name. Once you settle in the capital, just send us a message through the messenger—"

Letting the ongoing conversation pass by one ear, Ian subtly curled his lips into a smile.

It’s really made out of gold.

Inside the box, lined with soft red cloth, was a golden emblem, perfectly placed in an engraved slot.

"Isn’t this the symbol of the Great Platinum Dragon?"

A voice continued from beside him. Standing next to him with her hood pulled down, Seras was gazing at the golden emblem.

Ian shrugged one shoulder. "It’s just a coincidence."

"Even though you’re the first owner of the League’s golden badge and the Agent of a Great One?"

"When they named the league, no one knew I was the Platinum Dragon’s representative. They probably don’t even realize this looks like a scale from the Platinum Dragon."

After all, the hexagon was simply a name given because six trading companies had formed together. Even if the League grew, the symbol would remain to ensure they held the greatest authority.

"A remarkable coincidence, but for those like me who know of that one, it’ll be interpreted differently. At least while your name is mentioned alongside it."

"Well, then the merchants will be more careful not to tarnish the Platinum Dragon’s name."

Ian shrugged as he closed the box.

"... Don’t forget to send a caravan to the borders as well."

"Don’t worry, Sir. Once internal matters are sorted, I’ll plan for it. After all, where there’s danger, there’s gold."

In the meantime, Fael had finished his conversation with Philip, the other recipient of a golden insignia. The two had whispered about something last night, and it seemed they had reached some kind of agreement.

As Philip contentedly stroked the wooden box and returned to the coachman’s seat, Fael approached Ian again, this time likely to address Seras.

Fael stopped before her and bent his knee respectfully.

"It has been an honor to meet you, Lady."

"... Likewise." Seras smiled as she finally removed her hood. Her face, even paler than usual, was revealed.

Last night, it was flushed red as if it would burst.

Ian suppressed a chuckle. Her current state was, of course, the aftermath of the banquet. She had returned after drinking more heavily than usual. All the princess’s party, except Asme, had done the same. Although Seras wasn’t completely incapable of handling alcohol, among those Ian had met, she was certainly among the weakest.

Every royal was born with a unique ability. It was clear that hers had nothing to do with physical enhancement.

"I have a feeling we’ll meet again soon. Once I return to the family estate, I’ll send someone."

Another owner of the golden insignia would be born soon.

Ian, who had turned toward the carriage, let out a snort at Seras's words from behind. Though it had left her with a nasty hangover, Seras and Fael had formed a solid connection thanks to last night. Fael, who had been aiming to expand into the capital, and Seras, who had taken an interest in the newly formed powerful merchants’ union, were now tied together.

"I'll be looking forward to it," said Fael.

Ian picked up the black bundle he had placed on the ground and approached Fael, who was bowing deeply. Fael made eye contact with Ian and instinctively bowed even deeper.

With a faint smile, Ian handed the bundle to Fael.

"Take this with you."

Fael, who had accepted it in confusion, tilted his head.

"What is this? It looks like..."

"It’s the curse caster’s head."

Fael hesitated for a moment, then licked his lips and muttered, "...I was about to say it looked like a severed head, and I guessed right."

Ian nonchalantly added, "Give it to Bor. Make sure it's well preserved." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Thanks to being stored in a subspace, the head was still very fresh, though it wouldn’t last much longer.

Fael adjusted his grip on the bundle and smiled faintly. "This is a farewell gift I won’t forget. Bor, at least, will love it."

"Do you remember the conditions I asked for?"

"Of course, Sir." Fael nodded.

Yesterday, Ian had given him a pile of gold coins and detailed conditions for a magical artifact he desired.

"Once you find it, hold on to it. If I encounter any merchants of the Hexagonal League, I’ll send word of my location."

"Don’t worry. It should take a month and a half to secure the item. After that, just contact me anytime. If there’s any money left over, I’ll send it along with the goods."

Ian gave a brief nod.

Fael’s eyes scanned the group one more time, then he spoke again with a smile.

"Then I’ll take my leave. When we meet again, I hope you all have achieved your goals." Fael respectfully bowed and turned to leave.

Ian added a final remark right after. "Don’t forget what I said during the meeting."

"... Of course, Sir. No, the Agent of the Saint." Fael hesitated for a moment before reaffirming his words and walking away.

Watching his retreating figure, a smile finally appeared on Ian’s face. Now that all the quests were complete, that cheeky merchant from the Empire would no longer have to search for a place to die.

He had promised himself not to have faith in his instincts. The Hexagonal League would flourish as long as they kept the people's trust, even in a chaotic world.

Of course, like everything else in the world, if it grew too large, it would stagnate and rot. Yet, that wouldn't occur until the chaos era ended.

"...."

An inaudible sigh came from beside him. Ian turned to look at Seras. Her face now showed the exhaustion she had been hiding.

"You look tired," said Ian.

"Is it that obvious? Maybe it’s the weather, but I feel more worn out today."

Seras looked back at Ian, a slightly embarrassed smile on her lips. "I've been getting scolded by Asme all morning. She's begging me to maintain my dignity."

Ian quickly looked at Asme, who was standing behind her. Despite not having heard her speak, she didn't appear to be mute. There was probably a rule dictating when she could speak. At the moment, she was silently gazing at the back of Seras's head with a frustrated expression.

"She’s not wrong. You’d be better off avoiding alcohol, Your Highness."

"... Did I make a fool of myself again?"

"You repeated the same thing to the Fael several times while seated next to him."

"Oh, no... another embarrassing memory to add to the list," said Seras.

Ian chuckled briefly.

To him, this side of Seras seemed more like a calculated vulnerability. While there were certainly awkward aspects, ‌some of it was intentional. It was likely a tactic to put others at ease or make herself appear more approachable. However, the occasional glimpses of ambition she showed probably revealed her true nature.

After all, she was the type of person who had the decisiveness to leave the capital just to meet him. Of course, whatever her deeper intentions were, they weren’t his concern.

Clack, clack—

The merchant caravans moved away, heading toward the fork in the road that led west.

Ian and the princess’s group needed to take the path leading north.

"Well then, let’s be on our way." Ian signaled to Elia, who began climbing back into the carriage.

A voice spoke up from behind Seras. "We will take the lead from here, Sir."

It was Phaden. With Ian’s attention on him, Phaden continued, "We aim to take the fastest route back to the capital."

Just then, a flash lit up the distant sky.

The clouds had been ominous for a while.

Ian shrugged and turned around.

"Do as you please."

The rumble of thunder came much later, reverberating through the carriage.

***

Shhh...

The sound of rain softly continued to tickle the ears. The rain that had started before sunset still hadn’t stopped, even well into the night. While it wasn’t heavy enough to be called a downpour, it showed no signs of letting up. Inside the carriage, the dim glow of the Magic Stone Lamp hanging from the ceiling was the only source of light.

Looks like we'll be spending the night in the carriage...

Ian, resting his head against the window, absentmindedly took a swig from the bottle. The journey continued without pause. As expected, the princess’s group seemed eager to return to the capital as soon as possible.

If the horses catch a cold from this, it'll only slow us down more.

Muttering to himself, Ian turned his gaze outside. Even through the rain and darkness, he could easily make out the surroundings. The road was now lined with dense trees. It was obvious that there was a river flowing close by. With the cold air, the grass wilted, and the overgrown trees seemed to stretch on forever.

"...."

Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly. There was something subtly different about the forest now. Only thirty minutes earlier, it had seemed peaceful, but now, it felt ominous, like the forests near the borders. A chill ran down the back of his neck, raising goosebumps.

Ian placed the bottle of alcohol on the floor and then reached up.

Click—

The carriage was instantly plunged into darkness as Ian turned off the magic stone lamp.

"...?" Next to him, Elia, who had been absorbed in reading her grimoire, glanced up in confusion.

"Look around. See if you sense any strange magic." Ian spoke as he fastened the clasps of his Purifier’s Plate Gloves and Wrist Guards. Elia, though puzzled, let the magic flicker in her eyes. Her pupils glinted even in the dark as she scanned the area.

She cracked the window open and turned her head.

"I don’t feel any unusual magic..."

Her gaze shifted from the window to the wall in front, then to the window on Ian's side, and finally back to Ian, who was nearly finished checking his equipment.

"... Nothing except the magic from our carriage and the one ahead."

"Is that so...?" Ian murmured as if it didn’t surprise him, stepping over to the opposite seat.

The walls of the carriage and the sound of rain muted his senses, but, like Elia, he noticed no obvious disruptions. However, his Intuition still quietly whispered of impending danger. And in his experience, his instincts never lied. Something was out there, perhaps something concealing its presence.

Even beings as powerful as Tahumrit, with its overwhelming magical power and aura, could fully conceal their presence.

Creak—

The small window opened, revealing a figure leaning against the wall to avoid the rain.

Ian spoke, "It feels like something is going to happen."

Philip, who had been dozing, abruptly woke up and turned his upper body around. He kept his visor down, likely to prevent rain from hitting his face.

"Are they monsters?" His voice was low and calm.

"Not sure. I sense nothing, so maybe not."

"Then it’s probably someone after you again, my lord."

Ian simply shrugged. It was possible. Another Apostle of the Heaven Defier, or perhaps minions of the Round Parliament. Just as the princess had, they might have discovered his location. It wouldn’t be strange if they were waiting for an opportunity to attack.

A physical confrontation was inevitable. He had no intention of revealing to the princess that he was a mage. The spells he planned to use would be ones that could easily be mistaken for magical artifacts.

"Take off your helmet and get ready. Elia will assist us."

"Yes, my lord. Are you leading the charge?" Philip swiftly grabbed both sides of his helmet and asked.

"Yes. You stay here and protect the horses and Elia."

With that, Ian returned to Elia’s side. She had already closed her book and spread her hands, ready for what was coming.

As Ian leaned closer, Elia cupped his face with her hands, magic shimmering faintly from her palms. When Ian leaned his face in, she cupped both his cheeks with hands that shimmered with magic. Closing his eyes and accepting her spell, Ian quickly parted his lips.

"When I leave, lock all the doors and windows. Do not come outside under any circumstances. Get updates on the situation from Philip and me, and help with whatever you can. From here."

— I will, don’t worry.

Elia Whispered as she removed her hands from his face. By the time Ian opened his eyes, she was already getting up, moving toward Philip to do the same for him.

Swoosh—

Ian silently opened the carriage door and stepped outside. The rain immediately soaked his hair and face, dripping down onto his body.

Could it stop raining for once? Damn.

Frowning, Ian quickly scaled the carriage roof. His movements were far more agile and discreet than usual. Kneeling down and lowering his posture, his eyes flickered with gray magic.

Shhhhh...

His senses sharpened, and everything around him became clearer and more distinct. He could sense the princess’s carriage ahead, maintaining a steady distance, along with the rhythmic breaths of the horses pulling it. The rain fell relentlessly around him, and the dense, shadowed forest seemed to disappear into the darkness. The winding road stretched ahead in a broad curve.

"...."

And in the distance, the shadows stirred, silently creeping closer.