I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 588

Shahin’s eyes widened, and Simon, who was standing beside him, let out a gasp. "Sir Philip!"

"Didn’t expect you to know that name," Ian said, pausing to look at him.

Simon’s eyes shone as a smile spread across his face. "How could I not? He is the Agent of the Saint’s knight!"

So, word of that reached even beyond the capital.

As Ian took a swig of liquor, Simon added, "Of course, his name only truly became known after you went missing, Agent of the Saint."

"Because he lost his master?" Ian asked, lowering the bottle with a smirk.

Simon nodded at once. "Yes. Several of the more opportunistic nobles in the capital approached him, but he turned them all down flat. That actually made him even more famous. The flower you can’t have always seems more beautiful, does it not?"

That kid must have had a rough time.

Ian let out a soft laugh. He had known for a while that Philip hadn't wavered or been corrupted, thanks to the skills of the holy ring. However, even if Phillip had been serving another master, he wouldn't have felt particularly disappointed or betrayed.

After all, he was the one who had thrown Philip into the Great Church, which was practically enemy territory, and then disappeared for years.

"Since then, it’s said that few have even met him, let alone spoken with him," Simon added, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Not only did he refuse all requests, but he apparently doesn't spend much time at the Great Church. Chaos and madness have been seeping into all corners of the Empire, you see."

Despite his hushed tone, Simon’s eyes, as he looked up at Ian, were more vibrant than ever. He was not only enjoying the story but was clearly hoping to hear things from Ian that no one else knew. Ian, of course, was thinking something else entirely.

"Then even if we send this boy to the Papal State, he might not be able to meet Philip right away." Ian took another sip of liquor and looked at Mukapa. "If that happens, can you take Shahin to House Sonnier? I have a mansion in the capital, so you’d only need to ask them to guide him there."

"I will do so." Mukapa nodded without a hint of hesitation.

"Sonnier?" Simon muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing.

Without even looking at Simon, Ian added, "Now that the details of the commission have been set, all that’s left is to decide on the payment."

Mukapa bowed his head slightly. "By the rules, I cannot refuse payment entirely, but I was originally heading to the capital—"

"That battle hammer should be enough, right?"

"—anyway… What?"

As Ian cut him off, Mukapa’s button-like eyes widened a beat later.

The orc, panting in a way that didn't suit him, shook his head. "I cannot accept it. The reward is too great."

"Don’t forget we’ll be parting ways on the road, Mukapa. The journey to the Empire will be more difficult and dangerous than you think. That hammer will help you complete your commission."

"That is true, of course, but this hammer is a treasure whose value I cannot even begin to measure…"

"Then just put the rest on my tab."

So much fuss over me giving you something.

Clicking his tongue, Ian met Mukapa’s eyes. "If I have another favor to ask, I’ll use it then."

Mukapa let out a low hum and finally said in a subdued tone, "Then, after I complete the commission, I will seek you out again."

"How will you know where I am?"

"You will be somewhere in the North, so I will stop by the Temple of the Brazier and ask around."

He knows more than I thought.

Ian let out a chuckle and shrugged. "Fine, do as you wish."

There was no reason to refuse. Mukapa was an excellent immediate asset. The way he had sent that sea beast flying had been quite impressive, even to Ian.

Ian’s gaze then shifted to Shahin, who had been listening blankly. "Philip will try to raise you as a knight. If you don’t like that, you can just stay at my mansion."

"You mean as a servant?"

"No. You can just live there."

"Pardon?" Shahin asked, bewildered.

Ian shrugged again, and Simon, who had been lost in thought, suddenly muttered, "Her Highness, the Princess…"

When Ian looked at him, he continued with a sharp gaze, "The only connection between House Sonnier and the Agent of the Saint, as far as I can see, is her. If she sought you through her maternal family, then it all fits perfectly."

"Huh."

"I do not know how she learned that the Agent of the Saint had returned to the South, but there must be something I do not know."

"You’ve surprised me several times today," Ian said with a laugh.

So, everyone has their own knack.

Simon’s ability to piece things together was top-notch. It was likely a skill he had naturally developed while living buried in all the rumors and gossip of noble society.

"After all, the story of His Highness personally escorting the Agent of the Saint to the capital has long been a favorite among the nobles," Simon said, his face filled with pride, while Mukapa’s thick brow furrowed slightly.

"It was inevitable. Thanks to that, the succession line, which had been stabilizing, was thrown back into complete chaos. Her Highness succeeded in forging her own destiny with her own hands."

His voice grew heated. While Brennen shook his head in helpless dismay, glancing between Ian and Mukapa, Simon smiled.

"Nobles adore tales like these. Stories where noble blood proves its own nobility. And after the news of the Agent of the Saints’ disappearance spread…" Simon faltered mid-sentence, a flicker of alarm in his eyes as he bit his lip.

Ian, having swallowed a mouthful of liquor, said, "After that, what?"

"W-Well, there were rumors she collapsed from grief. She refused food and drink for days. And so, there was talk that Her Highness and the Agent of the Saint were, in fact, in love."

Ian’s eyes twitched. Simon looked at him for a moment, then let out an awkward laugh and looked away. "But it seems that was just a baseless rumor. Haha."

"What a…" Ian shook his head and brought the bottle to his lips.

People would find a way to twist anything into a scandal, and it was the same in every world. It just meant the nobles of the capital had too much time on their hands.

Simon waved his hand nervously. "Please pay it no mind. Half of what gossip says is false, and the other half exaggerated."

"I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like a matter to be dismissed so easily," a cool voice interjected.

Simon and the others paused and turned. Ian, lowering the bottle, also looked toward the stern a beat later. The silver-haired elder fairy, who had come outside at some point, was approaching, brushing her wind-tousled hair from her face.

"If a similar rumor starts up again, the Agent of the Saint might end up with a reputation as a womanizer, you know."

At Thesaya’s comment, a corner of Ian’s mouth curled up. He was, after all, known as Thesaya’s lover in Southern fairy society. In time, that rumor would also cross the sea. She was likely worried about his reputation after that.

"Aha, I see. That would not do." Simon, who had frozen for a moment, nodded with a solemn expression. "Do not worry. When I return to the capital, I will personally correct that misunderstanding. In a sophisticated manner that will not bring harm to either the Agent of the Saint or Her Highness."

Ian had no desire to know what that manner might be.

Watching Thesaya approach, Ian gave a slight nod. "You’re up earlier than I thought."

"Your warmth was gone. I felt lonely."

Tossing out a line that would make any gossipers salivate, Thesaya came to a stop, smoothly taking the bottle from Ian’s hand.

"And it looks like you’re having an interesting conversation."

"It seems I was chattering too loudly. Haha," Simon laughed sheepishly.

Having crossed the line between life and death together, he was clearly more comfortable around Thesaya than before. Thesaya, too, had shed some of her lofty and arrogant elder fairy persona.

"My ears are simply too sharp, that’s all," she added, bringing the bottle to her lips.

Despite using so many spells, she appeared almost the same as usual, only a bit drowsy and nothing more. She had clearly suffered no fatal side effects like corruption.

It was likely thanks to the Essence of the Tree of Life.

Frowning as if she hadn't expected the liquor to be so strong, Thesaya handed the bottle back.

"So, our little sprout has decided to follow Ian in the end?"

"Yes. I plan to go to his knight, Sir Philip." Shahin’s polite answer made it clear he had no intention of freeloading in Ian’s house

Thesaya’s lips twisted into a smirk. "Freckles will like that. A shame, but I suppose I can’t do anything about that one."

"You seem to be close with Sir Philip," said Simon.

Thesaya gave a pointed nod. "Of course. I’ve known him since he was a fledgling. By the way…" She looked at Ian, who was taking a drink. "When are we getting off? I’m sick of being on this boat."

"Just one more night. By tomorrow morning." Ian swallowed another mouthful and glanced at Mukapa. He was thinking of going down with Mukapa to row for a bit, partly to loosen up his stiff body, but also to escape this filthy, rocking ship a minute sooner.

"We will also be accompanying you to the frontier. I look forward to your guidance, Elder," Brennen added respectfully.

Looking around as if just noticing, Thesaya blinked. "The frontier? Aha, right. You must not have had the courage to go back into the inner sea."

"The ship is heading for Barnaso. They say it’s a den of islanders and barbarians from the Black Sea," Brennen added as Ian gave only a half-hearted nod.

"Ah, is that so? That’s perfect. I was hoping to meet those islanders again someday. If I’m lucky, I might get a chance to repay my debt." Thesaya drew a slim case from her robes, slipped a cigarette between her lips, and smiled.

Clearly, the bitterness lingered. Ian only shrugged in reply. It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand her feelings, but he had no intention of seeking immediate revenge.

The fleet had been annihilated after all. They likely had other ships, but it would take a long time to recover from that loss. The same was true for the Blue Magic Tower. And besides, the seas would soon be crawling with Bukikia’s masterless servants.

"So, is there anything else?" Lighting the cigarette with flint and taking in a drag, Thesaya exhaled smoke and offered it to Ian. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

When Simon blinked, she smirked. "Any other rumors related to the Agent of the Saint or me, or that have shaken the capital in the last few years?"

"Ah, well, of course, there’s plenty more," Simon said, his eyes wandering into the air.

He then clicked his tongue awkwardly. "Unfortunately, as I was in the South, I am not aware of the situation after the Black Wall collapsed. Of course, thanks to that, I have formed this precious connection and had this valuable experience… but you could say I am a little behind."

"That’s fine. Up until then is enough. Can’t we hear it over a meal, Ian? My stomach feels like it’s stuck to my back." Thesaya’s smile deepened as she looked at Ian, who now had the cigarette between his lips.

Though he had been planning to go down and row, Ian didn't let it show and nodded. "Sure."

He, too, was curious about what had happened in the Empire over the past few years. As Shahin darted down the stairs toward Hasim’s voice, Simon smiled, baring his teeth.

"I’m glad I can be of use. Go on, make yourselves comfortable. I’ll share every tale that once set the central region ablaze with gossip! Of course, I can’t vouch for their truth!"

For the first time, Ian and Thesaya found him looking almost reliable.