I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 604

"Yes, Agent of the Saint. After the Wall fell, I stopped by the capital to assess the situation. It was then that I heard you were safe and that you might be somewhere in the South."

Fael smiled. "So I never imagined I would meet you on the opposite side of the continent."

"Well, I suppose that makes us even, then." Ian chuckled softly and gestured toward the table before walking over.

As Fael readily followed, Ian said, "Care for a drink?"

"Yes, please," Fael replied, taking an empty seat next to Lucifer.

Bor naturally stood behind him, and Shahin scurried over with a pewter bottle to fill the empty cup.

When Ian sat down beside Thesaya, Fael began, "There is so much I wanted to ask you, but now that we’re here, I don’t know where to begin."

"Then I’ll ask first. Do you no longer travel to the North?" asked Ian.

"Yes. After the last Corrosion, I entrusted the region to the Windmill Trading Company. They were already acquainted with the barbarians, so they were the right fit."

"Joyce?" Ian asked, accepting the bottle from Shahin.

Fael beamed. "Yes. You remember!"

"I met his former guard when we crossed paths with the Lighthouse Trading Company."

"You mean Regin, haha. They parted ways last year, which upset the Windmill Caravan’s master quite a bit. Ah, thank you," Fael said, nodding to Shahin as he received the cup.

The boy smiled back before moving to stand near Mukapa, who was leaning against the wall.

"Then you must not be familiar with the situation in the North," Ian said after a sip of wine.

Fael shook his head. "Not entirely. I have been receiving regular reports. The situation there is rather chaotic."

As Ian’s eyes twitched, Fael quickly wet his throat with a drink and added, "Archduke Olaf’s relations with the snowfield barbarians have completely broken down."

"I think I’ll need to hear the details on that," Ian said, glancing at his companions as if seeking their agreement. Of course, they all nodded. Ian was, after all, the Great Warrior of the North and the Margrave of the Snowfields.

Fael met his eyes again, recollecting what he’d heard. "After you went missing, Agent of the Saint, the barbarian legion remained at the front lines for some time, continuing their search. Once it became clear that you had crossed the Wall, I was told they scrambled to cross it as well."

"They tried to follow me?" Ian asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fael nodded. "That is what I heard. But the Black Wall had solidified, making it impossible." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Typical barbarians." Thesaya scoffed quietly.

Fael’s gaze instinctively shifted to Bor. As expected, Bor was staring straight at her. Thesaya, however, paid him no mind, rummaging in her pocket and pulling out a cigarette case.

Ian lifted his cup. "And so?"

"So, at first, they decided to wait at the front lines until the Wall stabilized again."

"That would take at least a year, if not longer," Lucifer murmured.

Fael raised his cup in agreement and added, "For them, that was no issue. The one who couldn’t wait was the Archduke."

"Figures," Ian added, smiling faintly as he took a sip. "The other fronts must have been a mess, too. With the madness seeping in everywhere."

"Yes. From what I’ve heard, he ordered them to move to other fronts."

"And then he announced that the Great Warrior had fallen in battle," Bor interjected. He wrinkled his nose as if the memory was still foul and added, "Said he’d hold a grand funeral once order was restored."

"Sounds reasonable enough," Ian murmured with a dry laugh.

Bor shook his head. "That man wanted the Great Warrior to be dead. He intended to absorb the barbarian warriors under his command under the pretext of a funeral. Everyone saw through it, and that made it all the more insulting."

"Well, it’s still logical. Though he was being quite greedy," Ian replied nonchalantly again, reaching his left hand toward Thesaya.

She, in the middle of inhaling, passed him the cigarette.

"So, did they rebel?"

"If they had, I wouldn’t be speaking so calmly right now. The front commander and the Ironfist Priest convinced them to hold their ground."

"Miguel," Lucifer whispered.

Fael glanced at her and added, "The barbarian warriors returned to the snowfields. Madness had reached that region too, and many monsters had taken root there."

"A convenient excuse," Ian said.

"Indeed. Since then, the Archduke issued several summons, but none were answered."

"I imagine His Grace must be furious," Ian murmured.

Fael nodded. "Yes. And so, His Grace forbade the barbarians from crossing the Northern barrier. It’s practically a declaration that he no longer considers them part of the North."

"An outrageous decision. They’ve done their duty, suppressing the chaos in the snowfields. Yet their contribution is being completely dismissed," Bor added, his tone thick with an anger that was impossible to miss.

Fael nodded again. "Fortunately, the garrison at the barrier fortress seems to understand the situation. There’s been no bloodshed, and they aren’t stopping outsiders from entering, so caravans can still come and go freely."

"Must be freezing up there. The master of the Windmill Trading Company must have had a rough time," Ian said, placing the cigarette back between Thesaya’s lips.

Fael chuckled softly. "You know how much he loves to complain. Still, I’m sure he made a tidy profit. He practically monopolized the byproducts from the monster hunts. Mages and artisans go crazy for that sort of thing."

He took a sip of his drink before continuing. "We’ve been seeing good returns ourselves out on the frontier. It’s more work having to make two trips, but it pays off. Anyway, that’s probably where the trouble with that Regin fellow began. Joyce wanted to visit the other Northern cities."

"That man’s greed is as great as his complaints," Bor grumbled.

Fael snorted and turned to him. "My friend, we are merchants. We can’t afford to make enemies of the Archduke."

"Not trading with him isn’t the same as making him an enemy. Don’t play with words, Master."

"You have quite a mouth for an employee. Have you forgotten what happened to the caravans that fled during the Heaven Defier’s invasion?"

"Those were cowards who fled to save their own skins."

"It will all look the same in His Grace’s eyes. Anyway…" Fael clicked his tongue and turned back to Ian. "When persuasion failed, Regin broke the contract and left. Said he couldn’t face the barbarians anymore."

Ian let out a soft laugh. "So that’s what he meant by shame back then."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. So, aside from the relationship with the Archduke, are there any other problems?"

"That’s about it, really. As far as I know, no other issues. The madness in the snowfields has largely subsided, and the cold’s not as brutal as it used to be. If you were to return, the North would naturally settle back into order." Fael smiled, meeting Ian’s eyes.

Ian offered no reply, simply raising the cup to his lips. It wasn’t the reaction Fael had hoped for.

Fael quickly took another sip of his drink and added, "In that regard, there is something I would like to say."

"Go on," Ian said, setting down his cup.

Fael lowered his voice. "If you’re planning to head for the capital, could you stop by the North first?"

Ian’s eyes twitched slightly. "You say that as if there’s a reason I shouldn’t go to the Empire."

"That is…" Fael trailed off, glancing uncomfortably at Simon and his companions.

Simon, who had been listening in silence, lifted his head sharply. "Surely you’re not suggesting you don’t trust us?"

"It’s not that," Fael said carefully. "It’s just that even knowing what I’m about to say could put you at risk."

"Then we must know all the more. It is my mission to spread the word of the Agent of the Saint's great deeds throughout the capital."

Fael looked at Ian. The statement was entirely unconvincing.

Ian took the cigarette Thesaya offered him and gave a slight nod. "Well, they are not untrustworthy."

Simon nodded as if it were a matter of course.

"But I have, of course, never given him such a mission. I can ask them to leave if you wish," added Ian.

"W-Wait a moment! Agent of the Saint!" Simon’s eyes flew open, and he spread his hands toward Ian. "I-I’d like to hear it as well! I’m prepared for whatever it is. Please allow me to stay."

Catching Ian’s gaze, Simon quickly turned his head and added, "Sir, Ed, would you mind leaving us for a moment? I believe it would be best if I were the only one to hear this. Perhaps you could guard the hallway to ensure no one approaches."

"I think it would be better if you simply left with us," Brennen muttered reluctantly, standing up from his seat. Edward did the same.

As the middle-aged knight and the limping attendant walked to the door, Simon turned back to Ian.

"Agent of the Saint?"

"If you insist on hearing it that badly." Ian exhaled a plume of smoke and looked at Fael.

Fael nodded, waited for the door to close, and then began, "The Great Church is searching for you, Agent of the Saint. More precisely, they’re pursuing both you and the Platinum Dragon."

"I knew it," Lucifer murmured as Simon’s eyes widened. She exchanged a look with Ian.

Fael, having noted Thesaya’s expression as well, nodded. "You seem to have expected this."

"Well, the Platinum Dragon destroyed the Wall. It was a predictable move," Ian replied, exhaling smoke. He placed the cigarette between Thesaya’s lips and added, "So, are they trying to hold the Platinum Dragon responsible for destroying the Black Wall?"

"That is what Her Highness predicts."

As an unreadable smile formed on Ian’s lips, Simon exclaimed, "How dare the Great Church presume to hold a Saint responsible?"

"There are many within the clergy who do not acknowledge it. Beyond that, some see it as a thorn in their side." Fael said.

"No, what do you mean? Why? The Platinum Dragon was present at the founding of the Empire."

"That’s exactly why," Ian added flatly.

Simon’s expression grew even more confused. To him, the Platinum Dragon was simply a sacred being, an object of admiration.

"Besides, you spent over two years beyond the Wall, Agent of the Saint. There will be an investigation into that as well. In case you…" Fael trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Ian let out a chuckle and said, "To see if I’m corrupted?"

"Yes." Fael nodded and brought the cup to his lips. Bor snorted, and Simon let out a hearty laugh.

"What a ridiculous suspicion. There is no need to worry."

"I wouldn’t be so sure. For those who’ve been waiting to drag me down, it’s the perfect chance," Ian shrugged and added nonchalantly.

"But even so…"

"I’ve done a lot of things to make those people hate me."

Simon’s brow furrowed in confusion.

Fael, after taking a measured breath, said, "Of course, there are many who do not feel that way. Her Highness is gathering those people under her cause. I do not know the details of her plan, but in any case, it is a relief."

He looked at Ian, who was taking another cigarette, and added, "Please, just wait a few months in the North. I will deliver the news to Her Highness, and once the situation has stabilized, I will come to escort you myself."

Ian exhaled a thin stream of smoke and finally said, "I intended to go to the North from the beginning. Don’t worry."

"You did? That is a relief!" Fael let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. If Ian had insisted on heading to the capital, there would have been no way to stop him.

"It seems my role is far more important than I thought," said Simon, frowning.

Fael turned toward him as Simon added, "We must prove the Agent of the Saint’s divinity, must we not? Sir Mukapa is here, of course, but there will be much that he cannot speak of due to regulations."

Simon glanced at the orc leaning against the wall, then placed a hand on his chest and faced Fael. "But I am different. I can testify to everything I have seen and experienced without omission."

"Hmm…"

"Therefore, please guide me to Her Highness the Princess, Master. My testimony will be of use."

"It will be dangerous," Ian said flatly.

Simon turned to him with a smile. "I know, Agent of the Saint."

"It’s not just you. Brennen, Edward, and beyond them, your entire house could be in danger."

Simon’s smile finally stiffened. It was clear he hadn’t considered that.

Staring into his eyes, Ian said, "Those who want to take me and the Platinum Dragon down won’t hesitate to use any means they can."

"Even so, I will do it," Simon finally said after biting his lower lip. "Eventually, I will end up blabbing about what I’ve seen and heard in high society, anyway. I might be able to hide a few facts, but I won’t be able to keep everything buried for the rest of my life. That’s just not who I am. And if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to be of help to you and Her Highness?"

As Ian took a long drag, Simon smiled faintly. "Besides, Her Highness will surely protect us before anything goes wrong."

"You are courageous," Fael exclaimed as Ian’s eyes curved into a slight smile. "Even with Her Highness’s protection, unexpected dangers can arise at any time."

"I… didn’t know that far. Of course, even if I had known, nothing would have changed. Probably…"

"Not bad. I’m impressed," Thesaya said, raising her cup slightly.

Lucifer lifted hers as well. "Me too. I see you in a new light."

Simon’s eyes widened for a moment, and then his lips twitched and curled into a grin. He raised his cup and thumped his chest. "You can count on me! No hardship or threat will be able to silence me. I will without fail prove the Agent of the Saint’s innocence—"

"I understand your sincerity, Simon," Ian cut him off. He moved the cigarette between his fingers and turned his gaze. "And yours as well, Master."

"It is simply what must be done," Fael replied with a slight bow.

Ian smirked and picked up his cup. "But proving my innocence is not actually that important. The real problem is something else entirely. Something Her Highness the Princess must prepare for."

"What do you mean?" Fael tilted his head.

Simon and even Shahin, who was leaning on Mukapa’s shoulder, looked equally confused.

Only Lucifer and Thesaya exchanged a knowing glance.

Ian brought the cup to his lips and said, "The former Crown Prince is alive, beyond the Black Wall."