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Chapter 101

“Ian sir, you had a deep connection with the Kingdom of Agel Lan, right?”

“You know a lot about me.” Ian blurted out.

Lucas paused for a moment, then quickly bowed his head slightly.

“I would like to apologize for any rudeness, Sir Ian.”

“I would rather hear an explanation than an apology.”

He stood up, walked over to the desk, and picked up a small notebook.

“Since I met you in Ninglosth, I sent a letter to the Temple of Brazier. It was out of personal curiosity. I wanted to know more about you, Sir Ian.”

“You investigated me.”

“I won\'t deny it completely. My personal curiosity was greater. You saved the Temple of Brazier, are a paladin of Tir En, and repelled the demons infiltrating Ninglosth. I didn’t distrust you.”

Desperate, indeed.

Lucas\'s eyes and tone seemed genuinely truthful. Ian did not find it too rude.

“So, were you satisfied with the reply?”

“It was more than that. Here, I have been carrying it with me, intending to give it to you someday.”

Lucas opened the notebook and pulled out a neatly folded letter.

“It seems someone at the temple knew you well for a long time. Thanks to them, I was able to know much more than I expected. I had already anticipated you were a remarkable person....”

Ian’s eyes narrowed as he unfolded the letter. At the same time, the corners of his mouth curled up.

“I can see why.”

The reply was written by Lucy, but it was clear Miguel had dictated it. Lucy wouldn’t have just written something like this on her own.

“Dragon Hunter of the swamp. Beheader of monsters of Agel Lan. Purifier of the Tomb Forest. Savior of Agel Lan and Bearer of the Ember....” Lucas recited as if he had memorized the contents.

Ian now understood why Lucas had become more respectful after a long absence and why he had spoken so freely about topics better left unspoken. He had unwittingly won the young commander’s admiration.

“...You are said to be an exceptional mercenary who resolves any assigned missions by whatever means necessary.”

“Not always. If the contract terms change, or if the client\'s situation changes, I sometimes break the contract.”

Like old man Urd’s request.

Ian spoke without taking his eyes off the letter.

Lucas grinned and nodded. “There’s also a note at the bottom for you. It said not to discard it and show it to you when we meet. That’s why I’ve been carrying it with me all the time.”

“...Right. I’m reading it now.”

It was Lucy’s letter. She wrote that she was studying hard at the Temple of Brazier and could now ignite the sacred flame of Lu Entre.

Ian could not help but frown at the part stating that Miguel had also decided to serve Lu Entre.

That guy, a novice priest...?

Ian couldn’t imagine him wearing a priest’s robes. However, it was an undeniable fact written there.

If there ever comes a day when we meet again, I will be able to verify the truth.

“Thanks... I appreciate hearing this pleasant news.” Ian said as he folded the letter.

Lucas smiled in relief. “Thank you for forgiving me.”

“So, what happened to Agel Lan?”

“Unfortunately, Agel Lan was the first to be pushed back.”

“...That can’t be.” Ian’s brow furrowed.

It was an unbelievable story. After all, Mev Riurel was there. She alone could take on a hundred men without divine power, and with her extensive experience commanding soldiers along the border, it was unlikely she would be easily defeated in a war between border kingdoms.

Lucas spoke calmly. “The king personally commanded the army, and his military tactics were poor. After several defeats, they retreated, and he lost the trust of his lords. After that, the details are unclear.”

“The king... commanded the army?”

Not Mev?

Ian blinked in confusion. It was a scenario that had only unfolded in games. But now, Mev was certainly alive.

Could it be that she left Agel Lan before the war started?

Well, after all, there were plenty of reasons. Not only her but even Philip was disillusioned with the king’s behavior. Perhaps Philip had influenced her decision. Considering how much he was influenced by Ian, it wouldn’t be surprising at all.

“I will inform you if more information comes in. Once things are settled here at the fortress, I will be returning to Travelga, so you should be able to hear more frequent updates.”

Ian nodded appreciatively. “Understood.”

“So, why were you looking for me? Did you find something near the mountains?”

“Yes.”

Ian explained concisely that he had discovered an underground palace, killed the Giant Queen and the devil she had sealed, and then passed through the mountain range via the ruins where a giant commander was sealed.

Of course, the calmness was only in Ian’s tone.

As Ian finished his story, Lucas’s jaw had progressively dropped, and by the end, he seemed almost out of his wits.

“Are you listening?” When Ian asked, Lucas suddenly blinked as if snapping back to reality.

“...It’s an astonishing tale. If what you had said is all true, are you able to prove it?”

“I have evidence. I’d like to sell them for a fair price, and Lucas, you sir came to mind.”

“Sell... them?”

“Yes. They are clearly spoils of battle. Why else would I tell you this story?”

“Well... I suppose. Hmm.” Lucas paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

After a moment, he faced Ian again.

“...Sir Ian, would you not stay here for one more day? I still have matters to attend to, and I would like to have a more relaxed conversation with you tonight.” He added, placing his hand on his chest.

“I will provide comfortable accommodations for you and all your companions.”

“Well, there’s no reason not to. We’ll talk more about it later....” Ian trailed off, then nonchalantly added.

“How much influence do you actually have in this fortress? Are you just passing through as an administrator?”

“I technically have the same authority as a fortress commander, though it’s only in name.”

“You’ve pulled out the troops, so the soldiers’ morale must have dropped significantly.”

“Undoubtedly, there’s been an impact.”

“In that case....” Ian scratched his chin thoughtfully and then blurted out.

“Why not show off a bit with the nation’s money?”

***

“Thank you. How should I repay this kindness....”

Failing to grasp Ian’s hand, Fael bowed deeply instead. The reason for his reaction was simple; all the food supplies he had been carrying in the fortress had been sold.

Though the price was far from the exorbitant rates Fael would have charged the barbarians, it was still enough to make the profits he had intended in Travelga. Moreover, since he didn’t even need to travel to Travelga, Fael’s gratitude was understandable. He had also saved on the wages he would have paid for the additional travel time.

Indeed, showing off is best done with someone else’s money.

Ian shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s a token of my gratitude for all the Imperial liquor I’ve been able to enjoy.”

“I had already set aside a few bottles of liquor for you. Bor has probably delivered them to your subordinate by now.”

“That’s a pleasant thing to hear,” Ian smirked.

Fael, watching him, asked cautiously. “But what really is your true identity? I saw how the gate captain and the command soldiers treated you. No ordinary mercenary is treated with such respect. Are you really the Bearer of the Ember?”

“I’m just a mercenary,” Ian responded calmly, then scratched his chin and added. “And also the Bearer of the Ember. I don’t care for grand titles, though.”

“Seeing that you do not care for titles, you must have many. I won’t ask further. Bor was right. You are too great a person for me to handle.”

“...Handle?”

“The truth is, I was actually considering hiring your mercenary group for the caravan.”

He had big dreams.

Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he chuckled.

So, is that why this quest had appeared...?

Fael shrugged. “Of course, I would have paid you well. But now it seems better to just keep you as a welcomed guest, fitting my station.”

At the same time, a quest completion window appeared in front of Ian.

[The Fate of the Caravan.]

As he closed the window, Fael looked away. Bor, his personal bodyguard, was approaching. Having unloaded his goods, he was preparing to depart immediately. Bor nodded slightly as his eyes met Ian’s. It was likely a gesture of thanks. After all, he didn’t want to go to Travelga.

“You’ve chosen your guard well.”

“...?”

“He’s a perceptive friend. It’s good to heed the words of someone who can sense danger.”

Fael blinked, then soon smiled as if he had been complimented.

"That friend is for life. I plan to drag him along until he can no longer hold a spear."

"Admirable."

"If you ever pass near Borta of the Empire, be sure to stop by. I will always welcome you grandly."

"Only as a guest then."

"Of course. Do make sure to visit."

"I will remember. Fael of Borta."

Fael emphasized once more and moved on.

"That friend told me to keep you by my side for life. Said you have a good instinct."

"Indeed, the insight of a strong man."

Leaving their conversation behind, Ian walked toward the carriage where his companions were waiting. He passed a soldier waiting to guide the way and gestured to Charlotte and Thesaya inside.

"Let\'s go. We\'re done here."

Charlotte and Thesaya, who were holding bottles of liquor, quickly got up. It seemed they had also been given a chunk of cheese.

A man who knew gratitude.

Ian chuckled as he followed the soldier, while Charlotte’s low voice continued beside him.

"What\'s the real reason?"

"For what."

"For buying all the merchant’s goods. It doesn\'t seem like just a repayment."

"...."

Clever, indeed.

"From now on, having those guys follow us around would be more troublesome. That\'s all." Ian said this as he looked back at the departing group of Fael.

The last linked quest, The Fate of the Caravan, had two completion conditions. Either accompany them to Travelga or persuade the caravan leader to return to the Empire.

In such quests, the more difficult option often led to a better ending. In this case, it was the latter since Fael wanted to go to Travelga.

Ian didn\'t want to persuade him verbally, so he took the opportunity to use a workaround that had just come up.

In the game, characters often reencountered each other in unexpected places, either offering unexpected help, giving gifts, or presenting another quest.

Fael of Borta... Would it be the same now that the game has become a reality?

Ian mused inwardly and then nonchalantly turned around.

After all, time would reveal everything.

***

The accommodation Lucas had provided was a house on the outskirts of the fortress.

It was undoubtedly a guesthouse. It had a reasonably comfortable bed, a desk, and even a fireplace. On one side, there was also a wooden bathtub.

Thesaya lay on the bed, flicking her legs while still wearing her eye patch. Charlotte, sitting opposite Ian, was quietly sipping her drink, trying not to disturb Ian’s thoughtful silence.

Ian was sorting through his thoughts. The war of the border kingdoms, Mev, Thesaya, Lu Sard, and the events that would occur in the North. It seemed likely that the invasion of the specters of the Giant Kingdom, which had been thought unlikely, would happen. This clue would have remained unknown if he had not encountered the Imperial Arc Caravan.

Perhaps, like the border wars, this was also an inevitable flow of events. Even earlier than in the game, signs were appearing.

Maybe Ian’s killing of the Giant Queen had somehow accelerated the situation. But because of this, the outcomes might differ from those in the game. The forces at the Northern Barrier Forts hadn\'t been completely withdrawn yet. Like Fael earlier, the Northern Barrier still had enough potential for change depending on his choices.

But if that happens... many quests might disappear.

He had unintentionally resolved too many quests near the mountain range. This could mean that many quests related to Lucas and Travelga had already disappeared.

If the barrier forts do not collapse, most of the remaining quests would likely disappear as well. But that also meant saving many lives.

Ian\'s brow slightly furrowed.

Ridiculous. Since when did I start caring about the lives of others?

Apparently, being treated several times as a hero or savior had begun to make him believe he really was such a significant figure.

After all, I am...

Before Ian could conclude his thoughts, Thesaya spoke out, "They’re coming."

The sound of knocking followed.