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Chapter 207

Of course, part of this stability was due to this old and strict Count. Though he had failed in raising his children, he was a respected lord.

As Ian entered the banquet hall, he took in the Count\'s face. The Count was still using the banquet hall where Obell had become the root of corruption. Though there were still dark stains on the floor, the Count, seated in the high chair, wore a stern expression, as if he didn’t notice them. His eyes seemed to shine even brighter now, perhaps to show everyone he hadn\'t weakened or broken.

A young knight stood behind him, fully armed. He appeared to be the newly appointed head of security. Whether he was a survivor from yesterday\'s battle or not, his eyes, as he looked at Thesaya and Ian, were filled with tension.

"Stand down." The Count\'s low command made the knight and the steward leave without a word.

When the door closed, the Count finally looked down at Thesaya with a blank expression. "Did you sleep well? Your complexion is always pale, so it’s hard to tell just by looking."

The nerve of this old man.

Ian\'s brow twitched slightly. Despite everything, the Count still wielded rudeness like a weapon.

Thesaya\'s voice was icy. "Thanks to you. You seem better than yesterday. Be careful. They say a candle that burns too brightly soon extinguishes."

The Count\'s eyes twitched, and Ian glanced at the back of Thesaya\'s head. The Count\'s wrinkled lips curled into a smile shortly after.

He let out a slightly irritated laugh and spoke in a more relaxed tone. "Indeed. But there\'s no helping it. An old man has to push himself in times like these."

"Still, you must take care. It would be a shame to lose a hard-earned life so easily." Thesaya\'s tone softened as well, and the Count nodded in agreement.

Ian finally allowed a faint smile. He realized that the Count\'s initial remark was a poorly executed joke, and Thesaya had responded in kind. There must have been changes in their relationship during the struggles to evacuate the residents that Ian hadn\'t been aware of. Crisis and hardship often bring people closer quickly.

The Count quickly reverted to his typical stern expression and asked, "How is Sir Sharon doing?"

"Thanks to Della Lu\'s grace, she is already able to get out of bed. She is a strong warrior, so there\'s no need to worry. Now, may I ask why you have requested this audience?"

"There are several reasons... but first." The Count awkwardly rose to his feet, looking at Thesaya intently.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude. Without your help, I would not be alive, and many more lives would have been lost." The Count bowed deeply.

Thesaya was clearly taken aback, hesitating before responding with composed calm.

"Please, stop. Now I\'m really getting worried. It\'s never a good sign when people act out of character."

"... I only said what needed to be said, so don’t take it to heart." The Count cleared his throat and sat back down.

A playful smile touched Thesaya\'s lips. "Oh my. Even feeling embarrassed. I appreciate the thanks, Your Excellency. Of course, it would be even better if it didn\'t end with just words. One of my close associates often says..."

Thesaya glanced at Ian with a playful smile before turning back to the Count. "Gratitude should be shown with money or gifts, not just words."

"That’s a very elven saying. But it\'s the proper order of things. I don\'t have many jewels or treasures, but if you wish, I can give you some. However, I was thinking of a more practical reward in the Western tradition. How about that?"

"Let\'s hear it first."

"I heard you plan to leave soon. So..."

The Count leaned back, resting his head against the back of the chair, and spoke after a moment\'s pause. "I will open the storeroom and armory to provide you with anything that might aid your journey. How does that sound? You may take anything you choose, though I cannot give you everything."

"... You continue to surprise me today. Thank you for your consideration. Also, if possible, it would be helpful if you could spare three horses."

"Consider it done. Your straightforward request eases my mind somewhat."

They are getting along quite well.

Ian listened to their conversation with a detached interest. Surely, the Count hadn\'t summoned them just to discuss this. Nobles always saved the main point for last. After exchanging a few more trivial remarks, the Count finally turned his gaze to Ian.

"Sir Ivan."

Ian met his gaze without a word.

The Count, who had been watching Thesaya with a subdued expression, now spoke. "I also want to express my gratitude to you. I have heard that you played the most crucial role. Drenorov and the Westwood family will not forget the debt we owe you."

"I gladly accept your thanks." Despite Ian\'s indifferent response, the Count simply nodded.

Ian realized the Count was being uncharacteristically cautious. It seemed he found Ian more challenging to approach than Thesaya.

The Count began slowly. "Before we get to the main point, there is something I want to hear directly from you."

"Go ahead."

"I heard the ritual was not limited to this place. Is that true?"

"It is. Most likely."

"The corrupters in Drenorov are only part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by someone else. Is that also true?"

"Most likely."

"And you are leaving to punish them?"

Ian frowned slightly and responded. "Get to the point, Count."

Stop circling around with questions I don’t care about.

After a brief pause, the Count spoke in a low voice. "Avenge us."

"...?"

"Please kill everyone involved in this conspiracy. Bring me their heads. Since you were already planning to do this, it shouldn\'t be too difficult. If you do this, I will reward you in any way you wish."

So, this is the main point.

Looking into the Count\'s cold eyes, Ian sighed inwardly. This old man hadn\'t overcome yesterday\'s events; he was just pretending.

A series of quest windows appeared before Ian\'s eyes.

[Revenge and Atonement.]

As he read through the quest details, one of his eyes twitched. It was a pivotal quest. Help the Count with his revenge or assist him in seeking atonement.

It didn\'t take much time to reach a decision.

"The corrupters who led the ritual will die." Ian closed the quest window and met the Count\'s gaze once more.

"But that\'s not for your revenge. I have no interest in collecting the heads of corrupters, nor do I intend to."

The Count\'s eyes widened momentarily.

Ian, meeting his stormy gaze calmly, continued. "Don\'t push your guilt onto me, Count."

"...." The Count\'s wrinkled brow furrowed.

Ian didn\'t avert his gaze. The icy silence hung for a moment.

"... Then what?" The Count\'s voice was raspy as he ran a hand over his face.

"What can I do with this old, sick body? I can\'t even take revenge myself. I won\'t be able to continue ruling this land. I can\'t keep this from the central authority. To protect my only remaining child and prevent further loss of life, I must report this. But that will be the end of me and my family\'s legacy. I will either be killed for colluding with the corrupters or be stripped of my title in disgrace."

The Count paused, his voice catching, before continuing. "If I don’t seek revenge, what can I do for those who died?"

"Well..."

Why are you asking me that?

Ian sighed inwardly, but spoke up. "At the very least, you can atone for what your son did and for what you did to your son."

"...!" The Count\'s eyes widened again, and he let out a low groan before adding, "But... I\'m only good at farming and managing land."

"Then do that."

"... It doesn\'t seem like that would be enough."

"That\'s for you to decide."

"Ha... atonement... atonement..." The Count sighed, rubbing his temples with his wrinkled, bony hand.

"I could farm until the day I die, but that wouldn\'t be atonement. It would be more like escaping. Instead, I should dedicate my life to restoring the lives of the ruined residents..."

He paused, letting out a bitter laugh. “It is simply unfortunate. The day will come sooner when I can no longer do so, rather than the end of my life.”

"...." At that moment, Thesaya glanced at Ian with a peculiar look. She met his eyes briefly before Ian sighed and spoke up.

"Then when that time comes..." Ian paused, then continued as he looked back at the Count.

"Use my name. It might help."

"...?" The Count looked at him.

Ian continued nonchalantly. "You have some idea of who I am, don\'t you? That\'s why you\'re asking me all these questions."

"...." The Count\'s lips moved wordlessly for a moment before he cautiously replied.

"Yes... I know you’re not just a knight serving Lady Aynas. The same goes for Sir Maverick. No matter how senior they are, paladins wouldn\'t serve an elf... I didn\'t ask because I figured you had reasons to keep it a secret. Are you willing to reveal your true identity?"

Thesaya, who had been smirking slightly, leaned in toward Ian, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

If not for the quest...

Ian sighed through his nose and gave a small nod.

"In that case, stand up and show your respect, Count." Thesaya stepped aside, speaking with authority.

The Count, under her stern gaze, stood silent.

With her chin slightly raised, Thesaya finally spoke. "The man before you is a holy warrior of the Stern Goddess, the Great Warrior of the North, a Dragon Slayer of the North, and the sole and official agent of the Great Platinum Dragon. He is the acknowledged superhuman of the North, Sir Ian Hope."

"...." The Count\'s thin lips parted slightly as he stared at Thesaya. It was clear that Ian\'s true identity far exceeded his expectations. A faint, incredulous smile appeared on his face as he looked at Ian.

"By Lu Solar... you are that famous figure."

He did not doubt the truth of the introduction at all. Ian\'s deeds alone were convincing enough, and a presentation by an elder elf carried substantial weight. Besides, the Count had already heard rumors about the North.

Thesaya spoke sharply. "Count?"

The Count, snapping back to reality, immediately prostrated himself on the floor. "I greet the agent of the Platinum Dragon...."

His tone and demeanor were now one of utmost reverence. It was only natural, as he was a devout follower of Lu Solar before being a Count of the Empire. The Platinum Dragon was a legendary saint of the church, and Ian, as his agent, deserved the utmost respect.

Ian sighed silently and spoke. "Stand up, Count. There\'s no need for such formalities."

"... I will, Sir ...Ian." The Count rose obediently, though he kept his head bowed.

Ignoring Thesaya\'s proud glance, Ian continued. "Count Aynas and Sir Maverick are assisting me. I believe you understand why we haven\'t revealed our identities."

"... Of course. I swear to the Radiant Goddess to keep your secret."

An oath, really?

Ian thought, but nodded. "If investigators from the church or the royal family come, tell them my words. Say that the Count was an uninvolved victim and did everything possible to protect his people. And that he is atoning for his son\'s sins by restoring Drenorov."

"... I will." The Count bowed deeply again. His sincerity was apparent, confirmed by the quest completion window that appeared before Ian.

They make me do all sorts of things. In the game, this would have been a simple click-to-complete quest... Is this really the better ending?

Even if it wasn\'t, there was no going back now. Ian closed the confirmation window and looked at the Count.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

"... I did, but it\'s no longer relevant. I hope you find comfort during your stay, sir."

Ian nodded and glanced at Thesaya before turning to leave.

After a few steps, the Count\'s voice called out. "Do you have any last words for me?"

Ian turned back to face the small, frail, and darkened old man. "Don\'t repeat your mistakes."

"...."

The Count, who had momentarily stiffened, eventually bowed deeply.

... I sure have been speaking out of turn today.

Ian sighed silently, not looking back as he left the banquet hall.

***

"So this is how it feels. I understand now why kitty kept wanting to do it." Thesaya, having stepped out of the mansion, glanced around and whispered.

She looked at Ian, who remained silent, and added with a smirk. "Revealing a closely guarded secret with my own mouth feels so liberating."

I\'m sure it does.

Ian snorted and quickened his pace, speaking as they reached the outer estate. "Inform Charlotte about the supplies. There probably isn\'t anything extraordinary in the armory, but Imperial gear should still be useful. She’ll definitely want to check it out herself, so make sure she doesn’t overexert herself. It’d be best if her wounds are fully healed before we leave."

"You really look out for kitty a lot. Don\'t worry, I\'ll make sure she wraps herself up with those relics. Are you heading straight to the church?"

"Yes..." Ian\'s voice carried a sigh.

I wish I could rest for a few days. But this damned world doesn\'t allow such luxuries.

"Then handle things well, Sir Ivan," Thesaya spoke with a dignified expression, turning toward the annex. She signaled to a passing servant, instructing them to prepare for a visit to the mansion\'s storeroom and armory.

When she truly becomes an elder, she will really boss around the lower-ranking ones.

Ian chuckled softly, stepping into the city.