I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 425

"Pardon?" Valten's golden eyes widened in surprise.

Seren belatedly lifted her head to look at Ian. "What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what you heard." Unlike the other two, Ian's expression and tone remained calm. "I have a reason to wait for His Highness. However, adding a favor on top of that is another matter entirely."

He shrugged slightly as he finished his sentence. "And if that favor involves stepping into an archdemon's territory, even more so."

"Then—" Seren's blue eyes, which had been flickering with uncertainty, finally steadied. "Rather than a favor, you're proposing a deal? Even when it concerns His Highness's safety?"

The voice that slipped through her visor had turned cold. Valten looked more stunned than angry—he hadn't even considered the possibility that Ian would take such a stance regarding the Crown Prince. After all, Ian was the chosen Agent of the Great Platinum Dragon. There was no way Valten could have known that Ian was the type to demand compensation, even from the dragon itself.

"Good heavens." Diana looked at him with an expression as if her heart had just dropped.

Yet Ian didn't even blink.

"You're gravely mistaken." Meeting Seren's gaze without wavering, he spoke in an even, detached tone. "I came here because His Highness requested an audience with me. That is all. I do not serve him, nor am I obligated to assist in his endeavors. To begin with, I haven't even met him before."

Seren's eyes flickered more intensely this time. It was as if she was only now realizing that something she had believed true was, in fact, false. The same went for Valten and Diana. The only one that was unaffected by that statement was Lucia. She simply crossed her arms and nodded as if she agreed.

"So, if you need my help, make a proper request—not a plea. If that doesn't work with you, then this conversation ends here. I believe I've already said enough about why I should wait for His Highness." Ian added those words as he looked at Seren, who seemed at a loss for words.

Then, without further hesitation, he turned around. Lucia turned to follow him.

—Hey, Friend?

A hurried whisper brushed against Ian's mind.

—Are you really just going to wait? Are you serious? If we follow them, it'll be fun.

Of course not.

Ian dismissed Diana's dazed stare as he mused inwardly. After all, he had no intention of leaving Hyked alone—this felt too much like an event from the game. If left unattended for too long, ‌it would trigger a branching path where Hyked wouldn't survive.

However, before anything else, Ian needed to imprint his position in their minds firmly. And there was no better moment for that than now.

They're the ones who need something from me, after all.

Besides, looking sincere was the foundation of any negotiation. Judging by how even Yog had fallen for it, his act had worked flawlessly.

"P-Please, wait a moment!"

As expected.

He hadn't even taken a few steps before Seren called him. When Ian stopped and turned back, she hastily lowered the hand she had instinctively reached out and bowed her head.

"I sincerely apologize for my rudeness, Agent of the Saint. I let the urgency of the situation blind me and took your goodwill for granted."

Glancing at Lucia, who was watching the situation with an unreadable expression, Ian turned to face Seren. "I'll gladly accept your apology. I understand it came from your loyalty to His Highness."

"Thank you, Agent of the Saint." Surprised that he had accepted so readily, Seren hesitated for a moment before slightly bending her knees in a subtle gesture of deference.

She then straightened and spoke again, unaware of the calculations running beneath Ian's calm demeanor. "Upon meeting His Highness, I will discuss a suitable reward with him. Even if we do not, His Highness has never been one to forget—"

"This is the third time." Ian cut her off.

Seren's helmet tilted slightly as if puzzled. "Third time?"

"Once at Drag Velga and another on the way here from Sir Valten." Ian tilted his head slightly.

Catching Seren's gaze, Valten gave a startled nod. "It's true. The Agent of the Saint single-handedly wiped out the cannibalistic bandits—including their leader, Versar. In return, I promised him a proper reward along with the spoils they left behind."

"And yet, I've never really received anything resembling compensation. Well, aside from Sir Valten's personal token of gratitude," said Ian, locking eyes with Seren's glowing blue gaze as she turned back to him. "In my line of work, we usually call this a debt."

"A debt." Seren fell silent. Valten, too, looked momentarily at a loss for words as he turned to Ian. freewёbnoνel.com

Ian shrugged nonchalantly. "Letting it slide three times seems excessive, don't you think?"

"Well, he's... not wrong," Diana muttered. She seemed to have regained her composure, watching the situation unfold with keen interest. Her gaze, flicking between Valten and Seren, carried a hint of amusement.

Lucia was the same. Though she said nothing, her masked face, with its slightly puffed cheeks, revealed a hidden smile or an attempt to suppress laughter.

"Then what would you have us do?" Seren finally asked.

"Well, normally, I don't accept debts from clients I don't trust, but it wouldn't be right to say I don't trust the Crown Prince at all." Clicking his tongue as if he had no choice, Ian added, "So I'll take half of what I'm owed as an advance payment."

"Half..." muttered Seren.

"I won't be rigid about it. I'll allow for some flexibility."

"How generous of you." Seren's voice carried a faint breath. Though her face remained hidden, Ian was certain she had a bitter smile beneath the visor.

After a brief pause, she nodded. "We'll do as you say, Agent of the Saint."

"Excellent." Ian's lips curved into a satisfied smile.

Seren continued, "Would opening the armory suffice? I cannot touch His Highness's personal belongings, so for now, that's all I can offer. If there's anything that suits your needs, I'll ensure it's handed over."

"Hmm." Ian stroked his chin as if in thought. "I suppose that'll do for now. Though, I'm not sure if it will be of much use to me. As you can see, I'm already quite well-equipped."

"Then—"

"But since there's no better option, I'll take a look first. Besides, I've thought of a few more conditions I'd like to add."

"Feel free to speak." Seren nodded.

Ian turned slightly to the side. "Prepare suitable accommodations for Priestess Lucifer. Preferably, the most comfortable quarters available."

Lucia looked at Ian with a surprised expression.

Meeting her startled eyes, Ian continued, "So that while I'm away—"

"That won't do, Sir Ian." Lucia cut in urgently. Taking a deep breath, she quickly added, "I'm coming with you."

"You heard them. The air here is already thick with madness, and it'll be even worse in the archdemon's territory. Even with divine blessings, you know there's a limit to how much you can endure."

"I know. But that was something I accepted the moment I ended up here." Her gaze remained steady, despite the slight tremble in her voice. "I can't let you bear all the risk alone. Even if there's a price to pay for it—no matter what that price is. Besides, you know as well as I do."

She placed a hand over her mask as if she were about to remove it."I can be useful to you, Sir Ian."

"Well, of course." Ian let out a quiet sigh as he replied.

For a moment, Lucia's determined, almost reckless gaze overlapped with that of another—a red-haired knight whose stubbornness had been just as unshakable. He knew from experience that arguing was pointless with her expression like this.

Deep down, he knew this wasn't only about his safety. Lucia wasn't afraid of being left behind—she was someone who had already lost more than anyone her age should have. If something happened to Ian, it wouldn't just break her. It could put her at an even greater risk.

"I think it would be best if you stayed, Lucifer." Diana's voice cut in quietly, drawing Ian and Lucia's attention.

Her tone was calm, but firm. "I know you're strong. You'd be even more useful in the forest. But the one we're dealing with is Inaskurgl. Its domain is soaked in primal madness. It would be safer for you and me to stay behind."

"She's right," Ian cut in before Lucia could argue, giving a small nod. "Though you'll be coming with me, Diana."

"What?" Diana blinked. Though her mask hid most of her expression, the frown behind it was unmistakable. "Why would I?"

"You've still got a mission to complete," Ian replied, tilting his chin toward her. "Besides, that mask of yours is more effective than anything else we've got. You didn't cough once the whole way here."

"That's—wait, no, that doesn't mean—" Diana stammered as if she'd been hit over the head.

A faint smile played on Ian's lips. In truth, he'd never meant to bring her along. His real goal lay elsewhere, since trying to sway Lucia was a battle he knew he couldn't win.

Just as he was about to steer the conversation toward that goal, Lucia spoke, "The armory. There must be other protective gear, right?"

As Ian paused, Lucia turned to face forward again. "Isn't that right, Sir Seren?"

"Of course." Seren, who had been watching the back-and-forth with a somewhat dazed expression, quickly nodded. It was likely the first time she'd spoken to Lucia directly, but she didn't even seem to realize it.

A moment later, as if realizing something, Seran continued, "There are pieces of protective gear in the armory that either never found an owner or lost theirs. Many of them aren't suited for the Wolves because of their size, so they've gone unused. Since you are the Apostle of the Burning Goddess, as long as you prepare properly, there shouldn't be any issues."

She turned to Ian. "Couldn't the Priestess's armor be used to settle the rest of your payment?"

Ian gave a slow nod. In truth, the idea had already crossed his mind the moment he decided Lucia was coming with him.

Sensing the shift, Seren quickly added, "We'll also lend you Norton's magic cloak. But, that one will need to be returned."

"Norton?" Ian asked.

"The administrator I spoke with earlier," Valten answered in her place.

Meeting Ian's gaze, he continued, "He was once a mage, but he abandoned his craft to keep himself from falling into madness. However, in the process, he became somewhat obsessive—almost pathological—in his research on how to block chaos."

That explains a lot, Ian thought, remembering the man's mirror-like mask. He hadn't seemed like any ordinary administrator.

"He's also the one who developed most of the protective circuits we use today," Valten went on. "That cloak is his masterpiece. And apparently, he can't recreate it. As for why, he explained it to me once, but—I couldn't understand a word."

"Would he really lend us something that valuable?" Lucia asked quietly.

"Leave that to me. He won't have much choice." Valten gave a firm nod—a knight's way of saying he was ready to use force if needed.

Seren stepped in again. "Some of the Wolves also carry protective talismans. We'll gather them for the Priestess. They'll help keep her safe. That should ease your mind, Agent of the Saint."

Lucia looked up at Ian, her eyes shining. "What do you think?"

He sighed and gave a reluctant nod. "I'll sort through the armory myself. She can come and pick out what she needs later."

"Understood. I'll grant you full access," Seren said quickly. She wanted this matter resolved without delay.

Still, Ian didn't feel quite satisfied.

"You've heard the terms," he said, turning to Diana. "Now, choose."

His golden gaze locked onto her swamp-green eyes. "You can either gear up and come with me... or lend your mask to Lucia."

Diana stiffened for a moment before echoing him. "My mask?"

Ian gave a small shrug. "It's not impossible, is it? It would keep Lucia safer. She'll give it back when we return."

"No... I mean, you're not wrong, but—this mask is as dear to me as my own life—"

"T-That's all right, Sir Ian." Lucia reached out, gently resting her hand on Ian's arm before turning to Diana. "She's already done more than enough. If she doesn't want to, I don't want to force her. I wouldn't feel right about it."

Such a kind kid.

Ian let out a low chuckle before ruffling Lucia's hair.

"Dammit." Diana let out a deep sigh, her eyes shutting tight. She rubbed her hands over her mask as if washing her face, then met Ian's gaze. "Fine. I'll go with you, Ian Hope."

"You will?" He blinked, caught off guard.

She exhaled sharply. "But I'm not fighting. I'll stay back and support if I have to, and if anything goes wrong, I'm grabbing Lucy and getting out."

"Thank you. Knowing you'll be watching our backs gives me peace of mind." Lucia smiled, and Diana turned her eyes away, just a little.

"It's... not just for you," she muttered. "If I go with you, there's a chance I might finally see that bastard beast die. Someone from our clan should be there to witness it."

"Now that's a noble sense of duty." A faint smile crossed Ian's lips. Diana had always been a fairy who understood loyalty.

"Then—" Seren, who had kept quiet until now, finally spoke, her voice formal. "Shall I take this as your acceptance of the contract?"

Ian turned toward her and gave a final nod. "Yes. The contract is sealed."