I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain C.172

Watching Charlotte toss stones and Thesaya bury her upper body in the debris, Ian let out a short laugh.

They were really doing it. And it even seemed to be yielding results.

“Wow! More gold coins! I told you, they were rich!”

And quite a lot, too.

Thesaya, crawling out with a purse, looked back at Charlotte with a triumphant smile.

"You boasted that it was nothing. Come on, kitty, just throwing rocks won’t get you anything! Ah, Ian! You’re up?"

Thesaya, moving toward the flat stone where the loot was piling up, finally noticed Ian and shouted.

Ian nodded as Thesaya dropped the pouch among the other treasures.

“You’re awake, Ian,” Charlotte growled low and licked her lips before turning toward Ian.

“Yes,” Ian waved off Charlotte, who was about to approach him. “I’m fine, don’t worry. Keep doing what you’re doing.”

“...Are you sure?” Charlotte hesitated, asking again.

The subtle competitiveness in her eyes made it clear there was no need to ask who had found more loot.

“Yes, that’s good. Our equipment is all smashed and our pockets are empty. We can sort everything later, so keep at it.”

“If you say so....” Nodding, Charlotte turned back.

Thesaya was already on all fours, inspecting the debris.

They’re having fun.

Ian looked away with a faint smile. Without horses and a wagon, they couldn’t carry everything they found, but it would certainly help their finances. If they were really lucky, they might even find a valuable treasure.

The savory smell grew stronger as it neared.

“I’ve never seen Charlotte so happy before. Despite everything, she seems to go along with whatever Thesaya suggests. Those two definitely have a unique bond.” Philip said, handing Ian a bowl of stew.

The bowl had a chipped edge, suggesting it had been hastily cleaned after being dug up from the ruins.

“Their lives were one, after all. They’re not just any ordinary pair.” Ian replied, taking the bowl and looking at Mev.

“It’s a pity. You must have had some expectations. But she’s no longer a demon.”

He lifted the bowl and took a sip of the stew. The warm liquid flowed down his throat, bringing a rush of forgotten hunger. Despite being a simple stew made from jerky and unknown preserved food, it tasted heavenly. He hadn’t eaten for more than a whole day, not to mention while being injured.

“It’s not a pity at all; it’s a good thing. I feel like I’ve witnessed a new miracle. I’ve seen someone fall into corruption, but never the reverse.” Mev responded calmly, placing a spoon in Ian’s bowl. This was another item he hadn’t seen before.

Everyone’s become an expert at scavenging local resources.

Ian smiled inwardly and grabbed the spoon. As he ate voraciously, Mev finally spoke up again.

"Indeed, I’ve heard about it, but seeing it in person is truly astounding. To think you’d recover this much in just one day. I thought you’d need at least a few days of rest and over a month to fully recover."

"I’m only barely moving, still," Ian replied with a shrug before focusing back on his meal.

His recovery might have been rapid, but it was only to this extent. He would need at least a week to ten days to fully regain his condition. Considering his state right after the battle, this was still a superhuman recovery.

Ian spoke again as his plate was nearly empty. "Are you alright?"

"As you can see. It’s embarrassing. Everyone fought without regard for their lives, yet I’m the only one unharmed."

"It’s for the best. Someone needs to be able to take care of the wounded."

"Indeed, it’s my duty."

Mev, facing Ian, spoke with determination.

"For now, I’ll take the lead. You focus solely on recovering."

I was going to do that anyway.

Ian nodded and shoveled the remaining food into his mouth. Just then, Philip approached with another ladle of stew.

"In any case, Lu Sard has been saved. It’s completely free from demonic control. Although the situation in Glumir City and other territories might not be as good... At least, the survivors can live much safer lives now."

"Well..." Ian, deep in thought, shrugged and picked up his spoon again.

Philip, catching on to his thoughts, spoke up. "You mean chaos will start now that the lords are dead. We’re still at war, after all. Don’t worry. Not all nobles have perished, and there will be legitimate successors. With the borders closed, news won’t reach other kingdoms immediately. Even if internal conflicts intensify..."

He glanced at the ring on his right hand and continued.

"The Order’s investigation team won’t be too delayed. No matter how indifferent they are to the outskirts, they won’t ignore such a significant anomaly. They might even dispatch a purification squad. Once they learn of the situation here, they’ll intervene actively. Although they’ll probably extort a lot of donations..."

"...Yeah, maybe. Unless bigger problems arise." Ian responded nonchalantly and continued eating.

However, Mev and Philip’s expressions grew serious. Mev, watching Ian intently, eventually spoke cautiously. freewebnøvel.com

"Are you saying bigger problems... will arise?"

"I don’t think it’s something to discuss right now," Ian said, putting down his spoon.

Then he glanced at Charlotte and Thesaya, who had strangely gone quiet. They had already sensed something, exchanging glances and occasionally glancing at Ian. Ian nodded slightly to them and added.

"We should prepare to welcome guests. We’re not the hosts, but still."

“...” Mev and Philip finally turned their gazes to the path leading up the ruins. Mev reached for his waist, and Charlotte and Thesaya stood close together, blocking the group’s front.

Thud, thud—

Footsteps grew clearer, more cautious, and more hesitant.

Soon, a series of soldiers armed with similar spears, shields, and armor appeared one by one.

"Damn, they really are here...."

"The smell of cooking meat wasn’t a mistake... Oh, Lu Solar...."

However, they all had frightened faces. They couldn’t even muster the courage to properly aim their weapons at the group in the middle of the ruins, whispering to each other.

"It seems the residents of Glumir City are safe."

Did they use some magic to put them to sleep or something?

Ian murmured nonchalantly, while Philip continued whispering.

"But why are they so frightened? Is it because of these ruins?"

"Are you seriously asking that? They must have seen the bodies outside the mansion. There are probably many more sprawls in the garden too."

"...Oh. That makes sense. I didn’t even think about it because that was something too natural." Philip scratched his cheek awkwardly.

Right now, outside, it must be nothing short of a literal hell. Seeing that scene and still making it in here, the bravery of those soldiers could only be described as remarkable.

Well, with the mansion gone, they couldn’t just ignore it.

At least it wasn’t the worst-case scenario Ian had feared. These soldiers seemed open to dialogue, even if it would be a hassle.

I wanted to leave before this happened...

Now that it had come to this, he could only try to make the best of the situation. While Ian was contemplating, the soldiers had already gathered around the edge of the sunken ruins. Among them appeared a rider on horseback.

He was a knight who looked to be around forty, wearing a surcoat emblazoned with the crest of Lu Sard. He was likely the commander of the soldiers. Despite the tension evident on his face, much like the other soldiers, he didn’t forget his duty.

"I am Sir Osric of Glumir, in service to Count Nigrante! State your identities and explain what transpired here in detail! Otherwise... we will have no choice but to consider you enemies...!"

His voice was strained with forced courage. Though he tried to project strength, his anxiety and trembling were evident. He was likely hoping they would cooperate, knowing that Ian’s group must have caused the scenes they witnessed.

Ian had no intention of fighting them. It would be meaningless slaughter without even gaining experience points. Moreover, the solution was simple.

Not my preferred method, but…

Ian’s gaze dropped to Charlotte, who looked back as if asking for permission. Mev and Philip also exchanged glances, waiting for Ian’s words. They all seemed far from tense.

Ian shrugged and said, "Keep it short and simple."

Before he finished speaking, Charlotte turned around, raising her chin slightly as she spoke in a growling voice.

"Get off your horse and show respect. Here stands an esteemed Paladin of the Stern Goddess, a bearer of the Blazing Flame, the Final Adjudicator of the Giant Kingdom, and the True Champion of the North…"

"...?!" The soldiers’ eyes widened, including Osric’s.

Charlotte didn’t stop, maintaining eye contact with each one.

"The Dragon Slayer who pierced the heart, the official and sole agent of the Platinum Dragon. He has eradicated the vampire clan that ruled in the shadows and saved Lu Sard. Behold, the Superhuman of the North, Sir Ian Hope!"

I said to keep it short...

As silence fell, Ian silently smacked his lips.

Osric and the soldiers were left in a daze. Their shock was not surprising. Absorbing all those grand titles at once would stun anyone.

Osric finally managed to speak. "Vampire... clan? Are you saying Lu Sard was under the control of demons?"

So that’s what shocked them the most.

As Ian thought that, Philip leaned in toward Ian. "May I assist?"

Ian nodded calmly.

Since they had already come this far, adding a bit more exaggeration wouldn’t change much. Philip stepped forward and shouted as if he had been waiting for this moment.

"Everything that Sir Ian’s squire just said is true! I swear it in the name of Sir Mev Riurel, the Red Knight, an apostle of Tir En, a follower of Lu Solar, and the rightful Agent of Vengeance!"

"Agent of... Vengeance? Are you... the Red Knight?" Osric stammered.

"I am Philip, the squire," Philip replied politely, gesturing toward Mev.

Osric’s mouth, already agape, fell even wider when he met Mev’s green eyes. He hadn’t expected the renowned Red Knight to be a woman.

Mev spoke up immediately. "I am Mev Riurel, the Red Knight. And now, I serve Sir Ian Hope, the Superhuman of the North."

Ian looked back at her, but Mev continued without hesitation.

"Sir Ian discovered that vampires were controlling Lu Sard and fought them to the death. He ultimately drove out those cursed creatures and saved Lu Sard. This was witnessed by the Glorious Goddess and the Stern Goddess, and blessed by the God of Battle."

Mev glanced at the soldiers and added, "Lower your weapons and show proper respect. We will not hold your ignorance against you, but if you fail to act accordingly now that you know, it would be considered blasphemy and an admission of serving the demons."

Ian raised his eyebrow.

It was rare for Mev to speak so much, and she was even taking it a step further.