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Chapter 106

Her face etched with shock, she gazed down at the desk in front of her. Resting under her hands was a small skull, horrific in form, seemingly pieced together from a child\'s cranium and various animal bones.

It was a sacred object—known to those aware as a relic of darkness or an idol of the abyss. It was with the aid of this grim artifact that she had been able to complete her incantations, sending shards of consciousness to the far north.

"..."

As she stared into the abyss within the small eye sockets, a wave of fatigue and deep thoughts suddenly overwhelmed her crimson eyes.

"It seems the outcome of the conversation was not favorable." The soft voice of an old man echoed from beyond the darkness.

Slowly, the curtains by the window parted slightly, letting in a stream of pale moonlight.

The visage of a pale, bloodless old man became faintly visible. To the outside world, he was her husband, but in truth, he was the Count, her oldest and most faithful servant.

"You have already lost two adjudicators, my lady. Further losses would be...." The Count\'s words halted as the Countess, weary, placed her index finger upon her lips to silence him.

A brief silence fell, and then she whispered, "...I felt a cold rage and a suppressed madness beneath it. It was fleeting but immense enough to overwhelm me."

"What does that mean...?"

"The spell broke, and for a moment, fragments of my consciousness scattered before being sucked back into the abyss. It felt like the void\'s magic caused some interaction."

The old man furrowed his brow realizing there was another reason for her shock.

"...What kind of being was it?"

"I\'d rather not know. But one thing is clear."

A faint smile touched the Countess\'s lips.

"Soon, great turmoil will come to the North. Therefore..."

Her gaze shifted to the old man.

"I will send the sisters. They are the most cautious and cunning. Tell them to watch quietly and wait for an opportunity to retrieve the experiment."

Her declaration of waiting was only half true.

Ian Hope would eventually come looking for them, and they couldn\'t just leave the experiment as it was. The time until the next priestly visit was not abundant. Initially, she had planned to send the strongest judges if Ian rejected her offer, but now her plans had somewhat changed.

"When a storm of chaos strikes, everyone reveals their weaknesses."

"I shall send your words." The Count bowed.

However, the Countess hadn\'t finished her speech yet.

"And it seems that chaos is also necessary in Lu Sard."

"...!"

"We must drench this land in blood and death sufficiently. We may need it at some point."

As the Countess mused over the potential devastation that would soon engulf her city, her heart ached, but she forced herself to remain composed and focused. The situation with Ian Hope was complex and enigmatic.

Beyond his exceptional skills as a sword-wielding mage, there was an undefined, potent element about him that had yet to come fully to light. This hidden aspect was the only plausible explanation for his ability to slay not just one, but two of her clan\'s judges.

Of course, even so, a mere mercenary, no matter how skilled, could not face the entire clan alone. However, to minimize the sacrifices, preparations needed to be made in advance.

"I shall obey your command." The Count bowed respectfully and exited the room. Darkness descended over the chamber once again, with only the gleaming crimson eyes visible.

After a moment, a voice tinged with bitterness and regret softly spread through the darkness.

"...I never thought I\'d end up aiding that detestable creature’s work."

***

Meanwhile, Ian\'s party continued along the road.

They traversed barren plains, ash-gray forests, and valleys until another gate loomed in the distance, its walls cracked and old, bearing the marks of time just like the fortress on the mountain ridge beyond.

"It\'s rare to see. This gate is usually frequented by the defense forces or migrants. And everything about you—from your credentials to your appearance—is unusual. Are you mercenaries?"

The middle-aged gate captain hardly glanced at the credentials Ian presented, his eyes betraying a mix of curiosity and interest. It seemed his duties were generally uneventful.

"Yes."

"A mercenary group that has been beyond the wall and returned... You\'re not ordinary, that much is clear. So, you\'re heading to Travelga?"

"How much further from here?"

"Follow the southeastern road for about three days, and you\'ll reach it. I\'d like to tag along on your return..."

The gate captain muttered with a nod of his head.

I wish you\'d just check quickly.

Even as he thought this, Ian shrugged his shoulders.

"You must be affiliated with Travelga."

"Yes. We take turns working here for a month at a time. As you can see, there’s no need for anyone to stay here permanently. This place is called Bellium Fortress, but it\'s really more of a gateway or outpost."

Ian\'s eyes flickered slightly. "This place is called Bellium?"

"That\'s right. It\'s also the name of this area. Why, is there a story behind it?"

"...No, nothing."

Despite his dismissive reply, Ian carefully took in the walls stretching to his left and right.

I thought it looked familiar.

This old gateway was a location for major quests in the game. Based on the Black Walls, it would mean nothing, but since it centered around the snowy regions, it was a crucial strategic point.

It was here that a small defense force, including Lucas, had made a desperate stand when the undead legions had broken through the barrier. Ian, Lucas\'s most trusted mercenary, had been there as well. Their goal had been to hold the gate until the reinforcements from Karlingion arrived.

It was really tough...

There were no bosses, just a mix of normal and elite monsters swarming in, and he had seen the game over screen multiple times.

Of course, he was much stronger now than he had been then, and it seemed unlikely that the barrier would be breached this time.

"Passing through here, you could say you\'re entering the heart of the autonomous region. I hope you find a good request within Travelga."

The gate captain handed him a piece of parchment. Perhaps he, too, had fought to defend the gate back then. Ian added with a half-smile.

"I heard there’s a settlement of outlaws near Travelga."

"It\'s on the way. If you go a day further, you\'ll come to a fork in the road that leads into the forest. They\'re in there."

The gate captain responded quickly, scratching his chin as he added, "They\'re good people. Ever since they moved here, most of the monsters in the area have disappeared. The price of fur has gone down too. Anyway, they\'re not very friendly to outsiders, so unless you have a special business, I\'d advise you not to approach them."

"I\'ll keep that in mind." Ian nodded slightly and moved on.

"He\'s quite friendly. Usually, they start by being cautious around us," Thesaya finally said as they walked away from the gate.

Ian replied nonchalantly. "He must have been bored."

After all, those who had come this far didn\'t really need to have their identities checked.

"Anyway, it\'s good. Only three more days to go, right?"

Ian merely nodded noncommittally. In the game, it was just a few minutes\' walk.

Such changes had now become a routine part of their lives. Thesaya murmured excitedly, turning her gaze toward Charlotte, who was beside her.

"But why is the cat so listless? It\'s been days."

"...Don’t worry about it," Charlotte answered without even glancing at her.

Ian looked at her. "Are you not feeling well? Have a fever or something? Does your side hurt?"

Charlotte shook her head.

"It’s almost healed. Honestly, I could fight right now if I had to."

"Then what is it? You don’t seem like yourself, and you’re not eating much."

As Thesaya added, Charlotte grimaced and turned to her.

"Why are you grinning like that? Like you’re out of your mind?"

"Did I do that...? Well, I guess. I have no reason not to."

Thesaya smiled brightly.

"Another damn adjudicator died. And it seems like you guys won’t abandon me either. It couldn’t get any better."

"...Yeah. Great." Charlotte casually licked her lips.

Thesaya\'s eyes narrowed. "What’s wrong, you\'re no fun. What’s bothering our kitty? Huh?"

"Don’t act like we\'re close. You pointy ears."

"Can\'t we talk about this? We\'re stuck together by fate anyway."

Charlotte sighed deeply, then said, "Just a warrior\'s concern."

"Have you finally accepted that you can\'t kill me?"

"...."

"Oh. Seems like it."

"...I\'ve been thinking about how to deal with enemies that can\'t be killed with just weapons. You\'re no exception."

Thesaya blinked in surprise, a playful smile spreading across her face.

"Well, you do faint at the slightest magic and can’t even handle a single specter on your own."

"...." Charlotte frowned but couldn\'t retort. After all, it wasn’t an incorrect statement.

Thesaya continued, "But what does it matter? Instead, you excel at defeating other things. Just do what you\'re good at. What\'s the problem?"

"If we start compromising like that, there\'s no end to it, pointy ears."

"So, have you found an answer?"

Charlotte hesitated. "...Not yet."

"And yet you talk. Instead of making your already unattractive face look worse, leave the things you can\'t do to me. After all, we\'re one body, aren\'t we?"

"...." As if displeased, Charlotte grimaced.

Thesaya teased her with a smirk.

...They\'ve gotten quite close. Ian thought to himself as he glanced at the two.

His intervention had been successful. Forced or not, saving each other\'s lives a few times had naturally sprouted a sense of camaraderie between them.

Now, even without him, there was no danger of them threatening each other\'s lives. Beyond that, it was natural for them to protect each other, as they had done before.

"When we arrive at Travelga," Ian spoke up, interrupting the bickering pair, who both turned to look at him.

"Let’s see if we can acquire some magical weapons. And check if there’s any way to revive the spell circuit in your armor."

Charlotte\'s eyes widened slightly. Indeed, it was the simplest and most certain solution to her concerns. Of course, there was a clear reason why that solution was untenable.

"Even if it\'s available, we don’t have the money, Ian."

"I have it."

"...!"

"If the church pays the crown dues directly, there’ll be even more to spare."

"I’ve already received an ax; I can’t let you spend more..."

As Charlotte stumbled over her words, Thesaya suddenly interrupted.

"Ian, what about me? Don’t I get anything?"

"For you..."

He turned to look at her and responded.

"I guess I\'ll have to buy you some shoes. And new clothes."

"No... why do you always buy me things like that..."

Why do you think I do?

Looking at Thesaya, who was practically in rags beneath her cloak, Ian chuckled and then silently moved forward.

Gloomy clouds seemed to follow the group as they advanced.

***

The gate captain\'s instructions were precise. Ian walked toward a village encircled by sparse palisades situated deep within the forest.

It seems larger than I expected...

Ian couldn’t understand why these people, living near a metropolis like Travelga, would choose to establish a separate village. Traditions could be preserved within civilization as well. Of course, this was likely a thought borne from him being a modern person. To them, this must have been a compromise for survival.

"It would be best to stop here, you outsider. Beyond this point is land not permitted to you."

At the village entrance, one of two warriors watching them intently spoke out, both ready to thrust their spears at any moment.

Ian, stopping, looked at the one who warned them. "We’ve come to deliver a message. Soon, other barbarians will be moving here."

"...From which village?"

"Black Forest Hill Village."

"Black Forest Hill...? Wait here. I will relay the message." The questioning warrior frowned, then swiftly turned away.

Ian looked at the remaining warrior and added.

"I\'ve said all I have to say."

"If you really are from Black Forest Hill Village, it would be wise to fulfill your responsibilities to the end."

What responsibilities? Even so, Ian nodded obligingly.

It was his claim, after all, so it was only right to follow through. Soon, several warriors approached, led by an elder who seemed as old as Urd.

"Is it true that warriors of Black Forest Hill Village are moving here?"

The elder stopped and asked, his face marked with deep scars.

"That’s right." Ian nodded.

The elder\'s brow furrowed.

"Strange. They have no reason to abandon their holy statue and move. And there\'s no reason for them to send an outsider with news."

Such a lot of questions.

As Ian was choosing his words, Thesaya’s voice unexpectedly burst forth from behind.

"Ian isn\'t an outsider. He’s the Great Warrior."

"The Great Warrior...?"

The elder looked back at Ian, his face slowly contorting.

"It\'s an insult to us and even Black Forest Hill Village to claim a foreigner, who doesn\'t even look like a Northerner, as a Great Warrior..."

"It’s not a lie, old man," Charlotte growled lowly, speaking before Ian could add anything.

"Your God chose Ian."

Ian looked back and forth between Thesaya and Charlotte, their expressions saying, "What\'s the problem? It\'s the truth."

"...." Ian, swallowing a sigh inwardly, turned his attention forward again. As expected. The expressions of both the elder and the warriors had taken a troubling turn.