I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 418

"They still haven't shown themselves. Not a single one of those bandits." Calmly, Lucia added as Valten hesitantly turned back to her. "The Agent of the Saint ran into the darkness long ago, yet not a single one of them has appeared."

"What? That's all the more reason to hurry. Before something happens to him." Bewildered, Valten snapped his fingers, the metallic click sharp against the silence.

His warhorse galloped into view from the distance as he continued, "He made a reckless decision. Those bastards are infamous for their cunning and brutality. If their leader, Versar, is in command, it's even more dangerous."

His gaze flicked back to Lucia. "That creature has devoured more than a few Lions. It forces its wounded enemies into duels, only to let its subordinates tear them apart before finishing them himself—slowly, mercilessly."

The frustration in Valten's voice was palpable. When he had asked Ian to guard the rear, it had been just that—a request to secure their flank. Not to charge off alone to fight an entire group of corrupted ones. Especially not here—in the demonic realm, where not even a god's influence reached, nor a dragon's dominion extended.

"Even so, I doubt the Agent of the Saint is in danger." Yet Lucia's voice remained steady, her expression calm. "But if you're truly that concerned, I won't stop you anymore."

"That's a wise decision—" Before Valten could fully respond, Diana cut in. "You probably don't need to go."

She was still looking behind them, not even bothering to glance his way. "Either way, the outcome seems to be out already."

Valten, who was staring at the back of her head, finally looked up. Beyond the mist, a faint silhouette was emerging. As the sound of hooves grew closer, Valten's eyes widened. A growing silhouette showed a monstrous warhorse carrying Ian. A long, pole-like object was slung over his shoulder, his cloak billowing behind him.

"He really came back alive," Diana muttered quietly, seemingly surprised by the results.

Valten finally turned his head toward Lucia, sensing her gaze.

"It seems I was right after all." She spoke gently as their eyes met. Even with half her face covered by a mask, it wasn't difficult to tell she was smiling.

"How?" Finally, Valten muttered in a daze. "How were you so sure?"

"The Agent of the Saint making reckless decisions isn't exactly new." Lucia's eyes curved a little more distinctly as she spoke. "In fact, nearly all of his greatest achievements began that way. Like deciding to face a resurrected dragon or an avatar of an ancient god."

"I'm ashamed." Valten, who had been staring at her in silence, finally lowered his head slightly. "It was not you, Priestess, who judged too narrowly. It was me."

"Don't worry about it. I've been there before myself."

"I don't want to interrupt." Diana's voice cut in just as Lucia finished speaking.

As both Lucia and Valten turned their attention to her, she continued. "But I think you should look at what the Agent of the Saint's bringing."

Valten turned back toward Ian at those words. It was only then that he realized Ian was dragging something behind him. It was a corpse of a corrupted one with four legs.

"Could it be?" Valten stiffened again upon recognizing the full plate armor covering its body. A strange silence followed.

Even the nearby Wolves had stopped what they were doing, their gazes fixed on the approaching Ian. The ones tending to the wounded, those transporting the injured onto supply wagons, and those carefully laying dark cloth over the carts had all gone still.

"Get back to your tasks," Ian finally spoke as he closed the distance. Despite the quiet tone, the weight of magic behind his words was enough to snap the Wolves back to their senses. They all obeyed him without question or hesitation.

As the Wolves resumed their work, Ian turned his gaze toward Lucia. She blinked once before speaking, "Your face... Are you alright?"

Ian's face was smeared with blood, dried haphazardly in streaks as though he had simply wiped it away with his sleeve.

"It's just a scratch." Ian shrugged.

He didn't bother explaining that the wound wasn't deep—it was the relentless force behind his hammer swings that kept the blood flowing. With Diana staring at him, seemingly at a loss for words, Ian simply gave her a nod before finally pulling on the reins.

The black horse came to a halt in front of Valten, exhaling a deep, heated breath.

Ian's dark, sunken eyes met Valten's. Valten's gaze flicked to the bent lance slung over Ian's shoulder before he met his stare.

The silence lasted only a moment.

"First, allow me to offer my sincere apologies, Agent of the Saint." Valten lowered his head slightly, speaking in a formal tone.

Ian's eyes twitched."An apology?" He looked as though he hadn't expected that at all.

However, Valten continued without hesitation. "I failed my duty. I was so caught up in battle that I did not even realize you had left the formation. And worse, it was my thoughtless request that led to this."

"You weren't just standing idly by, Sir Valten." said Lucia, meeting his gaze. "I was the one who suggested we wait. The battle only just ended, after all."

Ian glanced down at Valten again, a faint, hollow smile tugging at his lips. It was the reaction that suggested he had something to say but had lost the energy to bother.

"I knew full well that your request meant to keep watch over the rear. I moved on my own accord, so don't worry about it." His voice was calm and unconcerned.

Then, without hesitation, Ian hopped off his saddle. With a casual motion, shrugged off the broken lance slung over his shoulder and the kite shield strapped to his back, letting them drop to the ground one after another.

"I appreciate your generosity, Agent of the Saint." Valten, staring at the deep scar running across the center of the shield, responded sincerely.

"Think nothing of it." Ian tipped his head slightly before turning away.

Lucia and Diana had already stepped toward the rear of the wagon, standing side by side as they examined the corpse of the corrupted centaur Ian had dragged back.

"What the hell did you do to it?" Diana asked as Ian approached, her voice carrying genuine curiosity.

It was an understandable question. The dried-out, mummified corpse had its head crushed flat. The chest plate and pauldrons were similarly crumpled, and the rest of the armor hung loose around the body as if a massive beast had trampled it.

"Eh, it just kind of happened," Ian replied indifferently.

Behind him, Valten let out a quiet gasp of astonishment. "It really is Versar. I suspected as much when I saw the shield, but the armor exactly matches the description I was given."

"Versar?" Ian tilted his head slightly.

"The leader of the cannibal bandits."

"Ah, I see. Then that really must've been all of them." A quiet chuckle escaped Ian as he turned back to Valten. "In any case, everything this bastard owned is mine now. Do you acknowledge that?"

"Yes, of course, Agent of the Saint." Though puzzled, Valten nodded without hesitation.

"Good." Ian grinned and strode toward his black horse.

Wrapped around the horse's body were chains—chains that were still linked to Versar's lower half.

Valten silently watched as Ian untied the chains. He still hadn't heard exactly how Ian had dealt with the bandits. It didn't occur to him that Ian had no intention of explaining—or that the conversation just now was the only reason Ian had called him over. Nor did he realize Ian had brought the corpse along simply because there wasn't enough space in his pocket dimension. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"So you have executed him as an example to break the bandits' morale." Valten finally spoke, coming to his conclusion. "A wise decision. Don't worry about the ones who fled. With their leader gone, they won't survive for long."

"That's not even a concern." Ian gave Valten a sidelong glance, as if confused by his words, but continued working on the chains without pause. "I didn't let any of them escape."

"What?" Valten asked.

Ian's indifferent voice followed. "So if you could, send a wagon and a search team. There are at least a dozen more bandit corpses back there."

He glanced at Valten. "There seemed to be plenty worth salvaging. If you offer a fair price, I'll hand it all over.

"Good heavens." Valten let out a disbelieving sigh, to which Ian nonchalantly added, "If you don't want to pay, I'll just send everything to Drag Velga instead."

"There's no need to worry about that, Agent of the Saint." Valten finally nodded. "You have once again eradicated the corrupted ones who have plagued our people. His Majesty will surely reward you handsomely."

Ian's hands faltered—just for a fraction of a second—before he resumed his task, feigning indifference. "I wonder if he can afford everything. But very well."

"Come to think of it, I haven't even expressed my gratitude yet." Valten straightened his back, bringing his fist to his chest with a heavy thud. The bits of flesh and blood that had clung to his breastplate and gauntlet sloughed off with the motion.

As Ian glanced back at him, Valten spoke in a deep voice. "I sincerely thank you. Had you not stopped the ambush, we would have suffered devastating losses."

"...Enough with the formalities." Ian smacked his lips in disinterest and turned away.

However, Valten continued, "As a token of gratitude, I will grant you full ownership of the warhorse. This is separate from any rewards or spoils of war—merely a small gesture of appreciation."

The black horse snorted loudly as if it had understood, letting out a low growl and flicking its stiff tail once.

Ian's lips curled into a faint smile. "I'll gladly accept. I was rather fond of this one already."

"I'm glad to hear that." Valten exhaled, visibly relieved.

Meanwhile, Ian finished untying the last of the chains and dusted off his hands. "I'm exhausted. Why don't we set up camp nearby and move out later?"

"Understood. I'll send out a search team and assign men to establish a camp. Hmm—" Valtan agreed readily before briefly pausing and then adding, "There's one more thing I'd like to discuss."

"Go ahead."

"I believe we should alter our route slightly. Would you be alright with that?"

"Alter the route?" Ian tilted his head slightly.

Lucia and Diana also turned their attention toward Valten as he carefully continued, "As you know, we were originally taking the shortest route southeast. However, I believe we should take a detour north instead. These monsters... they appear to be the underlings of Dharmaraja."

"Dharmaraja!" Lucia let out a quiet gasp.

Valten continued, "We need to confirm whether the bandits really brought them from outside."

"I don't mind, but wasn't time a pressing issue? If they've trespassed into Imperial territory, eliminating them will cost us both time and manpower."

Valten shook his head. "The purpose is reconnaissance. Even if such a situation arises, we'll continue our march and report to headquarters. At most, the delay will be half a day."

Valten brought his hands together in a rounded gesture before placing them over his chest. "There's a rift in the center of the hills. We plan to send out scouting parties while skirting the outer edge of the mist. Moreover—" His gaze suddenly shifted toward Diana. She stiffened slightly, as if sensing something ominous.

"The best Owl from Drag Velga just so happens to be traveling with us. If she lends her assistance, we can shorten the time required."

"Wait, what?" Diana let out a breathless laugh.

Before she could protest further, Ian gave a slight nod. "Sure. Take her with you."

"Excuse me?" Diana's head snapped toward him.

Ian looked up at her. "You said you've been around this area before."

Diana held her breath. She hadn't expected him to remember the little comments she had smugly chimed in whenever Lucia flaunted her knowledge.

"That was a long time ago—before the world turned into this mess."

"Still means you've been here. Don't worry—I'll lend you my familiar."

She frowned deeply, as if that was even less appealing. Yet, she didn't outright refuse. She simply let out a long sigh through her nose.

Ian, satisfied, turned back to Valten. "Anything else you need to discuss?"

"No. Please rest. We'll take care of the rest." Valten struck his breastplate once more with his fist before turning away. Mounting his waiting warhorse, he rode off toward the Wolves in the distance.

Ian barely spared him a glance before Lucia's voice broke the momentary silence. "That was unexpected."

When Ian turned back to her, she shrugged. "I thought you'd ask him more questions. Like how he identified those creatures as Dharmaraja's minions or about the power he wields."

"Oh, that?" Ian caught on immediately, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I was going to ask. But, well, things just turned out this way."

Besides, it wasn't like today was his only chance.

"There'll be another opportunity. But for now..." Trailing off, he reached into his pocket dimension storage and tossed something in her direction. "Catch, Lucy."

Lucia reflexively caught it, blinking down at the object in her hands.

"A dagger?" Lucia gripped the hilt firmly and drew the dagger from its sheath. It was a single-edged blade, its once-dark sheen now dulled with age. Dried, reddish stains clung stubbornly to the surface.

"You lost yours when we crossed over." Ian stated matter-of-factly before adding, "I picked the best one I could find. Use it well."

A smile spread across Lucia's lips, and she tightened her grip on the weapon. "Thank you. I will."

"And you too, Diana." Ian shifted his gaze and pulled something else from his pocket dimension before tossing it.

Diana, who had been muttering curses under her breath, flinched and reached out instinctively. It was a horn bow—one taken from the bandits.

"You're a fairy, so you must know how to use a bow." Ian followed up by tossing her a leather quiver filled with arrows.

Diana caught it with her left hand and glanced down at him, her expression shifting. "Knowing how to shoot is an understatement. It's one of my specialties." Her irritation seemed to have evaporated completely.

As she slung the bow over her shoulder and secured the quiver to her thigh, Lucia spoke again. "What about you, Sir Ian?"

"I grabbed a few daggers for myself, too. And besides, I've got this." Ian tilted his head toward the battle hammer at his side, then glanced between Lucia and Diana before adding, "For now, let's strip everything of value."

Without another word, Lucia and Diana leaped down from the wagon.