I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy

Chapter 276

Chapter 276

Everyone except Ian and Elia turned to Philip with a look of bewilderment, wondering what they had just heard.

"I, Philip, Apostle of Lu Solar, will formally introduce," Philip continued, laying one hand over his breastplate, as if oblivious to the gazes upon him.

"A crusader of the Strict Goddess, the bearer of the flame that rekindled the Brazier of the Blazing Goddess, and blessed by the Goddess of Prosperity."

"...?"

The officials, soldiers, and even the caravan leaders and their bodyguards furrowed their brows in confusion. They hesitated to speak, likely due to Philip’s authoritative presence and solemn tone.

"...?!"

The only one whose expression was changing was Fael. Unlike the others, Fael's expression was the only one changing. Momentarily bewildered like the rest, his eyes slowly widened as if something had dawned on him.

"The last punisher of the Giant Kingdom and the true Great Warrior of the North. The Dragon Slayer who pierced the heart of the corrupted ancient dragon. The executioner of the vampire clans and also the savior of Lu Sard."

At this, the soldiers finally glanced at each other. After all, no one was unfamiliar with the Dragon Slayer from the North. Unlike them, the merchants were already wide-eyed in realization.

"..."

Several eyes naturally turned toward Fael.

But Fael didn’t even look in their direction. He simply stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, at someone else, not Philip.

As others tilted their heads in confusion and followed Fael’s gaze,

"The purifier of corruption and plague, the executioner of the demon of the void, and the fallen duke. Also, the one and only official Agent of the Great Platinum Dragon and the one blessed by the Platinum Dragon!"

Philip’s booming voice filled the air, and he paused for a moment. He looked around at the official and soldiers, who could barely even breathe, then lifted both hands respectfully and pointed forward.

"Sir Ian Hope, the superhuman!"

Finally, everyone turned to where he was pointing.

"...!"

The official, now locking eyes with Ian, opened his mouth as if to speak, but no sound came out—only a faint breath. The silence, as though time had frozen, didn’t last long.

Philip swiftly drew his sword from his waist and shouted, "Kneel! Ignorance will be forgiven, but willful defiance is blasphemy! Pay proper respect to the Agent of the Saint!"

At the same time, a golden light flashed between the slits of his visor.

"Glory to the Radiant Light...!"

The first to cry out and drop to their knees were the merchants. Kneeling with their heads bowed, their eyes were trembling as if an earthquake had struck. It was only natural. The person who saved them was just exposed as the Dragon Slayer of the North and the Agent of the Platinum Dragon. The memories of their rudeness and disgrace must have been flashing through their minds.

"Lu Solar..."

Unlike the others, Fael had collapsed to the ground, his legs seemingly giving out. His face, still fixed on Ian, looked somewhat dazed. The shock and surge of emotions he had felt were so overwhelming that they didn’t even show on the surface.

Clang, clatter—

As if the merchants’ reactions were a signal, the soldiers dropped their spears and shields, all kneeling on one knee at once.

The only one still standing was the official facing Ian. Breathing heavily, as if entranced by Ian's gaze, he finally stammered out, "C-can you prove it—"

"How dare you...!" Philip spat the words out but stopped short when Ian raised his left arm to stop him. Ian gave Philip a calm glance, though internally, he was suppressing a smirk.

—Was using divine power really necessary on top of the sword?

At Ian’s Whisper, Philip, sheathing his sword at his waist, answered.

—You asked me to ensure there would be no room for further dispute. That’s why I did it.

Nonsense. I know that you just wanted to do it.

Regardless, there was no turning back now. Ian, lowering his raised arm, slowly clenched his fist.

Bzzz—

A golden light radiated from the back of his hand, instantly forming a hexagonal shape. Watching the official’s attention being drawn to the golden shield, Ian added with a slight smile.

"Do you need an identity certificate too?"

"G-glory to the radiant light...!" The official, finally collapsing to his knees, buried his face into the ground as he added hastily.

"P-please forgive my disrespect, O Agent of the Saint...! I-I only—"

"You were just doing your duty. I know." Ian cut him off and glanced around the room at the crowd, all kneeling before him.

It was clear they now saw him as the incarnation of Archeas. Even Ian was getting used to these kinds of reactions by now.

I keep pulling this trick, but one day it’s going to backfire...

As Ian mused, he suddenly suppressed another dry chuckle. Among the people, his gaze met Fael, who still looked half-dazed.

Ian silently mused as he nodded agreeably.

"I have no right to interfere with your duties."

"Indeed, you are fair."

The Count's smile deepened, his face now appearing calm and composed. This was essentially a trade between them, an exchange of what each needed. Ian got convenience, and the Count got a name to shoulder the responsibility. Ian waited patiently for the Count’s next words, knowing their deal wasn’t quite complete.

"You mentioned you only brought back the head of the dark mage. Where is the rest of the body?"

"It should be at the bottom of the river. Either it drifted away or became fish food. A smuggler was working with him—if you find him, he could testify, assuming he didn’t drown."

"I’ll see to it. As for proof of the dark mage’s existence..."

"There are remains of a sacrificial altar the mage built in the underground waterway beneath the mansion. If that’s enough for you, I’d like to keep the dark mage’s head."

"That’s fine with me. May I ask one more thing?"

"Go ahead."

"You mentioned that someone hired the dark mage. Do you have any evidence of this? The Imperial court or the Great Church might request proof to support this claim."

"I have no physical evidence." Ian cut the question off sharply.

Of course, the dark mage’s bag was in his pocket dimension, but he had no intention of handing over its contents.

"But I do have a speculation."

Instead, he planned to offer a different bait.

"A speculation?" The Count’s eyes gleamed subtly at Ian’s words, leaning in slightly and lowering his voice.

"Could you perhaps share a little more about this speculation?"

"You’ve probably already considered some yourself, haven’t you?"

"Not at all. Unlike yours, Agent of the Saint, my perspective is quite limited."

Yeah, right. You just want to quote my words to leave out your name.

Knowing the Count’s intentions, Ian ‌responded calmly.

"Someone with the financial resources and connections to hire a corrupted mage."

After all, this was the very question Ian had maneuvered him into asking. Now that his name was on the line, he intended to use it well.

"And likely someone who stands to lose the most if the merchants unite."

"Indeed..."

The Count nodded, casting a glance at the scribe to ensure he was recording everything accurately.

A faint smile formed on the Count’s lips as he added. "Come to think of it, there isn’t a single representative from the capital here, is there?"

"A remarkable coincidence. But as I said, it’s only a speculation."

"Of course. Merely a speculation. A reasonable one, though. I will include that phrasing."

You catch on quickly.

Ian hid a smile as he observed the Count, whose satisfaction was now obvious. The story they’d spun would not only clear the Count of responsibility but also redirect the attention of the Imperial court and the Church.

The heads of the trading companies are going to love this.

It was exactly what Ian intended. Although he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was sowing chaos within the Empire, this was the only way to keep the focus away from himself. Besides, the Empire was bound to fall into worse disorder sooner or later.

"Thank you for your fair and merciful cooperation, Agent of the Saint. That concludes the investigation."

A satisfied smile from Ian followed the Count’s words.

A quest completion window appeared in front of his eyes, signaling the removal of all immediate threats.

Ian added, "I apologize for any damage caused to the mansion and the city. The merchants of the Hexagonal Alliance will handle the compensation."

"How could we demand compensation from those who have already suffered such great losses in life and property? In fact, it would be more appropriate for us to offer them our condolences."

So, you’re leaving a debt.

Ian thought to himself but kept his smile intact.

"You are generous."

He had no intention of meddling in the relationship between the alliance and the Count any further. That was for them to sort out. Shortly after, the Count added with a subtle look in his eyes.

"In that spirit, I would like to invite everyone here to my family estate. Would you permit this?"