"Yes. It is an honor, Agent of the Saint." The count replied with a brightened expression, bowing his head slightly.

Turning, Ian sent Thesaya a look that told her to restrain herself and began walking.

"It seems you had a reason to hold your tongue, Priest." Nasser leaned casually against the driver’s seat while Miguel looked somewhat troubled.

Lily, as if completely uninterested in the situation, was staring up at the sky.

Is she still seeing something?

Ian’s eyes narrowed faintly as he glanced at her, though only for a moment.

Clink—

Mev stepped out of the carriage, now wearing her helmet. Holding the door with one hand, she turned toward Ian.

"Your Grace." Her respectful voice made it clear she was aware of the count behind him.

Ian turned to her with an easy smile. "Must’ve been a bit confusing, coming out to all this."

"I was only curious about what had happened. It’s fine."

"I’ll explain later. For now, introductions first. This is Count Howard Belan, lord of Glumir."

Tilting his head slightly to the left, Ian glanced at the count behind him.

"Count, this is Sir Mev Riurel, the Red Knight of the frontier and Apostle of the Stern Goddess."

"Yes. It is an honor to meet the renowned Red Knight," the count said without stopping, his eyes shining just as they had when he looked at Ian.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Count," Mev replied politely. Her right hand remained behind her back, her left still holding the carriage door.

Ian stopped in front of her and turned slightly toward the carriage. "I’ll have a brief talk with the count. As you can see, there was a misunderstanding, but it’s been resolved, so no need to worry about things over there."

The soldiers who had been lined up in the distance were already dispersing. Unlike when they approached, they broke formation and drifted away in small groups.

Osric was already making his way back.

Ian’s gaze briefly swept over Thesaya, standing beside Nila, before returning forward.

"Yes. Understood." Mev answered calmly. As always, she didn’t ask further.

Nodding, Ian was about to step into the carriage when the count spoke from behind.

"Agent of the Saint, if it is not too presumptuous, may I ask that you invite the knight inside as well? There are matters I would like to discuss with both of you."

So if I refuse, he’ll try asking her for help instead.

Ian thought to himself, though he gave no sign of it and simply nodded.

"Very well. Come in."

Unless something unexpected happened, he would be parting ways with Mev for a time in Drenorov. What she did until they met again wasn’t something he intended to interfere with.

Besides, if she stayed outside, she’d just end up getting dragged into Thesaya’s theatrics anyway.

"It’s incredibly spacious... quite an impressive carriage."

The count said as he stepped inside behind them, removing his helmet while looking around the ceiling and walls in admiration.

Seated on the inner bench with his back to the driver’s seat, Ian picked up the bottle at his feet and gestured with his chin. "Have a seat."

The count complied and sat across from him.

As Mev entered last and carefully closed the door, Ian asked, "What was it you wished to say?"

"My thanks, of course, Agent of the Saint," the count answered without hesitation, forming a lined smile on his gaunt face. "The reason we were able to survive until now is thanks to the words you left us before you departed."

"Me? Ah, right." Ian, who had asked reflexively, nodded soon after. He did vaguely recall saying something to Osric about the real crisis beginning from that point onward.

"So you took it to heart and prepared in advance."

"When the Agent of the Saint makes a prophecy, how could we take it lightly? We prepared as best we could."

So now I’m being treated like a prophet.

Ian let out a short chuckle. "Sounds more like you’re the one who deserves credit. That couldn’t have been easy to prepare for."

"Heaven aided us. ...I’m not sure if you’re aware, but not long after I was appointed as temporary lord, the Purification Squad visited."

At the count’s careful words, Mev, who had been retrieving a tin cup from beneath the seat, paused. It was likely because of Nasser.

Ian gave no sign of it and simply nodded. "Yes, I’m aware."

"After that, rumors spread that if we didn’t root out and eliminate the remnants of demonic servants and the corrupted one, the Great Church would destroy the kingdom. I believe that’s what caused the royal conflict to escalate so quickly."

"So the kingdom fell into a civil war..." Ian murmured at the count’s explanation. He had known Lu Sard had fallen, but hadn’t paid much attention to the details.

"More than half of the high nobility, including the king and crown prince, disappeared overnight," the count replied in a subdued voice, politely accepting the tin cup Mev handed him.

Mev then offered one to Ian as well and took a seat beside him.

The count continued, "The nobles split into factions supporting the two remaining princes. After the Purification Squad’s visit, assassinations and executions began under that pretext."

A faint, bitter smile touched the count’s lips as he looked at Ian.

"Ironically, thanks to that, I was able to continue governing Glumir."

"I suppose so. If they were divided, neither side could easily spare someone to send here," Ian said, reaching out to fill the count’s cup.

Holding it carefully, the count nodded. "Yes. And Glumir had been deemed pure by both the Agent of the Saint and the Purification Squad. Thanks to that, we were able to quietly stockpile supplies without being caught in the chaos."

"The more I hear, the more it sounds like your judgment is what kept you alive, not me." Ian shrugged as he filled his cup.

It wasn’t just politeness. The man looked worn and unremarkable, but he was a capable lord.

As Mev took the bottle from Ian’s hand, the count smiled faintly. "You are truly humble, Agent of the Saint."

"That’s what I should be saying to you," Ian replied casually, raising his cup slightly.

The count mirrored the gesture and continued, "As the chaos in the capital worsened, people began migrating to Glumir. But by then, order had already collapsed, and monsters were running rampant everywhere."

"That’s when the Red Knight of the frontier helped, I assume," Ian added after taking a sip.

The count nodded readily, glancing toward Mev. "Yes. Many lives were saved, and thanks to the many monsters she eliminated, the damage was greatly reduced."

The corner of Ian’s lips curled upward.

Now he understood exactly why the count had been looking at Mev with such intensity.

She must have passed through here after parting ways with him in the Western Empire, likely crossing through Lu Sard along the way.

After watching Mev for a moment, the count bowed his head respectfully.

"I had always hoped to meet you in person and express my gratitude... and now the chance has finally come. Thank you, truly, Sir."

"I merely did what had to be done." Holding the bottle, Mev bowed her head in return as she answered.

Though her expression was hidden, Ian could easily tell she was flustered. And it wasn’t just because of the unexpected gratitude.

"I am the one who should feel ashamed. After that, I failed to look after this place for a long time." Her voice came quietly from behind the visor.

The count shook his head. "Not at all. The frontier is vast, and there must have been many in need of your aid. You’ve already helped us twice. Please don’t feel ashamed."

"That only makes her feel worse, you know. Here, drink. It’s from the Empire, though I brought it from the North," Ian added, casually extending his hand.

Only then did the count glance at the cup in his hand and bring it to his lips. His eyes widened the moment he tasted it.

Then, as if overcome with emotion, the count squeezed his eyes shut and continued drinking without pause. He was clearly moved.

And now comes the part where I ruin the mood.

Ian clicked his tongue inwardly as he took a sip himself. Still, there was no avoiding what needed to be said.

"There was a rift here, left behind by the Vampire Empress, along with traces of the demonic realm she created," said Ian, setting his cup down on the armrest.

The count stiffened, eyes wide, and Mev turned toward him as well, only now learning the full story.

Ian continued evenly, "The chaos leaking from that rift was being dispersed outward by the demonic realm. That’s why Glumir remained uncorrupted."

The count finally lowered his cup and asked, "Are you saying this land was protected by remnants of demons?"

Ian nodded readily. "I’ve sealed most of that rift. What you and your people witnessed was part of that process."

"Lu Solar... heavens..." A low gasp escaped the count. His face was filled with shock.

Mev seemed just as surprised, but Ian wasn’t finished. "In time, this land will fully return to what it once was. But until then, it will likely become even more dangerous."

The count couldn’t even respond.

Ian watched his hollow eyes for a moment before continuing, "And I closed the rift, knowing that. The frontier needed to be protected from further corruption. I ask for your understanding."

"Of course. You only did what had to be done, Agent of the Saint. I do not blame you nor resent you," the count replied in a strained voice. Despite his words, the shock hadn’t left his face.

Ian didn’t bother pointing it out.

"That’s good to hear," he simply murmured and raised his cup again.

After a moment, the count let out a low sigh and covered his face with one hand.

His voice, muffled between his fingers, continued, "For the past few years, we have done everything we could to preserve our dignity. We believed that, since we survived thanks to the Agent of the Saint and the heavens, we must follow the teachings of the Great Church."

It was enough to make Ian’s eyes twitch. Now he understood the true reason for the count’s shock.

"So if they learn we survived because of demons, it will only bring them greater despair and self-loathing..."

"That is not the case," said Mev.

Ian turned, one brow twitching slightly, as she lifted her visor and revealed her face. Her green eyes, more serious than usual, were fixed firmly on the count.

So that’s why she’s stepping in...

Ian clicked his tongue inwardly.

It was obvious—despite appearances, this count was a man of remarkable character, and she had taken a liking to him.

Though he didn’t show it, Ian felt the same. That was why a faint conflict stirred somewhere deep in his chest.

"This land’s people survived not because the heavens watched over them, nor because of remnants left behind by demons, Count. Nor because of the retainers who follow you."

Mev’s calm, resolute voice continued without pause.

The count slowly lowered his hand and opened his eyes.

"It is because of the devotion and sacrifice of the people themselves. So rather than shame or guilt, you should feel pride." She finished firmly, never taking her eyes off him.

Ian’s gaze flickered slightly as he took a sip of his drink. Some of her words bordered on irreverence for a divine apostle. Perhaps that was his influence.

"She’s right."

However, regardless, it was something he agreed with. Setting his cup down on the armrest, Ian met the count’s gaze.

"The remnants of the demonic realm only kept madness from spreading into this land. The reason you’ve survived this long is entirely because of you and your people."

"Just hearing the two of you say that, it feels like all our efforts have finally been rewarded," the count murmured after a moment, his eyes wavering slightly as he raised his cup with trembling hands.

"I meant every word," Mev added quietly.

Ian nodded in agreement.

After taking a deep drink, the count wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked at Ian.

"My shaken heart has steadied somewhat. They say the darkest hour comes before dawn. The situation is not easy, but we will endure it as best we can."

After glancing once more at Mev, he formed a weary smile.

"However, may I keep the truth you’ve told me to myself? Even if it costs me my life, the souls of the people must be saved."

So they’ve held on this long through faith alone...

Ian’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.

The Round Table flickered through his mind. From what he’d heard through Nasser, this was exactly the kind of outcome they desired.

The vampire clan was their pawns to begin with. So I guess at least here, things turned out just as they wanted.

That thought settled the conflict that had been lingering within him.

Ian’s gaze returned to the count. "There’s no need for you to endure the darkest hour here."

"What do you mean?" The count blinked in confusion.

"It seems there’s a much simpler and more certain solution."

Ian picked up his cup and continued casually, "For example, relocating with your people to a new sanctuary on the frontier."