The count’s eyes widened. He stared blankly at Ian as he drank, then finally spoke in a trembling voice.

"A new sanctuary on the frontier?"

Just as expected, he knew nothing of the rumors beyond this place.

"A heavenly blessing has descended upon Orendel, once part of Agel Lan’s territory, Count," Mev answered. She, too, had been looking at Ian with surprise.

The count turned to her, his gaze sharpening slightly. "Orendel... I’ve heard things. A land ruled by a bastard son who executed his corrupt father and brother."

How did that news reach all the way here?

Ian lowered his cup as he glanced at Mev. "He’s king of the Kingdom of Orendel now. People call him the Bastard King. It started as an insult, but he seems to like it."

"The Bastard King..." The count murmured.

Mev, holding the bottle, leaned forward and refilled his nearly empty cup.

"If the people of Glumir choose to migrate, he will gladly welcome them. He’s always been in need of capable nobles and resilient citizens."

"He might even grant you land. By now, he’s probably expanding territory around the sanctuary," Ian added casually, handing his cup to Mev.

A faint smile touched her lips as she accepted it. Clearly, she approved of his decision.

As she exchanged a brief glance with him and took a sip, the count, who had been lost in thought, finally said, "It is an offer I’m deeply grateful for, but if we can overcome this current crisis, won’t things begin to improve? There will surely be those who wish to stay. I cannot force relocation while ignoring their will."

Mev’s eyes twitched slightly as she lowered her cup.

Ian simply shrugged. "That’s fair."

It wasn’t something the count could easily override. His authority came from respect and faith, not force.

"Then persuade them, Count. A life far safer and more prosperous awaits them there," Mev said again, setting her cup down. In fact, she looked more eager than he did.

The count nodded slowly. "You’re right. I’m sure of it. But it is a long journey. And this region is filled with demonic realms. It would be dangerous."

"The path from here to the old lands of Bel Ronde has already been cleared, Count."

"Pardon?" The count blinked, confused by Mev’s immediate response.

Ian chuckled, lifting his empty cup. "It seems you have no idea how we got here."

"At the Agent of the Saint’s command, we purified nearly every demonic realm we encountered along the way," Mev added, pouring him another drink.

Shock spread across the count’s face. "Nearly all of them?"

"That’s what we do best," Ian answered simply, raising his cup slightly toward Mev in thanks.

"By Lu Solar... Then that changes everything. It will serve as a strong justification to persuade them," the count exclaimed, visibly stirred.

As expected, part of him wanted to leave. Perhaps he simply wanted to see this new sanctuary of the frontier with his own eyes.

"It’ll take some time to prepare for the relocation anyway," Ian said casually. "And if the timing works out, the greatest knight of the frontier might even join as an escort."

The count’s eyes widened.

Ian glanced at Mev and added, "Of course, that would require her consent."

"I’d be glad to help," Mev answered without the slightest hesitation.

A smile spread across the count’s face as he turned to her. "If that is the case, persuading them will be all the easier. To journey toward a new sanctuary under the protection of an apostle of the gods..."

For people who had endured through faith alone, it was more than reassuring—it was almost irresistible.

It would also be a blow to the Round Table.

Their loyalty would shift, not toward the Empire or the Grand Church, but toward the new kingdom of the frontier and toward Ian.

Of course, it also meant placing yet another debt on the Bastard King.

"We have already received blessings beyond repayment, yet you help us once more. The two of you are truly messengers of the heavens, saints among men." The count placed a hand over his chest and bowed his head reverently, looking between Ian and Mev.

At that very moment, a quest window appeared before Ian’s eyes.

[Isolated Survivors.]

The quest’s completion condition was to safely escort the survivors to the sanctuary.

"Well, just make sure my knight doesn’t end up making the trip for nothing," Ian replied flatly as he skimmed through the quest details.

Judging by the wording, it was likely one of those random chain quests from the game.

The reward scaled depending on how many survivors made it safely, and the experience payout was substantial.

And I can even complete it remotely.

The corner of Ian’s mouth twitched slightly as he took a drink. It was a good thing he hadn’t parted ways with Mev at the Magic Tower.

Otherwise, he would have had to abandon the quest or waste considerable time.

"I will do everything in my power to ensure your noble intentions are not in vain," the count answered with newfound resolve.

Closing the quest window, Ian lowered his cup and asked, "So you’ve sealed off the southern gate as well?"

"Yes. All exits leading outside have been blocked."

"Can’t be helped. We’ll have to pull out part of the southern barricade too." Ian shrugged, glancing at Mev before turning back to the count. "The logs we pulled out upon entering are laid on the ground. Have your people restore the barricade."

"We will do so, Agent of the Saint." The count bowed immediately. He had been respectful before, but now his attitude had become almost reverent.

Setting his cup down, Ian continued, "The mountain range along the southern border, that’s Bel Skonen, right?"

"Yes, that is what we call it."

Ian nodded lightly. "I see. Good. If there’s nothing else, let’s wrap this up."

The count hesitated, then quickly added, "You’re really leaving without going into the city? It’s getting dark already."

Ian glanced at Mev and answered, "The sooner we move, the sooner your wait will end."

Of course, it was also because stepping into the city now would invite overwhelming praise.

A bath would’ve been nice, but he had no intention of wasting half a day on something like that.

"Agent of the Saint..." Unaware of Ian’s true thoughts, the count let out a quiet exclamation.

Mev lowered her visor and opened the carriage door.

Ian’s brow narrowed slightly the moment he stepped outside behind her.

"Back already? That was faster than I expected."

"Indeed, Elder. Perhaps I should have hurried my conversation a bit more."

Familiar voices reached his ears.

Off to the side, Nasser and Thesaya stood near Osric.

There was no need to wonder what they had been talking about.

"O Demigod of the North...."

Just seeing the awe spread across Osric’s face as he turned toward Ian was enough.

Ian’s gaze swept sharply past Thesaya and Nasser.

"A demigod?" The count’s bewildered voice followed as he stepped down behind them.

"It seems you were unaware. The Agent of the Saint is the Archduke of the North and a demigod," Mev answered, holding the carriage door. Her tone was calm, as though stating something obvious.

She continued, "Even the heavenly goddesses have acknowledged it. There is no room for doubt."

Ian raised a brow slightly and glanced at Mev.

"Lu Solar, by the heavens..." the count murmured blankly. He stood there, stunned, his expression beyond mere surprise.

Then, as his gaze met Ian’s, he collapsed to one knee. "Be, before the exalted heavens—"

"That’s enough." Ian cut him off.

At least the soldiers had already withdrawn.

Otherwise, there would have been another uncontrollable commotion in the middle of the night.

"Stand. I’ve heard enough gratitude and praise to last a lifetime."

"Yes, O demigod." A beat too late, the count rose stiffly.

Shock still lingered across his gaunt face.

"I intend to leave quietly. Make sure you don’t stir up unnecessary noise once you return."

"I will remember that."

"And don’t forget what we discussed. You may go."

"Yes. I will look forward to the day we meet again, Your Grace." With his helmet tucked under one arm, the count bowed in the Imperial manner before turning away.

He still couldn’t bring himself to face Ian directly, keeping his head slightly lowered as he left.

At this rate, the whole world’s going to start calling me a demigod.

Clicking his tongue, Ian watched his retreating figure, then shifted his gaze toward Osric in the distance.

The man stood rigid, eyes wide with intense focus. Thesaya and Nasser leaned in on either side of him, both whispering something urgently.

Ian briefly considered whether cutting their tongues out would solve the problem.

"For the record,"

A low voice came from the driver’s seat.

Miguel leaned out slightly, holding a torch. "I didn’t say a word."

"Good. Well done."

Not that it helped much.

Ian clicked his tongue again.

"Go inside and get some rest, Ian," said Mev, stepping up beside him.

Her visor was already lowered again. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"You didn’t get any rest at all. We’ll handle the night travel."

"I’ll come in after pulling out the barricade logs. You go in first, Miguel. Take Lily with you." Ian shook his head and glanced over.

Miguel’s face twisted slightly. "You really plan to leave just like this?"

"If we set up camp here, the townsfolk will all come out to greet us at dawn," Ian said, glancing off to the side.

Through the darkness, the count and Osric were already moving farther away.

From the way they walked, it was obvious Osric had already started relaying what he’d just heard from Thesaya and Nasser.

"Tch. Still, we should set up camp at least by dawn. The horses need rest too."

"We will," Mev answered quickly, stepping forward to take the torch Miguel held out.

With a reluctant look, Miguel turned away, heading back toward the carriage with Lily.

"That was quite a productive use of time," said Thesaya. Her silver hair swayed as she approached at a leisurely pace.

When Ian turned, she smiled casually. "What? I didn’t make anything up. He wanted to hear it."

"They’ve lived in isolation for a long time. Hearing about you would bring them both hope and comfort, my lord." Nasser added from behind her.

He approached, leading both Nila and Moro at his sides.

"If you keep spouting nonsense, I might just add a story about cutting out tongues too," Ian muttered under his breath.

"They’ll be spreading the story across the frontier soon enough, Nasser. They’ll be heading to Orendel with us," said Mev.

"What? You’re relocating those people there?" Thesaya stopped in front of Ian, eyes widening.

Nasser turned as well, and even Miguel, who had climbed down from the driver’s seat with Lily, looked over at Ian.

Ian answered plainly, "That’s how it turned out. I’m telling you now, make sure no one ends up dying for nothing."

"I will do my utmost, my lord."

"Looks like the Bastard King’s the one who’ll be happiest. How many times is he going to benefit from you, Ian?" Thesaya let out a scoff.

Ian glanced at Moro, then jerked his chin toward the carriage. "All the more reason he won’t be able to refuse any request I make. So get inside, Thesa. It’s time to switch shifts."

"I hate sleeping next to the Prosthetic. He snores too loudly," she grumbled, but still headed toward the carriage, scooping Lily up in her arms.

"Getting slapped awake every time isn’t exactly pleasant either, Elder." Miguel snorted as he followed behind her.

Meanwhile, Ian stepped toward Moro.

Night was the creature’s domain.

Thesaya paused briefly in front of the carriage, casting a strange glance over the ruins of the estate.

It lasted only an instant.

With a faint scoff, she turned away and climbed inside.

"Shall I drive south?" Nasser asked as he took the torch from Mev and moved toward the driver’s seat.

Mounted atop Moro, Ian nodded. "There should be a section with a wooden barricade instead of a wall. We’ll pass through there."

"Understood." Nasser climbed up.

Ian glanced at Mev, now mounted on Nila, and flicked the reins.

Snort!

Moro exhaled sharply, as if it had been waiting, and began to move.

They left the count and Osric behind, the distant city faintly visible to their left.

Just as Moro left the estate grounds and started up a gentle slope, the now-empty essence bead of chaos pulsed faintly.

Thump...

Ian placed a hand on his chest, then slowly lifted his gaze to the sky.

His eye twitched.

It wasn’t just the faint violet shimmer still lingering within the storm clouds.

The remnants of the demonic realm left behind by the Vampire Empress were still there.

Was that what Lily was seeing?

Even after the rift had been sealed, it hadn’t disappeared.

There was no real connection anymore beyond its origin, so it wasn’t all that strange.

Still, the fact that his essence bead had absorbed the Empress’s chaos crossed his mind again. That might have been why it pulsed just now.

"What are you staring at, Ian?" Mev asked.

Nila had moved up alongside him, keeping a measured distance.

"Nothing. It’s nothing." Ian turned his gaze forward again. He meant it.

At most, it meant that as long as his chaos remained, the remnants of the demonic realm might continue to function.

Even that thought vanished the moment they reached the top of the hill.

Beyond it, a vast scene unfolded.

Ian’s eyes sank heavily as he took it in.

"Now we can finally see it clearly," Nasser murmured from beside the carriage.

His gaze swept across the distant horizon, where jagged ridgelines stretched like shadows beneath the churning storm clouds.

"As you know, beyond that mountain range lies the Empire, my lord."

Ian gave no reply.

He simply stared at the fractured outline stretching across the distance like shattered glass.

Somewhere beneath those mountains slept another legacy left behind by the Platinum Dragon.