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Chapter 252

Ian opened his eyes and leaped forward. Archeas—or rather, Elia—was collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.

With a swift motion, Ian caught her just before she hit the ground, pulling her into his arms. In truth, such a dramatic effort wasn’t necessary, but it was an almost instinctual reaction.

Because Archeas had asked him to.

... Is that really the only reason?

Ian lifted Elia higher, resting her on his shoulder as he frowned. The headache he had just experienced was akin to a form of telepathy, and it carried a strange tenderness. The moment he saw Elia, that feeling intensified. Perhaps that was why his body moved before he could think.

"Is it... over? Has it left?" Philip’s voice followed.

The others were still covering their eyes.

Ian responded. "Yes. It’s gone."

"Phew...."

As if that were the signal, the others collapsed into their chairs with heavy sighs.

Though Ian had spoken the most with Archeas, everyone else seemed utterly exhausted, as if they had just finished a battle.

"I’ll never forget this day. Not only meeting the Platinum Dragon but... receiving such... an honor...." Philip murmured, his voice a mix of fatigue and awe.

The others nodded in agreement, even Thesaya.

"He was far more noble than I had heard...."

"... Now I understand why he’s called great."

"And he was... merciful, too."

As Ian watched his companions mutter their thoughts aloud, he asked, "Didn’t you feel something else just now?"

"Apart from the radiant warmth of the holy energy?" Philip asked drowsily.

"No, never mind." Ian shook his head and turned his gaze away. It seemed he was the only one who had felt the headache.

It seems to be a fragment of the Platinum Dragon’s thoughts. But how did they reach me?

Perhaps it was a lingering effect from the exchange of memories. For a brief moment, their consciousnesses had been connected, resonating with each other. But the exact reason or mechanism was unclear. He could only speculate.

What he knew for certain was that the holy energy seemed to have caused Archeas pain. The reason for this was still a mystery.

...Is it bound by some kind of restraint?

Ian recalled the tightening ring of light he had seen in Archeas\'s memories, then shrugged. For now, it was something neither clear nor urgent. Right now, what mattered more was the dwarf leaning against his shoulder, completely limp.

"...."

Elia was completely unconscious, clearly in a deep sleep. Her soft, steady breathing was the only sound she made. Ian quietly looked down at her face. Her slightly parted lips glistened.

... Is that drool?

Though her features remained unchanged, her expression seemed entirely different. When Archeas had been present, there had been a mystical aura about her. Now, she looked plain, almost clumsy.

She doesn’t look very reliable.

Ian clicked his tongue softly. Even though it was part of his task, he had no intention of constantly cleaning up after her.

I’d have to toughen her up, just like I had with others before.

Muttering to himself, he returned to the table and picked up his drink with one hand.

"Oh, Lu Solar..."

The others, still slumped in their chairs, sipped their drinks, lost in their thoughts about the conversations they’d had with the Platinum Dragon. Ian smirked silently and downed the rest of his drink. The taste was still exceptional.

As he set down his glass, he noticed the bottle of wine at the center of the table. Despite drinking so much, there was still enough left for everyone in the group to share another round.

"How about we save the rest for tomorrow night?" Ian suggested.

All eyes turned to him.

"... That sounds like a good idea," Mev eventually replied.

Philip quickly stood up and grabbed the cork and the bottle.

"I’ll take care of the bottle," he offered.

As if that was the signal, the group began to prepare to leave, gathering their belongings. Everyone first tucked away the elixir they had received from Archeas into their pockets.

As Ian tossed the humming black sword into his pocket dimension, he wrapped Elia in the purifier’s cloak. She was so small that the cloak completely enveloped her, hiding even her feet. Despite appearing suspicious, nobody would suspect he was holding a dwarf.

"This drink must be stronger than I thought. I feel tipsy," Nasser muttered as he stood up.

Ian turned and responded. "Careful not to fall down the stairs."

There was no need to worry about a hangover. After a good night’s sleep, everyone would likely feel even better than before. The Divine Droplet was essentially a recovery potion disguised as a drink.

"Philip, once we’re back, grab your shield and meet me in the yard," Ian said as they walked.

Philip, cradling the bottle like a prized possession, looked puzzled. "The shield? Why?"

It seemed Philip was also feeling a bit tipsy. Ian, who couldn’t feel even a hint of intoxication, spoke up, secretly feeling a bit envious.

"Teach me the basics of shield techniques. I need to know how to use them now."

"Oh...! Of course!" Philip’s face lit up, as if the alcohol had suddenly worn off.

"Could you show me that shield in detail later? It looks like something out of a legend, and I\'d like to get a proper look at it."

"You\'ll see it often, whether you like it or not. Throughout this journey, you\'ll need to teach me how to use a shield."

"It would be an honor. I’m amazed that you have something to learn from me. I’ll pass on everything I learned from Nasser."

Reliable, aren\'t you, kid?

Ian chuckled as he opened the church doors, but then he suddenly paused.

"...?"

As Ian resumed walking, his brows furrowed instinctively.

"Oh, oh... they\'re coming out...."

"Glory be to the radiant light...."

"O Light...."

At the foot of the stairs, Spello and the soldiers guarding the entrance and carriage were kneeling on one knee, seemingly in prayer. Similarly, the townspeople who had gathered throughout the streets were also on their knees, hands clasped in front of their chests.

"What is this...." Mev muttered.

Ian descended the stairs, a wry smile playing on his lips. "So this was the small gift...."

He realized why Archeas had released that burst of divine energy at the last moment. It wasn’t for the group, but rather for the townspeople to witness.

"... Did the Radiant Goddess give you a revelation?" As Ian approached, Spello, who had stood up, asked.

His tone was more respectful than before, though it had been that way already. It seemed he couldn\'t even imagine that the one they met inside was the Platinum Dragon.

"Why is everyone gathered here?" Ian responded with a question instead of answering.

As the soldiers exchanged glances, Spello replied. "We gathered after seeing the light burst forth from the church. A ring of light swept across the city sky and then dispersed. Was it not the Goddess responding to your prayers, sir?"

"Well... you could say that," Ian shrugged.

There was no need to correct their misunderstanding. After all, it was still Lu Solar\'s divine power.

"I see... It seems the Goddess has not forsaken the West. Thank you, my lord. Once this is known tomorrow, many will feel reassured."

"Thank the purifiers. It’s their doing," Ian said, nodding toward his companions. He figured that if they were going to use the situation, they might as well redirect attention effectively.

"I-is that so...?" Spello looked surprised, but before he could say more, the group quietly passed him and boarded the carriage.

Ian, the last to get in, handed Elia to Charlotte, who was seated next to him, then turned back to Spello.

"I have a favor to ask."

"Of course, my lord."

"Could you arrange for a horse and a covered carriage? Something inconspicuous. This one stands out too much."

"I\'ll have it procured and placed in the yard by tomorrow morning." Spello nodded as he answered.

"And I\'d like to know where the places are that criminals might favor, whether it\'s in some corner of the city or outside the walls."

"Excuse me?" Spello looked up, puzzled by the request.

Ian casually shrugged. "A secluded place where no one would come, even if there were some noise."

"Why would you need a place like that...?"

"So, you don’t know?"

"... I do know a few places."

"Perfect. Let the coachman know the most secluded and remote of those places. Do it while we\'re on our way back."

"Yes, sir." Despite his confusion, Spello answered with a puzzled expression, clearly unaware of Ian\'s intentions. As expected, Ian had no intention of offering an explanation.

"You’ve done well. Get some rest when you return." Ian closed the window with a faint smile, and the carriage began to move as if it had been waiting.

Leaving behind the citizens who would soon spread the news of the blessing of light that had occurred at the church tonight.

***

Elia abruptly woke up, sitting up straight in bed. The soft mattress beneath her and the slightly musty blanket that had fallen from her face filled the room with the scent of alcohol, mildew, and salt.

"..."

Her wide eyes, each a different color—one a vivid blue and the other a light brown—took in the view of the spacious, cluttered room. Clothes, blankets, and various weapons were scattered haphazardly around.

"You woke up at just the right time, Elie."

A calm, even voice rang out. Startled, Elia turned her head and finally noticed the man sitting on the sofa by the window. He was calmly fastening the strap of a wrist guard, his expression as impassive as his tone.

After staring at him with her mouth slightly open, Elia finally spoke.

"It’s you... the Northern superhuman, the Dragon Slayer...."

"No need for introductions, then."

The man, Ian, responded indifferently, without even glancing at her. His tone wasn’t particularly friendly, nor did he stop what he was doing. He continued to adjust his wrist guard, and Elia, still staring at him, eventually spoke again.

"Does this mean... it’s time for me to become independent?"

Ian’s movements halted. His dark eyes finally met Elia\'s. They were deep, almost pulling her in, with a dull, lifeless sheen. His lips parted slightly.

"You’re not saying the Platinum Dragon didn’t tell you anything, are you?"

"Well, that’s..."

Elia hesitated before answering, then smiled awkwardly and added, "Now that I’ve left the nest... I’m not really supposed to talk about anything related to it..."

"That rule only applies to people who don’t know you’re a Dragon\'s Child, doesn’t it?"

Ian replied with a slight smirk, nodding his chin as he continued, "Even if it doesn’t, I should be an exception. I received the request directly from it and am its agent, after all."

"Oh... I suppose that’s true...?" Elia’s head tilted slightly, realizing that what he said made sense.

But... can I really make an exception like that?

She wondered while Ian continued speaking.

"You’re my responsibility now, and that’s an important detail. So, I\'d appreciate it if you answered. Were you properly informed about the current situation?"

"... I knew that the day of my independence wasn’t far off."

Elia finally concluded that Ian’s logic was sound and spoke up.

"But the Platinum Dragon didn’t specify when that would happen. It mentioned that it’s uncertain when it might meet the agent again, or if the request would be granted. The Platinum Dragon also said that its agent isn’t someone who would easily fulfill any request."

"Quite the speech it gave you."

Ian muttered with a faint chuckle, his expression barely changing, but Elia could tell that he had smiled.

"So, you’re not entirely in the dark."

"Yes, that’s right, at least for now."

"That makes this conversation easier."

Ian turned his attention back to what he was doing as he continued speaking.

"I\'ll be taking you to the capital. But let me warn you in advance, it won’t be a peaceful journey. There will be plenty of dangers, and we won\'t be heading straight there. We\'re going to take a long detour."

"A detour...?"

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"Of course not!" Elia\'s voice suddenly grew louder.

Ian glanced at her, narrowing his eyes slightly as she exhaled sharply and spoke again.

"I’ve never left the nest in all the time I can remember. I’ve only known the world through books and stories. Now that I’ll finally be walking through it, how could I possibly have any complaints?"

Ian, who quietly gazed at her as she spoke with eyes that sparkled in different colors, let out a short sigh.

After smacking his lips, he continued speaking, "I heard you’re of age. Is that true?"

"Yes, it is."

"Whatever you’re expecting, the reality is going to be very different. So, don’t get too excited."

His voice had a dull, almost indifferent tone.

"I have no intention of taking care of you like a nanny. You’ll have to pull your own weight. And of course, don’t cause any trouble. I absolutely hate dealing with hassles."

But Elia didn’t appear the least bit hurt by his words.

"Really... you\'re exactly as I\'ve heard. Yes, I’ll keep that in mind." She answered in a tone mixed with relief.

Ian, nodding, stood up. "You must’ve heard a lot about me."

He rotated his left arm, keeping his gaze on it.

"Of course. But before I go into that...."

As she stepped out of bed, Elia paused, looking at Ian.

"Let me formally introduce myself. I’m Elia Meyer. I’ll do my best to ensure you’re not inconvenienced during our journey. Godfather."

"..."

Elia bent her knees in a respectful bow.

Ian’s arm froze mid-motion. He frowned, turning his head to look at her.

"What did you just say?"

"I said, let me formally—"

"No, just the last part."

Elia blinked her mismatched eyes, looking up at him, before finally repeating.

"... Godfather?"

"..."