I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy

Chapter 259

"...." Philip's gaze finally shifted to the road ahead of the carriage.

As Ian had said, it was indeed the crossroads. One path led north, while the other veered slightly northeast. For a moment, Philip seemed at a loss for words, his lips moving as if to say something. Eventually, he forced a smile onto his face.

"Then why don't we just head a bit further north? You said there's no rush, after all. Or maybe we could set up camp around here? We could rest for the night and continue in the morning."

Ian didn't offer his usual rebuke, like asking why they were setting up camp when it was just past noon, or questioning if they could really part so easily at the next crossroads.

"...."

He simply stared at Philip, remaining silent.

It only took a few seconds for Philip's smile to turn into a frown. His lips quivered as he murmured, "Then maybe just a little bit more...."

"That's enough, Philip," came Mev's voice from behind him.

A gloved hand in thick plate armor rested on one of Philip's shoulders.

"Delaying won't lessen the sadness of parting."

"My lord...." Philip looked around the inside of the carriage, his expression sad.

Mev's voice continued, gentle yet firm. "We'll part ways here."

"...."

"Remember the conversation we had today. I have no doubt you'll do well."

"I'll... think about it," Philip replied, biting his lower lip before he jumped out of the carriage. He looked up at Nasser, who was still in the driver's seat.

"Come along. We'll swap out the horses for the carriage. I'll also explain the things you need to be mindful of while serving my lord. Make sure you remember everything."

Without waiting for a response, Philip walked briskly past the brown horse and around to the other side of the carriage, determined to hide the moisture in his eyes.

"Understood," Nasser replied coolly as he dismounted from the driver's seat.

While he was untying the harness from the brown horse, Mev stepped out of the carriage. The purifier's cloak had been left inside, revealing her full plate armor.

"Come on, choose which horse you'll take," Philip said to Nasser as he reached the two white horses.

Mev kept her gaze on Ian, who sat in the coachman’s seat, and smiled gently. "So, the time has finally come, Ian. To be honest, when we crossed paths again, I never expected this moment to arrive."

"You thought I’d die?"

"I did. In fact, I even hoped for it, if you hadn’t noticed."

"Well, I had a hunch." Ian shrugged, and Mev nodded as if she had expected his answer.

She placed a hand on her breastplate and continued. "Just as you took care of me, I ask that you look after Philip, Ian. Make sure he gets to the capital safely and without any reckless behavior."

Next to her, Philip stifled a sniffle, discreetly wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

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Ian, glancing at him, curled one side of his mouth into a smirk. "Is that a request or a favor?"

"I'd like to call it a request, but I have nothing left to give. Everything I have is something I've received from you or will be given back to you. So this time, I can only ask it as a favor."

"Then I will accept that favor."

Mev's smile deepened as she gazed at Ian for a moment before speaking again. "I know your way of doing things... but are you just going to stand there? It's a farewell, so it'd be nice if you'd come down, even if just for a moment."

"That's not a difficult favor that you ask." With a silent laugh, Ian jumped down from the side of the carriage.

As she slowly approached him, Mev asked, "So, where are you headed next? You’re not going straight to the capital, are you?"

"Well, the central region is vast. I’m thinking of taking my time exploring the outskirts first. Probably." As Ian walked toward her, he replied.

Mev nodded. "So, nothing is set in stone yet. I suppose that makes sense... You were a wandering mercenary, after all."

"Were a wandering mercenary? I still am."

"What...?"

Mev's eyes widened in surprise, but then she laughed—a true, heartfelt laugh that Ian had noticed more frequently since she had avenged herself. Her smile was refreshing, even with the scar that marked one side of her jaw.

"Yeah, I guess you still are. You’ve never enjoyed being tied down anywhere."

"You know me too well by now." Ian stopped walking as he answered.

Mev didn’t stop, though. She only slowed her pace, continuing to approach him. As she drew closer, the emotions in her green eyes became clearer.

Before Ian could say anything, Mev reached out and hugged him. There was no warmth, only the sound of metal clinking as their armor touched. But Mev held onto Ian as if it didn’t matter.

"...?" Nasser, who had been leading one of the white horses over, glanced at them and blinked in surprise.

Philip, who had followed, took one look at Ian and Mev before turning back to Nasser. "Where are you looking? Focus on tying the horse and listen carefully."

"Oh... Yes, of course." Nasser replied, somewhat flustered, and Philip mumbled instructions, mostly about the little details to be mindful of when serving Mev.

Ian chuckled softly. "I remember you doing this before."

"Yes, I did."

Unlike last time, Mev didn’t release her embrace. Her voice came from somewhere near Ian's collarbone.

"Now that I think about it, I never properly thanked you this time, either. Thank you, Sir Ian, for helping me achieve the revenge I thought was impossible."

"It happened to align with my task, but I’ll gladly accept your thanks. But... why the formal tone all of a sudden?" Ian glanced down at her red hair as he added, "And why the sudden hug?"

"Because I want to."

"Just like how you wanted to hug me?"

"Exactly. You were the one who said I should feel free to do what I want, right?"

... She’s really using that against me now.

As Ian chuckled softly, Mev continued, "In the end, you didn’t ask for the remaining payment, did you? Even until the very end."

"I don’t need it just yet."

"When will you ask for it?"

"You know the answer, don’t you? When staking my life isn’t enough. That’s when I’ll come to you and demand it."

"Alright... I’ll be waiting. Whenever that day comes, I’ll be alive, and I hope the same for you, Ian."

You've really outdone me today.

Ian shrugged. "I will. Let’s meet again then. And take good care of my sword."

"Of course..." She patted Ian's back before releasing her embrace and stepping back.

However, her hands remained on his arms, and she didn’t take her eyes off him. They were still close enough to feel each other's breath.

"I’ll make sure to pass along your regards, Ian."

"Consider what Philip said a few days ago. Living with Lucy at the temple isn’t a bad choice. It would also make it easier for me to find you again."

Ian nodded slightly. "The frontier is vast, you know?"

Instead of responding, Mev just gave a gentle smile.

Ian, holding her gaze, chuckled softly. "So, you're not planning on doing that."

"No. I’m just savoring this moment. I have a feeling it will be a long time before we meet again."

Ian paused, slightly taken aback by her reply.

Undeterred, Mev continued speaking as she looked into his eyes. "Strange, isn’t it? After such a long and difficult journey, the strongest emotion left is the sadness of parting."

"... I’ll come to collect my payment before too long." Ian finally spoke, a faint smile curling his lips as he held her gaze. "Whether that's a good thing, I'm not so sure."

"... I guess you didn’t know this, but I really enjoy crossing life-or-death situations with you. Honestly, I kind of relish it. So..."

Mev tightened her grip on his arms slightly and whispered. "I’ll be counting the days until then, Ian."

With a smile, Mev abruptly turned away. Her red hair shimmered as her now slightly flushed ear briefly showed before disappearing. She walked to the carriage, placing one foot on the step before turning to look back at Ian one last time. Her expression was the same as always—a faint, enigmatic smile gracing her lips. Then she boarded the carriage, and with a soft thud, the door closed.

"...."

Ian watched her until the very last moment before finally breaking into a restrained chuckle as he turned away. Just as he did, he met Nasser’s gaze.

Nasser, caught off guard, flashed an awkward smile, but Ian spoke before he could react. "Take good care of her. And don’t die before you finish your penance and atonement."

"... Yes, my lord. I wish you bright light and good fortune on your path ahead."

Bright light and good fortune? What nonsense.

Ian scoffed softly as he turned away, heading toward his carriage.

Philip, who had swapped out the white horse for a brown one and hitched it to the carriage, was removing the white horse's armor.

"What are you doing?"

Philip looked up at Ian’s question. "I thought having armor on just one horse might draw too much attention. Should I put it back on?"

Philip's eyes, tinged with red, suggested he needed something to occupy himself to calm down. Ian glanced at the white horse.

Seeing the redness in Philip’s eyes, it was clear he was trying to calm himself down by staying busy. Ian, licking his lips, glanced at the white horse—whether it was Nila or Selim, he still couldn’t tell them apart.

"Leave the head and neck armor on this one, but put the body armor on the other horse. That should make it less conspicuous."

To avoid attention, it would be best to remove the armor entirely, but Ian didn’t want to waste such high-quality gear.

"Yes, I’ll do..." Before Philip could finish his sentence, the sound of approaching hoofbeats interrupted him. Philip hesitated for a moment, then clenched his lips and returned to his task.

"... Take your time. There's no need to rush." Instead of a rebuke, Ian added this as he turned away.

Even for him, it was impossible to fully grasp what Philip was feeling at the moment. After all, to him, Mev was his mentor, benefactor, and family, all rolled into one.

"...."

Opening the carriage door, Ian found Elia looking back at him. Without a word, he took a seat across from her. Through the open window, he watched the other carriage disappear down the road leading north. Ian’s gaze followed it quietly.

"... Are you alright?" Elia suddenly asked.

As Ian met her eyes, she hesitated before continuing. "I’m sorry if that was out of line. It just reminded me of my childhood, that’s all."

"Your childhood?" Ian asked.

Elia hesitated for a moment, glancing at him as if wondering whether it was okay to speak, before finally opening her mouth.

"When I was young, a few of my siblings were still in the nest. I was the last one adopted after the Black Wall rose, so there was quite an age gap between us. Not long after, one by one, they left the nest. And each time, I cried... all night long."

So that’s why she’s been wearing that expression. It must be memories of those times.

Ian chuckled softly before adding. "Did any of those siblings happen to be good at cooking?"

Elia's eyes widened in surprise, the blue and brown of her irises reflecting her astonishment. "How did you know...?"

She continued, "Bella was the one. The library in the nest had books filled with the recipes of chefs from all eras. She would always practice from those books and cook for my siblings and me. She dreamed of becoming a royal chef one day. I would eagerly watch while helping with the chores because I really loved Bella's cooking."

I didn’t expect it to be true. I just made a guess.

Ian’s chuckle deepened, but before he could say more, the carriage moved. The small window near the driver’s seat opened, and Philip's voice drifted in.

"So... where should we head, my lord?"

"That’s your job to figure out from now on."

Glancing through the window, Ian noticed a clean map in Philip's hands and continued. "It would be nice if it took about half a year to reach the capital. Plan out a few routes. Have it readied by tonight."

Philip would need something to keep him occupied, so this task, though tedious, wouldn’t be entirely unwelcome.

As expected, Philip quickly nodded. "Yes, I’ll have it ready by the time we set up camp."

The small window closed again. Ian briefly caught Elia’s gaze, noticing her eyes sparkled with renewed interest at the mention of half a year. Then he turned his attention back out the window. Mev and Nasser’s carriage was already a distant speck.