I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

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The horse and carriage miraculously made it through unscathed.

Since they had to transport Vernon’s body, Maeve and Miguel decided to drive the carriage.

The sight of the knight in plate armor sitting in the carriage was not at all impressive, but Maeve didn’t pay it any mind.

The group emerged from the Graveyard Forest and stopped in front of a crossroads.

The farewell was simple.

“Wait in Agellan, Ian.”

“Until we meet again.”

That was the extent of their exchange. Ian and Maeve went their separate ways, toward Orundell and Agellan, respectively.

Philip, who kept glancing back until the carriage was no longer visible, spoke up.

“I’m worried about whether Miguel can handle Sir properly.”

Ian smirked.

“You’re not worried?”

“Of course. I’ll devote myself sincerely to the task, not just because the lord asked me to, but because it’s my assigned duty.”

“It’ll be different from when you accompanied the priest.”

“That’s probably what Sir wants me to experience. Don’t worry. I’m prepared.”

Yes, actions speak louder than words.

Ian shrugged his shoulders and changed the topic.

For a while, he had felt at ease thanks to being with the divine knight. But now, the true face of the Dark Ages awaited him once again.

***

Ippotranslation

***

Night fell, and darkness covered the world once more. Because Ian couldn’t light a torch, Philip clung tightly to the horse’s side.

“But… wouldn’t one torch be alright?”

“It’s not okay. Did you forget about last night?”

Ian retorted with a snort.

It was easier to travel when there were more people.

Lighting a torch now, when there were only two of them, would essentially turn them into walking beacons.

Starving monsters would go wild.

Of course, they weren’t weak enough to be easily taken down by Agellan’s monsters. But it was best to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Just yesterday, a few goblins who had spotted the campfire had kept them awake all night.

“It’s not even that dark. Stop complaining and find a place to spend the night.”

In Ian’s opinion, the darkness was enough to walk in.

“It’s not that dark, you say…?”

Philip turned his perplexed gaze toward him.

It wasn’t a night where the moon was properly visible.

“I’m sorry, but I can barely see my surroundings.”

“……?”

Ian’s brow furrowed slightly.

‘Could this be because of the Chaos Power…?’

He had been able to see clearly without relying on magic. Not that he had any intention of lighting a torch.

“Just keep walking. You’ll get used to the darkness.”

“…Okay.”

They continued in silence. Philip occasionally twitched at the feeling of eyes on them or the sound of the wind. Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide.

“Sir. Look over there, do you see it?”

He pointed beyond the darkness. Ian nodded.

Irregularly scattered light.

Between the trees and grass, there were people around a campfire.

Ian could even make out their figures amidst the firelight.

Five adult men.

“Should we go? Spending the night with them might make it easier for us.”

Philip’s eyes sparkled as he asked.

Well… Ian scratched his chin thoughtfully and looked at him.

“If you want to. Why not?”

“You’re thinking well!”

Just in case he changed his mind, Philip urged him on.

As the campfire drew closer…

“Halt!”

A shout burst out.

Two men hidden behind trees had their crossbows aimed at them.

To Ian’s eyes, their aim seems unsteady, but Philip flinched and cowered.

“We’re just passing travelers!”

“So?”

“We’re thinking of spending the night together. Is it alright if we join you?”

The men with crossbows turned their gaze toward the campfire.

One of the men sitting on a rock, sipping his drink, nodded.

“Approach slowly.”

With a satisfied smile, Philip moved closer, while still keeping his guard up.

As they neared, Ian’s tension also increased. Not only the two men with crossbows, but all five were armed. The one who seemed to be the leader even had one eye that was completely blind.

“You don’t seem like ordinary travelers. Sit down. We have room.”

Ian and Philip took turns sitting down, following the gesture of the man who had been watching them.

“As long as you’re offering a seat, I won’t refuse. It looks like you’re mercenaries too.”

“You seem to think so.”

The one who seemed like the leader smiled widely.

“They’re not typical travelers, right? Sit down. It seems like most of us here are swordsmen who make a living with our blades.”

Phillip, who had tied his horse to a tree, sat down next to Ian.

Thanks to their hospitable response, Ian felt more at ease and leaned his shield and sword against his thigh.

“It’s a relief to be able to sleep comfortably tonight. As a gesture of thanks, I’ll share some food.”

“It’s a welcome sight. We’ll enjoy it.”

The leader, as well as the other mercenaries, raised their cups in gratitude.

Turning to them, Ian spoke.

“It seems like it was a tough mission.”

“You have good insight. That’s right.”

The guy who seemed to be the leader laughed.

Philip also realized only then that bandages were wrapped around his arm. Others had bandages around their shoulders or legs.

“It seems like it was a formidable monster.”

“Tell me about it. It was quite different from the story I heard in Roussad.”

“You crossed two borders to get here?”

“Yes, we did. It seems like the rewards are quite generous, but we had to go back and forth to the faraway village to get them. We ambushed it during the day, but still lost three subordinates and barely managed to capture it. It was worth the money.”

Casually adding, the leader said.

“At least its head was reduced. When we go back, we’ll have a place at the money table.”

The mercenaries laughed heartily.

One of them sitting on a box suddenly stirred. A faint sound, almost like a moan or a whimper, emanated from within.

As Philip’s eyes widened, Ian nonchalantly spoke.

“Looks like they captured one alive.”

“That was a condition. It’s also a sealed box we received from the employer.”

The leader responded, turning to Ian.

“What about you? Were you on your way back after completing the request?”

“Well, something like that.”

While Ian nodded, Philip spoke up.

“We’re coming from the Graveyard Forest.”

“Graveyard Forest…?”

“Ah, you don’t know. It’s a forest shrouded in mist. We… uh, killed a monster there.”

“Both of you? You must be quite skilled. Well…”

The leader winked at Ian’s waist.

“Even just the sword you’re carrying around is quite extraordinary.”

“Of course. If I were to speak of this sword—”

Before Philip could finish his sentence, Ian’s cold gaze silenced him.

Ian lifted his head and continued.

“It’s part of the reward for the mission.”

“Oh… I see. Got it. Well, it’s fate, so let’s have a drink.”

The leader signaled to his subordinate.

He brought out two wooden cups and filled them with alcohol.

Ian took one of the cups and took a sip.

“It’s good.”

“It should be fine. While we might not know about other things, we don’t skimp on alcohol.”

The mercenaries laughed while raising their cups.

Philip, who had laid jerky by the fire, also picked up a cup.

At that moment, Ian snapped his fingers.

“Bring the cups here.”

“Uh…?”

“Hot water has both upper and lower sides. Put it in front.”

“…Okay.”

Translator; ippo

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