I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

Elia gasped, and Seras, too, widened her eyes in surprise.

"So, it would be wise not to think about using the young lady for political gain. If her research gets hindered because of it, it will also strain the relationship between you and me." Ian spoke as he curled one corner of his mouth into a smirk, alternating his gaze between Seras and Asme.

"This is the first and last time I’ll reveal this here. So, I trust you will keep it a secret."

The implication was clear: if rumors spread, they would be considered the culprits.

"My goodness..." At last, an inaudible sigh escaped from Seras’s lips. "To think she’s your goddaughter. My curiosity got the better of me, and now I’m left with even more questions. But I won’t ask further—I’m starting to fear what other unexpected answers might come."

Good thing, because I wasn’t planning on sharing more anyway.

Just as Ian thought that, Elia started fixing his hair again, her touch somehow more attentive than before.

"... Even so, I still hope you’ll allow me to be listed as one of the young lady’s patrons," Seras added, her tone taking on a more deliberate edge as she looked at Ian. "Hearing this makes me even more determined not to give up."

Ian shrugged lightly. "I have no plans to interfere with that. After all, you’re not the only one supporting her, are you?"

"Oh, that’s true. There’s the Hexagon Alliance. Hmm... Actually, that’s quite perfect. It’ll be a natural way to build diplomatic ties. Ah, and don’t worry, the young lady won’t get caught in the middle of it. You have my word, Sir," Seras quickly added.

Ian gave her a nonchalant nod just as the carriage floor rattled more intensely. They had likely reached the bridge crossing the river. Elia withdrew her hands from Ian’s hair shortly after.

"All done. You can get up now."

Ian quickly stood, grateful to be off the hard floor, as his seat had been getting uncomfortable. His once wild hair was now neatly slicked back. Seras, casting a fresh look at him, nodded in approval.

"Your expression seems sharper now, but it’s definitely an improvement... much better."

"If you’re thinking of proposing again, please refrain. I’m not comfortable rejecting you so often," Ian added casually, causing Seras to let out a soft laugh.

"How did you know? I was just about to ask you once more."

"It’s becoming easier to see inside your mind," Ian chuckled softly as he replied, turning to open the window on his right and glancing at Elia.

He had stepped down from the chair and was now checking through her small bag, which had been resting on the seat. Despite its size, it contained everything—the grimoire Ian had examined, a small box containing the fragment of the Black Wall, and even the insignia of the Hexagon Alliance.

When did she organize everything so thoroughly...

Impressed, Ian turned his gaze out the window. As expected, they were on the bridge. Underneath the now crimson sky, the Hillisen River stretched through the heart of the capital.

In the distance, Ian could see the ships docked at the city’s outer harbor. Beyond them, the water wall arched gracefully, with the wide gates standing open. A ship was passing through the gates at that moment, its large sails indicating it was likely headed for the inner sea.

"The view downstream is beautiful, but you’ll enjoy the view better from the opposite window," Seras said, leaning over Elia and reaching for the window on Ian’s left.

"It’s one of the best places to see the royal palace."

She opened the window, and Ian took in the view upstream, nodding in agreement as the scene unfolded before him.

"It certainly is."

Beyond the distant walls, the orange sun was setting, casting its glow across the city and the river. In the center of the scene, a white wall surrounded by the curved river stood majestically, its silhouette painted by the colors of dusk.

"I heard the river surrounding the capital was artificially rerouted. It used to run in a straight line, but they dug it into that circular shape to better fortify the city. Inside that bend lies the old capital," Seras explained, her voice calm as Ian’s gaze lingered on the structures beyond the walls.

The most striking features were the two spires standing tall, watching over the river. Ian recognized them immediately; he had seen these spires in the game, and they had been visible from afar as they approached the city. Those towers marked the royal palace. Surrounding the palace were shorter buildings with towers of their own, extending along the walls. One of those buildings had been a royal residence Ian had entered in the game.

"I heard the capital has developed over time into its current form. What used to be the old capital is now the royal district. They filled in the old riverbed and replaced it with a forest instead. It’s the royal gardens now," Seras continued, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions as she admired the cityscape.

Ian nodded, taking in the sight. "It looks like a place large enough for the entire royal family to live together."

"Though it may look like a single fortress, it’s actually made up of four separate structures. There are even more buildings further out."

"It’s beautiful... and incredibly intricate," Elia added, pressing down on her bag to secure it tightly as she listened to Seras.

Seras turned and smiled at her. "The university is another impressive place. It has one of the most beautiful gardens in the city, unlike anything else in the other districts."

The carriage crossed the bridge completely and entered the northern part of the capital. While the southern and western districts were bustling and the eastern part was reverent due to its proximity to the papal states, the northern district had a quiet yet lively atmosphere. Scholars sat on the streets, bathed in the light of the setting sun, absorbed in books or deep in thought, while students walked by, engaged in animated debates.

"... It seems that even here, they’ve seen the Black Wall’s seizures," Ian muttered, realizing that most of their discussions were about it.

"I suppose so. For a while, the Black Wall will be the primary focus of scholars," Seras replied, glancing at Elia. By now, Elia had pulled her hood back up, her expression thoughtful as she gazed out at the city.

Seras, still watching her, added softly, "Perhaps the young lady arrived in the capital at the perfect time for her research."

"I hope so. Because... there might not be much time left," Elia murmured, as if to herself.

Ian realized a beat later that she was referring to the remaining time before Archeas would destroy the Black Wall. Elia seemed to believe that the Black Wall’s erosion would influence the Platinum Dragon’s decision, and Ian found her reasoning logical. However, he said nothing more, not wanting to burden or rush her. Pressuring her wouldn’t yield better research, only lead her down a darker path.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The carriage slowed as it pulled closer to the edge of the road. Across the street, where students of various races and origins bustled about, a straight, low wall made of pale gray bricks stretched ahead, with the tops of trees and rooftops visible just beyond it.

"Please see me off here. I can go in by myself." With her hood pulled low, Elia slung her bag over her shoulder as she added this. The bag seemed small to Ian, but it was almost as large as her upper body.

"Take this," Ian said, handing over a sealed letter, its wax unbroken. It was the letter of recommendation from Archeas.

"You know how and where to use this, right?"

"Of course. Don’t worry," Elia responded immediately, accepting the letter.

As she placed the envelope at the top of her bag, Ian added, "Make sure you contact the Hexagon Alliance as well. And don’t forget the lessons I’ve taught you."

"Of course. I won’t study black magic, nor will I ever be tempted by chaos. I now know how disastrous the consequences can be. Besides…"

With a steady voice, Elia hoisted her bag back over her shoulder. "With what you’ve given me, I’ll have enough material to study for at least six months. I’ll carry out my work with a sense of duty—for you, Godfather."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Ian’s lips, just as Elia bent her knees in a bow. "Thank you for seeing me here safely, Godfather. And truly, I had so much fun. It was the greatest adventure of my life. I’ll never forget it."

"Right. Keep it as a memory. But remember, the adventure you’re about to experience here won’t be an easy one either. So…"

Nodding, Ian pulled out a dagger from inside his coat, still in its sheath, and handed it to Elia. It was the Ancient Meteoric Dagger.

"You’ll need more than just protective gear. Always carry a weapon for self-defense, especially when you venture into places like the black market."

"Godfather…" Elia gasped softly, clearly moved, as she finally tucked the letter into her cloak and accepted the dagger. Her gaze lingered on the hilt and sheath as she murmured, "I’ll take good care of it, keep it looking new. Of course, I’ll try not to use it if possible."

"If you ever find yourself in such a situation, just mention the name of the House of Sonnier. If people know you have the backing of the Sonnier, they won’t dare lay a hand on you," Seras chimed in.

Elia, turning to look at her, nodded. "I’ll remember. And I’ll see you again, Your Highness."

"Of course. We’ll meet often. Since you’ll always be busy, I’ll come find you—as a duchess."

Smiling at Seras’s words, Elia placed her hand on the carriage door. Her gaze returned to Ian.

"I hope we meet again someday, Godfather."

"…Yes. Let’s meet again, Elie."

Elia paused for a moment, looking at Ian, then smiled and opened the door wide, stepping outside. Ian held the carriage door as he leaned out to watch her. However, Elia didn’t look back. She simply adjusted the dagger at her waist and continued walking forward. Her small figure, bag slung over her shoulder, slowly disappeared into the distance.

A quest completion window appeared in front of Ian’s eyes. It marked the moment Archeas’s second task was fulfilled. The rewards, yet to be collected, would be his once he summoned it. Ian closed the window. And by then, Elia had already vanished into the crowd of students and scholars on the street.

... I’ll have to charge that old dragon for the dagger.

Ian muttered inwardly as he reentered the carriage. Once again, it set off the moment the door closed. Ian gazed out of the window in silence.

"... So even you, Sir, make that kind of expression sometimes," Seras murmured from her seat across from him. Ian, whose face had already returned to its usual unreadable expression, turned to meet her gaze.

"What expression?"

A faint smile played on Seras’s lips. "It’s nothing. Forget I said anything."

In the next moment, her eyes shifted, the irises slowly turning a deep crimson-like paint spreading across a canvas. Her brown hair, which had spilled out from beneath her hood, quickly transformed back to its original golden hue.

"Shall we get to discussing our business? I’ve been waiting since it didn’t seem to be my turn yet."

"... Let’s do that. You’ve waited long enough," Ian replied, nodding in agreement.

Seras smiled. "As you know, we’ll be entering through the front gate. There are ways to sneak into the royal district quietly, but I wouldn’t want to do that while you’re with us."

"Do as you wish," Ian answered simply.

"I’ve also prepared lodging for you outside the castle. Whether or not we meet my father, you’ll be staying there tonight. It’s a residence where other royals don’t know the exact location. I call it a safe house."

Listening to her, Ian turned his gaze back out the window. Beneath the darkening indigo sky, the towering walls of the royal district were drawing closer.

***

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

The carriage passed through the first city gate.

Suddenly, the noise of the outside world seemed to fade away. Trees lined both sides of the path, their dense foliage forming a natural barrier that muffled the sounds. They had entered the royal gardens.

That wasn’t all. Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A strange weight pressed on his mind, similar to the oppressive feeling of stepping into a demon’s lair or a mage’s barrier. The only difference was that it didn’t feel ominous.

Is this because of the gods’ blessing? A protective barrier? Or maybe...

At that moment, Seras and Asme reached for the windows, closing them tightly. Asme flicked on the lamps in the ceiling, casting a soft glow inside the carriage, while Seras turned to face Ian.

"As I mentioned, our people will likely come out to greet us."

A polite, almost painted smile graced her lips, but there was tension behind her eyes.

Ian shrugged. "Or they might not. As you said."

Seras’s nervousness was understandable. The last thing she wanted was for a new negotiation table to be set before Ian, just as they neared their destination.

... I’m not planning on making any new deals now that we’re this far

He had already pushed many responsibilities onto Seras, leveraging the situation to his advantage. Abandoning a well-trained business partner at this point would only be a loss for him.

Of course, there was no need to voice these thoughts.

"...!"

The carriage jolted as it passed over something—likely another gate. Seras exchanged a glance with Asme and pulled her hood even lower. Meanwhile, the carriage veered slightly, continuing on a path only Phaden and Seras seemed to know.

Is there some battle I’m unaware of waiting for me here in the latter stages?

Ian leaned back, crossing his legs, his thoughts drifting to another matter entirely. The sacred energy and magic saturating the area were so thick they almost dulled his senses. It felt as if they had entered a divine dungeon, a place where holiness and danger coexisted in unsettling harmony.

Of course, that didn’t mean his senses had dulled to the level of an ordinary person.

"It seems they really came out to greet us."

At Ian’s quiet remark, Seras and Asme’s eyes widened, both of them looking at him. Almost simultaneously, the carriage slowed down.

"... I’ll go check it out first," Seras said, to which Ian nodded calmly. Seras swallowed dryly and cracked the side window. A soft glow of light filtered in through the gap. As she peered out, a faint look of relief crossed her face.

"Thankfully, they are..." Her gaze froze on something. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"... Our person," she said, closing the window with a small sigh, her expression a mix of relief and renewed tension.

"Is there a problem?"

"... No. It just seems I should be the first to step out. Let me know when you’re ready."

"I don’t think there’s much more to prepare."

"In that case..."

Exhaling softly, Seras opened the carriage door and stepped out. Asme, quickly reaching over, adjusted Ian’s collar and gave his shoulders a quick brush before smiling. Ian nodded in thanks and descended from the carriage.

The area around the carriage was brightly lit. About twenty figures stood in a tight semicircle, holding torches aloft.

They were armored in a mixture of plate and chain mail, wearing helmets that obscured their noses and cheeks, and cloaked in black surcoats emblazoned with the imperial crest. Though they carried torches instead of weapons, they were undoubtedly the guards of the royal district.

"Hmm..."

The figure who had caused Seras’s momentary tension was at the center of the group. Tall, broad-shouldered, and with well-groomed blond hair, his crimson eyes glowed more fiercely than the torchlight. It was another prince.

He released a soft exclamation when he laid eyes on Ian and didn’t take his gaze off him until Ian stood next to Seras. Ian, for his part, met the prince’s gaze impassively.

"... Allow me to introduce him," Seras said, turning toward Ian and raising one arm toward the prince.

"The most valiant star of the royal palace, the one who commands authority, His Highness Prince Kedric Astrea, the Third Prince, and my brother."