I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain Chapter 232

Ian shrugged his shoulders.

"I had no idea."

All he knew was that a weapon made with dragon bones contained dragon magic. It was sothing he found out after making equipnt from bone fragnts obtained from the dragon’s tomb in the ga. There was no ntion there that it would inflict additional damage on dragons.

Is this another unrecorded setting?

Suddenly, he rembered the bones of Tahumrit that he had given to Archeas.

... I should have asked for a piece, after all.

Nasser blinked and then spoke. "But you already killed the Corrupt Dragon in the North, didn’t you?"

"At that ti, the Platinum Dragon opened its chest for . Thanks to that, I was able to stab its heart."

"I see... As I heard, it seems the process wasn’t smooth."

"I almost died several tis. Both before and after that." Ian spoke nonchalantly as his head subtly tilted toward Nasser. "Just like you now."

"...." Nasser montarily held his breath.

His eyes, heavily double-lidded, stared alternately into Ian’s eyes as if trying to find any glimr of hope within them. But Ian’s eyes, darker than the dim interior of the carriage, showed no movent.

"... Please spare ." Nasser finally uttered.

Ian rely smiled with the corners of his mouth. "What a cliché last word."

"Please. Give a chance to atone. Let wash away the sins I have committed against the Radiant Goddess and you with my own hands. If not, my soul will never be saved. So please...."

Nasser quickly continued, a clearly forced smile on his lips. "Let serve you."

"What, you want to be a squire?" Thesaya asked.

Nasser responded imdiately. "I don’t mind being a servant. I am no longer a paladin, nor a mber of the Purification Squad or the Dawn Brigade. From the mont the holy mark disappeared and the mont I confessed everything to you, there was no turning back. Knowing that I was a scapegoat, I didn’t even intend to. So please... give a chance."

"Hmm...." Ian humd briefly, stroking his chin.

Nasser’s eyes, looking up at him, were desperate.

Ian, who was indifferently eting his gaze, turned to Charlotte.

"Put him back to sleep for now."

"Understood." Charlotte threw the handkerchief she had been holding to Nasser’s ear to Thesaya.

The ear of Nasser, which had been cut at an angle, was already scabbed. Even though the holy mark had disappeared, it seed his body, strengthened by the blessing, hadn’t reverted entirely at once.

As Charlotte raised her left hand, Nasser hastily spoke up. "Sir Ian, please—"

Charlotte’s hand struck the back of Nasser’s neck. Nasser’s eyes rolled back.

As Charlotte released her grip on his face, Ian spoke. "Things are going from bad to worse. Don’t you think so?"

He then opened the carriage door. The darkening scenery outside was fully revealed, and a voice continued from the roof.

"Yes. The Dawn Brigade... really, it wasn’t just the corrupted ones who were the problem."

It was v, who had been listening to the conversation inside from the carriage roof. The makeshift window connecting to the driver’s seat opened again.

"They are dangerous individuals. To accept inevitable darkness. And for even the purifiers to hold such thoughts...." Philip said breathlessly.

From his slightly revealed expression, it was clear he was greatly shocked.

Ian shrugged his shoulders. "They probably believe it to be the natural order. Or want to make it so."

"If their plan succeeds, an era of chaos will co. Countless people will be sacrificed in the process. For the followers of Lu Solar to not even consider such things at all...."

"Well, as far as I know, priests who care about such things are rare."

"That is... true."

"What can you do? That’s your order." Thesaya added nonchalantly.

Philip let out a deep sigh instead of answering.

"Inevitable darkness and a new dawn...." v muttered.

Ian, curling one corner of his mouth, responded. "Doesn’t it sound familiar?"

"Yes. Not exactly the sa, but similar."

"Their thods are also sothing I’ve seen before." At Ian’s words, everyone except v naturally turned their gaze toward him.

"Are you saying the Dawn Brigade is part of the Round Table Parliant?" Philip asked in a subdued voice.

He always makes the obvious sound like a big deal.

From the roof, a reply followed."The only difference is that we’re now talking about purifiers, not corrupted ones. Many aspects remain the sa. They use people without them realizing it, and they don’t consider the sacrifices or damages their plans might cause."

"Exactly. At least...." Ian added, looking down at the unconscious Nasser. "Their higher-ups think so. Hold on...."

If that’s the case?

A strange look appeared in Ian’s eyes as he stroked his chin, lost in thought. anwhile, the conversation continued without pause.

"There are even many who suspect the Platinum Dragon. What on earth is a pure believer supposed to be? It seems the main order is different from what I thought."

"So always rember the mont you received the revelation, Philip. the part of your heart that has caught the Goddess’s eye."

"Don’t worry. You know who I learned from."

Most of the conversation was between Philip and v. Having listened in silence for a long ti, they seed to have a lot to say.

"... It seems doable." Ian, having finished his thoughts, mumbled.

Charlotte, who had been waiting, finally spoke up. "So, what will you do with this guy?"

A quietness suddenly enveloped the area surrounding the carriage. All ears were tuned in, waiting for Ian’s response.

Without turning his gaze, Ian spoke. "Well, I’m still thinking."

"His last words didn’t seem like a lie. I think there might be more to discover from him if we dig deeper." Thesaya added.

Judging by her expression, it was clear that she wasn’t saving him out of genuine concern. She simply didn’t want her new toy to disappear too quickly.

Indeed, she’s a natural-born elf.

Ian laughed through his nose and nodded.

"Yeah. There might be sothing useful. For now, let’s keep him alive."

Charlotte briefly flicked her tongue. She seed to have wanted to kill Nasser.

Ian turned his attention away, unfazed.

"Set up camp at an appropriate spot, Philip."

"Yes, my lord."

"And everyone except for Sir Riurel, take off all the new armor we acquired this ti. Philip, you do the opposite and remove your old armor. All of it."

"All of it? Why...?"

"Because tomorrow morning, you’ll be wearing full plate armor."

"?" Philip turned his head and looked at Ian through the makeshift window.

Ian smiled as he took out a steel glove from his pocket dinsion.

"Yes. If we play our cards right, we might make the Duke reveal his identity himself."

"...?"

***

"...."

Nasser slowly opened his eyes.

The feel of dry soil against his face. His neck ached stiffly, and his limbs were numb, but the first emotion that ca to his mind this ti was relief. He was still alive.

"It’s lighter than I thought. But it still feels awkward. It feels like my senses are dulled."

"Once you get used to it, it will turn into a sense of stability. From then on, your fighting style will change too. I’ll teach you. Starting tonight."

Listening to the voices of Philip and v, Nasser rolled his eyes around.

He was under a withered tree. The sll of mold lingered as the morning dew brushed past. They had set up camp here, and it seed the night had passed.

"Did you sleep well?"

"...!" At Charlotte’s voice, Nasser’s eyes widened in surprise.

A strong hand grabbed his shoulder.

"Be grateful to Ian. You lucky bastard." Charlotte forced Nasser to kneel.

His limbs were still bound and nearly numb. But instead of complaining about the pain, Nasser took in the view of the camp before him.

Beyond the embers of the campfire, Philip stood, moving his body in full plate armor.

"That armor looks familiar," Nasser muttered.

Only the breastplate belonged to Gautier; the rest were all equipnt he had worn.

"Sir. Stand side by side." At that mont, Ian, who was sitting with his back slightly turned to Nasser, spoke.

v stood up with a sowhat awkward expression. She was wearing the breastplate that had belonged to Nasser. Of course, the rest of the gear was Gautier’s belongings.

"Would you like to try on the helt as well?"

"...Alright." With a murmur, the magic stones embedded on the sides of v’s breastplate flashed once.

Clank.

The helt that had been tilted back sprang up to cover her head. Next, the visor popped out from both sides to cover v’s face. It was a pointed visor, with only small holes for the eyes and nose.

It was the helt Nasser used to wear.

Ian added, "Is there any discomfort?"

"None. Not at all," replied v.

As she answered, Philip, who had been inspecting his body, spoke up. "Indeed, it’s not your average masterpiece. Even the parts with different sizes fit well, and the adjustnts are convenient. It’s undoubtedly a collaboration between high-ranking mages of the Magic Tower and master dwarf craftsn. You could buy a mansion with this if you sold it."

Nasser nodded in agreent.

It was at that mont that Thesaya approached them. "With this, it’ll look even more convincing."

She handed over a bundle of faded cloth she had been holding. It was the robe of the main order. As v and Philip silently began to don the robes, Ian turned to Nasser.

"You’re awake, Philip."

Nasser blinked in confusion. "Ph... Philip?"

"For the ti being, that’s your na publicly."

"What...?"

As Nasser tilted his head in confusion, Charlotte clicked her tongue and drew a dagger. With a quick slice, the blade cut the ropes, freeing Nasser’s limbs. Though he couldn’t move imdiately due to stiffness and numbness, he could only wiggle his fingers.

Charlotte’s low voice followed. "Don’t get too comfortable. I’ll always be watching. The mont you try anything foolish, your soul will lose any chance of salvation."

Despite being threatened, a smile appeared on Nasser’s lips. "Don’t worry. That won’t happen."

"If you want to keep living, you need to do your tasks well," Ian said, crouching in front of him.

Nasser looked at him. "Yes. What’s the first task?"

"Your new na."

"...Philip?"

"Yes."

"...Alright. I am now Philip." Despite his bewildered expression, Nasser answered.

Ian nodded and pointed to the side with his left arm.

"The second task is to beco a coachman."

As Nasser naturally turned his head, he saw a black carriage and two white horses tied beside it. Their silver armor shimred faintly.

"They’re very good horses. The armor is magical, and they still have energy to spare even after pulling a carriage with six people. It’s no wonder they survived crossing that mountain."

"...That’s probably because they have Northern warhorse blood in them. I’m glad they were helpful." Nasser murmured weakly before continuing. "As a token of my gratitude, if you look at the saddles—"

"There are bags attached discreetly. Inside are supplies, including magic stones and food. We’ve secured everything, so don’t worry."

"...You’re thorough."

"Yes. We even took your rings, earrings, and bracelets. Everyone got a fair share." Ian replied nonchalantly.

As Nasser let out a hollow laugh, Philip’s voice continued, "It’s all done, my lord."

Ian turned around and nodded. "Excellent...."

v and Philip had their hoods pulled deep over their heads. v’s face, now without a helt, was barely visible except for her chin.

Philip muttered. "It’s amazing that I can see clearly despite this."

"It seems like no one will suspect anything. What do you think? Do they look like purifiers?" Ian asked, turning to Nasser.

Nasser nodded, still sowhat dazed. "Yes, they do, but..."

"Good. From now on, those two are Sir Gautier and Sir Nasser."

"...?" Nasser looked back at Ian in confusion. "What is going on here?"

"What’s going on?" Ian smirked slightly. "You won’t be rembered as martyrs who died fighting . Instead, you’ll be rembered as traitors who betrayed the Dawn Brigade, fooled by my words."

As Nasser’s mouth hung open in shock, Ian shrugged. "That is if Duke Kralen is part of the council."

"The council... what is that?"

"It’s a group you should fervently hope the Duke is a part of."

"...?" Nasser’s head tilted. Too many parts of the conversation had skipped over his understanding.

Ian, of course, didn’t care at all. "Because that’s how you’ll get to et the Platinum Dragon."

"... So, this is related to the mission given by the Platinum Dragon."

"When that ti cos, you’ll do your third task. You’ll tell him everything you told , including how you and your group view him."

"…? Not you?"

"Yes. I’m too lazy to do it myself. Besides, I have a mountain of other things to discuss."

Nasser looked at Ian, trying to determine if he was serious.

Ian, genuinely serious, continued. "You are now the lowly servant and coachman, Philip. Those two are the purifiers and mbers of the Dawn Brigade, Gautier and Nasser. And I’m leading them. That’s all you need to know. That’s the setup."

"Why… are you putting on this act?"

"There are things we want to learn from Duke Kralen. This makes it easier to extract that information. Whether it works, we’ll see."

"Duke… Kralen?"

"Oh, right. I didn’t ntion it. We’re going to kill him."

"...!?" Nasser’s eyes widened in shock at Ian’s nonchalant addition.