It was a quest he couldn’t refuse. Ian's expression twisted as he read the single-line description.
"I am sorry to have surprised you. But Ian, you know this must be done," said Archeas. Its voice was perfectly calm.
"... No," said Ian, closing the quest window without even glancing at the rewards. He looked past it, eting Archeas's golden eyes. "There was only one dragon to kill today. And it's already dead over there."
"Yes... I've done this in the wrong order. Thanking you should have co first." Still supporting the Black Sword with both hands, Archeas slowly bent its knees.
"Thank you, Ian, for fulfilling my oldest wish. I could not have done it alone."
"That goes for both of us." Ian stared, speechless for a mont, before finally replying in a subdued voice.
Even if he had completed the White Mage quest, he knew he couldn't have killed the Heaven Defier alone. He would have needed his allies and likely suffered great losses.
Ian staggered to his feet and added, "Besides, it's not even completely dead, technically."
"As I said, Rakhmah cannot be resurrected. Even if it stitches its soul back together, it will be a completely different monster. The bigger problem right now is , Ian." Archeas straightened and t Ian’s gaze calmly.
Ian's eyes twitched.
Archeas smiled gently. "Do not think this is your fault. As I said, this was unavoidable, no matter how much we prepared. It was always going to happen."
Ian studied its eyes, trying to gauge the aning. As always, he couldn't read Archeas's intentions. His senses, which effortlessly read minute changes in expression, gaze, gestures, and even heart rate, detected nothing.
After gritting his teeth, Ian finally said, "There must be a way. I'll find it."
"There isn't. This is the only solution." Archeas gave the Black Sword a small shake.
Ian didn't even look at it. "Don't say that. There's an exception to every rule."
"True. You are that exception. You embrace chaos power, yet your soul remains untainted. You might be the only one, now and forever. That must be why the gods concluded you were not corrupt." Archeas replied.
It smiled faintly. "But I am not. I tried, but I could not block chaos as perfectly as you. This rely sped up the process. I would have succumbed to chaos, eventually."
Ian's brow furrowed as he realized the implication. With a sigh, he muttered, "So, you intended to die with Rakhmah from the start."
"I suppose it is for the best. At least now I can leave my legacy to my Agent," Archeas said, its smile widening slightly.
Ian's expression remained grim. "What if I absorb your chaos? It looked the sa color as mine," Ian proposed.
Archeas's smile faltered as Ian pressed on. "My bead of chaos essence is empty, and my familiar should awaken soon. If I feed it, it should be able to absorb your chaos."
"... Ian."
"I know it won't be enough on its own. But it will buy us ti. Ti to find a way to purify your already-tainted soul."
Archeas looked at Ian, its eyes flickering strangely, before shaking its head. "The chaos inside is imnse. It is difficult to suppress and impossible to control unless I accept it into my soul. Your vessel cannot take it all. Even if it could..."
Archeas’s gaze dropped to Ian's wrist. "In the process, your familiar would be reborn as an entirely new being. It is a fragnt of a god, after all. And perhaps you would change as well."
It t Ian's icy gaze and tilted its head. "You've been devoured by chaos once before, haven't you?"
"Then let's use the stakes," Ian said at once. He glanced at Rakhmah’s corpse. "They seem to suppress chaos and magic. It would be painful, but it would buy us ti. I could search the Magic Towers for a solution. I'll ask Elie for help, too."
Archeas’s eyes widened slightly.
Ian t its golden eyes and shrugged. "She's researching the Black Wall, isn't she? She's also interested in chaos and dark magic. She must have deep knowledge now. So—"
"Please don't," Archeas cut in. It shook its head, its eyes pleading. "Even if you're discreet, she'll know I'm tainted just from the line of questioning. She's a brilliant child. If she fails to find a way to help , she will live her entire life with that guilt. Do not place such a heavy burden on her. Ian, Elie is your goddaughter."
Ian, speechless, could only furrow his brow. Archeas was right. It could even push Elia down a path of corruption.
"Besides, even if I drive these stakes into my body, there won’t be much ti left. I’ve already taken in far too much chaos; I’ve long passed the point where I can stop. I will soon be fully corrupted," said Archeas.
"So..." A vein bulged on Ian's jaw. He exhaled slowly. "You're determined to die? By my hand?"
"I am sorry to place this burden on you, Ian. But this is the only way for my death to have aning." Archeas watched the thoughts warring in Ian's dark eyes, then stepped closer. "It will raise the rank of your soul, and you will gain the right to inherit my legacy."
Archeas forced the hilt into Ian’s hand, gripping Ian’s fingers with both of its own so he couldn’t drop it, and added, "Do not feel guilty. This is my request. In fact, I would rather you resent for my selfishness."
"So you know you're being selfish."
Ian’s dry reply made a faint smile curl at Archeas’s mouth. Still holding Ian’s hand, Archeas said, "While we're on the subject, may I make a few more selfish requests? Consider it my last will."
"That isn’t a question," Ian muttered.
Archeas, unbothered, said, "Do not tell anyone I am dead. The world must believe I am still alive. Tell them I have rely fallen into a long, deep sleep, and will one day awaken."
"You want to hide your death?" Ian asked, his brow furrowed. His hand was limp around the hilt, held in place only by Archeas.
"It is the only way for you to remain my Agent. If the Order and the Round Table learn I am dead, they will co after you without hesitation."
Archeas said with a faint smile, leaning closer. A faint purple light flickered in its eyes.
"They will also drag your na through the mud. The dishonor and bla must be mine alone. You must remain another victim of my making. Which, in truth, you are."
Ian's gaze darkened. He realized Archeas had truly prepared for this and had even planned for what would co after.
"Of course, I won't force you with just my words. You are a rcenary, so you must be paid a proper price."
Archeas patted the back of Ian's hand and pulled it gently. The Black Sword now hung between them, and a golden light shimred in Archeas's eyes.
Ssshh...
Magic spread from their joined hands. Ian felt a Mantra circuit being carved into his palm.
Archeas t his gaze and smiled. "It is the key to my nest. Everything inside it I will give to you."
Ian’s eyes twitched before he even realized it.
Archeas, satisfied by his reaction, went on, "The nest is underground, sowhere in the Bel Skonen Mountains, between the Southern borderlands and the Western Empire. Go near the highest peak. The key will guide you from there."
A mory when he had smuggled himself into the Western Empire flashed through Ian's mind. Sowhere in that sprawling mountain range hid the entrance to the nest.
"Now that you have been fairly compensated, I trust you will honor my request," Archeas added as the magic in their hands faded.
Ian just grunted, his gaze fixed on Archeas. He had just inherited a dragon's nest, but he felt no joy.
Archeas, still patting Ian's hand, looked down. "How ironic, now that I think about it. Rakhmah forged this sword."
The corner of its mouth curved up as it gazed at the black blade. "In a way, it succeeds in killing its nesis after all. Fate has a cruel sense of humor."
Ian didn’t smile. He looked at Archeas and said, "Just give so ti. Let at least try to save you."
Archeas paused, then looked up. "When you return, I will no longer be the sa, Ian. I cannot predict what I will beco. I might try to kill you. Or perhaps keep you by my side forever. Or maybe I’ll already be loose upon the world. So please grant my wish. Grant rest while I am still myself, before my soul falls into the void."
A faint, mischievous smile flickered across its lips after its stern words. "Otherwise, I don’t intend to let you leave."
"You'd lock in here?" Ian asked.
Archeas shrugged. "You've already been paid, haven't you? You’ll stay and watch drown in chaos until you decide to end ."
"Archeas..." The na left Ian’s mouth like a sigh.
Archeas's smile deepened. "It's nice to hear you say my na. I should have asked you to use it sooner. And don't threaten to corrupt yourself. It won't change anything this ti."
At the sa mont, a purple light flickered in its eyes. Ian felt a surge of chaotic power flow through their joined hands. Before he could react, his empty essence bead resonated, greedily drawing in the energy.
"Drawing out a farewell only makes it more painful."
Archeas guided Ian’s left hand to grip the hilt as well, then slowly stepped back, its own hand still clasped around the black blade’s edge, drawing it toward itself.
The sword in Ian’s grasp followed helplessly until the tip pressed against Archeas’s chest.
"My heart is here. And it is completely defenseless."
Ian's face twisted as he gripped the sword. Just then, Archeas's eyes returned to their pure gold. A sorrowful smile touched its face.
"I'm asking you, Ian. My Agent. Please don't make beg more. Alright?"
Grinding his teeth, Ian finally tightened his grip. Purple haze crawled up the crossguard of the black blade.
Archeas finally released the blade and spread its arms slightly, the serrated purple haze of the sword blazing against its chest.
Ian let out a pained breath, his teeth clenched, but he couldn't thrust the sword. His mind was racing, still desperately searching for a way to save him.
"I truly am hopeless." Archeas let out a soft laugh, watching him. "Even now, your hesitation... your conflict... It makes happy."
In the next instant, Archeas hurled itself toward Ian without warning.
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