I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain Chapter 803

Only Thesaya’s soft humming drifted through the space now and then.

Ian could tell without much effort that they had fully left the city and entered the eastern highway, as the carriage began to jolt more noticeably.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, he lifted the bottle to his lips.

"Doesn’t seem like we’ll be apart for that long this ti," said Thesaya.

When Ian glanced over, she smiled. "You seem pretty disappointed, Ian."

"And you seem way too happy," Ian replied, watching her gently stroke Lily’s hair.

Thesaya only shrugged, her smile lingering. "Of course I am. It won’t be long before I see our Kitty again. And I’ll finally get to whip those pointy-eared brats back into shape."

The day they returned to Drenorov, she had already sent word to Charlotte and Diana to cross the inner sea, without even consulting him.

Given the schedule, they would still arrive in Racliffe later than Ian.

"Figured. I wasn’t asking because I didn’t know." Ian snorted. He already knew that what Thesaya was really looking forward to wasn’t the reunion—but the chance to push Charlotte around using those relics as leverage.

"And our cute little Pup’s coming with us too," Thesaya added, glancing at Lily.

The girl had refused v’s suggestion again, and even Ian hadn’t been able to change her mind.

He’d considered forcing the issue, but v had shut that down imdiately, saying it would make them no different from those who treated Lily like an experint.

At this rate, she might refuse to go South, too.

Ian clicked his tongue lightly and looked back at Thesaya. "Enjoy it while you can, but don’t forget that you’re heading south with Mukapa."

"I know. That’s why it’s a bit of a sha. Honestly, you really have a talent for killing the mood." She scoffed, still brushing Lily’s hair. "I wasn’t planning to drag it out anyway. One proper round of fun is enough."

"Funny how you never say you won’t enjoy it at all," said Ian.

Thesaya shrugged again, unapologetic. "Of course not. Who knows when I’ll get another chance? Besides, I put a lot of effort into this. I deserve to show it off."

She nudged the chest on the floor between the seats with her foot.

The crate Fael had prepared, along with the storage under the seats, was filled with relic equipnt and similar artifacts, most of it ant for Charlotte.

"Not like I was telling you not to," Ian muttered, taking another drink.

All of it was ant as gifts. The relics he’d actually use were already stored away in his pocket dinsion, where they would be staying for a while.

Though they’ll be staying there for a while.

What he wore now was already more than sufficient. Besides, dragon relics attracted far too much attention; walking around with them like Thesaya would turn him into a spectacle.

For a while, he simply drank in silence.

"Oh? Looks like we’re already here." Thesaya’s voice rose with a hint of amusent.

The carriage had begun to slow.

Ian clicked his tongue and nodded as the small window between Thesaya and Lily slid open.

"We’ve reached the fork." Miguel’s quiet voice followed.

That ant it was ti to part ways with the Ark Caravan and v.

Ian would be heading south, toward Racliffe.

They had co this far east of Drenov together not only to conceal their destination but also to exchange farewells in peace.

As Ian gave a small nod, the partition window slid shut.

"Let’s get ready, Pup," added Thesaya as she adjusted Lily’s hooded cloak.

Without waiting for the two of them, Ian imdiately opened the right-side door.

A vast stretch of green wheat fields spread before him, and the murmur of voices from behind grew suddenly clear.

Snort...

Moro exhaled sharply, standing as if to block the rear. v dismounted in one smooth motion.

"Agent of the Saint!" Fael’s voice followed right after. He and his personal guards appeared from behind the carriage, moving past Moro as they approached.

"As always, I’ll be counting on you," Ian said calmly.

The Ark Caravan still had to deliver the supplies he’d arranged—so to Orendel, others to Travelga. The shipnt to Orendel would be handled by v when the ti ca, while Fael himself would head to Travelga.

"And don’t forget the survivors of Glumir," Thesaya added as she stepped down with Lily.

eting Fael’s eyes, she continued in a firm tone, "You’ve received great grace. Make sure you repay the Agent of the Saint’s trust."

Was that really necessary?

Ian glanced at her while Fael lowered his head with a serious expression. "Yes. I will stake my life on fulfilling this mission."

Behind him, Bor and the other guards nodded as well, their eyes resolute.

Ian looked over them once more and said, "As long as you make it safely to the North, that will be enough. I’ve already inford the regent."

"Yes. We’ll keep that in mind. And... Agent of the Saint." Fael hesitated, carefully lifting his head. "Could you perhaps say a few words to the mbers as well?"

Seeing Ian’s brow twitch, Fael quickly continued, "Of course, they’re already committed to the mission, but if you were to encourage them—"

"Alright." Ian cut him off and stepped forward.

After all, it was they who bore the brunt of the hard work. If a few words could lift their spirits, there was no reason to refuse.

"Thank you!" Fael and the guards stepped aside at once, clearing the way.

Passing behind the carriage, Ian was t with the long line of the caravan stretching along the main road.

"H-He’s here!"

"The Demigod..."

The murmuring guards, porters, and drivers gradually fell silent as they turned toward him. So even gestured for those farther away to co closer.

It didn’t take long for the entire area to quiet down.

Stopping at a suitable distance, Ian began. "No matter that it’s work, joining a journey like this is both exhausting and frightening."

He didn’t even glance at the sacks of grain loaded onto the wagons or the crates beneath them.

Instead, he t the eyes of the porters and guards one by one. "I know you’ve had it hard, following a leader so dedicated to my missions."

His gaze moved steadily across the group. "I want to take this mont to offer my sincere thanks. And of course, this won’t end with words alone."

As he finished, Ian turned slightly and smiled at Fael. "Once this job is done, your captain will be handing out special bonuses."

Sharp intakes of breath spread through the caravan, and even Fael’s lips curled into a faint smile.

"Of course, you’ll have to make it back alive if you want to empty his pockets," Ian added, turning back to the line of wagons. "Keep safety in mind at all tis. Let’s et again."

"Y-Yes, sir! We’ll rember! Thank you, O Demigod!" One of the drivers shouted, throwing both arms into the air.

As if on cue, the porters and guards raised their fists and weapons.

"For the Golden Demigod!"

"Glory to the Agent of the Saint!"

"We’ll make it back alive and drain the captain dry!"

Cheers and laughter erupted.

I’m getting used to this now.

Fael, still smiling, approached him. "You never fail to impress , Agent of the Saint. I didn’t expect you to know exactly what motivates them."

"Figured workers are all the sa at heart." Ian shrugged, not slowing his steps.

Fael blinked, then let out a quiet sound of realization. "Ah, you were a rcenary, weren’t you?"

"Not were. Still am."

"Still? Are you perhaps aiming to be called the King of rcenaries?" Fael asked, eyes widening.

Ian let out a laugh. "Focus on your people. They’ll burn themselves out before they even set off."

"Yes." Fael nodded and glanced at Bor.

Bor naturally turned his head, and Hallig shifted his gaze toward Oscar. However, Oscar simply watched Ian as he passed by.

Snort—

Passing Moro, who stood beside the carriage, Ian stepped forward.

v was waiting, helt now in her left hand. Beside her stood Thesaya and Lily, along with Miguel and Nasser holding Nila’s reins.

"So, we part ways again," Ian said, stopping before them.

A faint, bitter smile touched v’s lips, while Nasser shrugged casually. "Where there is a eting, there is parting. And this ti, it won’t even be for long. Though..."

His gaze flicked to the side. "That may not be true for everyone."

"Why are you looking at when you say that, Half-Ear? What, you think I won’t make it back from the South?" Thesaya frowned.

"I’m only saying the possibility isn’t zero, Elder," Nasser replied calmly.

That alone was enough to deepen the crease in her brow.

"What kind of unlucky nonsense—spit it out. Now!" She snapped, as if ready to grab him by the collar.

Only then did Nasser lean back with a reluctant look. Ignoring them entirely, Ian turned to v.

"Take good care of Moro. Just feed it monsters now and then."

"Yes, Your Grace," v answered politely. It was clear she was conscious of Fael and the guards watching.

"I’ll make sure it never has to reveal its true form, so there’s no need to worry."

At v’s added reassurance, Moro snorted in response.

Ian had originally intended to lend Nila instead, but v had chosen Moro. The creature could track Ian from afar, after all. It was a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.

And though it would be heading toward a new sacred ground, Moro had accepted without resistance.

"When the ti cos, make sure to change your armor too," Ian added with a faint smile.

v returned it and bowed. "I’ll put it on as soon as we reach the frontier."

"Before long, everyone in the frontier will know exactly who my lord and I serve," Nasser cut in quickly, clearly trying to escape Thesaya’s pestering.

The relic equipnt ant for him and v was loaded onto the covered carriage provided by Count Westwood.

"They’ll probably call you the Golden Knight. Just like they did to ," Miguel added, casually lifting his steel prosthetic.

Lily placed a hand over her chest and bowed politely. Her face remained expressionless, but it was enough to make Thesaya turn sharply and to draw a gentle smile from v.

"Then, Your Grace no—my lord." Turning back to Ian, v placed her fist against her breastplate and bowed. "I will complete my mission and return with reinforcents from the Bastard King."

As Nasser also bowed, Ian nodded and stepped forward. "Good. I’ll be counting on you. But you’re not seriously planning to end things like this, are you?"

Before v could respond, Ian pulled her into an embrace.

Her eyes widened—but a mont later, she wrapped her arms around him, gripping her helt tightly in one hand.

Their gazes drew closer, narrowing as the distance between them disappeared.

"Ugh, what are they doing?" Thesaya recoiled, grimacing.

Nasser snickered and let out a low whistle, while Miguel coughed awkwardly and turned his head away, making sure to cover Lily’s eyes at the sa ti.

"Lu Solar... good heavens..."

A beat later, a hushed gasp escaped Fael. Behind him, Bor and Oscar stood frozen like statues, their faces filled with the sa stunned disbelief.