I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy

Chapter 315

"I had intended to give you a choice, initially," Archeas spoke with a faint smile, "But after hearing what you had to say, I changed my mind. Doing it this way would make me feel more at ease."

It waved its open hand, motioning for Ian to hand over the sword. "So go ahead. You knew you wouldn’t be receiving as grand a reward as last time, but this will be the best of what’s available."

"How wonderfully self-serving of you..." Ian muttered with a click of his tongue.

Archeas’s smile grew wider. "It seems we have one more thing in common. After all, it’s said that dragons and their agents often resemble each other."

Now it’s teasing me.

Ian let out a resigned chuckle, shaking his head as he reached for his waist. Detaching the Truesilver Steel Sword, he handed it over, scabbard and all.

"As I thought, I didn’t mistake it. This one looks very familiar." Archeas eagerly took the sword, leaning back in its chair as it grasped the hilt with its left hand. Sliding the scabbard off with its right, the white blade gleamed in the dim light, illuminating its face.

"You took it from a purifier, I presume. Like your gauntlets. Do you know this is one of my creations?"

"I didn’t. Is that so?"

"It is. Lava, holy flames, or, of course, a dragon can only melt truesilver."

Through the gleaming blade, Archeas’s golden eyes curved slightly.

"Truesilver shines best in armor. It’s strong yet lightweight, though getting enough to craft anything and shaping it as desired is challenging, so steel is often added for strength."

Placing the scabbard on the table, Archeas lowered the blade to rest it against its thigh. "When it gets crafted, though, the result is remarkable. I have a few pieces of armor made from pure truesilver in my lair. They were crafted long ago by the master dwarves. They’re masterpieces, untouched by time."

It really must have a mountain of treasure stashed away, Ian thought with an inward smirk. If he stayed on good terms with this dragon, there might come a day when he’d get his hands on some of it.

Archeas tapped the blade lightly with its finger. A clear, resonant sound rang out.

"But even with enough truesilver, steel must be added for balance in a weapon. Although it may lack the purity of truesilver, it’s still an exceptional weapon, as you can see."

At that moment, Archeas’s eyes glowed softly, magical energy pulsing throughout its body. Golden magic gathered at the tips of its index and middle fingers.

"With the addition of a dragon’s enchantment, this could be called a true masterpiece." Archeas looked up at Ian with a smile, the swirling golden energy in its eyes glimmering.

"While I prepare this, why don’t you tell me more about Elie? What was it like traveling together, and what do you think lies ahead for her?" Archeas added as if it had been waiting to ask.

Makes sense; my explanation was short, Ian thought, letting out a small chuckle before he began.

"She more than pulled her weight throughout the journey. Smart, meticulous, and skillful—especially with her cooking. Although, as you know, she’s a bit overly curious and started calling me godfather at the end of every sentence."

"Oh dear. I warned her you wouldn’t be fond of that, but it seems she insisted anyway."

"For someone who’d been warned, she called me that from the moment we met."

"Well, you know how dwarves are; they fixate on peculiar things."

A playful smile spread across Archeas’s lips at Ian’s response. Even as they spoke, the strands of magic gathering at its fingers continued to thicken, giving its platinum hair an ethereal, almost divine glow.

"Visit her occasionally, would you? On my behalf, that is, if you don’t mind her company."

"I was planning to, actually. But you needn’t worry, regardless. The Hexagonal Alliance, a newly formed merchants' guild, will sponsor her research. Plus, the princess who sought me out—Seras Astrea—is taking her on as a patron."

"The Emperor’s second daughter, hm? Ambitious, that one."

Knows all the royal names too, does it?

Nodding, Ian added, "So I warned her not to try using Elie for any schemes. Given that she wants to maintain a relationship with me, I doubt she’ll take it lightly."

"I’m sure you handled it well. I know all too well how thorough you are. The Hexagonal Alliance, though... I’m not familiar with that name. A new group, I assume?"

"Yes. Somehow, I’ve ended up as one of their special clients. Elie, by association, has become one too."

"Taking great care of her, aren’t you? You’ve watched over her like a true godfather."

Archeas’s magic-infused gaze met Ian’s, and it dipped its head slightly.

"Thank you, Ian."

At the same time, its hand, charged with magic, moved toward the blade of the Truesilver Steel Sword. Its fingertips touched the smooth, white surface just above the crossguard.

Swish—

Golden runes and unfamiliar symbols etched themselves along the blade’s surface. It wasn’t just Mantra; a complex Mantra circuit was forming.

Creating a circuit right on the spot?

Ian watched, impressed. Unlike the Platinum Barrier on the back of the hand, which had been prepared in advance, this circuit was forming in real time. It might look simple, but it was anything but easy.

Swish...

Archeas’s index and middle fingers glided slowly along the blade, inscribing the Mantra circuit along its length. The circuit was complete by the time it reached the blade’s midpoint, tapering off in a sharp, angular line. Archeas withdrew its hand, and the golden threads of magic unraveled from its fingers.

"I’d inscribe something grander if I could," Archeas said, opening its eyes fully, "but I doubt the gods would permit it."

The inscription circuit, stretching from the crossguard to halfway down the pristine white blade, still glowed with a faint golden light.

"And this sword likely can’t withstand anything stronger." Archeas’s gaze lingered on the blade before it looked back at Ian. "No matter how powerful a spell, it’s meaningless if it damages the weapon with each use."

"What kind of spell did you place on it?"

"It has no name. I simply made the blade longer and sharper." Archeas gripped the blade with its right hand, offering the hilt to Ian. "Go on. Hold it yourself—you’ve always had an eye for quality."

Ian calmly reached out, grasping the hilt. As soon as Archeas let go, the golden glow in the Mantra circuit dimmed, leaving the Manta circuit faintly etched into the blade. In regular light, it would be nearly invisible unless one looked closely.

Ian looked down at the blade, letting out a murmur of admiration. "Impressive..."

Of course, he was checking the information window, specifically the newly added skill inscription.

Archeas had said it had no name, but the screen called it Platinum Claw. Like the Fangs of Heaven Defier etched into his dark sword, it was an activatable skill. However, this one didn’t draw on his magic or chaos power but used the magic embedded within the circuit, much like the Platinum Barrier on his gauntlet. He’d have to test it to know how long it would last once activated, but it seemed unlikely to drain its energy after just a few strikes.

"It's become a dragon’s weapon."

"Not just like one—it is a dragon’s weapon," Archeas added.

Ian smiled, adjusting his grip so the blade pointed upward. "If the blade were to break, could I still use the spell as long as the circuit remains intact?"

Archeas chuckled, nodding. "Already thinking about breaking it, I see. But yes, as long as the Mantra circuit remains undamaged, the spell will work."

In a tone light with amusement, it continued, "Still, if the blade shatters, don’t force it. Just bring it back to me, and I’ll repair it—as long as the circuit holds."

What an excellent post-service care.

Ian couldn’t help but smile. He understood now why Archeas had given him this weapon. It was likely meant to help him deal with the monsters spilling over from beyond the Black Wall. Of course, if he visited the Temple of Brazier, he might also find a newly forged Sword of Judgment awaiting him, but one could never have too many fine swords. And on the front lines, flashy magic wasn’t exactly an option.

"I’ll make good use of it... perhaps even to pierce the heart of the Heaven Defier."

Archeas’s smile froze momentarily at Ian’s words, but this time, the room didn’t darken, nor did its presence become suffocating. Only one of its eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Admit it, you know that one day I’ll have to face it," Ian said calmly, shaking the sword in his right hand and his left hand in turn.

"With the barrier you gifted me, I can block a dragon’s breath or spells. And with this, I can cut through dragon scales. It’s certainly better suited for that than the magic sword engraved with its spells."

Archeas’s gaze flickered, just for an instant, before its lips curved again. "As expected, you’ve never once abandoned the thought of killing it. Fitting for a Dragon Slayer, I suppose."

Shaking its head slowly, it continued, voice languid despite the intense gleam in its yellow eyes. "It’s true that you’ve gained many dragon artifacts, even consuming the Source of the Dragon and accumulating various relics and holy objects. And, of course, your abilities have been growing at an incredible rate."

Its yellow eyes, calm, roamed over Ian’s face. "You are, quite literally, superhuman at this point. Perhaps, since Karha, you're the first human who might actually have the potential to kill it. But Ian."

Leaning forward, resting its arm on its thigh, Archeas lowered its voice to a near whisper. "Not yet. If you challenge it now, you’ll lose ninety-nine times out of a hundred."

"And yet, you seem to think I’d have a chance, even if it’s only one in a hundred." Ian’s tone was calm, and Archeas allowed a slight smile to play at the corner of its mouth.

"Even if that one chance came, the outcome would still be uncertain. I wouldn’t just stand by and watch. Like I said, I’d pull you out. If you truly wish to confront it, push it far into the future. Wait until you’re fully prepared, until you’re stronger."

"I doubt your stance will change, no matter how much time passes."

"Perhaps not. But won’t there come a day when even your stubbornness gives way? It’s always been like that so far. Though I hope that day never comes." Archeas let out a deep sigh, his expression clouded with worry.

It seemed he believed that day would mark Ian’s end. And, undoubtedly, he intended to pull Ian from the battlefield long before it came to that.

If I repeat it enough times, will it finally fight by my side?

Ian shrugged. "Let’s set this discussion aside for now. It’s not as if it’s happening soon. No need to waste energy on it now."

He hadn’t expected Archeas to accept the idea right away. He only wanted to plant the seed, to make Archeas understand that there was no changing his resolve. That way, Archeas would likely find a way to work with him. Fighting the Heaven Defier alone was nothing short of madness.

After all, the Heaven Defier would be far more powerful than it had been in the game, and unlike then, Ian couldn’t simply attempt it over and over again. Nor could he ask his other companions to fight the Heaven Defier alongside him—it would be akin to leading them to certain death. So, ultimately, the only one who could stand with him was Archeas.

"... Yes, it seems I’ve been nagging you again. Odd, isn’t it? Lately, I keep feeling this nagging sense of unease," Archeas murmured, looking somewhat abashed, as though unaware of Ian’s intentions.

Straightening, it brushed back its platinum hair. "Not that it matters—you wouldn’t even know where to find that one’s prison. It appears... I’m getting old."

"Aren’t you already the second-oldest being on the continent?" Ian quipped, to which Archeas let out a chuckle, handing him the scabbard from the table.

While Ian sheathed his sword, Archeas picked up the bottle, adding with a soft tone, "So, has any of its other lackeys come after you?"

"Not yet."

"Good." Archeas took a sip, nodding. "For now, it likely won’t trouble you. It will have sensed the initial signs of the erosion. It probably sees this as an opportunity to widen the cracks in its prison."

Offering the bottle to Ian, Archeas continued, "After all, I believe it created the first crack during the initial erosion."

Ian hesitated as he reached for the bottle. He had already considered that the Heaven Defier might eventually break free from its prison. His intent to hunt it down was born from the need to kill it before it regained its strength and freedom. However, what made him pause was a sudden, chilling thought.

Could it be... him as well?

It was a chilling hypothesis. Just as the erosion had emerged sooner than anticipated, the Heaven Defier’s break from its prison might also happen sooner than expected.