<h4>Chapter 238</h4>


    The beastfolk had dark brown fur with streaks of stripes. He was d in te armor covering his entire body except for his head, and looked even bulkier than Charlotte. His vertically slit, bright yellow eyes stared directly at Ian. Though his face was expressionless, Ian, who had spent considerable time with beastfolk, immediately sensed that the beastman''s gaze was far from friendly.


    "This is Sir Palmer, His Excellency’s bodyguard knight," Spello said politely.


    Ian noticed Spello’s mannerisms seemed oddly natural around Charlotte, likely because he was ustomed to seeing beastfolk frequently.


    Regardless, Ian had no memory of this Palmer character from the game. He must have been an additional underling since this became a reality.


    "Pleased to meet you," Ian said nonchntly.


    Palmer gave a slight nod and then nced toward the driver''s seat before looking back at Ian.


    <i>Ah, he noticed the cut tail. And he knows I''m the one who did it.</i>


    Ian smirked internally, meeting Palmer''s gaze. He was more curious about Charlotte’s reaction to encountering a fellow beastfolk, who was now a minion of the corrupted one. Sensing the awkward atmosphere between Ian and Palmer, Spello cleared his throat briefly. He probably had no idea why Palmer was acting that way.


    "Um... His Excellency invites the esteemed guests to the mansion. Sir Palmer here hase to escort you."


    As the group exchanged nces, Ian, who nodded casually, looked at Spello.


    "Will you being along as well?"


    "Just to the front of the mansion. Since I’ve been escorting you, it''s only right that I see you off until the very end."


    "And then you’ll return here?"


    "Yes. I have a report to write. I have heard many things, you see."


    "Then just head back to the castle. Sir Palmer here should be more than sufficient as our guide."


    Ian, having spoken, locked eyes with Palmer’s yellow ones. "Isn’t that right?"


    "Of course... it is," Palmer replied, hesitating slightly.


    His low voice naturally carried a hint of a growl, betraying his reluctance to show respect to Ian. Of course, it had no effect on Ian.


    "Excellent. Stand next to the driver’s seat." Smiling as he spoke, Ian reached out and opened the small window near the driver’s seat.


    He nced at Charlotte, who was intently watching Palmer.


    "Leading us is Sir Charlotte''s responsibility."


    "...." Charlotte met his gaze.


    Ian raised one corner of his mouth slightly. "Can you take charge of Sir Palmer?"


    Seemingly understanding the underlying message, Charlotte’s eyes momentarily darkened.


    "Of course." She nodded, almost gratefully, before turning her gaze back to Palmer.


    Palmer, slightly twitching his brow, silently turned his horse. They were clearly aware of each other, but no words were exchanged.


    <i>Well, they''ll figure it out on their own.</i>


    While Ian thought, Spello bowed toward them.


    "It has been an honor to escort you."


    "You’ve done well, Sir Spello. Just one piece of advice...." Ian spoke nonchntly, trailing off.


    Spello leaned in, as if to catch every word. Ian added in a low voice, "Until you finish writing your report, don’t go outside."


    Spello looked at him in confusion, but Ian merely closed the carriage window without further exnation. The carriage started moving immediately, heading down the main road. As Spello watched Palmer and the carriage disappear, he muttered to himself.


    "Don’t go outside...?"


    A sense of foreboding swept over him btedly. It crossed his mind that the reason they hade might be entirely different from what he had imagined.


    "Surely not...."


    His hand, which was about to whip the reins, hesitated. Finally, clicking his tongue, he turned the horse toward the castle, deciding to follow Ian’s advice. The matter was out of his hands, anyway. Getting involved in matters between superiors wouldn’t change anything, and he would likely end up as coteral damage, like an innocent bystander getting hurt in a fight.


    Instead, he focused on the report he would soon be writing. If he recorded the achievements of the church’s saint envoy and purifiers heroically, the Great Church would surely recognize his report. As the author of such a notable record, his name would be etched into history as well.


    ***


    The Duke’s mansion was located on the outskirts of the city. High walls surrounded the garden, and two guards stood at the main gate. They appeared to be the only armed soldiers present. The garden was barren, with only ck soil remaining, and the mansion itself looked deste and faded.


    The carriage soon came to a halt. As Charlotte opened the door, the group disembarked one by one, with Ian being thest to exit. Charlotte and Thesaya stood on either side, with Mev and Philip opposite them, forming a pathway. As Ian stepped down, he saw the person who hade to greet them.


    <i>I didn’t expect him toe out himself.</i>


    Though it was an unfamiliar face, he was certain it was Duke Kralen. To confirm this, Palmer, who had dismounted, was already approaching him from behind.


    "...." Ian stopped, and a knight standing to the Duke’s right stepped forward as if he had been waiting. The knight appeared to be around thirty and was likely Sir Valoy, the Duke’sst close aide. He raised his head slightly and began to speak.


    "May I introduce the rightful ruler of Racliffe, appointed by thete emperor, master of the Blue Fleet—"


    Ian paid no attention to Valoy, focusing instead on the Duke. The Duke looked nothing like Ian remembered. He wasn’t the grotesque, half-mad figure from before. Instead, he had a stern expression and a robust physique, dressed in an elegant navy uniform.


    Overall, he seemed more like a knight than a mage. The only hint of magic was therge obsidian ring on his middle finger. Despite being near old age, he looked no different from a middle-aged man.


    <i>He was said to be obsessed with immortality. Looks like his efforts weren’t entirely in vain.</i>


    Valoy finished his introduction and stepped back. Charlotte moved to stand beside Ian, and the group gathered behind him.


    "Allow me to introduce...."


    <i>I really wish we could skip this part.</i>


    Sighing inwardly, Ian took in the sight of the Duke and his minions. The spellcaster from earlier was not present, likely busy with preparations inside the mansion.


    Regardless, Ian couldn’t sense any magical presence from the Duke. The knights emitted faint waves, but they didn’t feel tainted. They were likely equipped with magical artifacts or enchanted weapons.


    "—The savior of Lu Sard, the purifier of the gue, and the superhuman, Sir Ian Hope."


    With the introductionplete, Charlotte stepped back. The Duke, who had been listening with a faint smile, kneeled respectfully.


    "First, I must express my gratitude, Agent of the Saint and the purifiers of the church. I have heard of your deeds. Racliffe owes you a great debt. Glory to the Radiant Light."


    His tone and expression were sincere and dignified. He did not seem wary of the group. It wasn’t surprising. The higher the rank of a corrupted one, the better they were at disguising their true nature.


    However, the two knights behind the Duke were not asposed. They appeared to be diligently fulfilling their roles, but the wariness in their eyes was sharp. Their masks were not as thick as the Duke’s.


    Ian smiled calmly. "I dly ept your gratitude. It’s an honor to be weed so personally."


    "I regret having to wee you in such a state. This mansion was once much more beautiful, but it couldn’t escape that dreadful curse." The Duke responded matter-of-factly.


    Ian’s gaze shifted past him, toward the half-open gate beyond. His neck prickled slightly as his Intuition sent a warning.


    <i>So, this is the den of a mage.</i>


    Even as he thought this, Ian shook his head. "I like the quiet. It’s fine."


    "You are generous. Let’s go inside. I have many things to discuss with the Dragon yer of the North, whom I have only heard of in rumors." The Duke gestured toward the door and turned to lead the way.


    Ian followed him into the mansion without hesitation.


    "Follow me upstairs."


    The Duke’s two bodyguard knights naturally fell in step behind him. Charlotte and Thesaya walked behind them, never taking their eyes off the knights.


    Ian, however, paid no mind to this. The Duke wouldn’t reveal his true nature before learning their purpose. Instead, Ian meticulously observed the deste interior of the mansion. There was no sense of corrupted magic, but the overall atmosphere was ominous. There were a few people around, just a few servants were visible.


    As they entered a corridor, the Duke spoke. "Due to the chaotic situation, I must apologize for the state of things."


    "I understand. It’s a time when there aren’t enough hands to restore the city and purify the surroundings."


    "Indeed. Your insight is impressive."


    <i>I would have used the same excuse.</i>


    Ian responded with a smile. The current situation must be a paradise for the Duke. He could conduct his sinister research freely while maintaining public support. Enchanting the mansion’s servants was likely a trivial task for him.


    They soon arrived in a spacious reception room. Originally, it might have been decorated with various ornaments, but now it only contained arge rectangr table and chairs.


    "Due to the urgency, the preparations are inadequate. Please, have a seat."


    The Duke pointed to the end of the table. There were two pewter goblets on either side of Ian’s designated seat. A pewter wine bottle sat in the center, emitting a subtle grape scent. Ian looked across the table as he sat down.


    Behind the chair that was obviously the Duke’s seat stood a middle-aged man with a hood pulled low over his face. It was the mage Matthias, whom Ian had seen earlier. His calm expression indicated that all preparations wereplete.


    <i>Did they set up a magic circuit under our seats?</i>


    <i>In any case, the entire mansion is likely enchanted. They might have taken this opportunity to refine it further. The possibilities are endless. </i>


    As Ian thought, Thesaya and Charlotte sat down opposite each other. They were the only ones to sit. Mev and Philip stood behind Ian.


    "I prepared wine first as I wanted to talk, but if you wish, I can have the meal brought out immediately."


    As a servant moved around, filling sses, the Duke spoke to Ian, who sat across from him. The Duke was the only one seated on his side, with his three minions standing behind him.


    "That’s fine. I had a light snack on the way here," Ian said, raising his ss.


    Thesaya and Charlotte didn’t touch their sses.


    Ian, of course, would have done the same if his resistance were lower. However, his immunity to poisons and diseases was truly superhuman. He could process most toxins without experiencing any pain.


    Ian smiled as he took a sip of the wine. "It’s quite good."


    "I’m d it suits your taste. It’s a wine from Tessen. Perhaps a wine you may never get to taste again," the Duke said, taking a sip himself, then leaning slightly forward with a smile.


    "I have many questions to ask, but I believe it’s proper to address our guest’s business first. That should make other conversations easier, don’t you agree?"


    Ian matched his smile. "You are right."


    "So, what brings the saint envoy to seek me out, apanied by the purifiers of the Church?"


    Ian nced at the servant standing in the corner. "First, it would be best to have everyone leave the room."


    "That’s easily done. Leave us, and make sure no one approaches." The Duke immediatelyplied.


    The servant bowed and left the room. As the door closed, a peculiar silence settled over the room. Ian took another sip of wine before speaking.


    "Your existence is a necessary evil." Although rxed and calm, his tone was noticeably different from before.


    The smile that had been on the Duke’s lips stiffened. "A necessary evil?"


    "It means you are an essential figure to face the inevitable darkness. Only then will theing dawn be more radiant."


    The Duke’s eyes narrowed slightly, but Ian continued without concern.


    "But if that darkness cannot fulfill its role, the new dawn will be dimmed, wouldn’t you agree?"