I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

Chapter 282

"Understood. I just ask that the conversation we’ve had here stays between us."

At Seras’s words, Ian shrugged. With a smile, Seras turned her body and entered the dining hall, followed by Phaden and his squire. Ian, after glancing briefly at Phillip and Elia, nodded and followed suit.

"Uh, Sir. Would it be alright if I stepped out briefly and returned?" Fael’s hushed voice reached Ian just then.

Seeing Ian’s gaze on him, Fael quickly added, "It’s just… we can’t possibly leave the princess without offering anything."

He’s probably trying to make some connections.

Ian chuckled softly at Fael’s sudden display of boldness, which only seemed to surface in moments like these.

Without stopping his stride, Ian replied, "You heard her. Just be careful about what you say."

Fael nodded eagerly, whispering, "Don’t worry," before hurrying off.

***

The princess sat at a table against the wall in the empty dining hall. She was the only one seated, while Phaden, his squire, and another woman in a gray hooded cloak—likely Seras’s handmaiden—stood behind her. Ian sat down across from Seras. She smiled gently while her gaze shifted to the two standing behind Ian.

"Please, both of you, have a seat as well."

"I’m fine standing, Your Highness," Phillip replied immediately.

Elia simply nodded, silently following Ian’s teachings to remain reserved in such situations.

A slight smile played on Seras’s lips. "Sir Phillip, the Apostle of Lu Solar, I presume. And the other… unfortunately, I don’t yet know your name."

"Elia Meyer. Lady of a dwarf noble house and also my client," Ian interjected matter-of-factly, meeting Seras’s gaze.

"So, you’ve read Count Thaddeus’s report," said Ian.

Ian had told Count Thaddeus he had business in Midfert on the way to the Count’s estate, hoping to dodge the subtle suggestion to stay longer. It seemed the Count had recorded every word. That Seras didn’t know Elia’s name confirmed it—Ian had never mentioned it to the Count.

"Yes, that’s correct, Agent of the Saint."

"You’ve arrived much too quickly for someone who left after reading that report."

"Indeed." Seras nodded immediately at Ian’s remark. "I left the capital as soon as I heard you had set foot in the central region."

"That early…?" Ian’s brows furrowed involuntarily. "How did you know where I would be? The central region is vast."

"I figured if I wandered around, I’d hear news of the Agent of the Saint sooner or later."

You’re more reckless than I thought.

Ian stifled a dry laugh. After all, it was just a matter of timing—sooner or later, he would have met this princess. Even though the central region was vast, the cities one would pass through were inevitably limited. Similarly, there would eventually be a moment when he would need to wield his authority, whether in Basmut or elsewhere.

It also meant that, whether by reputation or misdeeds, he had already garnered enough attention even before setting foot in the central region.

So, was this an event that would have triggered the moment I stepped into the central region, regardless of timing, as long as my reputation was high enough? And it didn’t have to be in the capital?

He couldn’t be sure how it would have worked in the game. As with many things, the constraints might have vanished when it became reality.

"... When the awaited news from the palace arrived, I was not too far from here. It must have been Lu Solar’s guidance, as I was able to meet the Agent of the Saint far sooner than I had expected," Seras continued.

"Well..." Ian met her gaze. "Whether it was truly the Goddess’s guidance will only be certain once we’ve finished our conversation, don’t you think?"

Seras’s smile deepened. "Of course, Agent of the Saint."

"Then let’s get to the point, Princess. Why did you come to find me?" Ian asked directly.

Seras leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming with intent. "My father wishes to meet you, Agent of the Saint." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Hmm... I see." Ian nodded.

Seras blinked momentarily, as if she had expected a more surprised reaction.

"And what if I say that I’m not inclined to meet him just yet?"

Ian’s unexpected question was enough to freeze the smile on Seras’s face. Behind her, the eyes of Phaden and the others immediately focused on Ian.

Seras’s smile returned, but it seemed more forced this time as she responded, "Are you saying... you would refuse an Imperial decree?"

"It seems you don’t know. I am not an Imperial citizen." Ian spoke calmly, meeting Seras’s blue eyes without a hint of hesitation.

"And as you are likely aware, I am currently carrying out the task bestowed upon me by a higher power. Nothing else can compel me, not even the Emperor, His Majesty’s decree. And honestly..."

Leaning back against his chair, Ian’s lips curled into a faint smile. "If His Majesty truly issued a decree, I would have expected you to present some form of proof by now. After all, we are in the Empire, aren’t we?"

Seras’s smile had now visibly stiffened. Ian had struck a nerve.

In the heavy silence that followed, Ian patiently waited for her response, recalling a memory from his time in the game.

It was around the middle of Chapter Three, during a period when chaos had fully engulfed the central region. While Ian was completing a side quest in the capital, he encountered a prince who, much like Seras now, was concealing his identity.

He was arrogant even while hiding his identity. After revealing it, he became even worse.

The prince had also thrown a quest at Ian, invoking the Imperial command. Though the reward wasn’t particularly appealing, Ian had accepted it, expecting it to lead to a chain quest.

The quest eventually led him to the palace, where he supposedly met the Emperor, though it was hard to be sure. He hadn’t even seen the Emperor’s face, having met through a wall. Regardless, he ended up on the front lines, thrown into the chaos where monsters from the Black Wall ran rampant.

It was way too difficult for the reward. Even the follow-up quest offered little.

Only after reading strategy guides later did Ian learn that he could have temporarily refused the quest. If declined, a different prince would have approached later with a different reward. In fact, Ian hadn’t met the emperor face-to-face because his reputation wasn’t high enough.

He would have had up to six more chances to get sufficient achievements and negotiate better rewards. But now that this was reality, Ian doubted he could refuse the offer five times. Doing so would likely incur the wrath of the royal family, and the thought of such surprise visits continuing wasn’t something he looked forward to.

However, Ian had no intention of being sold off cheaply, no matter the circumstances.

Click—

Just then, the door to the dining room opened.

"My apologies for being late. With such esteemed guests gathered here, I’ve brought what little we have..." Fael entered, carrying a tray with bottles of wine and snacks, his voice gradually losing strength as he sensed the tense, heavy atmosphere in the room.

"... prepared..." The color drained from Fael’s face.

He clearly hadn’t expected the atmosphere to change so drastically in such a short time. His eyes flickered with confusion as he glanced down at the tray.

"... It seems I’ve come at a bad time." Forcing an awkward smile, Fael backed away. "My apologies. Please, continue your conversation. I’ll wait quietly by the door—"

"No, you’re just in time. Thank you." Seras spoke up, her smile returning just as Fael froze in his tracks.

She then looked back at Ian and added, "I believe it’s time we were more open with each other."

"That’s... good to hear," Fael replied, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he approached the table. He set down the wine, glasses, and a plate of cheese while Ian maintained eye contact with Seras. Finally, it seemed they were about to have a proper conversation.

"The wine is from our own company, a special product. I hope it suits your tastes."

Fael’s hands trembled slightly as he poured the wine, but he spoke his rehearsed lines without faltering. As he finished, the hooded woman standing behind Seras stepped forward.

Seras glanced up at her, about to lift her own glass.

"Must you do this now, Asme?"

The woman, Asme, nodded and took the glass. Ian couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle as he watched her taste the wine.

So, they have a royal taster here too, huh?

"I apologize for this. It’s not that I don’t trust you," Seras said, clearly embarrassed.

Ian took a sip from his glass and nodded. "Being a princess doesn’t seem easy."

"Thank you. It means a lot that you understand, even from this small gesture," Seras replied, while Asme, who had just placed a piece of cheese into her mouth as well, stepped back.

Without missing a beat, Seras raised her glass. Taking a sip, she turned her gaze toward Fael, who was backing away from the table.

"Borta’s wines are always excellent, but this one is particularly delightful. Send five crates of this vintage to the Sonnier family in the capital each year. If you mention Ingrid’s name, they will handle the payment."

"It would be an honor, Your Highness!" Fael bowed deeply, practically lowering his head to the floor.

Seras smiled softly.

... Yes, it really can’t be easy.

Ian smiled inwardly. Her actions weren’t just polite gestures—they were the product of years of education ingrained in her behavior. Even in a situation like this, she was expected to act according to her status.

"... As you said earlier, I haven’t brought any proof with me."

Seras took another sip of wine and finally looked Ian in the eye once more. "However, my father indeed wishes to meet you, Agent of the Saint. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have allowed me to leave the capital."

Leaving the capital didn’t seem like such a big deal…, Ian thought, but he nodded in response.

"So you’re saying this isn’t a lie? Understood."

"Of course not. You’d be surprised how many people want to meet the Agent of the Saint. Though my father’s reasons for wanting to meet you are probably different from most."

"How so?" Ian asked calmly, bringing the glass to his lips.

Seras, who had also taken another sip of her drink, continued. "The accomplishments you’ve achieved will go down in history, and you have proven your divinity. But even so, you’re not affiliated with the Great Church."

"I don’t see how that becomes a reason for wanting to meet me. The gods also have chosen and blessed His Majesty, right?"

"Of course. The throne is not something one can ascend to without the gods’ favor. However... as you know, the Order is composed not by gods, but by men."

Seras paused briefly before cautiously adding, "I assumed that was why you aren’t part of the Order."

Ian inwardly smiled at her blunt honesty.

"Most would assume it’s because I’m the Great Warrior of the North."

"Just because you’re a Northerner who serves Karha doesn’t mean you can’t also serve Lu Solar."

"So, you’re saying His Majesty wishes me to align myself with him instead of the Order?" Ian asked, his tone still calm.

Seras blinked, somewhat surprised by his directness. She hadn’t even realized that what she just said could be blasphemous.

"My father isn’t the kind of man to reveal his true intentions. We can only speculate. And my speculation aligns with what you’ve said, Agent of the Saint."

"I thought the royal family and the Order were united, like one body. Apparently not," Ian murmured, raising his glass to his lips again.

Seras offered a faint, slightly chilling smile. "Have you heard of people born with their bodies fused together?"

Conjoined twins, was it? Ian thought, nodding.

"That’s what the royal family and the Order have become. Originally two, they have become one, and now they are neither fully separate nor fully united."

"Hmm..." Ian mused.

"So, if you, Agent of the Saint, were to lend your strength to my father, it would be of great help. Especially in these times, when the Order is in such disarray."

"Is something wrong within the Order?"

"There are multiple factions. I don’t know the details, but it seems there’s a quiet struggle for power."

Ian took another sip, wondering if this was due to the internal conflicts within the Round Parliament. Of course, he had no interest in the Order’s inner workings or the intricate relationship between the royal family and the church.

The reason he continued to listen to Seras was for more practical reasons.

"So in the end, once the internal turmoil subsides, the Order will come seeking me as well."

"Most likely. It seems the Radiant Goddess has opened a path for us first."

"I could wait until I’ve heard from both sides and then choose whichever offers the better terms."

"Of course—wait... what?"