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Chapter 122

Well, looking at me now, a warrior or knight might seem more fitting.

However, he could never give up magic. After all, magic was the basis for the skills he had learned so far and those he would learn in the future. Especially now that he had become an even more ruined character, he had to accept any external help without discrimination.

"But I respect your choice."

Archeas added leisurely, reaching deep into its sleeve and pulling out a hand. Archeas held an empty glass bottle in its grasp.

Does Archeas also have a pocket dimension as well?

While Ian was contemplating this, Archeas placed the bottle on the table and picked up the broken Sword of Judgment. Archeas glanced at Ian and then drew the remaining blade across the palm of his left hand. No blood flowed from the cut, only revealing crimson flesh. Archeas opened the bottle\'s cap, brought its left hand over it, and smiled slightly.

"You don\'t even pretend to be surprised. That\'s also upsetting."

With a frivolous joke, Archeas clenched its fist tightly.

Whoosh—

Golden light shimmered between its fingers. A golden liquid flowed down from its palm into the bottle. As it flowed into the bottle, the liquid vaporized and condensed at the bottom, creating a swirling mist filled with brilliant golden light. Archeas closed the bottle after witnessing the inside fill with radiant gold.

It placed the Sword of Judgment back on the table and pushed the bottle toward Ian. As Ian took the bottle, Archeas\'s voice reached his ears.

"This is the purest dragon magic filtered from my heart. It\'s practically an elixir for a mage. I can\'t say for sure what kind of synergistic effect it will produce..."

"... Whatever the effect, it would have a permanent impact," Ian responded softly.

Even as Archeas nodded, Ian’s gaze remained fixed on the golden light within the bottle—precisely on the information window titled [Source of the Dragon.]

Maximum Mana, Mana Affinity, Mana Recovery, Casting Speed, Cooldown Reduction, among others—the Source of the Dragon was an elixir that would permanently grant two random enhancements from a list of nine effects. The increase wasn\'t dramatically high, but that was significant enough.

The higher the base stats, the greater the additional effects. ... Hopefully, it would increase my Mana.

While thinking, Ian glanced at Archeas.

"Can I consume it right away?"

"By all means. Take your time. I won\'t snatch it away."

Archeas motioned with its hand as if brushing away concern, its wound already healed.

Treating me like a child again.

Ian smirked, opened the cap, and downed the contents in one gulp. It was tasteless, with only a sensation of heat entering through his mouth.

"...?" Ian’s brows furrowed as the heat spread rapidly through his body. It felt as if his insides were burning. Soon, his body began to exude a foul-smelling yellow sweat.

"Ah... Hmm... So it affects you like this." Archeas smiled as Ian took a deep breath, grimacing unpleasantly.

Ian couldn’t see any changes in the status window. It seemed that the stats, which could only be checked through the detailed settings in the game, must have increased. At any rate, ?his Maximum Mana hadn\'t increased. It was also disgustingly uncomfortable.

"Has... the impurity in my body... been expelled?"

"Possibly. Your veins have likely become cleaner and stronger. Maybe they\'ve even widened. Ultimately, you would know better than I."

"Hmm..." Ian murmured, flexing his hand. The magic felt more distinct. As he tried to test it, he noticed that the speed at which the magic circulated within his body had also increased.

The Casting Speed has increased. The other one might be Mana Affinity or Mana Recovery. Maybe Cooldown Reduction?

Whichever it was, it wasn\'t the worst outcome. Among the options were things like Elemental Resistance. This was a result that could be considered second-best. The actual effects would become clearer during a magic-using battle.

"Excellent..."

"I\'m glad you\'re satisfied. With this, we can say there are no debts left between us."

"That\'s right. For now," Ian spoke with a faint smile.

Archeas also chuckled briefly. It was clearly a forced laugh.

"So, future dealings are separate, I see. But yes, it\'s not you who\'s at a disadvantage. After all, in any deal, the one that is more desperate usually has to take on a bit more risk."

"You\'re very easy to talk to. One might expect you to play tough."

"If there was something to gain from it, I would have. But such tactics wouldn\'t work on you, do they? What use is a threat to someone who causally walks into a battle between dragons?"

Archeas stared at Ian for a moment before adding, "So, will you listen to my proposal now?"

"I will," said Ian.

Archeas smiled at his response.

As the quest completion window appeared, his smooth voice continued. "There are those who intentionally wish to destroy the continent. They believe it\'s better to destroy everything and start anew rather than trying to restore the already crumbling balance."

"... Are you speaking of the Round Table Parliament?"

"That\'s one name for them."

Archeas didn\'t seem surprised that Ian knew the name. Rather, it was Ian who was internally shocked. He had never expected such a topic to come from the Platinum Dragon.

"They are a group with diverse objectives, yet they share a common goal, which is quite interesting."

"So, you need an agent to deal with them?"

"I can\'t ask for something that grand. That would mean I\'m interfering too much. I can only intervene in small parts."

"Well... usually, pulling on one thread in these matters tends to unravel more, like the stem of sweet potatoes."

"Each of them would probably be at the very bottom of that string. So if someone gets pulled out, they would cut the string before they all come to light."

Archeas then gently met Ian\'s gaze."I don\'t expect you to stay in the North much longer. You\'re likely to leave this place. Staying here would bring too many annoyances. Wherever you go, I won\'t interfere. I shouldn\'t. However..."

Archeas raised its long, white index finger.

"During that time, reduce their number by just one. Just one of those seated at the Round Table. It doesn\'t have to be immediate, and it doesn\'t have to be at my request. Just ensure it\'s done before everything becomes irreversibly broken."

A small but significant request.

Ian muttered internally and then asked, "Do you think that alone would influence the entire group?"

Pleased that its intention was quickly understood, Archeas smiled. "A delicate balance can be disrupted by the removal of just one small weight. Even if it leads to further chaos, that\'s preferable to total destruction."

Ian stroked his chin.

Archeas accepted his gaze gracefully.

Soon Ian let out a quiet chuckle. "It seems to me that this is something the gods should be dealing with, not you."

"That\'s their cunning nature. They never disrupt the balance abruptly. They make the world gradually worse, letting all laws eventually fall apart, making it seem like a natural course. Just creating minor fractures here and there."

Archeas\'s expression grew somber. "So, during that process, the gods won\'t intervene. They might even help a few. At first, it might seem like helping to maintain balance. Of course, a divine agent could coincidentally stand in their way... But if the gods step in, it will probably be at the very last moment, when it\'s too late."

"... So you\'re choosing to respond in the same way they do."

Archeas neither confirmed nor denied. It just smiled.

The quest window finally appeared.

[Agent of the Dragon.]

The task was simple: eliminate a member of the Round Table.

Ian looked at the quest window silently for a moment. In truth, he had practically made up his mind. He hadn\'t had much conflict with the Round Table in the game, but this time was different.

There\'s no need to kick away an opportunity that has come rolling to my feet.

Contrary to his inner thoughts, Ian spoke in a dry voice.

"Why choose me? There must be many others willing to risk their lives for your cause."

"That\'s precisely why they can\'t do it. Most powerful individuals have their souls tainted in some way. They inevitably come with external constraints. And that becomes their weakness."

Archeas tapped the table slowly with its fingers. It was clear it was enjoying this conversation.

"And those at the Round Table would exploit that very easily. They would kill, persuade, or corrupt. But you don\'t have those constraints. You wield the power of gods without serving them, carry chaos without succumbing to it, and you even have the courage to throw yourself at a dragon. Perhaps that inexplicable part of you is simply because of an extraordinarily powerful soul, almost akin to that of an immortal."

Archeas smiled gently. "So right now, you are the only one capable of standing against them. I have no other comparable options."

"Hmm..." Ian\'s eyes narrowed slightly. Archeas had just revealed that there were no other options.

Is it because dragons are exceptionally noble? Or is it just Archeas?

Either way, it was impressive. If it had been him, he would have imposed a sense of duty or threatened as necessary.

Yet, even now, Archeas had made no threats or demands. Despite being an irritant to the gods, it was clear it loved the continent. If not, it wouldn\'t have been planned within the many constraints that bound him.

"Let\'s say I kill one of them." Ian finally spoke. "What would you give me as a reward?"

"Interesting. A bargain feels more trustworthy than any oath."

Archeas, with a voice tinged with amusement, spread its hands.

"I\'ll give you a fair reward, up to the point that it won\'t anger the gods. You know I don\'t make empty promises, don\'t you?"

It meant Archeas would give something quite good, even if it wasn’t the best. Ian didn\'t press further and simply nodded. It was clear that Archeas wouldn\'t provide more details, anyway.

"How should I report completion?"

"You should do so under the watchful eyes of the Radiant Goddess."

Archeas pulled a small talisman from his robes. "Burn this at Lu Solar\'s temple. It doesn\'t matter where. Then you\'ll be able to meet me shortly after."

"In that case..."

Ian extended his hand.

"This request is established."

"Thank you for accepting, Ian."

Archeas didn\'t just place the talisman in Ian’s hand; it also firmly clasped Ian\'s hand with both of its hands. Golden lights flickered in Archeas\'s eyes as its voice, as warm as the touch of its hands, continued.

"From this moment, you are officially and uniquely my agent. However, unlike the gods, I regret I cannot lend you power. But I always wholeheartedly wish for your safety and health."

"Let me be clear upfront. This agency role is only valid for this task." Ian smirked as he spoke.

Archeas nodded. "Of course. Afterward, we can return to being old comrades."

"Can you also have a meal in that form?"

"I can, though it\'s not necessary."

"Then next time, let\'s have a drink."

Archeas\'s smile deepened, looking happier than at any other point in their conversation.

"Very well. I\'ll prepare my finest drink and wait."

After releasing Ian\'s hand, Archeas stood up.

"Rest well. Make full use of the priests."

"One more question."

"Ask away."

"Does the Archduke know of your existence?"

"Of course. I knew that boy when he was just a sprout with potential."

"Before you leave, could you stop by and visit him? To ensure he doesn\'t bother me."

"My agent\'s first request is something as simple as that... But I can\'t refuse. I\'ll do so." Archeas turned to leave with a smile, suggesting it enjoyed even the last moments of their conversation. Once again veiling its face, Archeas exited.

Ian let out a quiet chuckle. After all this, now he was a dragon\'s agent. He shook his head in disbelief as he stored the dragon\'s talisman in his pocket dimension.

"Sir Ian...!"

The door burst open. Lucas stood there with a gaze full of awe, and behind him, Priest Fermat looked worn out.

Yes, they had been here all along.

"It\'s been a while."

"It\'s truly a miracle that you are unharmed... It must be the grace of the Radiant Goddess—"

"I have a lot to hear from you," Ian cut him off indifferently.

Lucas smiled. "Of course. I\'ll tell you everything you want to know, Sir Ian."

Ian nodded in acknowledgment.

Seems he’ll do anything for me.

Ian then turned to Fermat.

"I\'ll need a bath first. Could you prepare the bathwater, Priest?"

"Yes... of course, Sir Ian."

"Lead me to the bath immediately. And make sure you heat the water yourself."

"...." With his eyes tightly shut, Fermat turned away.

Following behind him, Ian looked back at Lucas. "We\'ll talk while I bathe. I can\'t stand my own smell."

"Understood, Sir Ian. But, um..."

Lucas quickly caught up, lowering his voice.

"Who was the person who just left? They appeared to be someone out of the ordinary, given that they were veiled."

Ian calmly responded. "That was a dragon. The Platinum Dragon, Archeas."

"...?!"