Chapter 885

Ohara's eyes widened, and she froze.

Even Ian looked over at Miguel. It was a question neither of them had expected.

Honestly... the man's too soft-hearted for his own good.

He had clearly felt sorry for Lily the entire time. Meanwhile, Lily herself simply looked up at Miguel with her usual calm, unreadable expression.

Suppressing a smile, Ian shook his head and returned to sorting the artifacts.

Ohara answered in a subdued tone, "Unfortunately... no."

Miguel clicked his tongue bitterly and nodded. "I see. Understood."

"At least, not yet."

Ohara’s words stopped him in his tracks.

Meeting his gaze, she continued, "No mage has ever researched such a thing before. But that may change in the future. It will require a very, very long time, of course."

Miguel raised an eyebrow. "You're saying you'll research it yourself?"

Ian looked back at her as well.

Ohara nodded. "It seems I've found a new goal—one worth devoting an entire lifetime to, if necessary. To think you would grant me such insight and open a path I had never considered...."

A smile had already returned to her lips.

Bending her knees slightly, she lowered her head. "Thank you sincerely, Father. I was so focused on breaking the restrictions that I never once thought of something like this. Even after spending all these years with Anna."

Awkwardly scratching the back of his neck, Miguel averted his eyes. "Uh... well... I wasn't really suggesting anything that grand. But if you're serious about it, then do your best. If you need support, ask me. As you said, it sounds like we'll be seeing each other often."

Nodding, Ohara turned toward Lily. "I will. And Lily, watch over me, alright? I'll do everything I can."

Lily responded with a slight nod, her expression as impassive as ever.

Clearing his throat, Miguel began to walk away, glancing back over his shoulder. "I'll see you later. I'll handle everything you asked and move the bodies near the burial site."

"Tell Anna to prepare some water too. I'm going to bathe before changing into formal attire," said Ian.

Miguel nodded, and Ohara closed the door. Even after releasing the handle and turning around, the smile on her face remained vivid.

Watching her take a deep breath to steady her excitement, Ian said, "Looks like you'll have a lot to do when you get back."

Ohara nodded readily. "You're right. It seems I'll be saying farewell to a quiet and boring life entirely."

"But is it really possible? Restoring emotions that have been suppressed, I mean," Elia asked cautiously.

By now, her eyes shone with unrestrained curiosity as she looked at Ohara.

Walking back toward the bed, Ohara shrugged lightly. "Who knows? I can't say for certain. But if it's possible to remove them artificially, then there's every reason to believe the reverse might also be possible."

"True. In a way, that would be the exact opposite of the research you Gray spellcasters were doing," said Ian.

Casually picking up a patchwork chain shirt stained with age and discoloration, he continued, "When you return to the tower, go through their research records. Most of them should still be there, untouched. You might find something useful."

Ohara nodded as she passed him. "I will, Tower Master."

"So it really is true that the mages of the Gray Magic Tower were the ones who uncovered the most secrets of the mind. Even if their intentions were corrupt," said Elia.

"Want to see for yourself?" Ian suddenly asked.

Elia's eyes widened, and she turned toward him.

Letting out a chuckle, Ian tossed the chain shirt onto the pile of enchanted equipment before him.

"I was planning to let you in when we visited anyway. If you want, you can stay there for a while. Honestly, I'd probably feel better if you did."

"R-Really?"

Surprise and excitement flashed across Elia's mismatched eyes. The same was true for Ohara, who was seated behind her.

Ian nodded. "Your field of study is scattered all over that place. And who knows? You might even be able to help with Ohara's research."

"Good heavens. I had a feeling when you were talking to the priest, but you really intend to run the magic tower in a completely different way than it was before." Elia breathed the words in astonishment. Her mismatched eyes sparkled like stars.

"Every scholar at the university dreams of the magic tower. More precisely, they dream of the vast knowledge and secrets sleeping within it. To think I'd actually have the chance to see one for myself... This is historic... No... But...."

Elia suddenly blinked and whipped her head back toward Ian.

"But then I wouldn't be able to see what you're doing, Sir Ian. Or how the chaos in the capital unfolds."

Ian shrugged. "Well, that's life, isn't it? You can't have everything you want."

A smile crept onto his lips as Elia simply opened and closed her mouth, unable to answer.

Without taking his eyes off her, he continued, "And fair warning: when the time comes, I'm going to burn every forbidden document left in that place."

"W-What? No, I mean, of course those things deserve to disappear from the world... but... if we're talking purely about academic value..." Elia mumbled between shallow breaths. The conflict raging inside her was obvious.

Letting out a chuckle, Ian rose to his feet. "You've got time. Think it over carefully. For now, keep working. The others will be here soon."

Elia nodded a beat later. "Yes, Sir Ian. I'll... think about it."

She had resumed her work, but her eyes remained lost in thought.

Hopefully, her curiosity about the tower wins out.

Passing by Ohara, who had resumed appraising artifacts, Ian asked, "Research isn't all theory, though. Are you planning to conduct experiments on the attendants and test subjects?"

Ohara froze briefly before shaking her head with a faint, bitter smile. "Of course not. I intend to experiment on myself."

Ian snorted. "I’m saying if it comes to that, don't force it. Just recruit volunteers instead."Talking about poking around in your own brain like it's nothing...

Ohara looked at him in genuine surprise. "You mean I should use them as test subjects again?"

Continuing his walk, Ian shrugged. "Only if they volunteer. It depends entirely on how you approach them."

Ohara nodded as she answered, "So you're saying I should devote myself wholeheartedly enough that they can feel my sincerity. Understood...."

Her expression carried the determination of someone who had been entrusted not merely with a new goal, but with a mission. Perhaps this was the path that would finally lead her out of the endless swamp of guilt and nightmares.

Shifting his gaze elsewhere, Ian added, "Then let's finish what we're doing here. We've all got other things to take care of."

"Yes, Tower Master," Ohara replied quietly and returned to her appraisals.

Meanwhile, Ian's lips curled slightly as he looked toward the nearby corner. The cursed objects were radiating an ominous presence, almost as though they were waiting for him to approach.

There were a few useful ones among them.

A faint violet light flickered in Ian's eyes as he calmly continued forward.

***

Whoosh—

A lukewarm breeze blowing in from the coast swept across the mixed-species battalion gathered on the road outside the village.

The heavily armed fairies and beastfolk frowned at the foul breeze, but no one spoke.

It wasn't merely because the Great Warrior's lieutenants were watching them with cold eyes. Soon, they would have to pass through the gray valley and the abandoned gate farther down the road and continue into that infamous frontier.

So beyond that demonic realm lies a new sacred land...

Watching them silently, Hector pulled his hat lower over his face. If he were honest, he wanted nothing more than to follow them and see it with his own eyes.

In fact, once he had fully completed the mission entrusted to him by the demigod, that was exactly what he intended to do. He had no desire to serve the Empire ever again.

"They've arrived!" Sanford Plum, who had been newly appointed as one of his lieutenants, whispered from beside him.

Nodding once, Hector pivoted sharply on his prosthetic leg.

Sailors lined both sides of the main road leading into the village. Behind them stood a dense crowd of villagers.

By now, everyone had fallen silent, nervously watching one another.

Clip-clop, clip-clop—

A group of riders was approaching along the road. They were the companions of the demigod who had saved him.

Hector's lone eye naturally swept over them.

The warhorses pulling the carriage trudged forward sluggishly. Max and Anna sat atop the driver's bench with their usual sullen expressions.

Beside the wagon walked the beastfolk Great Chieftain, clad in golden armor, and the priest with the prosthetic arm.

They were escorting the demigod, who was riding behind them on a white horse.

So that kid ended up riding in the wagon.

Clearing his throat, Hector bellowed, "Unit! Attention!"

The sailors snapped to attention, hands clasped firmly behind their backs. Sanford and Hashim, standing at Hector's right, did the same, and so did the captains and first mates of the other smuggling ships.

Their clothing was dirty and mismatched, but every one of them carried the bearing of disciplined soldiers.

It was only natural, since they were sending off the demigod.

Yet the demigod seated atop the white horse didn't show the slightest hint of a smile.

Looking at Hector with dark, tired eyes, Ian muttered, "I told you not to do things like this..."

Hector smiled calmly. "How could we possibly let the savior of our lives and the savior of the Black Sea depart without even seeing him off?"

"I feel like we already said everything that needed saying yesterday," Ian muttered while smacking his lips.

Charlotte, who seemed to agree, glanced toward the white horse. As if waiting for the signal, the horse came to a stop. Behind it, Max also pulled on the reins.

Even as he narrowed his eyes slightly at Charlotte, Ian continued, "You said you're leaving in three days, right? Don't forget to burn down the inn before you leave. Unless you want to end up cursed, make sure nobody goes inside."

Hector nodded immediately. "Yes. I'll remember, Your Grace."

Glancing briefly at Miguel, who was knocking on the closed carriage door, he added, "I will complete the mission you've entrusted to me. I'll also send regular reports on our progress."

"Just don't make them too long. Space is limited," Ian answered indifferently.

The Scroll of Correspondence Ohara had given them wasn't much larger than a single report page.

Hector grinned. "No need to worry. I've never been fond of flowery language to begin with."

His gaze instinctively drifted toward the carriage door as it opened.

"You seem pretty disappointed. Go say your goodbyes. I won't interfere," Ian said with a chuckle.

Hector hesitated before lowering his head awkwardly. "Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace."

Instead of replying, Ian shifted his gaze and asked, "You divided the payment properly, right?"

"We finished settling everything this morning, Your Grace," Sanford answered immediately. He grinned as he glanced at the other captains standing nearby. "You don't need to worry. We handled it very fairly."

"Good." Ian narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded.

"What a shame," Ohara suddenly interjected.

Elia, Lily, and Theodore descended from the carriage behind her.

Walking over to Ian's side, she added, "To think you missed the chance to pocket an entire chest full of gold coins and jewels."

That single sentence froze Hector in place, his gaze snapping to Theodore. Blinking, he slowly turned his head.

Sanford had gone rigid, his lone eye widened. Yalo and Nikau, standing beside him, were also staring his way with a furrowed brow.

"A... chest?"