I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy

Chapter 296

"Your identification is verified, my lord. Would you like a residence for your stay?" came the voice of a guard from outside the carriage.

Phaden’s voice responded promptly. "Find us a house in a quiet area, somewhere with little traffic. We’ll only be staying for the night."

"Understood. Do you require attendants during your stay?"

"Four should suffice. Make sure hot baths and meals are prepared. There are three esteemed guests, plus the lady, so prepare plenty of water and food for the six of us. And don’t forget the drinks. No need to worry about the cost."

"As you wish, my lord. Please wait a moment."

Both Phaden and the guard seemed quite accustomed to such exchanges. They were familiar with the customs of the central cities, shaped by the wealth of nobility and wealthy travelers. Such arrangements were likely one of the major sources of income for these cities.

Ian finished the remaining half-glass of wine from his bottle and set the empty bottle on the floor, glancing around the carriage. A dry chuckle escaped his lips as he observed the atmosphere inside—it remained just as heavy and tense as before.

Seras, her expression unreadable, was lost in thought, while Philip had his eyes closed, head resting against the seat, his face tight with contemplation. Elia, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in writing in her notebook, meticulously recording what she had seen earlier. Her careful, deliberate writing indicated the seriousness of her task.

Everyone’s carrying their own burdens, Ian thought, leaning back in his seat. He, too, had spent the journey reflecting on his memories from the game, revisiting scenarios and decisions he had faced.

His expression darkened slightly.

I really am starting to forget things.

Even though his memory had improved, there were still limits to what a human mind could retain. Most of the time, memories only resurfaced when a familiar situation occurred. However, that this world had become his reality and that he had been here for so long left him with a feeling of unease rather than concern. The truth was, the unknown parts of this world were approaching faster than his fading memories.

Based on his estimates, he had a year and a half at most before he reached the unknown. If things progressed quicker than expected, he might only have a year.

At the very least, I need to level up a couple more times before then...

This was what truly concerned him. Though he had grown much stronger than he had been in the game and had stockpiled resources for emergencies, there was still no certainty about how far he could push forward.

"They’re coming now."

The guard’s voice broke the silence outside.

"The residence and attendants are ready. We’ll escort you there."

"Thank you for your help."

The carriage moved again. As the sounds of bustling activity grew closer, Ian opened the window just enough to peer outside. The dreary, rain-soaked streets came into view. On a clearer day, the city would’ve likely appeared more lively and vibrant. Of course, the uneasy atmosphere wasn’t just due to the rain.

"Did you hear anything about what that was earlier? Could it really have been the Black Wall...?"

"Don’t listen to them. They’re talking nonsense. They’ve no idea how far the front lines are from here."

Most of the people passing by on the street were whispering about the strange phenomenon that had occurred a few hours earlier.

"... I saw something similar once, a long time ago. It’s been over ten years now. The Black Wall is having a seizure, I’m sure of it."

"I heard the whole frontier has fallen into ruin. It could be related to that, right?"

Some had gotten closer to the truth, but in general, most were still speculating. Even in the Empire, only the royal family and a select few scholars knew accurate information.

And it’ll probably stay that way.

The people of this world understood well that knowledge and information were power. In a world such as this, their understanding of this truth was likely even deeper.

"... This city is far more bustling than I expected, considering it’s so close to the capital," Philip remarked.

He, too, had opened the window slightly and was looking outside. It seemed he wanted to lighten the mood before they reached their lodging.

Seras nodded calmly in response. "It’s a common stop for travelers on their way to the capital, or for those who, for one reason or another, couldn’t secure a place in the capital itself."

"Those who couldn’t secure a place?"

Seras glanced out through the small gap in the window. "I've heard that people often conduct businesses and deals here that can't be pursued in the capital. There are many intermediaries who act as bridges to the capital, and they, of course, have ties within the capital."

"... So living in the capital itself is a kind of privilege."

"That’s right. It’s no coincidence that people from the capital refer to themselves as capital citizens with pride," Seras’s lips curled into a faint smile, a mix of pride and something that resembled a mocking smirk.

"Even as freemen, they have opportunities and rights that are incomparable to other regions. That’s what keeps the capital thriving endlessly."

"But wouldn’t that cause everyone to flock to the capital?"

"The capital is a place where countless interests are intertwined like a web. It's not easy for outsiders to squeeze in and settle down amidst all that. Of course, it's not easy physically either. It's not as if the capital has an abundance of vacant land and buildings."

"More likely, they deliberately control the population of the capital, don't they?" Ian interjected.

Seras looked at him with slight surprise as he continued in a casual tone, "If anyone could live there, its value would decrease."

"... I’m thinking that nothing surprises me about you anymore. You’re right. It needs to be hard to attain, or its symbolism and value will diminish. You’ve never been to the capital before, but you understand it well."

It’s a common tactic in the world I come from too, Ian thought to himself, but said nothing.

He shrugged one shoulder as Seras continued, "To fully secure a place in the capital, you need to have your abilities recognized in one way or another."

Her gaze shifted briefly to Elia and Philip. "Just like the two of you here. Although..."

She looked at Philip’s slightly awkward expression before turning back to Ian. "The roots of it all lie with the royal family and the Order. If the capital is the heart of the continent, then the royal family and the Order are the heart of the Empire."

"A heart in much pain, I see...," Ian muttered, almost like a joke.

However, his words made Seras pause for a moment as if struck by the accuracy. She then smiled slightly, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

"Even so, when faced with a predicted disaster, they’ll have to work together without discord."

"I certainly hope so."

Sensing no trace of hope in Ian's reply, Philip let out a slightly awkward cough before quickly adding more, "So, is it true that the royal palace and the Great Church divide the capital between them?" n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Seras’s smile deepened. "It’s not quite like that. The term divide is misleading. The papal territory is indeed one of the most important areas in the capital, but it’s only a small part of the whole. In contrast, the royal palace holds actual—"

As Ian half-listened to Seras's ongoing discussion about the capital, his attention shifted back to the outside. The voices drifting through the carriage window were far more interesting to him.

"I’ve got a bad feeling... We really need to secure a house in the capital, no matter the cost."

"Wouldn’t it be better to settle down here instead? It’s close to the capital, after all."

"Close doesn’t cut it. You know the difference as well as I do—the capital is the capital."

Even those who did not know what was truly happening sensed that something ominous was on the horizon. Most of them weren’t fleeing to the outskirts; they were, instead, trying to get into the capital.

They firmly believed that nothing could ever bring down the capital. After all, even Archeas had said the capital would be the safest place in the Empire. Perhaps, in the unknown future, the capital would be the only truly safe place left on the entire continent.

... Though I do not know how one returns after crossing the Black Wall.

Of course, Ian had no intention of crossing the Black Wall to find out. His plan remained clear—he would return to the central regions after fulfilling the Emperor’s command. By then, just like in the game, there would be plenty of people needing help and quests to undertake.

It’ll be dangerous... but I’ll manage. I have no choice but to survive.

Whether he liked it or not, he had to do it. At some point, he’d have to face the Heaven Defier Dragon, and eventually, the moment would come when crossing the Black Wall would become inevitable. That gnawing sense of impending danger, the feeling that the timeline was closing in faster than expected, grated on him.

***

The lodging Phaden had secured was a two-story house on the outskirts of the city. It had low walls and a narrow yard—typical of Imperial-style houses in the region. Similar houses lined the street on either side, clearly built to cater to travelers.

"Let’s meet at the dining hall, Sir."

"Everyone can do as they please. No need to force everyone to gather," Ian responded.

The group had agreed to divide the second floor between Ian’s group and Seras’s. As soon as Ian entered his room, he began removing his armor and headed straight to the bath. The manor had three separate baths, a luxury often found in central cities where bathing was a beloved tradition. The tub, carved from stone, brimmed with steaming water, and a faint floral scent lingered in the air—probably from scented oils mixed into the bathwater.

"If you need more hot water, just let me know," the attendant by the door said politely as Ian undressed and sank into the bath. This attendant had been assigned to Ian’s group specifically.

Ian, his eyes closed, savored the warmth and responded with a lazy smile.

"And the others? How are they doing?"

"The young lady is heading to the bath with her maid. The others seem to be in their rooms for now. Would you like me to check on them?"

"No need. Just bring more hot water." Ian glanced down at the water, which was starting to change color, and added.

Of course, despite this, the stench didn’t spread.

"Very well. I’ll prepare it immediately. As for the meal, we’ve started the preparations, but how would you like to proceed?"

"I’ll finish my bath first. Tell the others they don’t need to wait for me."

"Understood. I’ll relay your message."

"Speak to Sir Philip, and he will give you a list of the necessary items. Once the bathwater is ready, find someone to deliver it."

"Yes, then I will prepare the hot water first."

The attendant bowed and turned to leave, but Ian called out one more time.

"One more thing."

"Yes, please speak." The attendant paused and looked back at him.

"Is there a basement in this house?"

"There’s a small storage cellar, though it’s mostly used as a storeroom."

"How do I get there?"

"Behind the kitchen, there should be a section of the floor blocked off by a door." The attendant seemed slightly puzzled by the question, but answered without hesitation.

Ian nodded lightly. "Got it. You may go."

After another bow, the attendant left. The moment the door closed, a subtle motion stirred between Ian’s fingers resting on the edge of the bath.

Swamp’s Resentment, now in the form of a snake, dove into the water, swimming around leisurely. Ian, continuing to rub his body lazily, allowed a small smile to creep onto his lips.

So, there’s a basement...

He felt it was a good thing he had asked, just in case. Tonight, he planned to take out the fragment of the Black Wall—away from the eyes of the gods.