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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 176
It had already been two days since Ian had stayed at the excavation site. He stepped out of the temporary lodging provided to him.
Whoooosh—!
A fierce wind blew past, mercilessly striking his face, but Ian did not feel the cold.
As someone who wielded fire, he could endure most environmental changes without issue.
Rather than feeling cold, he found it refreshing—almost invigorating. Even if he were left in a freezing snow-covered mountain with only thin clothing, he could survive.
“Haaa.”
A white breath escaped his lips like cigarette smoke. He stared at it absentmindedly for a moment before looking around and continuing his steps.
At that moment, a Red Spear Knight standing guard nearby noticed something suspicious and approached him. Upon recognizing Ian, the knight spoke.
“Young Master, where are you headed at this hour?”
“Just going for a walk.”
Ian had no idea who the knight was, but he spoke casually.
The Red Spear Knight didn’t seem to mind the informal tone and simply responded in a surprised manner.
“In this cold weather?”
Ian gave a wry smile and used the excuse that he couldn’t sleep.
It was the same excuse he had given yesterday, but given the rotating shifts, it was possible this knight wasn’t aware.
Regardless, who would dare to question Berger’s third son? If he said he was going for a walk, they would just nod in acknowledgment.
“Have a safe walk.”
The knight raised a hand slightly in farewell.
Though it was quite late, the security at the excavation site remained tight.
Bonfires were set up throughout the area, illuminating the darkness, and Red Spear Knights clad in armor kept watch nearby.
The mercenaries, too, couldn’t afford to slack off.
Ian naturally brushed off the gazes directed at him as he turned toward the forest.
“……”
The forest was steeped in winter’s characteristic gloom.
A sinister wind howled, shaking the barren branches, and the air was cold enough to sting his cheeks and ears.
Looking at the desolate scenery, it felt as if he were walking into death itself.
When he lifted his head, the night sky was veiled by a faint layer of clouds, yet one lone star shone brightly.
But that light wasn’t enough to clearly see anything.
Not that Ian minded. With his Mind’s Eye, he had no reason to stumble.
He instinctively perceived the positions of everything around him.
Instead, when he reached a certain spot, he closed his eyes and stood still. He quietly shut both eyes.
Wooong…!
As he spread his mana outward, every movement within a certain radius flooded into his mind.
An overwhelming amount of information. Yet, he unconsciously filtered out anything unnecessary.
Though this detection ability was less precise than Mind’s Eye, it had the advantage of covering a vast area.
The mere ability to pinpoint someone’s location made it worth using.
‘Not coming today either?’
There weren’t many things moving in the darkened forest. At most, a few nocturnal beasts.
With so many people gathered at the ruins, most creatures had abandoned their territories and left.
Staying would only make them easy prey for the mercenaries’ late-night meals. Even animals could make wise decisions.
Just as Ian was about to lose focus—
‘Hm?’
Someone was approaching from the direction of the ruins.
At this hour, and trying to enter from the inside to the outside? That makes no sense.
Anyone would find it highly suspicious. It was definitely a person, not a mere beast.
“…I just have to check.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ian threw himself into the darkness.
He stepped on fallen leaves, yet no sound was made.
With silent movements, he pushed off the frozen ground, closing the distance between himself and the other party.
However, the other party hesitated for a moment before retreating the way they had come.
‘Why?’
Were they trying to confirm something?
‘It doesn’t seem like they noticed me.’
Their retreat was slow. Given the darkness of the night, it was reasonable to assume they had entered by mistake.
Then, he noticed something unusual.
‘What’s that?’
A faint glow emanated from the darkness. He stopped briefly, cautiously peering over it.
The light was gradually weakening, but it was not something that had occurred naturally. In fact, an ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to see it.
‘Dark mana…?’
A fanatic. It was almost laughable to deduce someone’s identity from just this, but there was no other explanation.
‘What kind of formation is this?’
The fundamental structure resembled magic, but it was filled with unknown characters, making it closer to sorcery.
No, it was more akin to a ritual. Just looking at the remnants of dark mana sent a chill down his spine.
‘I thought they would just charge in recklessly.’
Who would have thought they were drawing a massive formation centered around the ruins?
Who could have imagined they would be tightening their grip in such an unexpected way?
Given the distance from the ruins, it was unlikely that anyone had noticed.
‘A large-scale formation isn’t always a good thing, though.’
Even with his limited knowledge of magic, he at least understood that much.
Ian immediately pursued the slowly retreating figure. In the darkness, he spotted two men.
They were whispering in hushed voices. Words that should have been lost in the wind reached Ian’s ears with perfect clarity.
“Brother, just how much more do we have to erase?”
“…I’m sorry. About… fifteen meters more needs to be redrawn.”
“Fifteen meters? Did I do something wrong to you? Why are you putting me through this trial?”
“…It’s nothing like that. This is entirely my mistake. Even if you asked me a hundred times, I wouldn’t have an excuse.”
The man listening to him lowered his head. He was clearly trying to suppress his seething anger.
“Damn it, O Morning Star.”
“Hurry up. It has to be finished by tomorrow at the latest. Otherwise, the bishop…”
“As long as there aren’t any more mistakes like this, it should be possible.”
“There won’t be any.”
“There had better not be, brother. Otherwise, I’ll personally send you to the Morning Star in the bishop’s stead.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
As Ian silently listened to their conversation from the shadows, he drew a pure white dagger from his waist and hurled it.
The sharp blade cut through the air.
Shwik!
“!”
The target noticed it and turned in shock, but the dagger was faster.
In fact, because he turned around, what was supposed to pierce his back instead ended up lodged in his heart.
“Keugh.”
“Brother!?”
The man staggered back, clutching the dagger embedded in his chest, gritting his teeth.
He should have died instantly, yet somehow, he clung to life.
“You’re tenacious.”
Ian drove another dagger into the man’s forehead. Only then did he collapse.
“You… What have you done?”
The other man, who had been standing stiffly to the side, muttered in a flustered tone.
Ian chuckled at the sight.
“Why are you so shocked? You’ll be next.”
“…Who are you?”
“Hm. I’d prefer if you only answered my questions. Unless you want to end up like your friend here.”
“I…”
The man cautiously grasped the sword at his waist, drawing upon dark magic.
Ian smirked at the sight.
“What’s this? I thought you were a mage since you were drawing a formation. Turns out you’re a swordsman?”
The man did not respond. Without so much as a battle cry, he lunged forward, swinging his sword.
Ian deflected it with ease.
Clang!
It felt heavy, but he wasn’t pushed back. As their blades clashed and crossed, Ian’s flashing dagger severed the man’s left arm.
“Guhk!”
He didn’t stop. As the man staggered back, Ian followed up with a kick.
Smack!
His kick struck the man’s thigh, breaking his balance. Ian stepped forward, closed the distance, and spun, sending the man flying.
The man crashed to the ground. Ian hurled a dagger, embedding it in his right forearm.
“Kh…!”
In an instant, his opponent was neutralized. If it had been just a simple kick, it might have been different—but this was the power of a transcendent.
It was only natural for flesh to be crushed and bones to break. No matter how fast his recovery was, getting up immediately was impossible.
As the man writhed on the ground like an insect, Ian approached and asked,
“You’re a fanatic who serves the Fallen Star, aren’t you?”
“How… how dare you speak His name so carelessly…?”
“You’re still not thinking straight. And why wouldn’t I? You lot disrupt the natural order and plunge the world into chaos. I don’t understand why you’re even worshipped as gods. I despise them. And I despise you. If you want to serve the Outer Gods, do it in some remote place, alone.”
Ian scowled as he continued.
“Why do you lure innocent people in and perform pointless human sacrifices? Is that really the only way to gain the Outer Gods’ attention?”
“It is to reach Utopia. To attain salvation. What would an ignorant fool like you understand? Under unwavering faith, His grace shall descend upon us.”
“What meaning is there in receiving grace through the sacrifice of others? If you sought salvation so desperately, you should’ve offered yourself as tribute.”
Ian sighed.
“Enough. Talking to you won’t change anything.”
“……”
“Just answer my question. What were you planning here?”
Truthfully, Ian didn’t expect him to answer willingly. But surprisingly, the man smirked and spoke.
“We will open the gate to Utopia here.”
“Oh?”
“The Fallen Star has spoken. Where we pave the way, His vanguard shall descend. They will crush the ignorant, and through the flowers blossomed from their lives, they shall guide the faithful to paradise.”
“A prophecy? Shame. It won’t come true. Your formation is too large. Do you really think it’ll activate properly?”
“That is why you are ignorant. By killing my brother, you have set the prophecy in motion. I told you, didn’t I? If you seek salvation, become the sacrifice yourself.”
Ian scowled and drew his dagger. There was no need to ask where it would land.
The faint light of the night sky glinted off the blade in his hand.
There was no point in listening any further. Taking this man alive would be meaningless.
“Hahaha, so be it. I shall gladly be the offering.”
The man laughed in the face of death—until Ian plunged the dagger into his forehead.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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