Chapter 876

Of course, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

They had fought mutated corrupted ones and sea beasts while crossing the domain of an ancient god. Their ship had even sunk in the process.

No matter how elite the force of fairies, beastfolk, and his companions was, it would have been impossible for everyone to survive.

"It wasn't that many, considering the scale of the battle. The biggest reason is probably that you took the worst of the danger upon yourself," Diana answered in a subdued voice.

By now, Elia was staring up at her in shock. She had clearly missed Charlotte's message while preparing for the crossing.

"But there were still casualties. Most of them didn't even leave bodies behind. Isn't that right, Nehat?" Diana turned sharply toward the opposite side and added, "You've already confirmed who's dead and who's missing on our side, haven't you?"

Nehat's nostrils twitched as she answered, "I do. I know all of them."

Her tone suggested she was far from pleased. She had likely hoped the subject would never be brought up. Diana looked at it as though waiting for more, but she said nothing further.

"Only the port side, half strength! One!"

"One!"

Instead, the deck filled with shouted commands and the sound of oars cutting through the water below. The ship began to shift its course.

"The atmosphere on deck had grown noticeably quieter, which only heightened the tension. Every fairy and beastfolk present was holding their breath, watching Ian, Diana, and Nehat.

At last, Diana's low voice broke the silence.

"From what I know, far more beastfolk died. Of course, that doesn't mean the fairies were negligent."

Clicking her tongue once, she turned her expressionless gaze toward Ian and continued, "There were simply more beastfolk, and they were the ones leading the fighting at the front. It was unavoidable, yet more fairies will inevitably face punishment."

Low groans rippled through the gathered fairies, yet none dared to speak.

"The Great Chieftain said that if you approve, she will carry out the punishment personally and swiftly. She said there's no need to stain a demigod's hands with blood," said Diana without so much as acknowledging the surrounding reactions.

Keeping his eyes fixed on her cold green gaze, Ian slowly nodded. "Right. If rules are made, they should be followed. That's a decisive judgment, just as I'd expect from my lieutenant."

The already tense atmosphere grew even heavier.

Several fairies, whose faces had already gone pale, squeezed their eyes shut as though they had just heard a death sentence. The beastfolk lowered their heads as well.

"Sorry for the delay. It took me a while to find something to write with... Huh?" Miguel's cheerful voice rang out from the rear of the ship before abruptly dying away.

He had just stepped out through the stable door and stopped, blinking. He sensed that something was amiss on deck.

Of course, it probably didn't help that both Nehat and Diana turned to look at him at nearly the same time.

As Miguel awkwardly tucked his lips inward and looked away, Lily, carrying a notebook beside him, tilted her head.

That was when Ian said, suppressing a chuckle, "But I made a promise as well."

Looking around at everyone once more, he continued calmly, "I said that I would leave all of your names in history as heroes."

His gaze swept across the silent crowd. "I haven't fulfilled that promise yet. So I can't allow a stain to be placed on your achievements and honor before I've even done that."

After looking over the quiet gathering, then at Nehat, and finally meeting Diana's eyes, Ian said, "The execution of this punishment will be postponed for the time being. Until then, they'll be given a chance to wash away their disgrace."

It was enough to make every fairy and beastfolk who had been holding their breath or closing their eyes suddenly look up.

Even Nehat's eyes widened.

One corner of Diana's eye twitched as she asked, "Until when, sir?"

Her speech had become formal again, likely an old habit from her years in the Imperial Army.

"Until I can confirm that I've fulfilled my promise, at least," Ian answered without hesitation.

There was no need to think about how long that would take.

That was why sighs of relief and quiet exclamations spread among the fairies and beastfolk. A few even bumped fists before awkwardly clearing their throats and looking away.

"Of course, that's only a postponement of the punishment for this battle. Future battles are a separate matter. So is earning redemption," Ian added the warning immediately afterward.

The fairies and beastfolk stiffened as he glanced between Diana and Nehat in turn.

"You said you've already accounted for everyone. Pair up those who've lost their partners with each other and form new teams. Inform the Great Chieftain, then work out the assignments together with the acting head of the house."

"Yes, Great Warrior."

"We shall."

Nehat straightened her posture before answering, and Diana nodded as well.

Not only Nehat, but even Diana seemed strangely satisfied. It was enough to make the corner of Ian's mouth twitch.

As I thought. They set this whole thing up, hoping I'd grant them clemency.

Charlotte had done her duty and fulfilled her responsibilities, certainly. Still, bringing the matter up this quickly wasn't very much like her.

The same went for Diana's unusually cold expression and tone. There was more than enough reason to suspect ulterior motives.

Of course, neither of them could have anticipated that Ian would frame it as a postponement rather than an exception, preserving both their laws and their authority in the process.

Elia, who had been watching anxiously, finally lowered the bag she had been clutching to her chest and murmured, "What a relief... That's wonderful..."

Diana looked down at her and replied, "Whether it truly is remains to be seen. They may end up suffering twice the humiliation."

At some point, she had already returned to her usual pessimistic expression and tone.

Nehat nodded in agreement. "They'll have to take even greater risks and earn even greater achievements if they want to reclaim their honor."

That alone was enough to make several fairies and beastfolk glance at one another. It wasn't hard to guess that they were those who had lost their partners.

Of course, the emotions in their eyes were completely different. The fairies showed tension and fear, while the beastfolk showed determination and grim resolve.

"I thought my heart was about to stop... Bloody hell. All right, look over here," Miguel said from behind them.

Accompanied by Lily, he was approaching a group of fairies and beastfolk near the port-side railing.

"One at a time, state your names. Fair warning, I'm terrible at spelling. If you don't want your name recorded incorrectly in history, you'd better spell it out for me," said Miguel, holding a pen in his left hand.

Ian glanced at him before turning back to Diana and gesturing with his head. "Once you've delivered my orders, compile the names of every fairy and beastfolk aboard that ship as well. Every single one of them, including the fallen."

"The names? Ah, I see. You're planning to prepare the report in advance." Diana nodded readily. Her eyes briefly drifted toward Miguel, behind Ian.

Ian returned the nod and allowed himself a faint smile. "Right. And I'd like you to write that report, Diana."

Diana froze.

"What?"

A beat later, she turned toward him, frowning deeply. "Me? Why me?"

"You've handled plenty of paperwork already. And you're a fairy, too. I want the contents of that report to become the talk of storytellers and gossip alike."

Diana's lips parted soundlessly at Ian's casual answer before she finally muttered, "Not every fairy... is good with words, Ian Hope..."

"At least you're better than I am. Besides, if not you, which fairy could I entrust with something this important?"

"No... I mean, that's true, but..." Diana finally closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.

Shrugging, Ian continued, "It won't be difficult. Miguel will gather all the names, and you'll have an assistant professor right beside you to help. Right?"

Receiving his gaze, Elia nodded vigorously. "O-Of course!"

A strangely enthusiastic smile spread across her face as she continued, "I've recorded everything you've told me, Sir Ian. I'll pass along every detail without leaving anything out. I'll help organize the first draft, too!"

"Well, that's reassuring..." Diana muttered without opening her eyes.

Ian turned away and added, "You know what needs to be done, Nehat. Cross over with Diana, then come back."

"Understood. I'll get started immediately," Nehat answered at once.

Ian nodded, gestured toward Elia, and turned around. Elia, who had been waiting eagerly with sparkling eyes, immediately hurried to his side.

They had only taken a few steps beneath the brilliantly clear sky when Nehat's quiet voice drifted from behind them.

"Thank you, Great Warrior."

Ian paused for the briefest moment. He then resumed his stride toward the stable.

Instead of answering, he merely allowed the corner of his mouth to curl upward in a faint smile.

***

—Honestly, Your Grace, you have a remarkable talent for making my heart stop in entirely new ways.

Inside the carriage, Ian reclined with his head resting against the armrest of his seat, carefully reading the newly inscribed words appearing across the Scroll of Correspondence.

—It was shocking enough when you left word that you were heading for the Black Isles because there was something you needed to investigate. But you fought an ancient god of the Black Sea? Didn't you say you were only taking a few smuggling ships with you?

The reply to his brief letter had arrived barely a day later. It was also far longer and denser than the messages that had already been written beforehand.

—It was an absurdly reckless and dangerous decision. Please, please do not forget that you are no longer a wandering Agent of the Saint who calls himself a mercenary...

Don’t tell me that the entire thing isn't just a barrage of scolding.

Scanning the tiny, tightly packed letters that continued without end, Ian slowly shook his head.

At the same time, he picked up the bottle resting on the floor and brought it to his lips.

—If anything were to happen to Your Grace, or if you were to disappear without warning again, even for a short time, the consequences would be incomparable to what they once were...

Of course, Ian couldn't say Seras's reaction was unreasonable.

In many ways, she had staked her fate on him. The authority she had finally managed to obtain was due not to her bloodline but to the influence he cast over the continent.

Moreover, Ian was the central link holding countless factions together. Which meant that his disappearance alone could cause everything to unravel and plunge the continent into yet another period of chaos.

—I've gone on far too long with needless complaints about something that's already happened. I should have offered my congratulations and thanks first. You have my sincere gratitude, Your Grace. Once again, you have saved the continent from a great crisis.

At last, the subject changed, drawing a faint chuckle from Ian. The previous section had occupied nearly half of the newly arrived message. The princess was still enthusiastically wasting precious space.

—And your decision to inform Father of the matter as well. To be honest, I was beginning to run out of excuses.