CHAPTER 79
After that, the Red Flame Lord, Ignarion, died several more times. Not once did she die peacefully. I broke her thoroughly, hoping she would reflect, even just a little, on what she had done.

"Heh, heheh."

Lying limp on the ground, she let out a hollow laugh. She still hadn't said a word about the headquarters. But for me, that didn't matter. I had beaten her to my heart's content, and that was enough.

"Boy, what do you plan to do now?" Ririran, who had stayed by my side the entire time, asked.

The situation was constantly escalating. The world was on the brink of war, and Black Dawn was targeting the Imperial Family. On top of all that, the Sinner of Wrath was said to be in hiding somewhere.

"I wonder."

I wasn't sure what I could do about it. I was doing all this because I hated the bastards from Black Dawn and wanted to ruin their plans. But at my current level, even this much intervention was stretching my limits.

"I'm not asking you how you're going to save the world."

But Ririran's question had a different meaning.

"Boy, you're getting far too deeply involved in this."

I see. This was Ririran's warning.

"You've experienced Cosmic Jac, so you should know better than anyone. Black Dawn is not a risk you can handle."

"I agree."

This was like jumping into a pit of fire. Black Dawn wouldn't remain ignorant of my existence forever. If I kept using Resurrection magic like this, I would eventually leave a trail they could follow.

"But it's also a world where doing nothing won't change anything."

Black Dawn declared they would sacrifice the 1st World, Astrape, to create an Artificial Transcendent. In the end, this was the world I had to live in too. I couldn't just stand by and watch those Black Dawn bastards run rampant.

"I don't know how much my help will matter, or how insignificant it might be. But I'd hate to do nothing and sink along with everyone else."

I conveyed to Ririran the resolution I had made long ago.

"More importantly, there's a purpose behind my actions so far."

The big picture I was painting. The pieces of that puzzle were slowly falling into place.

Resurrection magic isn't something that can be hidden forever. If I had intended to hide it forever, I never would have used myself as bait for the Red Flame Lord. One piece of bait leads to the next. To a bait so large and tempting, they won't be able to resist taking it.

Ririran watched me for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"My, it's like seeing that man in his youth."

"That man?"

"The Commander-in-Chief," Soun answered in her stead.

Ririran cleared her throat and turned her head away. I could sense a hint of embarrassment from her. By Commander-in-Chief, she must have meant the head of the Regular Army.

"Do I look like I could be the Commander-in-Chief?" I asked with a solemn air. Everyone blinked and fell silent.

Damn, this is why I can't stand these uncivilized this-worlders.

Only Sohan was snickering in the back. As expected, only an intelligent Transferee could understand.

"To be precise, it's that your actions are similar," Ririran said with a short laugh, as if reminiscing about the past. Her expression was that of someone fondly remembering a loved one from long ago.

"What is he doing now?"

"He's still serving as the active Commander-in-Chief. It seems he's worried about the lack of a suitable successor."

The next Commander-in-Chief of the Regular Army. I hoped it would be Inferno. If an acquaintance of mine, a Lieutenant General, became the Commander-in-Chief, there would be no more valuable connection.

'Come to think of it.'

I wonder if Inferno's mission went well. It should be resolved by the time Bulldog gets back, but I don't know when that will be. My big picture can only come to fruition once that's settled.

"On the other hand, what will you two do now, Lady Ririran and Lord Soun?"

According to Ignarion, Black Dawn was aiming to overthrow the entire world. If we couldn't stop them, the whole world would be used as a sacrifice for the Artificial Transcendent.

"I'm going to the Imperial Palace myself," Soun said, his face set with determination.

"Can you trust the Imperial Family?"

I, for one, did not underestimate Black Dawn. Those bastards were infiltrating deeper into people's lives than we thought. It was possible, even likely, that they already had collaborators within the Imperial Palace. In a place as large as the palace, could there really not be a single person with ulterior motives?

"Trust doesn't matter. Just preventing those Black Dawn bastards from striking the palace as they please is enough of a deterrent."

He wasn't wrong. Black Dawn couldn't act carelessly against Soun. The proof was that they remained quiet even as Soun went around stirring up all their operations. If Soun took up a position inside the Imperial Palace, Black Dawn wouldn't be able to make a rash move. However, the downside was that it would tie Soun's feet to the palace.

'Should we prevent an incident we know is coming, or stop the ones constantly breaking out all around?'

I mulled it over for a moment, but no answer came. Ignarion didn't know everything about Black Dawn, either. As she said, Black Dawn only gathered and moved when the time was right, according to their reports. Putting aside how that was even possible, not knowing the details of their operations was a huge problem.

"I understand."

If nothing else, I agreed with Soun going to the Imperial Palace for now. He could make his next move after we'd gathered more information.

"What will you do with Ignarion?"

"I'll hide her," Ririran offered to take on that role. With her space magic, she could hide Ignarion in a place where she could never be found.

My part in this incident was over. I planned to discuss things further when Inferno returned.

"Harua, you did well. Let's meet again," Sohan said.

"Sohan, thanks for your help this time, too."

Sohan decided to follow Soun, as he always did. As his disciple, it was the natural choice. I watched him go, then turned to look at Aranseol. When our eyes met, she smiled brightly and bumped her shoulder against mine.

"Don't worry. I'll stay by your side, Harua."

"It's not like I thought you were going anywhere."

"Really?" Aranseol beamed, looking up at me.

Why does she keep acting so coquettish? Is she showing off because she knows she's pretty? It's annoying, but... cute.

"A little."

A huge grin spread across Aranseol's face. Babiyeon, on the other hand, bit her lip slightly and jabbed me in the side.

"Why don't you two just announce to the world that you're dating?"

"We're not dating."

"If Harua confesses first, I might consider it."

"Why is it a given that I'm the one who has to confess first?"

Aranseol gave me a look that said, "Are you seriously asking that?" This is what happens with people who know they're beautiful.

"I won't. And we're not dating," I repeated, a fact I had told Babiyeon several times already.

Babiyeon glanced up at me, then balled her fists and started punching me in the side for no reason. Has this woman lost her mind? What is with her?

"Babiyeon, if you have something to say, say it."

"I have nothing to say! I'm just a little grateful that you said something to my master for my sake, that's all!"

"Then you could just say thank you."

"You're making me mad, Harua!"

I had no idea what part of that was supposed to be infuriating. Among us, only Horizon looked on with an expression of pure amusement. My, my, Lady Babiyeon was becoming more prone to tantrums by the day.

Several days passed after the incident with Ignarion. News that the Sword Lord, Soun, had appeared at the Imperial Palace spread like wildfire. People speculated about it, but no clear answer emerged. That was just how Soun was—a man who popped up here and there without warning.

As for me, I spent that time training and studying. It was training I had neglected while being swept up in one incident after another. I worked hard to be able to stand on my own as quickly as possible.

Additionally, Babiyeon recently received help from Ririran and entered a Mage Tower. Ignarion had blocked her path to studying magic, so Ririran had apparently introduced her to someone at the Tower. Of course, she was no longer learning magic as a noble. She would have to learn from the very bottom. But Babiyeon's face seemed much brighter. She seemed happy to finally be able to resume the magic studies she had been forced to stop.

Horizon paid a visit to Nox. The city had been in chaos after Soun's appearance. She went to check on its condition. Nox was a mess, now as then. It seemed Noir Nox had been acting like a tyrant for a while, apparently furious about letting Soun escape. Horizon also reported that rumors related to Black Dawn had been subtly increasing. They might be expanding their influence.

After sending Soun off, Ririran had said she would gather forces to hunt down Black Dawn, but I wasn't sure if any news about that would reach me.

In such a chaotic era of upheaval, all I could do was continue to train. It looked like I'd have to go back to the 2nd World soon when my money runs out, which was a concern. Living day-to-day is the hardest part, I thought to myself as I stopped by the Holy Church, same as always.

"Oh, Sir Harua."

A familiar voice reached my ears. I looked up to see a tall woman with voluminous platinum blonde hair. I knew her well. My second master.

"Lady Aigis, you've returned."

"Haha, I didn't expect to run into you right after getting back, Sir Harua."

The Divine Lord, Commander of the Capital's Holy Knights, Aigis. She was here. The woman who said she was going to the Holy Land had returned.

"You're back earlier than I expected. Did your work go well?"

"Yes, it went very well."

Aigis's face was incredibly bright. It seemed her trip to the Holy Land had been an enjoyable one for her.

"Did something good happen?"

"Yes, well, it's a matter concerning the Church, but it's definitely good news!"

If it was good news for my master, Aigis, then it was good news for me, too.

"By the way, I mentioned you to the Saintess."

"Me?"

"Yes. Since there are virtually no other 1st Grade Light Attribute users besides the Saintess, it seems she's interested in meeting a fellow user."

To think the Saintess would take an interest in me. I truly was a man of insane talent. As I felt a surge of pride, Aigis smiled warmly.

"The Saintess said she would like to meet you personally, Sir Harua. How about some time soon?"

"Even if she meets me, I'm not sure what I'd have to say. I'm still in the process of learning about holy magic and divine power myself."

"Isn't any kind of exchange a good thing? It will be a good meeting for you as well, Sir Harua."

If that was the case... it wouldn't hurt for me to build a connection with the Saintess. The more time passes, the more I realize the importance of connections.

"Well, alright."

I answered nonchalantly.

That is, until the next day, when I heard the news that the Saintess was coming from the Holy Land to the capital.