I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

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While not a walled city, it was certainly a substantial village for Argelran standards.

“We don’t have any other villages nearby until we cross the valley. This place is also frequented by the garrison soldiers.”

Miguel explained courteously and in detail.

“Moreover, the village chief’s son died on the path we passed earlier. He was a ruffian who brandished a knife and acted like a thug.”

He was not only an excellent guide but also more exceptional than everyone, including himself, had anticipated. He led the way, guiding the group through the quickest route, and had an almost perfect understanding of the area’s rumors and circumstances. The peaceful night they had spent was, to some extent, thanks to him.

Of course, as Ian had some qualities that an experienced mercenary needed to possess, it was only fair to acknowledge that. Even considering that, Miguel had a remarkable talent in this field.

“Anyway, thanks to him, we’ll be able to rest comfortably tonight. We can have a proper meal, take a bath…”

Philip’s voice was cheerful. Miguel played along.

“The food at this inn is good. The beer is good too. Perhaps it’s because they grow wheat, the taste of the ale is exquisite.”

“Ho… I’m looking forward to it. Beer.”

Philip’s eyebrows twitched.

In any case, they were only interested in hearty meals.

“Finish your task properly first.”

“Understood. Don’t worry.”

In response to Ian’s sardonic comment, Miguel nodded as if agreeing.

After just two days, following Ian’s orders had become familiar to him. Once they entered the village, Ian turned to Philip.

“Make sure he divides the money properly. If there’s a problem, I’ll hold you responsible.”

“Trust me, sir.”

Philip replied confidently.

An utterly wretched person, indeed.

In the midst of this, Ian’s tongue clicked.

“Hey, Philip, by the way…”

Philip hesitated, glancing at Ian.

“Speak clearly. Don’t beat around the bush.”

“Well, earlier, I heard that there’s a proper stable here. We lost two horses, so should I try to find some draft animals in a hurry?”

“Why are you asking me about that?”

“Well… I apologize.”

Flinching a bit, Philip finally blurted out, “Could you lend me some money?”

“….!”

It was a raised eyebrow for a moment, and then a slight smirk appeared on Ian’s face.

“It’s fortunate that I have a mercenary who spends money so liberally.”

With a sarcastic comment.

Ian pulled out several gold coins from his pouch.

“Make sure you bring back the change. And get the best saddles.”

“Of course, sir! I’ll choose the finest saddles!”

Philip happily accepted the money. The power of money was great indeed.

As Ian chuckled, Meave added.

“Once again, I’m indebted to you, Ian.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Ian shrugged lightly. If you thought about it, they had lost two horses solely because of him, but nobody pointed out that fact.

“Do you have other tasks to attend to?” Meave asked.

Ian nodded.

“The Temple of Lou Sola exists. We should stop by there first.”

“A temple? Should we visit the inn first and then go together?”

Ian’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Together…? Do you have a reason to visit the temple as well?” Miguel questioned.

“Not really. I just wanted to offer prayers to Lou Sola before our expedition.”

“If that’s the case, it might be better for us to move separately.”

Ian quickly added, his hand touching the hilt of his sword.

“After visiting the temple, I also need to visit the blacksmith’s shop. That will take some time, and if you’re not with us, who knows what those two might get up to.”

“Hmm… Well, I suppose you’re right. Okay, I understand.”

Meave reluctantly agreed with a disappointed expression.

It almost became troublesome for a moment there.

Ian suppressed a sigh of relief.

He didn’t really want to reveal why he intended to do something in the temple. After all, knights were the easiest targets for priests, given their emphasis on faith and honor. Knights were naturally vulnerable to priests.

If he moved together with Meave, even Ian might end up being exploited.

“Make sure to prepare your meal separately as well. Come back not too late.”

“I understand.”

“Miguel, where’s the inn?”

“It’s in that direction, sir.”

Meave turned her head in the direction Miguel pointed.

While Philip quickly followed, Miguel approached Ian’s side.

“The temple is behind the village. The blacksmith’s shop is at the end of that alley. Keep that in mind.”

“Got it. Don’t do anything foolish while I’m not around.”

“Foolish… What foolish…”

Ian turned his body, tapping Miguel’s shoulder, who was looking abashed.

He then strode away down the filthy and smelly street.

Despite the village’s considerable size, hygiene remained abysmal.

The appearances of the villagers going about their business didn’t differ much in the eyes of modern-day Ian, who saw everyone as beggars.

‘If I’m going to be dropped into a game world, I might as well be in a boy’s adventure fantasy.’

Ian shook his head, dismissing the thought.

Considering everything, it would be more constructive to think about the priest he would soon meet. There was a high possibility that he was a con artist.

Of course, even if he wasn’t a con artist, it wouldn’t make much difference.

‘If anything, they might be worse than con artists.’

Like many other things in the Dark Ages, the clergy and priests who served the gods were also corrupt and fallen. Of course, in a world where gods, the afterlife, and miracles existed, such things were inevitable.

The important thing was that the priests were universally irritating writers, except when necessary. They weren’t willing to mix words unless it was absolutely necessary.

‘Still, the gods who lend their power are probably the main issue.’

While contemplating this, Ian suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He had arrived in front of a small, old house.

It was incredibly shabby in appearance.

“Wow…”

Ian’s eyes widened.

“I’ve found it.”

A sense of holiness emanated from within the house, as vivid as Meave’s.

Faintly engraved on the door, a sun pattern indicated that it was the temple of Lou Sola.

Ian grasped the doorknob.

A small prayer room that could barely accommodate twenty people was immediately revealed.

As Ian’s gaze swept across the interior, it halted at the statue at the far end of the prayer room.

Kneeling, with both hands raised above her head and her face covered by a robe, the statue depicted a woman.

Holiness flowed from the statue’s hand.

Accompanied by a faint light.

“To think there’s a statue like this here…”

Ian stood still, gazing at the radiating hand of the statue.

There was no visible magic or luminescence – it was a genuine miracle.

A smirk crept up at the corner of Ian’s mouth.

This meant that he might be able to purify the tainted essence.

Swoosh-.

“….?”

The light from the statue’s hand began to intensify. The radiance overflowed from the outstretched hand.

As the light filled the entire statue, it shimmered as if illuminated by the morning sun.

…Why is this happening all of a sudden?

While Ian tilted his head, a chilly voice sounded from behind him.

“Prayer time is over.”

Turning around, Ian saw a middle-aged man dressed in a white priest’s robe, his brow furrowed. He stood in front of the door with a haughty expression, a golden sun-shaped pendant hanging from his neck.

As expected, he wasn’t going according to Ian’s predictions.

Ian suppressed a shiver and asked, “Are you the priest of this temple?”

“As you can see. However, this isn’t the time for entry. If you don’t have a special matter to attend to—”

His voice, icy and composed, faded as he approached. His gaze fixed on the source of light radiating from the statue’s hand.

Even the officious tone in his voice subsided.

His lips then curled into a slight smile.

“The apostle of the radiant goddess, has an event of such magnitude even reached this remote corner?”

Ian’s brow involuntarily furrowed.

“Apostle…?”

What on earth is this nonsense?

Translator; ippo

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