Chapter 86

Having been freed from the parasite, Baron Devosi quickly regained his health to a visibly noticeable extent.

He wasn't really sick, just severely drained of energy.

Naturally, he recovered by simply resting and eating well.

In his healthier days, he was vigorous enough to enjoy wolf hunting, so he naturally bounced back and quickly got out of bed.

After a few months, Baron Devosi gathered people at Devosi Hall.

His original vassals, the clergy who came to treat him, casual visitors, and even Ian and his group were there, making it quite crowded.

Baron Devosi repeatedly praised his servants and loyal vassals who had cared for him to the end.

"How happy I am to have such loyal followers by my side."

"Oh, your excellency, that's too much praise!"

To Ian, it seemed like just lip service, but the servants felt the weight of the emotions differently.

It was a noble's direct praise!

A glory worth spreading around the neighborhood, not just to a wife, husband, or children!

Of course, they might have been happy expecting a reward following the lip service.

The Baron, having come back from the brink of death, was sure to throw money around to commemorate the event.

He announced to everyone how close he had come to crumbling under the scheme of an evil wizard, hoping that such an event would never happen again.

"Coming all this way for me. Your kind hearts must reach the heavens."

"It must be the grace of heaven that took care of you, sir."

The clergy chuckled as they listened to the Baron's words of gratitude.

In reality, the clergy didn't really do anything when they arrived.

They just prayed among themselves, ate, and chatted.

Only one thing—they occupied the front of the Baron's room to prevent any suspicious people from entering.

That was their sole contribution.

But Baron Devosi had to express his gratitude to the clergy.

Why? Because he survived thanks to the care of heaven!

He had to pass on his thanks to heaven through the clergy.

The clergy would go home, taking a generous stipend with them.

The value of their prayers so far + the cost of performing a holy service for heaven.

Even just showing up to eat meant money, an insanely sweet deal.

This is why even those without faith join the clergy.

"And the wizards, Ian and Kira."

Ian and Kira were the center of everyone's attention.

They were the heroes who had tracked down and eliminated a malicious wizard controlling monsters, saving Baron Devosi.

No one doubted the wizards' contributions.

"I can't thank you enough, young friends. You are the saviors of my life."

Kira stepped forward with a proud expression.

"There's no need to thank us. That bastard provoked me first, so I just took my revenge."

People were amazed by Kira's lofty tone.

Kira had witnessed a vast mystery and survived.

For those who come into contact with beings beyond human comprehension, the light of their soul changes.

Kira herself didn't realize it, but her eyes began to show a strange, mysterious glow, like a touch of madness.

It was because Kira was a wizard without a foundation.

If she had learned the Maronius language and been able to refine the mysteries she experienced into words, there wouldn't have been any physical changes.

But she entered the world of magic with 100% pure talent, unaware of how to control the mysteries manifesting in her body.

"Truly, Lady Kira...!"

"She really is an amazing person!"

Especially when Ian used dark magic to stir trouble, the vassals who had received Kira's help trusted her immensely.

Ian also chimed in.

"Well. It was nothing. I didn't do much, really."

It was true.

After resisting the firestorm scroll, Gerard had sorted out the situation.

However, people thought differently.

They thought Ian was showing extreme humility!

"Such self-control, he must be a remarkable wizard!"

"There's a rumor he's also part of the clergy, diligently following the scriptures!"

Everyone praised Ian's humility, but one person was uniquely embarrassed.

It was Kira.

With a stunned expression, Kira stared at Ian.

Hey!

If you're being humble, what does that make me?!

Ian smirked and responded with a smile.

Let's see. An Archwizard?

It suited Kira far better to be a humble wizard rather than cosplaying as an Archwizard, given her personality.

But she had blurted out a haughty comment almost out of habit.

Haah...

Kira briefly looked downcast, but quickly adopted the proud demeanor of a flamboyant fire wizard.

Like it or not, the role-play had to continue.

"Baron? My legs hurt from standing here, do I have to keep standing?"

Kira asked naturally, and Baron Devosi smiled slightly.

Kira was speaking rudely, but... Kira was unnecessarily outstanding in appearance.

If Ian had said the same thing, "Hey Baron, do I have to keep standing?" he would have immediately been labeled a rude wizard...

But when Kira said it, it somehow looked adorable!

"Kira's contribution..."

"Cough. She reminds me of my niece."

"...?"

Ian was dumbfounded seeing the vassals smile like uncles.

No, think of her as rude here...!

"We've kept our guests standing for too long. Let's call it a day and meet again at the banquet!"

Having saved the baron, Ian wanted to leave Devosi Castle.

But naturally, people wouldn't let him go.

Starting with the clergy, not only the Baron himself but even the Baron's two wives kept seeking him out almost daily, always trying to stick around.

"Ian! We have a very pious bishop in our parish, how about I introduce you to him..."

"How do you like Devosi Castle? I would like to offer you the position of Devosi's sage..."

"Ian. Would you like to meet my daughter?"

"Wizard Ian! My son wants to apologize..."

Ian was truly a delectable(?) talent.

Young and unmarried, he already possessed outstanding magical abilities.

He wasn't just some rootless wizard picked off the streets but the sole disciple of the great fire wizard called [The Rising Star of Drawald], Eredith Manskal.

Moreover, he was a devout follower of the Church of Heaven's Faith, talented enough to perform miracles of heaven as a cleric.

He was bound to be extremely useful!

So, people clung to Ian disgustingly.

'Please f*ck off, you bastards...'

Ian's annoyance level was increasing by the day.

Surrounding him, people wouldn't stop pouring out offers like, become my vassal, serve the bishop, marry my daughter, and so on, driving him almost insane.

Ian was alone in his room, drawing a magic circle.

He was trying to add the Eye of the Wind to Anor-lsil.

'The mysteries of the sun and moon... are originally contained in Anor-lsil.'

Ian considered the materials needed to create a true Anor-lsil.

Sky, clouds, wind, stars, sun, moon.

All mysteries related to the sky.

Thinking a bit further, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they're connected to the universe.

In other words, to create a true Anor-lsil, one must cram it with powers like a microcosm...

'... I'll need to find an incredible amount of mysteries.'

Gerard had provided the object containing the mystery of the wind.

But Ian had to find the other mysteries himself by running around.

Combining the powers of these mysteries was also an issue.

The status window simply said, 'Collect the powers of these mysteries~' very casually.

But Ian, who actually had to combine them, agonized over finding the right magic with a groan.

'A phrase that would simultaneously call the wind and sun...'

So Ian drew and erased the magic circle several times, pondering how to add the power of the wind to Anor-lsil.

He needed to simultaneously invoke the mysteries of the wind and either the sun or moon...

But he couldn't think of the right phrase!

[Dear Wind and Sun, this is the first time I'm greeting you in writing. I am the wizard Ian. I have arranged a meeting to foster harmony between you two...]

Scratch scratch.

Ian hastily erased the magic circle he had drawn.

The stress from dealing with people was about to explode!

"Why the hell do I have to write something like a composition!"

I was a science student, damn it!

If I'm a wizard, ask me to do spell calculations, not write letters!

High-speed operations! Calculating multiple formulas!

Why the hell do I have to write letters!

That's what those damn humanities students are for!!!

Knock knock.

"Wizard sir, it's Manet. May I come in...?"

"Get the f*ck out!!!"

Manet was Mrs. Serena's daughter.

She kept coming to serve Ian, hoping to marry him. Ian was just tired of it.

Ian yelled to drive Manet away and refocused on his magic circle.

[Subject: Anyone interested in a meetup with mysteries?]

[I'm wizard Ian. I want to hold a meetup with the wind and the sun, any mysteries interested? If so, like and follow. I'll start.]

"... f*cking hell."

This wasn't right.

No matter how many times he tried, magic was damn difficult!

"Ian. What are you doing alone in your room?"

"Ah, who is it now? Why don't you just f*ck off?"

"Why should I? Why would I?"

Bang.

The door opened on its own, and Kira came in.

She held a tray with fragrant bread and dried fruits.

Oh, just when I was getting hungry.

As soon as she closed the door, Kira let out a small sigh.

"... Sorry. Did I disturb you? I'll leave right away..."

"? You're leaving? Weren't you here to hang out?"

"Well, I was, but you seemed busy..."

Seeing Kira act like she had a split personality, he understood the situation.

She had encountered Manet outside and acted like a wizard.

"Ah. So this is from Manet?"

"Yes... she just left, so I said I'd deliver it."

Oh. I should thank her later.

Ian thought so but forgot after just 3 seconds, distracted by the magic circle.

Kira quietly munched on the bread while sitting on the bed.

Ian, seriously drawing the magic circle, was both fascinating and amusing to her.

[Don't miss this rare chance! The fantastic Ian Show! We'll serve the mysteries properly! Just come!]

She didn't know what it was about.

But watching him skillfully handle all sorts of characters as he filled in the magic circle...

"...Impressive. Really."

Kira smiled unknowingly.

To have mustered the courage to seek out such a talented wizard.

Maybe it was the finest thing she had ever done in her life.

For Kira, who was a fake wizard, a fraud, to finally have some use, she could only be thankful for heaven's grace.

"Phew. I'd lose my temper if I did more."

"Are you stopping?"

"I'll do it later."

Unlike her, who pretended to be a great wizard with fake expressions, Ian was drawing the magic circle, striving for his own development.

Kira felt a sense of relief watching Ian.

Their paths had crossed by chance, and he had saved her life.

But after fighting Larabel, she felt like she had repaid her debt somewhat.

Now, she felt she could leave without any regrets.

"Ian."

"Yeah?"

"I'm thinking of leaving soon."

"...?"

Wizard Kira was saying goodbye.