“If they offered me money to spy on my own lord or carry out dirty deeds, I would refuse without hesitation.”
That was his final act of loyalty toward the former lord and his own conscience.
‘The moment I refuse, I will no longer belong to this world.’
Yet, he was determined to stand by his principles.
No matter how inevitable his dismissal by his lord was, as the knight commander of viscount Duser’s house, he could never allow himself to stoop to such acts.
Even if it meant walking the path to his death.
But then—
“Until when is your contract period?”
“…Excuse me?”
Ian’s question was something he had never expected.
Contract period?
‘Well, it’s about to end soon…’
As far as he recalled, there was about a month left.
A knight’s contract lasted five years, and unless specified otherwise, it would automatically renew.
But since Duke Sersha had mentioned discharging him, he assumed he would be dishonorably dismissed.
“Why do you ask about my contract?”
“No particular reason. I was just wondering if you’d consider contracting with Schlantz once it ends.”
“…What?”
The more he listened, the harder it became to believe.
The enemy commander was trying to recruit him?
Ian smiled as he watched his stunned expression.
“I pride myself on being exceptionally skilled at recognizing talent in people.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“Of course not.”
Ian waved his finger lightly in the air.
“On the battlefield, even if others faltered, you fought to the very end to protect your lord. In such a desperate situation, you still tried to rally your soldiers and maintain command—that’s not something just anyone can do.”
(Though the soldiers’ morale was so pitiful that it didn’t go as planned.)
“I respect that. Our territory needs knights like you.”
Colin’s eyes widened.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined being acknowledged by the enemy commander who had led his forces to victory in this territorial war.
“……”
Colin was at a loss for words.
Ian stood up.
“I’m not asking for an immediate answer, and I won’t force you. Take your time to think it over. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it.”
Having said his piece, Ian turned to the prison warden waiting in the corner.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Ah, yes! Understood!”
Ian promptly left the visitation room, leaving only the warden and Colin behind.
“Now, let’s get you back to your cell, Sir Magath.”
The warden’s attitude had completely shifted.
Now that Ian had personally made a recruitment offer, it was only natural for his treatment to change.
“I’d like a moment alone. May I stay here a little longer?”
“Of course. I’ll step outside and wait. Call me when you’re ready to return.”
The warden left, and Colin, now alone, slumped into his seat.
And then—
Ugh…!
A surge of emotion welled up inside him, as if all the bitterness he had endured was being washed away.
Before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face.
At his age, crying like this was pathetic, but once the floodgates opened, there was no stopping it.
* * *
Having finished his business at the prisoner camp, Ian boarded the carriage back to his quarters.
As the coachman guided the carriage toward their lodgings, Nea, who had been gazing out the window, turned to Ian.
“So now you’re trying to recruit the enemy’s knight commander?”
Ian smirked.
“I took in a spy posing as a maid as my retainer—why should the enemy’s knight commander be any different?”
“Now that you mention it, I suppose not.”
Nea chuckled, realizing it wasn’t her place to question it.
“But the person you’re recruiting… Is he really that talented?”
“Why? Do you doubt me?”
“From what I’ve seen, his skills are far inferior to Sir Oswell’s, and his only combat experience—aside from fighting you—was suppressing five bandits who strayed into the territory.”
Frankly, she couldn’t see any merit in recruiting him.
“Trust me. I was the one who recognized Sera’s talent when she didn’t even know the first thing about alchemy, and I was the one who saw Dwayne’s potential.”
(Though in Dwayne’s case, it was pure luck. Even if he hadn’t been as talented as expected, Ian could’ve still used him as a decent knight. He hadn’t noticed Dwayne’s archery skills, but no one else knew that.)
Because of this, people assumed Ian had an strange eye for talent.
“You’ll be surprised when you see what he’s capable of. It’s something you’d never expect.”
“Is that so?”
Nea gave a nonchalant nod.
If Ian said so, there was no point arguing. Time would tell.
“Now that my work here is done, I’m going to enjoy a vacation in Ansen for a while.”
Ian sprawled out lazily inside the carriage.
Once he decided to take a break, no one could stop him.
“……”
Nea silently watched him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m still not used to seeing this side of you.”
It was quite different from the image she had of him.
Contrary to rumors, he was kind to others, stern when needed, treated people equally regardless of status, and sought to bring talented individuals to his side.
Yet, he was also ruthless in eliminating those who posed a threat.
That was the Ian she knew.
“I don’t know how you usually see me, but this is who I really am.”
He had lived his whole life this way—he wasn’t about to change overnight.
A man who slacked off at work but lazed around exemplarily during breaks.
That was Ian’s true nature.
(Though, given the stakes, he couldn’t afford to slack too much.)
“I see.”
“Look forward to seeing more of the real me.”
Nea smiled faintly as she watched this refreshing side of him.
‘I thought I knew the Young Master better than anyone, but maybe I was wrong.’
Seeing him brimming with humanity, Nea quietly smiled to herself.
The carriage moved smoothly toward their lodgings.
* * *
Nearly a month had passed since Ian’s stay in Ansen.
The high-end inn where he resided had a terrace overlooking the entire town. His return to Rosen had been scheduled for three days later.
While Ian enjoyed his vacation, news had reached him about the biggest debate currently stirring Rosen:
Should the Schrantz family’s base remain in Rosen, or should they relocate to Dariel Village?
It was a matter that had been postponed, but now, with urgent affairs settled, it seemed the discussion had finally taken place in earnest.
The Schrantz family’s origins traced back to Dariel Village, where their ancestral estate still stood—so some argued they should return.
Yet Rosen had been their stronghold for generations, and all current plans revolved around it. Others insisted that securing Rosen’s stability was more critical for future expansion into uncharted territories.
The debate had grown so heated among the vassals that the air in Rosen had been thick with tension for a while…
‘Father must’ve resolved it somehow.’
In the end, Hugo had decided to maintain their base in Rosen as before. The ancestral home in Dariel would serve as a secondary residence—a historical reminder of the humiliation inflicted by the Earl of Erche.
‘Though I suspect his real reason was the potential of the uncharted lands.’
Ansen had stabilized and was now self-sufficient. Once the reclaimed Schrantz territories were fully secured, exploration of the frontier would begin.
‘Funny how things change.’
Ian couldn’t help but smile, recalling how indifferent Hugo had initially been about frontier exploration. Now, he was its most ardent advocate—a complete transformation.
Just as Ian mused over this, Nea entered the terrace.
“Young Master, your drink is here.”
“Thanks.”
She set the chilled beverage on the table before him. Leaning back in his chair, Ian savoured the breeze and the panoramic view of the town below. With the cool drink in hand, it felt like paradise.
‘This is the life.’
His relaxation was soon interrupted, however.
“Hm?”
His gaze snapped to the town’s entrance, where a crowd had gathered.
“Seems like some commotion down there.”
“Should I send someone to check?”
“No need.”
A guard was already sprinting toward the inn. Moments later, the man burst in, breathless.
“Young Master! An—an elf has arrived in town!”
“……What?”
Ian stared blankly.
‘An elf? Why?’
Elves, notorious for their reclusiveness, never left their forests unless absolutely necessary.
This made no sense.
Ian and Nea immediately headed for the town gates, escorted by knights. The crowd moved to the side at their approach, revealing the source of the commotion.
The elves stood at the center—tall, radiant figures with golden hair and piercing azure eyes. Even Nea, usually composed, couldn’t hide her awe.
“Young Master… They’re real elves.”
“So they are.”
Unlike the stunned onlookers, Ian wasn’t particularly amazed. Having encountered elves in his past life (and even played as one), their presence was more puzzling than thrilling.
‘Why would they initiate contact first?’
Though their forest bordered the frontier settlement, Ian had expected he would be the one to reach out. In Meta Pangaea, elves never made the first move.
‘What’s their game?’
The lead elf stepped forward and spoke in a melodic, alien tongue:
“ᚪᚱᛖ ᛁᚩᚢ ᚦᛖ ᚱᛖᛈᚱᛖᛋᛖᚾᛏᚪᛏᛁᚠᛖ ᚩᚠ ᚦᛁᛋ ᛏᚩᚹᚾ?”
“…….”
“ᛁ×ᛘ ᚻᛖᚱᛖ ᛏᚩ ᛘᛖᛖᛏ ᛁᚩᚢ, ᚦᛖ ᚱᛖᛈᚱᛖᛋᛖᚾᛏᚪᛏᛁᚠᛖ ᚩᚠ ᚦᛁᛋ ᛏᚩᚹᚾ.”
Ian understood none of it.
“Do you not speak the Imperial tongue?”
“ᚹᚻᚪᛏ?”
“…….”
Not a single word.
“Does anyone here speak Elvish? If so, step forward.”
Silence.
Not a soul in the crowd could decipher the elves’ words.
