Dark Fantasy: Magical Eye Knight – Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Preparations for Departure (2)

 

After the training, Russell and the Lord shared a simple drink. The Lord seemed to be in a good mood, smiling throughout the drink. He was no longer the feeble old man he had been earlier.

 

“Take this.”

 

Russell received what the Lord handed him from his bosom. It was a small seal and document. Russell looked up at the Lord.

 

“The inheritor of the territory receives a seal. Originally intended to be Edmond’s, it lay unused in his room. The document serves as proof that you are the rightful owner of the seal.”

 

“Lord.”

 

Ramon Errandis leaned back in his seated position. The chair creaked and groaned.

 

His white hair and beard covered most of his face, but the exposed parts were flushed from the alcohol. Even between the wrinkles carved by time, his eyes still sparkled with an age-defying sharpness.

 

“The fact that I killed my own son with my hands still weighs heavy on my heart and mind. For a moment, I wanted to just leave everything behind.”

 

” . . . . . .”

 

“But thanks to you, I realized this. It was my choice to do so. And as a human being, one must take responsibility for the choices they make. Regardless of status or age, one cannot turn away from responsibility. The moment they do it, life is no longer life.”

 

Russell could vaguely guess the trajectory of the Lord’s life. He had lost his wife and raised his young son alone, but in the end, he had to be the father who executed his own son. Even so, he had endured.

 

“Do not refuse. I have no other children, anyway. I have no desire to take a new wife at this age. Even if I did have a child, who would manage this territory until that child grows up and becomes an adult? I am already over sixty years old, and I do not believe I have that much time left.”

 

“You speak too weakly.”

 

Thanks to his innate physique and the magic he had acquired while protecting the territory, the Lord’s body was not decrepit. Moreover, he was so skilled in swordsmanship that Russell could tell he had sheathed his sword the moment he could defeat him.

 

The Lord shook his head.

 

“I have already made up my mind. Take it. And when you’ve finished whatever you have to do someday, come visit. Then you can either sit in the Lord’s seat or appoint someone else to rule in your stead. It also functions as a letter of appointment, allowing you to appoint a successor. I think it would be easier for you to do your work if you took it with you.”

 

The Lord’s attitude was firm, and Russell had no choice but to accept. Afterwards, the Lord had the butler bring out a heavy bag and something else wrapped in white cloth.

 

“This is a reward for the savior who protected the territory.”

 

Inside the bag were gold and silver coins. A pair of earrings was also wrapped in the cloth.

 

“What are these earrings?”

 

“A relic emerged from the dungeon. They were mostly antiques that had already lost their power. These earrings still retain their original form and magic.”

 

“Then shouldn’t you keep them, Lord?”

 

“No, it’s fine. This time, I had a feeling. Expanding the territory is good, but what’s more important is the substance. That is something I will take care of, and you should give those earrings to your lovely companion.”

 

Russell thought of Aellasis. While he was staying at the Lord’s castle for three days, Aellasis had been sulking because he wouldn’t play with her, so she had been hanging out with Phel or Remeron. Evelyn seemed to be busy with her work on the rooftop.

 

“What was that lady’s name, Aella or something?”

 

“Aellasis, Lord.”

 

“Right. Do you know what kind of nickname that lady has?”

 

Nickname? Russell tilted his head. Russell didn’t know what Aellasis had been up to in the outside territory before he woke up, trapped in Iscalia’s space in the dungeon.

 

“What’s her nickname?”

 

“The Lady of Ice and Lightning. Haha. Can you believe it? That little girl has such a nickname.”

 

“Ah. . . . . .”

 

Russell thought he knew why she had such a nickname. Aellasis, the dragon born by the golden dragon Ismenios, was a white dragon with scales, unlike her mother.

 

Russell had infused her with two attributes, ice and lightning. Russell thought that her bragging after he woke up, when Aellasis puffed out her small chest, wasn’t just empty boasting.

 

After all, he had replenished her magic before going to the Arcule Guild. Additionally, without her, it would have been difficult to gain the upper hand in the battle with Iscalia.

 

“These earrings remind me of that girl. I think she’ll like it if you give it to her.”

 

“I’ll gladly accept it.”

 

After drinking, Russell and the Lord left the annex.

 

“I’ll be going now. Lord.”

 

The Lord nodded.

 

“Is there anywhere you need to stop by before you leave?”

 

“I remember the beer at the inn where I used to stay.”

 

It was obvious where Phel would take Aellasis. And if Phel was there, Remeron would be there too. Evelyn was residing on the rooftop, claiming to have received a call there.

 

The Lord smiled.

 

“The Black Barley Inn. It’s the place with the best dark beer in our territory. I used to go there sometimes in the past. . . . . . I haven’t had the time to do so lately.”

 

“It will be fine. Jirach will help.”

 

Jirach was standing behind the Lord. Edmond’s trickery had turned him into a vampire, but Russell’s blood had revived him, nearly shedding the side effects of his vampire status.

 

He could stay out in the sun and eat normal food. He could also strengthen his body with blood and perform magic. He would be a great help to the Lord in managing the darkness.

 

“Serve the Lord well.”

 

“I will do so with my life.”

 

Jirach bowed his head. There was no sign of resentment. He seemed content to simply follow Russell’s orders.

 

“Oh, Lord. About Kai. . . . . .”

 

“I’ll tell him to go to that inn when he wakes up.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“No problem. Take care.”

 

Russell bowed his head before the Lord. It was rare to meet someone who made him sincerely want to greet them. Ramon Errandis was worthy of his greeting.

 

Just as Russell was about to turn around, the Lord spoke.

 

“Sir Russell.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The Lord had many questions he wanted to ask. He wanted to know where he came from and how he was so strong at such a young age.

 

But the Lord gave up. He is like a cloud of man.  They may stay for a moment to hide the glaring light and create a refreshing shadow, but in the end, they’ll just follow the wind once again.

 

The Lord decided to be content with just having made a small connection, and so he swallowed the words he had intended to say.

 

“I hope to see you again next time.”

 

“Me too.”

 

The Lord waved his hand, and Jirach bowed deeply once more. Russell left the Lord’s castle.

 

Jirach said goodbye to the Lord and left, leaving the Lord alone. The Lord stood still for a moment and then went back into the annex.

 

The building was deserted. After clearing the dining table, the Lord glanced at the large painting hanging on the wall. For some reason, the painting looked blurry.

 

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

 

Russell walked through Errandis’ territory. The castle guards did not stop him from leaving. They had probably already been instructed.

 

The stars and the crescent moon rose in the sky. The sunset, which had not yet had a chance to shine, was sinking with a sullen face in the western sky.

 

Some restaurants had already lit the lanterns in front of their entrances a little early. Shopkeepers, stalls, and merchants selling goods were hawking their wares in loud voices.

 

The night market was open, and the streets were crowded and bustling. The terrible night of two weeks ago seemed to have faded away. It was peaceful.

 

Russell soon arrived in front of the Black Barley Inn. Kry, who had been waiting in the stable to the right of the inn, whinnied when he saw him.

 

He smiled and approached Kry, stroking his mane.

 

“Have you been well?”

 

Kry nodded as if he understood.

 

He checked the feedbag. It was filled with good-quality feed and plenty of oats and beans, which Robin and Laura had taken good care of. Robin and Laura had also changed the water in the water trough several times, ensuring its cleanliness.

 

The smoothness of his mane and fur was likely due to brushing. The large space in the back, where he could lie down or sleep, was also filled with straw.

 

Russell patted Kry on the bridge of his nose, then entered the inn’s first-floor hall.

 

As soon as he entered, he saw that the hall was almost full. Customers were sitting at eight or so round tables, eating meat or drinking beer. Robin was skillfully weaving through the crowd, carrying dishes.

 

“Russell-nim!”

 

Russell waved at Robin’s greeting.

 

“Long time, no see.”

 

“Yes, it has been! Are you feeling better now?”

 

“More or less.”

 

Just then, Russell’s eyes caught sight of an unusual sight. Tom and Jerry, the water sprites, were wearing aprons and serving food. It was funny to see such large creatures wearing such outfits and carrying plates and beer mugs.

 

Robin, who noticed where Russell was looking, said,

 

“Oh, they’ve been working here for the past two weeks.”

 

“Those two?”

 

“Yes. Kai brought them here himself. He said to keep them if they were useful, and to just kick them out if they weren’t. But, well. They’re doing quite well.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Russell chuckled. So, after all, he had given them jobs.

 

“Where’s Aella?”

 

“Oh, she’s with the elves.”

 

When Russell looked in the direction Robin had indicated, Remeron, who was sitting in a corner seat, raised his hand to greet Russell. Phel and Aellasis were already sitting at his table.

 

“I’ll have a dark beer too.”

 

“Yes, I’ll bring it right over!”

 

As Russell sat down in the corner seat, Aellasis glanced at him and then turned her head away with a huff. Her cheeks were puffed out. It was obvious that she was sulking because he hadn’t come with her.

 

Russell chuckled.

 

“Aella.”

 

” . . . . . .”

 

“Are you sulking?”

 

“Sulking? What makes you think I’m sulking?”

 

Russell watched the girl turn away from him and puff out her cheeks even more, and then he shook his head and accepted the dark beer Robin brought him. Remeron said,

 

“You came from the castle.”

 

“Yeah. I have to leave again soon. I’ve stayed too long.”

 

Counting only the days since he first arrived, he had stayed in this territory for almost three weeks. He had been asleep for two of those weeks, so his perceived time was only about four days.

 

“What about you guys?”

 

Russell asked Remeron and Phel. Remeron shrugged, and Phel, who had been drinking from a beer mug, wiped the foam off her lips and said,

 

“Our initial goal was to investigate the relics found in the dungeon. Rumors about the discovery of relics from the Elven Kingdom a long time ago prompted us to come.”

 

“Did you find anything?”

 

At Russell’s question, Phel took something out of her bosom. It was a laurel wreath. However, the wreath appeared lifeless and wilted, with its branches twisted and withered.

 

“The Lord gave us a laurel wreath made with spirit water. There were other things too, but they were mostly rusted armor and weapons.”

 

“I heard that the elves’ blacksmithing skills were quite good.”

 

“But that was a long time ago. Maintaining them would have been fine, but they were in a humid place where underground magic had been rising for over 800 years. It’s fortunate that we were able to salvage this laurel wreath.”

 

“That’s not all.”

 

Remeron interjected.

 

“What the heck happened in there?”

 

There was no subject, but Russell guessed what Remeron was asking about. He must be referring to what happened in Iscalia’s space.

 

“I met an ancient vampire lord.”

 

“Oh my! What kind of person was that? No, is it weird to call it a person?”

 

“She was a woman with black hair and beautiful features. She used a whip-like sword, and she knew a lot of blood-related attack spells.”

 

Russell briefly explained what had happened inside. Remeron, his curiosity piqued, kept exclaiming in admiration and asking for more detailed descriptions.

 

The sky filled with twilight, the field dotted with countless wooden stakes, and the soldiers impaled on them. The crows flew around in circles, eagerly pecking at the eyes and flesh of the corpses.

 

And the ancient vampire, who wore a blood-red breastplate, a red cape, and wielded a strange sword, regenerated herself over and over again.

 

Even Russell couldn’t stop her regeneration, forcing Remeron to retreat.

 

“It was a more formidable monster than I thought.”

 

“Right. I wouldn’t have survived if it hadn’t been for Aella.”

 

Aellasis, who had been turning her head away the whole time, perked up at Russell’s praise. Then she slowly turned her head towards him.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

And with that, Russell took out a pair of earrings from his bosom. Aellasis’s eyes widened instantly. Dragons and girls had one thing in common: they loved shiny jewels, and Aellasis was a girl who fulfilled both criteria.

 

“What’s that?”

 

“Come here.”

 

Aellasis moved her seat immediately and sat down next to Russell. Russell lifted the earrings and brought them to Aellasis’s ear. As his hand touched her, Aellasis cringed slightly.

 

“Stay still.”

 

“Okay. . . . . .”

 

The magic earrings snapped into place on her earlobe as soon as they touched it.

 

“Is it done?”

 

“Yes. They’re pretty, too.”

 

Aellasis turned her head to check the earrings. Remeron, who had been smiling as he watched her try to catch her own tail like a puppy, muttered something unintelligible.

 

Then the water in the jug floated up into the air on its own, turning into a small mirror.

 

“It’s simple spirit art. It’s not much else besides that.”

 

Aellasis made a happy face as she looked at the mirror that Remeron had made for her. The white jewel earrings looked very good on the white-haired girl.

 

Aellasis hugged Russell.

 

“Thank you!”

 

Russell patted her back a few times and said,

 

“Does it feel any different?”

 

“Hmm? Hmm. . .My body feels lighter.”

 

The Lord did not know the effects of the earrings, but Russell had the eyes to see the flow of magic within them.

 

When equipped, the earrings’ mild body strengthening made the wearer’s magic flow smoother and lighter.

 

It might seem like that was all they did, but in this world, enchanted weapons, armor, and accessories were very rare to begin with. They refused to concentrate natural mana in one place. Therefore, enchanted relics were very valuable.

 

Even if no one was going to wear them, he could have made a lot of money if he had taken and sold them. Russell figured he could guess how grateful the Lord was to him.

 

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

 

Late at night, Russell got out of bed. Remeron and Phel were sleeping in another room. Aellasis, instead of returning to her dragon form, was sleeping in her human form.

 

The earrings were still hanging from her ears. She seemed to like them quite a bit.

 

Russell smiled and released his magic. It was the magic force field he had deployed when he fought Kai. This would block any shock or sound.

 

After deploying the magic force field, Russell took out the red orb from his coat. Inside, blood-like magic swirled. . .

 

He had already thought about how to deal with this. His eyes began to glow.

 

At the same time, Russell concentrated his magic on his fingertips and then slashed his palm. Blood flowed out from the vein, and he squeezed the orb with his bleeding palm.

 

He began to absorb blood and magic. A much larger amount than he had expected flowed in.

 

The red orb soon grew into a fetus. It was a very small fetus, but it grew at an incredible rate as Russell’s blood and magic entered it.

 

The process that should have taken place over several weeks or months in a pregnant woman’s womb unfolded right before his eyes. The head grew larger, the arms and legs grew longer, and the fetus grew rapidly, soon surpassing a newborn baby.

 

It was as if he was fast-forwarding the process of human creation. Russell’s face paled as his blood drained, yet he did not stop.

 

The process was complete. A woman with black hair and alabaster skin was floating in front of him. Her age seemed to be somewhere between a girl and an adult.

 

The woman then opened her eyes. Crimson eyes, with a faint purple tint, slowly looked at Russell.

 

Confusion and surprise were evident in her eyes.

 

” . . . . . .You?”

 

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