104 – 45. How to Prevent a Sudden Action
“She collapsed?”
At the mention of her collapse, Ian’s eyebrows shot up.
As someone of age, it’s natural to take such incidents of losing consciousness more seriously. But it had been happening for the past few days.
‘If she collapsed because of a slight illness, just calling a priest would have solved the issue. But it’s been going on for days.’
If that’s the case, it could mean the situation is somewhat serious. Especially if the mistress of the Volkhanov, a countess, is not recovering; she might be suffering from a severe illness.
“Do you happen to know the reason? It’s not common for someone to collapse suddenly.”
“We tried to find out somehow, but… according to the priests, they couldn’t determine the cause.”
“It’s not a simple fainting spell, then.”
Ian’s forehead wrinkled as he continued walking. Shulkin cautiously offered his opinion.
“Wouldn’t it be a good idea for you to go and see?”
‘Go and see, huh…’
Even if her condition won’t improve, seeing her face at least once might be a good idea. It would appear worrying, like hearing news that your mother is unwell.
‘If I go, things might change. If it’s a problem with her body, using healing magic might help.’
However, didn’t Shulkin already mention it? The priests came and examined, but they couldn’t find the cause.
At least it’s not a problem with his body.
If that’s the case, the only thing Ian could do to fulfill his duty as a son was to go see his mother.
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Knowing this, Shulkin must have suggested it cautiously.
“At least for now… It’s not the right time to meet.”
But Ian had no intention of meeting Leticia right now.
He didn’t want to waste time on something meaningless, and meeting her wouldn’t be pleasant in the current situation where they couldn’t resolve their misunderstandings.
“Alright. Let’s go report first.”
“Understood.”
Following Shulkin’s guidance, Ian walked while looking out the window with a suffocating feeling.
If he looked at the vast sky, maybe his mood would improve. Thinking so, he shifted his gaze. However, what caught Ian’s eyes was something else.
“Is that red-haired person Haley? The woman in front seems to be Ariel.”
They were both probably here to train, standing in the training ground.
Although she was the instructor of Ark, she also had the responsibility to oversee Ariel’s education as a swordmaster.
“She seemed to have severe injuries back then… Is she starting sword training right after recovery?”
He nodded, impressed by the thought.
“It felt like our eyes met just now.”
Her gaze, which was initially directed at Ariel, suddenly turned towards Ian for a moment.
He wondered if she noticed he was looking down, but he decided not to dwell on it too much.
“It’s probably just a coincidence.”
“Excuse me? What are you talking about?”
“Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself. There’s a lot to take care of, so I need to get going.”
She, busy teaching her disciple, wouldn’t bother looking at him.
With that in mind, Ian shifted his gaze and started walking.
***
‘I tried to be reasonable in packing… Is it too much?’
Recalling the items he packed from the report, Ian let out a bitter laugh.
Considering it was a figure scheduled for confrontation, it might have been okay. If it were at the level of just obtaining permission, he might have suggested putting half of it on the road to Shulkin.
Just imagining such a scene made him burst into laughter.
‘But what can I do? Ariel is that important.’
In the report containing Volkanov’s history, there were mostly items with outstanding historical value. Still, there were also plenty of equipment and accessories worthy of coming out of Hidden Peace.
In a situation where treasures were scattered all around, ordinary people would usually look around, wondering if there was anything useful for them.
Ian, on the other hand, immediately set out to find items for Ariel.
‘Exactly, I found items that would enhance Ariel’s defense and survival against Lucifer’s attacks.’
Starting with the robe made by Elects Volkanov for his frail wife, then a full set of armor made using Earth Drake’s scales, and even a ring infused with the power of the Spirit called “Godesin.”
Of course, he also packed plenty of other items useful for Ariel.
It would easily take at least 20 minutes just to move them using mana.
It might look like he’s showing off, but… Ian had no choice.
‘What else can I do if I don’t do it like this?’
Ariel, the hero, was specialized in dealing with demons. However, there was one drawback.
It was a tendency to charge forward recklessly.
‘I’ve experienced it in the original work… and according to the records I’ve seen after actually defeating the demons, many times we ended up in trouble due to that impulsive action.’
Saying this might make charging seem like a bad behavior.
In reality, charging is not a bad thing.
What is the role of a warrior? Isn’t it to buy time while archers and wizards in the rear prepare powerful attacks?
When rushing quickly into the enemy lines and starting to disrupt, the enemy’s attacks will be directed towards the warrior, and in that case, it was an excellent situation for those in the rear.
‘Yes, charging is not wrong. The problem is charging without any coordination.’
Ariel’s problem is not ‘charging’ but ‘impulsive actions.’
It was crucial not to forget the difference between the two.
‘The best would be to communicate well and make judgments according to the situation, but it’s already too late for that.’
Ariel stopped thinking for herself and wondered if she should rely on the judgment of someone like Ian, who could read the situation.
If it were that easy, there would be no reason to regress to this extent.
‘Suppose I tell Ariel what to do. Even if it’s tough, she should somehow manage. But at least, in the warrior position, she should be able to play the vanguard role.’
As Ariel thought about what she needed to improve, her head began to ache.
No matter how much she thought about it, her problem was that her physical abilities couldn’t keep up with extraordinary martial prowess.
‘If Ariel had the durability to withstand enemy attacks without a problem, even if she charged recklessly, it wouldn’t be an issue.’
Why is an 8-ton truck with a malfunctioning handle so frightening?
It charges like it’s gone wild, but is it because there’s no way to stop it?
But what if, upon closer inspection, the truck was made of cardboard?
‘If it becomes useless after a few hits, I can’t ask it to enter the enemy lines…’
The truck made from corn husks wouldn’t be scary even if the handle or engine broke down; it would bring laughter instead.
In that moment, Ian made a decision. He would replace his fragile body, like corn husks, with a steel frame.
“I don’t have the luxury to command Ariel when I have to face Lucifer, who is stronger than Satan. And I won’t be able to prevent impulsive actions. So, the key is to make the enemy feel fear from our charge.”
What if the warrior with the holy sword charges into the enemy lines but can’t kill them no matter how hard he strikes? It would be a disaster for the demons.
“Moreover, the holy sword is the only weapon that can kill Lucifer. I have to stay alive no matter what.”
Of course, since the focus is on defense and survival, it will be difficult to maintain the same level of aggression as before. Ian decided not to worry about that point.
“Attack? It’s fine. Ariel doesn’t have to do anything. I just need to stay alive until the end and plunge a knife into Lucifer’s heart.”
If there’s a lack of attack power, it can be compensated with something else.
In the first place, Ian Volkano, the human he was created as, was meant to be a collaborator to make up for Ariel’s shortcomings.
Naturally, he had already prepared himself for that.
“And this time, it won’t be just Ariel and me fighting.”
During the battle with Satan, Ian gradually began to feel his limits.
That’s why in this final battle, he planned to use all the available forces.
“All the heroes who received the prophecy, of course… and those who are connected by fate.”
There’s Eri and Igor to start with, and also Bianca and Reina, who recently formed a bond.
Is that all? If a threat were to arise on the continent, the powerful individuals of the empire, who were sleeping, would also reveal themselves.
“Even if our prime has passed and we’ve weakened… it should be enough to make up for Ariel’s shortcomings.”
Starting with Duke Bernokia, who killed the dragon, and even his father, who woke up from a comatose state.
In addition, the powerful individuals hiding on the continent would gradually show themselves.
There would be no reason to enhance Ariel’s attack power in that moment.
“Of course, I couldn’t help but grab one for myself since it would be a shame to just take Ariel’s.”
Ian, with a sly smile, looked at the ring on his left ring finger.
The Ring of Infinity. An item known to belong to a sage wandering the distant lands of the ancient continent.
Despite its name suggesting an increase in mana, it wasn’t quite like that.
“More like an inventory function… a ring with the ability to store items.”
It was an item he picked up because it would be difficult to carry all the things Ariel had.
Certainly, even after moving, it could be used abundantly.
“I thought it was limitless when they called it ‘Infinite,’ but that wasn’t the case.”
It was regrettable, but he had no intention of diminishing the value of this item.
Having an inventory. What a wonderful thing it would be!
It wasn’t just about storing items in the ring to carry them around.
“The items inside this ring won’t be visible to other people.”
If he utilized that feature, he could create variables even in battles.
Of course, if it were an item in a game, there might be other uses. Unfortunately, this was Ian’s first time encountering such a method, so he had no knowledge beyond discovering it himself.
“Still, they probably didn’t name it the Ring of Infinity for nothing… There must be some hidden intent.”
He didn’t know it now, but he wouldn’t be too late to find out gradually.
With that thought, Ian once again moved his footsteps.
“Now, all that’s left is to deliver this item to Ariel.”
When he last saw her, she seemed to be training. She might not be absent from the room now.
“In that case, maybe it’s better to tell a nearby maid that it’s a gift from me and leave it for her?”
If it’s a gift, I think it’s polite to give it in person. But there’s no need to go that far with formality.
Originally, it’s not even a gift to celebrate like a birthday present….
‘If Ariel sees my face, she’ll feel embarrassed, so I’ll just leave it.’
After making the decision, I lifted my head. Ian was already in front of Ariel’s door.
Since there’s probably no one inside, Ian, skipping the knock, cautiously opened the door.
“Oh, oppa….”
“Ariel? Why are you here….”
“This is my room, isn’t it?”
“Well, it is, but….”
‘What’s going on? Why is my sister, who should be practicing swordsmanship with Hailey by now, here?’
Ian widened his eyes at the sight of his sister sitting on the bed.