Chapter 812

Chapter 812
Ghislain bowed his head a fraction.
“My name is Astion. I am deeply grateful for your assistance.”
Derknain gave a faint smirk and took a seat on the chair positioned next to the cot.
“The gratitude should be mine. If you hadn’t managed to breach the Veil at that final second, the Saintess’s miracle would have been impossible.”
“It was merely good fortune.”
Derknain scrutinized Ghislain closely for a long beat before questioning him.
“Curious. You ought to have recovered by this point…… is there something wrong?”
Being a dragon, Derknain perceived immediately that Ghislain’s physical state was fractured.
Ghislain merely gave a casual shrug, dismissing the concern.
“I just pushed myself too far. It is a recurring side effect of the specific technique I employ.”
“I see……”
“Moving on, are you unharmed, Lord Derknain? I sensed the Adversary’s corruption taking a deep hold within you.”
Dragons were defined by their immense pride. Hearing this, Derknain’s brow twitched with annoyance.
“Who do you think I am? It was a stubborn infection, but I have already purged every trace of it.”
“That is good to hear. In that case, may I ask you a few things?”
Ghislain shifted the conversation smoothly. Derknain’s smile returned.
“As Lord said, you are quite the silver-tongued one. Very well, proceed.”
“How were you able to locate us?”
“I did not know your location.”
“So it was just a chance encounter?”
“Correct. I was traveling to execute two directives from Lord when I caught the scent of that malice and stepped in at once.”
Ghislain gave a small nod. It truly was luck. A perfect bit of timing that brought him there exactly when the Adversary manifested.
“What were your directives?”
“The first was the protection of the Saintess.”
“From the Pope’s actions?”
“Yes. My task was to assist you in swaying him, and should the Pope remain intent on her execution, I was to ensure her safety.”
“I was under the impression that dragons were barred from papal interference due to the Pact. Could you have actually defended her?”
With an expressionless face, Derknain answered,
“Had the Pope refused to back down, I intended to slay him then and there.”
“……Wouldn’t the Pact have claimed your life as well?”
“I am aware. Lord dispatched me with that understanding.”
“……I see.”
“The Saintess is worth the sacrifice. From this moment forward, we dragons will put our lives on the line for her.”
Hearing that, Ghislain felt a smile tugging at his lips.
A girl who had started as an obscure priestess from the countryside had transformed into the world’s most vital figure. Having traveled alongside her, Ghislain couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
“You mentioned two directives. What was the second?”
Derknain opened a rift in space and pulled out a small trunk.
“Accept this.”
“What is it?”
“A Dragon Heart.”
Ghislain’s eyes widened in shock. He had never anticipated receiving a treasure of this magnitude.
Derknain spoke with a hint of lingering irritation.
“View this as a supreme honor. To be granted the heart of a great dragon is rare. It appears Lord intends to see you grow even more powerful.”
“Thank you.”
Ghislain beamed. To be honest, he had been concerned about how Astion would fare once he was gone.
Astion possessed undeniable genius. By staying close to Ghislain, he had acquired vast intelligence and a sturdy physique.
However, he lacked the seasoned edge of the others. He had never truly put his life on the line to break through to a new level. He was prone to complaining and his mental fortitude was shaky. At his current pace, he would eventually fall behind.
But a Dragon Heart changed everything.
He was already in possession of a 9th-circle grimoire. He just needed the time to digest it. The mana from the Dragon Heart would drastically accelerate that evolution.
As Ghislain reached for the trunk, Derknain suddenly caught him by the wrist.
the dragon’s intense gaze searched his own.
“No matter how I analyze it, you are in no state to utilize this Dragon Heart. Tell me truthfully, what is happening to your body?”
Even for a dragon, it was difficult to see that the soul and the physical vessel were misaligned. Such a phenomenon fell outside their vast experience.
Ghislain gently pulled his arm away and stored the chest in his own subspace.
“There is no issue. Like I told you, my recovery just takes an extended period due to my specific magic.”
“If you stay in this condition, I will take the Dragon Heart back. We won’t leave such a relic with someone who cannot even wield it.”
“You needn’t fret. I will get better.”
Observing Ghislain’s solemn look, Derknain didn’t push further. However, he made it clear that if their paths crossed again and Ghislain remained weak, he would reclaim the gift.
Letting go, Derknain asked,
“My work here is finished. What are your plans?”
“I understand a new Pope is being chosen.”
“Yes. Though he will never hold the power of his predecessor. The hearts of humanity will now gravitate toward the Saintess.”
“Once that is settled, we will reform the Allied Forces and begin the campaign against the Demonic Realm.”
“Do not tarry. Even as we speak, the conflict near the Demonic Realm is escalating.”
No human kingdom shared a direct border with the Demonic Realm. It was walled off by massive stretches of wasteland. Only after traversing those barrens could one reach human territory.
The frontier kingdoms had committed every soldier they had to maintain a gargantuan defensive perimeter across that waste. Within those lines, dragons were currently engaged with the Rift-spawn emerging from the dark.
But the dragons were few. Regardless of their power, they couldn’t hold back every Rift creature alone.
It was only through the massive defensive walls manned by the nearby nations that the stray monsters were kept at bay.
Ghislain was well aware of the situation.
“Understood. We will make our preparations as fast as possible.”
The reason Derknain chose to consult Ghislain rather than the high-ranking generals of the Empire was simple. He recognized that Astion was the strategist who had guided the Saintess and the Julien Mercenary Corps to this victory.
Furthermore, Lord had instructed him specifically—discuss the future with Astion.
With his mission complete, Derknain stood up.
“I shall take my leave. See that you recover quickly.”
He then walked out of the Great Sanctuary.
A multitude of Imperial elites were desperate for an audience with the dragon, but Derknain ignored every plea.
With a massive sound, he shifted back into his draconic form and took to the skies. The citizens of the capital cheered once more, bolstered by the belief that the dragons were their guardians.
Derknain set his course back toward the Demonic Realm. He needed to provide a full report to Lord regarding the events that had unfolded.
“……Hmm?”
He frowned for a second.
A sharp, faint twitch echoed in his mind.
A dragon suffering from a headache—it was an impossible notion. He brushed it off easily.
“It seems the battle has left me a bit on edge.”
Assuming it was just a fleeting sensation, he beat his massive wings and surged forward.

—

Imperial officials and nobles visited Ghislain’s room day after day.
They were perfectly aware of who held the real influence now. However, approaching the Saintess directly was an intimidating prospect.
Furthermore, the Saintess was not the type to be influenced by gifts or flattery.
Consequently, they focused their attention on the Julien Mercenary Corps, who served as her inner circle—effectively her elite guard.
Among them, Ghislain—the one rumored to be the true architect behind the corps—received the most attention.
Because of his exhaustion, Ghislain didn’t see everyone. He limited the number of visitors and only appeared for a short duration.
He had two specific reasons for enduring these meetings despite his fatigue.
First, he needed to solidify ties with the aristocracy so the Julien Mercenary Corps would have a stable foundation after he moved on.
Second…… he needed to raise capital for the corps.
“Ho ho, these medicinal herbs are of the highest quality.”
“This is a rare piece crafted by the Empire’s most renowned smith.”
“I have heard that wizards require a constant supply of runestones.”
Every aristocrat who arrived brought a tribute. Ghislain accepted everything without exception.
He even maintained a record, noting down the names of the donors and their specific gifts. It was a practical habit he had picked up from Belinda.
The gifts began to pile up in his room. Yet, Ghislain wasn’t entirely impressed.
“Tsk, these Imperial nobles are quite stingy.”
The Empire was massive and wealthy, but as a religious state, the culture favored modesty.
Even those who were greedy in the shadows couldn’t display their riches too openly.
In the end, these were just personal gifts. They were expensive, but they weren’t enough to truly satisfy Ghislain’s goals.
He had once been the wealthiest individual on the continent. Even in this life, money wasn’t a major issue—he had the revenue from the Raks gold mines and territories.
Regardless, every bit helped the overall budget.
So, Ghislain slowly expanded the number of meetings and continued to collect the tributes.
One afternoon, a particularly young boy came to visit.
A servant nearby leaned in and whispered to Ghislain.
“That is Young Lord Lucian, the youngest son of Duke Stauffen.”
“Really? Is that so?”
Duke Stauffen, the head of the Imperial Army, was a man of immense influence. He had played a vital role in the struggle against the Adversary.
Knowing his son was here made Ghislain curious.
The maid provided a quick summary of Lucian.
“He is rumored to be a genius. Every magic academy in the Empire wants him. The Duke was supposed to accompany him…… but it seems the young lord hurried here on his own.”
“I see.”
Coming from such a prestigious family, his potential was likely significant.
Ghislain welcomed Lucian warmly and inquired,
“So, what present did you bri— I mean, what brings you to my door?”
Lucian paused, then balled his hands into fists, looking determined.
“I have…… a plea, Sir Astion.”
“And what is that?”
“Please…… allow me to be your student! I want to be a master of magic just like you, Sir Astion!”
Lucian squeezed his eyes shut and spoke with passion.
His sincerity was charming, and Ghislain couldn’t help but smile.
“A student, you say……”
He already possessed a student.
The one individual to whom he had passed on his skills with the utmost precision.
“Arel.”
Thinking of Arel caused Ghislain’s smile to soften.
“I hope you’re doing well.”
Of all the people Ghislain had ever known, Arel had the most unwavering character.
He always sought the righteous path, and that resolve was more impressive than any natural gift.
No matter how many local thugs tried to corrupt him, Arel remained steadfast.
It was because of that inner strength that Ghislain had chosen him. And since Arel, he had taken no one else.
One successor was enough to carry on his legacy.
In a soft tone, Ghislain replied,
“I’m afraid I must decline. I already have a student.”
“C-Could you not take another?”
“I take only one. Just one.”
At those words, Lucian looked absolutely devastated.
Ghislain felt a twinge of guilt, but he didn’t offer any false hope. Kindness without commitment would only lead to disappointment.
Besides, he was leaving soon and wouldn’t be able to provide instruction. He couldn’t take the boy on.
Just then, the doors swung open and Duke Stauffen entered, followed by his aides.
“My apologies. My son was so excited to meet you that he ran ahead.”
“It is no trouble. What brings Your Grace here?”
“Hmm? Has he not told you? My son should have explained.”
“Ah…… well……”
Before Ghislain could finish his sentence, the Duke’s men began carrying in massive wooden trunks.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
There were five large, heavy containers in total.
As Ghislain watched with growing interest, Duke Stauffen gave a nod.
The aides flipped open the lids, revealing they were overflowing with precious gems and gold.
Even Ghislain was taken aback by the sheer scale of the wealth.
“You’re…… offering this to me?”
“Naturally. One must show proper respect to the man who will mentor my son. I also have a personal debt of gratitude to you.”
Acting with the confidence of a high-ranking lord, Duke Stauffen didn’t even consider that Ghislain might say no.
He intended to provide a lavish gift. The Empire’s modest traditions meant nothing when power was involved.
Unfortunately, Ghislain had already given a very firm refusal.
Lucian turned to his father with a miserable expression.
“Father…… Sir Astion said he only ever takes one student. And he already has one……”
In that heartbeat, Ghislain leaped up and took Lucian by the hand.
“And that one is you.”
“……”
As Lucian stood there in total shock, Ghislain thought to himself,
“Well, it doesn’t matter—Astion can be the one to teach him from now on.”
And so, the next master of the “Single-Line Transmission” mage tower was chosen.