Chapter 491: Guardians of the Marquisate

The guardians of the Van Dyne Marquisate.

Among those who knew of their presence, three mysterious guests were quietly described by that title.

They were dragonfolk whom Ragune had asked to help treat Aeris’s injured leg.

The first was Maria, who possessed [True Saint].

The second was Jin, who possessed [Sky-Soaring Dragon Knight].

The third was Slane, who possessed [Divine Mage].

All three had belonged to the elite force that fulfilled the dragonfolk’s long-held dream of conquering the Dungeon of Beginnings. By ordinary adventurer standards, each was a legendary warrior equivalent to the exceedingly rare S rank.

They also shared an enormous debt to Tauro. Because Aeris was precious to their benefactor, she was someone they would protect without hesitation.

Maria hadn’t merely healed Aeris; she had also subjected her to relentless training.

Again and again, she drove Aeris beyond her limits and brought her to the brink of death, causing her abilities to grow far beyond what anyone had once imagined possible.

Aeris had become Maria’s treasured disciple. Maria also regarded her as the beloved of the great benefactor to whom she owed so much and treated her accordingly.

Jin had likewise grown fond of Aeris. Any human capable of surviving Maria’s hellish training had earned his respect, and he was perfectly willing to protect her family and territory.

The same was true of Slane, who had helped Maria teach Aeris magic and had become attached to his pupil.

Above all, the three believed Aeris to be their great benefactor’s beloved.

Dragonfolk never forgot a debt, and what they owed Tauro couldn’t be repaid through any ordinary gesture. Unable to compensate him directly, they extended their gratitude to his companions and friends. That was why they had pledged to remain as guardians of House Van Dyne.

Tauro and his companions arrived through [Dimensional Corridor].

The three guardians sensed an intrusion immediately, but relaxed when they recognized Ragune’s [Dimensional Corridor].

The Van Dyne Marquisate was protected by a vast barrier maintained by Slane and Maria. Its defenses were extraordinarily difficult to penetrate.

Any unfamiliar intrusion would therefore have placed the territory on immediate alert.

Maria’s [True Blessing] had also purified the land and bestowed divine favor upon it. The territory was expected to remain fertile for at least a century.

“Welcome, everyone. Welcome home, Aeris. I assume you require our help?”

Maria appeared to understand the situation before anyone explained it.

“There’s something I need to ask you, Maria-san.”

“Is it about the faint trace of disturbing magic clinging to your bodies?”

Maria had already detected the residue.

“As expected of you. We’re presently visiting the Halagoura Marquisate, and its territorial capital is enveloped in that unsettling power. The city appears to be prospering because of it, but none of us could escape the feeling that something was wrong.”

“The trace is too faint for certainty, but I can sense the remnants of advanced sorcery. If the city’s prosperity is truly connected to it, then perhaps that prosperity rests upon some form of sacrifice.”

Slane offered his assessment.

“Yes. I also sense high-level cursecraft, just as Slane does.”

Maria nodded.

“Zion and I believe they may be drawing magical power from outside the territory and redirecting it into the city.”

Aeris explained the impression she and Zion had formed.

“That may be a forbidden art.”

Jin, who had listened in silence, finally spoke.

He continued.

“Humans are forbidden from touching that domain of magic. Worse still, only someone with a Saint-type ability can perceive it. Even among the dragonfolk, those without a Saint-type class would fail to recognize it.”

Jin frowned at the thought that such a forbidden spell had escaped even the dragonfolk’s notice.

“Then it really is dangerous. Maria-san, I can’t handle this alone. Will you lend me your strength?”

Aeris asked her master for help.

“Of course. But before that, Aeris, may I ask you something?”

Maria beckoned her closer.

“What is it?”

Aeris approached.

“Would you remove your necklace for a moment?”

Maria indicated the Black-Gold Wings pendant around Aeris’s neck.

“All right.”

Although puzzled by Maria’s serious expression, Aeris obeyed.

“Just as I thought.”

Maria smiled.

“What?”

Aeris had no idea what Maria had discovered.

“Aeris, you have acquired [Saint].”

“““““What!?”””””

Tauro and everyone else cried out at once.

“Now that you mention it… when I acquired [Longevity]…”

Tauro suddenly recalled the Voice of the World after his battle with the Imperial soldiers.

One of the conditions fulfilled at that time had been the title <Savior of the Saints>.

He had assumed the plural referred to Maria and Matilda, both of whom he had helped in the past. Yet Aeris had been the Saint beside him during that battle.

Tauro didn’t know precisely how the condition counted the Saints he had saved, but Aeris’s newly revealed class made the wording much easier to understand.

“Tauro-dono, did you truly acquire [Longevity]?”

Slane stared at him in disbelief.

Although Aeris’s awakening had been the subject of the discussion, Tauro’s casual remark immediately diverted everyone’s attention.

“Yes. I assumed it simply extended my lifespan.”

Tauro was puzzled by their reaction.

“It does affect lifespan, but [Longevity] also grants immunity to disease. Even dragonfolk and elves can’t avoid every illness. It’s an exceedingly rare ability. Among all the dragonfolk, only Chief Ryuga possesses it.”

Slane’s explanation finally made Tauro understand the value of his new ability. Beside him, Aeris could only smile awkwardly, still struggling to comprehend that she had become a [Saint].