Chapter 491: The Guardians of the Marquisate
The guardians of the Van Dyne Marquisate.
Among those in the know, three individuals were quietly regarded as such.
These three individuals, mysterious figures welcomed as guest by the marquis’s daughter, Aeris, were none other than members of the Dragon people race. They veterans whom Ragune had asked for help in treating Aeris’s injured leg.
One of them is Maria, bearer of the True Saint Skill.
The second was Jin, who possessed the Sky Dragon Knight Skill.
The third was Slane, wielder of the Heavenly Mage Skill.
All three were former members of the elite group that had once conquered the dungeon—an achievement that was the long-held dream of the Dragon people tribe. In terms of adventurer rankings, they were legendary figures equivalent to the rare and elusive S-rank.
What these three all had in common was they owed a life debt to Tauro. And because Aeris was a precious companion to him, she became someone they would protect without hesitation.
So the True Saint Maria not only healed Aeris, but also rigorously trained her.
She pushed Aeris past her limits again and again, forcing her to brush with death multiple times—allowing her abilities to grow far beyond what was once thought possible.
To Maria, Aeris had become a precious disciple. And more than that, she saw her as the beloved of her great benefactor, and treated her accordingly.
Jin, the Sky Dragon Knight, was also fond of Aeris, though she was human but had survived Maria’s hellish training. So he too had no qualms about protecting her family and their territory.
The same was true for Slane, the Heavenly Mage. He had helped teach Aeris magic alongside Maria and had grown fond of her as well.
But most of all—it was because she was the lover of the one who had done them an unimaginable favor.
The Dragon people never forget a debt. And the favor they owed Tauro was so great it couldn’t be repaid by any ordinary means. Since that was the case, the three of them felt the need to give back and extended their gratitude to his companions and friends. That’s why the three had pledged to continue protecting the Marquis Vandyne family as their guardians.
Tauro and the others arrive there through the “Dimensional Corridor.”
The three sensed the presence of intruders right away—but when they realized it was Ragune’s “Dimensional Corridor,” they lowered their guard.
Naturally, the entire territory of Marquis Vandyne was under a great barrier spell cast by Slane, the Heavenly Mage, and Maria, the True Saint. The defenses were impenetrable.
so the area was on full alert.
And thanks to the True Blessing of the True Saint, the land had been purified and gifted with divine favor from above. It was expected to remain a bountiful region for at least a hundred years.
“Welcome, everyone. And welcome back, Aeris. I take it you need us?”
Maria, the True Saint, seemed to sense something and asked knowingly.
“There’s something I want to ask you, Maria-san.”
“Is it about the faint trace of unsettling magic lingering on your bodies?”
Maria had already perceived it before the matter was even brought up.
“As expected of you, Maria. Yes—it’s about that. We are currently visiting the Haragura Marquisate, and the capital city there is shrouded with that unsettling magic. The city seems to be thriving because of it, but… we couldn’t help but feel something was wrong.”
“Hmm. The trace is faint, so I can’t be entirely sure—but I sense remnants of advanced sorcery. You said the city is thriving because of that magic? Then perhaps… it is built on some kind of sacrifice.”
Slane, the Heavenly Mage, responded on behalf of Maria.
“Yes. As Slane pointed out, I can also sense high-level cursecraft at work.”
Maria nodded.
“Zion and I suspect that they’re gathering magic from outside the region and redirecting it into the city…”
Aeris shared her impression with her mentors.
“…That might be a forbidden type of spell.”
Jin, the Sky Dragon Knight, had been listening in silence, but now he spoke for the first time.
He continued:
“It is considered taboo for a human to touch that realm. But the worst part is that only someone with a saint-type ability can even perceive it. Even among the Dragon people, only saint-type ability users can recognize it.”
Jin frowned at the idea that a forbidden spell had slipped past even the Dragon people’s watchful eyes.
“So… it really is dangerous. Maria-san, I can’t handle this on my own. Will you lend me your strength?”
Aeris asked her master, the True Saint Maria, for help.
“Of course I will. …By the way, Aeris—may I ask you something?”
The True Saint Maria agreed to help, then motioned Airis over.
“Hm?”
Aeris walked closer to the True Saint Maria..
“Could you take off your necklace for a moment?”
Maria gestured toward the necklace—Aeris’s proof of membership in the ‘Black-Golden Wings’, urging her to remove it.
“…Alright.”
Aeris obediently did as the solemn-faced True Saint Maria asked.
“I knew it.”
Maria smiled.
“Huh?”
Aeris looked confused, not knowing what was going on.
“Aeris, you’ve gained a new skill: Saint.”
“““““Whaaat!?”””””
Everyone, including Tauro, cried out in surprise at the unexpected news.
“Oh… now that you mention it—back when I learned the “Longevity” skill…”
Tauro suddenly recalled the time when he had acquired the skill “Longevity” after fighting the Imperial soldiers.
The conditions for learning it had included the phrase: “He who saves the Saints.” (*See chapter 473*)
At the time, I had assumed that it was referring to the Dragon Maiden Saint or Saint Matilda, since I’ve saved them both, but thinking back, Aeris was the only one who was beside me at the time.
He didn’t know exactly how many “saints” the term implied, but it made sense now—Aeris had been the catalyst for gaining that ability.
“Tauro-dono, did you actually acquire the ability ‘Longevity’?!”
Slane, the Heavenly Mage, asked in disbelief.
Although the current topic was Aeris awakening her Saint skill, Tauro’s words had shifted the discussion.
“Yes. I figured it just meant my lifespan will be extended, right?”
Tauro replied, a little puzzled by their surprise.
“It’s true that ‘longevity’ is related to one’s lifespan—but it also makes you immune to diseases. Even for us Dragon People or elves, illness is something we can’t completely avoid. It’s a very rare ability. In fact, among the Dragonkin, the only one who possesses ‘longevity’ is the tribe leader, Ryuuga-sama.”
Thanks to Slane’s explanation, Tauro came to better understand the value of his newfound ability. Meanwhile, beside him, Aeris—now labeled a ‘Saint’—could only smile wryly in her confusion.