The cold wind outside the tent carried the biting chill unique to the borderlands, stirring the strands of hair across Vis’s forehead.
Lortisa’s questioning was like a tightly drawn string.
Though her expression was so indifferent it was hard to read, there was a subtle sense that she was actually angry.
Vis looked at the girl before him, her emerald eyes clearly reflecting his own image.
He fell silent for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, or perhaps weighing how to speak.
“This is necessary.”
He took a slight breath and finally spoke.
(I can’t exactly say it’s to boost my performance stats, right? Aside from that huge pile of Willpower Points, the Count promised a reward afterward. No matter how you calculate it, this deal isn’t a loss…)
He had the math all figured out.
As for risk, that was a non-issue.
In the past, for any commissions, he had always faced the danger alone, venturing into the Blight alone without any reliable companions.
Now, although he was to act as bait to lure out the disaster source, this operation was backed by the border army’s elite forces.
Compared to his previous circumstances, the difficulty was almost at a toddler-bus-level main quest—MD’s newbie welfare was arriving quite late.
Moreover, confirming whether the equipment components of the were present, plus the person-finding commission, meant returning to Quiet Sun Town was unavoidable. Clearing the Blight was a matter of when, not if.
Vis met Lortisa’s gaze, his expression growing much more sincere:
“The Soul Devourer is ultimately a menace if left unchecked. Eliminating it is imperative. And besides, didn’t I say you’d be going with the army to help clear the Blight? I’ll definitely assist and do my part… It just so happens there’s something I can do. Heh heh…”
It was a casually accommodating remark, but it struck a chord deep within Lortisa’s heart.
Though she had many questions and doubts, all of that misunderstanding was instantly caught in her throat, melting into a single sigh of relief.
(Yeah… he’s always been that kind of person…)
Not only would he accept others’ requests no matter what,
But any promise he made, even those uttered casually, he would remember and act upon.
More importantly, he, like her,
Had endured the Blight…
No, rather, as a mercenary, he had witnessed far more tragedies wrought by disasters.
That was why he willingly took on the responsibility of cooperating in disaster eradication and promised to help.
His kindness was not for himself, but to protect more people…
That was the kind of person he was.
Stubborn, and selfless to a heart-wrenching degree.
In those emerald eyes, the flame of confusion and anxiety was slowly covered over by a more complex emotion, finally settling into a clear and resigned calm.
Lortisa’s tightly clenched fists gradually relaxed, and she nodded quietly.
“I understand.”
After a moment, she raised her head, her gaze becoming resolute once more—sharper even than before.
“I will ensure your safety.”
Her voice was low but carried an undeniable weight.
Beneath what sounded like a simple statement of fact lay a determination firmer than any will.
—If he insists on doing this, then I will see it through with him.
The operation to lure out the disaster source was scheduled for the third day.
After further detailed planning and approval from the Count, each military unit had been assigned precise roles.
By the time the magical array to activate the Blight bait was set, it was already afternoon.
Accompanying the action troops as they arrived early to scout the designated location, Vis saw for the first time a fairly large-scale magical array.
A broad, flat slope had been cleared in the forest, on which several layers of magic circles were drawn using crushed crystal fragments as pigment, mixed with scorched earth from the Blight zone.
The bizarre, twisted patterns alone were enough to unsettle the mind—like a visual uncanny valley for runes, triggering an instinctual repulsion before one could even begin to understand them.
“Is there a problem?” Lortisa suddenly asked from behind.
For some reason, the captain of the soldiers, despite stomping in heavy boots, made no noise at all—her movements felt like a gentle breeze.
“Ah, n-no, it’s just… large-scale magic is rare, so it’s kind of fascinating.”
Vis wiped his brow, relieved he hadn’t broken out in a cold sweat.
Though magic and spiritual energy existed in this world, not everyone could use them freely.
Much like a natural talent, only those with an affinity for magic could learn and wield it. That immediately screened out many ordinary people.
On top of that, practicing and researching magic was often tied to family lineage, so mages and sorcerers were mostly hereditary.
In a way, it was like owning a yacht—if your family didn’t have one at birth, chances were slim you ever would.
Large-scale magic required even more resources to learn and perform, and was subject to military regulation, so commoners rarely got to witness it firsthand.
“Well, Tisa’s probably used to it by now. Sorry for making you see something so odd…”
“No, I’ve rarely seen it either.”
Lortisa’s gaze drifted toward the magical site, as if recalling something.
Vis was surprised:
“The vanguard units are the border army’s elite troops. Don’t they ever coordinate with large-scale magic in combat?”
“No need. Though the soldiers rely on their own magical self-enhancement, they don’t require extra magical support.”
Lortisa shook her head coolly, almost instinctively raising a hand and clenching her fist as she added,
“Superfluous.”
Vis let out a dry chuckle.
For the kingdom’s strongest captain of soldiers, who could send the Soul Devourer fleeing with a single punch, that was indeed superfluous.
“Oh, by the way, has your unit’s deployment been completed? The operation is imminent. Following me around like this… I hope it won’t delay your actual duties?”
Vis asked sheepishly.
“I’m not in command. That’s usually Karin’s responsibility.”
Listening to Lortisa’s casual tone, the image of that broad-faced, burly female warrior immediately popped into Vis’s mind.
Anyone unfamiliar would have trouble distinguishing which was the real powerhouse—the fully armored, heavily equipped female soldier or the lightly armored girl.
Thinking that, he instinctively looked over at Lortisa.
“Tisa, are you really going to go into battle dressed like that? I’ve seen other captains wear much more protective gear, fully equipped.”
Just like that night in Quiet Sun Town, the cyan light armor she wore barely covered anything—it looked more decorative than defensive.
Beneath it was simply the military uniform designed for combat mobility, offering no real protection.
Her forearms were left entirely exposed, covered only by vambraces and wrist guards.
“Armor is useless.”
Lortisa’s cold voice carried a rare trace of helplessness.
“It can’t withstand the force of an explosion. It breaks before it can protect you. Better not to wear it at all.”