Chapter 203

Roan actually understood Andel.

If he were to hand over a black magic ring to the temple, claiming it was his father’s keepsake?

If he did that, Paladins would immediately storm into his house and cause a massive uproar.

They would question whether there was anything else hidden, and why such a thing was in the shop in the first place, and it would be a relief if they didn’t completely turn the shop upside down.

Putting aside whether he had any intention of selling it, in fact, ordinary shops in “God and Devil” tended to hide a few items like that.

‘To some extent, it was probably a consideration for black mage characters…’

At any rate, Espard was able to calm down slightly only after Roan and Sion had spent a good deal of time holding him back.

Although he was still huffing and puffing with a flushed face.

“You should know that you saved your life thanks to Roan and Sion! You two, buy whatever you have to buy quickly and come out. I don’t want to stay in this place any longer.”

He then stormed completely out of the shop.

“Heaaa…”

Andel collapsed onto the spot as if the strength had left his legs, letting out a deep sigh.

“Th-Thank you so much, students… I survived thanks to you.”

‘Come to think of it, it was actually my fault.’

Roan felt a prick of conscience.

Had he not opened the box just because he thought there might be something good, nearly causing a somewhat contemptible merchant to lose his life?

At any rate, since Andel was expressing gratitude, there was no need to point that out.

With a smile trembling at the corners of his mouth, Andel spoke to Roan and Sion.

“As a token of my gratitude, I won’t charge the two of you any money!”

“Ah.”

Sion let out a surprised sound.

Andel waved his hands and spoke once more.

“No, it’s fine. Even that is cheap compared to the price of my life.”

At that, Sion tilted her head.

“? I was only going to say thank you…”

“……Ahaha, I see!”

Andel, perhaps embarrassed, laughed even louder intentionally and nodded.

Roan looked at Sion warmly and spoke.

“Excellent.”

“Of course I didn’t do it hoping to get it for free!”

Sion blushed, thinking Roan’s praise was sarcastic.

“No, it is truly excellent.”

“??”

Naturally, Roan was sincere.

‘Making a living is already hard, so it’s only natural to take what is given!’

In any case, Roan and Sion gathered the items they had eyed earlier little by little and brought them to the counter.

Roan chose reagents that could be subtly used in both holy magic and black magic.

Sion chose simple holy marks and accessories that helped in casting holy spells.

Andel nodded and spoke.

“Both of you have great taste. As expected of students from Acherandir.”

While Andel was carefully packaging them,

Sliiiide—

Roan stealthily placed one more item on the counter.

““????””

Confirming what it was, Sion and Andel simultaneously opened their eyes wide and looked at Roan.

“Wh-Why this…?”

“Darc, this is…”

What Roan had brought was none other than the suspicious ring that had been in the box earlier!

Andel asked falteringly.

“Why does a student of Acherandir… need something like this?”

‘Well, because it looked good upon closer inspection.’

Naturally, he could not say this.

However, it was certain that the ring was an extraordinary object, enough to stimulate Roan’s instinct.

Because no matter how great Roan’s dark mana was, it was not common for an item to resonate on its own.

Hum—

Indeed, I think so too.

The False Divinity also agreed with that evaluation.

What about Ludiac?

Dark mana! Dark mana! Dark mana!

…It seemed there was no particular need to pay attention.

At any rate, Roan had already thought of a reason to take this ring.

“I intend to purify it myself.”

““!!!!””

At the calm yet resolute words, Sion and Andel were greatly surprised.

Purification.

It referred to a priest completely erasing the remnants of dark mana.

However, purifying dark mana that has already permeated an item is a significant burden even for a priest, so in most cases, they simply destroy it.

For this reason, there was a perception that purification is performed when an incredibly important item is contaminated, or when one wishes to make a noble sacrifice to willingly bear that burden.

“Darc! There’s no need to go that far for this ring. If we just ask the temple to destroy it…”

That was also the reason why Sion tried to stop Roan.

For purification, a priest must always keep the item by their side and gradually absorb the dark mana.

Since it was a ring, keeping it close would be easy, but it wasn’t about such issues.

In severe cases, it was a dangerous process that could lead to losing holy power or even death.

However, Roan spoke with a firm expression.

“Since an item containing dark mana was seen in my eyes… I cannot just pass it by. Finding this ring during our first external volunteer work must not be a mere coincidence.”

Grit—

An outstanding performance of even grinding his teeth once!

“Darc…”

“Young master…”

Sion and Andel, knowing nothing, had no choice but to fall completely for it.

The Darc family, which was destroyed by black magic.

For its descendant to decide to purify a black magic item…

was closer to a declaration rather than a simple statement.

Tears falling—

As Roan declared the noble sacrifice of purification, Sion and Andel shed tears without realizing it.

“Wahhh! Whenever you come to Gilsburg in the future, please stop by my shop anytime! Until you purify the ring, I will provide the items you need!”

It was to the point that Andel even shouted like this.

‘With this, Andel’s reform achievement has definitely been unlocked.’

Roan felt pleased for no reason when the effect turned out to be much greater than he had expected.

Bell, who had gone back into the backpack and watched the spectacle quietly, growled softly and spoke.

[You lie so well like this, so why…]

Just when it thought it understood him a little, the master showed a layout that was even more baffling.

In any case, Roan slipped the ring onto his finger and left the shop.

“Go safely! I will always support you!”

Andel saw them off enthusiastically, bowing deeply to his waist.

Because of students like that, the future of the Empire can always be bright and safe!

Naturally, it was a thought possible only because he was completely fooled by Roan’s acting.

Meanwhile, Espard, who was waiting outside, snorted upon seeing that.

“Hmph, that fellow also recognizes his lifesaver… Huh???!!??!”

He then felt the dark mana emanating from Roan’s body—specifically, his finger—and was shocked.

“R-Roan, are you in your right mind! Why are you wearing that sinister thing out! You too-kind brat, you were forced to buy it! I will immediately tear that bastard to shreds—”

“That’s not it, Saint!”

“Eh? Sion?”

However, as Sion stopped Espard while shedding tears, he had absolutely no idea what was going on.

Sion tried her best to hold back her tears and spoke to Espard.

“Darc, Darc decided to purify that ring himself!”

“What? Purification?”

Naturally, Espard was also surprised.

Roan nodded and spoke.

“I intend to bear all the black magic of this world on my shoulders.”

Roan spoke using a cleverly double-sided expression!

Even if he was revealed to be a black mage later, he could just excuse himself by saying he said he would bear it, not erase it.

…Although if his identity were exposed anyway, who would bother to argue over such details.

And Roan had a decisive blow prepared separately for Espard.

Tinkle—

Roan pulled the Bell of Eternity out of his pouch, looked at it fondly, and added a word.

“I believe the Bell of Eternity given by the Saint will help me.”

“You… you… Roan, you glorious child…!”

In an instant, tears welled up in Espard’s handsome eyes.

How could a sixteen-year-old already have such an admirable thought!

“Wahhh—! Roaaan!!!”

Ultimately unable to hold back his tears, Espard rushed to Roan and hugged him tightly.

“I’m sorry! Compared to you, I’ve only grown old in vain and am utterly foolish!”

Instead of thinking of purifying black magic as a Saint of the Empire, he had tried to kill the shop owner in a fit of temper!

Espard deeply reflected on his hasty and wrong behavior.

Because Roan possessed such a mindset, he even found the dark mana hidden by the shop owner!

“Waaa! Darc! I’m sorry too!”

Sion also wailed loudly beside him.

…She didn’t particularly have anything to be sorry for, but she just wanted to say she was sorry.

Since sensitive girls were easily swept away by the surrounding atmosphere.

─ What is up with those people?

─ Who knows… well, since they seem to be Acherandir people, they must have their reasons.

Although passing pedestrians whispered seeing the two wailing in the middle of the street, they passed by without paying much attention.

“Roan, I don’t know how fortunate it is that I gave you the Bell of Eternity! You are far better than I am!”

“That’s right! Darc is far better than the Saint!”

“What on earth…”

Roan looked in bewilderment at the two, who were blabbing out whatever came to their minds without even knowing what they were saying.

Still, since they had fallen completely for his words, there was no reason to point it out.

Espard, who had wept for a long time, checked the ring Roan was wearing.

“Let’s see. Purification is good, but if it is dangerous, it must be destroyed immediately…”

Roan quietly entrusted his hand to Espard.

Since he had decided to keep it anyway, Espard’s inspection was a gateway he had to pass through.

Swoooosh—

The ring Roan wore was boasting an energy significantly more intense than when seen in the shop.

From the outside, it looked for all the world like the attack of a sinister specter trying to assault a pure priest.

But the reality was…

‘Block it somehow! It would be strange if I absorb all of it already!’

Hum—

Leave it to me!

Roan and the False Divinity were blocking the energy that was trying to be absorbed immediately by Roan’s transcendental talent.

If compared to something, it was like trying to push away a large dog that was rushing at him while wagging its tail out of affection.

Of course, to do that, he almost completely covered the ring’s energy, making it look like a superb purification process.

At any rate, doing so allowed him to grasp a bit more about the ring’s true nature.

‘As expected, it was a good idea to bring it.’

An item that resonated with someone’s power was usually a growth-type.

This ring was the same.

…Of course, it grew instantly after accepting Roan as its master.

Roan had also vaguely noticed up to this point, but…

‘A circuit expansion effect. It was an unexpected jackpot.’

Surprisingly, the ring was a so-called circuit expansion item that increased Roan’s circuits.

It referred to an item that was itself another circuit, separate from the circuits inside the master’s body.

In other words, it meant that simple spells could be cast simultaneously—two at once—through this ring.

Espard, who was carefully examining the ring, nodded seriously, unaware of these circumstances.

“Hmm… you are holding up very well at this level. There won’t be a problem even if you wear it, but since we don’t know when it might run wild, you must exercise special caution. Sion, watch him closely.”

“Yes, I will guard it with my life!”

“……There’s no need to go as far as risking your life, is there?”

Roan asked reluctantly at the overly heated atmosphere.

Risking her life to purify a single ring as a Saintess candidate was a bit strange no matter how he thought about it.

However, Espard and Sion scolded him, glaring with sharp eyes.

“What do you mean, when you are doing such a dangerous thing!”

“That’s right, Darc!”

‘How bothersome…’

If a black mage experienced problems wearing a black magic ring, that would be even stranger.

Although if he was caught by the two of them, that could be a bigger problem…