WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 102: Apprehension
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Johan headed straight for the Count of Staviana's castle as soon as he entered Beldana.
A massive fortress stretched out before him.
House Myatro's castle had an old-fashioned charm, but the Count's castle was extravagance itself.
Even the soldiers guarding the gates wore gleaming armor.
Without any inspection, they let Johan's carriage pass through.
Countless iron gates within the castle opened and shut in succession.
Ilea slightly drew back the curtain and looked outside.
“It seems the Count has noticed Johan's arrival.”
Otherwise, there was no way they would have skipped the inspection.
The Count's castle was famous for being difficult to enter.
Johan nodded.
“They must have reported our arrival to the Count as soon as we crossed the drawbridge.”
Ilea thought for a moment before speaking.
“I think we should establish a similar system in the Barony.”
Myatro's defenses were far too lax compared to the Count's territory.
In truth, anyone determined enough could enter the lord's castle.
That would have to change.
“I plan to renovate the entire castle once this matter is over.”
They needed to replenish their personnel and repair the castle.
“That sounds like a good idea. I'll help too.”
“You don't need to concern yourself with that. Focus on your own task.”
Ilea would enter the Count's household as the Count's adopted daughter and take control of noble society. She had no time to spare for other matters.
Ilea's expression turned somewhat unimpressed.
“A task. It starts now, then. I think it'll be boring already.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than the carriage stopped.
A knock sounded, followed by a calm voice.
“We have arrived. Please step down.”
Johan opened the door.
An elderly gentleman in a neat tunic was bowing before him.
Behind the man stretched a verdant garden and splendid buildings.
Johan said, “Good to meet you. Are you the Count's butler?”
“Yes. Please call me Baden. It is an honor to meet the Watcher of Narak.”
The man who introduced himself as Baden was quite dignified and composed.
He was likely a commoner, but he carried himself like a noble.
“Very well, Baden. Where is the Count? I would like to see him immediately.”
Baden pointed to the building behind him.
“Please proceed to the annex first. The Count is receiving another guest.”
The Count was extremely busy. Even high-ranking nobles usually had to wait several weeks for a private audience.
There were only a handful of people in the Kingdom, Johan included, who could show up unannounced and meet the Count.
Johan nodded.
“It can't be helped. I'll wait, so lead the way.”
He headed straight for the building before him.
* * *
In a guest room within the castle annex, Johan sipped tea as he waited for the Count.
Even after a long time, the Count did not appear.
Instead, a familiar face entered the guest room.
“Sir Johan, it has been a long time.”
The middle-aged knight with a pleasant appearance smiled at Johan.
Johan returned the smile.
“It is good to see you again, Sir Maira.”
Maira was the knight who had visited the Baron's house and delivered the Count's invitation to Johan.
“It is an honor that the Watcher of Narak remembers my name.”
Johan waved a hand.
“There is no need for formalities. More importantly, I would like to greet Sir Kembell as well.”
Kembell had accompanied Maira when he visited the Baron's house.
He was the knight whose face was half covered in scars.
At the mention of Kembell's name, a shadow passed over Maira's face.
He gave an awkward smile.
“Ha ha, Kembell is not in Beldana at the moment. He has left to carry out another task.”
The corner of Johan's mouth lifted slightly.
‘What task would a traitor have?’
Kembell had been bewitched by Mapheltan and betrayed the Count.
He had probably already thrown in with the Third Prince, Gawain.
Maira concealed that fact.
Johan knew the whole story, but he pretended otherwise.
“That is unfortunate, but it can't be helped. Please give Sir Kembell my regards next time.”
Maira smiled amiably.
“Of course. Kembell will surely regret missing the chance to meet you as well.”
It was merely a courtesy.
Kembell held no goodwill toward Johan, and Maira knew that well.
Johan immediately changed the subject.
“Still, the Count must be very busy.”
Johan had waited quite a while, yet the Count had not shown his face.
Maira's expression grew somewhat serious.
“An important guest has arrived, in fact.”
Maira's dark expression stirred Johan's curiosity.
“May I ask who it is?”
“The Kingdom's Margrave, Wolfgang von Eisenfeldt, is currently meeting with the Count in private.”
Johan was somewhat taken aback.
‘That earthbound spirit of the North came down to the central region?’
Wolfgang had many epithets.
One of them was the Earthbound Spirit of the North.
Wolfgang rarely left the North.
Even when summoned by the King, Wolfgang often sent an agent instead.
Wolfgang had no interest in politics.
There was only one thing that interested Wolfgang.
Slaughtering magical beasts. Wolfgang von Eisenfeldt was a fanatical warmonger.
Wolfgang did not even spare a glance for the peaceful central region.
There was no reason whatsoever for Wolfgang to visit the Count's territory.
Johan found it deeply puzzling.
“The Margrave is in this castle?”
“That is correct. It is a most unusual occurrence.”
It was winter, and the North was impossibly busy in winter.
When the weather grew cold, the magical beasts beyond the wall gradually began moving south.
Unable to endure the bitter cold, they descended toward the warmer central region.
The warriors of the North had to stop their invasion.
The moment the North fell, the continent would be trampled into ruin.
Yet Wolfgang had left the North at such a time.
No matter how much he considered it, Johan could not guess why.
Johan swallowed a groan.
“Sir Maira, forgive me, but may I ask one question? Why has the Margrave come south?”
Maira looked troubled.
“I cannot even begin to guess. I am sorry I could not be of help.”
Johan clicked his tongue softly.
Just as he sank into thought, the ground began to shake with heavy thuds.
The building was trembling.
It was as though an earthquake had struck.
Johan murmured, “What is this all of a sudden...”
He could not finish.
The guest room door flew open.
Johan and Maira froze.
They had felt an overwhelming presence.
A towering figure stood there, staring into the guest room.
Wolfgang's eyes resembled those of a predator sizing up its prey.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
Maira somehow regained his senses and spoke in a trembling voice.
“Y-Your Excellency, Grand Marshal.”
The uninvited guest was none other than Wolfgang.
Wolfgang von Eisenfeldt, the Kingdom's Grand Marshal and the supreme commander of the North, stood before Johan.
Johan was utterly taken aback.
To meet Wolfgang in the Count's territory. He had not expected it in the slightest.
According to the original novel, his first meeting with Wolfgang was supposed to take place several years later.
Their encounter had come far too soon.
Johan's thoughts began to stiffen.
‘Damn it.’
Wolfgang was an exceptionally eccentric man.
If Johan offended him, he would face considerable hardship.
He had to make a good impression somehow.
Johan worked his mind as hard as he could.
Based on the original novel, he considered how he should deal with Wolfgang.
Wolfgang gave him no time to think.
He strode into the guest room.
Every step from that enormous body made the ground tremble.
His build, expression, and gaze carried an immense pressure.
‘Just as he was described in the novel.’
Ordinary people could not meet Wolfgang's gaze.
Even magical beasts that knew no fear trembled before him.
Johan was somewhat, no, very tense.
Of course, he did not show it.
He maintained as calm an expression as possible.
Wolfgang stopped before Johan.
He slowly opened his mouth.
“How long do you intend to remain seated?”
Johan had not risen from his seat.
In effect, he was being rude.
Upon seeing the Kingdom's Grand Marshal, one was expected to stand and show respect.
Johan spoke calmly.
“Until you reveal your identity.”
One of Wolfgang's brows twitched.
Maira panicked, unsure of what to do.
“S-Sir Johan, what are you saying? Quickly, greet His Excellency the Grand Marshal.”
Johan frowned.
“You are saying this ruffian is His Excellency the Grand Marshal?”
Maira went pale.
The Count of Staviana, who had entered belatedly, silently watched Johan and Wolfgang.
A vein stood out on Wolfgang's forehead.
He stared straight at Johan.
“...A ruffian?”
Johan did not avoid Wolfgang's gaze.
“Could it be that you are offended? You have no right to be angry.”
Wolfgang had not shown Johan any courtesy.
He had entered the guest room without permission and spoken down to Johan.
If anyone had been rude first, it was Wolfgang.
Wolfgang spoke in a low voice.
“My name is Wolfgang. Do I have the right now?”
Johan showed no sign of agitation.
He merely gave a faint laugh.
“Can you prove it?”
Wolfgang let out a disbelieving chuckle.
“Brat, say that again.”
Even Wolfgang, who had lived for one hundred and fifty years, had rarely encountered anything like this.
Johan spoke evenly.
“I find it impossible to believe that you are His Excellency the Grand Marshal. Why would the wall of the North be standing in the south in the middle of winter? Unless you prove yourself, you are nothing but an impostor to me.”
Wolfgang silently watched Johan, then shifted his gaze to the Count of Staviana.
The Count of Staviana spoke with an oddly satisfied expression.
“So says the Watcher of Narak.”
The corners of Wolfgang's mouth slowly rose.
He wore a vicious smile.
“Fine. Then you must show me the qualities of the Watcher of Narak. If you fail to meet my expectations, I will personally take your life.”
At the same time, Wolfgang clenched both fists.
His shirt exploded from his body in an instant.
His bare torso, covered in scars and muscle, was revealed.
It was no ordinary body.
It was the body of a man who had spent his entire life crawling through hell.
The air around them suddenly grew heavy.
Gravity crushed the entire annex.
Every servant collapsed to the floor.
Even Maira, a knight, could not endure it.
He let out a ragged breath.
The immense pressure had forced a groan from him.
Johan frowned.
‘...It is exactly like Beris.’
When he had summoned Beris, the Apostle's unfathomable rank had crushed the entire space.
It was the same now.
The old general who had become a Transcendent radiated a presence comparable to that of an Apostle.
Enduring the pressure, Johan slowly forced himself to his feet.
He met Wolfgang's gaze directly.
“Johan von Myatro. It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency the Grand Marshal.”
Blood streamed from Johan's nose.
Yet his expression remained calm.
The corners of Wolfgang's mouth stretched to his ears.
He burst into laughter.
“Ha ha! What an amusing fellow! Welcome to the North, Watcher of Narak!”
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