Whispers of a Scheming Demon - Chapter 106

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B

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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈

Chapter 106: The Royal Capital

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“My name is Wolfgang von Eisenfeldt.”

Wolfgang’s fist was buried in Ilea’s abdomen.

Ilea’s expression remained blank. She had suffered no injury.

She had protected her body with magic.

Wolfgang’s straight punch had frozen solid.

Ilea spoke.

“I’ve heard that name many times. You’re far more impressive than I expected, sir.”

There was no one in this world who did not know Wolfgang.

Even street urchins had heard the name Wolfgang at least once.

Wolfgang von Eisenfeldt. For more than one hundred and fifty years, he had defended the North. He was a living witness to history and a hero of humanity.

There were many fairy tales and biographies with Wolfgang as their protagonist.

Ilea had read books about him several times.

Wolfgang grinned.

“Mage, shall I hear your name now?”

He could not help wondering about Ilea’s identity.

Ilea had easily blocked Wolfgang’s strike.

Nothing like that had happened even once in nearly fifty years.

There were only a handful of humans capable of exchanging blows with Wolfgang.

A powerhouse beyond human limits. The Mage before him had to be one of them.

Perhaps an Archmage.

They might even have been someone he had met before.

That was what Wolfgang thought.

Ilea said,

“I’m sorry. I can’t reveal my identity. I hope you understand.”

Mages did not normally reveal themselves.

Mages were classified as Class 1 criminals simply for existing, and were always pursued by the Great Saint Church.

Like Ilea now, Mages always hid even their appearance beneath hoods or masks.

Wolfgang stroked his beard.

“Hmm. Then I have no choice but to see for myself.”

The moment he finished speaking, a crimson haze rose from Wolfgang’s body.

The red aura spread in every direction.

It was a supernatural power called Blood Steel.

Blood Steel differed somewhat from a knight’s Aura.

While Aura expelled internal energy through the Dantian, Blood Steel boiled the user’s blood to create energy.

Only warriors of the North could use Blood Steel.

Wolfgang glowed red like iron heated in a fire.

His frozen fist melted in an instant.

Ilea let out a small gasp.

“Amazing. To generate this much heat without magic.”

At the same time, Wolfgang’s fist exploded.

A deafening blast rang out.

Overwhelming heat engulfed the alley.

The ice protecting Ilea evaporated in an instant.

The force of the explosion sent Ilea flying.

A beastlike roar rang out.

“Mage! Let me see that face!”

Wolfgang charged through the cloud of steam.

The crimson giant snatched up the flying Ilea.

A massive hand gripped her small head.

Ilea did not resist.

With Wolfgang gripping her head, she was slammed straight into the wall.

Kraaaash!

The wall collapsed in an instant.

Shattered stone rained down over Ilea.

She looked at Wolfgang with expressionless eyes.

“You are quite violent. Do men of the North usually treat women this way?”

Wolfgang’s huge hand tightly gripped Ilea’s face.

He raised the corners of his mouth.

“I didn’t know you were a woman. If I had, I would’ve been even rougher.”

Ilea had altered even her voice.

An ordinary observer could not have guessed her gender.

Ilea smiled with her eyes.

“A lie. You knew all along.”

Wolfgang gave her a cruel smile.

“Let’s see whether you really are a woman.”

With his remaining hand, he grabbed Ilea’s hood and tore it away.

Instead of the hood, Ilea’s head was ripped off.

Wolfgang froze. The amusement vanished from his face.

He was visibly shaken.

An androgynous voice came from the air.

“You are quite crude. Men of the North.”

A hooded Mage sat astride a broom, looking down at the ground.

Ice melted into slush over Wolfgang’s hand.

The target he had attacked moments ago had been a decoy made by Ilea’s magic.

Wolfgang shook the water from his hand.

“Do you intend to keep defending?”

The Mage before him did not seem to have any desire to fight.

Ilea shook her head.

“No. Now I intend to run.”

Wolfgang swallowed a groan.

“Why not spar with me once? Such an opportunity will be rare for you as well.”

Exchanging blows with a powerful warrior like Wolfgang was valuable experience in itself.

At least, it was for warriors of the North.

Ilea was not a warrior.

As a Mage, she saw no value in a life-or-death battle.

Ilea smiled gently.

“I’m sorry. I’m not confident I could survive a fight with you, sir.”

As she was now, she truly could not defeat Wolfgang.

Wolfgang was one of the strongest people of this age, and the Witch was still far too young.

Running away was the right choice.

She had no further business in the Shadow Realm.

Wolfgang had already finished cleaning it out.

Wolfgang looked displeased.

“You are excessively humble. I don’t like it.”

Ilea slightly lowered her head.

“There will be a chance to spar someday. For now, I’ll be going.”

Wolfgang waved his hand dismissively.

“Fine, get lost. I’ve lost interest.”

If an Archmage chose to flee, Wolfgang had no real way to stop them.

Ilea rose higher into the sky on her broom.

Her voice echoed softly.

“Goodbye, Wolfgang.”

The Mage vanished in an instant.

Wolfgang stared at the sky and muttered,

“Even an Archmage has appeared. Damn it, Krong. What exactly are you doing? I hope you don’t cross the line.”

Krong was Count Cromwell Staviana’s nickname.

Wolfgang let out a long sigh and left.

It was time to return to the North.

* * *

The city of Beldana was quite close to the Royal Capital.

By carriage, one could reach the Royal Capital in a single day.

In the Royal Capital’s residential district, one particularly old mansion among countless others caught Johan’s eye.

He stepped down from the carriage and looked back and forth between the map and the mansion.

“This is it.”

This was likely the house the Count had obtained for him.

The front gate even bore House Myatro’s crescent seal.

There was no way to mistake the house.

Johan approached the gate.

It was tightly shut.

‘Should I call out, “Come here,” or something?’

He cleared his throat.

Just as he was about to shout something, the gate opened with a metallic creak.

A man in a neat tunic rushed out.

“P-Pleased to meet you! My name is Haman, and I will serve as your butler from now on, my lord!”

He looked to be in his mid-twenties.

He was probably quite young for a butler.

Johan spoke.

“Good to meet you. I am Johan Myatro.”

Haman spoke with a tense expression.

“It is an honor to meet you. Was your journey pleasant?”

He had arrived in just one day, and it had been a very comfortable journey.

There had not even been an inspection at the Royal Capital’s gates.

The moment the soldiers saw House Myatro’s crest, they hurried to assist him.

The Count’s influence was probably behind it.

Johan nodded.

“It was comfortable. More importantly, may I inspect the inside of the mansion?”

Leaving the master of the house standing outside the gate. Anyone could see that Haman was not an experienced butler.

‘For a Count, he had been rather careless in hiring.’

He had probably needed to find someone in a hurry.

That was all Johan thought of it.

Haman made a polite gesture.

“O-Of course. Please come in.”

Following Haman’s lead, Johan entered the mansion.

They crossed the wide garden and arrived before the large building.

The doors opened automatically, revealing the interior.

“““Greetings, my lord.”””

Numerous servants stood in two lines facing one another in the entrance hall. Maids, gardeners, cooks, coachmen, and more all bowed their heads.

Johan slowly looked them over.

“Good to meet you. Let us get along from now on.”

They answered his greeting by bowing even deeper.

Butler Haman spoke.

“My lord, you must be hungry. Shall we begin with a meal? Dinner has been prepared.”

Johan shook his head.

“No, take me to the study. I have something to discuss.”

The sun would soon set.

Johan would turn into a demon.

Before then, he needed to give the butler several warnings.

Tension crossed Haman’s face.

He smiled awkwardly.

“If there is something you wish to discuss…”

Johan frowned slightly.

‘He seems a little slow. Like a hopeless screwup.’

Judging by first impressions, Haman was unsuitable.

He did not seem like someone who would handle work carefully.

Johan clicked his tongue.

“I said we would discuss it in the study.”

At the somewhat firm tone, Haman jerked to attention like a freshly caught fish.

“I-I will show you the way!”

Haman and Johan immediately headed for the study on the mansion’s second floor.

* * *

Johan sat at the desk with his arms folded.

“Now, Haman. Do you understand all the rules?”

Standing rigidly, Haman answered brightly.

“First, all servants must leave the mansion after sunset! Second, no one may enter or leave the mansion before sunrise, regardless of what happens during the night! Third, anyone who violates these rules will face severe punishment! That is all!”

Once the sun set, Johan turned into a demon.

No one could be allowed to witness that form.

He could not yet trust the servants.

Johan nodded.

“Good. Inform the others as well.”

“Understood. Now, please come to the dining room. We have prepared a welcome banquet.”

Johan frowned.

“Haman, the sun will set soon.”

After sunset, everyone had to leave the mansion.

A welcome banquet was impossible.

‘Did he forget the rules already?’

Johan’s opinion of Haman continued to fall.