WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 111: Serena Marcano
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“Where do you intend to use Serena’s Mind-Piercing Eye?”
Johan answered Horentz’s question calmly.
“It’s nothing serious. There’s just something I’d like to confirm.”
He intended to use Serena’s Authority on Haman, the butler.
He wanted to look into Haman’s true nature.
The reason was a vague sense of unease.
Haman, the top graduate of Yebinwon, was far more scatterbrained than expected.
Perhaps it was because this was Haman’s first practical assignment and they were nervous.
Academic performance and practical work were separate matters. Someone could excel at studying yet be poor at their job.
At first, Johan had not thought much of Haman’s behavior.
But his thoughts had changed slightly after last night.
Thieves had broken into the estate.
They had understood the estate’s entire layout.
They even knew the estate stood empty at night.
Johan could not help suspecting that one of the estate’s servants had leaked the information.
Who could the culprit be?
Only one person came to mind.
Haman, the butler. Once the incident occurred, Haman’s behavior began to arouse Johan’s suspicions.
Everything Haman did could have been an act.
Perhaps Haman was deceiving Johan by pretending to be foolish.
For what purpose? Johan did not know.
It was difficult for Johan to guess what Haman was after.
If Haman had been after Johan’s wealth, they would not have put up a public notice at the thieves’ guild.
Instead, they would have secretly hired veteran thieves.
In short, Haman did not want Johan’s wealth.
There had to be another reason for leaking information about the estate.
Johan could not yet discern that intention.
In fact, there was not even proof that Haman was the culprit.
Every thought that followed was merely speculation based on suspicion.
Haman might truly be exactly as they appeared, a fool who was only good at studying.
There was far too little evidence to conclude that Haman was the culprit.
Certainty was dangerous.
Conclusions drawn from suspicion had a high chance of being wrong.
Johan needed a clear confirmation.
The Mind-Piercing Eye would do.
If Horentz agreed, Johan could resolve this needless headache in an instant.
After considering it, Horentz spoke.
“...I apologize, Sir Johan. Unless you clearly disclose where you intend to use the Mind-Piercing Eye, I cannot entrust Serena to you.”
Trust had not yet properly formed between Horentz and Johan.
No matter how great the compensation, Horentz could not easily lend out his daughter.
Her safety had to be guaranteed.
Johan nodded.
“I understand. I will share my current circumstances with you.”
Johan intended to tell him everything that had happened the previous night.
He only had to reveal everything except what concerned Mapheltan.
There was nothing in particular to hide.
Now that a public notice had been posted at the thieves’ guild, everyone in the Royal Capital likely knew the circumstances of Johan’s estate.
Horentz was no exception.
He said, “Very well. Nothing you tell me from this moment onward will leave my lips. I swear it in the Great Saint’s name. Saint Marziel.”
In an even tone, Johan explained all that had happened the previous night.
* * *
Horentz listened to Johan without any change in expression.
The moment Johan finished, Horentz swallowed a groan.
“...So the rumor was true. I heard that your estate had become a target of the Keyless.”
The Keyless were the largest thieves’ guild in the Royal Capital.
They had targeted Johan.
More precisely, information regarding Johan’s estate had been pinned to the thieves’ guild’s underground bulletin board.
Horentz had heard about it that morning.
Johan offered a polite expression of admiration.
“As expected of House Marcano. Your information travels quickly.”
Horentz shook his head with a grave expression.
“No. Most of the Royal Capital likely knows about your estate by now. By tomorrow, everyone will be talking about the Myatro estate. This is a serious matter.”
The Royal Capital was a frightening place.
A single rumor spread like wildfire.
No one could stop the blaze.
For a while, Johan would be the subject of everyone’s gossip.
The Myatro estate is completely empty at night.
And that would not be all.
Like a wildfire growing larger, the rumors would become increasingly exaggerated.
After sunset, strange screams can be heard from the Myatro estate.
The Watcher of Narak studies forbidden sorcery at night.
Johan Myatro performs sacrifices to demons where no one can see.
And so on.
Those who loved gossip would invent all sorts of stories.
Eventually, interest would fade and the rumors would die down, but for Johan, a Half-Demon, simply becoming the subject of such talk was burdensome.
Still, Johan remained calm.
He spoke with a tranquil expression.
“Well, I don’t intend to pay much attention to it.”
He had already expected that something similar would happen.
It had merely come a little sooner than expected.
As someone unable to show himself at night, Johan was bound to become the subject of such gossip again and again.
As long as he lived in this world, he had to bear it.
Horentz smiled gently.
“That is a good response. There is no need to concern yourself with public rumors.”
Horentz was not someone who should be saying that.
House Marcano cared more about the eyes of others than anyone.
Johan nodded.
“That’s right. It’s enough to be confident in oneself.”
Horentz’s expression darkened slightly.
“...Still, I am concerned.”
Johan felt he knew what Horentz was about to say.
“If you are concerned for my safety, there is no need. Those thieves paid the price in blood yesterday.”
Horentz’s narrow eyes widened slightly.
“It seems the Watcher of Narak is also skilled in martial arts.”
Separate from Mapheltan’s strength, Johan himself was not lacking in combat ability.
He had spent two hellish months with Hakain, the Sword Demon.
His physical abilities had improved immensely, and he had gained considerable proficiency with a spear.
Ordinary humans who could not wield Aura could no longer contend with Johan.
Johan spoke jokingly.
“I have enough strength to protect my woman.”
Horentz smiled.
“You pass as a son-in-law.”
It was said in jest.
“Then entrust her to me as a trial. Your daughter will return home safely.”
Horentz answered at once.
“Let me say this in advance. The Mind-Piercing Eye is not omnipotent. Serena’s power is not yet enough to see through every servant in your estate.”
It did not matter.
Johan intended to resolve his suspicions about Haman first.
“I only need to confirm one person. Will you help me?”
Horentz silently calculated the terms.
In exchange for lending Serena to Johan, Johan had promised to let the Marcano trading company set up shop in the city of Belna.
It was a very profitable deal for Horentz.
His consideration did not last long.
Horentz gave a businesslike smile.
“Very well. I will confirm Serena’s wishes one final time. Please wait here a moment.”
He could not show Serena to Johan immediately.
Horentz remembered Johan’s warning.
Do not use the Mind-Piercing Eye on me.
He had to relay that to his daughter.
Johan looked satisfied.
“Understood. I will await good news.”
Horentz gave a slight bow and left the dining room.
Johan looked quietly at the table.
The food remained untouched.
Distracted by the conversation, he had not even taken a spoonful of soup.
‘That isn’t polite.’
Only then did Johan begin his meal.
* * *
Serena Marcano was one of the most influential figures in the Royal Capital’s social circles.
People had always gathered around her since childhood.
Men, women, children, adults, slaves, commoners, nobles, royalty, and more. Everyone loved Serena, regardless of age, gender, or status.
She was so charming that she was called the gold of the Royal Capital.
Young noblewomen gave up extravagance to cultivate an air similar to Serena’s.
Gracefulness became fashionable over splendor.
Thanks to Serena, the unavoidable frugality of House Marcano became a virtue.
It was all the effect of the Mind-Piercing Eye.
A beautiful woman who knew how to consider and understand others.
She even chose actions that would make people adore her.
Who could possibly hate her?
Anyone human could not help loving Serena.
If Johan had not known about the Mind-Piercing Eye, he would likely have fallen deeply for Serena as well.
He probably would not have been able to escape it.
‘...Would I really?’
Johan had never deeply loved a woman.
He did not understand the act of becoming so captivated by someone’s charm that one floundered helplessly.
Among the many episodes in Inmarok, those involving love had always puzzled Johan.
Stories of men risking their lives for Serena. Whenever he read such parts, Johan always frowned.
He could not empathize with them even a little.
Would meeting Serena change his outlook somewhat?
Johan was skeptical.
Serena could not use the Mind-Piercing Eye on Johan.
Her charm would be halved.
Johan felt a strange sense of regret.
‘Love enough to lose one’s reason. I probably won’t experience it this time either.’
He wanted to experience for himself the feelings described in novels.
That curiosity would not be satisfied through Serena.
At least, that was what Johan thought.
As he briefly sank into thought, click-clack, click-clack sounded from shoes.
Johan looked ahead.
Horentz was smiling.
“Sir Johan, I apologize for making you wait. Though it is late, allow me to introduce my daughter.”
Behind him, a woman in an elegant dress appeared.
It was Serena Marcano.
Just as the original novel described, she was gold.
She wore no adornments or ornaments, nor did she need any.
Serena shone alone, like gold.
She was like a finely crafted jewel.
A face suddenly came to Johan’s mind.
‘...Ilea.’
His first impressions of Ilea and Serena overlapped in many ways.
Both possessed striking beauty.
That was all.
There was none of the feeling described in novels.
Johan did not fall in love at first sight.
Serena slowly spoke.
“Serena von Marcano. It is an honor to meet the Watcher of Narak.”
She lifted the hem of her skirt slightly in greeting.
Johan rose from his seat and gave a slight bow.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Marcano. I am Johan Myatro.”
Horentz glanced over Johan’s expression, then gave a businesslike smile.
“I will excuse myself for a moment. Please speak freely.”
Horentz immediately left the dining room.
Johan found it somewhat unexpected.
He had thought Horentz would remain with Serena.
As he wondered about it, a pleasant voice reached him.
“Sir Johan, Father told me the general details. You know about the Mind-Piercing Eye?”
Her golden eyes stared directly at Johan.
Johan did not avert his gaze.
“That is correct. So do not use your Authority on me.”
Serena smiled softly.
“You are a little selfish, aren’t you? Would you first withdraw that gaze of yours?”
The Great Saint’s Eye was giving Serena an unusual feeling.
Serena had noticed that sense of dissonance.
After a brief pause, Johan said, “My apologies. It is not a power I can control.”
He could not turn off the Great Saint’s Eye.
He did not yet possess the ability to control it.
Serena smiled.
“...I see. It cannot be helped. Then there is only one way to find out.”
A strange light flickered in her golden eyes.
Johan’s expression twisted.
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