WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 112: Serena Marcano (2)
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Serena noticed something unusual the moment she saw Johan.
‘The Watcher of Narak has the ability to win others’ affection.’
No one had realized it so far, but Serena was different.
She could say with certainty that Johan possessed some sort of enchanting power.
That conviction came from the life Serena had lived.
She had never once felt affection for anyone.
Serena had monopolized everyone’s love, yet her heart was painfully empty.
There was no place in it for anyone else.
She had understood human nature from far too young an age.
With the Mind-Piercing Eye, Serena could look into people’s true hearts.
Every human had an ugly side within them.
Everyone lived behind a mask.
Even Archbishops and Saintesses harbored disgusting abysses within them.
The more splendid and radiant the exterior, the more rotten the inside.
Several true thoughts remained vividly engraved in Serena’s mind.
‘A lowborn girl putting on refined airs.’
‘She is too lowborn to marry, but she would make a fine concubine.’
‘A merchant family has joined the Council? The world is ending.’
And so on.
Before Serena, every one of them wore a kind smile.
They never showed what lay beneath their masks.
Having grown up witnessing all that ugliness, Serena could not feel affection for humanity.
This time was different.
The moment Serena saw Johan, she was overcome by a strange fondness.
An inexplicable sense of trust, familiarity, connection, and even a faint flutter of excitement rose within her.
It was something Serena had never experienced before.
Feeling affection at first sight. It could not possibly be normal.
Some unknown power had surely influenced her.
Serena believed that without doubt.
She stared intently into Johan’s eyes.
As expected, the longer she met his gaze, the more her fondness grew.
Johan was clearly bewitching people through those eyes.
When even a miracle like the Mind-Piercing Eye existed, an Authority capable of enchanting others was hardly unimaginable.
That gaze must also be why the fallen House Myatro had suddenly begun to recover.
Serena finished her speculation in silence.
With a smile, she said, “You are rather selfish, Sir Johan. Would you mind withdrawing that gaze first?”
He had forbidden her from using the Mind-Piercing Eye, yet he himself was still using his Authority.
The Watcher of Narak was a coward.
That was what Serena thought.
Johan spoke with a composed expression.
“My apologies. It is not a power I can control.”
Though he had been caught using his Authority, Johan showed no embarrassment.
He was good at managing his expression.
Though young, he had something in common with the old monsters among the nobility.
That was Serena’s assessment of Johan.
She gave her usual gentle smile.
“...I see. Then it cannot be helped. There is only one way to find out for myself.”
Something unfamiliar entered Serena’s eyes.
Her golden pupils shone with an unusual light.
The Mind-Piercing Eye was activating.
More precisely, Serena only pretended to use the Mind-Piercing Eye.
She intended to test Johan.
She had to confirm whether he truly knew about the Mind-Piercing Eye.
Johan’s expression twisted slightly.
Clicking his tongue, he said, “You may be trying to test me, but please do not cross the line. The moment you use the Mind-Piercing Eye on me, I will consider it an act of hostility.”
Johan knew perfectly well that Serena had not yet activated the Mind-Piercing Eye.
He truly did possess information about it.
The unusual light vanished from Serena’s pupils.
With a calm expression, she said, “That is quite a cowardly demand. What do you think, Sir Johan?”
Johan was still manifesting his Authority.
Yet he prohibited the other party from using theirs.
No petty man could be pettier than him.
After briefly considering it, Johan closed his eyes.
“I agree with you to some extent, my lady. So I will close my eyes.”
Once his gaze vanished, the fondness that had been building within Serena instantly weakened.
Serena gave a hollow laugh.
“Do you intend to stay like that?”
Johan nodded.
“It cannot be helped. As I said, my Authority is not a power I can regulate.”
Johan still could not control the Great Saint’s Eye.
He had not yet learned to use Holy Power.
Serena looked at Johan with a thoughtful expression.
After a while, she sighed.
“This is even more uncomfortable. Just open your eyes.”
Johan’s eyes opened at once.
“Are you certain?”
Her goodwill toward him began to bloom again.
Serena deliberately put on an indifferent expression.
“I can endure it. It is only a false emotion, after all.”
The effectiveness of a mental Authority was halved simply by the target recognizing its effects.
Johan gave a small laugh.
“You are strong-minded, my lady. That is remarkable at your age. I mean it.”
Serena was around Shaperia’s age.
She had not yet undergone her coming-of-age ceremony.
She was likely in her late teens. Despite her age, she had a mature side to her.
Serena slowly looked Johan over from head to toe.
“It feels rather strange to receive such praise from someone so much younger than me.”
Johan was still only a boy. He had not even reached his growth spurt.
He spoke calmly.
“Appearances are not everything.”
A questioning look appeared on Serena’s face.
“What do you mean?”
Johan shook his head.
“It is nothing. More importantly, shall we sit? I have unintentionally kept you standing this whole time.”
Johan personally pulled out a chair for Serena.
It was the most basic courtesy.
Serena sat without refusing.
“I was wondering when you would invite me to sit.”
Her tone was teasing.
Johan smiled softly and sat across from her.
“My apologies. I am not accustomed to situations like this. I ask for your understanding.”
This was his first time dealing with a noble lady.
A playful glint appeared in Serena’s expression.
Teasingly, she said, “For someone like that, your courtship seems quite forward. My father told me. He said you asked to become engaged to me.”
Serena had a mischievous side.
It was probably one of her charms.
She eased others into conversation with light jokes.
Johan was quite satisfied with her way of speaking as well.
There was a path in Serena’s joke that led directly to the heart of the conversation.
Thanks to her, Johan did not need to circle around the matter.
He could get straight to the point.
He nodded.
“That is correct. I wish to take you as my wife one day.”
It was a calm proposal.
No, it was seriously dry.
Serena had never received a proposal in such a manner before.
Her expression showed both bewilderment and interest.
“...What can I say? That is a very unusual confession.”
“If you would prefer a formal proposal, I can prepare one for you whenever you wish.”
Serena smiled and waved her hand.
“No, no. I was not asking you to follow any particular procedure.”
She did not particularly like empty formalities.
Because she could see what hid beneath polished appearances, no kind of outward display could move Serena.
Whether people or actions, Serena preferred what was genuine.
Johan spoke.
“Practical benefit is certainly more important than trivial decoration. An engagement to me would bring considerable benefit to House Marcano.”
House Myatro was presently diminished, but it had once been one of the continent’s greatest noble houses.
With Johan’s appearance, its former glory was returning.
Yet its influence was still insufficient.
It could not be called a perfect match for House Marcano.
They needed to observe its growth a little longer.
Serena gave a gentle smile.
“Sir Johan, shall we take things a little more slowly? I think it is too early for an engagement.”
Johan replied evenly.
“I have unintentionally put pressure on you. My apologies. There is no need to decide immediately, so for now, please simply remember my proposal.”
Serena smiled brightly.
“All right. I will discuss it with my father before giving you an answer. Shall we speak of something other than an engagement today? My father said you requested a transaction with our family.”
Johan said, “I would like to borrow the Mind-Piercing Eye for a few hours. Do you know the circumstances?”
“Yes, I heard the general outline. You went through something serious. I am glad you are unharmed.”
Horentz had already told her about what Johan had experienced the previous night.
“I need to find the culprit. Please help me. Of course, I will pay the price.”
Permission for the Marcano trading company to set up shop in Beldana. That was the price for using the Mind-Piercing Eye.
For House Marcano, it would be an exceptionally profitable deal.
Serena spoke.
“Very well. However, in addition to the payment you promised, I have one more condition.”
Johan swallowed a groan inwardly.
‘That already seemed like an exceptionally generous offer, yet she is rather greedy.’
For now, he hid his feelings and said, “I will hear it. Please speak.”
The smile faded from Serena’s face.
With a calm expression, she said, “Swear that, from this moment onward, you will not disclose any fact related to the Mind-Piercing Eye to anyone.”
Johan had never intended to speak about the Mind-Piercing Eye in the first place.
He nodded.
“Very well. I promise. I will not share information about the Mind-Piercing Eye with anyone.”
Serena’s expression became firm.
“A promise will not do. I need an oath.”
She took a sheet of the finest parchment from her bosom.
Blue writing densely covered the paper.
“...An oath. Do you intend to use a Great Saint’s Covenant Document?”
A Covenant Document was a third-grade sacred relic.
The moment someone signed a Covenant Document, the contents of the document had to be fulfilled.
A signatory who failed to uphold the agreement would lose their life.
Covenant Documents were almost never used for ordinary contracts.
They were too expensive and rare.
Serena said, “That is correct. Please understand. For House Marcano, this is important enough to stake our lives on.”
Johan fully understood their position as well.
“Very well. Give it to me.”
He accepted the parchment.
He quickly but carefully read through its contents.
There did not seem to be any poisonous clauses.
Johan bit down hard on his index finger.
He pressed the blood that flowed out onto the bottom of the parchment.
Once the Covenant Document was brought to the Great Saint Church headquarters, the contract would be fully concluded.
Serena, who had watched the entire process, looked somewhat flustered.
She had not expected Johan to agree so easily.
“Y-Your decision was quite quick.”
“There was no need to drag it out.”
“...I see.”
“I should be going now.”
Johan rose from his chair.
Serena looked up at him with a slightly dazed expression.
“You are leaving?”
“Yes, I will see you shortly. It will be a somewhat early dinner. I will send someone when the time comes.”
Johan left after finishing only the main matter, without any small talk.
There was something refreshingly straightforward about him.
Serena certainly received that impression.
She quietly watched Johan’s retreating back, then suddenly sprang to her feet.
She had forgotten to see him out.
Making such a mistake was rare for her.
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