WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 126: Muel (4)
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The moment Johan became Duke-King, the Count’s wife, Yeriyan, would also return to life.
That day was no longer far away.
With both royal authority and the Count’s power behind him, Johan would soon achieve what he wanted.
The Count spoke calmly.
“What do you need from me?”
From now on, Johan needed the Count’s influence.
The Count had to step forward and steer every meeting’s decisions in the direction Johan wanted.
Johan spoke.
“First, Cromwell, become the Chief Investigator of this incident.”
Johan needed to intervene directly in the investigation of the Muel Summoning Attempt Incident. Otherwise, troublesome complications could arise.
Unfortunately, it would be difficult for Johan himself to take charge of the investigation.
He was still too young, and his standing within the Council was limited.
Even if the Count used his influence to install Johan as Chief Investigator, outside opposition would inevitably follow.
Rather than invite needless controversy, it was better to put the Count forward as the person in charge.
No one would likely object if the Count became Chief Investigator.
Johan only needed to control the Count from behind the scenes.
The Count said,
“So it seems we need to manipulate this investigation.”
Johan nodded.
“To a degree. First, we need to save Archmage Lumina.”
The Count’s brow tightened slightly.
“...Is Lumina not the main culprit behind this incident? Even I can’t shield a First-Class Apostate.”
Since Lumina had attempted to summon an Archdemon, she would be classified as a First-Class Apostate.
A First-Class Apostate could not be pardoned for any reason.
The Holy Kingdom and the Empire would watch closely to see how Lumina was dealt with.
The Kingdom did not have the power to save her.
Lumina had to die.
Johan spoke.
“Don’t worry about that. There is someone who can take Lumina’s place.”
“You intend to use a substitute?”
“Something like that.”
Verdan the Mimic. Johan intended to make use of them.
Doubt crossed the Count’s face.
“Lumina may die during the interrogation. No, there’s a high chance that she will. Wouldn’t that put you in a difficult position? From what I can see, you need Lumina.”
Johan had said that Lumina needed to live.
The Count assumed Johan required the Archmage’s power.
The truth was slightly different.
Johan had to protect Lumina to keep the promise he had made to King Roderic.
Johan nodded.
“That is why I intend to handle Lumina’s interrogation. Count, recommend me as the interrogator.”
He only needed to torture her enough to keep up appearances, pretend to extract information, then smuggle Lumina away.
The Count let out a low groan.
“The Great Saint Church will resist strongly.”
This incident had arisen from a demonic crisis.
In matters involving demons, the Great Saint Church did not readily surrender the initiative to others.
“Is it impossible?”
After a brief moment of thought, the Count shook his head.
“It isn’t impossible. However, we’ll need to make a considerable offering to the Great Saint Church.”
It was a political deal.
Johan gave a short laugh.
“That is for you to handle. In any case, I will interrogate Lumina.”
As always, he was high-handed.
The Count was accustomed to Johan’s manner and showed no particular displeasure.
“It will be as you wish. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“For today’s meeting, that will be enough.”
The meetings would continue for several days.
The Count would have to work hard in the meantime.
“...Today, then. I’ll be busy for some time.”
Johan shrugged.
“Get some rest. There should be around two hours before the summons. You can get some sleep.”
The Count was surely exhausted after riding for ten straight hours.
The Count replied without expression.
“There’s no time. I have a mountain of people to meet.”
The Count was a busy person.
Numerous dignitaries were waiting to meet him.
Johan gestured.
“Then leave.”
As the Count left the study, he said,
“See you later.”
The Royal Conference would begin in the evening.
Not all the nobles had gathered in the Royal Capital yet.
Nobles coming from distant territories would not even be able to attend.
The same applied to Johan.
He had no choice but to miss today’s meeting.
When the sun set, he would transform into a demon.
“Ilea will go in my place.”
The Count looked puzzled.
“What are you talking about?”
“It worked out that way.”
Johan gave no further explanation.
The Count did not press him.
After staring at Johan for a moment, the Count quietly murmured,
“You must have thought it through.”
The Count immediately walked out the door.
* * *
After the Count left, Ilea came to the study.
The moment she saw Johan, she spoke.
“The situation is turning in your favor, Johan.”
Through the variable known as Muel, Johan had gained quite a lot.
He had put the king on a leash and acquired the important position of interrogator.
On top of that, he had made everyone think a little more favorably of Mapheltan.
――――The decisive factor that stopped Muel’s summoning ritual was the Thirteenth Apostle of the End.
This story was rapidly spreading through the Royal Capital.
To be honest, Johan was quite satisfied with the current situation.
One day, he would have to unite the powers of humans and demons.
It was to prepare for the apocalypse in the latter half.
The more humans revered him, the more advantageous it would be for Johan.
Muel had laid the foundation for that.
At least, that was true if one looked only at the result.
Muel’s intentions were still unclear.
Johan said,
“I don’t want to admit it, but I benefited from Muel in the end.”
“Do you think Muel deliberately helped you?”
Muel was a demon with powerful precognitive abilities.
Because Muel could see the future, they always acted in ways that benefited themself.
This incident would be no different.
Muel had surely gained something through this matter.
What could that benefit be?
Could creating a favorable situation for Johan truly benefit Muel as well?
Could there be another aim behind it?
“I can’t be certain of anything yet. I will simply focus on the situation before me. If I’ve been given a fortunate opportunity, I should make use of it.”
Johan decided not to dwell too much on Muel.
Any thoughts he had now would be mere speculation.
He intended to do what he could in the present.
Ilea’s expression grew somber.
She spoke carefully.
“The circumstances are too convenient. Honestly, I’m a little uneasy. I don’t think we should completely rule out Muel.”
Johan nodded.
“I don’t intend to forget Muel entirely, either. Through Lumina’s interrogation, I plan to learn a little about Muel.”
An Archmage like Lumina might have some understanding of Muel’s schemes or intentions.
Johan had expectations for her.
Ilea said,
“You truly must become the interrogator, then.”
“I have already spoken to the Count. It seems you and the Count will have some work ahead of you.”
Ilea would attend the Royal Conference in Johan’s place today.
She would play Johan’s role and uphold House Myatro’s authority.
Johan did not feel particularly worried.
He trusted Ilea’s abilities.
Ilea smiled softly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do well. You’ll achieve everything you desire.”
She was quite dependable.
Johan looked out the window.
“The sun will set soon. Prepare to attend the meeting.”
Less than an hour remained before the conference.
Ilea immediately released Mana.
Her appearance changed in an instant.
She became Johan’s exact double.
Ilea, wearing Johan’s face, smiled with her eyes.
“I’ll be going now.”
The false Johan left the study.
* * *
The Great Hall of the royal palace was filled with people.
Every one of them was a noble attending the meeting.
Whether they were provincial or central nobles, whether their houses were great or small, countless noble families of the Kingdom had sent representatives to the royal palace to discuss the current crisis.
There were well over a hundred people gathered here.
Of course, only a small number of nobles had the right to speak.
They were the privileged among the nobility. Separate seats had been arranged before the throne so they could exchange their views.
The remaining nobles stood in lines along both ends of the Great Hall. They were little more than decorations to fill the space.
Naturally, no one voiced a complaint.
Everyone knew their place.
They remained silent, waiting for the Count to speak.
Standing one step below the throne, the Count slowly surveyed the Great Hall.
As Chancellor of the Kingdom, the Count was presiding over the meeting.
The Count spoke without expression.
“It seems everyone has gathered. Bring in His Majesty.”
No sooner had the words ended than a palace guard shouted in a loud voice.
“His Majesty the King enters!”
The doors of the Great Hall flew open to either side.
Trumpets rang throughout the hall.
Wearing formal court attire, the king slowly walked in across the red carpet.
All the nobles dropped to one knee at once.
Speaking on their behalf, the Count said,
“We greet Your Majesty, our great king.”
King Roderic avoided the Count’s gaze.
“...Count, it has been a while.”
Even as a child, he had struggled to meet the Count’s eyes.
They had grown older together and spent many years at one another’s side, yet the king still found the Count difficult.
Roderic climbed the steps to the throne and took his seat.
The Count rose from one knee.
Following suit, every noble straightened up.
Looking down at them, the Count spoke.
“We will now begin the first Royal Conference. The agenda is...”
The king raised one hand.
“Before we proceed, may I say a few words?”
He interrupted the Count.
It was unusual.
The nobles began to murmur.
The Count showed no particular reaction.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Please speak freely.”
The king cautiously checked the Count’s expression before turning his gaze toward the nobles.
Roderic’s gaze grew heavy.
He spoke in a resonant voice.
“Hear me, my lords. I, Roderic Artelga, King of the Artelga Kingdom, find the present situation deeply lamentable. Five hundred years of peace are beginning to crack. Evil runs rampant outside the Royal Capital, while Apostles walk within it. Lesser Evil Spirits swarm the provinces, while wicked forces threaten the royal family at the center.”
What was the king trying to say with such an introduction? Every noble was puzzled, but they silently listened.
The king continued.
“I intend to break this chain of evil. While we have grown complacent in peace and underestimated evil, there is a house that has watched it alone for centuries. I wish to entrust this great duty to them.”
The king looked toward the seats occupied by the Council nobles.
“Johan von Myatro. Watcher of Narak, I command you. Become the Chief Investigator of the demonic crisis that occurred last night. From this moment until the investigation is complete, you shall possess the right to command every group within the Royal Capital.”
The Great Hall stirred.
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