WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 165: Usman (3)
──────
Viscount Usman looked like a stereotypical pirate.
Nedval’s bald head was covered in tattoos, and a black eyepatch covered one eye.
Nedval stepped onto the platform and looked down at everyone.
There was something hollow about Nedval’s one visible eye.
It seemed completely empty.
“I am Nedval Usman, head of House Usman.”
Even Nedval’s voice was as desolate as a desert.
Ilea smiled with interest.
“It was a good thing we arrived before Wolfgang. That could have been dangerous.”
Johan whispered to her.
“Why? Is Nedval giving off Demonic Energy?”
Ilea shook her head.
“Not at all. I can't sense anything from Nedval. Not Demonic Energy, not even life force.”
Johan narrowed his eyes.
“Don't tell me...”
He stared hard at Nedval.
Nedval's expression was utterly flat.
Nedval looked like an emotionless doll.
Ilea spoke.
“Yes. Nedval’s a puppet. Like that knight, Rail, long ago.”
Knight Rail was the person Johan had once turned into a scarecrow using the Authority Soul Erasure.
Nedval was similar to Rail.
A being reduced to a puppet by something. Nedval was nothing more than an empty shell.
Johan looked puzzled.
“There's someone besides me who can directly interfere with another person's soul?”
Direct interference with souls had been Mapheltan's exclusive domain.
No demon or god from the original story had been able to damage another's soul.
By all reason, a puppet like Nedval should not have been possible.
Ilea spoke.
“I still can't identify the being that made Nedval this way. For now, let's watch Nedval a little longer.”
As Ilea and Johan whispered, Hakain quietly approached them.
“There are many ears here. Nedval also seems to be paying attention.”
Johan and Ilea had spoken longer than they realized.
The surrounding noise meant no one could hear their conversation, but eyes were clearly drawn to them.
Further whispering was dangerous.
It was also impolite.
Nedval stepped down from the platform and spoke.
“It is an honor to meet the Watcher of Narak. And this young lady is...”
Ilea lightly gathered her skirt and lowered her head.
“Ilea de Staviana. Thank you for your welcome, Viscount.”
Nedval's eyes curved gently. A calm smile spread across Nedval’s lips.
Perhaps it was only his imagination, but Johan found the expression somehow artificial.
Nedval said, “I failed to recognize such an honored guest. Please forgive me. It is an honor to meet you.”
Ilea responded with a faint smile.
“Not at all. I should be the one apologizing. I am an uninvited guest, after all.”
Nedval suddenly wore a meaningful expression.
“Someone like you is always welcome.”
Johan sensed an odd unnaturalness in Nedval's attitude.
One would hardly ever call a noble daughter “you.”
It was customary to address her as young lady.
Yet Nedval had called Ilea “you.”
Was it because Nedval came from some rural corner of the South, and from a pirate background at that, and did not know proper etiquette?
Johan could not help wondering.
Ilea smiled strangely with her eyes.
“...Is that so? In any case, I appreciate the sentiment.”
Nedval gestured for them to follow.
“Please come into the castle first. I have prepared a place for you.”
Nedval looked only at Ilea.
Nedval did not even spare Johan a glance.
‘Interesting.’
Anyone could see that Johan was the central figure here.
As a southern noble, Nedval could never afford to slight Johan.
That was how it should have been.
Reality was slightly different.
Nedval's interest was focused not on Johan, but on Ilea.
Johan was not offended in the slightest.
He simply found Nedval's attitude interesting.
‘Did Nedval realize what Ilea is?’
More precisely, perhaps the unknown being controlling Nedval had noticed that Ilea was a Witch.
Of course, it was all speculation.
Nothing had been revealed as fact.
Johan intended to watch the situation a little longer.
Ilea glanced at Johan before speaking to Nedval.
“Fine. I will gladly accept your kindness.”
The three immediately headed into the castle.
Even as they walked through the corridor, all of Nedval's attention remained on Ilea.
* * *
‘Nedval is being remarkably blatant.’
Johan was left alone in a dining room arranged for a banquet.
Nedval had said they wished to borrow Ilea for a moment, then departed somewhere with her.
The situation was truly absurd.
Nedval had openly ignored Johan.
Nedval seemed like someone who did not care in the least whether House Usman survived or fell.
‘Nedval definitely has another scheme.’
No, the being possessing Nedval must be plotting something.
What could its purpose be?
Nothing was clear yet.
Johan leaned back in a dining chair, lost in thought.
‘Nothing ever goes easily.’
The subjugation of Beris had ended only the other day.
This was supposed to be a time to rest.
As if mocking that feeble thought, this world was once again pushing Johan into the depths of another incident.
‘Sigh.’
A low sigh escaped him.
Rest seemed to be a luxury beyond his fate.
Johan swallowed a groan.
Just as he sat there brooding, he sensed a presence.
Footsteps began to echo through the formerly quiet dining room.
Johan stared expressionlessly at the entrance.
Dozens of sturdy men entered.
Every one of them had a vicious look.
They were all armed with leather armor and machetes.
Johan spoke.
“This does not seem like an invitation to eat and drink together.”
The large man at the front spoke with visible discomfort.
“You will have to come with us. It would be best for your own safety if you comply.”
He was Shylock, the man who had introduced himself earlier as captain of the Second Fleet.
Johan gave Shylock a faint laugh.
“And if I refuse?”
After hesitating briefly, Shylock spoke.
“Understand one thing. We are savages who skin people alive.”
Johan let out an affected gasp.
“Oh my. That sounds chilling just to hear.”
Shylock felt an inexplicable unease.
Johan was far too calm.
His eyes brimmed with confidence.
The Great Saint's Eye had even planted reverence toward Johan within Shylock.
Shylock slowly approached Johan.
His face had darkened slightly.
He felt he needed to capture Johan as soon as possible.
It was an impatience born of instinct.
Johan was clearly defenseless, yet the air around him was far too relaxed.
He might have had a hidden trump card.
Shylock stopped before Johan.
“Stand up.”
Johan leaned against his chair and tapped the table with his fingertips.
‘I'd like to play along for a while, but...’
He wanted to observe the situation a little longer.
Unfortunately, Johan did not have much time.
Before long, the force assembled to subjugate Beris would set foot in Usman's direct domain.
Before they arrived, Johan needed to uncover House Usman's secret.
Lost in thought, he clicked his tongue.
With an irritated expression, he looked up at the ceiling.
Sword Demon Hakain clung to the ceiling like a spider.
Johan nodded.
At that moment, Hakain drew his sword.
He fell like lightning.
The path of his blade stretched like a haze.
Blood spurted into the air.
The sound of cutting followed a moment later.
Shylock screamed.
Both his wrists had been severed.
Hakain landed atop the table and spoke.
“My lord, shall I kill them all?”
Johan answered calmly.
“Do not make the dining room too filthy. We will be receiving guests soon.”
Whatever happened, this was still the banquet venue.
It had to remain clean.
Hakain spoke with a languid expression.
“Leave it to me. It is my specialty.”
His figure vanished.
Dying screams erupted from every direction.
* * *
In the reception room of Usman's lord's castle, Ilea lifted her teacup and spoke.
“I am curious. What did you wish to discuss by calling only me away?”
Nedval wore a meaningful expression.
“Because I wish to build a good relationship with you.”
Ilea gave a gentle smile.
“I presume you are not speaking of a relationship with the Count's daughter.”
The corners of Nedval's lips rose slightly.
“As expected, you are perceptive. My eyes did not deceive me, Sovereign of Magic.”
Ilea set down her teacup.
She stared hard at Nedval.
“It seems you can see my Ghost Soul.”
Ilea ordinarily moved while completely concealing her true nature.
An ordinary mortal could not sense even the slightest trace of malice from her.
Only someone with an ability like Shaperia's Appraising Eye could even vaguely peer into Ilea's essence.
Yet Nedval had fully grasped Ilea's true nature.
Nedval had called her the Sovereign of Magic.
Nedval was certain that she was a Witch.
Ilea was somewhat taken aback.
Of course, she did not show it.
Nedval spoke.
“See your soul? As you know, a mortal such as myself cannot interfere with souls. I merely possess the ability to discern a target's identity.”
Ilea gave Nedval a suspicious look.
“...Identity. That is quite a vague concept. In any case, you know what I am. That makes me somewhat uncomfortable.”
Nedval opened their mouth.
Just as Nedval was about to respond, blue Mana surged from Ilea's body.
A small formula blossomed in the air.
The temperature in the room began to plummet.
Nedval's hands and feet froze solid.
Nedval could not move at all.
A long ice spike slowly approached before Nedval’s eyes.
“You are rather hasty.”
Ilea spoke in a low voice.
“What are you? Please reveal your identity.”
Nedval's face stiffened like wax.
“My name is Parazael. I am a demon who crossed the vast strait to meet the Thirteenth End.”
Nedval occasionally raided the countries across the strait, then returned to their territory.
It appeared that this demon named Parazael had come back with Nedval then.
Ilea spoke.
“What business does someone like you have with Johan? I heard you were the one who first visited Myatro territory.”
According to Raguel, Nedval himself had proposed an exchange with House Myatro.
Parazael had been targeting Johan from the beginning.
It spoke.
“I intended to offer the Watcher of Narak to the Thirteenth End. With me, I can control the Watcher's body and find that legendary vault. House Myatro's legacy will surely become a great source of strength for the End.”
Ilea slowly nodded as she considered its words.
As expected, demons were beginning to gather around Mapheltan one by one.
Demons could not help but be instinctively drawn to the Apostle of the End.
“I understand the general situation.”
“Sovereign of Magic, are you not also with the Watcher of Narak for a similar reason? Then join hands with me. Together, we can prepare offerings for the End.”
Ilea spoke.
“Before that, shall we first confirm your true body?”
Countless streams of Mana wrapped around Nedval's entire body.
She was examining Parazael's essence.
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
