WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 177: Arrogance
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Mapheltan and Gawain left the Forbidden Archive and went up to the underground library.
Raguel, Zalkarin, and Hakain watched Gawain warily, all of them tense.
Raguel hid behind a bookshelf and cautiously poked out his head.
“D-Did you free His Highness?”
Raguel knew well that Gawain was a prince.
Mapheltan spoke.
“For the time being, Gawain is our companion. He made a Contract with me.”
Gawain slowly walked through the underground library, looking around.
Whenever his gaze fell on them, everyone except Mapheltan flinched.
Gawain spoke in a languid voice.
“White Horn, are these your subordinates? I finally understand why you need my power.”
Raguel was a High Elf, but still only a frail boy, and Zalkarin was plainly a Lesser Evil Spirit.
Hakain was the only one among them who could be considered useful in a fight.
Mapheltan snickered.
“You speak boldly. Could you say the same in front of Shaperia or Ilea?”
Both had already reached the ranks of the Transcendents.
Even Gawain would have no choice but to acknowledge their superiority.
Gawain looked interested.
“Ilea? That Witch?”
“That’s right. The silver-haired Mage who subdued you.”
Gawain recalled the past.
He had once been defeated by Ilea when he was human.
She was also the reason he had been imprisoned in the Forbidden Archive.
Gawain slowly looked down at his body.
“That bitch was certainly strong. I admit that much. But what about with this body? If we fought again, I think I could tear all her limbs apart.”
Raguel let out a small snort.
Hakain slowly shook his head.
Zalkarin scoffed.
“Gawain, was it? Let me offer you some advice as your senior. Never provoke that Witch. Especially not with that way of speaking. You’re being quite disrespectful to the End right now, and the Witch will never tolerate such behavior.”
Ilea occasionally lost control of her emotions over matters involving Johan or Mapheltan.
If Gawain continued being irreverent, she might truly harm him.
A competitive gleam flashed through Gawain’s eyes.
He stared as if he would bore through Zalkarin.
“...And if she doesn’t tolerate it? Are you saying that bitch could kill me?”
An immense bloodlust washed over Zalkarin.
Zalkarin immediately hid behind Raguel.
“Y-Yes! I hate to admit it too, but that Witch is truly a monster!”
Hakain spoke.
“Your Highness is certainly a powerful demon. However, your strength will not reach Lady Ilea.”
Gawain turned toward Hakain.
“You dare judge me?”
His bloodlust pierced Hakain like an awl.
Leaning against a bookshelf, Hakain replied lazily.
“Your Highness, I merely stated the truth.”
Gawain’s expression twisted. He barely restrained his rising killing intent and looked at Mapheltan.
“...White Horn, where is that Witch now?”
Mapheltan answered calmly.
“You need not go as far as Ilea. There is someone in this estate who can test your strength.”
Gawain did not understand what Mapheltan meant.
“Test my strength?”
Mapheltan nodded.
“Is that not obvious? If you acquire a new sword, you should at least learn how durable it is.”
Gawain found that absurd.
“Ha!”
“From now on, you will spar with Shaperia. Fight with your life on the line.”
Gawain frowned.
“Shaperia? Was she not the angel with broken wings?”
“Those wings have grown back.”
Gawain fell into thought for a moment, then slowly licked his lips.
“I’ll indulge you. This should be entertaining.”
“Also, once the fight is over, you’ll need to do some acting. Let’s get our stories straight now.”
“Acting?”
“Did I not tell you? You are to help convince my Knight.”
Mapheltan intended to reveal his identity to Shaperia one step at a time.
The battle today would be the first step.
Gawain’s brow furrowed.
“I can’t understand any of this.”
“I’ll explain it now, so listen carefully.”
Mapheltan slowly began to speak.
He started explaining the plan.
* * *
As soon as the conversation ended, Mapheltan entered Serin’s world through Mirror Magic.
The vast interior came into view at once.
The structure of the subspace had changed completely.
Mapheltan frowned slightly.
‘It changes every time I come here.’
In the past, it had been an empty space filled only with mirrors.
Now it was colorfully decorated with all kinds of ornaments.
The wallpaper was pink, and large and small dolls stood everywhere.
Anyone could tell this was a girl’s space.
Within that pale-pink world, Mapheltan was a thoroughly alien presence.
A pitch-black demon did not suit pink.
Mapheltan swallowed a groan.
‘This feels strange.’
For some reason, he felt guilty.
The thought kept rising in his mind.
Should I really be walking around in here?
Just as Mapheltan let out a sigh, a familiar voice called out from ahead.
“Wow, this is quite a violent scene.”
The snow-white Archmage Lumina rose from the sofa and walked over.
Mapheltan clicked his tongue.
“I know, so be quiet. More importantly, who decorated this place? That taste...”
His voice trailed off.
“Serin” poked her head out from Lumina’s shoulder.
She was Serena’s older twin sister.
“I decorated it! What do you think? It’s pretty, right? Hehe.”
Serin sincerely considered Mapheltan her friend.
Mapheltan scratched his head.
“...Well, it’s not bad.”
Serin smiled innocently.
“Right?! I knew you’d like it!”
She was genuinely delighted.
She had the bright, carefree air of a girl her age.
Mapheltan was pleased.
The girl was no longer alone.
She was always surrounded by people now.
Lumina, Ilea, and Serena deserved much of the credit.
Mapheltan had not been able to look after Serin properly, using his busy schedule as an excuse. In his place, they had become Serin’s friends.
Mapheltan glanced at Lumina.
Lumina grinned.
“Save your thanks. I’ve gained a great deal thanks to Serin as well.”
Through studying the world within Serin’s Mirror, Lumina had achieved a great deal.
Archmage Lumina was still growing even now.
Mapheltan nodded, then turned his gaze.
At the edge of his vision stood a blonde beauty.
The user of the Mind-Piercing Eye and Johan’s fiancée, Serena Marcano.
She lightly lifted the hem of her skirt and greeted him.
“Johan... no, Mapheltan. You need not thank me either. This is my sister’s matter, after all.”
Mapheltan approached her and placed a hand on her delicate shoulder.
“I’ve received much help from you.”
Thanks to the Mind-Piercing Eye, he had uncovered the identity of Butler “Haman” and seen through Gawain’s plan.
Mapheltan was sincerely grateful to Serena.
Serena stepped back several paces.
She smiled awkwardly.
“I-Is that so? Haha.”
The black hand resting on her shoulder quietly fell away.
Mapheltan swallowed a groan, somewhat embarrassed.
“That was inconsiderate of me. This appearance must be rather grotesque.”
He was a being that took the form of human fear.
His appearance naturally put pressure on others.
Serena lowered her head slightly. She felt somewhat sorry. Showing fear must have been rude to her fiancé.
“...I’m sorry. I’m not used to it yet.”
A red ring shone on her finger.
It was the Engagement Ring.
Mapheltan snickered.
“I understand, but you’ll have to bear with it. Fortunately, Johan is handsome.”
He made a joke to lighten the mood.
Quick-witted Serena immediately understood his intention.
She gave him a playful smile as well.
“Well, neither of them is my type.”
Mapheltan played along.
“Is that so? Once Johan grows a little more, that thought will surely change.”
“If he keeps growing like this, he might become a prince on a white horse.”
“So that’s your type. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Lumina abruptly interrupted their conversation.
“This is too embarrassing to listen to any longer. Mapheltan, save those conversations for when you’re alone. Could you explain why you came here?”
Lumina stood with her arms crossed, looking displeased.
Mapheltan shrugged.
“My apologies. For a 160-year-old spinster, it must have been a rather unpleasant sight.”
Lumina’s face flushed red, then blue.
“What?! What did you say?! Spinster?! One hundred sixty?!”
Mapheltan feigned innocence.
“Easy, easy. If you get any angrier, it’ll really look like I got under your skin.”
Lumina glared at Mapheltan, her hands and feet trembling.
She was on the verge of exploding.
Serin gently tugged on Lumina’s dress.
“Big sister...?”
Lumina met Serin’s gaze.
Her reason gradually returned.
Her breathing slowly steadied.
After a moment, Lumina spoke.
“The point. Explain the point, Mapheltan.”
Mapheltan snickered.
“A major clash will soon occur in my territory. The castle will surely be reduced to rubble again.”
In the past, the battle between Ilea and Gawain had left the lord’s castle half destroyed.
Mapheltan could not simply let the same thing happen again.
Preparations were necessary.
Lumina sighed.
“Shall I temporarily separate the entire estate into subspace?”
Under the Contract, she had no choice but to help Mapheltan.
Mapheltan nodded.
“I would appreciate it. The fight will begin soon.”
Lumina gestured through the air.
A massive full-length mirror flew in from somewhere.
The interior of Myatro Lord’s Castle appeared upon its surface.
Shaperia was racing through a corridor, clad in blazing red Kalpa Flame.
Lumina stepped into the mirror.
“It’s already heated up. I’ll be back.”
Her figure vanished.
* * *
Shaperia had gained some understanding of the Moon’s contradiction and the being known as the Sun.
The moment she reached that realization, Holy Flame felt even more familiar.
The blazing red Kalpa Flame danced at her command.
It devoured Demonic Energy and burned away malice.
Before sacred flames, no demon could remain unscathed.
Gawain felt powerless.
The power of a Heaven Beyond Heaven bore down upon him.
All his black limbs burned away.
Only Gawain’s upper body remained as he blankly stared into the air.
He murmured softly.
“...White Horn, why on earth do you need my power?”
No answer came.
Gawain gave a hollow laugh.
He could not understand Mapheltan’s intentions in making a Contract with him.
As he fell briefly into thought, an overwhelming presence began to weigh down upon his body.
A crimson angel slowly emerged from the blazing red Kalpa Flame.
She raised a sword burning with Sacred Flame.
“...Your Highness, please forgive this humble servant’s disloyalty.”
Holy Flame surged from the blade’s tip.
Terrifying heat spread in every direction.
Just as Shaperia was about to bring down her sword, a youthful voice rang out.
“It’s hot. Withdraw all the fire.”
Johan walked through the burning corridor.
The Holy Flame that had consumed the surroundings vanished in an instant.
Shaperia’s face filled with bewilderment.
“M-My lord!”
Johan looked down at Gawain, who had been reduced to rags.
He clicked his tongue.
“Gawain, I’m a little disappointed.”
Gawain gave an incredulous laugh.
“...What am I supposed to do against a monster like that?”
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