WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 179: Empire
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The Imperial Capital differed somewhat from ordinary regions of the continent.
Even its environment was unusual.
Holy Power naturally permeated the air.
No demon could breathe within the Imperial Capital. The moment one inhaled, a being made of malice would immediately vanish.
Not even the phenomenon known as magic could occur.
Due to the Moon's Prohibition, not even an Archmage could use magic in the Imperial Capital.
The Imperial Capital was the graveyard of all demons.
Any being with even the slightest demonic trait avoided the Imperial Capital without exception.
Johan was no different. He absolutely could not set foot there.
For a Half-Demon to enter the Imperial Capital was suicide.
Archmage Lumina spoke.
“...You want to meet the Emperor. Fine. I’ll do my best to help. But remember one thing. I can’t guarantee your life.”
Johan turned into a demon when the sun set.
The moment he underwent demonic transformation in the Imperial Capital, the Moon's Prohibition would activate.
Imperial Capital First Commandment: Evil that sets foot upon the Holy Site is immediately annihilated.
Mapheltan could never be free of the Moon's Prohibition.
He was still only a half-finished Apostle.
His level of existence was far too low.
He would surely be torn apart like a Lesser Evil Spirit by the Moon's Prohibition.
The moment the sun set, Mapheltan would disappear from the world forever.
They had to escape the Imperial Capital before sunset.
Any unforeseen variable meant death.
Serin cautiously spoke.
“Johan, if anything happens in the Imperial Capital, come into my mirror.”
Serena shook her head.
“No, Sister. No magic can be used in the Imperial Capital.”
Imperial Capital Second Commandment: Irreverent phenomena cannot exist.
Within the Imperial Capital, only supernatural abilities composed of Sacred Power could exist.
Magic and sorcery could not manifest at all.
Lumina spoke.
“Johan, to be honest, I lose nothing whether you die or not. I’ve already fulfilled my advancement condition through my interaction with Mapheltan. Once I fulfill my obligations during our one-year Contract, I’ll have no reason to see you again.”
Johan calmly replied.
“What is your point?”
Lumina cleared her throat.
“...Setting our interests aside, there’s loyalty between business partners, right? It’s a little embarrassing, but still. If I were to advise you based on such human values, I’d say don’t go to the Imperial Capital. If you truly must go, it would be better after Mapheltan becomes a true Apostle.”
Johan snickered.
“You are all drinking the kimchi broth before it is served.”
Confusion crossed everyone's faces.
“Johan, what is kimchi broth?”
“Is that some kind of proverb?”
“It isn’t a magical term.”
Without realizing it, Johan had used a modern idiom.
“It means you’re getting ahead of yourselves. Don’t run ahead on your own.”
Lumina looked puzzled.
“You said you would meet the Emperor.”
“That is true, but the audience does not have to take place in the Imperial Capital.”
“Almost no Emperor in history has ever left the Imperial Capital.”
From the first Emperor to the present, most Emperors had never left the Imperial Capital.
The world was too dangerous, and the Emperor was the heart of the Empire.
The Empire could never expose its heart to the outside world.
By imperial law, the Emperor's range of activity was strictly limited to the Imperial Capital.
Johan spoke.
“Michael is different. Once a year, he secretly leaves the palace. He takes only one knight with him.”
Michael was the name of the current Emperor.
He was one of the protagonists in the original story and played a significant role.
Any reader of the original story would know detailed information about Michael.
Lumina gave Johan a suspicious look.
“...Are you certain?”
“Has anything I said ever been wrong?”
Every claim and declaration Johan made always came true.
Every situation was moving according to his hand.
Lumina could not deny that.
She had not known Johan for long, but he had left a strong impression on her in that short time.
“Even monkeys fall from trees.”
Johan snickered.
“Your pride really is something.”
Lumina cleared her throat and spoke.
“Anyway, I understand. You must have another plan.”
Johan nodded.
“First, I need some of your strength. Will you help me?”
Lumina sighed.
“What can I do? Under the Contract, if you tell me to do something, I have to do it.”
“Good. I will tell you what needs to be done. First, we need to break a Holy Barrier. Are you knowledgeable about that sort of magic?”
Lumina was a spatial mage. She might not have been well versed in Barrier Breaking magic.
“What rank is the barrier we need to break?”
After thinking briefly, Johan answered.
“At most, Rank 4. More likely Rank 5.”
Lumina slowly nodded.
“That won’t be a problem. If I spend a few hours on it, I should be able to break it.”
The Archmage's experience certainly showed.
In the past, Wolsaea installed on the Great Saint's coffin had been a Rank 4 barrier, and Ilea had said it would be impossible to break Wolsaea immediately.
Only after using Rahel's Jewel Chest had they been able to resolve the situation.
Lumina was different.
The Archmage declared that she could break a Rank 4 barrier without the aid of treasures or artifacts.
Ilea, as a Witch, was naturally far superior in combat ability, but the Archmage was above her when it came to magical theory.
One hundred sixty years had not passed for nothing.
Johan smiled in satisfaction.
“That is reassuring. As expected of an Archmage.”
At the sincere praise, Lumina wore a somewhat arrogant expression.
“Of course. I am Lumina, the White Mage.”
She always acted like that when she felt embarrassed.
Johan had roughly grasped Lumina's personality.
He snickered.
“Shall we leave for the Empire right away?”
With Mirror Magic, they could reach the Empire in an instant.
Normally, they would have needed to ride for about a month.
Lumina's Mirror Magic saved them time in many ways.
Johan was quite pleased to have Lumina.
“I’ll go, but could you at least explain part of the plan? I need to know what’s going on if I’m to work efficiently.”
Her only flaw was her strong sense of self.
‘It would be perfect if she simply did as she was told without questioning it.’
For a moment, Johan considered using the Authority Soul Erasure to turn her into a mindless puppet, but he immediately withdrew the thought.
The moment her soul disappeared, her magical skill would also plummet.
Johan did not want to lose the power of an Archmage.
Clicking his tongue, he spoke.
“I’ll explain quickly, so listen carefully. I won’t take questions.”
Johan began explaining the plan ahead.
As the conversation continued, Lumina's eyes filled with interest.
* * *
As soon as the discussion ended, Johan headed for the lord's office.
Raguel was absorbed in his work.
As always, the desk was covered with countless documents.
“You are working hard. Well done, Raguel.”
Raguel suddenly looked up. He had been so focused on his work that he had not even sensed Johan's presence.
“Johan!”
He beamed the moment he saw Johan.
“So, does the work suit you?”
Raguel was handling most of the territory's affairs.
Scratching his head, he answered.
“Ha ha, I don’t know if it suits me, but I’ve gotten used to it.”
He used to complain that it was difficult, but now he was quite calm.
It seemed he had accepted reality.
“It can’t be easy. Your mind is quite useful, as expected.”
Raguel's work ability was outstanding.
He handled matters very quickly.
His intelligence in that area was quite high.
Raguel grinned.
“Compared to you, I have rocks for brains.”
He was kind by nature, and humility was his default.
His face was rather cute as well. Once he came of age, noble young ladies would line up for him.
‘Which family should I marry him into?’
Johan was sincerely considering it.
He thought of Raguel as a younger brother.
“Do not put yourself down. You are exceptional in many ways. I guarantee it.”
His low self-esteem was likely his only flaw.
Faced with continued praise, Raguel did not know what to do.
“J-Johan, why are you being so scary? Are you trying to make me do even more work...?”
Johan snickered.
“You are perceptive as well.”
Raguel was horrified.
“Even more work?!”
Johan shrugged.
“It’s fine if you refuse. But let me make one thing clear. If you take this task, you will certainly enjoy it as well.”
Raguel grew interested.
Curiosity filled his expression.
“...W-What is it?”
“First, the premise is that we will be going out. It will be your first outing.”
Raguel had never once left the territory since he was born.
In the past, he had been blind and lame, unable to move about at all. Now, as a High Elf, his appearance drew too much attention, so Johan had forbidden him from going out.
Raguel could not help feeling stifled.
He had never said so, but he was extremely curious about the outside world.
“G-Going out?!”
Raguel sprang to his feet.
Johan snickered.
“We’re going to the Empire. What do you think? Does that interest you?”
The answer had already been decided.
Raguel wanted to pack immediately.
“I’ll go! Absolutely!”
“You haven’t even heard what you’ll be doing.”
Raguel suddenly grew uneasy.
“Are we going to do something bad? Hurt people, make human sacrifices, something like that...?”
Johan slowly nodded.
“Well, depending on how you interpret it, it could be considered something bad.”
Raguel's excitement instantly cooled.
He did not want to harm anyone.
“D-Do you really need me?”
“I need the Authority of a High Elf, and by an odd coincidence, you are the only Elf left in this world.”
In other words, Raguel had no choice.
Raguel looked at Johan resentfully.
“So it was all a lie when you said I could refuse.”
“I truly do not intend to force you. I will not ask you to commit evil. Just come with me, then decide for yourself whether you will help me or not.”
Johan always spoke that way.
He made it seem as though he gave people a choice, yet in the end, he got the result he wanted.
This time was no different.
Raguel could not bring himself to refuse Johan's offer.
To him, Johan was more than a parent. In truth, he was close to a god.
Even if Johan demanded evil from him, Raguel would not be able to refuse.
“...I’ll get ready. Please give me a little time.”
As Johan left the office, he said,
“Just put on some clothes and come to the Mirror Room.”
They could reach the Empire in one second.
They did not need much luggage.
* * *
“Everyone is here, right?”
Thousands of mirrors filled the enormous space.
Lumina examined each mirror and searched for their destination.
Since they were leaping such a great distance, the magic was not easy to construct.
Quite a long time passed.
Johan yawned.
“This is boring.”
Raguel lightly gripped Johan's collar.
“That’s rude when she’s working so hard.”
The moment he finished speaking, Lumina opened her mouth.
“I found it. It’s a general store in Organ, the city closest to the Imperial Capital.”
Since it was a general store, it would naturally have mirrors.
Johan nodded.
“Let’s go.”
The three of them immediately stepped into the full-length mirror.
Their view abruptly changed.
An elderly person wearing glasses stared at them with a dazed expression.
“...W-Where in the world did you come from?”
Even seeing the phenomenon before their eyes, they could not believe it.
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