WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 180: Michael
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A person suddenly emerged from the large full-length mirror.
It was two boys and a beautiful woman.
All three were striking, but the woman drew the most attention.
Everything about her was pure white.
White hair and eyebrows, white pupils, pale skin, even a snow-white cloak. It was as though she had been sculpted from snow.
The general store owner could not take his eyes off her.
There was something utterly alien about the air surrounding her.
She was more than beautiful. She felt unnatural.
The owner forgot even the bizarre sight of people emerging from a mirror and could only stare blankly at the woman.
As if enjoying his gaze, she wore a smug expression.
She looked quite arrogant.
The black-haired boy clicked his tongue.
“Lumina, that was a foolish mistake. Do you not know that we must not draw attention?”
Magic was forbidden in this world.
Any human caught using magic would be hunted by the Great Saint Church for life.
Lumina seemed to have forgotten that fact.
The general store owner had witnessed Mirror Magic.
If he reported them to the Great Saint Church, Johan would be in serious trouble.
The owner finally came to his senses and spoke.
“...W-Where did you come from?”
Irritation showed on Johan’s face.
Lumina spoke with a rather brazen expression.
“We came out of the mirror. I’m a Mage. Is there a problem?”
The owner’s eyes wavered.
He tried to remain calm as he answered.
“Ha ha, that’s an amusing joke. Is there anything you are looking for?”
With a meaningful smile, Lumina approached him.
“Something I’m looking for? Of course. I need a puppet, and there happens to be one right in front of me.”
A pure white haze rose from her hand.
It was Mana, forming complex calculations.
The general store owner stumbled back in alarm.
“...A-A Mage?!”
The people of this world feared Mages.
Mages generally treated humans like insects and conducted human experiments without hesitation.
Most had never strayed from that nature.
Mages were beings colder and crueler than Demons.
The store owner could only tremble in terror.
“Come here. Come to me and become my puppet.”
Lumina reached for him.
White Mana wrapped around the man.
At that moment, Johan spoke.
“Lumina, stop.”
Lumina sharply turned to him.
“Why? It’s necessary.”
Raguel stammered.
“I-I think erasing that person’s memories would be enough!”
Lumina frowned slightly.
“Do you think I’m wasting my time on an insect like that merely to silence him?”
If she had wanted to silence him, she would have killed him immediately.
To Lumina, ordinary humans were insignificant creatures, and she had no time to waste on such things.
“Then why...?”
“We need an underling. We’ll have to travel to and from the Empire often, so we should secure a safe transfer point. I was planning to have him install mirrors throughout the Empire. Does that answer your question?”
Even while speaking with Raguel, Lumina kept her eyes on Johan.
Johan spoke.
“Were you planning to brainwash this man?”
Lumina nodded.
“That’s right. So he’ll work for us from now on.”
The general store owner looked close to tears.
“G-Great Saint, please save this lamb.”
He despaired over the misfortune that had suddenly befallen him.
Johan spoke.
“Lumina, I will not permit it.”
Lumina’s expression crumpled.
“Why not?”
“The Empire is different from the Kingdom. Its methods for tracking traces of magic are much more systematic. We cannot afford to leave an unnecessary trail.”
A magical trace would inevitably remain on someone who had been brainwashed.
If the Empire caught even a fragment of it, they would deploy the Rangers.
Those hounds would cling to the remnants of blasphemy until the very end.
Depending on the circumstances, Lumina’s identity could be exposed.
Lumina snorted.
“Traces of magic? Have you forgotten who I am?”
“I trust and acknowledge you, but I don’t want unnecessary variables over something trivial. Try to understand.”
Lumina cleared her throat.
“If you put it that way... Ahem.”
Johan smirked.
Lumina was rather easy to handle.
As long as he satisfied her pride to some extent, she would reluctantly become obedient.
‘Is it because she has spent her entire life associating only with Muel? Her social skills are no different from a child’s.’
For 160 years, Lumina had lived hearing only the voice of Muel, the Archdemon of Foresight.
She had almost no experience with interpersonal relationships.
She was someone with considerable deficiencies.
Johan spoke.
“Just erase his memories. You can do that, right?”
Lumina sighed as though she had no choice.
“It’s easy.”
She approached the trembling general store owner.
A Magic Formation appeared above his head.
The Short-Term Memory Erasure Formula. A spell that erased a moment’s memories was activated.
The owner blinked several times.
His tearful expression became vaguely vacant.
He looked around and spoke.
“Look at me, I didn’t even notice that customers were here. Is there anything you’re looking for?”
His recent memories had completely vanished.
Raguel sighed in relief and rubbed his chest.
He had truly thought Lumina would kill the man.
“...Johan, thank you.”
Johan shrugged.
“I don’t know why you’re thanking me.”
Raguel smiled faintly.
“Johan really is a good person.”
Johan started walking.
“Enough nonsense. Let’s go. We’ve wasted more time than expected.”
Raguel and Lumina followed behind him.
The general store owner stared blankly at their backs.
“C-Customers, what were you looking for...?”
A silver coin gleamed in his hand.
* * *
Michael de Valerion possessed one of the strongest imperial authorities in the Empire’s history.
He had ascended the throne at the age of twelve and completely seized control of the political world in only three years.
Much blood had been spilled in the process, but he had ultimately achieved perfect centralization of power.
Michael was an Emperor revered by all.
Even the old monsters of politics had no choice but to yield to his inborn genius.
There was not even room for envy or jealousy.
Everyone believed Michael to be the return of the First Emperor.
That comparison was based on some truth.
Michael could communicate with the spirit of Valerion I, the First Emperor.
He had been accompanied by Valerion, his Guardian Spirit, from birth.
In the Imperial Palace’s bedroom, Michael quietly read a letter.
Wolfgang, the Guardian of the North, had sent it to him.
Its contents were simple.
In short, it asked him to meet the Kingdom’s Watcher of Narak.
Michael muttered quietly.
“...Johan von Myatro. The Watcher of Narak.”
The Watcher of Narak was the most talked-about person on the continent.
He had brought the End to an end.
At such a young age, he had fulfilled two of humanity’s long-held wishes.
Apostle Beris and Elquines had been completely annihilated by the Watcher of Narak.
Johan was a hero, and his standing rose with each passing day.
His ambitions were as great as his accomplishments.
According to the information reaching Michael, Johan Myatro desired the rank of Duke-King.
The moment the Emperor granted permission, he would wear a crown.
There would be three kings on the continent.
That was not the continent Michael envisioned.
Michael wanted complete unification.
No, to be precise, Valerion dreamed of centralizing the continent.
A low, majestic voice echoed from behind Michael.
“What a strange matter. Myatro’s potential should have vanished long ago, so how has such a prodigy appeared?”
Michael immediately knelt on one knee.
“Greetings, Your Holiness, Founding Emperor.”
A white figure wavered behind Michael.
Valerion I, the First Emperor of the Empire.
He was a Guardian Spirit visible only to Michael.
“Michael, you are the highest authority on the continent. That knee should not bend so easily.”
“Your Holiness was the Holy Hero who saved the world alongside the Moon. Before Your Holiness, I could kneel a thousand, ten thousand times.”
“How many times must I tell you? Marziel and I are failures. This world is still stained by darkness. Michael, you must fulfill our long-held wish in our stead. You must become the light that illuminates the world.”
Michael lowered his head deeply.
“Please withdraw such undeserved words. I am merely a lamb who follows Your Holiness’s words.”
Valerion let out a deep sigh.
“What a regrettable nature. Such high intelligence is obscured by weakness and cannot shine.”
“...I can only apologize for disappointing you.”
“No. This is not your fault. The Contract I made with the Sun long ago binds you. My foolishness has become humanity’s shackles.”
Great Saint Marziel, the First Emperor Valerion, and the Grand Duke of Myatro had made a Contract with the Sun.
In exchange for receiving great power from the Sun, all descendants born afterward would inevitably possess one Deficiency.
Michael, a descendant of Valerion, had been born with a weak nature.
Raguel, a descendant of the Grand Duke of Myatro, had been born with physical impairments.
All of it was the result of the Contract.
Michael had heard this story many times.
“Then according to Your Holiness’s words, the Watcher of Narak must also have a great weakness.”
“...Hmm, it is difficult to be certain. The Watcher’s actions have greatly departed from common sense. We must meet him first to know for sure.”
Michael picked up the letter on his desk.
“The Watcher has requested an audience.”
“He wants the rank of Duke-King, does he not?”
“Without question.”
After considering it briefly, Valerion spoke.
“Set a date. Summon him to the Imperial Palace.”
Valerion was interested in the person named Johan.
He wanted to see him with his own eyes.
Michael slowly rose from his kneeling position.
“Understood. I will send a letter.”
“Yes, it is late. You should rest as well.”
Michael hesitated before speaking.
“My apologies, Your Holiness. Today is that day.”
“...Michael, surely you have not gotten rid of the World Tree Subspecies? Are you still trapped in the past?”
A gigantic ancient tree had taken root somewhere in the Empire. It was a subspecies of the World Tree.
Exactly once a year, Michael went to the World Tree Subspecies and faced his past.
“I have endured while waiting only for this day each year. Please understand this weak lamb.”
Valerion sighed deeply.
“Outside the Empire is dangerous. One day, this annual observance will become shackles around your ankles.”
Michael began preparing to leave.
He covered his face with a cloth and put on thick fur clothing.
He even pulled up his hood.
“Do not worry. No one will recognize me.”
Even Valerion could not break Michael’s stubbornness on this day.
“I wish I could see such resolve from you more often.”
Michael slightly lowered his head.
“...I will try to live up to Your Holiness’s expectations.”
He immediately left the bedroom.
With only a single knight accompanying him, he secretly departed the Imperial Palace.
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