WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 185: Valerion (2)
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“White Horn, I propose a transaction.”
The atmosphere around Michael changed completely.
His gaze was calm, his expression brimming with ease.
Mapheltan’s lips curled into a long smile.
‘It’s Valerion.’
Michael’s guardian spirit, Valerion I, could fully possess Michael for exactly thirty minutes each day.
Whenever Valerion took control of the body, the Emperor became an entirely different person.
Blood Emperor, or Iron-Blooded Monarch. Most of the epithets circulating among the public had originated with Valerion.
And Valerion now stood before him.
In Michael’s body.
Mapheltan spoke with an intrigued expression.
“Interesting. Go on, then. I’ll hear you out.”
Lumina folded her arms and grumbled.
“What? There was no need for Barrier Breaking after all?”
Barrier Breaking was already underway when it vanished on its own.
Knight Medein had suddenly withdrawn it.
It was the Emperor’s command, and Medein did not harbor the slightest doubt.
He trusted the Emperor completely in this state.
Whenever Michael’s atmosphere changed, something miraculous would happen.
This was precisely such a moment.
Valerion I opened his mouth.
“I wish to have Hans returned. I will pay the appropriate price, so state what you desire, demon.”
Valerion considered Hans quite precious.
Hans was the only thing supporting Michael.
If Hans died, Michael truly would fall apart.
Valerion I did not wish to see Michael break.
Mapheltan gave a faint laugh.
“The return of Valerion I. The Emperor known as the Blood Emperor is fixated on a mere commoner. Surprisingly, Arne was telling the truth. Michael, you really were remarkably fragile.”
Michael’s expression did not change at all.
He merely stared silently at Mapheltan.
“White Horn, it seems you and Arne are not completely on the same side.”
Mapheltan appeared unaware of Michael’s guardian spirit.
At least, that was how it seemed on the surface.
Had Arne, who knew of Valerion I, not yet shared that information with Mapheltan?
Or was Mapheltan pretending not to know despite hearing everything?
Valerion I could not yet find a clear answer.
Mapheltan spoke.
“I don’t know what prompted you to say that, but Arne and I are merely bound by ordinary shared interests. To begin with, there is no such thing as being completely on the same side in this world.”
Valerion slowly nodded.
“I entirely agree. Eternal alliances are no more than an ideal. I misspoke.”
Mapheltan gave a quiet laugh.
“You’re rather easy to talk to. We may get along better than expected.”
“I will decide that after hearing your response to my proposal. What will you take in exchange for returning Hans?”
Valerion was composed and calm.
Worthy of the revered First Emperor, he did not waver even before an Apostle.
Even Count Staviana had been shaken by the sight of Mapheltan. Valerion was certainly Valerion.
“I like your temperament. Fine, I’ll be direct as well. This body wants the Watcher of Narak.”
“The Watcher of Narak?”
“Yes, Johan Myatro. He will likely wish to meet you.”
“He has already requested an audience.”
Mapheltan’s lips rose.
“Good. Meet him. I will decide the time and place. That is the price for Hans’s return.”
Valerion thought for a moment before speaking.
“...You are telling me to lure out the Watcher of Narak?”
“Exactly. That is your only role.”
“What do you intend to do after calling out the Watcher?”
Mapheltan shrugged.
“Either kill him or let him live. It will be one or the other.”
Valerion gave a small, hollow laugh.
“You would trade the life of a commoner named Hans for the life of a great noble named Johan? I believe the exchange rate is somewhat mistaken.”
Mapheltan shook his head.
“You are wrong. It is not Hans who is placed on the scales, but Michael. More precisely, the Watcher of Narak will be sacrificed for the Emperor of the Empire.”
The moment Hans died, Michael’s heart would break.
Valerion knew that well.
To protect Michael, Hans was necessary. In place of Hans, the Watcher of Narak had to be cast aside.
In the end, the core of the transaction was a choice between Michael and Johan.
Hans was merely the wrapping.
The moment Mapheltan finished speaking, a strange light flashed in Valerion’s eyes.
“Weigh Michael and Johan against each other?”
Mapheltan nodded.
“The Emperor of the Empire and the Watcher of Narak. Choose the one with greater value.”
“...You are certain that without Hans, this Michael will break.”
“He will not merely break. He will be driven mad. The Empire will collapse like a sandcastle.”
Even in the original story, Michael eventually went mad.
Not even Valerion I could control him.
“Do I appear that fragile to you?”
Mapheltan gave a faint laugh.
“Well, one cannot know a human’s inner thoughts from the outside. Especially not those of Valerion’s bloodline.”
Valerion stared intently into Mapheltan’s red eyes before speaking.
“Fine. I accept your proposal.”
Sword Saint Medein, who had been listening, was startled.
“Y-Your Majesty! Why would you...”
Valerion raised one arm and cut Medein off.
“White Horn, where will you arrange the audience between myself and the Watcher? It will likely be outside the Imperial Capital.”
Mapheltan was powerless in the Imperial Capital.
Any demon or Mage became no more than vermin the moment they set foot there.
The scheme had to proceed outside the Imperial Capital.
“Of course, the Imperial Capital is not an option.”
“As expected. Decide on the exact time and place.”
“In two weeks, at the Great Holy War ruins in the Empire. Have the Watcher come to the upper reaches of the River Lovern.”
Valerion considered Mapheltan’s words.
“The upper reaches of the River Lovern. It is not far from here.”
“Consider it consideration for someone who cannot move about easily.”
The Emperor was the heart of the Empire. It was not easy for him to secretly leave the Imperial Capital.
“I will see you that day. You must bring Hans. Alive.”
“Good. I hope this will be a clean transaction.”
Valerion turned around.
“If there is nothing else to say, I shall return now.”
Lumina spoke.
“Just leave the way you came. I’ve dispelled the magic.”
Valerion mounted his horse and moved at a slow pace.
He seemed relaxed at a glance, but he was actually pressed for time.
The limit on his possession was thirty minutes a day.
Soon, Michael would regain control of his body.
Fragile Michael would find it difficult to handle this situation properly.
Valerion left the old hunting ground slowly, yet swiftly.
Knight Medein followed the Emperor without lowering his guard around Mapheltan.
* * *
Shaperia sat on her bed, staring silently at the pentagram seal of the Church of the Great Saint.
‘Saint Marziel. I have become someone who has strayed from the good you speak of.’
Shaperia had compromised with evil. In the end, she had not killed Gawain, who had become a demon.
For Johan, and to eradicate every evil in this land, she had joined hands with the demon Gawain.
‘I can no longer call myself a follower of the Church of the Great Saint.’
The Great Saint had defined every intelligent being other than humans as Evil.
According to his sense of justice, even the imprisoned Subterraneans of Narak’s Second Zone were all demons.
Shaperia thought differently.
She did not consider the Subterraneans demons.
The very act of defining them as Evil filled her with visceral revulsion.
Shaperia decided to fully accept that feeling.
She would no longer be bound by blind faith.
She placed the pentagram seal in a drawer.
She could no longer wear it around her neck.
“I will retain only my respect for you.”
Until the moment of his death, Marziel had upheld his sense of justice.
He was not a god, but he was undoubtedly a saint.
There were certainly aspects of him worthy of respect.
Shaperia did not deny that fact.
A sinister voice sounded beside her ear.
“Great Saint Marziel. He certainly was quite the man.”
Shaperia swiftly turned her head.
Beside her stood a dark figure with a pale face.
Gawain. The third prince who had fallen into demonhood.
The contrast between his bloodless white face and the jet-black Demonic Energy wrapped around his body left a strange impression.
Shaperia slightly lowered her head.
“...Your Highness.”
She did not know how to treat Gawain.
Gawain was unlike an ordinary demon.
His goodwill toward Johan had caused his fall.
If she had to be precise, Gawain was a victim. As he had become her companion, Shaperia could not bring herself to treat him disrespectfully.
Gawain waved a hand.
“Dame Shaperia, the title ‘Your Highness’ no longer suits me. Please speak comfortably. Just Gawain will do.”
Shaperia smiled awkwardly.
“And yet Your Highness calls me Dame.”
“Ha ha, my old habit remains. I will call you Shaperia from now on. Would that be all right?”
After a brief pause, Shaperia replied.
“...Very well. I will also omit the title of Your Highness.”
“Good, Shaperia. Let us get along from today onward.”
Gawain held out his hand.
Shaperia hesitated slightly, but eventually took it.
Immediately after they shook hands, the bedroom door opened.
Johan entered the room.
He spoke with an indifferent expression.
“It seems you have chosen your course, Shaperia.”
Not long ago, Johan had left every choice regarding Gawain’s disposition to Shaperia.
She had decided to accept Gawain.
She had compromised with evil.
Johan was pleased in his own way.
“My lord, I will follow the good I believe in.”
“I respect your decision.”
Gawain spoke.
“I’ll accumulate deeds of evil in my own way as well. I’m beginning to form my own standards.”
Johan frowned.
“Gawain, why are you suddenly speaking so formally?”
Gawain replied with a calm expression.
“There is no need to muddle the hierarchy. You are the head of this group, and I intend to respect that position.”
Gawain’s attitude had changed completely.
He looked much like he had as a human.
Johan somehow felt uneasy.
“The way you speak is unimportant. Speak as you please.”
Gawain smiled softly.
“This is what feels comfortable to me. Both then and now.”
In the original story, Gawain never fell into demonhood.
Johan could not clearly know what the demon Gawain thought or what emotions he carried.
He would likely need Serena’s Mind-Piercing Eye.
Johan nodded before looking at Shaperia.
“Shaperia, I am sorry to give you no time to rest, but there is somewhere you must go with me. Prepare yourself.”
It had not even been two weeks since Beris was subjugated.
“I will carry out your command.”
Shaperia held no doubts.
Instead, Gawain asked a question.
“Where are you going?”
Johan spoke.
“To the Empire. To meet the Emperor.”
Johan intended to take Shaperia with him.
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