WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 21: Shaperia
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Shaperia the Valkyrie was one of the protagonists of the original work. In the future, she would be called the Demon Butcher.
When it came to exterminating demons, she would rise to the realm of a demigod. A hero destined for mythical achievements, she had been different from birth.
She had been born with the ability to sense demons.
No demon could hide its identity before Shaperia.
The Crone Spirit was no exception. Even if it hid its decaying body within Ilea's body, its stench would remain.
Now that the judge had caught that lingering trace, Ilea could not avoid an investigation.
In the lord's castle's underground prison, Ilea looked through the iron bars.
“If you stay here, you'll be in danger too, Young Master.”
Johan shook his head.
“Didn't you see? Shaperia failed to see through my identity. That means I'm safe.”
“...Shaperia. Is that the woman's name?”
“Yes. She's young, but a troublesome enemy. For now, she's only an apprentice holy knight.”
“You speak as though you know her well.”
“Is there anything I don't know?”
Johan's knowledge was beyond imagination. He knew Ilea's identity and purpose, and he had even found the Forbidden Archive with ease.
He had continued to show such abilities while taking control of the estate, so Ilea could not deny Johan's confidence.
“You knew everything.”
“This is no different. Shaperia has the ability to detect demons.”
“It seems you prepared for her.”
Although Shaperia had detected the Crone Spirit, she had not sensed Johan's black blood.
That was because he had prepared a defense.
Johan pointed to his ring finger.
“Kazan's Ring.”
It was the sacred relic he had corrupted by offering Betra as a Sacrificial Offering.
Originally, it possessed the power to ward off Demonic Energy. Now, it had gained the ability to resist Holy Power.
“Before the Holy Hero's legacy, even Shaperia's power is nothing but a paltry trick.”
All clerics manifested divine authority through Holy Power.
Since Shaperia also sensed demons through Holy Power, her ability did not work on Johan while he wore Kazan's Ring.
Looking at her shackles, Ilea spoke.
“As expected, you had a countermeasure ready. Though you didn't give me any warning. I suppose we weren't in the same boat after all.”
“Don't be upset. A situation like this would not be a crisis for you anyway. In fact, you've already made a plan to escape, haven't you?”
In the original work, Shaperia and Ilea's first meeting had been the same as this. The judge with her sword drawn, and the witch on the rack. Yet the witch would escape the crisis as though flaunting it.
Events were proceeding as they had in the original work.
“Even so, if you had told me beforehand, we could have skipped all this.”
Johan nodded.
“True. There was no need to make you suffer. Even so, there is a reason I did not mention Shaperia.”
Ilea stared at Johan without answering. Johan continued.
“The Pilgrimage Party will take you to the Holy Office of Heretical Inquiry.”
The Holy Office of Heretical Inquiry was a heresy investigation institution directly under the Holy See. There, suspects underwent various examinations.
“People usually don't return alive.”
“You are different. You will be freed before you arrive. However, there is something I need you to do while they take you there.”
“What is it?”
“I want a fragment of the Great Saint's corpse. Open the chest holding the corpse. Your magic should make that possible.”
The Pilgrimage Party was traveling the continent to recover fragments of the Great Saint's corpse. One fragment they had found was being guarded by this procession.
Johan intended to steal it.
Ilea let out a dry laugh.
“You want to steal the Great Saint's corpse? Even if you succeed, you'll be hunted for the rest of your life.”
Each fragment of the Great Saint's corpse was classified as a first-grade sacred relic. The moment he touched one, he would make the most dangerous organization in the world his enemy.
It was far too reckless.
“They will not even realize it was stolen. I can make sure of that.”
Johan's face was full of confidence, but Ilea could not entrust her fate to such confidence.
After pondering for a long while, she spoke.
“I don't know why you want the corpse, but I don't think I can join you this time. I'm sorry.”
“Why not hear the plan first?”
Ilea shook her head.
“I hear footsteps. Please go back. Let's pretend I didn't hear what you just said.”
Johan spoke with a calm expression.
“What a shame. I thought you would find it interesting.”
“It is very interesting, but not enough to risk my life. I'm sorry to disappoint you.”
“If you change your mind, tell me anytime.”
Just as Johan was about to leave, a cold voice spoke.
“This is troubling.”
Shaperia had come down into the prison and was gazing steadily at Johan.
“Meeting alone with a suspect accused of apostasy. Do you wish to invite needless suspicion?”
Johan looked up at her.
‘She's fairly tall. Is she around sixteen?’
When no answer came, Shaperia narrowed her brow slightly.
“I asked why you are here.”
Johan answered with an expressionless face.
“I came because I was curious whether my servant truly made a contract with a demon.”
Shaperia sighed.
“I do not know whether she made a contract, but it is certain that she harbors a demon. If she was unwillingly possessed, she will receive treatment at a monastery. If she entered a contract willingly, appropriate punishment will follow. Either way, the Inquisition will decide. Do not involve yourself further.”
Johan gave a quiet laugh.
“The Inquisition. I hear they investigate only after deciding upon the answer. If that is true, then my servant is already as good as dead.”
Displeasure crossed Shaperia's face.
“You are insulting the Great Saint's judges.”
“The process is slapdash from the very beginning, so its reliability is bound to be low.”
“...What do you mean by that?”
“Isn't it obvious? Branding someone an apostate after seeing their face once seems terribly primitive.”
Shaperia glared at Johan.
“The Great Saint granted me the power to distinguish demons. My eyes have never been wrong.”
Johan shrugged.
“If it is the Great Saint's power, then I suppose I must accept it. There is no way the Great Saint could make a mistaken judgment.”
“Of course...”
“However, the humans who wield that power can make mistakes at times. Do not overestimate yourself. Continue to refine yourself. Your power is remarkable, but it can also easily trample someone's life.”
The words coming from a young boy sounded rather mature.
Moreover, Johan's advice was something Shaperia always kept in mind.
Without realizing it, she looked at Ilea.
At the same time, Shaperia's pupils shook violently.
The demon she had sensed during the day had vanished without a trace.
Beyond the bars, there was only a silver-haired girl sitting quietly.
Johan raised the corner of his mouth.
“Admitting and correcting one's mistakes. That is one of the teachings the Great Saint always emphasized.”
Leaving only those words behind, Johan departed.
* * *
In the lord's castle's reception room, Baron Gryan Myatro sat across from his hated younger brother.
“It seems you are not pleased to see this younger brother of yours. It has been ten years since we last met, yet you have not even asked how I have been. You merely glare at me. It makes me feel awkward sitting here.”
Contrary to his words, Kryll was sitting very comfortably. He had sunk deep into the sofa and even placed his legs on the table.
Gryan snorted.
“You have not changed at all. Still arrogant and detestable.”
“You have changed quite a bit, Brother. For one thing, you have gained more weight. It is an impressive figure for the Watcher of Narak. Ha ha!”
At the mockery, Gryan ground his teeth with a grind.
“Yes, unlike a coward like you, I am the rightful Watcher. Look at you today as well. Hiding behind the Great Saint Church's skirts. Were you too afraid to come alone?”
Kryll had deliberately arranged his schedule with the Pilgrimage Party's to visit Myatro territory.
As long as he was with the Great Saint Church, his safety was guaranteed.
Kryll crossed his arms and nodded.
“You are an unpredictable person, Brother. You have always been that way since childhood. Blinded by immediate gains, you often fail to consider the consequences, do you not?”
If Kryll had not traveled with the Great Saint Church, Gryan might truly have broken noble custom.
By inviting Kryll in and killing him.
Gryan slammed the table with a bang.
“I am better than you, with all your useless thoughts! Is that not why Father chose me?!”
Kryll shook his head.
“Father resembled you. Consumed by jealousy and envy, he cast aside even his own child. He failed to make the right judgment.”
Gryan's fat face twisted wildly.
“You bastard! How dare you!”
Kryll spoke calmly.
“Calm yourself. I did not come here to fight over emotions. Is it not the same for you? Tell me why you summoned me.”
Gryan's hand holding the glass trembled.
He wanted to challenge Kryll to a duel, but it was impossible.
Kryll, who had continued training, still possessed a muscular body. Gryan was nothing but a fat pig.
To begin with, the Baron had never defeated his younger brother even once.
Not in any field.
Gryan spoke as if chewing on a blade.
“...I did not summon you.”
“What do you mean?”
“My son summoned you.”
“Raguel summoned me?”
“No. My bastard son.”
Kryll let out a hollow laugh.
“I heard about the bastard, but that brat summoned me?”
“Yes. He will chew you up and spit you out.”
The Baron spoke like a prostitute hiding behind a thug.
The sight was so ridiculous that Kryll burst into laughter.
“Ha ha! You are putting forward a snot-nosed brat. Brother, how far have you fallen?”
“Laugh while you can.”
As Kryll's laughter continued, a knock sounded.
A calm voice followed from beyond the door.
“This is Johan. May I come in?”
As though he had been waiting, the Baron shouted.
“Yes! Come in at once!”
A black-haired boy entered the room.
Kryll's gaze moved to Johan.
Suppressing his laughter, he spoke.
“Nice to meet you. You are my brother's shield, I hear?”
Johan bowed.
“Johan Myatro. Greetings, Uncle.”
Kryll frowned slightly.
“You have already given him the family name?”
Normally, a bastard could not use a noble family's surname.
Gryan snorted.
“Even a riffraff like you is called Myatro. What does a surname matter?”
Johan looked at Gryan.
“Father, could you leave us for a moment?”
The moment he spoke, Gryan hurriedly rose to his feet.
“Y-Yes. Speak comfortably.”
The man who had been shouting at the top of his lungs was gone. All that remained was an attitude close to servility.
Acting that way toward his son, especially a bastard son. Kryll found it impossible to believe.
As soon as the Baron left the room, Kryll stared at his brother's retreating back in disbelief.
“What...?”
“Uncle, I will speak plainly.”
Johan, now seated, opened his mouth calmly.
“Give up the barony. That is the only way you will survive.”
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