WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 32: Holy Relic (2)
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Johan’s group returned to the territory shortly before sunrise. It was still dim outside, so Johan could not return to his human form.
He was still in his demon form.
Since he could not enter the castle looking like this, the group decided to wait at the village mill until morning.
Johan sat in a corner of the mill and took out the Great Saint’s Eye.
A gold-covered model of an eyeball. The supreme Holy Relic gleamed atop his black palm.
‘The gains far outweigh the cost.’
They had used up the Polymorph Slime, the Apostle-Sealing Jar, Great Witch Rahel’s treasure chest, and several other minor relics. Yet in return, they had obtained the Great Saint’s Eye.
They had come out far ahead.
‘Things with Beris have become a little awkward, but it can’t be helped. The greater the gain, the more risks you have to accept.’
Apostle Beris had even inscribed Contract Magic upon the world itself to reveal their hatred for Johan.
It would surely become a major trial for him someday.
It was an enormous risk. Still, it was more than worth accepting.
The Great Saint’s Eye was a priceless treasure with unparalleled effectiveness against humans.
With a glance, it drew others’ favor, even inspiring respect and reverence. It possessed power perfectly suited to a religion’s chief deity.
Through this eye, Great Saint Marziel had easily ruled over all people.
‘Its uses are endless.’
As Johan sank into thought, Ilea spoke.
“Young Master Raguel will be very pleased.”
Johan’s red eyes turned toward Ilea.
“Why?”
“Because he’ll regain his sight.”
Johan looked back at the golden model. When he did not answer, Ilea continued.
“Do you perhaps want it for yourself?”
“Want it? You seem to be mistaken about something.”
“Am I?”
“This eye was never Raguel’s to begin with.”
Johan had never said he would give the Great Saint’s Eye to Raguel.
He had merely mentioned that the piece of the corpse inside the coffin was an eye.
Ilea let out a hollow laugh.
“It seems I jumped to conclusions.”
“Do you feel deceived?”
“Not at all. I’m actually glad. It’s a first-grade sacred relic. It would be a waste to use it merely to restore someone’s sight. Johan would surely use it more efficiently. Still...”
She paused before adding,
“What do you intend to do about your contract with Young Master Raguel?”
Johan had promised Raguel that he would restore his sight. The price of failing to fulfill that contract was death.
Johan raised the corner of his mouth.
“I never set a specific deadline.”
Gaf, who had been listening, struck the pile of straw hard.
“You rotten brat!”
Ilea covered her mouth and pretended to be surprised.
“You really are a demon to the bone.”
Johan shrugged.
“I do intend to keep my promise someday. It’s just not now.”
“An opportunity will not come easily. Transplants and restoration are in the realm of miracles, after all.”
“That’s why you have to help me. Aren’t we bound by fate?”
“Johan, how should I put this? You’re really selfish.”
Gaf snorted.
“A selfish bastard.”
Johan gave a faint laugh.
“For a demon, that’s a compliment.”
Ilea shook her head as though he was hopeless, then changed the subject.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Ask anything.”
“The Great Saint’s Eye. What exactly can it do?”
She was still young, and there was much that even a Witch did not know.
‘Even Ilea wouldn’t know the Great Saint Church’s deepest secrets.’
Johan answered.
“It earns favor from humans who meet its gaze, and hatred from demons.”
That was the simplest way to put it.
The moment she heard his explanation, Ilea’s eyes widened.
“If we corrupt it into an abomination, we could place countless demons beneath Johan’s feet.”
A corrupted Holy Relic possessed abilities opposite to its original nature.
Just as Kazan’s Ring, which blocked Demonic Energy, had been corrupted into an abomination that resisted Holy Power, the Great Saint’s Eye would become an unholy abomination that drew demons’ favor and humanity’s hatred.
If used properly, countless demons would follow Johan.
“That’s right. It would be quite useful.”
“Then have you decided? Will you corrupt it?”
Johan shook his head.
“No. I intend to leave it as a Holy Relic.”
For an instant, a shadow passed over Ilea’s face.
‘She must be disappointed.’
Johan’s choice did not quite align with Ilea’s ultimate goal.
She would surely prefer to corrupt the Great Saint’s Eye and place countless demons beneath Johan’s feet.
“May I ask why?”
“First, I intend to transplant the Great Saint’s Eye into my human body.”
At present, human Johan was far too weak. Investing in and strengthening his human form would be far more beneficial to his survival than doing so for demon Johan, who had already undergone rapid growth.
No matter how strong his demon side became, it would all be meaningless if he died in his human form.
But transplanting a corrupted Great Saint’s Eye into human Johan? There could be no greater contradiction.
A human hated by humans and loved by demons could not survive in this world.
“And the second reason?”
“It’s practical. I have no way to acquire the Sacrificial Offerings.”
Corrupting a first-grade sacred relic required countless lives.
Betra alone had been enough for Kazan’s Ring, but the Great Saint’s Eye would require too many Sacrificial Offerings to count.
Even offering the entire population of a city might not be enough.
“What about saving it for later? We could keep the Holy Relic for now, then gather enough Sacrificial Offerings when an opportunity arises.”
Johan shook his head.
“I don’t have the luxury of holding back power I can use right now. I need to grow by any means necessary. So I reject your proposal.”
It was a matter of opportunity cost. Rather than dragging things out, it would be more efficient to use the Great Saint’s Eye immediately and gain influence in human society.
Ilea’s expression turned cold. She spoke slowly.
“...What if I brought enough Sacrificial Offerings right now?”
Johan frowned.
“I don’t understand why you would go that far.”
“Because its potential is certainly greater as an abomination.”
Transplant the corrupted Great Saint’s Eye into Johan’s demon form, then rally all evil to his side.
It was certainly an appealing idea.
But it made him uneasy. Even after using all those lives as human sacrifices, could he truly remain sane?
‘Impossible.’
Either he would be crushed by guilt and become a wreck, or he would become a demon to the bone.
In short, he did not want to cross that line. Even if it was merely the instinct of a weak human.
Johan said,
“That conflicts with my first reason. As I said, I need to cultivate strength in my human form as well. I appreciate the offer, but I refuse.”
Ilea smiled again. It seemed as though she would yield first, as usual.
“I was simply curious about your choice, Johan. I understand your intentions now, so I won’t interfere further.”
Johan felt strangely uneasy.
‘She was curious about my choice?’
Ilea shifted her gaze toward the window.
“The sun is rising. You can transplant it now.”
Faint dawn light seeped into the room through the window.
At the same time, Johan’s appearance gradually began to change.
He was turning back into an ordinary boy.
A somewhat youthful voice came from his mouth.
“Gaf, crush the golden model.”
“...What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. Smash it against a rock or whatever else you want. Just crush it.”
Gaf received the Great Saint’s Eye and let out a deep sigh.
“This is driving me mad.”
After taking a breath, he drew his iron sword.
He began striking the model with the pommel using all his strength.
Crack. Crack.
Cracks spread through the model, and red liquid seeped from between them.
“That’s enough.”
Johan took the Great Saint’s Eye back and raised it above his head. Then he tilted his head back.
Drip. Drip.
Scarlet blood fell one drop at a time onto Johan’s left eye.
It was the Great Saint’s Holy Blood.
* * *
Several days passed.
Johan stood blankly before the full-length mirror installed in the corner of his room.
A boy with black hair and black eyes. His mother’s human family must have been quite beautiful, because his features were sharp and harmonious.
He was likely to grow into a handsome man.
That was not important right now.
Johan’s attention was focused on his left eye.
‘Its color and appearance haven’t changed.’
Though he had absorbed the Holy Blood, the eye itself remained unchanged.
His vision was the same as well.
Only one thing had changed.
The way others treated him.
Johan glanced to the side.
The maid who had brought tea flinched and lowered her head.
“Um, well...”
“What comes to mind when you see me?”
Caught off guard by the question, the maid only moved her lips helplessly.
“You may speak honestly. Tell me what you feel.”
After hesitating for a long time, the maid answered in a shrinking voice.
“You are handsome, dependable, and...”
“You feel you can trust me?”
“Yes!”
Having shouted without thinking, she quickly covered her mouth.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s fine. You may leave.”
The maid rushed out of the room without even handing over the teacup.
‘It’s ambiguous.’
Handsome. Dependable. Trustworthy.
They were certainly positive feelings, but they fell short of what had happened in the original work.
Surging respect, reverence that robbed people of reason, admiration close to faith. When the Pope in the original work used the Great Saint’s Eye, such dramatic reactions had clearly followed.
It was likely because Johan did not possess Holy Power.
‘Should I obtain Holy Power?’
Holy Relics fundamentally displayed their full strength through Holy Power.
The Great Saint’s Eye was no exception.
If he could wield Holy Power, he would likely be able to activate or deactivate the eye’s power, which was constantly active now, as needed.
In many ways, obtaining Holy Power would be more efficient.
Just as he began thinking about how to do so, there was a knock.
“It’s Ilea. May I come in for a moment?”
“Come in.”
Johan stared intently at Ilea as she entered.
Ilea did not avert her eyes either.
As though in a staring contest, the two faced each other for some time.
Then Ilea suddenly let out a quiet laugh.
“Young master, are you trying to charm me?”
Johan clicked his tongue.
“As expected, it doesn’t work on you.”
“I’m not human.”
She was a Witch.
“I more or less expected that.”
Ilea’s eyes curved in a smile as she approached Johan.
“Are you disappointed?”
Johan’s expression tightened slightly.
Ilea gently linked her arm with his.
“Don’t worry. Young master has already earned a great deal of my favor.”
Johan cleared his throat and pushed Ilea away by the forehead with his index finger.
“Don’t say pointless things. Tell me why you came.”
As though she had only just remembered, Ilea clapped her hands softly.
“Shaperia has come to see us. She’s with the lord right now.”
A puzzled look appeared on Johan’s face.
‘Why is that woman here?’
Had she come looking for a place to stay after losing all her Sacred Power and being cast out by the Great Saint Church? She was not the sort of person with the nerve to do that.
He could not understand her intentions.
“I should meet her myself.”
Johan immediately headed to the lord’s reception room.
* * *
Shaperia kept sneaking glances at Baron Gryan’s expression.
The Baron seemed timid in many ways. Just as he had during the last pilgrimage, he always appeared consumed by anxiety.
For the lord of a territory, he projected no authority whatsoever.
Rather, his young son seemed more like the person truly in charge.
‘Is that even possible?’
A boy of around ten holding the real power of a noble house. It was difficult to imagine.
‘It must be my imagination. I should speak with the Baron.’
Shaperia slowly opened her mouth.
“My lord, I do not know if you have heard, but the Pilgrimage Party was attacked.”
The Baron’s eyes widened. He truly seemed to know nothing.
“What do you mean...?”
“The Great Saint Church is conducting an investigation now.”
“H-have they found the culprit?”
“We have not found a single clue. However, there was one puzzling matter.”
“What is it?”
Shaperia took a sip of tea, then slowly looked around the room.
“I do not see any knights.”
“Knights...?”
“Is there not a blond knight assigned to this territory?”
She was referring to Rail.
The Baron had not seen Rail for a long time.
“That is true.”
“Do you know where Rail is now?”
“I do not. Rail has not shown up at all lately.”
Shaperia frowned.
‘The lord does not know where his own knight is?’
The Baron spoke.
“But why do you ask?”
The reception room door flew open.
Johan entered the room.
“Sir Shaperia, it’s been a while... actually, no, it hasn’t.”
Shaperia had left the territory only a short while ago. It had taken only around ten days for them to meet again.
She rose and responded.
“It is good to see you again.”
“But what brings you here? You can speak with me now.”
As though he had been waiting for it, the Baron immediately rose from his seat.
It seemed natural, yet somehow strange.
Shaperia hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I came relying on our slight connection. If it is not too presumptuous, may I ask one small favor?”
Johan could not even guess what she intended to ask for. Still, he decided to hear her out.
“Please, speak.”
She looked directly into Johan’s eyes.
“Could you let me, for a while...”
Shaperia could not finish her sentence. Her gaze fell to the floor without her realizing it.
Unfamiliar emotions rushed through her.
It was a feeling she had never experienced before. Johan slowly approached her.
“Are you unwell?”
“Do not come closer!”
Shaperia stepped back in alarm. Her eyes trembled violently.
To Johan, who knew her from the original work, Shaperia’s current appearance felt unfamiliar.
‘Rather than the Demon Butcher... she looks like an adolescent girl.’
Johan felt sorry for her, but he was also a little interested.
“Calm down and sit first.”
“S-speak from there.”
Johan gave a small laugh.
‘Great Saint Marziel, you were bound to become a libertine.’
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