WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 47: The Count's Knights (1)
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Johan sank into deep thought.
As Ilea said, corrupting the Holy Spear would solve many problems.
First, there was Gawain. His suspicions about Johan would disappear.
He would no longer be able to sense the Holy Spear's presence from Johan.
That was not all.
There was also a high chance it would solve the problem of White Horn.
The wound Gawain had inflicted would naturally heal once the Holy Spear was corrupted into a monstrosity. At that moment, White Horn would be able to act again.
Of course, for that conclusion to hold, one condition had to be met.
White Horn had to be alive.
Otherwise, corrupting the Holy Spear would be meaningless.
Johan had previously heard the Imp speak of White Horn's vitality, but he could not fully trust the creature.
He needed definite confirmation.
Johan looked at Ilea.
“First, let's confirm one thing. What exactly is inside the crack that only you can see?”
She stared above Johan's head.
“I can't see inside it. But I think I can answer your fundamental question.”
She understood what he truly wanted to ask.
“Is it alive?”
“Yes, definitely.”
“What is your basis?”
“Johan's Demonic Energy still remains in my heart. In other words, the Contract of Protection is still active. If ‘demon’ Johan had died, the Demonic Energy would have disappeared. Depending on the circumstances, I might have died as well.”
Ilea's explanation confirmed it.
White Horn was alive.
“I see. Thanks to you, my priorities are clear now. No matter how I look at it, corrupting the Holy Spear is the most urgent matter.”
The Imp cried out eagerly.
“I can already hear their screams!”
Ilea, meanwhile, watched Johan with an odd expression.
“You accepted that more quickly than I expected. It should be a decision that demands considerable resolve from you.”
Johan had constantly struggled not to lose his humanity. By his own values, this was something he could never carry out.
Ilea knew that well.
Johan said,
“It seems you both misunderstand. I have no intention of offering them as sacrifices.”
“As expected! Was the scale simply too small to announce the beginning of a great evil deed?”
Ilea tilted her head.
“Were you not agreeing with my suggestion?”
“Of course the Holy Spear must be corrupted. The problem is the method. Think about it. What are the requirements for a Corruptive Formation?”
“Living Sacrificial Offerings, Mana, and a sacred relic to corrupt.”
Johan nodded.
“Assume we have the sacrifices and Mana. The sacred relic is the problem. Is there any way to place Holy Spear Espada on a Corruptive Formation?”
Based on the circumstances, the Holy Spear was above Johan's head, within the crack. Even Gawain, its owner, had suffered greatly while trying to retrieve it, and ordinary humans could not even see the crack Ilea spoke of.
No ordinary method could even approach the Holy Spear or the crack.
Ilea likely had no solution either. If she could control the crack, she would have already tried all sorts of things.
Witches were the kind of people obsessed with the unknown.
Ilea shook her head.
“For now, I can't even touch the crack with a fingertip.”
Johan frowned.
“As expected. It was a proposal that couldn't even be carried out. Why did you make it? Did you want to test me?”
Had she wanted to know what he would choose between humanity and practicality? It was difficult to explain Ilea's true intentions otherwise.
Ilea's expression grew serious.
“You are half right and half wrong. First, I was curious what decision Johan would make in a situation like this, where there is only one way forward. It is true that I tested you. I apologize. But you are wrong to call it a proposal that cannot be carried out. I told you because it is a viable plan if we can find a way to touch the crack.”
If she wanted Johan to abandon his humanity, he needed to make his values clear.
“There is a line I will not cross. No matter the situation, I will not cross it. Remember that.”
“I will. I won't test you again.”
‘But if someone has to cross that line, I will do it. Without Johan knowing.’
Ilea swallowed the rest of her thought and smiled.
Johan clicked his tongue.
“Putting that aside, what method is there to touch the crack?”
“I gave it some thought while we were walking. There is clearly no visible mechanism, yet the crack rejects every approach, including magical and physical contact. There is a high chance it is bound by a Prohibition. Do you know anything about Prohibitions?”
In Inmarok, a Prohibition was an unwritten rule concerning a particular phenomenon or object.
Unless one met certain qualifications, no method could grant access to a Prohibition.
Johan nodded.
“I know enough.”
“That Prohibition only circles around Johan. This is only my guess, but could the crack be a kind of special zone that only permits Johan?”
“A place only I can enter?”
“Exactly. ‘Demon’ Johan is inside that crack right now. Assuming the Prohibition does not discriminate by race, Johan in his ‘human’ state should be able to enter it as well. That is what I think.”
Johan thought for a moment before speaking.
“It is a fairly reasonable guess. By your hypothesis, even human sacrifice is not completely impossible.”
“There is another option. It is still human sacrifice, but the offering would be different this time.”
“Explain.”
“You would use yourself as the Sacrificial Offering, Johan. Enter the crack, draw a Corruptive Formation, and place both the Holy Spear and yourself on the altar.”
At that moment, ‘human’ Johan would disappear from this world. He would live as a demon for the rest of his life.
“It takes the lives of around two thousand people to corrupt a Grade 4 sacred relic. One person cannot possibly be enough.”
“You seem to have forgotten. The Great Saint's Eye is implanted in you.”
Johan's current body was worth far more than two thousand ordinary humans.
Johan gave a dry laugh.
“Impressive. You really are a Witch. It is an incredibly creative idea, and it might even work.”
Ilea looked puzzled.
“Did you understand correctly? If it succeeds, you will not be able to return to being human. You will live in a demon's body for the rest of your life. Day and night.”
It was a matter that required careful consideration before making a decision.
“Couldn't I use someone else under the same conditions as a sacrifice in my place?”
Interest filled Ilea's expression.
“You mean obtain a piece of the Great Saint's body, implant it in an unspecified human, then offer them as a sacrifice?”
Johan lightly patted Ilea's shoulder. He did not bother hiding his pleasure.
“Exactly. Thanks to you, we have a way forward. A Witch truly is a Witch.”
“...That was praise, right?”
“Of course.”
Ilea cleared her throat.
“Then we should find the worst person in the world. Someone Johan can accept as a sacrifice.”
Johan had no intention of sacrificing an innocent person.
“It will be troublesome. We also need to obtain a piece of the Great Saint's body. I know it may be difficult to understand in many ways, but I hope you can respect it. This is the minimum line I will not cross.”
“Don't worry. I understand well enough.”
Johan nodded.
“Then shall we first verify your guess?”
For Ilea's proposed solution to work, Johan had to be able to enter the crack.
“It is impossible for now. At the very least, Johan needs the ability to perceive the crack before we can verify it.”
“Can you find a way?”
“Let's return to the territory first. We should stay here for just one night.”
Johan needed rest immediately.
Since this was a large village, there should be at least an inn.
“Fine. We'll leave as soon as we catch our breath.”
The two headed straight into the village.
The Imp stubbornly insisted that it could not dare use an Apostle's body as something as lowly as a hiding place, so it burrowed into Ilea's arms.
* * *
As usual, Baron Gryan Myatro sipped liquor while lamenting his fate.
The numerous Tribute Maidens, Betra, who had once sat on his lap and fawned over him, and Ilea, whose mere presence naturally brought a smile to his face, none of them remained by Gryan's side.
He was a powerless figurehead, shut away in his office and merely occupying the position.
No one came looking for him.
Today, however, was a little different.
The office door flew open.
The uninvited guest who had not even asked permission to enter was Gaf.
“Hey, trash. Someone is looking for you.”
Gryan shot to his feet.
“...M-master?”
His master was Johan.
“No. They say House Staviana sent them.”
Heavy footsteps and the clanking of iron armor sounded immediately after.
Gaf spoke toward the hallway.
“Come in and handle your business.”
Two knights with sturdy builds entered the office.
Without even removing their visors, one of them spoke.
“I am Knight Campbell Laura. I was sent by Count Staviana.”
Gryan stammered.
“I-I am Gryan Myatro. But what business has the Count sent you gentlemen here on...?”
“Where is the Young Baron? Our business is with him.”
The Young Baron referred to Johan, the next lord of the territory.
A puzzled look crossed Gaf's face.
“Why are you looking for Lord Johan?”
The knight in the visor stared at Gaf. His eyes were not even visible beneath his helmet.
“How rude of you to interrupt. You do not appear to be a knight.”
“You have no right to point out rudeness. You entered the lord's office with swords at your waists.”
The knight tapped the hilt of his sword.
“Then why don't you try taking it from me?”
Gaf snorted.
“You brat hiding in armor. In my younger days, I used to tear people like you apart with my bare hands. That armor won't protect you.”
Just as the knight was about to shout something, the other knight spoke.
“Campbell, stop. We did not come here to fight.”
Gaf said bluntly,
“Then state your business. I would like to know why you are looking for Lord Johan.”
“Count Staviana wishes to see the Young Baron of Myatro. The Count sent an invitation. Take a look.”
The knight unfolded a sheet of white paper before Gaf.
An eagle-shaped seal was stamped in the center of the invitation.
“I will deliver it. Hand it over.”
The knight shook his head.
“It must be delivered directly.”
“He isn't here right now.”
“Then there is no helping it.”
The knight removed his visor and dropped into a chair.
“You intend to wait?”
“Is there another way?”
“There isn't, so do as you please.”
The moment he finished speaking, the office door opened.
Johan and Ilea entered side by side.
Gaf let out a hollow laugh.
“What perfect timing. Young Master, you have guests. They say House Staviana sent them.”
Without even looking at the two knights, Johan spoke.
“I am busy. Where is Raguel?”
The knight's brow furrowed slightly.
“Count Staviana has business with the Young Baron.”
Johan clicked his tongue.
“I am busy, so come back later. More importantly, Gaf, bring Raguel to the basement. It is urgent.”
Leaving only those words behind, Johan walked out of the office.
The knight remained rooted to his seat, utterly dumbfounded.
What business could possibly be more important than one involving Count Staviana? He could not understand Johan's behavior at all.
Gaf smirked at the knight.
“Would you like me to deliver that invitation?”
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