Whispers of a Scheming Demon - Chapter 51

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈

Chapter 51: The Count's Knights (4)

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“W-What did you just say?”

Kembell's eyes trembled. He could not hide his emotions at all. He was deeply shaken.

Johan's lips curled upward. A meaningful smile settled across his face.

“I asked why you were hiding such honorable scars.”

Johan looked at Kembell as though he knew the truth behind those scars. He even carried the air of a predator that had caught sight of its prey.

Kembell was confused. Very few people could have known the secret of “that day,” and the boy before him certainly was not one of them.

In short, Johan's behavior was highly irregular.

Kembell glared at Johan and spoke in a guarded voice.

“...What do you mean by that?”

Johan shrugged.

“There is no hidden meaning. Scars are symbols of martial prowess for a knight. I simply thought scars of honor like those would be more than enough to take pride in.”

Johan's expression calmly settled. The gaze that had been fixed upon prey vanished without a trace.

The strange pressure that had been closing around Kembell disappeared in an instant.

Kembell gave no reply to Johan's words. Tension still lingered in his expression.

Johan did not miss a single one of Kembell's reactions.

‘My guess was right.’

Kembell the Blasphemer. He was an unfortunate knight plagued by guilt and shame. To a demon, he would make ideal prey.

If Johan used him well, dealing with the Count would become far easier.

In place of the tight-lipped Kembell, Maira spoke.

“I agree with Johan as well. Burn scars like that are far more fitting for a knight than a smooth face.”

Johan shook his head.

“No. I spoke too carelessly when I did not know the circumstances. Sir Kembell, I apologize for my rudeness.”

Maira smiled warmly.

“Ha ha! Then we have each been rude once. Why not settle each other's offenses with a manly handshake?”

Johan held out his hand to Kembell.

“I agree.”

Kembell hesitated. Doubt still flickered across his face.

Maira gave Kembell a meaningful look.

“You have only just revealed your face too. If we are judging rudeness, you are hardly innocent yourself. Why not end it here?”

Kembell seemed reluctant.

“...Very well.”

Still, he extended his hand. He could not withstand Maira's pressure.

The palms of the two men met in the air.

Once their brief handshake ended, Johan spoke.

“Then let us get to the point.”

Once everyone had taken a seat, Maira spoke.

“I will be direct. The Count wishes to see you, Johan.”

He held out a white invitation.

Johan stared at the sheet of paper.

“Why?”

Ordinarily, a noble summoned by a Count would accept the invitation without complaint. Most would be delighted simply to have drawn the Count's interest.

Johan was different. He showed no change in expression whatsoever.

As though he had expected that, Maira nodded.

“As you know, strange incidents have continued to occur in the south lately. The Pilgrimage Party was attacked, Apostle Beris appeared, and a Horned Demon with a white horn was sighted. It is somewhat ambiguous to call it the south, but an ancient demon has manifested nearby as well.”

The ancient demon referred to Kaiaje.

“Is there any particular connection between those incidents and the Count's wish to see me?”

“As I said, all these events occurred in the south. Incidents that might happen once in a century, if at all, have continued to occur within one particular region.”

“I do not understand what you mean.”

“It is simple. The Count suspects that something is wrong in Narak and wishes to hear the opinion of House Myatro's heir. As for why he has not invited the head of the house... I will refrain from saying more on that matter.”

Gryan Myatro was a notorious wastrel. Not a single noble considered him the Watcher of Narak.

Johan clicked his tongue inwardly.

‘It is a good excuse.’

Summoning the Watcher of Narak under the pretext of Narak? There was practically no basis to refuse.

Whether the Count had other intentions or not, House Myatro had no choice but to accept the invitation.

Johan spoke without expression.

“And if I refuse?”

Resolve settled over Maira's face.

“You will be formally summoned before the Council. In that case, your father, Baron Myatro, will have to attend. I sincerely hope that does not happen.”

The Council was the kingdom's highest decision-making body. Johan could not attend such an official gathering. He was still far too young to represent a noble house.

As Maira said, Gryan would attend in Johan's place.

What nonsense would that idiot spout before the Council? Johan did not even want to imagine it.

He would never entrust Myatro's future to Gryan.

Johan swallowed a groan.

As expected, the Count was no easy opponent. There was no escape from the snare he had cast.

Johan had to accept the invitation. He had no choice but to move as the Count intended.

‘Only this far.’

Johan sighed and spoke as though he had given up.

“It is an invitation I cannot refuse. Very well. I will visit when the time is right. When would be suitable?”

“The sooner, the better. Let us set a date within this year if possible.”

He was telling Johan to visit within three months.

“Understood. I will decide on a time and contact you separately.”

Maira smiled in satisfaction.

“The Count will be very pleased. I will make sure to tell him only good things about you, Johan.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Sir Maira.”

Maira waved a hand.

“Not at all. I should be thanking you. You received us even though we came without notice. Thank you again. We intrusive guests should be on our way now.”

Maira and Kembell rose from their seats.

“Will you not stay for a meal?”

It was an offer made out of courtesy.

“That will not be necessary. We cannot take up any more of your precious time.”

Maira wisely declined as well.

Johan nodded.

“Then I will see you both at the Count's estate next time.”

Maira smiled warmly.

“I look forward to that day.”

“So do I. Travel safely.”

Maira and Kembell gave slight bows before leaving the reception room.

Gaf would escort them from the lord's castle.

Left alone in the reception room, Johan sank into thought for a moment.

* * *

Johan had been completely overwhelmed lately. Too many events had erupted at once, leaving him with no peace of mind.

He had managed to contain them for now, but in truth, he had only put out the immediate fires.

Compared to the unforeseen variables that kept appearing, he had far too little time to prepare.

Johan sighed and sank into his chair.

‘...Things are getting tighter and tighter.’

Just when one matter seemed finished, another incident erupted elsewhere. He needed to focus on White Horn, yet Count Staviana was causing trouble as well.

Even several bodies would not be enough at this rate.

Johan truly needed time.

Fortunately, he had gained a small amount of breathing room.

It was thanks to several people who could handle the smaller tasks for him.

The Imp, Ilea, and even Gaf. The Imp would find a living Sacrificial Offering, while Ilea would thoroughly investigate Apostle Garnish.

Gaf had taken charge of the various small tasks around the lord's castle. It had simply happened that way. He was more capable than Johan had expected.

Whatever the case, Johan had bought himself some time.

With his eyes closed, he began sorting through the situation.

Ever since his Possession of Inmarok, Johan had repeatedly faced several questions.

Why had he been transmigrated into Inmarok in the first place? Who had kidnapped him? What did that being want from him?

Naturally, he had found no answers, so he had simply pushed those questions aside until now.

Survival came first. Johan had reminded himself of that priority.

Now, his thoughts had changed slightly.

The moment he recognized the crack and Garnish, who had been placed inside it, a new perspective opened before him.

The being that had kidnapped Johan into the novel clearly wanted something.

If he could uncover that being's identity and demands, perhaps he could find a direction beyond mere survival.

Depending on the circumstances, he might even be able to return to his original world.

Johan looked up at the ceiling and murmured.

“...Tell me what you want.”

Naturally, there was no reply.

He had expected that, so he felt nothing in particular.

He simply made a resolution. From now on, he would not neglect the task of uncovering the being that had kidnapped him and its intentions. He would continue gathering clues.

For now, it was still a vague matter, and he had more immediate problems to resolve first.

Clicking his tongue, Johan played with the invitation Count Staviana had sent.

It was time to return to reality.

‘Varzen Staviana.’

The Count had created a plausible pretext and was placing shackles on the baronial house.

Every excuse was merely groundwork for swallowing the Forbidden Archive.

The Count was persistent. He would use every possible method to obtain his goal.

Sending two knights was likely part of that effort as well.

A scheme to assess his prey and discover its weaknesses. Johan had no intention of playing along with such childish games. As a demon, he would use them to his advantage instead.

Just as his thoughts reached that point, the door to the reception room opened.

Gaf entered and spoke.

“They are both gone.”

He was referring to Maira and Kembell.

“Are you sure?”

“What do you mean, am I sure? I saw them leave the castle with my own eyes.”

“You wouldn't know where they were headed once they left the castle.”

Gaf frowned.

“If you want me to follow them, just say so.”

Johan snickered.

“You have become quite perceptive. In any case, I have a favor to ask. Watch their every move. Their routes, the people they meet, and even their conversations if possible. See and hear everything, then report back to me.”

Gaf turned around without even answering.

Johan added,

“I am not finished talking.”

“What else is there?”

After a long pause, Johan spoke.

“You were a mercenary, so you know how to use a spear too, right?”

“A spear? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I want to learn some spear techniques.”

The sacred relic, Espada, was a spear.

Even after it was corrupted, it would retain that form.

“Why do you suddenly want to learn spear techniques?”

“I expect to acquire a spear close to a supreme treasure. It would be a waste to let it go unused, so I intend to make use of it.”