WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 54: Mapeltan (1)
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Pitch-black Demonic Energy flowed from within the crack. Overwhelming malice made its presence known through the tear in space.
Ilea gazed into the air.
“It seems to have wrapped up well.”
The furry Imp cried out with expectant eyes.
“I can feel endless evil! The apocalypse is manifesting upon this land! Bow in worship!”
The creature prostrated itself. At the same time, a pitch-black hand clawed through the crack.
First an arm emerged, then its entire body slowly followed.
The more of its form was revealed, the more rapture filled the Imp’s face.
“A true embodiment of malice! A form of the End given flesh!”
A truly vicious being emerged fully into view.
A strange creature clad in black carapace, its entire body wrapped in crimson tattoos, looked down at everyone with a sinister gaze.
Its appearance inspired terror in humans and awe in demons.
Even Gaf looked tense. Johan, who had been no more than an Imp until recently, had changed too much.
Now he truly looked like an apocalyptic demon.
Ilea rose onto her tiptoes and compared Johan’s height to her own.
“You’ve grown taller again.”
Demon Johan was now nearly as large as Gaf. His build was now truly imposing.
Johan smirked.
“The air is certainly fresher up here. Have you been enjoying this luxury all by yourself, Gaf? Selfish bastard.”
The light joke eased some of Gaf’s wariness.
He spoke.
“What nonsense. You’re a demon who finds stench fresher than clean air.”
Ilea chuckled.
“That isn’t wrong. From Johan’s perspective, he should hurry up and fill this world with the smell of rotten flesh and blood.”
The Imp shouted.
“I shall contribute to the great evil deed! I shall cover the world in the fragrance of burning corpses!”
As the horrifying conversation continued, Raguel shrank back slightly.
Johan’s mouth stretched into a wide, mischievous smile.
“Raguel, will you join us too?”
“P-Please leave me out of it.”
“That won’t do. I’m thinking of entrusting you with an important task.”
“A task? What do you suddenly mean by that...?”
“Scribe of the Ominous Book. One day, you’ll record the end of the world in detail.”
Someone was needed to write Chapter Thirteen of the Ominous Book. Raguel was perfect for it. As much of a bookworm as he was, he would likely have a talent for writing too.
Kaiaje had given Johan a demon scribe, but it did not seem very trustworthy. It would ultimately be Kaiaje’s subordinate.
‘I need someone of my own.’
No one but Raguel came to mind.
“W-What if I say no?”
“Of course, you have no right to refuse. Is it because you haven’t been on a plane lately? You’re getting rebellious again.”
To Raguel, airplanes were synonymous with terror. Whenever Johan grabbed him and took to the sky, Raguel screamed until his throat went hoarse.
As those dreadful memories crept back, Raguel’s spirit deflated at once.
Unable to watch any longer, Ilea patted Raguel on the back.
“Young Master, don’t worry too much. It’s all a joke. Johan has no intention of destroying the world.”
Raguel looked at Johan with distant eyes, as if asking whether that was true.
Johan smirked.
“Quite the opposite. The world will be saved by a black hand.”
Ilea clapped theatrically.
“Oh my, helping Johan means contributing to saving the world. Young Master, congratulations in advance. You’ll be remembered as a hero someday.”
Raguel muttered awkwardly.
“A hero? Someone like me?”
Johan smiled mischievously.
“You don’t like that? Then how about an evil hero? An evil hero who sold the world out. I could describe you that way in my Ominous Book.”
The Imp exclaimed in admiration.
“A blasphemer! An apostate forsaken even by the Great Saint! A demon cult leader who spreads the Apostle’s will!”
Raguel cried out as if having a fit.
“N-No! I don’t want that!”
Johan’s expression softened. He spoke in a slightly more serious tone.
“Then write your own story. I’ll entrust the Ominous Book to you, so record everything you see and hear. Of course, I’ll have to review it first.”
Raguel sighed.
“I feel like I’m getting dragged along by Johan again.”
Ilea nodded.
“He’s always like that.”
Johan shrugged.
“A perfect hundred-point demon. You all agree, don’t you?”
The Imp waved its arms and legs about.
“You are truly a model demon!”
Many more jokes passed between them.
Everyone laughed and chatted.
Gaf watched them quietly.
In this underground archive, which felt like the very source of all evil, they were trading jokes in perfect peace. Gaf could only stare in bewilderment.
Johan spoke to the silent Gaf.
“Come to think of it, I had something to show you.”
Demonic Energy began condensing in Johan’s grasp. Black mist tangled like a ball of thread and formed a shape.
Something long and enormous gradually solidified, finally revealing its true form.
A corrupted Holy Relic. The pure white Holy Spear had become a dark crimson Dread Spear in Johan’s hand.
The spearhead that had once scattered Holy Power was now filled only with ghostly energy.
Anyone could see that it was a demonic artifact.
Gaf examined the spear.
“You said you acquired a spear. This was it?”
“That’s right. Holy Spear... no, it’s Dread Spear Espada now. I need spear techniques suited to it.”
“No matter what kind of spear you wield, the basics remain the same. Just follow the curriculum properly.”
Johan smirked.
“I’ll take that to heart. It is advice from the mercenary who defeated the monstrous bird Korukus.”
Gaf cleared his throat, seemingly embarrassed.
Ilea smiled playfully.
“As expected of Father. You accomplished a feat worthy of the Lion of the East.”
Gaf immediately changed the subject.
“That was all in the past. But Espada does not suit a Dread Spear at all.”
Ilea nodded.
“Espada means ‘vanguard of the Holy War’ in the ancient language. It certainly is an awkward name for a Dread Spear.”
Johan responded indifferently.
“What does a name matter?”
Raguel carefully spoke up.
“It does matter. Whether it belongs to a person or an object, a name represents its identity. If the Ominous Book records that the Dread Spear is called Espada, someone will definitely find it strange.”
Johan smirked.
“Already acting like a scribe? Fine. Then give the Dread Spear a name.”
After considering it for a moment, Raguel quietly said:
“...Turabak.”
Ilea let out a small exclamation.
“It means Vanguard of Chaos. But how do you know the ancient language?”
“I read a few related books. There are many forbidden books in the library too.”
Reading forbidden books was classified as one of the Seven Sins.
“You’re quite bold. Still, thanks to that, we found a name for the Dread Spear.”
Dread Spear Turabak. It was quite a good name.
Johan patted Raguel’s shoulder as though pleased.
“As expected, you have talent. I look forward to working with you.”
Raguel scratched his head.
“It was nothing. It just came to me.”
The Imp, who had been listening, carefully spoke.
“Great End, since the subject has come up, may this evil creature make one request?”
“I’ll hear it.”
“P-Please grant me a name as well.”
Come to think of it, Johan had promised to give the creature a name.
A chill passed through Ilea’s face. She spoke coldly.
“Do you know what it means to receive a name from an Apostle?”
All Lesser Evil Spirits obsessed over names. A title granted by a high-ranking demon or an alias earned through evil deeds made them unique beings.
For Lesser Evil Spirits, born insignificantly and vanishing pointlessly, there was nothing more important than establishing their own identity.
A name received from an Apostle was proof that they were a Thrall of a great being.
For a mere Lesser Evil Spirit, it was an undeserved honor.
The Imp spoke, somewhat dejected.
“I know I am not qualified yet. But it is also true that I overcame the Apostle’s trial. I was a little lucky. No, very lucky.”
In the Southwestern Quarantine Zone, Johan had promised to accept the Imp as a Thrall if it returned alive.
The Imp had survived as if to prove a point. Now it was Johan’s turn to keep his promise.
Ilea gave a cold laugh.
“If it were not for me, you would have been dragged off by the Great Saint Church and killed.”
The Imp could not deny it. It looked up at Johan.
“The Witch is entirely right. Great End, I shall prove myself and ask for a name again in the future.”
Johan’s expression darkened. He spoke in a chilling voice.
“Are you all trying to make me break my word? I promised, so I will keep it. That is all.”
The Imp hid its expression and prostrated itself deeply.
“Great End! This evil creature offers its soul and flesh to you!”
Ilea did not seem pleased, but she did not object further.
Johan thought for a moment.
‘A name that represents its identity.’
He recalled why he had brought the Imp along.
There had not been any special reason. It was simply interesting.
‘Let’s not overthink it.’
Johan opened his mouth.
“Clown sounds good. Raguel, what is clown in the demon language?”
“I don’t know much demon language yet... I’m sorry.”
Ilea answered instead.
“Zalkarin. There is no exact word for clown, but it is close to comedian.”
Johan’s lips rose in satisfaction.
“Fine. From now on, its name is Zalkarin.”
At the same time, Demonic Energy stretched out from Johan’s body and wrapped around the Imp.
A Thrall Contract. Just as a brand had been carved into Gryan before, the same mark appeared on the Imp.
A vicious god of slaughter wielding a scythe. The symbol representing Johan was stamped onto Zalkarin’s forehead.
Zalkarin was now an Apostle’s Thrall.
Light blazed in its eyes. Demonic Energy surged from its entire body, and chilling mad laughter leaked from its mouth.
It was convulsing with happiness.
Ignoring it, Ilea spoke to Johan.
“Now it’s Johan’s turn.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even a mere Lesser Evil Spirit has a name. An Apostle cannot remain nameless. We cannot keep calling you Johan in your current state either.”
They had been using the name Johan for both his demon form and human form.
That was extremely dangerous.
It would make it far too easy for someone to trace him.
Johan nodded.
“I had been wondering what to do about that. We might as well decide it now.”
“Would you leave it to me? I’ll give you a name in the demon language.”
Johan did not particularly care.
“Please do.”
Ilea thought for a moment. Shortly afterward, blue haze rose from her hand.
Pure Mana began writing words in the air.
Maphelept: Contradictory, deceived, inconsistent.
Velrutan: Demon, evil, blasphemer.
“Combined, Mapheltan. What do you think?”
A contradictory demon, a deceived evil. It was a name that clearly represented Johan’s identity.
Raguel muttered.
“...Mapheltan. In other words, one who pretends to be evil.”
It suited Johan, who acted the part of evil, perfectly.
Johan nodded.
“Not bad. I’ll gladly accept that name.”
At the same time, every Ominous Book in the world burned with violet light.
『 O all evils, let us sing. The first incantation of the End is Mapheltan. Hypocrites, stand silent before that name. Break your tongues and swallow blood in place of words. Your god will not hear you anyway. 』
The name of the Thirteenth End was being engraved upon the world.
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