WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈

Chapter 58: Bound for Narak

──────

In the underground library beneath the lord's castle, Mapheltan wore a satisfied smile.

Persuading Raguel had been easier than expected.

'I thought he'd resist more, but he's going along with it more readily than I expected.'

Being asked to abandon his identity was not something one could easily accept. Yet Raguel had accepted Mapheltan's proposal without much resistance.

The reason was simple. To a blind loner, Mapheltan must have been the light of his life and his only hope. He likely could not bring himself to refuse Mapheltan's request.

Once Mapheltan considered that, he felt a sudden sense of self-loathing.

'I'm thoroughly taking advantage of a child with nowhere else to turn.'

After pretending to be a demon for so long, he felt as though he was truly becoming one to his very bones.

Even if he justified it as part of preparing for the apocalypse, the unpleasant feeling would not disappear.

Mapheltan's smile faded as he clicked his tongue.

Ilea, who had been watching him, spoke.

“Mapheltan, there's something I'm curious about.”

Her expression was calmer than usual.

“Speak.”

“Why are you pushing ahead with this, even while it troubles you?”

Mapheltan intended to reincarnate Raguel as one of the forgotten races.

The obvious reason was clear.

“Because I must restore Raguel's sight, as our contract requires.”

The moment Raguel gained a new body, he would no longer be blind.

Ilea shook her head.

“That sounds like nothing more than an excuse.”

There were only a few ways to heal Raguel's eyes, but the method Mapheltan had chosen was among the most dangerous, reckless options.

It was practically a bad move.

The forgotten ancient races were shadows of history that embodied the world's dark side.

The moment even one of those extinct races was restored and revealed to the world, the world would descend into another dark age.

At the very least, Raguel and House Myatro would never survive.

The Empire and the Holy Kingdom would act as well, not just the kingdom.

Naturally, Ilea, a Witch, would find it difficult to escape the consequences as well. She too was one of the forgotten ancient races.

Considering all that, Raguel's reincarnation was a plan with far more to lose than gain.

Mapheltan admitted it in an even tone.

“...An excuse, huh? Well, you're not wrong. As you said, there is another reason.”

It would be difficult to keep insisting that he had no hidden motives.

What Mapheltan intended to do would inevitably affect Ilea, and she had already noticed that he had another purpose.

For the sake of their future relationship, it was better to be honest.

“May I hear your true reason?”

Ilea's blue eyes stared at Mapheltan as though they would pierce through him.

Mapheltan nodded.

“This will be a very long story. Wait a moment. I need time to organize my thoughts.”

A faint smile appeared on Ilea's face.

“Take your time. We have plenty of time until the full moon.”

Once their conversation ended, Mapheltan would head to Narak. He needed Ilea's help with what he had to do there, and it seemed she intended to decide whether to cooperate after hearing him out.

'So she's telling me to persuade her in one go.'

Where should he begin? Mapheltan felt somewhat lost.

He needed to explain the coming apocalypse, the means of preparing for it, and the plans he had already arranged. But the problem would come after he explained everything.

One fundamental question would inevitably remain.

What makes you so certain about events that will happen in the future?

A question like that would certainly follow.

There was only one answer.

I am a possessor from another world, a reader who learned every development through a novel.

It was a truth he could hardly bring himself to say aloud.

It would not sit right with him to cover it up with lies either.

According to the original novel's setting, almost no one could deceive Ilea.

A Witch's uncanny intuition would eventually catch any falsehood.

In truth, only the truth could persuade her.

Mapheltan swallowed a groan.

What reaction would Ilea have after hearing everything? He could not even guess. No matter how hard he thought, only negative outcomes came to mind.

He shook away the thoughts that kept leading to more thoughts.

'Let's think more positively.'

What if Ilea accepted everything he told her?

Then they would share all their information from now on. With a Witch's ingenuity added to the mix, preparing for the apocalypse might become far easier.

Their chances of survival would rise significantly.

The payoff was clear.

'It's worth trying.'

Just as his thoughts began to grow overly rosy, Mapheltan's expression twisted.

His heart began pounding like mad. Black Demonic Energy surged from his entire body, while his red eyes flickered rapidly.

Startled by the sudden abnormality, Ilea showed her alarm.

“...Mapheltan?”

At the same time, black blood burst from Mapheltan's mouth. Clutching his chest, he dropped to one knee.

Terrible pain struck his entire body.

It felt as though his whole body would swell up and burst apart.

Despite how sudden it was and how little he could think, Mapheltan instinctively knew the source of the pain.

“Kh, urrgh.”

It was someone's warning. A warning not to even think about revealing his identity.

For now, it was only a warning. But the moment he revealed that he was a possessor, Mapheltan would lose his life.

It was a Prohibition.

That damned Prohibition kept blocking his path at every turn.

Mapheltan felt rage boiling within him.

“...You bastard. What do you want from me?”

A groan escaped his mouth, as if he were swallowing boiling water. Black blood continued to pour out in great heaving spurts.

Ilea immediately supported Mapheltan. She could not hide her agitation at all. Her blue eyes were shaking.

“Mapheltan, are you all right? Get a hold of yourself!”

The light slowly faded from Mapheltan's red eyes.

“Why did you bring me here...”

He could not finish his sentence.

An overwhelming drowsiness swept over him.

Mapheltan completely lost consciousness in Ilea's arms.

* * *

The surroundings gradually brightened into a hazy white. Beyond his blurred vision, a gentle glow flowed.

Each strand of light resembled moonlight.

There was beauty within its restrained colors. It held an intensity that captured his gaze.

He stared blankly at the silver waves.

“Mapheltan, are you awake?”

A familiar soft voice reached his ears.

His mind instantly cleared.

The glow flowing before his eyes was none other than Ilea's silver hair.

She gazed at Mapheltan with deep blue eyes.

Mapheltan immediately sat up.

“...How much time has passed?”

It seemed he had been unconscious with his head resting on Ilea's lap.

“Only about three hours.”

“That's a relief. I won't be late.”

The full moon would rise soon. He had to make it in time to enter Narak.

If he had missed the timing because of such an absurd setback, he might have been sick with frustration.

“You're still going down to Narak in that condition? I think it would be better to postpone the visit.”

Concern filled Ilea's voice.

Mapheltan firmly shook his head.

“As you know, there won't be another opportunity like this.”

Because of the Scale of Equivalence, he would remain in demon form for the time being. He would not return to human form even during the day. It was the ideal state for visiting Narak, since he no longer had to bear the risk posed by ‘weak Johan.’

He had to make use of this opportunity.

Ilea let out a long sigh.

“You probably won't listen even if I oppose you. Even though your life isn't yours alone.”

If Mapheltan died, Ilea would die as well, according to their contract.

In other words, Mapheltan was putting Ilea's life at risk too.

He swallowed a groan.

“I'm sorry. I have nothing else to say besides that.”

“It's fine. This isn't the first time. Just be careful.”

Mapheltan looked at Ilea with a puzzled expression.

“...Is that all?”

Because of the sudden Prohibition, there was still more he had failed to tell her.

Ilea spoke as if it were no big deal.

“Yes. I've already finished preparing.”

She pointed to the center of the library.

Raguel and Zalkarin sat at the round table, each carrying a pack.

Their bags likely contained the things they would need in Narak.

Mapheltan spoke.

“I thought you didn't intend to help.”

“No. I was only curious why you wanted to reincarnate the young master as an ancient race. I won't be able to hear the answer now, though.”

Mapheltan had tried to answer that question, only to cough up blood and collapse.

It had happened because of the Prohibition, and since he was bound by it, further conversation would be meaningless.

Ilea understood that well, so she did not ask any more questions.

Mapheltan still felt uneasy.

'...It feels uncomfortable leaving like this.'

He wanted to make Ilea understand, even a little. Recently, he had received nothing but unquestioning help from her, and the guilt and discomfort kept building within him.

'I'll explain it indirectly, at least.'

He intended to avoid the Prohibition as much as possible.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“As I am now, I cannot resolve all of your questions. However, there is one thing I can say with certainty. Everything I have done, and everything I will do, serves the common good of everyone in this world. This matter is no exception. I intend to restore all twelve forgotten races, and the result will one day substantially serve your interests as well.”

Mapheltan placed a hand on Ilea's shoulder.

Then he added,

“This is as much as I can tell you.”

Ilea considered Mapheltan's words for a brief moment.

A gentle smile appeared in her eyes.

“I'll let you off with that for now.”

He could not know what she truly thought, but for the moment, she seemed willing to let it go.

After clearing his throat, Mapheltan spoke.

“Then let me explain your role.”

Ilea would not accompany him to Narak. She had a separate task. She needed to transfer the explosion that would occur in Narak to the kingdom.

If they succeeded, all the attention focused on the south would be dispersed.

Mapheltan would be catching three birds with one stone through this trip to Narak.

He would keep his contract with Raguel.

He would prepare for the later stages of the apocalypse.

He would escape the Great Saint Church's attention.

He could achieve all three goals.

Ilea said,

“I already know my role, so you don't need to explain it.”

“Did I tell you?”

“You gave me a hint last night. I just need to teleport the ‘ones’ in the First Zone to the royal capital, right?”

Before leaving to deal with Kembell, Mapheltan had briefly mentioned this plan.

With that small hint, Ilea had inferred her role for herself.

'She's certainly capable.'

Mapheltan nodded.

“I'll leave it to you.”

“Don't worry about this side. You should be careful, Mapheltan. Please don't forget.”

“Forget what?”

Ilea placed a hand over Mapheltan's chest.

“That you're my heart.”

Her voice softened.

Mapheltan unconsciously took a step back. He felt a little strange.

Zalkarin, who had been watching, cried out loudly.

“Oh, Witch! Are you quoting a line from Love of Holy Heroes?”

As Raguel's reader, Zalkarin had read him a romance novel the night before.

It seemed Ilea had listened in from the side as well.

Raguel cautiously spoke.

“Y-you two are like the main characters in a novel. You look good together!”

Ilea gave a playful smile.

“So they say, Mapheltan.”

“...You always say such nonsense whenever you get the chance.”

Ilea took another step toward Mapheltan. A mischievous smile appeared on her face.

“Could it be that you're embarrassed?”

Mapheltan pushed Ilea's forehead away with the tip of his index finger.

“We don't have time for this. We need to get moving.”

Ilea continued to smile brightly.

Ignoring her, Mapheltan looked toward the round table.

“You two should get ready as well.”

The full moon was approaching. Expectation filled Zalkarin's face, while tension showed on Raguel's.

Mapheltan approached Raguel and spoke.

“Are you afraid?”

“A-a little.”

“Then let me give you an airplane ride.”

Mapheltan lifted Raguel up in an instant.

“W-wait a moment! This is the scariest part!”

“What else can we do? We can't exactly walk all the way to Narak.”

Mapheltan's body slowly rose into the air.

Zalkarin immediately clung to Raguel's body as well.

The Imp cried out loudly.

“The Great End enters Narak! This shall be a truly historic day!”

Ilea waved from the ground.

“Have a safe trip.”

Mapheltan nodded and shot up into the sky.

He immediately left the lord's castle and raced through the air.

His destination was the Moonshadow Mausoleum in Narak's First Zone.

Beneath the full moon, beings who hated the moon and envied humans would be having fits.

They would be screaming madly for someone to open their coffin lids.

Mapheltan intended to dig up their graves.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried