Whispers of a Scheming Demon - Chapter 78

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈

Chapter 78: The Count's Domain (8)

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“Answer me. How long are you planning to keep your wife waiting?”

The Count could not make sense of the situation.

Where had the Apostle and Mage gone, and why were a boy and girl standing here?

Had the report been wrong? That was impossible.

Every member of the Cult of the Evil God was terrified.

The Ominous Book had also indicated the Apostle's descent.

The records did not specify where the Apostle would appear, but given the circumstances, the Apostle had clearly been summoned to the Shadow Realm.

The Count calmed himself and studied Johan and Ilea.

Even with his wife held hostage, he held tightly to his reason.

He might have been desperate, but he did not show even a hint of impatience.

True to his epithet, the Blue Demon, the Count's heart was cold.

The Count spoke.

“Are you the Apostle's subordinates? I would like to speak with the Apostle directly.”

Johan let out an impressed exclamation.

“As expected of Cromwell. You aren't greatly shaken, even in a situation like this. No, I suppose I should say you're good at hiding it. Either way, impressive.”

The Count was actually frantic with anxiety. He wanted to rush over and tear them away from his wife immediately.

Of course, he did not act on that impulse.

Emotional actions always came at a price.

He had to determine his opponent's hand and strength before making a move.

The Count was an experienced negotiator and warrior.

The Count said, “You seem to know me, but I know nothing about you. If you wish to make a deal, would you not reveal your identity first?”

Johan nodded.

“A reasonable request. Fine. I'll tell you my name. Johan von Myatro. You've probably heard it often enough.”

The Count's eyebrow twitched slightly. He must have been quite surprised.

His connection to Johan ran fairly deep.

The moment Johan had appeared, the Count's plan to swallow House Myatro had fallen apart.

When Kryll Myatro took his own life, the Count lost his justification.

And that was not all.

Kembell, the knight he had sent to House Myatro as a messenger, had suddenly betrayed House Staviana.

He had heard the reason from the knight Maira, but the Count could not understand it at all.

Chivalry, at this point? No matter how he thought about it, that did not explain the betrayal.

In both cases involving Johan, the truth remained unclear.

The Count hated such unknown variables, which was why he had been wary of Johan himself.

Yet Johan had appeared before him.

In a completely uncontrollable situation, the person he had been most concerned about had appeared to make matters even worse.

The Count hid his agitation as best he could.

“You are that illegitimate son of House Myatro?”

Johan snickered.

“You don't believe me? Here's proof.”

He pulled out a sheet of paper and casually tossed it to the Count.

“...An invitation. One I sent.”

The Count examined the invitation carefully.

The seal stamped on it was unmistakably House Staviana's.

There were no signs of forgery.

Johan said, “I've revealed my identity. I'm your guest. Now, can I hear your answer?”

A moment ago, Johan had given the Count two choices.

First, follow his wife into the afterlife.

Second, revive his wife and grow old together.

The Count had not yet answered.

He opened his mouth.

“My apologies, but I still know nothing about you. I would first like to hear what relationship you have with the Apostle. Should I not know whether you hold full authority over the Celestial Womb before any future deal can be made?”

Ilea smiled gently.

“That is reasonable. But only between equals. Your wife's life is in our hands. Let us see if you say the same thing when the moment comes to decide her fate.”

She threw open the Celestial Womb's glass cover.

The white skeleton lay exposed and defenseless.

At the same time, a long icicle formed in midair and began slowly descending.

Toward the Count's wife.

The Count flinched.

“Do not do anything foolish. You must have arranged this because you want something as well. If Yeriyan is harmed, I will not have any conversation with you. Stop this at once.”

No answer came.

The icicle continued advancing toward the skeleton.

The Count was in a terrible bind.

There was no force here to help him.

He could not bring a Mage or knight with him.

Because of Belzarak, only the Count could enter and leave this secret chamber.

Even Belzarak, his sole hope, did not answer his call.

The Count stood rigidly frozen, unable to do anything.

The icicle was now moments away from piercing the skeleton.

The Count drew a deep breath.

“I was rash. Please stop.”

The icicle abruptly stopped in midair, its tip lightly touching the skeleton.

Ilea withdrew her Mana.

The cold vanished like a mirage.

“Do you feel like talking now?”

Johan glanced at her.

‘A Witch is a Witch.’

She was ruthlessly exploiting someone else's weakness without batting an eye.

It was another reminder of her true nature.

Whatever the case, Ilea had thoroughly cowed the Count.

Johan was all too happy about that.

The Count said, “...From this point on, I will speak as though you are the Apostle's representatives. Is that acceptable?”

Even in this situation, he was cautious.

Johan clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Think whatever you want. Now, let me hear your choice.”

Without even a moment of hesitation, the Count answered.

“Of course, I choose the second. I want to revive my wife.”

Johan spoke with a calm expression.

“Good. I will grant your wish.”

“...You? Not the Apostle?”

“Just think of me as the Apostle.”

The Count was about to object, but stopped. He merely let out a faint breath.

“How do you intend to revive her?”

“I will use the Celestial Womb's power. But I will not corrupt it into an Abomination.”

The Count's eyebrow twitched.

“Do you perhaps not know? The Celestial Womb cannot be used for personal matters. This is not an ethical issue. It is an unwritten rule and a Prohibition.”

The Celestial Womb could only be activated for a greater cause.

Love alone could not move it.

The Count knew that well, which was why he had intended to corrupt the Celestial Womb into an Abomination.

Yeriyan would be born as a demon instead of an angel, but the Count did not care if it meant he could see his wife again.

Johan said, “I have a greater cause, so it doesn't matter. I can activate the Celestial Womb fully.”

“You, who serve the Apostle, have a greater cause?”

“Cromwell, let me make one thing clear. I am not subordinate to some Apostle.”

Johan's expression became serious.

The Count stared at Johan with a puzzled look.

The moment their eyes met, a strange sense of trust welled up within him.

The Great Saint's Eye was at work.

“...That is a surprising claim. I am even more curious about your relationship with the Apostle.”

“I stand with the Thirteenth End. For now, that's all you need to know.”

Johan looked like nothing more than a boy who had not yet fully grown.

It was difficult to rationally accept that such a boy could stand as an equal to the Apostle, but a strange belief was taking root in the Count's heart.

The Count said, “One last question. What are you to the Apostle?”

Johan clicked his tongue.

“You wouldn't believe me even if I explained it. See it for yourself later. This discussion ends here.”

Johan was Mapheltan.

Seeing it himself would be faster than hearing a hundred explanations.

The Count accepted it with unexpected calm.

“Very well, for now. Returning to the matter at hand, show me proof that you can activate the Celestial Womb.”

Johan gave a hollow laugh.

“I shouldn't have used the word deal. Let me correct myself. This is a threat. From now on, you cannot make any demands of me.”

The Count was trying to frame the conversation as a negotiation.

Johan did not like that. He had no intention of being drawn into the Count's pace.

The Count said, “You only need to show me that Yeriyan may be revived. Should I not at least have a reason to trust you?”

Johan shook his head.

“You only need to hope that I keep my promise. Whether you have a reason or not, you have no choice.”

“That is not wrong. But remember this. A relationship maintained only through weakness will eventually break. If you wield the whip, you must eventually offer a carrot as well.”

Johan gave a dry laugh.

“Don't worry. I already have the carrot ready. If you fulfill my demands properly, Yeriyan will be revived.”

The Count spoke calmly.

“So what do you want from me?”

“Support House Myatro completely.”

Johan needed a political foundation.

There was no more reliable backing than House Staviana.

“What exactly do you mean?”

“The Great Saint Church is investigating the south. First, make them withdraw.”

“That will be easy.”

“Also, recommend me as a member of the Council.”

The Council was the kingdom's highest decision-making body.

The moment he joined the Council, he would hold considerable power.

The Count said, “I can make that happen immediately. Is that all?”

“Of course not. There is one ultimate goal left. In the future, House Myatro will separate from the kingdom.”

Long ago, the Myatro territory had been a duchy.

Johan intended to make House Myatro great again.

“Do you intend to become a Duke-King?”

Johan nodded.

“That is still a matter for the future.”

After considering it for a moment, the Count spoke.

“I will not say it is impossible. But it will require considerable time and effort. The Emperor's approval will also be necessary.”

House Myatro's independence could not be decided by the kingdom.

The Emperor's permission had to be granted.

The Holy Kingdom would likely interfere as well.

Even a Count could not manipulate the Empire and the Holy Kingdom at will.

Johan said, “Do everything in your power. The moment I become Duke-King, Yeriyan will be revived as well.”

The Count remained silent for a long time.

Lost in thought, he finally spoke.

“As you know, House Myatro is hanging by a thread. The Great Saint Church plans to conduct a large-scale investigation, and the baronial house will not escape the fallout. Your relationship with the Apostle will probably be exposed soon as well.”

Most of the recent incidents had been connected to the south.

Unless the Great Saint Church was foolish, it would soon send investigators to the south.

House Myatro would likely collapse.

There was abundant evidence of Mapheltan in its territory.

Johan said, “What are you trying to say?”

“From what I can see, you desperately need my power.”

In truth, if the Count did not help him, Johan would be in considerable trouble.

A shadow fell over Johan's expression.

“So?”

“I propose a deal.”

“I told you. Do not make any demands of me.”

The Count shook his head.