WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 88: Variable (2)
──────
Johan stared intently at Gawain.
Gawain’s black eyes looked even darker than before.
‘...Is it just my imagination?’
Perhaps he was mistaken.
Ilea’s words might have made it seem worse than it was.
He needed definite confirmation.
If Gawain was truly being corrupted by the Dread Spear, Johan had to find a solution as quickly as possible.
Gawain could never fall.
He was a hero destined to bear humanity’s fate.
Only if Gawain’s Sacred Power and Authority remained intact would Johan be able to navigate the calamity approaching in the latter half of the story more easily.
Johan’s mind raced.
With his lips pressed tightly together, he observed Gawain.
Gawain gave an awkward smile and spoke.
“Sir Johan, is there something on my face?”
Johan’s thoughts abruptly stopped.
“Ah, no.”
“Then why are you staring at me so intently? It is making me a little uncomfortable. Ha ha.”
After a brief hesitation, Johan spoke.
“...Your Highness, forgive my impertinence, but have you experienced any changes in your body lately?”
Gawain looked slightly puzzled.
“What sort of changes do you mean?”
“Have you suddenly begun having nightmares, experiencing frequent emotional changes, or noticed that your blood has become somewhat darker?”
Gawain spoke with mild surprise.
“I am not sure about the rest, but I have indeed been having nightmares much more often lately. They make it hard to sleep. But Sir Johan, how did you know?”
Nightmares severe enough to make sleep difficult.
The moment he heard that, Johan felt a deep sense of dread.
The exact symptoms of the first stage of corruption from the original work were appearing in Gawain.
Johan spoke as calmly as possible.
“I merely dared to make a guess because Your Highness appears more haggard than before. You seem greatly fatigued, so perhaps you should spend the night at the castle today.”
He could not let Gawain leave.
Several high-ranking priests would surely notice what was happening to him.
Ilea had sensed it, so there was no reason they could not.
Johan needed to keep Gawain hidden from the public for as long as possible.
At least until he resolved the corruption problem.
Gawain spoke.
“I was hoping to stay for the night anyway, so thank you for offering first. Sir Johan, I will remember your kindness.”
That was fortunate.
If Gawain had refused, things would have become much more difficult.
Forcing Gawain to remain here was nearly impossible.
His combat ability was no less than that of the Twelve Sacred Radiances.
Johan would have to risk his life to subdue him.
Johan spoke.
“Then I shall show you to your room first. Please rest until dinner is prepared.”
Johan seemed slightly more urgent than usual.
Gawain found it strange.
“We still have things to discuss... Has something happened?”
Ever since the girl who appeared to be a maid entered the reception room, Johan had been acting somewhat oddly.
Johan lowered his head.
“My apologies, but an urgent matter has arisen that requires my immediate attention. Please understand. We can continue our conversation over dinner.”
It was somewhat discourteous to put aside a prince of the realm, but Gawain did not mind in the least.
He had endured far worse contempt.
Compared to that, Johan was showing him considerable respect.
Gawain smiled.
“Then shall we? I will see you shortly.”
Johan rose from his seat.
“Thank you for your understanding. I shall escort you to your room.”
Johan and Gawain left the reception room.
After guiding Gawain to a guest room on the second floor, Johan immediately headed for the underground study.
He needed to work out a way to deal with Gawain.
* * *
“Are you certain? About the corruption.”
At Johan’s question, Ilea answered.
“I think so.”
“Could he have made a contract with a demon?”
A Demon Contractor could have an extremely faint trace of Demonic Energy flowing through their body.
It was a remnant of the contract, an amount so minute that even the Pope would struggle to notice it.
Ilea spoke skeptically.
“The Demonic Energy was too noticeable to be merely a remnant of a contract. I don't think it was caused by one.”
Johan swallowed a groan.
“Then it truly is because of the Dread Spear.”
Ilea studied Johan’s expression.
He looked genuinely serious.
“Is the Third Prince’s fall such a serious matter?”
To survive the End approaching in the latter half of the story, a proper balance between good and evil was necessary.
Gawain was a pillar supporting the side of good.
He could never be allowed to fall.
Johan said,
“I cannot explain in detail, but it is something that must be prevented.”
Ilea stared at Johan for a moment, then nodded as though she understood.
“I see. All right. We should first find a way to stop the corruption.”
Johan let out a sigh.
“It will not be possible through ordinary means.”
In the original work, Zepeto, the specter of the duchy, had ultimately fallen due to corruption.
Countless high-ranking priests had tried, but none of them found a solution.
Once corruption began, there was effectively no answer.
Gawain would slowly break down.
In the end, he would become an Evil Spirit like Zepeto.
Ilea spoke.
“How much time do we have?”
“We should find a solution by tonight if possible.”
Gawain had said he would leave tomorrow.
There was no particular excuse to keep him here.
“One day will not be enough. Let us buy time first.”
Johan needed a reason to keep Gawain in the territory.
Johan had no idea what excuse he could use.
After thinking for a long time, he finally spoke.
“There is one way to keep Gawain here, but it may bring serious side effects.”
“What kind of side effects?”
“A physical confrontation. Ilea, can you handle it?”
In the future, Gawain would rise to the ranks of the strongest beings in the world.
The same was true for Ilea.
Their potential was nearly equal.
Even Johan did not know who would hold the advantage at this point.
Ilea said,
“Gawain is very strong. He has probably surpassed the bounds of humanity, at least when he is at full strength. But things are different now. He doesn't have his Holy Spear.”
Without one’s personal weapon, combat strength fell exponentially.
The current Gawain could not even display half of his true ability.
“So he would not be your match.”
Ilea nodded.
“That’s right. Besides, I have the advantage of striking first. If I set my mind to it, I can subdue him without bloodshed.”
If Ilea and Gawain clashed, it would not be a duel.
It would be Ilea’s one-sided ambush.
Gawain would have no way to respond.
Johan said,
“That is encouraging, but there is another problem.”
“What is it?”
“Gawain’s Royal Guard. They are likely stationed near the lord’s castle.”
No matter how abandoned a prince might be, he would not travel without an escort.
His Royal Guard would certainly be with him.
Among them, the knight Yuri was quite formidable.
Johan had met her before.
Judging from their conversation that day, Yuri’s loyalty to Gawain was immense.
The moment something happened to Gawain, she would rush here without regard for anything else.
The matter would grow far more serious.
After thinking for a moment, Ilea spoke.
“Could you handle them, Johan?”
Until now, Johan had never fought a powerful opponent.
He had always relied on schemes, never even allowing a situation that required a fight to arise.
This time was different.
It would be difficult to avoid a physical confrontation.
Johan calmly spoke.
“I'll try. This will be a chance to test my true strength.”
He had grown significantly over the past several months.
He had gained another horn and learned spear techniques.
Even against a prince’s Royal Guard, Mapheltan should be more than capable of standing against them.
Ilea said,
“Take Hakain with you. There could be trouble.”
There was also reliable insurance.
Hakain, the Sword Demon. The Royal Guard would pose no great problem to him.
Johan spoke.
“If it comes to a fight, I'll take him. But the best outcome is keeping Gawain in the castle without a physical confrontation. I should try to persuade him somehow.”
“I hope it works, but things may go wrong. I will prepare to subdue him.”
Johan nodded.
“Stay prepared. I must go meet Gawain now.”
Dinner time was approaching.
Johan headed directly to the dining room.
* * *
A long table was filled with food.
The castle’s supplies had probably been nearly exhausted.
There was no helping it if they were to entertain a prince.
They had to force themselves to maintain a certain level of formality.
Johan looked at Gawain, seated across from him.
“Your Highness, please eat before it grows cold.”
“Thank you. I appreciate this generous hospitality.”
Gawain took a spoonful of soup.
Johan also began eating as he spoke.
“We should have held a banquet, but the territory is not well-off. Please understand.”
Gawain waved his hand.
“No, not at all. This is an excessively generous meal. I am fully satisfied. If you visit the capital, I will treat you in return.”
“It seems Your Highness usually resides in the capital.”
“I move around often, but I'm living in the capital at the moment.”
Johan gave a deliberately impressed exclamation.
“That is fortunate. I will soon travel to the capital myself. Would you accompany me?”
Gawain looked mildly puzzled.
“The two of us together?”
“Yes. Let us depart together in about fifteen days.”
“If we become close, the Count will not think favorably of you.”
The Count and Gawain were political enemies.
As long as Johan was with the Count, he should keep his distance from Gawain.
“There is no need to concern yourself with the Count. He is in no position to interfere with me.”
Gawain smiled innocently.
“It seems you have the Count firmly under control.”
“Indeed. So please rest in the south for around fifteen days, then travel to the capital with me.”
Gawain’s smile became awkward.
“It’s certainly a tempting offer, but I’ll have to refuse. I have an appointment in the capital. In fact, I’m planning to leave early tomorrow morning.”
Johan groaned inwardly.
He needed to press harder.
“If it is not an urgent appointment, how about postponing it? Your Highness does not look well. It would be better for you to rest for several days while spending time with me.”
Despite Johan’s repeated offers, Gawain did not lose his smile.
“I am sorry. It is a truly important meeting. Let us meet another time.”
He was stubborn. He did not seem likely to change his mind.
Johan had to take a stronger approach.
Johan set down his spoon.
“Forgive my rudeness, but I require time to judge Your Highness. Before I go to the capital and meet the Count, I must make my position toward you clear.”
The smile finally disappeared from Gawain’s face.
He set down his spoon as well.
“...Do you know everything about my relationship with the Count?”
Johan nodded calmly.
“Yes. I have heard everything, including the whole story of what happened that day.”
Hostility appeared in Gawain’s eyes.
He spoke in a cold voice.
“What exactly do you want from me?”
Johan slowly opened his mouth.
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
