Chapter 111
Serena Marcano
“How do you intend to use Serena’s Mind-Piercing Eye?”
Johan calmly answered Horentz’s question.
“It is nothing serious. There is simply something I wish to confirm.”
He intended to use Serena’s power on Butler Haman.
He wanted to see Haman’s true nature.
The reason was the inexplicable sense of unease he felt about him.
Despite graduating at the top of his class from the Royal Academy of Attendants, Haman was far more inept than Johan had expected.
Perhaps he was merely nervous because this was his first proper assignment.
Academic performance and practical competence were also entirely different things. A person could excel at studying yet be terrible at their job.
At first, Johan had not thought much of Haman’s behavior.
Last night, however, his opinion had changed somewhat.
Thieves had broken into the mansion.
They had known its entire internal layout.
They had even known that the mansion would be empty at night.
Johan had no choice but to suspect that one of the mansion’s servants had leaked the information.
Who could the culprit be?
Only one person came to mind.
Butler Haman.
Once the incident occurred, Haman’s previous behavior began to arouse Johan’s suspicions.
Every one of Haman’s actions might have been an act.
Perhaps he had merely been pretending to be incompetent in order to deceive Johan.
But for what purpose?
Johan did not know.
He could not fathom what Haman might be after.
If Haman had wanted Johan’s wealth, he would not have posted a public notice at the Thieves’ Guild.
He would have secretly hired veteran thieves instead.
In other words, Haman was not after Johan’s property.
There had to be another reason why he had leaked information about the mansion.
Johan could not yet discern what that reason might be.
In truth, he had no evidence that Haman was the culprit at all.
His entire train of thought consisted of nothing more than conjecture arising from suspicion.
Haman might truly be exactly what he appeared to be: a book-smart fool who was good only at studying.
There was nowhere near enough evidence to declare him the culprit.
Johan could not allow himself to become certain.
Conclusions reached through suspicion alone were highly likely to be wrong.
He needed definitive proof.
He could simply use the Mind-Piercing Eye.
As long as Horentz agreed, Johan could resolve this pointless headache in an instant.
After considering the matter, Horentz spoke.
“...I’m sorry, Sir Johan, but unless you clearly explain how you intend to use the Mind-Piercing Eye, I cannot entrust Serena to you.”
A proper relationship of trust had not yet been established between Horentz and Johan.
No matter how great the compensation, Horentz could not readily lend his daughter to him.
His daughter’s safety had to be guaranteed.
Johan nodded.
“I understand. In that case, I will explain my present circumstances to you.”
Johan intended to tell him everything that had happened the previous night.
He merely needed to omit everything related to Mapheltan.
There was nothing else he particularly needed to conceal.
Now that a public notice had been posted at the Thieves’ Guild, everyone in the royal capital probably knew what was happening inside Johan’s mansion anyway.
Horentz would be no exception.
He said,
“Very well. Nothing you tell me from this moment onward will pass beyond my lips. I swear it in the name of the Great Saint. Saint Margiel.”
In a calm voice, Johan explained the events of the previous night.
Horentz listened without any change in expression.
As soon as Johan finished speaking, Horentz let out a troubled groan.
“...So the rumor really was true. I heard that your mansion had become a target of the Keyless.”
The Keyless was the largest Thieves’ Guild in the royal capital.
They were targeting Johan.
More precisely, information concerning Johan’s mansion had been permanently posted on the Thieves’ Guild’s underground bulletin board.
Horentz had heard about it that very morning.
Johan let out a polite sound of admiration.
“As expected of House Marcano. Your information travels remarkably quickly.”
Horentz shook his head with a grave expression.
“Not at all. By now, most of the royal capital probably knows about the situation at your mansion. By tomorrow, everyone will be talking about the Myatro mansion. This is a serious matter.”
The royal capital was a frightening place.
A single rumor spread like wildfire.
No one could bring the flames under control.
For the time being, Johan would be on everyone’s lips.
—The Myatro mansion is completely empty at night.
And it would not end there.
Just as a wildfire grew in size, the rumors would become increasingly exaggerated.
—Strange screams can be heard from the Myatro mansion after sunset.
—The Watcher of Narak studies forbidden arts at night.
—Johan Myatro conducts demonic rituals away from the public eye.
And so on.
People who loved to gossip would fabricate all manner of stories for their own amusement.
Eventually, their interest would fade and the rumors would die down. However, as a half-demon, simply becoming the subject of such rumors placed a considerable burden on Johan.
Nevertheless, Johan remained composed.
He spoke with a tranquil expression.
“Well, I don’t intend to pay much attention to it.”
He had already expected something similar to happen.
It had merely occurred a little sooner than anticipated.
Since Johan could not show himself at night, such rumors would inevitably continue to surround him.
As long as he lived in this world, it was something he had to endure.
Horentz smiled gently.
“That is a wise response. There is no need to concern yourself with the rumors of the world.”
Those were rather ironic words coming from Horentz.
House Marcano was more conscious of other people’s opinions than anyone else.
Johan nodded.
“Exactly. All that matters is that one has nothing to be ashamed of.”
Horentz’s expression darkened slightly.
“Still, I am somewhat concerned.”
Johan thought he knew what Horentz was about to say.
“If you are worried about my safety, there is no need. The thieves from last night paid the price in blood.”
Horentz’s narrow eyes opened slightly.
He exclaimed in admiration.
“It seems the Watcher of Narak is also quite accomplished in martial arts.”
Separate from Mapheltan’s strength, “Johan” himself now possessed respectable combat abilities.
He had spent two hellish months with Hakain, the Sword Demon.
His physical abilities had improved tremendously, and he had developed considerable proficiency with the spear.
Ordinary humans who could not wield Aura were no longer capable of facing Johan.
Johan spoke jokingly.
“I possess enough strength to protect my woman, at least.”
Horentz smiled.
“Then you pass as a prospective son-in-law.”
He was speaking in jest.
“Entrust her to me once as a trial. Lady Serena will return home safely.”
Horentz answered immediately.
“I should warn you in advance that the Mind-Piercing Eye is not omnipotent. With Serena’s current abilities, she will not be able to examine every servant in your mansion.”
That did not matter.
Johan first intended to resolve his suspicions about Haman.
“I need her to examine only one person. Will you help me?”
Horentz silently calculated the potential gains.
In return for lending Serena to him, Johan had promised to allow the Marcano Trading Company to establish a branch in Beldana.
It was an extremely profitable bargain for Horentz.
His deliberation did not last long.
Horentz displayed his practiced business smile.
“Very well. I will confirm Serena’s wishes one last time. Please wait here for a moment.”
He could not bring Serena before Johan immediately.
Horentz remembered Johan’s warning.
—Do not use the Mind-Piercing Eye on me.
He needed to relay that warning to his daughter.
Johan looked satisfied.
“Understood. I shall await good news.”
Horentz inclined his head slightly and left the dining room.
Johan stared silently at the table.
The food remained untouched.
He had been so engrossed in their conversation that he had not even taken a spoonful of soup.
‘That would be discourteous.’
Only then did Johan begin eating.
Serena Marcano was one of the most influential figures in the royal capital’s high society.
People had flocked around her ever since she was young.
Men, women, children, adults, slaves, commoners, nobles, and royalty—everyone loved Serena regardless of age, gender, or social status.
She was so captivating that she was known as the Golden Jewel of the Royal Capital.
Noble ladies abandoned extravagance in an attempt to emulate Serena’s air.
Refined simplicity became fashionable in place of ostentation.
Thanks to Serena, House Marcano’s unavoidable frugality had become a virtue.
It was all an effect of the Mind-Piercing Eye.
A beautiful woman knew how to understand others and show them consideration.
She even deliberately chose the actions that would earn their affection.
Who could possibly hate her?
Anyone human had no choice but to love Serena.
Had Johan not known about the Mind-Piercing Eye, he too would have fallen completely under Serena’s spell.
He probably would never have escaped it.
Johan had never deeply loved a woman.
He could not understand the very notion of becoming captivated by someone’s charms and helplessly struggling within them.
Among the many episodes in The Annals of Man and Demon, the sections involving love had always puzzled Johan.
Stories about men who risked their lives for Serena always made him frown.
He could not sympathize with them in the slightest.
Would meeting Serena change his perspective?
‘Would it really?’
Johan was skeptical.
Serena could not use the Mind-Piercing Eye on him.
Her charm would therefore be diminished.
Johan felt a strange sense of disappointment.
‘A love powerful enough to consume one’s reason... I probably won’t experience it this time.’
He wanted to personally experience the emotion described in the novel.
That curiosity would probably not be satisfied through Serena.
At least, that was what Johan believed.
While he was briefly lost in thought, the rhythmic clicking of shoes approached.
Johan looked ahead.
Horentz was smiling.
“Sir Johan, thank you for waiting. Though it is somewhat belated, allow me to introduce my daughter.”
A woman wearing an elegant dress emerged from behind him.
It was Serena Marcano.
Just as the original novel had described, she was golden.
She wore no ostentatious adornments or accessories.
She did not need them.
Serena shone brilliantly like gold.
She resembled an exquisitely cut jewel.
Someone’s face suddenly appeared in Johan’s mind.
‘...Ilea.’
His first impression of Serena overlapped considerably with his first impression of Ilea.
Both had shocked him with their dazzling beauty.
That was all.
He felt none of the emotions described in the novel.
Johan did not fall in love at first sight.
Serena slowly opened her mouth.
“I am Serena von Marcano. It is an honor to meet the Watcher of Narak.”
She lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and curtsied.
Johan rose from his seat and inclined his head.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Marcano. I am Johan Myatro.”
Horentz studied Johan’s expression before displaying his practiced business smile.
“I shall excuse myself for a moment. Please, enjoy your conversation.”
Horentz immediately left the dining room.
Johan found that somewhat unexpected.
He had assumed Horentz would remain with Serena.
While he was still wondering about it, a pleasant, melodious voice reached his ears.
“Sir Johan, Father gave me a general explanation. You know about the Mind-Piercing Eye?”
Her golden eyes stared intently at Johan.
Johan did not avert his gaze.
“That is correct. Therefore, do not use your power on me.”
Serena smiled softly.
“That is rather selfish of you. Would you mind withdrawing your gaze first?”
The Great Saint’s Eye was causing Serena to experience a strange sensation.
She had already noticed the unfamiliar feeling.
After a brief pause, Johan said,
“My apologies. This is not a power I can control.”
He could not deactivate the Great Saint’s Eye.
He still lacked the ability to control it.
Serena smiled and said,
“...I see. Then it cannot be helped. I suppose I’ll simply have to find out for myself.”
An unusual light swirled within her golden eyes.
Johan’s expression twisted.