Chapter 21

Shaperia

Shaperia the Valkyrie was one of the protagonists of the original story and would later become known as the Demon Butcher.

She was a hero destined to attain the level of a demigod when it came to eradicating evil. Befitting someone who would accomplish legendary feats, she had been extraordinary from birth.

She had been born with the innate ability to detect demons.

No demon could conceal its true identity before Shaperia.

The Old Woman Spirit was no exception. No matter how deeply she hid her rotten body inside Ilea’s flesh, a foul stench was bound to remain.

Now that the judge had caught its lingering scent, Ilea could not avoid an investigation.

In the dungeon beneath the lord’s castle, the imprisoned Ilea looked through the iron bars.

“Young Master, you’ll be in danger if you remain here.”

Johan shook his head.

“Didn’t you see? Shaperia failed to perceive my true identity. That means I’m safe.”

“…Shaperia. Is that woman’s name?”

“Yes. She may be young, but she is a troublesome enemy. Although she is still nothing more than a holy knight apprentice.”

“You speak as though you know her well.”

“Is there anything I do not know?”

Johan’s knowledge surpassed all imagination. He had seen through Ilea’s identity and objective, and had even located the forbidden library with ease.

He had repeatedly demonstrated such abilities while taking control of the castle, so Ilea could not deny the source of his confidence.

“You knew everything.”

“This is no different. Shaperia possesses the ability to detect demons.”

“It seems you prepared a countermeasure.”

Although Shaperia had discovered the Old Woman Spirit, she had failed to detect Johan’s black blood.

That was because he had already protected himself against her.

Johan pointed toward the ring on his little finger.

“Kazan’s Ring.”

It was the holy relic he had corrupted earlier by sacrificing Betra.

It had originally possessed the power to defend against demonic energy, but now it granted resistance against divine power instead.

“Before the legacy of a holy hero, Shaperia’s power amounts to nothing more than a paltry trick.”

Every member of the clergy manifested their authority through divine power.

Shaperia also detected demons through divine power, so her ability was ineffective against Johan while he wore Kazan’s Ring.

Looking down at her shackles, Ilea said,

“As expected, you had a solution prepared. Yet you never said a word about it to me. It seems we weren’t in the same boat after all.”

“Don’t feel slighted. A situation like this could hardly be called a crisis for you. In fact, you have already devised a way to escape, haven’t you?”

In the original story, Shaperia and Ilea’s first meeting had unfolded exactly like this.

The judge had drawn her sword, and the witch had been placed upon the execution rack.

Yet the witch had openly and effortlessly escaped the crisis.

Everything was proceeding according to the original story.

“Even so, if you had warned me beforehand, we could have avoided this entire ordeal.”

Johan nodded.

“You’re right. There was no need to put you through this. Nevertheless, I had a reason for not mentioning Shaperia.”

Ilea silently stared at Johan. He continued.

“The pilgrimage delegation will take you to the Holy Office of Inquisition.”

The Holy Office of Inquisition was a heresy-investigation institution directly under the Holy See. Suspects were subjected to various examinations there.

“Most people never return alive.”

“You are different. You’ll be released before you arrive. However, there is something you must do while they are transporting you.”

“What would that be?”

“I want a fragment of the Great Saint’s corpse. Open the container holding it for me. Your magic should make that possible.”

The pilgrimage delegation was traveling across the continent to recover fragments of the Great Saint’s corpse, and one fragment they had already found was being guarded within the procession.

Johan intended to seize it.

Ilea let out a disbelieving laugh.

“You intend to steal the Great Saint’s remains? Even if you succeed, you’ll be hunted for the rest of your life.”

Every fragment of the Great Saint’s corpse was classified as a first-class holy relic.

The moment they touched it, they would make an enemy of the most dangerous organization in the world.

It was far too reckless.

“They won’t even realize it has been stolen. I can ensure that.”

Johan’s face was filled with confidence, but Ilea could not entrust her fate to that confidence alone.

After deliberating for a long while, she spoke.

“I don’t know why you want the corpse, but I don’t think I can cooperate with you this time. I’m sorry.”

“Why not at least listen to the plan?”

Ilea shook her head.

“I hear footsteps. Please leave quickly. I’ll pretend I never heard what you just said.”

Johan replied calmly.

“That is unfortunate. I thought you, of all people, would find it interesting.”

“It is extremely interesting, but not enough to risk my life over. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“Tell me whenever you change your mind.”

Just as Johan was about to leave, a cold voice rang out.

“This is troubling.”

Shaperia had descended into the dungeon and was staring intently at Johan.

“Meeting alone with a suspected apostate? Do you wish to invite false accusations?”

Johan looked up at her.

She’s rather tall. Is she around sixteen?

When he did not answer, Shaperia furrowed her brow slightly.

“I asked why you are here.”

Johan replied expressionlessly.

“I came because I was curious whether my servant had truly entered into a contract with a demon.”

Shaperia sighed.

“I do not know whether she formed a contract, but there is no doubt that she harbors a demon. If she was possessed against her will, she will receive treatment at a monastery. If she willingly entered into a contract, she will receive the appropriate punishment. Either way, that is for the Inquisition to decide. Do not involve yourself any further.”

Johan chuckled.

“The Inquisition, you say? From what I’ve heard, they begin their investigations with the answer already decided. If that is true, my servant is already as good as dead.”

Displeasure flashed across Shaperia’s face.

“You are insulting the Great Saint’s judges.”

“When the very first step is so haphazard, the investigation can hardly be considered trustworthy.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You branded her an apostate after a single glance. It seems remarkably primitive.”

Shaperia glared at Johan.

“The Great Saint granted me the power to distinguish demons, and my eyes have never been wrong.”

Johan shrugged.

“If it is the Great Saint’s power, then I suppose I must accept it. He could never make an error.”

“Of course—”

“However, the humans who wield that power are sometimes mistaken. Do not overestimate yourself, and continue honing your abilities. Your power is remarkable, but it could just as easily trample someone’s life beneath it.”

Those words were rather mature for such a young boy.

Moreover, Johan’s advice was something Shaperia had always kept in mind.

Without realizing it, she looked toward Ilea.

At that moment, Shaperia’s pupils shook violently.

The demonic presence she had sensed during the day had vanished without a trace.

Beyond the bars, there was only a silver-haired girl sitting demurely.

Johan raised the corner of his mouth.

“Admitting one’s mistakes and correcting them. That was one of the teachings the Great Saint always emphasized.”

Leaving only those words behind, Johan departed.

***

In the reception room of the lord’s castle, Baron Grian Myatro sat across from the younger brother he despised.

“It seems you aren’t pleased to see your little brother. This is our first reunion in ten years, yet you haven’t even asked how I’ve been. You’ve merely glared at me. You’re making it rather awkward for me to remain seated.”

Contrary to his words, Krill was sitting quite comfortably. He had sunk completely into the sofa and even rested his legs on the table.

Grian snorted.

“You haven’t changed at all. You’re still as insolent and detestable as ever.”

“You’ve changed quite a bit, Brother. For one thing, you’ve grown fatter. You now possess a physique truly befitting the Watcher of the Abyss. Ha ha!”

Grian ground his teeth at the mockery.

“Yes, compared to a coward like you, I am the rightful watcher. Just look at you today. You came here hiding behind the Order. Were you too frightened to come alone?”

Krill had deliberately arranged his visit to Myatro territory to coincide with the pilgrimage delegation.

As long as he traveled with the Order, his safety was guaranteed.

Krill nodded and crossed his arms.

“You’ve always been unpredictable, Brother. You were the same when we were children. Blinded by immediate gain, you often failed to consider the future consequences.”

If Krill had not accompanied the Order, Grian might truly have violated the customs of the nobility.

He might have invited Krill into his home and murdered him.

Grian slammed the table.

“I’m still better than someone like you who does nothing but think! Isn’t that why Father chose me?!”

Krill shook his head.

“Father was much like you. Consumed by envy and jealousy, he even cast aside his own child. His decision was not the correct one.”

Grian’s fleshy face twisted wildly.

“You bastard! How dare you!”

Krill spoke in a calm voice.

“Compose yourself. I did not come here to engage in an emotional quarrel. Surely the same is true of you. Tell me why you summoned me.”

Grian’s hand trembled around his glass.

He wanted to challenge Krill to a duel, but that was impossible.

Krill had continued training and still possessed a muscular physique, while Grian was nothing more than a pig covered in fat.

The baron had never defeated his younger brother even once.

Not in any field.

Grian spoke as though chewing on a blade.

“…I wasn’t the one who summoned you.”

“What do you mean?”

“My son summoned you.”

“Raguel asked for me?”

“No. My illegitimate son.”

Krill let out a hollow laugh.

“I heard about your bastard, but you’re saying he summoned me?”

“Yes. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

The baron sounded like a coward hiding behind a hired thug.

The sight was so ridiculous that Krill burst into laughter.

“Ha ha! You’re putting a brat who is barely out of infancy in front of you as a shield? Brother, just how far have you fallen?”

“Laugh while you still can.”

As Krill’s laughter continued, a knock came from the door.

A calm voice followed from outside.

“It’s Johan. May I enter?”

The baron shouted as if he had been waiting for him.

“Yes! Come in at once!”

A black-haired boy entered the room.

Krill’s gaze shifted toward Johan.

Suppressing his laughter, he said,

“It is a pleasure to meet you. So you’re my brother’s shield?”

Johan bowed at the waist.

“I am Johan Myatro. It is a pleasure to meet you, Uncle.”

Krill frowned slightly.

“He has already given you the family name?”

Ordinarily, illegitimate children were forbidden from using a noble family’s surname.

Grian snorted.

“If a worthless rogue like you may call himself Myatro, then what significance could the name possibly hold?”

Johan looked at Grian.

“Father, would you leave us alone for a moment?”

The instant those words left his mouth, Grian hurriedly rose.

“O-of course. Take your time speaking with each other.”

His earlier shouting had vanished, replaced by an attitude bordering on servility.

To behave that way toward his son—an illegitimate son, at that—was almost impossible for Krill to believe.

As soon as the baron left the room, Krill stared incredulously at his brother’s retreating back.

“What in the world…”

“Uncle, I’ll get straight to the point.”

Johan, who had already taken a seat, spoke calmly.

“Renounce your claim to the barony. It is the only way you will survive.”