Chapter 47

The Count’s Knights (1)

Johan sank deep into thought.

As Ilea had said, corrupting the Holy Spear would solve many problems.

First was Gawain. His suspicions toward Johan would disappear, since he would no longer be able to sense the Holy Spear’s aura from him.

And that wasn’t all.

There was also a high probability that the problem concerning White Horn would be resolved.

The wound Gawain had inflicted would naturally heal once the Holy Spear was corrupted into an abomination, and the moment that happened, White Horn would be able to act again.

Of course, for that conclusion to hold true, one premise had to be established.

—White Horn was alive.

Otherwise, corrupting the Holy Spear would be meaningless.

The imp had previously told Johan about White Horn’s vitality, but Johan found it difficult to trust the creature completely.

He needed definite confirmation.

Johan looked at Ilea.

“Let’s confirm one thing first. What exactly is inside that rift only you can see?”

She stared above Johan’s head.

“I can’t see inside it. But I think I can answer your fundamental question.”

She understood the true intent behind his question.

“Is he alive?”

“Yes, without a doubt.”

“What’s your basis?”

“Your demonic energy still remains in my heart. That means our protection contract is still in effect. If ‘Demon’ Johan had died, the demonic energy would have disappeared—or, depending on the circumstances, I might have died as well.”

Ilea’s explanation made it certain.

White Horn was alive.

“I see. Thanks to you, our priority is clear. No matter how I look at it, corrupting the Holy Spear must come first.”

The imp exclaimed with anticipation in its eyes.

“I can already hear their screams!”

Ilea, on the other hand, regarded Johan with a peculiar expression.

“You accepted it more quickly than I expected. This should be a decision that requires considerable resolve from you.”

Johan had worked tirelessly to preserve his humanity. According to his values, this plan could never be carried out.

Ilea knew that perfectly well.

Johan spoke.

“It seems you’ve both misunderstood. I have no intention of sacrificing them.”

“As expected! Their numbers are far too small to herald the beginning of your path of evil!”

Ilea tilted her head.

“Weren’t you agreeing with me?”

“The Holy Spear must be corrupted, of course. The problem lies in the method. Think about it. What are the essential requirements for a corruption circle?”

“A living sacrifice, magical power, and the holy relic to be corrupted.”

Johan nodded.

“Even if we consider the sacrifice and magical power already prepared, the holy relic itself is the problem. Is there any way to place the Holy Spear Espada inside the corruption circle?”

Judging from the circumstances, the Holy Spear was above Johan’s head—inside the rift. Even Gawain, the spear’s owner, had suffered terribly while trying to retrieve it, and the rift Ilea described was invisible to ordinary human eyes.

It was impossible to approach either the Holy Spear or the rift through conventional means.

Ilea probably had no solution either. If she had been capable of controlling the rift, she would have tried all sorts of things already.

After all, witches were obsessed with the unknown.

Ilea shook her head.

“At present, I can’t lay so much as a fingertip on the rift.”

Johan frowned.

“Just as I expected. The idea isn’t even viable. Why did you make such a proposal? Did you want to test me?”

Had she been curious about what Johan would choose at the crossroads between his humanity and practical gain? It was difficult to explain Ilea’s true intentions otherwise.

Ilea’s expression turned solemn.

“You’re half right and half wrong. First, I was curious about what decision you would make in a situation like this, where only one path seemed available. I was testing you. I apologize. But you’re wrong to say that the proposal isn’t viable. I mentioned it because the plan can be executed as long as we find a way to make contact with the rift.”

If she wanted Johan to abandon his humanity, he needed to make his values absolutely clear to her.

“I have a line I will never cross. No matter the circumstances, I won’t step beyond it. Remember that.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. I won’t test you again.”

But if that line must be crossed, I’ll do it myself—without Johan knowing.

Ilea swallowed the rest of her words and smiled.

Johan clicked his tongue.

“Putting that aside, what method do you have for making contact with the rift?”

“I gave it some thought on the way here. There’s clearly no visible mechanism, yet the rift rejects every attempt to approach it, including magical and physical contact. That most likely means it’s governed by a ‘taboo.’ Do you know what a taboo is?”

In The Chronicle of Demons and Humans, a taboo was an inviolable rule governing a particular phenomenon or object.

Unless someone met specific qualifications, they could not approach what the taboo protected, regardless of the means they employed.

Johan nodded.

“I know the general idea.”

“That taboo only circles around you. This is merely my conjecture, but could the rift be some kind of special area accessible only to you?”

“A place only I can enter?”

“Exactly. ‘Demon’ Johan is currently inside that rift, after all. Assuming the taboo doesn’t discriminate between races, ‘Human’ Johan should also be able to enter it. At least, that’s what I think.”

Johan contemplated it briefly before speaking.

“That’s a fairly reasonable theory. If your hypothesis is correct, then human sacrifice may not be entirely impossible.”

“There’s another option as well. It’s still human sacrifice, but the sacrifice would be different this time.”

“Explain.”

“You would use yourself as the sacrifice. Enter the rift, draw the corruption circle, then place both the Holy Spear and yourself upon the altar.”

At that moment, “Human” Johan would disappear from this world.

He would have to live as a demon for the rest of his life.

“It takes the lives of roughly two thousand people to corrupt a fourth-grade holy relic. A single person like me shouldn’t be enough.”

“You seem to have forgotten. The Great Saint’s eye has been implanted in you.”

Johan’s current body was worth far more than two thousand ordinary humans.

Johan let out a hollow laugh.

“Impressive. You truly are a witch. That’s a remarkably creative idea—and one worth attempting.”

Ilea looked puzzled.

“Do you properly understand what I’m saying? If it succeeds, you’ll never be able to return to being human. You’ll have to live in a demon’s body for the rest of your life, whether by day or by night…”

It was something that should only be decided after careful consideration.

“Couldn’t we simply use someone else who meets the same conditions as the sacrifice instead of my own body?”

Interest appeared on Ilea’s face.

“You mean obtaining one of the Great Saint’s body parts, implanting it into some individual, and then offering that person as the sacrifice?”

Johan lightly patted Ilea’s shoulder, making no attempt to hide his delight.

“Exactly. Thanks to you, I’ve found a way forward. A witch truly is a witch.”

“…That was a compliment, right?”

“Of course.”

Ilea cleared her throat before continuing.

“Then we’ll have to find the worst person in the world—someone you can accept as a sacrifice.”

They had no intention of sacrificing an innocent person.

“It will be troublesome. We’ll also have to obtain a piece of the Great Saint’s body. I understand that my position may be difficult to comprehend in many ways, but I hope you’ll respect it. This is the bare minimum I require.”

“Don’t worry. I understand perfectly well.”

Johan nodded.

“Then shall we test your theory first?”

For the proposed solution to work, Johan had to be able to enter the rift.

“That’s impossible right now. At the very least, you need the ability to perceive the rift before we can test anything.”

“Can you devise a method?”

“Let’s return to the territory first, after spending one night here.”

Johan needed rest immediately.

This was a large village, so there should at least be an inn.

“All right. We’ll catch our breath and depart immediately afterward.”

The two headed straight into the village.

The imp insisted that it would never dare use an Apostle’s body as a hiding place and burrowed into Ilea’s clothes instead.

***

Baron Grian Myatro sipped his drink as usual while lamenting his lot in life.

None of the countless noblewomen remained by his side. Neither Betra, who had once sat on his lap and fawned over him, nor Ilea, whose mere appearance had always brought a smile to his face.

He was merely a scarecrow trapped inside his office, occupying a seat for appearances’ sake.

No one ever came looking for him.

Today, however, was slightly different.

The office door burst open.

The uninvited visitor, who had not even sought permission to enter, was none other than Gaf.

“Hey, garbage. Someone’s looking for you.”

Grian sprang to his feet.

“D-Did the master summon me?”

The master he referred to was Johan.

“No. Apparently, they were sent by Count Staviana.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than heavy footsteps and the clanking of plate armor rang out.

Gaf addressed the corridor.

“Go in and conduct your business.”

Two powerfully built knights marched into the office.

Without even removing their visors, one of them spoke.

“I am Sir Campbell Laura. Count Staviana sent me.”

Grian stammered.

“I-I am Grian Myatro. But why would the count send you gentlemen…?”

“Where is the young baron? Our business is with him.”

The “young baron” referred to the territory’s future lord—Johan.

A puzzled expression appeared on Gaf’s face.

“Why are you looking for Lord Johan?”

The visored knight stared at Gaf. His helmet concealed even his gaze.

“How insolent of you to interrupt. You don’t appear to be a knight.”

“You’re in no position to criticize someone else’s manners when you entered the lord’s office with a sword at your waist.”

The knight tapped the hilt of his sword.

“Then why don’t you try taking it from me?”

Gaf scoffed.

“You brat hiding inside plate armor. In my younger days, I used to tear men like you apart with my bare hands. That armor won’t protect you.”

The knight was about to shout something when the other knight intervened.

“That’s enough, Campbell. We didn’t come here to fight.”

Gaf spoke bluntly.

“Then state your business. I’d like to know why you’re looking for Lord Johan.”

“Count Staviana wishes to meet the young baron of Myatro. We have brought an invitation. See for yourself.”

The knight unfolded a sheet of white paper before Gaf.

An eagle-shaped seal was stamped in its center.

“I’ll deliver it to him, so hand it over.”

The knight shook his head.

“We must deliver it personally.”

“He isn’t here at present.”

“That can’t be helped.”

The knight removed his visor and dropped heavily into a chair.

“You intend to wait?”

“Is there another option?”

“No. Do as you please.”

The moment he finished speaking, the office door opened.

Johan and Ilea entered side by side.

Gaf let out a disbelieving chuckle.

“What excellent timing. Young Master, we have guests. They say they were sent by Count Staviana.”

Without even looking at the two knights, Johan said,

“I’m busy. Where is Raguel?”

The knight’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Count Staviana has business with the young baron.”

Johan clicked his tongue.

“I’m busy, so come back another time. More importantly, Gaf, bring Raguel to the underground chamber. It’s urgent.”

Leaving only those words behind, Johan walked out of the office.

The knight remained frozen in place, dumbfounded.

What matter in the world could possibly be more important than business concerning Count Staviana? He simply couldn’t understand Johan’s behavior.

Gaf smirked at the knight.

“Shall I deliver that invitation for you?”