Chapter 51

The Count’s Knights (4)

“W-What did you just say?”

Campbell’s eyes trembled. He was unable to conceal his emotions in the slightest. He was visibly shaken.

Johan raised the corners of his lips. A meaningful smile spread across his face.

“I asked why you were hiding such an honorable scar.”

Johan gazed at Campbell as though he knew the truth behind the scar. He even gave off the air of a predator that had discovered its prey’s weakness.

Campbell was bewildered. Very few people could have learned the secret of “that day,” and naturally, the boy before him was not among them.

In other words, Johan’s behavior made no sense whatsoever.

Campbell glared at Johan and spoke in a voice brimming with wariness.

“What do you mean by that?”

Johan shrugged.

“There is no hidden meaning. Scars are symbols of valor for a knight. I simply thought a scar like yours was worthy of pride.”

Johan’s expression calmly settled. The predatory look in his eyes vanished without a trace.

The strange pressure that had been closing in on Campbell disappeared as quickly as it had come.

Campbell did not respond. Tension still lingered across his face.

Johan did not miss a single one of his reactions.

So my suspicions were correct.

Campbell the Blasphemer. He was an unfortunate knight tormented by guilt and shame—the perfect prey for a demon.

If Johan played his cards right, he would be able to oppose the count far more easily.

Instead of the tight-lipped Campbell, Myra spoke.

“I agree with Lord Johan. A burn scar like that makes him look far more like a knight than a smooth, unblemished face would.”

Johan shook his head.

“No. I know nothing of the circumstances behind it, so I believe I spoke too carelessly. Sir Campbell, I apologize for my rudeness.”

Myra gave an affable smile.

“Ha-ha! Then each of you has been rude once. Why don’t you settle this like men and put the matter behind you with a handshake?”

Johan held out his hand to Campbell.

“I have no objections.”

Campbell hesitated. Doubt still flickered across his face.

Myra gave Campbell a pointed look.

“You only just revealed your face yourself. If we’re discussing discourtesy, you’re hardly innocent either. Why don’t you let the matter end here?”

Campbell seemed reluctant.

“…Very well.”

Still, he extended his hand, unable to withstand Myra’s insistence.

The two men’s palms met in midair.

After their brief handshake, Johan spoke.

“Then let us get to the main subject.”

Once everyone had taken a seat, Myra said,

“I’ll be direct. The count wishes to see you, Lord Johan.”

He held out a white invitation.

Johan stared silently at the sheet of paper.

“For what reason?”

Ordinarily, a noble summoned by a count would accept the invitation without complaint. Most would be delighted merely by the fact that the count had taken an interest in them.

Johan was different. He displayed not even the slightest change in emotion.

As though he had expected that response, Myra nodded.

“As you know, strange incidents have continued to occur in the south recently. A pilgrimage party was attacked, the Apostle Beris appeared, and a horned demon with white horns was sighted. It may be somewhat inaccurate to call it part of the south, but an ancient demon has even manifested nearby.”

The “ancient demon” referred to Kaiaze.

“Is there some particular connection between those incidents and the count’s desire to see me?”

“As I said, all these incidents occurred in the south. Events that might happen only once in a hundred years have continued to occur within one specific region.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re implying.”

“It is simple. The count suspects that something has gone wrong in the Abyss, and he wishes to hear the opinion of the Myatro family’s heir. As for why he has not invited the head of the family… I would prefer not to comment on that matter.”

Grian Myatro was a notorious wastrel. Not a single noble considered him a true Warden of the Abyss.

Johan secretly clicked his tongue.

What a convenient pretext.

Using the Abyss as an excuse to summon its warden? There was practically no justification for refusing.

Whether or not the count had some other motive, House Myatro was in no position to decline the invitation.

Johan spoke expressionlessly.

“And if I refuse?”

Myra’s face turned resolute.

“Then you will be formally summoned before the council. In that event, your father—Baron Myatro—will be required to attend. I merely hope matters do not come to that.”

The council was the kingdom’s highest decision-making body. Johan could not attend such a formal assembly. He was still far too young to represent an entire noble house.

As Myra had said, Grian would attend in Johan’s place.

What sort of nonsense would that fool spout before the council?

Johan truly did not even want to imagine it.

He would never entrust Myatro’s future to Grian.

Johan swallowed a groan inwardly.

As expected, the count was no easy opponent. There was no way out of the snare he had cast.

Johan had no choice but to accept the invitation. He would have to move according to the count’s wishes.

But only this far.

Johan sighed. Feigning resignation, he said,

“It seems this is not an invitation I can refuse. Very well. I will visit when the time is right. When would be convenient?”

“The sooner, the better. If possible, let us set a date before the end of this year.”

In other words, he was to visit within three months.

“Understood. I will choose an appropriate time and contact you separately.”

Myra smiled in satisfaction.

“The count will be very pleased. I will make sure only good things about you reach his ears, Lord Johan.”

“I appreciate your kindness, Sir Myra.”

Myra waved his hand dismissively.

“Not at all. I should be the one thanking you. You agreed to meet us despite our arriving without notice. Allow me to express my gratitude once more. Now, these uninvited guests will take their leave.”

Myra and Campbell rose from their seats.

“Why not stay for a meal before you go?”

It was merely an offer made out of courtesy.

“That is quite all right. We cannot take up any more of your valuable time.”

Reading the situation, Myra politely declined.

Johan nodded.

“Then I suppose the next time I see you both will be at the count’s estate.”

Myra gave him an affable smile.

“I will look forward to that day.”

“As will I. Have a safe journey.”

Myra and Campbell bowed their heads slightly before leaving the room.

Gaf would escort them out of the lord’s castle.

Left alone in the reception room, Johan sank into thought for a moment.

＊

Johan had scarcely had a moment to collect himself lately. Far too many incidents had erupted simultaneously, leaving his mind in complete disarray.

He had managed to bring them under some semblance of control, but in truth, he had merely put out the most urgent fires.

Compared with the number of unforeseen variables that kept arising, he had far too little time to prepare.

Johan sighed and sank deeper into his chair.

Things are getting tighter and tighter.

Just when he thought he had finished dealing with one problem, another erupted elsewhere. He needed to focus on the White Horn, yet now Count Staviana was causing trouble as well.

At this rate, even several bodies would not be enough.

What Johan truly needed was time.

Fortunately, he had managed to gain a little breathing room.

It was thanks to several people who could handle the miscellaneous tasks for him.

The imp, Ilea, and even Gaf. The imp would obtain a living sacrifice, while Ilea would conduct a thorough investigation into the Apostle Ganish.

Gaf had taken charge of nearly all the routine affairs of the lord’s castle. It had somehow ended up that way, and he proved more capable than expected.

Whatever the case, Johan had bought himself some time.

With his eyes closed, he began organizing the situation in his mind.

Throughout the interconnected events that had unfolded since his transmigration, Johan had repeatedly encountered several questions.

Why had he been transmigrated into The Chronicle of Demons and Men? Who was the being that had abducted him? What did it want from him?

Naturally, he had been unable to find any answers, so until now, he had simply pushed those questions aside.

Survival came first. Johan had constantly reminded himself of that priority.

But now his thoughts had changed somewhat.

The moment he became aware of the rift and Ganish, who had been placed within it, a new perspective opened before him.

The being that had abducted Johan and brought him into the novel clearly wanted something.

If he could uncover its identity and determine what it demanded of him, he might find a direction beyond mere “survival.”

Depending on the circumstances, he might even be able to return to his original world.

Johan looked up at the ceiling and murmured,

“…Tell me what you want.”

Naturally, no answer came.

He had expected as much, so he felt no particular disappointment.

He merely made a resolution. From now on, he would not neglect his investigation into the being that had abducted him or its intentions. He would continue gathering clues.

It was all still vague, and he first had to deal with the urgent problems directly before him.

Clicking his tongue, Johan toyed with the invitation Count Staviana had sent.

It was time to return his attention to reality.

Varzen Staviana.

The count had devised a plausible pretext to place House Myatro in shackles.

Every excuse he made was merely a stepping stone toward swallowing up the forbidden archive.

The count was a persistent man. He would use every method at his disposal to seize what he wanted.

Sending two knights was likely part of that effort.

It was a ploy to assess his quarry and identify its weaknesses. Johan had no intention of dancing to the tune of such childish games.

Like a proper demon, he would turn the scheme against its creator instead.

Just as his thoughts reached that point, the reception room door opened.

Gaf stepped inside and said,

“They’ve both left.”

He was referring to Myra and Campbell.

“You’re certain?”

“Certain or not, I watched them leave the castle with my own eyes.”

“But you don’t know where they went after leaving.”

Gaf frowned.

“If you want me to follow them, just say so.”

Johan chuckled.

“You’ve grown rather quick on the uptake. In any case, I have a favor to ask. Monitor their every move—their route, everyone they meet, and their conversations if possible. Observe and listen to everything, then report back to me.”

Without even answering, Gaf turned around.

Johan added,

“I’m not finished yet.”

“What else is there?”

Johan hesitated for quite some time before speaking.

“You were a mercenary, so I assume you know how to wield a spear.”

“A spear? Why are you suddenly asking about that?”

“I want to learn spearmanship.”

The holy relic Espada was a spear.

Even after being corrupted, it would probably retain that form.

“Why spearmanship?”

“I expect to acquire a spear approaching the level of a supreme treasure. It would be a waste to leave it unused, so I intend to make use of it.”

Gaf looked Johan up and down.

“A spear, huh? I’m not sure someone with your build could use one effectively.”

“I won’t be wielding it with this body, so that doesn’t matter. Just answer the question. Do you know how to handle a spear?”

Gaf snorted.

“Have you ever heard the story of the mercenary who pierced the heart of Corucus, the monstrous bird?”

The Lion of the East had slain the monstrous bird Corucus.

It was an incident briefly mentioned in the original novel.

“…I think I may have heard of it.”

“That mercenary was me. And I pierced its heart with a spear.”

“I see.”

Gaf cleared his throat before saying,

“I’ll prepare a training regimen. Your lessons begin tomorrow.”

He walked out the door without waiting for Johan’s response.

Johan stared after him with a slightly dumbfounded expression.

Was he embarrassed?

Perhaps he should have indulged Gaf’s boasting a little.

A quiet laugh escaped Johan’s lips.