Chapter 88
Variable (2)
Johan stared intently at Gawain.
Gawain’s black eyes seemed much darker than before.
‘...Is it just my imagination?’
It could be an illusion.
Perhaps Ilea’s warning was merely making it seem more pronounced than it really was.
He needed definitive confirmation.
If Gawain truly was being corrupted by the Demonic Spear, Johan had to devise a solution as quickly as possible.
Gawain could never be allowed to fall.
He was a hero destined to bear the fate of humanity.
Only with Gawain’s divine power and Authority intact would Johan be able to overcome the calamities awaiting him in the latter part of the story.
Johan’s mind raced.
He silently observed Gawain with his lips pressed firmly together.
Gawain smiled awkwardly and spoke.
“Sir Johan, is there something on my face?”
Johan’s train of thought abruptly broke.
“Ah, no.”
“Then why are you staring at me so intently? It’s making me a little uncomfortable. Haha.”
Johan considered his words briefly before speaking.
“...Your Highness, forgive my impertinence, but have you experienced any changes in your body recently?”
Gawain looked slightly puzzled.
“What sort of changes do you mean?”
“Symptoms such as suddenly having nightmares, experiencing frequent emotional fluctuations, or your blood becoming somewhat darker and redder.”
Gawain appeared slightly surprised.
“I’m not sure about the others, but I have been suffering from nightmares far more frequently of late. They’ve become severe enough to make it difficult to sleep. But how did you know, Sir Johan?”
Nightmares severe enough to prevent him from sleeping.
The moment he heard that, Johan felt a deep sense of alarm.
Gawain was experiencing the exact same symptoms as the first stage of corruption described in the original novel.
Johan kept his voice as composed as possible.
“I dared to make the assumption because Your Highness appears more haggard than before. You seem quite fatigued. Why not spend the night here at the castle?”
He could not allow Gawain to wander outside.
Several high-ranking priests would undoubtedly notice what was happening to him.
If Ilea could sense it, there was no reason they could not.
Johan had to keep Gawain hidden from the public as much as possible.
At least until the problem of his corruption was resolved.
Gawain spoke.
“I was already hoping to impose upon you for the night, so I’m grateful that you offered first. Sir Johan, I will remember your kindness.”
That was a relief, at least.
Had Gawain refused, the situation would have become extremely troublesome.
Keeping him there by force would be virtually impossible.
His martial prowess was comparable even to that of the Twelve Stars.
They would have to risk their lives to subdue him.
Johan said,
“Then I shall escort you to your room for now. Your Highness may rest there until dinner is ready.”
Johan seemed rather hurried, unlike his usual self.
Gawain found it strange.
“We still have more to discuss... Has something happened?”
Johan had begun behaving strangely after the girl who appeared to be a maid entered the reception room.
Johan lowered his head.
“My apologies, but an urgent matter has arisen that requires my immediate attention. Please understand. We can finish our discussion over dinner.”
Putting aside a prince of the kingdom was somewhat discourteous, but Gawain did not mind in the slightest.
He had endured far worse contempt.
Compared to that, Johan was treating him with considerable respect.
Gawain smiled.
“Very well, then. I’ll see you again 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 showing Gawain to a guest room on the second floor, Johan immediately headed for the underground study.
It was time to devise a plan regarding Gawain.
“Are you certain? About the corruption.”
Ilea answered Johan’s question.
“I believe so.”
“Isn’t there a possibility that he entered into a contract with a demon?”
An extremely faint trace of demonic energy sometimes flowed through the body of someone who had contracted with a demon.
It was a remnant of the contract, present in such a minuscule quantity that even the Pope would have difficulty detecting it.
Ilea replied skeptically,
“The demonic energy had a relatively strong presence for it to be a mere remnant of a contract. I don’t think it was caused by one.”
Johan swallowed a groan.
“Then is it truly because of the Demonic Spear?”
Ilea studied Johan’s expression.
He looked genuinely grave.
“Is the Third Prince’s fall really such a serious problem?”
To overcome the endgame calamities, an appropriate balance between good and evil was necessary.
Gawain was one of the pillars supporting the forces of good.
He absolutely could not be allowed to fall.
Johan replied,
“I cannot explain the details, but it is something we must prevent.”
Ilea stared at Johan for a moment before nodding in understanding.
“I see. All right. Then we should begin by looking for a way to stop the corruption.”
Johan sighed.
“Ordinary methods will not work.”
In the original novel, Geppetto, the Wraith of the Duchy, had ultimately fallen because of the corruption.
Countless high-ranking priests had devoted themselves to treating him, but even they could not find a solution.
Once the corruption began, there was effectively no cure.
Gawain would gradually deteriorate.
Eventually, he would become an evil spirit just like Geppetto.
Ilea asked,
“How much time do we have?”
“If possible, we must find a solution before tonight is over.”
Gawain had said that he would leave tomorrow.
They had no justification for keeping him there.
“One day isn’t enough. Let’s buy ourselves more time first.”
They needed a reason to keep Gawain within the territory.
Johan struggled to think of a plausible excuse.
After racking his brain for some time, he spoke.
“There is one way to keep Gawain here, but it may have severe consequences.”
“What kind of consequences?”
“An armed confrontation. Ilea, could you handle it?”
In the future, Gawain would rise to stand among the strongest beings in the world.
The same was true of Ilea.
Their potential was nearly equal.
Even Johan did not know which of them was presently stronger.
Ilea said,
“Gawain’s strength is considerable. He has likely entered a realm beyond ordinary humans—when he is in perfect condition, that is. Things are different now. He doesn’t have his Holy Spear.”
Without one’s designated weapon, one’s fighting strength was bound to fall dramatically.
The current Gawain would not be able to display even half of his true strength.
“He would be no match for you, then.”
Ilea nodded.
“That’s right. Besides, I would have the advantage of striking first. If I chose to, I could subdue him without shedding a single drop of blood.”
If Ilea and Gawain were to clash, it would not be a duel.
It would be a one-sided ambush by Ilea.
Gawain would have no way to respond.
Johan said,
“That sounds promising, but there is another problem.”
“What is it?”
“Gawain’s personal guard. They are probably positioned somewhere near the lord’s castle.”
Even an abandoned prince would not travel without protection.
His guards were certain to have accompanied him.
Among them, the knight Yuri was remarkably powerful.
Johan had met her before.
Judging from their conversation that day, Yuri’s loyalty to Gawain was considerable.
The moment anything happened to Gawain, she would undoubtedly rush in without regard for the consequences.
The situation would escalate significantly.
After thinking for a moment, Ilea said,
“Could you handle them, Johan?”
Until now, Johan had never once fought a powerful opponent.
He had always relied on schemes to avoid situations in which he would have to fight at all.
This time was different.
An armed confrontation would be difficult to avoid.
Johan replied calmly,
“I’ll try. This will be a good opportunity to test the true extent of my strength.”
He had undergone tremendous growth over the past several months.
He had gained another horn and learned spearmanship.
Even if his opponents were a prince’s personal guards, Mapheltan should be more than capable of facing them.
Ilea said,
“Take Hakain with you, just in case something goes wrong.”
They even had reliable insurance.
Hakain, the Sword Demon.
The personal guard would not pose much of a problem for him.
Johan spoke.
“If the situation requires a fight, I will. However, the best outcome would be to keep Gawain in the castle without resorting to force. I must try to persuade him somehow.”
“I hope it works, but things may go wrong. I’ll prepare to subdue him.”
Johan nodded.
“Remain prepared. It is time for me to meet Gawain.”
Dinnertime was approaching.
Johan immediately made his way to the dining room.
The long dining table was laden with food.
The castle’s food stores had probably been emptied.
There was no other choice if they wished to entertain a prince.
Even if it strained their resources, they had to maintain a certain degree of formality.
Johan looked at Gawain, who sat across from him.
“Your Highness, please eat before the food grows cold.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the generous hospitality.”
Gawain took a spoonful of soup.
Johan also began eating as he spoke.
“I should have held a proper banquet, but the territory’s circumstances are not particularly prosperous. Please understand.”
Gawain waved his hand dismissively.
“No, not at all. This feast is more than I deserve. I am entirely satisfied. When you come to the royal capital, I’ll treat you to a meal as well.”
“It seems Your Highness usually resides in the royal capital.”
“I move between residences quite often, but I am currently living in the royal capital.”
Johan let out a deliberately exaggerated exclamation.
“How fortunate. I will soon be traveling to the royal capital as well. Would Your Highness care to accompany me?”
Gawain looked slightly puzzled.
“The two of us together?”
“Yes. Let us depart together in about a fortnight.”
“The Count will not look kindly upon you if the two of us become close.”
The Count and Gawain were political enemies.
As long as Johan was working with the Count, he was expected to distance himself from Gawain.
“There is no need to concern yourself with the Count. He is in no position to interfere with me.”
An innocent smile appeared on Gawain’s face.
“It seems you have the Count firmly under your control.”
“Indeed, I do. Therefore, Your Highness need only rest in the South for a fortnight before traveling to the royal capital with me.”
Gawain’s smile became strained.
“It is certainly a tempting offer, but I’m afraid I must decline. I have a scheduled meeting in the royal capital. In fact, I intend to leave early tomorrow morning.”
Johan swallowed a groan inwardly.
He needed to be more persistent.
“If it is not an urgent appointment, why not postpone it for a little while? Your Highness does not look well. I believe it would be better for you to spend a few days resting here with me.”
Despite Johan’s continued urging, Gawain did not lose his smile.
“I’m sorry. It is a truly important meeting. Let us make plans for another time.”
He was resolute.
It did not seem as though he would change his mind.
Johan had no choice but to take a more forceful approach.
He set his utensils down on the table.
“I shall speak despite knowing it may be discourteous. The truth is that I require time to evaluate Your Highness. Before I travel to the royal capital and meet the Count, I must determine precisely where I stand regarding you.”
Only then did the smile vanish from Gawain’s face.
He also set down his utensils and spoke.
“...Do you know everything about the relationship between the Count and me?”
Johan nodded calmly.
“That is correct. I have even heard the full story of what happened that day.”
Hostility entered Gawain’s eyes.
His voice turned cold.
“What exactly do you want from me?”
Johan slowly began to speak.