episode_0026

Merhen Eildarin.

She is the eldest daughter of the political family, House Eildarin, and is a woman who aims to challenge the current emperor as the next head of the family.

As the cornerstone of that great step, the existence of evil spirits active in the empire was made public and the traitors within the imperial family were exposed.

Through this achievement, he also planned to fill the vacant position in the imperial family with his own person.

At the same time, he was inaugurated as the head of the Eildarin family and had plans to make a grand entrance into politics… … .

“Royce, what should I do with this son of a bitch, Hakan?”

“… … .”

Lois Goldwyn.

He is the eldest son of the political family Goldwin, and entered politics 10 years before Merchen, building up his influence in the imperial family.

She was under a lot of stress these days because he kept finding fault with everything Merhen did.

Since Royce Goldwyn is also a person who challenges the emperor, I guessed that there would be some degree of interference from Merchen as well.

“Show me clear evidence that these guys colluded!!”

It was hard to bear the disgusting sight of the royal vassals shamelessly colluding with the evil spirits who sacrificed people alive.

No matter how much you want to suppress Merhen, there is a limit.

The sight of him defending those who had given up on being human was hideous, as if he himself had given up on being human.

“I’d rather assassinate him. He’s a human who doesn’t deserve the oxygen he breathes.”

“My lord… … .”

At Merhen’s words, Hakan felt sweat running down his back.

They say that birds hear what’s said during the day, and mice hear what’s said at night.

If someone were to eavesdrop, there would be ample cause for concern.

“Don’t be like that, Hakan. What are you going to do if you hear it? You say you’ll spare those who sacrifice human bodies, but you want to punish me who just kills with words? Is that possible?”

“… … .”

“Hmm… Now that I think about it, that could be true. If you had common sense, you wouldn’t have made that kind of defense in the first place.”

Merhen let out a short sigh.

Since Merhen had not yet established a solid support base, she was also the one who was pushed back in the power struggle.

Because of the difference in weight class, I have to be swayed by such ridiculous and unreasonable arguments.

“The world is so dirty. Isn’t it?”

“… … Yes.”

Hakan reluctantly answered his master’s words.

Honesty is definitely a great weapon, but sometimes it can be worrisome.

He was very worried that his master, who was like a bulldozer that never stops, might make a mistake.

But even so, Hakan stayed by her side without saying a word.

If a day comes when you make a mistake, it’s something you can quickly correct.

—

I feel relaxed for the first time in a long time.

I’ve already gotten rid of the evil worshippers and the Belmagor cult, so I plan on spending some time within the family for the time being.

I should just sit still and take care of the piling up work until the cooldown of the Heart Sword is over.

There are things I have to do.

Chorrrr-

I filled the godless person’s chalice with water.

Then the color of the water gradually became redder, and soon it changed into a deep red wine.

I drank the wine without hesitation.

It was easy to swallow and the sweetness and slightly sour aftertaste were so good that I never got tired of it.

[ Repulsive Wine ]

– Permanently increases strength.

As I drank all the wine, my body started to feel strange.

Along with a splitting headache, my insides began to feel hot and tingly.

Penalty of a bad wine.

[!] The Guardian’s Oath Ring resists mental attacks.

– Current contamination rate: 9.4%

A spurt of blood flowed out from his mouth.

The penalty of the disgusting wine, which is a decrease in stamina and mind control, has been activated.

This penalty becomes stronger the more wine you drink.

The first day wasn’t too painful, but I can’t imagine how much it would hurt later.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and got up, my body still hunched over.

The penalty for the disgusting wine will make you feel a bit sick for a while, but after the task is over, your strength will increase considerably.

Although I am at an age where I cannot use my magical powers in swordsmanship, if I become stronger, I will have fewer restrictions on my actions than I do now.

“Go. I’m here.”

“It’s not too late. Then let’s start right away.”

I took out the paperwork that had to be taken care of by today and handed it to her.

Although she always complains that she’s having a hard time, it’s quite admirable that she comes to the office on time.

I stamped the documents mechanically.

For a while, this peaceful daily life will continue.

—

Gulp gulp-

Today I drink some disgusting wine again.

This is the 10th in total.

At first I was confused as to whether it was an increase in strength or just an illusion, but now I can definitely feel it.

I’d have to test it with a sword to be sure, but it feels like it’s about 50% stronger than before.

However, there are also side effects.

[!] The Guardian’s Oath Ring resists mental attacks.

– Current contamination rate: 97.8%

I slowly collapsed, holding onto the chair in my office, as the excruciating pain surged through my head and abdomen.

The side effects got worse with each drink I took, and after the 6th drink, I completely crashed.

Because I skipped it several times because I didn’t want to eat it so much, it took me 20 days to get 10 servings.

And today is the long-awaited 10th.

“… … .”

I sat back in my chair and desperately tried to suppress my mouth from opening, afraid that a scream would burst out if I opened it.

The pain felt like I was being mercilessly beaten inside my body with a hammer, and I felt like I would scream like a teenage girl at any moment.

I don’t know about anything else, but screaming is not allowed.

If you do that, you won’t be able to show your face in the family…

After holding on like that for a while, the pain finally started to subside little by little.

“Whew… … I’m going to die.”

I let out a sigh of relief on my own.

The Guardian’s Oath Ring protects against mental attacks, but begins to erode once the contamination rate exceeds 100%.

If the ring is eroded, it may fail to defend against mental attacks, and most importantly, it will cause permanent damage.

The 10th glass of wine I drank today caused the contamination rate of the Guardian’s Oath Ring to be 97.4%, so the next time it will definitely be over 100%.

So this is the last time I drink wine.

I felt like I was going to die when I was drinking it, but once I thought it was all over, I felt relieved.

I feel like running to the training ground right now and checking out my changed body condition.

However, my insides are aching from the wine, so I’ll have to rest for a few more days.

at that time.

“Cough!”

Blood gushed from my neck, accompanied by a sharp pain.

His internal injuries were so severe that half of his clothes were soaked in blood.

I cleaned up the blood I had lightly vomited and changed my clothes.

at that time-

“… Go? Why!”

Libra opened the door to the office and came in.

The timing is bad.

I’ll worry again.

“… It’s okay. Didn’t I say it last time? There’s no danger to your life. ”

“This feeling is getting worse. Are you really okay?”

“Yes. Today is the last day.”

A disgusting wine.

From the first time I drank it, blood started coming out of my mouth, and from the fourth time onwards, I started vomiting blood so much that it was hard to hide.

Because it was a large amount that was difficult to hide from others, I expressed my intention to tell those around me not to worry.

Actually, there is no need to worry.

Instead, I left out the talk about wine.

I couldn’t bear to talk about drinking what demon worshippers drink.

I tried to finish it quickly in 10 days and say I was completely healed, but it took 20 days because I didn’t want to eat it even if I was beaten to death.

But today is the last day for this too.

The disgusting wine made from the Holy Grail of the devil worshippers causes mental domination the moment you drink it.

Therefore, I cannot recommend drinking it to others.

Since it is a cursed item, I plan to get rid of it later when I have the chance.

If anyone were to use the Holy Grail without me knowing, it would be a disaster.

“I’m fine, just do your work.”

“… … Are you really, really okay?”

“If I die, it will be from overwork. Can’t you see this amount of paperwork?”

“… It’s hard to deny. But this is definitely the family’s fault.”

“Why.”

“Elder… All the heads of the households were killed.”

Oh, right.

All the elders are dead.

No, isn’t there one left?

“… … There was Greymore.”

“Bald Elder?”

Greymore is currently on trial at the Imperial Court for his alleged collusion with demon worshippers.

The crime itself is light, so all that is needed is a trial, but this is not an easy case, and the trial has not yet taken place.

It is said that the trial itself is being delayed due to the forces within the imperial family that are trying to keep Merhen in check.

It seemed like Merhen was having quite a headache over this.

I never thought there would come a day in my life when I would need Greymore.

He was an inspector and lost both legs.

Even if his arm is intact, he will never pick up a sword again.

Fortunately, he had been on the path of the sword for a long time, so the mental shock seemed to have been less.

The fact that he was betrayed seemed like an opportunity for him to repent for his mistakes, so he decided to give him another chance.

It seems like you’ve learned quite a bit from this.

If he comes back, I can have him do all the low-priority tasks.

However… I will never personally go to the imperial palace.

I’d rather sit here at my desk and get buried under paperwork than spend all day talking to those nitpickers.

That’s Merhen’s field, so we should leave it to her.

But you have to urge him.

Contrary to her boasts that it wouldn’t take long, it’s taken quite some time, so I need to let her know that I’m waiting.

Because all of this is debt.

“Are you having bad thoughts again?”

“… When did I do that?”

“A family that never gives up to men. This time, it looks like they’re planning to rip them off again…”

It’s sharp. Can I see it on my face?

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, start again.”

“… … If you are at a disadvantage, always change the subject.”

“Isn’t that your story?”

Libra accepted the documents I gave her, even though she was hesitant.

Even though I grumbled a lot, I liked doing it when I did it.