Ch.125125. Promises Must Be Kept (2)

“…”

Kasa Garda let out a small laugh as she looked at the nameplate that had appeared in her hand.

It was something that Darwood Campbell had just thrown to her before disappearing as mysteriously as he had appeared.

Clearly, this wasn’t an item that should be handled so casually.

This thing is basically like the imperial seal in the Empire’s standards.

The symbol of the Great Chieftain. Until now, it must have been something Allan had been carrying.

“…How did you manage to get this?”

Kasa asked in a defeated voice to Darwood, who had handed such a thing to her without any explanation.

“Well, everything’s in chaos right now, isn’t it? The Great Chieftain is dead. The entire Union was manipulated by that side. And I cleaned up the whole mess. If you negotiate well with the chieftains, getting something like this is easy.”

Indeed, that’s true.

From the Tribal Union’s perspective, having their Great Chieftain manipulated to such an extent must be undeniably shameful. The chieftain council must be in unprecedented chaos right now.

Even so.

“…”

Was it really that simple?

The Great Chieftain isn’t a position with the same authority and power as the Emperor of the Empire or the Pope of the Holy Empire.

As evident from how Kasa was challenged to a duel by Allan and pulled down, it’s an open position that can be replaced at any time.

It’s more like identifying the ‘strongest one’ among the chieftains, not really ‘ruling’ the Tribal Union, which is fundamentally a coalition.

But still.

It’s one of the representative positions of one of the three hegemonic nations. It’s definitely not a position that should be handed over to an ‘outsider’ in this manner.

So when she asked again with that doubt in mind.

The answer that came back was another masterpiece.

“No, just because.”

It was a nonchalant response, but.

“I told them if they had a problem with it, we could settle it with a fight.”

“…”

“It’s a pre-modern position decided by duels anyway, so why be so rigid about it? Hand it over while I’m asking nicely. Something like that?”

It was enough to make Kasa burst into laughter.

That would be the case, indeed.

She had already heard that he had shown the chieftains a live broadcast of him defeating an ancient god, and had also repelled unidentified assailants who had attacked the place where the Tristan Duchess was staying.

“You all know who taught me the sorcery I used to defeat the ancient god. It means I’m not considered an outsider, but your direct disciple.”

It was another answer that made Kasa chuckle.

While his skills might be riddled with all sorts of tricks and cheats, he had already proven himself sufficiently.

So in terms of ‘authority’, he resolved it by mentioning her?

If that’s the case, there’s something she definitely needs to ask at this point.

“What are you plotting?”

“Pardon?”

“With achievements and authority that could aim for the highest position in a hegemonic nation, you could have gotten anything you wanted.”

And yet, this man.

He obtained such a position and handed it over to her. Not taking it for himself.

“…I can’t help but think you have something else in mind.”

“…There are many reasons, but the one that would resonate most with you is that it will make Riru happy.”

“That child?”

“Actually, it’s too early to say such a reason just for the Great Chieftain position. This is just the beginning.”

Darwood said, awkwardly scratching his head.

“You’ve seen what your granddaughter carries inside her, haven’t you?”

“…”

Kasa slowly nodded.

She had clearly seen with her own eyes the energy that Riru had been emitting.

It’s hard to deny what it is.

“…Demons are the common enemy of the continent. There are those who covet and seek their power, but fundamentally, they are treated as beings that must be eradicated for the sake of humanity.”

Darwood said in a calm voice.

Then.

With a sigh, he dropped a ‘bomb’.

“To fundamentally change that perception, I have no choice but to spread my influence starting from the highest echelons of the continent.”

“…”

Kasa’s eyes widened.

So, this man is now.

“…Are you saying that demons are not the enemies of humanity?”

“Yes.”

But.

Darwood still answered decisively.

“They are not enemies. And I will prove it.”

It was a sentence with many details omitted.

Why they aren’t enemies, and how he plans to prove it.

“The Great Chieftain of the Tribal Union is just the beginning. The imperial family of the Empire, the headquarters of the Holy Empire’s church… I need to clear ‘debts’ with all of them. At least to the point where they’ll comply with any request I make without question.”

It’s an absurd idea, with an unreasonable motive. Truly a plan only a madman would devise.

But.

When he explained ‘why he’s doing this’, his voice was filled with conviction.

“For people like Riru who carry such things to be happy, that’s the only way.”

“…”

Kasa let out a hollow laugh.

That, in other words.

“You might turn all of humanity against you, child. Deep-rooted hatred doesn’t change so easily.”

“…”

“You’re saying you’ll fight against all of humanity for your women. Do you realize that?”

“…I’m just revealing the truth.”

Kasa burst into laughter again.

This guy.

He’s a fool. An idiot. A crazy, stubborn, lone wolf.

“That’s truly a crazy idea, child.”

But.

Kasa really liked such a person.

“Make sure to push it through to the end. Include me in it.”

And.

Her granddaughter is involved in this too.

There’s no reason to refuse.

“…This is why I like you, Kasa.”

At Darwood’s words, Kasa smiled like a mischievous child.

Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, she threw another question.

“By the way, why did they attack the Tristan Duchess?”

“Pardon?”

“It’s strange, don’t you think?”

Kasa spoke as she filled her pipe with a new tobacco pouch.

“It’s as if summoning three ancient gods was just a ‘distraction’.”

“…”

“And you seemed to already know that. Right?”

Having witnessed the fight with the ancient god and what Darwood did afterward, she can say this.

This man never seemed to put his ‘true heart’ into that from the beginning.

As if.

He already knew something else was coming afterward.

Knowing the opponent ‘thoroughly’ would lead to asking such questions.

“Do you know them?”

“…”

Darwood gave a bitter smile.

“…I don’t know them.”

“Really?”

“Not yet.”

It was a strange answer.

As if he doesn’t know now, but will know who it is in the future.

Kasa pondered the meaning of those words for a moment.

“…It seems you have a clear suspicion of who it might be?”

Such a response can only come if one has clearly narrowed down a list of such individuals.

Darwood remained silent for quite some time at her question.

As if just recalling such a fact is ‘painful’.

“Well, anyway.”

Then, he forcibly twisted the topic.

It was an intentional diversion that anyone could see, but Kasa didn’t pick on it.

Everyone has a fact or two they want to hide.

“That’s all I came for, Kasa. Would you stay at the Crucible of Struggle for a while? I’ll contact you when needed.”

“Ah, that’s fine, but.”

As Darwood was about to leave the room with those final words, Kasa threw in one more comment.

“That child, Elia. Before she leaves the Crucible of Struggle, could you send her my way once?”

“…? It’s not a difficult request, but why do you ask?”

“There’s something I want to teach her.”

In her eyes, Elia was a raw gem standing at a crossroads.

Just before realizing a very special ability.

“Since we’re talking about demons.”

Kasa continued with a grin.

“That child will be able to play a very special role for you, who’s caught in between. You can trust me on this.”

“…A special role?”

“Yes.”

Kasa responded with a voice filled with such certainty that even Darwood was taken aback.

“If I’m right, that child will have a very strong competitive edge even among the women trying to devour you.”

“…”

“You’ll definitely face a tremendous dilemma about who to welcome first—”

“…I’m leaving.”

Darwood quickly left Kasa’s room.

As if it was a topic he desperately wanted to escape from.

●

< System Message >

[ You have completed the Main Quest! ]

[ Rewards will be distributed! ]

[ Special interaction with the ‘Tribal Union’ has been added! ]

[ You can request ‘Special Support’ from the target once! ]

[ ‘Special Support’ grants you the authority to make almost unlimited requests regardless of field or target. It can cause tremendous ripple effects, so use it wisely! ]

Right.

I scan the window that appears before me with a sigh.

“…”

But, it feels a bit bland.

In the past, when I cleared main quests, they showered me with all sorts of rewards, but despite this being the most difficult one yet, it’s the most underwhelming.

It would be a bit disappointing if this is all…

< System Message >

[ Perfect clear without a single flaw! ]

[ The Crucible of Struggle suffered no damage, and there were no unnecessary casualties! ]

[ Additional rewards that will help with the next chapter will be given! ]

Oh. That’s right.

I can’t help but smile at the window that appears before me.

Yes, one shouldn’t live too harshly.

When it’s time to give, one should give generously—

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Serath Evatrice’ will take interest in you from an earlier period! ]

[ The target will soon arrive at ‘Imperial Academy Elphante’! ]

“…”

How am I supposed to handle this kind of reward?

I know Serath.

The master who controls the ‘Crescent Moon Covenant’, a covert organization under the Pope of the Holy Empire.

And.

With high probability, a Demonic Vessel.

Unlike Demonic Vessels that tend to be randomly assigned with each chapter progression, she’s like Faynol or Elnore, confirmed from the beginning.

The one carrying a fragment of the Violet Demon.

Although I’ve never met her directly, I’ve had a few points of contact before.

From the beginning.

< System Log >

[ Checking the current conditions of target ‘Serath’. ]

[ Your overall vibe seems to be a direct hit to Serath’s preferences! ]

[ If you meet in person, there’s a very high chance of love at first sight! ]

[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ activates in advance! ]

Isn’t this one already showing everything?

If this one is added at this timing, from my position of walking a tightrope among demons, it’s just adding another bomb.

And the timing isn’t good either.

I managed to clear this chapter by walking a tightrope around everything that was terribly tangled.

And the result is this.

< System Log >

[ Target ‘Yuria’ is in extreme despair! ]

[ Target ‘Lucien’ is in extreme guilt! ]

[ Target ‘Elnore’ is in extreme helplessness! ]

[ Target ‘Faynol’ seems to have something to ask of you! ]

[ Find a way to comfort them! ]

“…”

Cold sweat runs down my back from the sense of crisis.

That’s strange.

I thought I walked the tightrope pretty well, so why is everyone in this state?

And what’s with the last one?

How do I fix this?

Please save me…

“…So you were here.”

While looking at the system window that makes me dizzy just by seeing it,

The voice I least want to hear right now came from behind me.

I turn around like an unoiled machine to face the person who uttered those words.

“Riru? You’re healthy now?”

“…I’m healthy.”

An awkward silence flows.

Judging by her response, she doesn’t seem different from usual, but.

If you look closely.

Her state is a bit.

Strange.

She’s usually someone who dresses roughly but meticulously, but now her clothes are a mess.

They’re disheveled here and there, and as a result, her firm bare skin is exposed much more than usual.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but her face is also flushed.

She’s also sweating all over her body, though I’m not sure why.

She definitely doesn’t look normal.

It feels like she’s been ‘forcibly put into that state’ by ‘something’.

[Hey, she’s here. You agreed to be caught for a day, right?]

“…”

[You shouldn’t make promises carelessly, you know.]

‘…Why do you sound so happy?’

[Promises should be kept. Fighting, Darwood Campbell.]

Shut up.

Please, just shut up…!

“You don’t look okay at all. Maybe you should rest more—”

As I hastily blurt out those words.

“Hey.”

Riru cut me off.

Thump, thump. She walks towards me.

As she gets closer, the strangeness becomes even more apparent.

Her breath is mixed with excited sighs and sweetness. The corners of her eyes are slightly drooping. She grabs my collar with a gaze dripping with honey.

She seems to be in a great ‘hurry’.

I look at her while inwardly breaking out in a cold sweat.

“…I’m free today. No one’s in the room I’m staying in.”

A chill runs down my spine.

“Want to come over and have something to eat?”

“…Um, Riru.”

“Come and eat.”

“…”

Wait, is that really just about eating?

Or am I the one being eaten?

●