Ch.226226. Harvest Festival (2)

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The terrace on the second floor of the banquet hall seems less crowded than expected.

It’s quite a different atmosphere from the first floor where people are bustling about introducing themselves and mingling.

Which means I can clearly see what’s happening down below.

“…Wow.”

I can’t help but exclaim as I watch the Emperor entering the banquet hall.

So he really did come.

I understand that the Tristan Dukedom holds high status, but it’s another matter entirely for the ruler of the Empire to show up in person.

The Emperor cherishes the Dukedom this much. Our relationship is this strong. So the Council of Elders and Chancellor Sullivan should be on high alert.

That’s roughly the implied message.

“…”

In other words.

The situation within the Empire must be quite tense if they need to make such a provocative display.

It’s similar to mutually assured destruction. We have this much power, so don’t pick fights carelessly.

‘…Even so, it will still explode.’

Chapter 5, The Great Imperial Chaos.

A national-scale civil war where the Council of Elders, the Chancellor’s faction, and the Emperor’s faction all become entangled in conflict.

This is where the story starts to get seriously intense.

It’s the chapter where Elnore begins to awaken as the ‘final boss.’

Her personality gets consumed by the Grey Demon, losing her humanity. Her father Gideon dies, Sullivan dies too.

The Emperor…

‘Does his fate depend on the player’s choices?’

But anyway, he doesn’t meet a good end either.

I should try my best to prevent seeing such outcomes.

[By the way, I’ve been wanting to ask.]

‘Yes?’

[Those demons don’t seem that bad, do they?]

Suddenly, such a question flies at me through the Soul Linker.

[Most of them just seem obsessed with you and cause trouble for others around you. They don’t seem to be deliberately committing evil acts themselves, right?]

‘…Ah, that.’

I suppose it might look that way.

But I can explain this clearly.

‘You saw what I was like recently, didn’t you, Calivan?’

I mean the state I was in right before Elnore knocked some sense into me with a blow to the head.

[Hmm?]

‘I was treating everyone except those I considered precious like insects.’

Treating people merely as ‘means’ to achieve my goals.

A prime example is Tatiana, whom I enchanted into the lion breastplate.

“…”

I do think I did something terrible.

She must still be inside the breastplate, so I should meet her soon and return her to normal.

With that thought, I continue speaking.

‘The demons are exactly the same.’

[What?]

‘Except for me, whom they’re obsessed with, and their vessels, all humans are no better than insects from their perspective.’

[…]

It’s not that they hate humans.

They simply regard them as insignificant bugs, not even worth their attention.

I continue speaking to Calivan, who has fallen silent in shock.

‘Right now, they’re trapped inside their vessels, so they can’t fully exert their influence… but it’s obvious what would happen if they got out.’

As I’ve said many times.

Demons aren’t called demons for nothing.

Just look at what I did when my race was temporarily changed by the Fallen Heaven’s Seal and I briefly adopted their ‘way of thinking.’

It becomes easier to understand if you recall what the Red Demon tried to do during the Red Night incident.

For Faynol alone, didn’t he try to burn the entire world and recreate it as he pleased?

For demons, this world is like a toy they can modify to their liking, except for the things they care about.

‘So, demons must not be released. Not until we have appropriate measures in place.’

After hearing my words, Calivan remains silent for a while before letting out a groan-like sentence.

[…You said they’re the strongest beings in their dimension. What kind of measures would make it safe if they got out?]

Well, a prime example would be Elia with the Holy Sword.

Since she just equipped it, she probably can’t engage in a life-or-death battle with a demon’s true form, but she and ‘dragons’ are probably the only means in the material world that can exert restraint over demons.

And, as for other means…

“…”

I look down at my chest and smile wryly. That’s where the seal is located.

If I need a means to control them according to my ‘taste,’ this is definitely the best option.

‘There are such means. They’re still incomplete since I haven’t collected everything yet.’

[…What are you talking about?]

While we’re having this conversation.

Suddenly, a familiar voice comes from beside me.

“Darwood Campbell!”

My facial muscles twitch involuntarily.

Though familiar, it was certainly not a welcome voice.

“…Marquis.”

I greet the other party with a sigh.

Bogart Marquis. Lionheart.

The head of the Council of Elders.

With this person in the same place as the Emperor, any peaceful atmosphere has already gone out the window.

Given that I’ve just received a system message warning that something will happen today, this guy is likely to be the main cause.

“It’s good to see you! So you did come!”

“…”

I stare at the hand he extends, then quietly bow my head instead.

It’s an expression of my unwillingness to respond to his greeting. I have no intention of being friendly.

Despite knowing this, he just smiles broadly and withdraws his hand.

“Are you alone without the Tristan Duchess!”

He speaks as if certain that Elnore would naturally be with me.

“…Yes, well.”

“Are you planning something special? Considering your relationship, I wouldn’t expect you to come to a place like this separately!”

“…”

I frown and glare at him.

It’s something I always think about.

When facing this guy, I often feel almost as much displeasure as when facing the Luminary.

It’s probably because of his attitude, acting like he knows everything about me or some ‘other things’ I don’t know.

Clearly.

Just look at what he says next.

“Then you should move quickly.”

“…Pardon?”

“You wouldn’t want uninvited guests to ruin the event the Duchess has worked so hard to prepare!”

Just as he says this.

Suddenly, a window appears before my eyes.

< System Message >

[ The presence of the ‘White Demon’ is detected! ]

[ The ‘Fallen Heaven’s Seal’ is responding! ]

My eyes widen.

White magical energy rises around me.

I’ve seen this once before.

I’ve even used it myself, so I remember it clearly.

The White Demon’s power is ‘seduction.’ The ability to bring all sentient beings nearby under its control.

The eyes of everyone within the influence of the suddenly rising magical energy become dazed.

Everyone freezes for a moment. As both the orchestra and all conversations stop, an eerie silence descends upon the previously bustling banquet hall.

“…!”

I hurriedly lean over the railing to check, and I see Yuria, the source of this white magical energy.

She’s sitting at a table, glaring at the Emperor with narrowed eyes.

Her eyes are fixed precisely on the Emperor, who looks around in confusion, wondering what’s happening.

And her hand…

It’s placed directly on the hilt of the Severer.

‘That one…!’

What is she doing?

I knew Yuria was here, but I never expected her to cause such an incident!

“She’s probably reacting to what’s inside His Majesty.”

As I quickly assess the situation, Bogart Marquis’s voice flies toward me.

“What are you…!”

“You know what’s dwelling inside His Majesty, don’t you?”

His voice, now devoid of its usual playfulness, falls upon me.

His expression still has its usual smile, but the eyes that normally appear almost closed from his constant grinning now hold an intensely serious look.

“So that’s why you’re not affected by the magical energy, unlike others. While everyone else is out of their minds, you alone remain clear-headed.”

“…”

I silently glare at Bogart Marquis.

“I’m telling you this because you might misunderstand, but I didn’t orchestrate this.”

Then, such words drop toward me.

“It was natural for demons to clash when they meet. Especially if the ‘Brown’ inside His Majesty is particularly hostile to you.”

“…You, what on earth are you-“

“I’d like to explain, but is this really the time to worry about such things?”

Bogart Marquis grins and points his finger down at the terrace below.

“If left alone, a real accident will happen?”

Down there.

With her body enveloped in white magical energy, her hand on the sword hilt.

Yuria had risen from her seat.

“…”

I grind my teeth as I look at Bogart Marquis.

“…Marquis.”

“Yes?”

“We need to have a thorough conversation later.”

“…”

Bogart Marquis smiles wryly and nods his head greatly.

“I’ll be waiting.”

I glare at that hateful face for a moment, letting out an inwardly frustrated sigh.

My cursed fate, following trouble wherever it goes.

“…Life.”

With those words, I immediately jump down from the terrace.

●

As I jump down from the terrace, I organize my plan.

[What are you going to do?]

‘…What needs to be done.’

[What?]

‘I told you earlier. There are appropriate measures for demons.’

Saying that, I look at the seal embedded in my chest.

Honestly, I don’t really want to do this.

Theoretically, I think it will work, but I’ve never actually tried it, so I’m not certain.

Above all.

“…”

I sigh as I look at the Emperor, who still appears bewildered.

I absolutely don’t want to do this with such an ‘audience’ present.

But.

‘…The aftermath…’

I’m sorry, but I’ll probably have to pass it on to the person I called through my father.

< Skill Info >

[ Fallen Heaven’s Seal – Modified ]

[ For a certain period, direct ‘contact’ with demons becomes possible! ]

This is what I’ll use.

I was squeezed to death by the Grey Demon because of this, but I should be grateful that it gives me a method to use in situations like this.

Being able to directly ‘touch’ a demon will likely provide me with more powerful control than I initially thought.

“…”

Taking a deep breath, I reach into my pocket. This will be the key item for controlling this one.

I’ve prepared this in advance since I learned from the system window that this one was a ‘person of concern.’

“…Hah-“

As soon as I land below the terrace, the white magical energy spread around reacts. Like a fog settling over my mind, an intense ‘wave’ momentarily envelops my consciousness, but.

[ Activating ‘Skill: King of Pandemonium’! ]

[ Resisting the ‘White Magical Energy’! ]

I have a means to resist this, if only briefly.

In an instant, the nearby magical energy swirls away, parting to either side as if clearing a path before me. I quickly approach Yuria through this opening.

The star iron circlet… she’s wearing it. That’s good.

Even if I get within three steps, I won’t be split in half.

“…”

And, as soon as I get close.

I can see it.

The White Demon perched on Yuria’s shoulders.

This one, suppressing her consciousness and moving her body as it pleases. With fiery eyes, it glares viciously at the Emperor.

“…”

Yes.

I expected it, but this one is really too much.

While the Violet Demon cares least about its vessel’s ‘sovereignty,’ honestly, this one causes the biggest incidents whenever it gets the chance.

Because of that, Yuria gets wrapped in guilt and becomes increasingly depressed each time she’s involved in such situations.

Even after the Red Night incident, I tried to talk to her several times, but Lucien told me countless times that she feels too sorry to even face me.

And now.

After putting her through all that.

It’s trying to cause a massive incident by stabbing the Emperor.

“…”

My honest impression is.

‘…This pisses me off.’

To be frank.

It really pisses me off.

How much trouble does this pale thing need to cause before it’s satisfied?

Thinking that, I trudge toward Yuria and place my hand on her shoulder.

“Whitey.”

[…!]

The White Demon’s eyes widen greatly, and the Severer was about to be drawn from its scabbard, but before that could happen, I grab its wrist and push the sword back into the scabbard.

Simultaneously.

I pull out the item I had prepared from my pocket with lightning speed.

“If you keep causing trouble-“

Having used this item several times before, I’m familiar with it. I immediately ‘put it on’ the White Demon.

Having become somewhat accustomed to contacting demons after being squeezed by the Grey Demon, it wasn’t that difficult.

“-I’ll have to punish you.”

I say this while smiling, but.

Probably, if I had to guess, my face is likely covered in bulging veins right now.

That’s how angry I am, and it means my ‘guilt’ about what I’m about to do to this one has greatly diminished.

[…]

The White Demon looks back and forth between me and what I just ‘put on’ it with a blank expression.

It seems not to understand what just happened to it.

You can tell just by the dumbfounded voice that comes out.

[…Huh?]

The White Demon, now wearing a dog collar around its neck.

It stared at me with a blank gaze.

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