Ch.261261. Date

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Somewhere, while a chancellor was racking his brain over an absurd request, a certain count was also exhaling a world-weary sigh due to a similar demand.

“Is this person serious?”

Even considering the circumstances, requesting permission to enter for club activities during such a critical time seemed completely out of context.

Though supposedly serving as an assistant to Bogart Marquis, this request seemed far too carefree coming from someone who could easily outrank the 3rd or 4th position in the Council of Elders…

“If he’s making such a bold request, it might be more reasonable to assume he has some hidden agenda.”

“I think so too, counselor.”

Count Rebel irritably ran his hand through his hair.

‘…What advantage could he possibly gain by doing this now?’

Civil war was imminent. The justification for it would soon be complete, and the other party wasn’t foolish enough to be unaware of this.

“How is Nicholas’s ‘resurrection process’ coming along?”

At Count Rebel’s question, a flash of disgust crossed the secretary’s face.

This didn’t surprise him. Nicholas was undoubtedly a repulsive type, even to those on the same side.

However, what the counselor said next was somewhat unexpected.

“It’s proceeding smoothly, but we’re observing some… ‘side effects’.”

“Side effects?”

“Well. To borrow the expression of those involved…”

The disgust in his expression intensified significantly.

“…His ‘appetite’ has increased quite substantially.”

“…?”

“More importantly, you should consider the intentions behind their actions.”

The topic change was unnaturally abrupt.

The counselor’s clear desire to avoid further discussion on this subject made Count Rebel tilt his head in confusion, but the new topic was undeniably important as well.

“…The Emperor or the Chancellor must be behind this, Minister.”

“Unless he’s quite the madman, I suppose so.”

The personal secretary nodded in agreement.

This Darwood Campbell was already known through multiple intelligence reports to have close connections with the Emperor and Chancellor.

Both the counselor and the count simultaneously concluded that he was likely carrying out an important mission for them. Otherwise, he wouldn’t walk into enemy territory so brazenly. He must be ‘hiding’ something.

Had Calivan or Atalante, who knew the truth, heard this conversation, they would have burst into hysterical laughter.

The answer was in the sentence itself. Darwood Campbell was simply more of a madman than they realized…

But the two men, not yet aware of this fact, continued to flesh out their conspiracy theory.

“For the Emperor or Chancellor to make a move in this situation, it must contain a significant provocative intent.”

“…Indeed. Perhaps they’ve realized the urgency of their situation.”

The counselor and the count exchanged sinister glances.

Such provocative behavior likely indicated that the opponent’s resources were nearly depleted, triggering a defensive mechanism.

A dog confident in its ability to bite never barks. It simply watches its opponent’s movements, waiting for a ‘gap’.

In other words, this was likely bluster born from desperation.

If so, the response was simple.

“…Make sure we don’t neglect our hospitality for our guest, counselor.”

“I will follow your orders.”

There’s no need to engage in psychological warfare with a dog that can’t bite. Just deal with it appropriately, give it ‘humiliation’, and send it back.

The timing of something ‘terrible’ happening to this Darwood Campbell would likely coincide with the outbreak of civil war.

“Don’t act rashly. They must have something they’re relying on to stick their heads in here.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll start only after all preparations are perfectly complete.”

An even more sinister glance was exchanged between the two.

“…Do you believe that?”

“Of course not. Rumors are always exaggerated.”

That statement would mark the beginning of all the tragedy that followed.

Among all their misguided speculations, they got only one thing right:

That Darwood Campbell was hiding something.

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“Um, Calivan.”

[Hmm.]

“…Were the Council of Elders actually good guys?”

[Are you joking?]

Right. I didn’t think so either.

Otherwise, why would they treat an enemy like me so well…?

Thinking this, I recalled today’s experience, which could only be described as “warm hospitality.”

From the moment I entered the territory, they greeted me with courtesy, provided delicious food and comfortable lodging. The atmosphere clearly showed they were genuinely treating me well.

There’s no friction. Even if I wanted to pick a fight, their response is too impeccable…!

“I thought I’d be imprisoned, tortured, or even stabbed or executed as soon as I arrived…! Why aren’t they doing anything…!”

[…You really are insane.]

Though my attitude upon entering an enemy military stronghold is admittedly strange, I’m completely sincere in what I’m saying.

What I’m advocating for is “deterrence.” If they don’t give me a reason to use violence first, using it anyway would just make me a villain.

“…Well, I still have faith.”

[What faith?]

“Faith that the Council of Elders are bad guys who will do terrible things to me.”

[…]

“Surely they’ll stab me at least once?”

Otherwise, I’m in trouble. Please, I’m begging you to do something horrible to me…!

[You lunatic…]

As I listened to Calivan’s low voice, I suddenly heard a knock at the door.

Come to think of it, did I ask someone to come around this time?

“Are you there?”

“Yes. Come in.”

The person who entered the room expressionlessly was Victoria. The only person I brought here.

Of course, I had planned to bring only her from the beginning, but it was very strange that the others didn’t try to interfere at all.

‘…It really is strange.’

Normally, they would have desperately tried to come along, asking why I was only taking her.

I asked several times if they were being mistreated, but I received repeated assurances that wasn’t the case.

To begin with, most of them would have immediately erupted with demonic energy if they were being mistreated, so I didn’t suspect too deeply.

[…I don’t think you need to be that suspicious. After all, they’re the ones who advised you that you only needed three types of demonic energy to charge your seal, right?]

‘…That’s true.’

Still, I can’t trust them yet.

While she’s definitely my biological mother, nothing about her has been revealed yet, and I don’t know her intentions.

“What is it? You called me here and now you’re not saying anything.”

“Hey, are you really not going to tell me?”

I understand she escaped with Professor Astrid. I’d like to know what happened during that time.

I’ve already asked this question several times on our way here, but the response was always the same.

“I’ve told you repeatedly. I don’t know anything. I left as soon as I heard they were gathering to discuss something.”

“…Really?”

“Serath and the other people seemed to be listening intently though.”

“…”

That’s… strange in its own way.

Astrid’s attitude toward them could hardly be described as friendly, even as a courtesy.

Just look at how she arbitrarily started talking about evaluating daughters-in-law and such.

Considering the people gathered there, they might tolerate it because she’s my mother, but they’re not the type to be so cooperative.

I don’t understand what conversation took place between them to create such a situation…

“What is it? If that’s all, I’m leaving. Honestly, I’m already irritated enough having followed you here.”

“…”

“And that question too… daughters-in-law or whatever, it’s stupid. Honestly, I don’t understand why so many women are attracted to someone like you.”

“…”

Why is she suddenly being so venomous?

Come to think of it, her attitude changed dramatically after I made her suck my finger that time.

Before that, she was just ‘indifferent’ or ‘wary,’ but since then, the frequency of her picking fights with me like this has increased quite a bit.

[…That’s probably the usual thing, you know?]

‘Huh?’

As I tilted my head at Calivan’s incomprehensible words, he continued with a voice that couldn’t hide his amusement.

[I mean, she’s confused by emotions she’s experiencing for the first time. That’s why she gets irritated whenever she sees you.]

‘Like… wanting to bully someone you like?’

It feels like a shy tiger when I think of the Grand Assassin acting that way.

But I somewhat agree on that point.

The response to my probing topic proves it.

“If you dislike me that much, you could have just not come along this time.”

Especially since I emphasized multiple times how dangerous this area is. She didn’t come here without knowing.

To this, Victoria pouted and replied.

“…I promised, didn’t I?”

“Promise?”

“If I lost our match, I’d follow you in whatever you did.”

“…”

“…As much as I hate to admit it, I lost since I couldn’t kill Serath.”

I barely hide my smile. If I showed such an expression, she’d fly into a rage.

Considering the ‘upcoming’ topic, there’s no need to anger her.

< Tip! >

[ If a Demonic Vessel’s affection for you increases, demonic energy supply becomes more efficient! ]

[ If affection is low, you may experience difficulties in the supply process! ]

A window like this appeared before.

It was probably explaining why the Violet Demon’s energy gathered slowly and not 100%, and I concluded that while Serath might be fine, this one’s affection was somewhat ambiguous.

I want to resolve that issue quickly.

If I’m right, Serath and Victoria—or more broadly, the Violet Demon—are likely to be crucial for dealing with Nicholas, the biggest obstacle in this chapter.

It’s best to clear away even small difficulties as quickly as possible.

With that in mind.

‘Calivan. Do you remember what I said before?’

[Huh?]

‘About Faynol Leiphec.’

[What exactly? I can’t understand when you’re so vague.]

‘I said I could seduce her in a day if the conditions were right.’

[…]

I didn’t say that for nothing.

That’s precisely why I brought this person all the way here.

Even in such a dangerous area, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to be ‘alone’ with her.

“Victoria.”

“What? Could you not call me with that familiar tone? It’s so unpleasant it gives me goosebumps—”

“Let’s go on a date today.”

The key is to state it decisively.

Make it clear to the other person that they have no choice.

Whether you like it or not, I’m going to spend a very sweet time with you today. That’s the intention.

“…Huh?”

Victoria’s voice died with that death rattle.

After standing there for a while, rolling her eyes, scratching her chin, and kicking the ground a few times.

Eventually, she looked up at me with a flushed face.

“…Eh?”

To Victoria, who was making such a strange sound and freezing up, my voice dropped again.

“That’s why I left everyone else behind and only brought you.”

“…”

“Is there somewhere you’d like to go?”

“…”

Victoria’s appearance—mouth gaping and face flushed—was quite cute, more than I expected.

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