Chapter 182

Chapter 182

I Proposed While Drunk and Now the Princesses are Obsessed.

Episode 182: Steeplechasing, Double-dealing, And Unfair Trade (4)

Immediately after arriving in Clatie, Jaekiel and his group were confronted with an utterly shocking scene.

“Well, this operation was originally agreed to be carried out with the Imperial Tower, but they abandoned Clatie! Only our Purple Tower has kept its loyalty!”

An elder of the Purple Tower was shouting this, while someone who didn’t appear to be a demon was burned to a crisp and turned into a mere corpse.

Seina burst into anger.

“The Purple Tower folks came a day earlier than promised. Since then, they’ve been putting on this fake play to win the public’s favor.”

The citizens of Clatie weren’t strong enough to distinguish and catch demons on their own. In such a situation, they had no choice but to rely on the Purple Tower’s appearance.

“Not only is their appearance elegant, but their character is as well…!”

“Golden lightning? Just watching it feels like a treat for the eyes. I wonder if we’ll be able to see it every day?”

Zeta’s face, shining with golden light, also contributed to this.

In the end, winning the public’s favor was no different from politics. A figure at the forefront who had good looks would receive even more support.

Anes’s expression grew serious.

“The Imperial Tower is linked to the Imperial family, so they can’t ignore the people’s support. But if support for the Purple Tower continues to grow like this…”

“…It will become harder to openly punish the Purple Tower. If the fact that there’s a conflict between the Imperial and Purple Towers gets out, the people will start resenting the Imperial Tower.”

Jaekiel quietly nodded in agreement with Anes and Seina’s conversation. The Purple Tower had indeed captured the public’s favor in Clatie splendidly.

‘I must also elevate the Imperial family’s dignity in this operation.’

He needed to win back the people’s favor.

The Emperor had attached the following conditions, as though it were a transaction.

Jaekiel was already preparing for a clash with the Emperor, having gone through double-dealing. His desire for Sun Water had become even more desperate.

Of course, there was another reason.

He was also frustrated by how the Purple Tower folks shamelessly garnered the public’s favor. Everyone here should know that they were trash.

He thought for a moment, but the decision didn’t take long.

He immediately came up with a plan.

“I have a way.”

“You have a plan?”

“Master, what kind of way?”

The two women’s gazes immediately turned toward Jaekiel.

“The Purple Tower folks gained the people’s favor by successfully dealing with the demons in this city.”

Jaekiel took out Sun Grass and continued speaking.

“Then, the only thing left is to show them getting beaten by a demon, in front of everyone, for all to see.”

“Huh? How?”

At the same time, both women tilted their heads in confusion.

Jaekiel didn’t answer; instead, he started walking.

His steps led him to the outskirts of Clatie, to the very spot where he had faced the Demon Lord.

“So, you mean…”

His personal secretary, Anes, spoke as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Are you saying we should disguise ourselves as demons and beat up those Purple Tower folks?”

“You understood correctly.”

The two women glanced at each other, puzzled.

“Secretary, do you understand?”

“I understand the concept, but accepting it…”

Seina then asked with concern.

“Master, disguising ourselves perfectly as demons seems difficult, and the elite of the Purple Tower won’t be weak either. Is this really possible?”

“If you, the Auditor, decide to go through with this, we’ll follow, but I’m worried something might go wrong because I’ve never impersonated a demon before.”

Jaekiel spoke briefly to the two women.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

Once a decision was made, it would be carried out correctly.

The belief Jaekiel held in his heart had not changed, and he finally arrived at his destination.

There was an artificial circular clearing among the trees.

This was the spot where Jaekiel had triggered the release of the scattered techniques earlier. He had met the Demon Lord here.

Ssssss.

Jaekiel focused, gathering his energy.

Soon, a response came. A sharp demonic energy began tapping him on the shoulder.

He immediately chased after that energy, counteracting it.

Whoosh!

The speed felt as if the space itself were being compressed. In the next moment, the Demon Lord appeared in his sight, meditating on a sheer cliff.

Despite the blindfold, Jaekiel felt as though their eyes met.

Perhaps it was the fact that Jaekiel had appeared again, but the Demon Lord suddenly grinned.

“Did you come to see me? How kind of you. My Han Shin, I almost want to pat your head.”

Blood flowed from the blindfold like tears, yet her mouth smiled, creating a rather eerie sight.

Swoosh!

Seina and Anes landed shortly after. Perhaps because the Demon Lord was right in front of them, their bodies were visibly tense.

The Demon Lord slowly parted her lips.

“But… you brought two humans with you. Are they a tribute for me? Eating virgins isn’t my hobby, but it might help with my recovery.”

“They’re not a tribute for you. Stay out of it.”

“Really? I’ll do that, just for you, Han Shin.”

Valetta yawned at that moment.

“So, why have you come to see me? Time is pressing. You must know that the Purple Tower’s favor is growing as we speak.”

“I’d like to change the terms of the deal a little.”

“Changing the terms of the deal? Now?”

The Demon Lord asked, surprised, but Jaekiel continued without a care.

“I want magical items to disguise as demons. One for a man to wear, and one for a woman.”

“…”

A brief silence followed.

Seina and Anes looked utterly bewildered. It was understandable, as Jaekiel was casually discussing a deal with the Demon Lord.

But surprisingly…

The Demon Lord seemed even more shocked.

“You want a magical item to disguise as demons?”

Her thick lips curled into a bright smile.

“Ah.”

Starting with a short exclamation, she burst into a hearty laugh. In that moment, she understood exactly what Jaekiel was planning.

“Hahaha! This city is about to get so interesting! More importantly… You thought of disguising as a demon? Could there be anything more delightful from my perspective?”

The Demon Lord moved closer to Jaekiel, trying to embrace him. Naturally, Jaekiel stepped back to avoid it.

“My Han Shin, my dear, trying on the disguise of a demon will be a good experience. It might even become the reason you truly want to become a demon later on.”

Seeing the Demon Lord eagerly handing over the magical items, Jaekiel merely clicked his tongue.

“Stop with the nonsense. Just give me the magical items.”

After returning to the city of Clatie, Jaekiel felt a sharp gaze upon him.

As expected, the two women were looking at him with eyes full of curiosity, like chicks waiting for food. The events that had just transpired were so unbelievable to them.

Eventually, Seina broke the silence.

“What on earth happened? It didn’t seem like the Demon Lord was hostile toward you. She even willingly gave you the magical items, and what’s more, the way she addressed you…”

“That’s…”

Jaekiel hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Jaekiel trusted Seina and Anes completely. They were loyal companions who had trusted him without question, even when he had nothing. There was no reason to hide anything from them.

The events that had taken place in the Demon Realm, the fact that three types of energy now coexisted within him, the deal proposed by the Demon Lord…

He calmly explained everything step by step.

“Such things…”

“I can’t believe it, even after hearing it…”

Seina and Anes were shocked.

“Indeed, Master’s strength and achievements must be based on such secrets. I can’t even imagine how much you’ve endured for the sake of power…”

“You’ve been through so much, Auditor. The persistent feeling of the Demon Realm’s grip must not be pleasant, but I’ll support you in any way I can.”

Jaekiel appreciated this about the two women.

Even when he revealed difficult information, they didn’t hesitate; instead, they were concerned for him and trusted him. They found something to support him with.

‘They really are precious to me.’

Seina and Anes’s expressions softened as well.

It was inevitable. Once all their questions were answered, they felt a great sense of relief.

Seina, the elder of the Blue Tower, gave a small smile.

“Now, it will be much easier to execute the plan you’ve devised, Master. With the Demon Lord’s magical items, we can disguise ourselves as the most sinister of demons.”

She was right. What they had received from the Demon Lord was a cloak, which, once worn, would make them look like a completely evil demon in the eyes of outsiders.

It was then that Anes tilted her head in confusion.

“By the way, thinking about it, there are two cloaks, aren’t there? But there are three of us.”

“Right. Only Seina and I will be disguising ourselves.”

“Excuse me? Then what about me?”

Anes pointed at herself with her index finger.

“You’ll be the one defeating the demons.”

Jaekiel smiled lightly.

“If there’s a villain, then there must be a hero, right?”