Chapter 293

Chapter 293

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 293: What Is Politics? (2)

Together with Viscount Kelson, I headed to the reception room where the Saintess was waiting.

The entire time, the Viscount wore a sour expression.

This guy… It was hard to tell if he was calculating and acting politically or if he just naturally had such a bad attitude. But if this was really an act, he could be considered quite a capable actor.

Anyway.

Knock knock.

I knocked on the door to the reception room.

“Come in.”

We were granted permission to enter. I opened the door and entered the reception room with Viscount Kelson.

“Welcome, messenger of Count Saidin.”

Diplomatic mode, as expected. The Saintess, who had adopted a dignified posture with her hands neatly placed on her lap, spoke in a calm, even tone.

“…I am Viscount Kelson. It’s a pleasure, Saintess.”

The guy seemed momentarily overwhelmed by the presence of the Saintess, but soon he sat heavily on the opposite side.

When the Saintess goes into diplomatic mode, she can be quite intimidating.

“You must already be aware… Count Saidin wishes to speak with you, Saintess. That is why I am here as his messenger.”

“Is that so?”

“But what kind of treatment is this!”

Wham!

Viscount Kelson pointed at me accusingly and, grabbing his cheek, shouted.

“What kind of subordinates are you managing, Saintess?”

The nerve of him. He was acting like he was the wronged party.

“This savage attacked me! To treat a messenger like this…! The Count will be furious!”

The Saintess turned her gaze towards me.

“What happened?”

“Viscount Kelson started by ordering me to bow my head. As a knight, I cannot lower my head to anyone but my lord, and when I refused, the Viscount raised his hand to strike me. So I simply taught him a little lesson.”

At that, the Saintess nodded.

“Ha! A strike? I merely raised my hand to scold you! I had no intention of attacking!”

This guy was full of nonsense.

Well, let’s keep listening for now.

Whatever the case, I need to understand his intentions and the Count’s desires.

“You misunderstood and attacked me! Barbarian knight! Regardless, Saintess! You must answer for this!”

“Oh? Are you threatening me, Viscount Kelson?”

“Threats? Of course not! I simply said you must pay the appropriate price! Speaking the truth isn’t a threat, is it?”

This hulking pile of flesh sure had a slick tongue. Right, that was how he climbed to the position of Viscount.

Whatever the case, it was safe to assume all nobles had a specialty of some kind. They became nobles because they excelled at something.

“Didn’t you insult my knight first, Viscount Kelson?”

“Insult? I merely spoke about proper etiquette! It seems I’m hearing more strange things the longer this goes on! Saintess, am I wrong in thinking this situation is quite unusual?”

“Didn’t you order my knight to bow his head?”

“Of course! As the Count’s messenger, it’s the proper etiquette to show respect.”

“Hehehe, is that so?”

“Hm.”

As the Saintess chuckled softly, the Viscount flinched.

Twitch.

At that moment, I felt a deeply unpleasant energy. That’s right. Viscount Kelson was showing lust. Knowing that it was a man, not a woman, feeling excited made it all the more disgusting, but that was part of being an incubus.

Kelson was lusting after my Saintess. This was unforgivable.

“Then why, Viscount, do you keep your head high before this Saintess?”

“Because as the Count’s messenger, I have no reason to bow.”

This bastard was so shameless in his words.

I wanted to kill him.

“Regardless of all this… there are times when we must overlook such things. We have important matters to attend to, and emotions are trivial. Don’t you agree?”

He continued the conversation as smoothly as a flowing river.

“Important matters, indeed. When facing great challenges, emotions are insignificant.”

The Saintess had been staring at Kelson without any change in expression from the beginning.

“Exactly. It’s pleasant speaking with someone who understands. Currently, the nobles of our faction, the Anti-Angel Alliance, are waging war against those evil angels who occupy the central region. It’s a most tragic situation.”

Indeed, a tragedy.

“We are making great sacrifices and devoting ourselves to protecting humanity from the angels. Just getting here was incredibly difficult, as you can imagine. Evading the angels’ pursuit was no small feat. I literally risked my life to come here.”

He made a big show of the sacrifices he had supposedly made to get here, talking at length about how dangerous it had been.

“Because it’s such an important matter. And yet, Saintess.”

“Hmm?”

“With so many pressing matters, and so many righteous nobles resisting the angels, you’re doing nothing here in this remote land. That’s why Count Saidin is curious about your intentions.”

Wham.

Kelson crossed his arms.

“Right now, it’s almost as if the Saintess is neglecting her duty. In this critical moment, you are doing nothing. The Count wants you to join the Anti-Angel Alliance immediately. If our forces are scattered, disaster could strike. We must unite.”

That was the conclusion. He’d said a lot, spinning his words in the noble fashion, but the gist was that the Saintess should submit to the Count’s will.

Kelson had come here to deliver this message. Was that why he had such an arrogant attitude? To show that Saidin’s side held the power?

“Give me your answer, Saintess.”

“Of course, I agree.”

That much was already agreed upon. We must fight the angels.

“Oh, does that mean?”

“Naturally, we must fight the angels. So formally request an alliance. This matter will require more detailed negotiations.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ve already brought it.”

Shrrrk.

Kelson handed over the document. The Saintess took it and began to read through it.

“Hmm, you’re asking me to offer the Barony to the Count and relocate to the convent in the Count’s domain?”

“This Barony will become a critical base to pressure the angels. Naturally, it should be given to Count Saidin, and the Saintess should move to his territory to engage in activities that unify humanity. By doing so, we can drive out the angels and rebuild the Goddess Church. Moreover, we would be able to save humanity from the angels.”

This guy was nothing but a robber without a knife.

To make such an outrageous proposal so shamelessly… It was an offer that couldn’t be accepted. Negotiating this was going to be… difficult.

Of course, from the Count’s perspective, it was the obvious thing to do. We were still weak. They had to push hard while they could.

“Isn’t this what you want as well, Saintess? If you form an alliance with Count Saidin, you could become the Pope of the Goddess Church.”

“Hmm.”

“Additionally, I was thinking we could also discuss a marriage proposal… Count Saidin’s legitimate son has taken a liking to you, Saintess. So, perhaps a marriage alliance…”

A marriage proposal with my Saintess?

Rage surged within me. These bastards were after my woman.

As an incubus, I could feel an uncontrollable anger rising. These guys… I didn’t think we could coexist. They must be considered enemies.

“No, that won’t do.”

“What?”

“Let’s renegotiate.”

“Are the conditions not to your liking, Saintess? We are at war with the angels! Are you willing to let personal desires ruin something so important?”

Personal desires, my ass.

Listening to this was enough to stir violent impulses. Damn it. Of course, he was acting this way because he had powerful backing. The world of nobles really was survival of the fittest.

“The Saintess also has her own thoughts. We will renegotiate, and I will compile our demands. Wait patiently.”

But my Saintess remained utterly composed.

“Hmm… I see. Well, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll wait. I look forward to hearing some good news.”

Surprisingly, Viscount Kelson backed down without much resistance.

“But Saintess, there’s something I’d like to say.”

“What is it?”

Smirk.

Suddenly, a wicked smile spread across his face.

“So, it’s true you’ve been controlling monsters.”

“Hmm?”

What?

He was bringing up monsters now?

“Do you have nothing to say about that?”

“Is there a problem?”

“There’s a lot. A whole lot. The Saintess, accused of being a witch, now controls monsters? What on earth is going on here?”

Viscount Kelson’s tone changed. It had been aristocratic up until now, but now, it was dripping with arrogance.

“The Count suspects you, Saintess, of dabbling in dark sorcery. And now, you’re really controlling monsters… I think an investigation is in order. A dark elf alliance too? That’s highly suspicious.”

Kelson scratched his head, as if disgusted.

“There’s nothing suspicious about it. Haven’t the angels caused numerous problems? The dark elves who lived in the uncharted lands were also outraged by the angels’ tyranny. That’s why they joined me to drive the angels out.”

“Dark elves are a suspicious race. They can’t be trusted. And now I hear you can control monsters?”

“Wouldn’t it be a good idea to use monsters in the war? Sounds like a useful idea, don’t you think?”

“Still, it’s unusual. I intend to report this matter in detail to Count Saidin.”

“Well, go ahead. If the Count has any sense, he’ll understand.”

“…”

And then it happened.

Viscount Kelson rubbed his chin, letting his lust boil over.

“Well, that aside, Saintess. There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss.”

“What is it?”

“Angels.”

Angels?

“I’ve heard there are several angels under your command. Isn’t that wonderful news? Turncoats, you could say. They would be a great help.”

“Ah, of course. They’ve been a tremendous help.”

“I’d like to meet those angels.”

“What?”

Meet the angels?

“…”

Kelson’s eyes were burning with lust.

“Likewise, the Count also wants those turncoats. He’d like you to send a few angels as envoys to his domain.”

“You’re asking me to send angels to the Count’s domain?”

“Of course. If there are angels who’ve defected, it will make the war much easier to manage.”

“Is that so?”

The Saintess responded casually. Naturally, they would want the angels. Defected angels possess valuable information and could also be used for propaganda.

“That’s right. I’d like to personally select the angels who will act as envoys. Since this is the first time, I want to interrogate them myself.”

It was truly unsettling to see a man’s desires so plainly.

Kelson seemed to want something far more than just an interrogation.