Chapter 28
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Traces of a Demon
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“…What nonsense are you spouting now? A demon?”
Bella looked utterly baffled.
“Pernyan!”
Ruina, too, was flustered by his sudden outburst. But Pernyan paid her no mind.
“Ruina, leave this entirely to me.”
“…You can tell just by looking at her once?”
“I've found a definitive clue.”
“Really?”
“Wait, what in the world are you two talking about?”
“Bella Hohen.”
Pernyan's voice was low and heavy.
“I know this is bewildering. A demon, possessed by demonic energy. It must sound absurd.”
As if to say, *You think?*, Bella's gaze grew fierce.
“But you must trust me completely.”
“What kind of nonsense is that…”
“If you can't trust me, then trust your friend, Ruina Bercefe. Has she ever harmed you or told you meaningless lies?”
“…Well, no, but.”
A demon.
Bella suspected her kind friend had fallen for Pernyan's silver tongue and was now spouting nonsense.
Honestly, that seemed the most plausible explanation.
“No.”
“What?”
“I haven't brainwashed Ruina.”
“…How did you know?”
“That's right, Bella. Am I the kind of person to fall for something like that?”
“I know, but a demon… You’re saying my head is full of demonic influence? That's bizarre. How can you say something like that so confidently unless you're insane?”
Although demons hadn't appeared for a thousand years, causing humanity to forget much about them, they were still objects of fear.
Monsters that had once nearly brought the continent to ruin.
The Vile Breed the first emperor had warned against.
The Inquisitors, though their names were all that remained, were proof of this.
“I say it because I'm confident your head is full of demonic influence.”
“You've both clearly lost your minds. There's no other explanation, is there?”
“We'll find out if we've lost our minds or not when we go to the temple.”
“And why are we going to the temple now…!”
“Because the mages of the temple are more sensitive to demonic energy than anyone.”
There was, of course, no such thing as sacred power being the antithesis of demonic energy, as depicted in novels and plays.
However, the Dragon God Cult had crossed an irreversible line with demons over the mastery of magic, and a thousand years ago, they had been more zealous than anyone in eradicating them.
That stance continued to this day, with the steady development of artifacts and magic to seek out demons. If Pernyan had to choose who was best at finding demons in this world, he would unhesitatingly pick the Dragon God Cult.
“If they find demonic energy in your body, then we're right. If not, you are.”
In that case, I will offer a formal apology, Pernyan declared.
“On my name, Pernyan Fallenberg.”
“…Isn't your head held a little too high for someone who's offering to apologize?”
“Because I haven't done anything wrong yet.”
“……”
“Bella, just this once.”
“Ruina…”
Honestly, Bella couldn't comprehend the current situation. Everything was sudden and absurd.
To be told she'd made a contract with a demon when she'd never even seen one.
*Could this be a demon's prank?*
Perhaps she was actually asleep in her bed, and this was all a nightmare created by a demon.
Bella pinched her cheek without realizing it.
“Even so, this is not a dream.”
“…Unnecessarily sharp.”
She asked, rubbing her stinging cheek.
“What if there really is demonic energy?”
“We'll purify it. There's no other way, and I have no intention of handing you over to the Inquisitors. Ah, but we'll have to investigate your recent activities.”
“My activities?”
“We need to know where the demonic energy seeped in to deal with it.”
“Didn't you already investigate?”
“Shh, Ruina. In times like this, staying quiet is the best way to help.”
“…I see.”
*…When did those two get so close?*
Bella let out a dry laugh at the sight of the two whispering to each other like a comedy duo, loud enough for her to hear.
Despite the gravity of the conversation, it honestly felt unreal.
Who could easily believe that demons and their energy, which had vanished for the past thousand years, would suddenly reappear?
“…Fine. Let's go. I have nothing to hide. But if nothing is found, you'll have to apologize to Ruina, too.”
“To Ruina?”
“Yes. For luring in innocent Ruina and getting her involved in your strange business.”
“Your words are a bit misleading, but if that's what you want, so be it.”
*Screech.* Bella roughly pushed her chair back and stood up.
“Well, what are we waiting for? If you're so eager, let's go right now.”
“Wait a moment.”
“Now what?”
Pernyan pointed to the half-full glasses.
“We'll go when we go, but finish what's left. This is coffee made from the finest Argond Mountain beans.”
*Slurp.* He savored his coffee.
* * *
“Was what I saw really correct?”
Pernyan and Ruina were following a short distance behind Bella.
“It was. You saw correctly, and your friend is contaminated with demonic energy. Of course, it's incredibly faint, so it's not a case like Verian's where she's lost her reason.”
Nevertheless, traces of demonic energy remained. Unlike Verian, whose energy had been completely dispelled, Bella’s was slowly accumulating.
“If this is true, then Bella…”
“That won't happen. She didn't make a direct contract with a demon; she was merely infected without her knowledge. That's also why we're going to the Cult, not the Inquisitors, to prepare for any contingencies.”
There was room for negotiation with the apostles of the Dragon God Cult, but not with the Inquisitors.
Existing to destroy demons, they had become a mere formality in the absence of their quarry, and they were the type to do anything to regain power.
In fact, there were precedents of Inquisitors fabricating fake demons.
If they took Bella to the Inquisitors and demonic energy was discovered, she would be as good as dead.
Naturally, his relationship with Ruina would plummet to its worst, and Aint would get involved as well.
From Pernyan's perspective, that was something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
*Bella must live. She has to live, have the demonic energy discovered in her, and become the proof.*
For Ruina's sake, for Pernyan who needed Ruina's favor, and for the continent.
“…Thank you.”
“It's not something you need to thank me for.”
“Stop whispering, you two. Is this really the right way?”
Bella, who had stopped walking, asked bluntly with her arms crossed.
“You said we were going to the temple. Why are we suddenly stopping by all the places I usually go?”
If she hadn't met a demon or made a direct contract, it was highly likely the demonic energy was present in a specific place or that she had come into contact with a specific object.
*If I can find the medium of the demonic energy among Bella's activities, all the better.*
Of course, it would be fine even if he didn't.
However, if they found something that was injecting her with demonic energy, it would make the examination at the Dragon God Cult more definitive.
“Just do as I say.”
Of course, there was no reason to explain all that out loud on a crowded street.
“You call that an answer?”
“Please, Bella. Just this once.”
“…Honestly, Ruina. You and I need to have a talk after this is over.”
“Anytime.”
Grumbling, Bella entered the bookstore. The distinct smell of paper filled the air.
“Welcome.”
The clerk greeted them with a bright smile, and Pernyan and Ruina followed Bella, looking around the bookstore.
*Nothing special here either.*
But he made a mental note. He wasn't particularly sensitive to mana, so it was possible he simply couldn't feel it.
“You come here often. Did you finish the book I recommended last time?”
“Yes. It was quite enjoyable. The ending with Adran and Hella was particularly poignant.”
“I can recommend another if you'd like.”
“I'd love that.”
As Pernyan finished a lap around the bookstore, he saw Bella talking with the owner.
“A book recommendation?”
“Bella enjoys reading romance novels.”
“A common hobby.”
Pernyan's gaze, which had been on the back of Bella's head, drifted blankly to the bookstore owner. He was an ordinary person with no distinguishing features.
When their eyes met, the owner seemed a bit startled, as if recognizing Pernyan, but he quickly bowed his head.
“A pleasure to meet you, Lord Pernyan.”
“You know me?”
“As a merchant, it's impossible not to know of you, Lord Pernyan. I often receive goods from the Golden Turtle Merchant Guild myself.”
“A customer, then.”
“You're here with your friends. How about it, Lord Pernyan? Shall I recommend a book for you as well?”
Pernyan shook his head. He had no need to buy books, as most were already available in his guild and family's collections.
Failing that, he could just go to the academy library.
“A shame. I have a book I think you'd enjoy.”
“Perhaps I'll take a look if the opportunity arises.”
“Yes, please do visit again.”
And so, their tour of Bella's daily routine ended with the bookstore.
“Follow me.”
“This isn't the way to the temple.”
“It would be troublesome if we went to the temple and your demonic energy was openly revealed, wouldn't it?”
“Are you really proceeding with the assumption that I'm infected with demonic energy? I've never met a demon, and I'm not crazy.”
After a roundabout journey, they arrived back at the original cafe.
“Why are we back here?”
“Follow me.”
To be precise, they went to the fifth floor of the cafe. The secret room he always used when meeting Ruina was here.
“You've arrived, Brother.”
There was already someone in the secret room.
“You're early.”
“Of course. When you call, Brother, I come running.”
“You're just excited about making money.”
“Money helps the Cult prosper.”
All according to the Dragon God's will. Jace briefly put his hands together in prayer.
“But I see an unfamiliar face.”
“Jace Baintz?”
Bella and Jace recognized each other a moment too late. Instead of introducing them, Pernyan continued the conversation.
“Yes. Instead of going to the temple, we'll use Jace to confirm it. Jace, you brought it, I assume?”
“Of course. I can assure you, when it comes to detecting demonic energy or demons, nothing is more reliable than an artifact from our Dragon God Cult. We've been steadily improving them for a thousand years.”
Demons had vanished, but the Dragon God Cult had always been prepared, due to the first pope's prophecy that the demons would one day return.
“So it can sense all demonic energy? Even a speck of it on the street?”
“Brother, do you have no conscience?”
Jace let out a dry laugh.
“Unless it's reasonably concentrated, detecting it without contact or some kind of procedure is impossible. At least, with current magical technology.”
“A pity.”
If he could find all the demonic energy in the vicinity, he could pinpoint the source.
“But did you really sense demonic energy? Why this, all of a sudden…?”
“There is someone infected with demonic energy.”
“Who is... Don't tell me, this lady?”
“Yes.”
Jace tilted his head, finding it hard to believe.
“I don't feel anything.”
“That's why I told you to bring the artifact.”
“Did she really make a contract with a demon?”
“She didn't make a contract with a demon.”
“Then why are you so sure there's demonic energy?”
“That's exactly what I want to know.”
Jace and Bella glared at Pernyan with identical expressions. Pernyan simply crossed his arms and tilted his head in response.
“We'll know once we try, won't we?”
“Well, it's no matter to me since you're paying for the artifact, but no matter how I look at it, this seems like an overreaction on your part, Brother.”
Inside the wooden box Jace took from his coat was a transparent crystal orb.
Countless tiny runic characters were engraved on the clear orb's surface.
“Well, the one paying is giving the orders, so I'll proceed. Miss…?”
“Call me Bella.”
“Ah, Senior Bella Hohen. You don't have to be so formal. Could you please hold the orb with both hands?”
Bella placed both hands on the crystal orb. As Jace held the other side, the runes on the orb began to glow.
“Mana will seep in and observe your interior, Senior. Do not resist.”
“Easy enough. Let's get this over with so I can get my apology.”
Mana enveloped Bella's entire body, and she swallowed a groan at the unfamiliar sensation.
“…Can that thing really reveal it?”
“In theory. If that can't reveal it, nothing can.”
Aint Armian and Sir Gardner Alpenparsen might have other methods, but for now, this was it.
“It's not my place to say this, having caused all this, but I do hope nothing is wrong.”
“We'll see.”
Along with Pernyan's ambiguous reply, the mana that had scanned Bella's body returned to the crystal orb.
At that moment.
*Wuuuuung—*
With a faint vibration, the once-transparent crystal orb slowly began to turn gray.
It wasn't a deep color. It was so faint you might miss it if you weren't paying close attention.
But the important thing was that it had changed.
“……”
Jace, who had been staring at it for a moment, made a holy sign and began to pray.
“O great Dragon God, today I offer up to you one vile follower who dared to embrace a demon. I beseech you to look upon your servant with favor.”
“…What?”
“…Hmm?”
*Fwoosh.* Flames flickered in Jace's hand.
“One coming your way, O Dragon God!”
———!
An explosion erupted.