Dreaming Is Free
Dreaming is free. The people gathered in this underground chamber had never joined hands with the demons. On the contrary, during the fiercest days of the demon war, they had fought with everything they possessed. A few among them were even respected nobles in their own right.
“We need absolute certainty. This poison—once it enters the body, it kills without fail, correct?”
Even they had come together in this hidden place to discuss assassination. After all, no matter how you looked at it, they were still nobles.
“I’ve verified it multiple times. We sacrificed several rather valuable knights in the process.”
“That man is nothing like ordinary knights. He’s an overwhelmingly powerful monster. Treating this operation as if we’re dealing with a typical knight would carry far too much risk.”
“But in the end, he is still only human. The moment this poison enters the body, it destroys the organs and hardens the blood. Attempting to neutralize it with magic power only causes it to surge back and penetrate even deeper.”
The reason these people sought to assassinate Cain was simple enough.
“The war will end soon. When it does, he will inevitably turn that blade upon us.”
“A swordsman always needs an enemy. Once the demons are gone, he’ll target the nobles to avoid being discarded like a used hunting dog. It aligns perfectly with the Second Prince’s distrust of our faction.”
Strike first. Kill him before he could kill them. If they waited, he might fabricate crimes and execute them regardless. After enduring every humiliation as commoners until now, his rage would surely boil over.
They had hidden well enough so far, but once the war ended, the odds of him holding back were slim. This was why the nobles had gathered in secret to discuss his poisoning.
“In any case, this war is already a victory for our alliance. Whether the demon filth attack the academy or continue spawning at the borders, they can no longer wage full-scale war like before, can they?”
“It’s like a dying fire spewing its thickest smoke. Given a little more time, we’ll be able to declare a glorious triumph.”
In the early days of the war, when every single person mattered, they would never have considered this. But the end was near. The alliance’s current strength was more than enough to finish it. There was no longer any need to beg that commoner dog to handle the demons. Even if Cain died, there would be no real complications.
“As you all know, once the war ends, we will no longer be able to touch him.”
By then, the only enemies left for Cain would be the nobles themselves. They would naturally be the prime suspects, making any move at that point utterly foolish. But right now?
The demons still remained, lurking in every shadow. And that absurd title—if the name Demon Slayer truly fit, then the demons would fear Cain even as they burned with hatred for him. In the current situation, the nobles were not Cain’s only enemies. They would exploit that.
“This poison was originally created using demon blood. There is more than enough evidence to pin the act on the demons. While our noble houses will inevitably face suspicion, it should fall short of confirming us as the culprits.”
Shift all blame onto the demons, and they could slip away cleanly. To any outside observer, the demons would appear far more likely than the nobles.
“Even if our faction comes under suspicion, the war has not yet ended. They would not break a sharp blade at a time like this. These reasons alone should be sufficient for us to escape blame.”
Fortunately, many nobles who had faithfully fulfilled their duties were present. These individuals held real standing and prestige within noble society. Even Wilhelm could not recklessly accuse or pressure them. After all, Wilhelm was not the Crown Prince. He was still merely a prince.
“No matter how much he pretends to have reformed, trash remains trash. We cannot hand the position of Crown Prince to someone who scorns our noble class.”
“Exactly. If the Second Prince becomes Crown Prince and then Emperor, and that mad dog is still alive… he will surely find every excuse to eliminate us.”
In contrast, the Third Prince Arhen had displayed princely qualities from the beginning. When dealing with nobles, he showed proper respect rather than arrogance. They knew his courtesy was calculated to win their support, but the fact that he made the effort mattered.
Wilhelm had done none of that, choosing constant confrontation instead. Look at what happened recently—he had even summoned Cain to the alliance meeting hall. To the most important seat. All because he wanted to display the empire’s displeasure!
It was a foolish act that dragged the empire’s honor through the mud.
“Prince Wilhelm! How could you allow a lowly commoner into such a critical place!”
That was precisely why Cain had to die. He had to be erased completely—before the war ended and Wilhelm claimed him as his perfect right hand. Before a commoner could become a noble for the first time in imperial history. Before the mad dog became the empire’s hero. Before other nations had reason to laugh at them.
“Then when and where will that insolent commoner meet his end?”
At one noble’s question, every gaze sharpened with focus. The most critical element was not merely the method but the timing and location. The poison was devastatingly potent, drawn straight from demonic sources, yet it had flaws.
It corroded steel on contact. It rotted food it touched. It could not be applied to hidden weapons. Mixing it secretly into a meal would leave traces. There was only one medium that left it completely inert and undetectable.
Alcohol.
“It would be convenient if that mad dog drank like a fish, but I don’t recall ever seeing him enjoy liquor.”
“If we could drag him to any party and create a moment where he has no choice but to drink…”
“Isn’t the premise of that mad dog attending a party impossible to begin with?”
The method was decided, yet they had little time. With the questions of when and where still unresolved, the nobles grew increasingly restless.
Far to the north of the empire lay the territory of the non-humans. Long ago, humans and non-humans had existed in a relationship of master and slave. Much time had passed since then. Non-human slaves no longer existed.
The days of mutual disregard and hostility were gone. Yet the scars of the past made discomfort between the races unavoidable. As a result, humans rarely ventured into non-human lands.
“Ahaha! A human visiting this place personally—not even as a diplomatic envoy? How astonishing!”
“…”
“It’s unbelievable, truly. If you weren’t a smuggler, this would be impossible!”
“…”
Hm. Am I talking too much by myself?
Elsir glanced back. The man walking with complete indifference, showing no reaction whatsoever, was naturally Cain. Trailing slightly behind him, face flushed crimson as if it might burst, was Luciel.
“Haa…”
A sigh escaped before she could stop it. She had deliberately arranged for her sister to stay as close to Cain as possible. Even during their journey through the magic circle from the empire into non-human territory, Luciel had barely managed to speak a single proper word to him.
Despite admiring him so fiercely. Despite yearning for him with all her heart. She couldn’t even hold a normal conversation, let alone confess.
This is so frustrating, Luci. I feel like I’m going to die of secondhand embarrassment.
Originally the journey should have been just the two of them—herself and Cain. But for her sister’s sake, Elsir had decided to exert some effort. She had chosen to bring Luciel along on this northern expedition.
I really wanted to send just the two of you alone.
Unfortunately, Luciel had left her homeland far too long ago. She barely remembered the way, and her kin were unlikely to welcome her warmly. Sending her off with a human like Cain could cause serious problems if anything went wrong. Most importantly, Luciel belonged to the Holy Kingdom.
“Excuse me, Saint. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, may I borrow your sister for a while?”
To take the captain of the Holy Kingdom’s Templar Order, permission from the Saint was required. Liberio’s reaction to Elsir’s request was predictably negative.
“The Knight Captain was dispatched to protect the academy. I cannot permit any further personal excursions.”
Liberio had already suffered greatly while Luciel was absent once before. A man once bitten becomes twice shy—he had grown extremely cautious. Words alone would not persuade him. She needed to offer tempting bait.
“The Holy Kingdom has been quite active in its missionary work lately. It isn’t going well, is it, Saint?”
Winning the demon war had not improved the Holy Kingdom’s internal situation. On the contrary, the number of believers had decreased even compared to before the demons appeared. If God truly existed, why did He not answer their prayers?
Priests had died. Holy knights had fallen. Even the revered cardinals had been slaughtered by demons. Yet God had never sent fire or tidal waves against the invaders. In the end, it was purely human strength that drove the demons back.
“Conveying the word of God has always been a difficult task, Sister Elsir.”
This was why Liberio maintained various political stances despite his position as Saint. Faith once shaken could not be healed by belief alone. It needed to address what living people actually required. Even if that earned criticism for being worldly.
“I believe I can help.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Did you truly think we came to the empire merely for sightseeing? Oh, I know—academy protection. But that is hardly the only reason we’re all here.”
Each of them moved according to directives from the factions they served.
…Though it seemed Luciel placed Cain above the Holy Kingdom.
“While fighting the demons, our people came to understand why humans rely so heavily on religion. We are currently discussing the establishment of a new diocese in the north.”
Half of it was true. They had indeed grown interested in religion. However, the matter of establishing an official diocese among the non-humans had not yet been formally discussed. Still, Elsir could make the offer because she possessed the authority to speak on such matters.
“The ancient distrust between humans and our races has begun to fade under the banner of alliance. By officially creating a diocese for the Holy Kingdom in the northern continent, we could reach a new peak. What do you think?”
“…”
Liberio stared at her instead of answering immediately. The price for his cooperation was temporarily lending Luciel. Elsir answered the Saint’s silent question with a bright smile.
“…Very well. Do as you wish, Sister Elsir.”
“My, thank you, Saint.”
“However, you must make a genuine proposal regarding the diocese.”
Of course. Making the suggestion to her kin would be easy enough. Whether they accepted or refused was not her concern.
Luci. Your big sister worked this hard for you. You have no idea.
That was how Luciel had managed to join the journey.
“…But seriously!”
This is unbearable! What are you doing?! Say something to Cain already!
After staring at him with such open affection in front of her sister, why couldn’t she even stand properly beside him when he was right there? She liked him, didn’t she? If you like someone, you seize them! What good did watching from the sidelines do?
“El. What did you just—”
“It’s nothing, Cain. Let’s keep moving.”
She had considered jabbing her in the side or chest again but decided against it.
“How much farther?”
“We’re nearly there. Haven’t you noticed the presence of my kin has vanished? They don’t come near this area at all.”
“I thought they were simply wary of a human suddenly appearing.”
“That’s part of it.”
A frustrated Elsir. An embarrassed Luciel. And an expectant Cain. The three of them—none of whom had any clear answers—reached their destination ten minutes later.
“This is…”
And both Elsir and Luciel experienced the greatest terror of their lives.
“…”
With a face twisted like a vengeful demon, Cain emitted a murderous glare. The sheer bloodthirst radiating from him suggested he would tear apart anything that entered his sight. Inside the cave Elsir had guided them into, they found an entire group of demons.
All of them were dead.