Chapter 110
Chapter: 110
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 110
>Chapter Title: Monster Task Force (3)
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"Even after the birthday celebration ends, I'll be staying in the imperial capital for a while to assist the Monster Task Force. I've already discussed it with Sir Leandroth."
Logan explained carefully as he turned the pages of the worn tome of the Otherworld Apocrypha.
"Moreover, His Imperial Majesty promised to allocate some of the subjugation force's operating funds to my personal funds while I'm in the capital."
Was that his way of saying he'd give me an allowance if I stayed home quietly?
"I didn't realize it before since I just focus on the subjugations and don't worry about operations, but putting together a subjugation force costs a surprising amount of money. Thanks to that, the funds for Ortona’s reconstruction are looking quite substantial."
Logan whispered to Seongjin in a hushed tone, his face showing a hint of delight.
Seongjin was dumbfounded.
Dude, you're an old-timer who lived a long life before dying—don't you realize you're just playing in the Holy Emperor's palm right now?
"By the way, what are you looking at?"
Seongjin turned his gaze to the pages Logan was flipping through.
Unlike the flighty Sir Valerie, who looked like he was drawn in a picture, this holy knight was casually perusing the Otherworld Apocrypha, which had been designated a forbidden book until recently. It was a bit surprising.
Well, maybe the only one who found the Otherworld Apocrypha creepy from the start was Sir Masain.
Sure enough, as soon as Seongjin showed interest in the Apocrypha, Masain's face, standing behind them, visibly soured.
Logan nodded and explained.
"While subjugating demons in the northern regions, we spotted something odd. It gave off an aura completely different from demonic energy. Sir Francis speculated it might be a monster. I'm checking here just in case it's documented."
"A monster? Not just in Delcross, but somewhere else too?"
Seongjin startled and asked.
Did that mean another gate had opened somewhere?
If so, there should be chaos with monsters pouring out by now—why was everything so quiet?
Right then, Logan pointed to one side of the page.
"Ah, this is it! It really was an otherworld creature!"
The entire Monster Task Force gathered around, huddling to peer at the book.
"'The blue flower of the demon realm, Dileria...'"
Jibril read the page aloud.
Contrary to the description as a flower, it depicted a small butterfly illustration dyed in blue ink.
No, it looked closer to a moth with its plump body and feathery antennae. Still, with the core's location precisely marked, it had to be a monster.
"'A beautiful creature that became my companion multiple times while wandering a thousand dreams. A traveler crossing dimensions, a monster that enchants other monsters. Drawn by the dreamlike blue flutter of its wings and its mirage-like supreme beauty, monsters follow Dileria as if intoxicated by drugs. And the destination they finally reach is pale repose.'"
Hmm. Was Seongjin's sense of aesthetics off, or was this author Sigurdt's drawing skill just mediocre?
It looked like a plain, dingy butterfly—not particularly pretty. Plus, the black pattern in the center of the wings resembled an eye, which was unsettling.
The Demon King's opinion was that it was Sigurdt's exaggeration.
[Humans and their flashy nonsense. Monsters just follow the scent. They simply crave to eat its eggs.]
Wait, that sounded familiar somehow?
As Seongjin tilted his head, the Demon King grumbled.
[You caused all that fuss and already forgot? I mentioned it before—there's a butterfly that channels alone to hop between dimensions.]
'...You mean the eggs that bug-type monsters all love?'
[Exactly. Loperum mimics the scent of Dileria's eggs. That part about monsters being drawn like to drugs is accurate. But the tale-spinner wandering a thousand dreams didn't know the details.]
The Demon King explained it that way.
At first glance, it seemed like monsters were enchanted and following the Dileria butterfly, but in reality, both were just heading in the same direction.
Monsters were drawn by the scent of the eggs, and the Dileria butterfly stuck close to those eggs.
[It's searching for a female. They're so rare that Dileria butterflies traverse dimensions to find mates.]
Seongjin had heard of moths traveling long distances to find females.
But crossing dimensions? How was that even possible?
"Are you certain that's what you saw? The Apocrypha lists other butterfly-type monsters as well."
At the red-haired inquisitor's question, Logan nodded.
"Yes. The shade and color are a bit off, but blue butterflies aren't that common. And that intense black pattern on the wings—I remember it clearly."
"I see."
Since it was a monster that traveled dimensions on its own, there was no need to worry about a gate opening somewhere.
The problem was that a demonkin had it.
"Does that mean the recent monster outbreaks could be the demonkin's doing?"
As if thinking the same as Seongjin, Masain asked in a trembling voice.
It was entirely possible.
Seongjin had heard from Captain Bruno before that he'd fallen under [Enchantment] just before contracting the gray plague. That's why Seongjin suspected the one who planted the eggs might be a demonkin.
And Logan had witnessed a demon and the monster butterfly together during the sea beast subjugation.
It was too perfectly timed to dismiss them as separate incidents.
Plus, was it mere coincidence that Dileria and Loperum eggs smelled so similar?
"It's frustrating."
As Jibril sighed, a heavy silence fell over the entire Monster Task Force.
From the gray plague investigation to the butterfly monster, and now links to demonkin.
It was hard to know where to even start.
"...Let's take it step by step for now."
After organizing his thoughts, Seongjin spoke up.
"We don't have enough confirmed info yet to link the gray plague and the butterfly monster. To minimize errors, we should treat them as separate incidents initially and investigate accordingly. First, the gray plague."
The entire Monster Task Force fell silent, focusing on Seongjin's words.
"With the recent monster incident, we've essentially identified all gray plague patients. So now, our focus shouldn't be the plague itself. It's who planted the eggs and why. Finding and crushing that culprit is the fastest path."
Maybe set up a sting operation? Bind his aura to his dantian and wander the slums.
That's when Jibril cautiously broached the subject.
"Your Highness, how about meeting those academy students you mentioned before? They've recovered enough for questioning recently."
Oh, finally!
"Good idea, Jibril. I'll go see them today. Next, about the Dileria butterfly. Where did you say you saw it, Logan?"
"Near the territory of Count Sigmund in the northern Zigsmuunt marches."
"Right. Investigating there immediately would be tough, so it might be better to check past records for similar incidents. Has that butterfly appeared in Delcross before? Or cases where demonkin and monsters appeared together?"
Then, Sir Sharon interjected in a timid voice from the side.
"There are exorcist reports on demonkin purges from across the continent. We could compile past cases centered on Zigsmuunt territory and Delcross."
"Good. Perfect. Can I leave that to you, Sir Sharon?"
As he nodded, a bit of color returned to Sir Sharon's pale face.
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll get right on it."
Sir Sharon, who had always lacked motivation from being stuck with odd jobs, responded briskly for once and left the room.
Seongjin also gave separate instructions to the red-haired inquisitor, who had been staring at him with sparkling eyes.
"Sir Valerie. Can you continue your previous task? Keep identifying and classifying the monsters that appeared in the capital from the Otherworld Apocrypha."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Sir Valerie responded eagerly with a beaming smile. It seemed like the perfect job for a young holy knight who loved fascinating stories.
"Hmm..."
Logan, who had been quietly observing from the side, muttered to himself.
"He said he was just consulting, but he's unexpectedly taking charge of the whole department?"
What was that supposed to mean?
He'd only offered advice as a consultant.
"Shall we head to the imperial palace infirmary now?"
As Seongjin stood and spoke, Logan rose too, ready to follow immediately. Seongjin quickly stopped him.
"Before that, dude, go take a shower and wash off that smell first. Hurry!"
"Why? It's a pretty nice scent."
"Your nose is numb to it, but it's overpowering. People are staring—what kind of nuisance is that?"
Our department was already nicknamed the [Rose Perfume Squad] instead of [Monster Task Force] in the administration!
Jibril then protested to Seongjin with an aggrieved look.
"But this scent is all for Your Highness's benefit! You're going to see plague patients, right? Surrounding yourself with fragrance ensures no risk of infection!"
"Jibril, the plague isn't spread by bad smells."
Jibril bristled.
"Are you dismissing the time-honored teachings of our esteemed Liora School, Your Highness?"
"No, that's not—argh, seriously...!"
Frustrated, Seongjin scratched his head furiously. Logan smiled gently at Jibril.
"That's fine, Medic Jibril. We're aura users, so we're immune to most plagues."
"Oh. Really?"
"Moreth is just worried about seeming overly cautious to the students. Otherwise, why refuse this floral aroma that's like a badge of honor for Liora plague doctors? You fight plague stench on the front lines—your efforts are invaluable."
"Th-that's... if that's the case..."
"So no need to worry. Ah, and if it's not too much trouble, could you check the Plague Society for any new gray plague reports?"
"O-of course! I'll look into it right away!"
Jibril blushed, covering her cheeks shyly as she bowed her head.
Seongjin unwittingly gaped.
Whoa, that guy's a total pro.
They said he resembled the Holy Emperor most—indeed, a natural playboy was here.
At Logan's glance, Seongjin and Masain quickly slipped out of the task force office.
Before boarding the carriage, Logan performed an astonishing feat. A light breeze swirled around him, and the rose scent suddenly dissipated dramatically.
Now only a faint trace remained. Seongjin blinked in confusion.
Logan shrugged nonchalantly at the two.
"If you'd just come out quietly and disperse it like this, why make a fuss?"
Wow, another guy whose aura follows his whims!
On the way to the imperial palace infirmary on the outskirts, Seongjin and Logan sat side by side, bickering nonstop.
"How'd you do that? Different from venting aura externally?"
"Just materialize it. Master materialization, and you're good."
"Master how?"
"Why ask me? You do it all the time."
"I don't know how I do it! Only during meditation—never consciously. No easy way?"
"Hmm, if you're curious, start with the Henesis training method."
This guy tries sales pitches whenever he gets the chance?
No thanks? I'm mastering the Banahas method.
Seeing Seongjin's sulky face, Logan clicked his tongue.
"You're something else. Think about your real age, Yi Seongjin. You wanna fight with a girl like your daughter?"
What, dude?
"Whose age are you subtly shaving down? Jibril's like my granddaughter! Get it straight!"
"To me, she's a great-granddaughter? Daughter or granddaughter, same difference."
"What? That make sense? There's a limit to inflating ages!"
"Who's inflating?"
"Who else? The great Logan, who galloped on battlefields at seventy!"
After bickering in hushed tones for a while, Seongjin and Logan suddenly noticed Masain staring blankly at them and shut their mouths.
Right—Masain was also a high-level aura user. No way he hadn't overheard, even if they whispered.
Masain alternated glances between them with a strange expression before asking.
"What in the world are you two princes doing?"