Chapter 400: In the Midst of Royal Succession
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 400: In the Midst of Royal Succession
Thankfully, the heavy atmosphere quickly dissipated.
I spent the time holding Iris in my arms, chatting about this and that.
When I brought up my trip to the United Kingdom, Iris’s eyes sparkled with childlike interest. It seemed the phrase ‘Wizard’s Country’ had piqued her curiosity.
“Wow… to reach the 8th Circle in a human body, that’s truly incredible. And there are three of them… It seems your world has many talented people, Hyun-woo.”
“Are there no human archmages in this world?”
“No. Two hundred years ago, the president of the Continental Magic Association achieved the 7th Circle and was called the strongest human mage, but I’ve never heard of an archmage from any race other than elves. Of course, things could be different now.”
It was a little hard to believe.
But on second thought, it seemed entirely possible.
Unlike on Earth, where all elementary school students are tested for magic power to identify talent, no such systematic approach existed in this world. In other words, it was an environment where many people with talent would likely grow old and die without ever knowing they had it.
Besides, on Earth, anyone could learn magic on equal footing just by enrolling in a Magic Tower. But was it the same in this world?
More importantly, even for me, breaking through the wall to the 5th Circle had been harder than rising from the 1st to the 4th. The 6th Circle would be even more difficult.
While the walls grew exponentially higher with each level, this world was fundamentally unkind to humans. For a species that wasn't long-lived, the limitations were bound to be clear.
Even on Earth, there were often periods with not a single archmage. This world was likely worse, not better.
“Belmoras…?”
“They’re a group of demon worshippers. They suddenly attacked and started causing terror.”
As I continued my story about the UK, the topic of Belmoras inevitably came up. Just thinking about the trouble those bastards caused was enough to make me grind my teeth.
“So your world has demon worshippers too, Hyun-woo?”
“Well… where there are demons, there are bound to be worshippers, right?”
As I answered while stroking Iris’s stomach, a thought occurred to me.
“Are there any demon worshippers among the elves?”
“Yes, though it was hundreds of years ago.”
I’d brought it up cautiously, thinking it might be a sensitive subject, but Iris didn’t seem to mind.
“A very long time ago, there were scoundrels who made a pact with a demon and tried to burn down the World Tree. They brought great chaos to Peledeia, and the forest began to be engulfed in flames. The queen before last, unable to stand by and watch, stepped in herself. I heard the ringleaders were beheaded without being able to put up any real resistance.”
“She must have been incredibly strong.”
“Yes, she was an archmage.”
Iris went on to tell me about other incidents, big and small, that had occurred in Peledeia. To be honest, it wasn't particularly interesting, but I enjoyed watching her talk so earnestly.
Come to think of it, is there any world without demons?
Demons existed on Earth and in Iris’s world, as well as in the Tower where Lucifer resided. The same was true for Cheon Yeo-hwa’s world. Now that it was all but confirmed that demonic arts originated from demons, it was safe to say there probably wasn't a world without them.
At this point, it might be more accurate to call them ‘Demon Gods’ rather than just demons.
“Oh, right. Iris.”
“Yes?”
“Have you ever heard of Bireciel?”
“Bireciel…? You mean the ancient archdemon?”
I nodded and took out my left contact lens.
Iris observed my eye closely, her own eyes twinkling with interest. But when I told her how I had acquired the demonic eye, her eyes widened in an instant, filled with horror.
“You absorbed the essence you got from Viscount Hessler’s family?!”
“Yeah. I knew it was dangerous, but I was desperate to accumulate demonic energy at the time, so I had no choice. I figured that even if a problem arose, the power of the Prajna Divine Pill would neutralize the side effects—”
“Even so, how could you recklessly absorb an essence containing a demon’s power? What would you have done if your mana circles had become contaminated with demonic energy! Besides, Bireciel is an ancient archdemon said to have been vanquished by the Hero! If even a remnant of its will had remained, a high-ranking mage’s mind could have been eroded, leading to demonic possession!”
“…”
Iris’s brow furrowed in anger as she scolded me. I was momentarily taken aback by her unexpectedly sharp reaction. It was the first time I had ever seen her this angry.
Her deep concern for me was palpable.
“…I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“You promise?”
I nodded vigorously.
“I can even swear on my balls.”
I was serious. If Iris wanted, I could even draw up a contract with my balls as collateral.
“…Th-that would be a problem.”
But Iris carefully covered my crotch with a cushion, as if my balls were the most precious treasure in the world. Her ears, flushed bright red, were twitching.
“…Why?”
Seeing Iris’s face, so red it looked like it might burst, I couldn’t contain my curiosity. I gently took her chin and urged her to answer.
Iris struggled to meet my gaze, then mumbled in a voice as faint as a crawling ant.
“The… the World Tree said… that to get pregnant, I absolutely need a… a sperm pouch…”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller until it was completely inaudible. But that didn't really matter.
“H-Hyun-woo…?”
“Shh.”
Click.
I laid Iris down on the sofa and used my magic to lock the study door. There was still plenty of time before sunrise. Of course, I knew the others would be waiting, so I didn't plan on taking too long.
Once… no, twice should be fine.
“Hauhk?!♡”
But just as things in life don't always go according to plan, I only felt satisfied after cumming inside Iris’s pussy four times in a row.
By the time I came to my senses, Iris had already passed out.
About three hours had passed.
…I’m screwed.
The moment I saw the clock, a sense of crisis washed over me—Elisabeth might just beat me to death. I hurriedly cleaned up, got dressed, and left the study.
Creeak—
The moment I opened the door, a familiar face came into view.
“Sylvia?”
“…You’re finally out.”
Why Sylvia was here wasn't really important. It had been three hours since I’d disappeared with Iris; it would have been stranger if no one had come looking for me.
“If you’re looking for Iris…”
“I heard you’ve met the World Tree in person.”
“?”
Sylvia cut me off, her expression complex.
“Well… yeah, I did.”
The memory of that day was still vivid. The World Tree had descended into Iris’s body and asked me to save Peledeia. As a reward, she had offered to help Iris conceive my child. She had even added that she would bear my child too, if I wanted.
Even now, the thought was so absurd it made me chuckle.
Who would have imagined that the sole god of the elves would offer something like that as a reward?
Needless to say, I hadn't accepted the World Tree’s offer because of that final reward. It was purely to help Iris and the poor elves.
“Did Iris tell you?”
“Yes.”
Sylvia’s voice was heavy, a stark contrast to her usual self.
“…And that the World Tree appointed you as the Hero.”
“Hm? Ah, well… yeah, she did.”
A half-assed Hero without a holy sword, though. Honestly, I still sometimes thought they should have at least given me something like Excalibur before naming me a Hero.
“But she called me honey, not—”
“Are you.”
At that moment, Sylvia stepped closer. We were so close I could feel her breath on my skin, and I froze for a second.
“…Are you the Hero who will save Peledeia, and by extension, the elves?”
“…What?”
“Answer me.”
Her tone wasn't harsh. Her voice was lower and quieter than usual. But the eyes staring at me were trembling slightly.
I let out a small sigh and took a step back.
“Think whatever you want. All I care about is Iris’s happiness.”
“…I see.”
At my answer, Sylvia’s expression grew even more complicated.
Click—
Without another word, she entered the study. Left alone, I stared at the firmly shut door for a moment before quietly turning away.
As soon as I returned to the reception room, I was, as expected, beaten like a stray dog by Elisabeth. It was because she’d found out I’d been having sex with Iris.
*
The next morning.
Count Hevaron broke out in a cold sweat as he looked at Kang Hyun-woo, who was sitting across from him. He had a mountain of questions he wanted to ask, but he held them back. He knew better than anyone that curiosity was the deadliest poison to a man.
Still, there was one thing he had to confirm.
“…Was it you who killed him?”
“Yes.”
Kang Hyun-woo didn't bother to deny it. There was no need.
“I—no, the First Princess is well aware that you, Count Hevaron, are a true patriot.”
“…There’s no need for flattery.”
“I am sincere.”
In truth, Kang Hyun-woo had read Marquis Laxion’s memories and learned just how upright a man Count Hevaron was. He had clashed with the Noble Faction time and again for the sake of the kingdom and its people, enduring all sorts of threats and pressure each time. If not for the honor he had built as Chancellor and the reputation of the Hevaron family, he would have been long dead.
Kang Hyun-woo smiled gently and extended his hand.
“Will you join the First Princess in eradicating the parasites eating away at this kingdom, and contribute to its development and stability?”
“…”
Count Hevaron remained silent. It wasn't a refusal, of course. He never had a choice to begin with.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“Not for long. I will be leaving soon, anyway.”
“What…?”
“You need not worry. I plan to leave only after taking measures to ensure the Noble Faction can no longer wield its power.”
Kang Hyun-woo’s eyes turned cold. The moment the Count realized the killing intent in that gaze was not directed at him, he felt an involuntary sense of relief and gratitude.
“…But the Noble Faction is not the only problem. The king may try to stall and refuse to pass the throne to the First Princess.”
“I have already thought of a solution for that. So, all you need to worry about, Count, is stabilizing this chaotic kingdom, weakening the power of the nobility, and solidifying the authority of the crown.”
Indeed, as soon as morning came, the king had sent a servant to the Ruby Palace. He had indirectly conveyed his intention not to abdicate the throne to Elisabeth. Even a toothless tiger’s blatant opposition was a fatal obstacle to the succession.
Despite this, Kang Hyun-woo wasn't worried at all.
Did they say the king turns seventy next year?
In a fantasy world without proper vaccinations, that was a long life. The king should have no lingering regrets.
Slurp.
Kang Hyun-woo tilted his teacup.
The king had kicked away his last chance with his own two feet, and all he could do was express his regret.
