28
I killed the Demon King. It was a mistake.
Chapter 28
Tina continued her story.
"This drug called Bufonemi is also known as Night Maker."
Caesar decided to listen as if he was hearing about it for the first time.
"Night Maker?"
"Yes. When you drink it, it forcibly enhances your aura perception, allowing you to use aura like knights or aura users."
"That's insane."
If an ordinary person forcibly uses aura, their nervous system gets transformed by magic, leading to death or, in the worst case, turning into a demon.
Creating such a drug would result in immediate execution, even before a religious trial.
"How is such a demonic drug being distributed?"
"Only a very small number of people can produce it. Apparently, you can't make it without extensive knowledge of drug manufacturing."
"Hmm... So not just anyone can make it, is that right?"
"That's why there are fake Night Makers circulating. The real Night Maker is only available in extremely small quantities in the market. Rather, amateurs ignorantly trying to replicate Night Maker often lead to more terrible consequences."
"Why on earth are people buying Night Maker? They must know it's dangerous."
Joseph spoke up.
"It's because there are people who have actually learned to use aura after taking that drug."
"Is the effect really guaranteed?"
"The side effects are severe, but it seems to be quite effective. Currently, all the Knight Academies across the country and the Dre Order are having headaches because of it."
This isn't being smuggled for no reason.
Once you adapt to the drug, you can definitely become an aura user.
Doesn't it sound appealing enough to make young aspiring knights drool?
Whether rich or poor, anyone looking for a life-changing opportunity would go crazy trying to get their hands on Night Maker.
"However, all of the aura users who awakened their aura sense through Night Maker, without exception, failed the final personality test. When under excessive mental stress, they either lose control of their emotions and go berserk, or in serious cases, turn into demons."
"Even so, people probably use it hoping they might be the exception."
"That's the problem. There have been cases where even aspiring knights, who could awaken their aura sense through effort alone, used Night Maker for an easier and quicker path. This is an extremely serious social and security issue."
Joseph is right.
If this problem is left unchecked, it will change the flow of the main story.
As the demon outbreak begins, the demand for knights will increase dramatically, but there won't be enough knights to meet this demand.
What will the Empire or other kingdoms do then?
They'll designate Night Maker as a necessary evil, mass-produce knights randomly, and send them to the battlefield.
As a natural consequence, these mass-produced knights sent to the battlefield will all turn into demons, bringing the southern and eastern parts of the continent under demonic influence.
"So what do you want from me?"
"According to recent investigations by heresy inquisitors, we've found out that Night Maker is being smuggled through the Homigraph docks. We'd like you to take a look at the smuggling scene."
"Can't you just mobilize the police or send heresy inquisitors? Why does it have to be me?"
"First of all, the Homigraph police and officials are corrupt. We've made multiple requests, but they only pretend to investigate without doing a proper job. We'd like to move heresy inquisitors to investigate, but we're severely understaffed."
Joseph also spoke up.
"We're short on manpower too. And holy knights are too conspicuous."
"Couldn't you investigate in plain clothes, leaving behind your armor and greatsword for a while?"
"How can we part with the weapons and armor that the Dre Goddess herself has anointed with oil?"
Stubborn bastards.
This is why I don't want to be a holy knight.
"Hmm... In other words, you need someone to objectively investigate and manage the smuggling scene... I think it's too much for me alone, no matter how I look at it."
If I dig deeper into this issue, it seems like it's going to get very, very annoying.
It's still time to level up, you know.
I want to rest a bit too.
As Caesar hinted at politely declining, but Tina spoke up.
"If it's difficult for you to get involved directly, could you introduce us to people who might be able to help?"
"I've only been in Homigraph for about two months, so I don't know many people."
"Aren't you connected to political circles, Sir Caesar? You just need to connect us with them. We'd be grateful if you could do at least that much."
Ah, so this was the real purpose all along.
By the way, did they even know about this?
No, the fact that I often meet with Gregory is known to anyone who should know, so it's not surprising.
"Can't you just visit them yourselves? Someone of your status, Tina or Joseph, should be able to have a private audience with any politician."
"If this were Dre Order or Royder Order, maybe, but in Wizard Province, there are too many people who would be uncomfortable if we contacted politicians."
Judging by the edge in her words, she must have been burned many times before.
Well, currently, the influence of the Dre Order and the Royder Order is almost on par with the Emperor.
If these people contact politicians in other provinces, the Emperor might issue a stern warning to the orders, saying, "Are you trying to take over other provinces too? Stop expanding your influence so much!"
Of course, the Emperor and the orders are currently engaged in a political struggle behind the scenes, but this is the land of magicians, where even the Emperor treads carefully.
If they cause unnecessary trouble here, it might not be the Emperor, but Arch Duke, who rules the Wizard Province, who directly protests.
Politics is so complicated, so complicated indeed.
"So what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Just deliver a message. We trust you, Sir Caesar."
In the end, they're asking me to play the role of a messenger pigeon.
Well, from their perspective, Caesar is the only suitable person.
He's trustworthy because he kills demons and is at odds with the mafia guys who take bribes from corrupt officials.
Moreover, despite being a wandering knight with almost no connection to politics, he often has tea with politicians.
Where else could you find such a perfect messenger?
"If it's just delivering a message, I can help with that."
It seems too risky to dig deep into this matter right now.
In terms of game scenarios, we're in the middle part now.
If Caesar gets involved in the main story flow with his current specs, he'll end up dying mysteriously.
Besides, Night Maker becomes a serious problem after the war ends.
What if Caesar touches the Night Maker issue prematurely and it spreads into unexpected problems?
That would be irreparable.
The continent might really collapse, turning into a Diablo-like world where we'd have to hunt demons day and night until we die.
I can't let that happen.
"Thank you, Sir Caesar."
"Then, should I request the police to thoroughly investigate how Night Maker flowed to Gilbert?"
"Just catch the suspects and hand them over to me. I'll take care of the rest."
Wow. Her eyes are already sparkling at the thought of tasting blood.
She's definitely a psychopath.
Caesar nodded.
"I understand. I'll deliver the message as such. However, if this is just an official request from the Order, I might not ask for compensation, but since it's going through me, I might demand a price."
"That can't be. If demons appear in Homigraph, they'll be the ones suffering losses, won't they?"
My, you're still so innocent.
"Right now, the ones most happy about the demon's appearance are the Sapien faction members. They're legally beating... Ahem! interrogating the Homi faction members who took bribes from the mafia."
At Caesar's words, both of them frowned as if troubled.
"You're saying that the side Sir Caesar will deliver the message to is the Sapien faction."
"The Homi faction has taken too much dirty money from the mafia. Contacting the Homi faction in the current situation is never a good choice."
"We understand that. But..."
Tina mumbled very quietly, almost inaudibly.
Fuck, we can't just rip all their assholes apart.
Caesar clearly heard it but pretended not to while drinking his tea.
It seems this matter is causing them no small amount of stress.
Slurp. Slurp.
Gotta manage my expression.
Manage the expression.
Seeing Joseph drain his tea to the last drop, it seems he's trying his best to manage his expression too.
Joseph hastily said,
"Ahem! For now, we'll need to discuss this matter with the Order, so if they have any proposals, we'll hear them first. It's difficult to say anything definitive about this issue right now."
"I understand. Then I'll just deliver the message for now."
"Thank you."
Joseph and Caesar quickly stood up and shook hands.
Tina, who had been emitting a dark aura, also stood up and shook hands with Caesar.
"We truly appreciate your help."
Caesar used psychometry immediately.
-There's more than one bastard I really want to screw over.
-I should pull out all their intestines through their assholes and show them...
Caesar quickly turned off his psychometry.
He felt like he was about to see an even deeper abyss.
"I'll do my best to convey your message."
***
The next day.
Caesar and Gregory met at Benjamin N Junior.
Caesar explained the request from the clergy, and Gregory took a sip of tea before speaking.
"The tea hasn't steeped enough yet."
I knew this would happen.
Right now, Sapientia is in the midst of a frenzied party.
They're grabbing anyone in the parliament, tying them up, and beating them gleefully. Who would like it if you told them to end this exciting party quickly?
"We also view the smuggling issue as a serious matter. But Homigraph hasn't suffered much damage. This incident is also a very unusual case, you see."
"Let's just speak frankly. This incident. Is it related to Sapientia or not?"
"Absolutely not."
Caesar pretended to adjust his posture and stretched his legs as far as possible to touch Gregory's feet.
Then he used psychometry.
-It's better because it's not related.
-It's premature to touch the smuggling issue now.
-We need to hold onto this issue until next year's election, but too many people are involved in the smuggling problem.
Oh ho. At least as far as Gregory knows, it seems none of the Sapientia folks are helping with smuggling.
Gregory frowned slightly and pulled his foot back a bit.
Caesar cleared his throat once and said,
"I'm sorry. My legs are just so long."
He was going to keep using it if there was no reaction, but it seems like it would be annoying if he used it again.
Is there a way to structure a conversation where you can read the other person's thoughts while talking?
Psychometry is certainly a good ability, but it's really ambiguous that direct physical contact is required.
I need to think about this a bit.
"I anticipated that and proposed a suitable deal to the clergy."
"A deal?"
"It seems they're willing to accommodate to some extent if you have something you want from the clergy. Night Maker seems to be a big headache for the clergy."
"To that extent?"
"Almost none of the knight aspirants are unaware of Night Maker. Young people, in particular, have severe mood swings and are easily tempted."
"Hmm..."
Gregory thought for a moment and then spoke.
"No matter how I think about it, it's premature to touch the smuggling issue now."
"Let's just speak frankly. What do you want? How disappointed would they be if we just say no without reason? Should we ask them to mention Sapientia more during sermon times?"
"The clergy must never interfere with politics. Especially in the Wizard Province."
"Then what do you want?"
Gregory sighed softly and said,
"There are still 10 months until next year's election. But people forget the past too easily. It's enough time for Homigraph representatives to sway or bring in voters by election time, that's what I'm saying."
"Didn't you just say that the clergy shouldn't interfere with politics?"
"That's why your role is important."
"My role?"
Gregory picked up a snack.
"I'll designate one person I want at some point. Then, guide that person to the basement of the Royder Order."
Isn't he asking not to kill someone right now, but to make them a heretic and set up a thrilling basement date with our Tina?
This guy's completely crazy.
"Not bad."
But I like crazy.
I'm just delivering the message anyway.
It's not something I need to worry about.
"But are you sure there's no one involved in smuggling among the Sapientia people?"
"...What do you mean by that?"
Caesar handed over an envelope.
"I've sorted it out appropriately to avoid unnecessary trouble. I hope you'll take care of it as soon as possible."
Gregory opened the envelope and read the documents right there.
***
Nolan Walterwood and Nathan Walterwood rushed to the study at their father's call.
"Brother, do you know why Father is calling us?"
"I don't know. But I heard he just met with Caesar."
"Did he pick up something weird from that bastard again?"
"Watch your mouth inside the mansion. Don't you know Father's ears and eyes are everywhere here?"
As they reached the study, the butler was waiting in front of the door.
The butler approached them with a silver tray.
Nolan and Nathan placed their revolvers on it and knocked on the door.
"It's Nolan. May we come in?"
The door opened silently.
Nolan and Nathan entered, and the servants who had opened the door went outside the study.
Gregory stared at the moon for a while, burning his cigar, then spoke.
"Nolan, Nathan."
"...Yes."
"I can tolerate being stupid. That can improve somewhat as you gain more experience with age, and if it doesn't, you can just employ smart people under you. But..."
The study door opened again, and six bloodied men were dragged in.
Nolan and Nathan were shocked.
The men dragged in were Nolan and Nathan's closest confidants.
"Young master, please, please save us. Please spare our lives."
"We, we were wrong. We only did as we were told, didn't we?!"
Gregory aimed his revolver.
"I cannot tolerate being looked down upon by the servants I employ."
Bang! Bang!
Gregory's revolver spat fire, and two men collapsed.
Nolan and Nathan were too shocked to move.