Chapter 303: translated
I Killed Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 303
Caesar used psychometry on Count Vex.
-The fact that Caesar didn't visit Thomas's grave for a long time after returning to the province must be because he has grievances against the Sylvatil family.
-The duel with Aldo Sylvatil in the past must have been for similar reasons.
-But strangely, after the duel, he has lived as if he completely cut ties with the Sylvatil family.
-Didn't he want revenge or something?
Caesar thought Count Vex's misunderstanding was reasonable.
From Count Vex's perspective, if Caesar went as far as dueling Aldo Sylvatil, he might think Caesar had grievances against the Sylvatil family.
But since Caesar didn't try to bring down the Sylvatil family and left them alone, he probably thinks something is strange.
-Or maybe he has already succeeded in his revenge.
-Since I already know that Eric passed on information about Aurora at Caesar's request.
-He might already be manipulating the Sylvatil family.
Count Vex seemed to want to know exactly what relationship Caesar had with the Sylvatil family. That's why he was testing him by asking if he resented his father.
In that case, it would be better to speak honestly.
"I don't particularly hate or like him."
"Why is that?"
"Under the protection of the Sylvatil family, I received knight training and could become a knight, and thanks to that, wasn't I able to gain practical experience in the demon realm? I've been successful ever since and have become famous enough to have a private meeting with you, Count Vex, so I could say it's rather good."
"What an interesting way of thinking. You mean you're satisfied with what you received rather than being dissatisfied with what you didn't get?"
"That's right."
Caesar took a sip of his drink and observed what Count Vex was thinking.
-What nonsense he speaks.
-Caesar is not a person with such a small capacity.
-He must be hiding something.
As expected, he knows how to read people.
Caesar certainly isn't a person without ambition who is content with what he has. But what can he do?
Unless Count Vex can prove that the real Caesar is dead and a doppelganger is impersonating him, and in fact it's not a doppelganger but a Korean living inside him, it's a secret he could never know.
More importantly, from Caesar's perspective, it would be disadvantageous if more talk about the Sylvatil family came up. Because he doesn't know anything about the Baron Sylvatil family.
Caesar decided to get straight to the point.
"More importantly, I have a proposal for you, Count Vex."
"A proposal. Not a threat?"
"You might hear it that way, but from my perspective, it's a proposal."
Count Vex took a sip of his drink and said.
"Let's hear it."
The way to control a meticulous and rational person like Count Vex is very simple. It's to strike in a completely unexpected place. The sharper and more straightforward it is, the more effective it becomes.
"I'll help you prepare for independence."
Count Vex froze for a moment.
"...What are you talking about?"
"Don't you plan to ascend to the throne? I understand you're already preparing for it."
Count Vex's eyes momentarily darted to the sword placed beside the sofa. At the same time, a ripened killing intent brushed past Caesar's neck. Caesar flinched for a moment because Count Vex really did think about slicing Caesar's neck and stopped at the last second.
"Your words are very disrespectful."
"Then shall we end the conversation here? I have nothing more to say."
Count Vex finished his drink and placed it on the table.
"How much do you know?"
Caesar recalled ‘Count Vex's treason plan’ that Pio had handed over and said.
"Up to your secret alliance with the Royder Order and Margrave Friedrich."
Swoosh!
A sword was placed on Caesar's neck. After that, the corner of the sofa was cut off and fell.
"Tell the truth. How did you know and who else knows?"
Count Vex's swordsmanship is quite good. Such quick sword movement from a sitting position. It's fortunate that Caesar knew Count Vex didn't intend to behead him; otherwise, he would have flinched and dodged.
"If I say no one else knows but me, would you believe it?"
The blade pressed deeper into Caesar's neck.
"Absolutely not."
-Arch Duke must definitely know.
-There was a reason he easily accepted the duel.
-It was because he had a firm grip on my weakness.
-More than that, his skin is tougher than I imagined.
-Even with a sharpened blade against it, not even a scratch.
Count Vex was starting to consider how to safely cut off Caesar's limbs and throw him in the underground dungeon.
The more Caesar saw the extreme ideas swirling in Count Vex's mind, the more he could tell how terrified he was.
Caesar decided to carefully control Count Vex's anxiety.
"There's no need to react so sensitively."
"What nonsense are you trying to spout?"
"Because we too have dreams similar to yours, Count Vex."
"...We?"
"Yes. His Excellency Arch Duke is also thinking about independence."
Despite Caesar's gentle words, the blade pressing against his nape did not dull.
"Why?"
"The answer is simple, isn't it? Because we can."
Count Vex felt as if Caesar had peered into the deepest abyss of his heart.
Why do you want to become king?
Why do you want to establish a country?
Isn't that a truly ridiculous question? Because I want to. And because I can. Just like now, when the emperor is not coming to his senses, and to suppress Margrave Friedrich's rebellion
Far from doing so, the people are crying out desperately in this unstable situation where the empire is being ravaged by bands of thieves.
Someone please step up and save us.
Anyone, please help.
Like a hero who eliminates the demon king.
Or like a prince who rescues a princess kidnapped by a dragon.
The people were looking for a new savior to rescue them, and that was precisely a new king.
That position of king. Shouldn't Count Vex take it?
Caesar delved into Count Vex's inner self, scraped out his primal desires, and uncovered Count Vex's ideal vision of a 'perfect country.'
"Right now, the people are groaning. They don't know what to do to survive against thieves, poverty, and the chaotic political situation. Isn't that because the laws and disciplines established by the emperor have collapsed, and everything has reverted to the crude and undignified logic of force?"
"How can humans be like rabbits or tigers? Eating when hungry and defecating when needed. Is that what humans are? No. Humans are superior, wiser, and more dignified than them. And that dignity shines under complete law and order."
Count Vex seemed to be entranced by Caesar's eloquence, which was like frantically scratching an itch.
Caesar was right.
Count Vex believed there were hierarchies in this world. How could humans be like beasts? If you were asked to weigh the life of one human against the lives of 100 rabbits, Who would choose the 100 rabbits?
"And there are clear differences among humans too. There are humans who are smarter, more rational, and stronger. Is that the nobility? No. Is it the royal family? Of course not. Who do you think it is?"
"Knights and wizards."
Count Vex neatly sheathed his sword. Count Vex's gaze had become quite docile. Like a sheep entranced by a shepherd.
"Think about it. Among the first Emperor and the 12 knights who followed him, and the nobles who assisted him, was there anyone who wasn't a knight or a wizard?"
"There wasn't."
"When they ruled the Imperial Province, what was this world like? It developed. Railways were laid, new cities were born, and civilization and art were created and flourished. What is the reason for that?"
Count Vex answered with perfect timing and perfect tone, like a singer performing a duet.
"Because those who should rule ruled, and those who should be ruled were ruled."
"That is precisely discipline, and that is precisely order. Isn't that the ideal that Count Vex desires?"
Count Vex felt as if his entire body was covered in goosebumps. No one had ever explained Count Vex's ideal so well. It felt as if Caesar had completed a sketch that had only been vaguely outlined in Count Vex's mind.
"But look at the current crown prince. Is he a knight? Or is he a wizard?"
"He is nothing."
"Can Count Vex serve someone who doesn't even fully understand magic and lives a wasteful life just drinking? If that person ascends to emperor, this country will be ruined."
Count Vex unconsciously opened his lips.
"That's right. I cannot acknowledge the current crown prince."
"But the people are different."
"The people still think of themselves as citizens of the Eileen Empire. They don't even know why they are citizens of the Eileen Empire; they just live that way because others say they are citizens of the Eileen Empire."
"It's frustrating, isn't it?"
"It is frustrating. But the people are still begging to be saved by the emperor and invisible gods, who neither listen nor can be heard. As if they have been brainwashed for a long time."
Count Vex wanted to change that perception.
Now he wanted to make the citizens look at Count Vex, not search for the emperor or gods. So the first thing Count Vex pushed forward was buying up newspaper companies.
People tend to be entranced by what they see and hear. Count Vex bought up all the newspaper companies, made them write articles supporting Count Vex, and expounded on how terrible and problematic the current state of the empire was.
As a result, the people thought there was no choice but Count Vex, and they began to praise and rely on him.
Of course, it is true that a lot of blood was shed in the process. Some families were completely destroyed as they resisted having their family business, the newspaper company, taken away, and the wrists of journalists and writers who wrote critical articles about Count Vex were broken.
But Count Vex thought all of this was a sacrifice for the greater cause, and that he was punishing ignorant humans who did not understand his perfect ideal.
"I can change the people's perception at once."
"How?"
"I can't just do it for free. There's a condition. Come with me to the founding day ceremony."
Count Vex said with a mysterious expression.
"Why?"
"I'm going to cause something big that day, and I'd like you to help me."
"It's not like you to say such things, I can't even guess."
"You will certainly experience a historic moment."
"Can't you tell me what you're going to do?"
"I'm sorry. For this matter, secrecy is vital."
Count Vex swirled his wine glass with a displeased expression.
"I don't move without clear evidence and facts."
"Didn't I just tell you? That you need to see people and invisible visions, not just clear evidence and facts."
Caesar said while taking a sip of alcohol.
"I understand Count Vex's policy. But that's why you were defeated by Gloria and me today."
"No, there must have been information that you knew but I didn't. Isn't that how you were able to give the antidote to Lady Aurora?"
This Count Vex is really stubborn. Even after being sweet-talked so nicely, he shows no signs of wavering.
"Tell me everything. I stake my name on guaranteeing confidentiality."
"Unfortunately, that might be a bit difficult."
"Why?"
"How do you think I was able to give the antidote to Lady Aurora? You might think your security is perfect, but from my perspective, it's lacking."
Count Vex's face reddened, but he had nothing to say.
How could Caesar trust him when he promised to guarantee confidentiality after his security was breached, revealing the fact that he had poisoned Aurora and formed a secret alliance with the Royder Order and Elijah?
"Fine. Instead, tell me everything before you start the operation."
"Let's make that clear."
Good. Finally succeeded in luring this cautious rat. Now things will move quickly. Count Vex raised his glass toward Caesar.
"I don't know what picture you're painting, but I'll go along with it. And I sincerely apologize for what happened today."
Caesar also raised his glass.
"I accept your apology."
Caesar lightly clinked his glass and slowly drank. Well, for now, they can be in the same boat.
But Caesar never agrees with Count Vex's magic supremacism. I know very well what one mustached man who believed in racial superiority did on Earth.
He'll ride in the same boat as that devil for a while, but before long, Count Vex will surely pay the price for the blood he has spilled.