Chapter 164: Once Comrades-in-Arms
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 164: Once Comrades-in-Arms
Upon hearing the report, Garnet muttered with a skeptical look on her face.
"Joseph Faust, you say..."
Anyone would have reacted the same way upon hearing that name and his true identity.
"How could the leader of the Alte Faith follow those who worship the Void?"
As the head of the Empire’s state religion and the master of the Cathedral, the leader is elected through an incredibly rigorous process. Joseph Faust was someone whose character and potential had been thoroughly vetted during that legitimate procedure.
"It’s probably that 'Doppler' fellow."
The one who provided the answer was Jed. He was waiting for Ferda’s instructions at the hideout where Garnet had settled.
"A Doppler?" Garnet asked.
"It’s similar to a doppelganger, but way nastier. It transforms into a person and mimics them perfectly. I almost didn't recognize him myself."
"Does it mimic their mana or unique abilities too?"
"Probably not to that extent."
The last Doppler Jed had seen was the President of Escoleia. All that came to his mind was a gleaming bald head.
Garnet mentally pieced together the information.
"Let’s assume this 'Doppler' you described exists. You’re saying it’s a new form of demon, and they’re carrying out a planned crime?"
"Yeah."
"If it’s planned, there’s a high probability they recruited someone who can use divine power."
"A priest who uses divine power falling for a demon’s trickery?"
"Just because someone has high divine power doesn't mean they have a saintly personality. There are as many as five hundred people vying for that position. Do you think all five hundred of them are devout followers of Alte?"
"So you're saying he conspired with demons to seize power?"
"Besides, if he were just a regular priest, it might be different, but as the High Priest of the Cathedral, he wouldn't have to worry about being caught."
Unlike lower-ranking priests who frequently use divine magic, High Priests focus on politics and administration. Since the Cathedral is a central institution that oversees all dioceses, not just the capital, its leader was more of a manager than the typical clergyman known to the public.
In other words, he rarely had to use magic. Given Joseph Faust’s standing, no one would dare raise suspicions lightly. Furthermore, since the Doppler copied physical traits perfectly, simply displaying a unique characteristic of the original person was enough to guarantee their identity.
"That’s why we have to infiltrate the Cathedral this time. We need to find evidence that Joseph Faust is a Doppler or whatever."
"Hmm, in that case..."
"In that case?"
"How much is the pay?"
Jed reflexively rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, signaling for money. Garnet spoke as if she were fed up with his behavior.
"Do you really have to haggle over pay right now? You’ve earned quite a lot so far, haven't you?"
"I would’ve been fine if things were like they were a few days ago, but I found a leak."
"A leak?"
"Penelope, that wretched demon wench. She’s been secretly siphoning it off and blowing it all on entertainment."
"..."
"That damn woman."
Jed clenched his fists. Garnet had known about Jed’s greed for a long time. She remembered how, back in their mercenary days, a man with sticky fingers had his wrist cut off just for touching Jed’s money.
And yet, he lets that demon be...
Garnet glared at him, clearly unimpressed. Jed flinched under her sharp gaze.
"W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"...Forget it."
Work came first.
"I’ll give you the pay, so let’s just get to work. We’ve only bought ourselves two hours. We need to find something to prove Joseph Faust is a Demon Worshipper within one hour."
"Any clues to track?"
"None. It’s hard enough just getting a floor plan right now; all we know is the guard rotation schedule. I’ll have our people stationed, but there will be a lot of improvising."
"Our Regent never likes to do things the easy way."
Jed sighed and stripped off his armor. He changed into clothes suitable for a follower of the Order. He used makeup to hide his conspicuous features, making himself look ordinary. Thus, his preparations for infiltration were complete.
"Oh, right."
He didn't forget to grab a card he had left on the table. It was a card made of stiff paper, depicting a rabbit wearing a sparrow mask. It was something he had created himself when he started using the name Barney Swallows.
Garnet reflexively frowned when she saw the card.
"Do you really have to do that useless nonsense?"
Since Jed operated in the shadows, anonymity was crucial. Garnet believed that acting like it was a show might lead to him being tracked.
"Of course I have to."
Jed’s thoughts were different.
"Barney Swallows is an apostle of justice who punishes evil."
Jed believed that because he worked in the shadows, he had to be all the more flamboyant.
* * *
Golden Council, Infirmary.
Ferda sat beside Consilus, monitoring his condition. Due to the Aura Backflow, his life force had stagnated, and as an elderly man, his recovery was weak, showing little improvement.
If Consilus dies... will Arwen take his place?
Though Consilus had no son, he treated Arwen like one and had introduced him to aristocratic society. Arwen was young, talented, and possessed firm values; Ferda believed he could sufficiently fill the void left by Consilus.
But that wasn't enough. Right now, Consilus was the focal point of the Far East. Only Consilus could fulfill that role. Ferda needed him.
"How is Lord Consilus?"
The voice of an unexpected guest drifted in. It was Waldemar.
"He is stable, as you can see."
"I see. He’ll be fine. It was only Aura Backflow, after all."
"So you knew it wasn't a plague."
"Of course. It would be troublesome if you took me for someone who could be foolishly swayed by the instigators out there."
Waldemar walked in and looked down at Consilus.
"Consilus, you old fool..."
He sighed, pulled a bottle from his robe, and handed it to Ferda. The transparent bottle contained a deep red liquid. A recovery potion.
"Give it to him. It’s a restorative made in Akad’s workshop."
"..."
"That fellow might look clumsy, but he’s a renowned alchemist in this Empire. His skill is certain."
Ferda still didn't move his hand. Waldemar understood the meaning and nodded.
"Hmm, in that case..."
Waldemar pulled out a dagger. Without hesitation, he slashed his own forearm. Bright red blood flowed from the wound. Waldemar pointedly let a single drop of the recovery potion fall onto the cut. The injury healed instantly.
"There. Is that proof enough?"
"...Why go to such lengths to help?"
This might have convinced others, but not Ferda. Ferda couldn't understand Waldemar’s actions. If Ferda didn't trust him, Waldemar could have just walked away. Why go through the trouble of proving it?
"I know relations between the Far East and us aren't great right now. But we cannot afford to lose an important person over such trivialities."
Waldemar’s eyes shifted toward Consilus.
"Lord Consilus was a patriot beyond compare. In times like these, a patriot is a precious resource that cannot be replaced. I will not let such a man be lost."
He had shown great sincerity, and Ferda felt the same desire not to lose Consilus. Finally, Ferda poured the contents of the bottle into Consilus’s mouth. The face of Count Consilus, which had been contorted in pain from the Aura Backflow, grew peaceful. He fell into a deep, unconscious sleep.
"I thought you were a more rational person than what I’ve seen," Waldemar said. "To be honest, the current situation is quite baffling."
"You say that after setting the stage yourself?"
"I thought Duke Yurei was simply throwing a tantrum. When one loses a child, judgment clouds, and they see only what they want to see. Usually, that doesn't turn out to be the truth. But this time was different. I didn't expect you to actually kill the young Lord Yurei."
"..."
"If this continues, you will be branded a black mage. Is that what you want?"
If he became a black mage, public opinion within the Empire would tilt toward distrusting the Far East. Public sentiment regarding the Far East would follow Ferda’s reputation, creating the perfect conditions for internal discord.
The only thing that could neutralize that was overwhelming power. Specifically, Grand Duke Waldemar Golt.
"Please leave," Ferda replied.
"It is not wise for an elderly man to wander around a place where it hasn't even been confirmed whether there is a plague or not."
As Ferda spoke, Waldemar turned to leave.
"Think carefully."
Left alone again, Ferda thought to himself.
I have about an hour and thirty minutes left...
Within that time, he had to prove that Joseph Faust, the one he had designated as the culprit, was a Demon Worshipper.
It should be entirely possible.
Jed Swallow was a master thief who had once turned the Empire upside down. He was now under Ferda’s command. He had a highly capable subordinate, but there was one thing he had overlooked.
"Regent Ferda."
It was the fact that God seemed to detest Ferda intensely.
"We resume in ten minutes. Please take your seat in the conference hall."
However, Ferda did not resent such a God. Resenting something that doesn't exist is a sigh reserved for the foolish.
* * *
The Golden Council.
To Waldemar, the Golden Council was his home ground from which he could look down upon the Arken Empire. Sitting here, all humans were laid bare. He could see their materialistic expressions and the disgusting looks they wore when their true nature was revealed. He could see who was a patriot and who was a traitor willing to sell out the country.
"Your Highness," Akad whispered, leaning in. "I have instructed the meeting to resume as you ordered."
"And the Regent’s side?"
"They say he is coming. What else can he do? He can't run away, and in this cornered situation, if he doesn't explain himself quickly, he’ll only be tightening the noose around his own neck..."
"Well done."
The plague commotion had been settled with the conclusion that Count Consilus had a chronic illness.
Now it’s time for him to become a criminal again.
The only difference was that the joy and madness of the execution ground, which had worked against Ferda, had vanished, replaced by rationality. It was as if he had given a trapped loach a hole to escape through.
But what of it? Waldemar was a seasoned politician, and this was his home turf. His opponent, even if he was the Archduchess’s consort and a dragon’s fiancé, was a greenhorn who had only entered this world a year ago. No matter how eloquent he was, he would naturally buckle before the authority looming over him. It was nearly impossible for Ferda to escape this predicament.
Even Consilus, who served as his sturdy wall, cannot attend this council...
The psychological pressure must be immense.
Or so it should be...
Waldemar shifted his gaze toward Ferda.
He doesn't look like a man driven into a corner.
If he was bluffing, he was the best Waldemar had ever seen. That gutsy appearance made Waldemar’s heart flutter.
What a waste.
The more you see of humans, the more their value usually drops, but Ferda became more intriguing the more Waldemar watched him. If only he had patriotism in his heart, or if he had even a little will to persuade Olivia...
A tragedy.
Waldemar gave a slight hand signal to Akad.
"We shall reconvene. Regarding the matter of black magic, we—"
Akad’s words cut off. An aide had cautiously entered and was whispering something into Akad’s ear. Akad’s drooping eyes widened.
"What? Why are they here...?"
"What is it?" Waldemar asked, sensing something unusual.
Unable to hide his bewilderment, Akad relayed what he had heard. Waldemar felt the same way.
"Why on earth did she come here?"
"I don't know."
"This is the Golden Council, where human affairs are handled. Tell her it’s not allowed—"
"I don't think that will work."
"Why not?"
"She says it’s a matter approved by the Grand Council..."
The Grand Council held a position even higher than the laws of the Empire. Since they rarely intervened regardless of what happened, their authority and justification were absolute. They could crush any excuse the Golden Council might offer.
Waldemar glanced at Ferda. Even when he was accused of being a black mage, and even when it seemed confirmed, he hadn't wavered in the slightest.
The reason he was so unfazed was that he already had a trump card.
He let out a hollow laugh and signaled Akad. Akad passed the order to the aide and resumed the meeting.
"I have a brief announcement. Originally, since a conclusion had been reached regarding this black magic, we were going to hear Regent Ferda’s final defense. However, since Regent Ferda has raised an objection to the incident where he allegedly used black magic, a new witness will be attending. The person attending is..."
A person rarely seen even by the Empire’s nobility. No, a race.
"The Tower Master of the Blue Eye, Erica Iorga."
The doors to the council hall opened, and five mages walked inside. Long blue hair and glowing skin. She was more radiant than gold, and those who encountered her mystery dared not look away.
Waldemar looked at Erica, then cast a glance toward Ferda. Only after seeing his face did he realize. Ferda had planned everything up to this very moment.
* * *
Ferda had expected them to tamper with Young Lord Yurei’s body. And as expected, someone had indeed messed with the corpse, allowing him to move according to plan. He had explained their plan to the Tower Master of the Blue Eye in advance to seek her cooperation, and she had replied:
—If such a thing is happening... it’s only natural to help without even asking for a reward.
Having lost kin to demons and having suffered greatly herself, Erica was more than willing to step forward in matters involving demons. She even showed thoroughness by obtaining approval from Blancaros, who resided in the absolute neutral zone, to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
She definitely becomes a different person in a public setting.
As the face of Iorga, the Aspect of Water, it was clear she was putting her soul into her image. She stood at the podium and spoke.
"Dear subjects of the Empire."
Her voice was that of a refined woman, yet it carried immense power.
"I am Erica Iorga, descendant of the Great Aspect of Water and Magic, Iorga, and the Tower Master of the Blue Eye."
Erica spoke with the politeness of an intellectual and the dignity of a Tower Master.
"As you know, I have formed an alliance with Regent Ferda of the Valdrova Archduchy in the Far East, and we are currently sharing technology under the banner of the conquest of the Land of Demons. Recently, we achieved the remarkable result of successfully applying magic circles that filter contaminated water to Magitech. Thanks to this, we were able to see great effects when the recent siege was formed."
Her eyes grew sharper.
"And yet, instead of praising Regent Ferda here, you are looking at him as if he were a traitor. I will make one thing clear. He is a member dedicated to purifying this Serdes Continent and has no reason to be a criminal."
She denounced the atmosphere that branded Ferda a murderer. At that, Duke Yurei spoke up.
"I sincerely thank and respect the hard work of Tower Master Erica and all her members. However, if you shield him simply because he is an ally, justice will not prevail."
Erica looked at Duke Yurei. Her gaze was soft, without any hint of threat.
"Duke Yurei, I am well aware that you are a father who has lost a child. But isn't it also true that there was an insult to a dragon?"
"Only that one knight heard it. In a ballroom full of people, there was only that one person."
"The rule for matters involving dragons is to punish one to warn a hundred. Do you know what that means?"
It was chilling. Her voice seemed to scatter frost everywhere it reached.
"It means that even if there is only the word of one person who heard it, it is enough to justify death."
A Dragon Spawn. Since she, who was closer to a dragon than anyone yet remained rational, said it herself, the weight of her words was on a different level.
"The one who was considerate and didn't want to escalate this matter was none other than Regent Ferda. Therefore, I believe it is desirable to end this at a reasonable point."
"A reasonable point..." Duke Yurei trembled. "Are you telling me to... look the other way regarding the murder of my son?"
As a father who already had nothing left to lose, he acted emotionally and boldly. But at the same time, it was an action possible only because she was a Blue Dragon Spawn. Blue Dragons had to be intellectual and rational.
"Regent Ferda committed murder, and if he is to remain a Regent, I believe he should naturally receive the appropriate punishment according to the laws of the Empire."
And Erica also responded intellectually.
"But that is only if the premise that the deceased is your son holds true."
"Are you saying... that the dead person is not my son?"
Duke Yurei reacted violently. It looked like a cheap trick to cover up the incident.
"That is undoubtedly my son! When the body was transported, I confirmed it was my son several times! The blue birthmark on his hip that he’s had since he was a child was right there!"
"No. That alone is not enough."
Erica spoke, tapping her fan against her lips.
"Physical characteristics are merely evidence; they cannot be the truth."
"What do you mean by 'truth,' Tower Master?"
She spoke. "Chairman?"
"Yes."
"It is a somewhat unusual request, but may I use Deadman Knock on Young Lord Yurei’s body?"
Deadman Knock. A 3rd Tier spell that temporarily revives the consciousness of the dead to extract information. If the conditions were met, it was an excellent spell for finding the truth. However, there was one major problem.
"Is—isn't that black magic?"
The fact that it was black magic.
"Are you saying you can use black magic, Tower Master?"
"Yes. It’s something not recorded in the biographies known to the public. But those who know me will be aware of it. And I have never hidden it."
Erica was the strategist of the Twelve-Member Expedition. Erdes had handled the magical firepower, while Erica chose to equip herself with as many tools as possible to increase the means of overcoming obstacles. Black magic was one of the tools Erica had prepared.
"Absolutely not!"
Joseph Faust, the leader of the Alte Faith, vehemently opposed it.
"Black magic is a byproduct of demons, a foul darkness! As an apostle of Alte, I can never permit it within the Empire!"
Erica then asked, "Are you saying it cannot be used even for the sake of the truth?"
"Of course. No black magic of any kind can be tolerated within the Empire."
Joseph Faust stood his ground. Those watching him boldly defy a Blue Dragon Spawn felt a chill down their spines. It was a display befitting a hardliner, but it was closer to reckless stubbornness that ignored the situation.
Erica did not take this emotionally either.
"Very well. If the President of the Serdes Magic Society also objects, I will gladly stop."
Her gaze turned toward Erdes. Erdes, who had been watching for a while, had a look of displeasure on her face. They looked at each other as if they were ready to tear each other apart. Perhaps this plan would fail.
—She will help. Because we know each other better than anyone.
That was what Erica had told a doubtful Ferda.
"Do it."
Just as he thought that, Erdes spoke. Joseph was more surprised than Ferda.
"By 'do it,' you mean..."
"There's no need to make it complicated. I'm telling her to use the magic."
The audience, who had been doubting their ears, were shocked to hear it again.
"The President is letting black magic be used...?"
"Is she turning a blind eye because they were members of the same expedition...?"
Sweating in bewilderment, Joseph asked, "What do you mean, President? Are you saying you will tolerate black magic?"
"No. That’s not what I meant."
"Doesn't turning a blind eye just this once go against your principles? As the President of the Society, you should show more consist—"
"God, you’re so fucking loud."
Erdes picked at her ear and glared at Joseph.
"Do you know why I hate Black Magic? It’s because of the bastards who sell their souls to demons. They end up devouring their own children and becoming such low-life scum they don't even recognize their own parents. Do you think our Erica sold out her own mother to get what she has?"
"Even so, this is—"
"Shut up. You’re just a wet-behind-the-ears brat who hasn't a clue what kind of hell we went through during the Dragon-Demon War. How dare you talk back to me?"
Erdes rose from her seat and fixed Joseph with a piercing stare. Joseph began to wither under the sheer weight of her presence.
"Actually, I’m the one who can’t understand why you’re so hell-bent on opposing this. This could give us the truth, couldn't it? Is it because you’re so damn sure nothing can hide from your precious Alte’s light? Or is it—"
"Councilor Roton," Akad interrupted. "Refrain from such mockery, please."
Erdes exhaled a sharp breath, venting her rising irritation. She rested her chin on her hand and turned her gaze back toward Erica. Once again, the old bitterness between them hung heavy in the air.
"Go ahead and use it. That is my official stance as the President of the Magic Society."
It was the bond of comrades who had once fought side-by-side, back-to-back.
The body of Young Lord Yurei was brought from the autopsy room to the witness stand. Pure mana began to coalesce in Erica’s hand. The moment it formed a magic circle, the mana liquefied, turning into something resembling dark, viscous tar.
The mass of tar slithered into the seven orifices of the young lord’s corpse.
"Uuuggghhh...!"
The Black Magic, Deadman Knock, took hold, and the dead man stirred.