Chapter 60: A Deal with the Devil
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60: A Deal with the Devil
“It seems the humans and dragons are starting to catch on.”
The meeting room was shrouded in darkness. A secret conference was underway, the participants' identities hidden even from one another.
“Starting to catch on?”
“Is it because we suggested a link between the monster outbreaks across the continent and the second coming of the Demon Race?”
“Who exactly is harboring such suspicions?”
“The faction from Escoleia.”
“Escoleia? Is that not the gathering place of the continent’s greatest minds—the Lighthouse of Knowledge?”
While some voices were laced with concern, others dismissed the news as trivial.
“It’s a place where all sorts of intellectuals gather, so naturally, there are many eccentric types. The high and mighty of the continent won’t believe them so easily.”
“Indeed, there hasn’t been much sign of agreement. Even if those two things are linked, it’s not enough to convince the noble lords.”
“Still, the fact that they made the connection at all is bothersome.”
“What was the conclusion?”
“The White Dragon Blancaros personally put the matter on hold.”
“So, we’ve bought some time.”
“The humans might be clueless, but the dragons will have already begun their investigation. If we are discovered, we’ll be suppressed before the war even begins.”
The participants lowered their heads, letting out heavy sighs. The greater the effort invested, the more crushing the potential failure.
“What shall we do? I believe we should create a diversion now, while we still can…”
“That is out of the question.”
A man who had remained silent for a long time finally spoke. His voice instantly commanded the heated atmosphere. He was the leader of this group.
“And why is that?”
“That is exactly what the White Dragon is hoping for.”
“Hoping for?”
“If we move in response to those words, he will realize that there are still enemies within the Grand Council.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“We proceed as planned. That is the better course. It will be enough if we make it look like something that was bound to explode after years of buildup finally did.”
“Can… can we really make it look that way?”
“The only variables I have to worry about are your loose tongues.”
It was an insulting remark, but the others only stole glances at one another. No one dared to voice a complaint.
“If that is your opinion…”
“Aside from that, are there any other peculiarities?”
“If there is one other thing, it would be…”
The man didn’t have to strain his memory. There was one human who had left a vivid impression on him.
“There is a man named Ferda Valdrova.”
The others were startled by the name.
“You mean Valdrova’s brat of a fiancé?”
“What is there to say about a fool who walked into the dragon’s maw of his own accord?”
“When I first heard the rumors, I thought the same. But seeing him in person, he is quite different.”
The middle-aged man was a noble and a lord before he was a Demon Follower.
“I believe we may need to be wary of him.”
“What level of alert?”
“I believe he should be designated a threat level on par with Alberdo, the Walking Fortress.”
“That seems like a premature judgment.”
“It took five years for Alberdo, that damned butcher, to become a threat. But this boy has barely started his term—”
“That is exactly how dangerous he is.”
“To be so intimidated by a mere brat. You’ve aged for nothing.”
The others looked at him with disdain, and the man looked back at them with equal contempt. Since they could not read each other's minds, conflict was inevitable.
Just then, a masked man walked into the meeting room and whispered into the ear of a noble seated there. Upon hearing the news, the noble’s expression became complex and subtle.
“A messenger has just brought unfortunate news.”
Embarrassment from failure clouded his face.
“It seems the Escoleia Overwriting has failed.”
'Overwriting' was the code name for the operation. It involved using Dopplers from the Demon Race to take the places of high-ranking nobles. Some in this very room had already infiltrated through Overwriting.
“And the one who stopped it was none other than Ferda Valdrova.”
Those who had been mocking him just moments ago now sat with their mouths agape. As if rehearsed, everyone turned their gaze toward the leader.
The leader’s complex expression shifted into a slight smile before crumpling into bitterness. Even their leader was annoyed by this unexpected turn of events.
“Do you think the existence of Dopplers has been revealed?”
The question was devoid of any composure. The fact that there were demons capable of disguising themselves as humans was on a completely different level than a simple conspiracy being uncovered. It was equivalent to realizing that critical detonators for a bomb had been planted everywhere.
The leader spoke his conclusion, reached through cold, rational thought without a shred of hope.
“It is likely to be exposed.”
“Hmm…”
The leader tapped his face with his finger.
“Who was the head of the Escoleia Overwriting?”
“…”
“I asked who it was.”
A man cautiously raised his hand.
“I-I was in charge of this—”
Before he could finish his sentence, his head was severed. His body slumped forward and collapsed onto the floor.
“Gasp…”
“Heh…”
Silence and terror filled the room, now thick with the scent of blood.
“Messenger.”
“Yes.”
The man who had brought the bad news stepped forward. The leader threw something to him. It was a syringe filled with a black liquid.
“From today, you are Viscount Battlehorn.”
“I am grateful for your grace.”
The masked messenger plunged the syringe into his own neck. Instantly turning into a black mannequin, the man ruthlessly absorbed the blood spraying from the severed neck of the previous viscount.
Viscount Battlehorn was dead, and a new Viscount Battlehorn had taken his place. Those sitting in the room swallowed hard at the vacancy that had been filled so instantly. It was a warning that no matter who died, their position could be replaced at any time.
“Bring the research on Dopplers to a close. The time for leisurely research is over.”
“Understood.”
“Dispose of the remaining stock and clean up everyone associated with the research data.”
“Yes.”
The method of cleanup was simple. Their research facility was located beneath a mountain. They only had to bring the mountain down.
* * *
“The Grand Council is over. Are you not returning?” Ruri asked.
“Something has come up.”
“Lady Valdrova will be waiting.”
“I know. It weighs on my mind to keep her waiting.”
“And yet, you will not go?”
“This is important.”
It was important enough to make things like the appearance of monsters seem trivial. This was a place that held the clue to eliminating the things that had caused Valdrova so much pain. Ruri knew this as well. It was because she knew where he was going that she spoke.
“That place is Silverwind territory.”
Ferda nodded. “I know.”
“Goz currently hates you, Lord Ferda.”
“I know that as well.”
“The Demon Race is a common enemy. But the enemy of an enemy is not necessarily a friend. If you enter that territory… you will have to get blood on your hands.”
Silverwind hated the Demon Race. Ferda also loathed the demons who tormented Valdrova. However, they would not welcome Ferda.
“That is why we are proceeding with this secretly.”
“…”
“It is dangerous, but once it is finished, there will be no lingering consequences.”
Ruri’s lips trembled. You must not go. Those words wouldn't come out.
“…Are you going?”
“I must.”
“Understood. Then I shall wait for you.”
“No, you should return.”
“…”
“While I am away, your job is to protect my spouse.”
Ruri bit her lip. She didn't like it and naturally wanted to refuse. But the words wouldn't form. Ruri had no right to go against his will.
“Please return safely.”
Ruri left the room. Ferda began to calculate various factors as he prepared for the secret expedition.
Focusing on mobility and keeping supplies to a minimum, even if I push it with a medium-scale teleportation magic circle, it will take a day.
One day.
It was fast for attacking a country, but slow for a single research facility. Moreover, the other side wouldn't be sitting idle. News of the failed kidnapping of the President of Escoleia would have reached them by now. They would be moving quickly to prepare for any situation.
It would be great if I could have someone like Ruri carry everyone and fly at her speed, but…
That was Silverwind territory. He had already experienced what happened when Ruri encountered Silverwind. Ferda did not want to involve Ruri. And he shouldn't.
This matter must be settled by us as much as possible.
The next important thing was combat power.
Did they say the research director is a 5th Circle mage?
The researchers under him were merely assistants at the 1st or 2nd Circle, but the director was said to be a powerful mage. It would have been good to know what kind of magic he used and how he fought, but torture couldn't extract information that wasn't there.
I’ll have to handle that mage myself.
Of course, he shouldn't engage in a direct confrontation. Ferda considered the cards he held.
Shadows that can be manipulated without chanting.
When manifested, they took the form of a Shadow Hand, but they could also take the shape of octopus tentacles or something flat like parchment. Their power increased in the absence of light, but they became weak enough to crumble if the light was intense.
It’s not a technique meant for that in the first place.
It was Barbatos’s magic, centered on secrecy and schemes. It was used as a means for psychological warfare and catching the opponent off guard rather than direct combat.
According to the Shape of Shadow, this is a part of the body.
The shadow was used as a part of the body and perceived as such.
That means magic is also possible through the Shadow Hand.
It was possible, but it was a task that required a high understanding of magic. It went beyond simply making it similar to an actual arm; it required manifesting the mana pathways and circuits through which mana flowed.
Ferda concentrated his mana into one of the manifested Shadow Hands. The mana flowed beneath his feet, traveled through the connected black shadow, and gathered in the black hand. He went through the series of steps to draw a magic circle.
Blue particles sprayed from the black hand, and he succeeded in drawing a white magic circle. With this, he could launch a surprise attack on an opponent anytime, anywhere. However, Ferda frowned.
The completion time for the magic circle is about four times the average.
It was slow enough that a skilled mage could respond the moment they noticed it. Unless he perfectly understood the type of opponent and the location of the battlefield, it was a reckless gamble.
There’s no need to think about that.
Wits over prediction. Immediate reaction was more important than coming up with countless hypotheses. That was what Ferda did best. So, keeping the fact that he had such a means in mind, he lay down.
He tried to get some sleep. It was better to look forward to tomorrow than to harbor worries about a situation he couldn't control.
It was then.
The moment he tried to close his eyes, Ferda’s mind snapped awake. His intuition had detected something strange in the vicinity.
Hmm…
It was something he had never felt in the castle. Naturally so. Valdrova Castle was surrounded by layers of isolation magic stronger than even the protections around the Empire’s emperors. An intrusion would not be easily permitted.
However, the Count’s mansion was a different story. Compared to Valdrova Castle, it was as flimsy as a net rotting in seawater.
Who is coming?
Ferda heard and felt the ripple of mana. Soon, the pungent smell of sulfur brushed the tip of his nose.
“Hello, darling.”
A seductive voice he had heard once before. It was Sitri, the Demon of Lust.
“Get out.”
“Oh my, how cold. Were we really that kind of relationship?”
Her serpent-like tongue flicked over her lips as she approached.
“I have no intention of forming a contract with you, Sitri.”
“I don’t have the slightest intention of contracting with you either. I can’t stand your type. You’re difficult to handle, and even if I did, you wouldn't be handled properly.”
“Then why are you wasting your time? Get out.”
“Don’t be so hasty. I’ve come to do business.”
Ferda’s face crumpled even further.
“Is there any fool who does business with a demon?”
“There is. Right here.”
She pointed her index finger softly at Ferda. Ferda raised both hands to cover his ears.
“The research facility you’re planning to raid will be completely destroyed within six hours.”
His hands stopped. It was information he couldn't ignore.
“Don’t give me that look asking how I know. Would a Great Demon not know even that much?”
Sitri enjoyed Ferda’s reaction.
“So, how do you know?”
“Come now, darling. Most of the ones I drive like dogs are high-ranking nobles. Big babies who can’t be satisfied with ordinary pleasures. Among them are those who have joined hands with the Demon Race.”
It was something he had already suspected. The attempted kidnapping of the President of Escoleia was proof of that.
“The kidnapping failed, and the one who was supposed to become the President was captured alive. If, by some chance, he spills the location under torture, the facility is at risk of exposure, isn't it?”
“So they’re going to destroy it.”
“Even if you leave now, you’ll be too late. Even if you combine all the means you have, it will take a day or two.”
“If we move quickly, we can move now.”
“Using that little spawn? Of course, it’s possible. But if you do that, do you think Silverwind will just sit by?”
There was no way they would. From the moment Ferda set foot in Silverwind territory while at the White House, he was already an enemy to them. If they had an excuse, they wouldn't hesitate.
It was a problem. Sitri was accurately seeing through the current situation. That was why she had come to propose business.
“Looking at your face, I feel like we’re going to have a good talk now. Is my intuition right?”
Sitri pressed for an answer. Ferda’s blue eyes moved quietly, trying not to let his intentions be read.
“What can you do for me?”
As if she had been waiting for those words, Sitri reached into her bodice. She pulled out a thick scroll.
“It’s a scroll inscribed with the Bending Bridge spell. Do you know what kind of magic it is?”
“A teleportation-type magic that connects two spaces within a dimension.”
“Oh, what an intellectual man. Correct. You know how outstanding its reputation is, don’t you?”
It allowed for movement so stealthy that it made most detection magic look cheap, and because it connected space to space, it had persistence. It was the perfect magic for his situation, where he needed to approach secretly.
“Is that all?”
“If you need more, my minions will play with those Silverwind pests. I’ll give you enough time to turn that place into a wasteland and steal all the research secrets.”
Moving a long distance in an instant and buying time—those were Sitri’s conditions. The terms were too good. Far too good. That was why, instead of snapping it up, he thought carefully about the proposal.
The opponent was a demon. A demon would never enter into a contract that was disadvantageous to them. For it to be this exceptional meant there was a corresponding difficulty or price.
“What is it that you want?”
“There is a foolish demon inside that facility.”
“A foolish demon?”
“Yes. I told her to go seduce a man, but she’s a foolish girl who fell head over heels for him instead.”
“Is that even possible?”
“That’s why I said she’s a foolish demon.”
Sitri let out a sigh.
“If she dies there, she can’t even come to Hell. She’ll be completely annihilated and fall into the void. So, could you bring her out and kill her outside? So she can be reverse-summoned back to Hell?”
“That’s a very compassionate proposal.”
“What can I do? We demons have to look out for each other. There’s such a thing as warmth, you know?”
“That’s a load of nonsense.”
Sitri was the Demon of Lust. She was the furthest thing from warmth.
“Goodness, fine. I’ll tell you the truth. She’s one of my daughters.”
“I see.”
“She’s of age, so I should let her be independent… but sigh, what can I do? A mother has to save her. I should wrap her in my skirts, but my skirts are so thin and… short.”
Sitri fluttered her skirt seductively.
“Your proposal is that you will help us while we perform a rescue.”
“You scratch my back, I scratch yours. How about it? Isn't it a wonderful proposal?”
Ferda thought about it once more. Only one sentence came to mind.
Never strike a deal with a demon.
“Can you swear on your name that you are not leading us into a trap?”
“I swear by the name of Sitri, Great Demon of Hell. I have no intention of leading you into a trap. Once you rescue that child, your mission is over.”
Sitri gave her word. Ferda nodded.
“Fine. I’ll take that deal.”
“You’re more decisive than I thought. Good.”
Sitri placed the scroll she had been hovering in the air onto the bedside.
“The time I can buy you is two hours starting from now. Eight people can enter at once, and only eight can come out. Be sure to remember that.”
Leaving those words, Sitri quietly faded into the darkness. As soon as her form completely vanished, Ferda’s door burst open. Count Consilus and armed knights rushed in.
“Regent! Are you alright?”
“I am fine.”
“A demonic intrusion was detected inside. We must search—”
“No, there is no need. That demon has gone.”
“Did the demon say anything—?”
“And the expedition is canceled.”
“Pardon? What do you mean…?”
Ferda didn't even have enough time to explain. So, he simply gave an order.
“We begin the operation within one hour. Assemble the elite troops.”