Chapter 99
Chapter 99
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Residual Scent
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◆
To Bisels, Carlyle Bellfast was a man whose every action was utterly baffling.
Sure, assaulting an imperial prince like him in the first place meant he wasn't right in the head, but if you took your eyes off him for a second, he'd cause some kind of incident—that had become routine.
"Yes, Tower Lord. Yes. No, even if you ask when we can meet next, you're a busy person, so—"
"⋯⋯."
Watching Carlyle respond awkwardly to the person on the other end of the communicator, the prince barely clung to his slipping sense of reality.
So, piecing together the gist of the conversation.
"⋯⋯You've addicted her to those degenerate perversions again⋯⋯?"
Apparently, he'd gone wild with some second- or third-base deviant acts with the Tower Lord.
Intensely enough that she was begging to know when they could do it again next time.
⋯⋯With one of the Magic Kingdom's representatives from across the continent.
Wasn't she a famous figure who even graced the covers of popular magazines?
"⋯⋯Setting aside the inaccuracies for now, you can use informal speech with me."
There was no hero here to snap his jaw around for the tone.
"⋯⋯I-Is that really okay⋯⋯?"
"⋯⋯."
Sweat beading on his forehead as he glanced nervously—it seemed like deep-seated PTSD toward her.
"Please just answer honestly."
Carlyle sighed and pulled out his question.
"What exactly is this Grand Review that's got them summoning me?"
From what he'd checked before, the 1st Prince and 2nd Princess were swamped without a moment's rest.
Yet the invitation scheduled a full week for it.
The coercive power to drag in those closest to the throne—excluding the emperor, bedridden and on the brink—was impressive enough.
But what really bothered Carlyle was something else.
"⋯⋯It said to bring only 'Princess Ilia,' no 'entourage.'"
Bring Ilia and only Ilia.
That was the key point.
Leave all other companions behind.
⋯⋯Frankly, it felt off.
He was confident he could handle crises on his own without the hero.
But considering his direct experiences with the imperial family, this was basically walking in disarmed.
So, before entering the tiger's den, shouldn't he at least gather intel?
"⋯⋯Well, basically, it's just a Grand Review. The imperial army and key supporters show up, pat each other on the back for good work, exchange greetings. That's the official line."
"And in reality?"
"The kingdom of beasts. The weak get devoured."
"⋯⋯."
Gathering major figures from across the empire meant power dynamics had to be discussed inevitably.
Conspiracies in back rooms, underhanded schemes and politics bubbling beneath the surface.
"Powerful people, in a place where they have to 'physically' show their faces, compete to prove just how strong they are. That's the core."
Bisels explained in a voice thick with world-weariness.
"The powerless get eaten there. On the surface, it's loyalty oaths, but really, it's forced enslavement. Refuse that, and⋯⋯"
Bisels trailed off briefly.
Even as a prince, there were memories he hated recalling.
"⋯⋯Well, you can guess the rest."
"I see."
"And you'll probably be forced to choose sides there too. You've leveled up quite a bit, haven't you?"
Subduing a demon in the capital.
Taming a catastrophe-level beast.
Pulling off a massive feat during the Death March.
For a hero's squire, he'd already accomplished plenty without her help.
He'd thoroughly stamped himself on the minds of the high-and-mighty snakes attending this Grand Review.
"But you seem awfully calm for someone getting dragged into that."
"⋯⋯I've got someone who toys with me on the edge of death every single day, so threats like that don't faze me anymore."
"⋯⋯."
Ah, right.
This guy was 'that' hero's squire.
That realization hit Bisels too, but she soon shook her head.
"Even so, don't let your guard down too much. The place you're heading is—"
"—the continent's greatest and worst den of vice. I know."
He'd heard it countless times, experienced it endlessly.
No room for carelessness.
He could get devoured in an instant.
"⋯⋯."
Carlyle pondered silently, fiddling with his hands.
"In short, being invited as a special guest means parading myself like merchandise in front of people who want to slap their name tag on my neck?"
"Exactly."
"No need to worry. Who I serve was decided from the start."
"⋯⋯What does that mean?"
"It means you answered well. I already know how to handle a spot like that."
"⋯⋯."
This guy's definitely scheming something weird again.
The look on his face screamed certainty⋯⋯
"You're not planning another insane stunt, are you?"
"Nope."
Carlyle answered flatly.
"Unless someone picks a fight first."
"⋯⋯."
Ah, like Bisels, who picked the fight first and ended up like this.
Come to think of it, just as she'd asked him a question, she had one for him too.
"Um, when can I get my body back⋯⋯?"
"Hmm—"
Carlyle stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Soon, a friendly smile accompanied his response.
"Depends on how this goes?"
"⋯⋯."
"I've still got a ton of work for you, Your Highness."
"⋯⋯."
"You were handed over in the first place so the Gray Cardinal could have me work you to the bone, right?"
⋯⋯This devilish bastard.
◆
Entering the imperial palace was, predictably, a nightmare from the starting procedures.
Days of grueling paperwork akin to hard labor, followed by exhausting inspections, just to barely reach the capital's heart.
And that was just to enter the 'residential village' on the palace outskirts—not even the main palace where the Grand Review would be held.
⋯⋯Actually, even tougher was soothing the others, who were sulking about him going off again.
"Whew, I'm beat, so beat."
With that, Carlyle rubbed his eyes.
There was still some time before entering the palace proper.
'Princess Ilia is being escorted separately by the dean⋯⋯'
Carlyle would rendezvous with her inside the palace the day before the Grand Review.
So, best to handle what needed doing first.
-System Log
▶ Trait 'Hero's Companion' activates.
▶ Part of the 'Reformation List' is updated!
[ ★ Arrogance 80% → 70% ]
▶ Reward granted!
▶ Check the Trait tab!
"⋯⋯Ughhh⋯⋯"
Carlyle scratched his head at the window's contents.
It was the reward from clearing the quest for taming Blackie earlier, left unused since he hadn't needed it.
'⋯⋯What could I even use it on?'
[⋯⋯Leisure rotting away in excess.]
'No, but I've gotten pretty strong now, so I can handle most crises solo.'
Sure, there were still plenty of abilities he could borrow from the hero, but honestly, using some on his own body would be suicidal.
Things like 'Sky Invasion' or 'Sun Drop'—just reading them made him dizzy; best not to touch those.
So, among what he could actually 'use' now, viable options were limited.
[⋯⋯Hm, there's one fitting one.]
'Really?'
[For waltzing into a den of sleazy bastards like this, it'll help.]
With that, Carlyle slowly scanned the recommended ability.
-Skill Info
◆ Super Sense
The way one at the pinnacle of superhumans perceives the world is extraordinarily unique.
Draws out mana to stimulate the nervous system, perceiving all surrounding signs more acutely.
⋯⋯Oh.
As expected of the hero's ability. The description alone was extraordinary.
[Normally, I could detect and inform you of various things, but in sword form, there are blind spots now and then.]
The words came with a hint of reluctance.
[If you wield this yourself, you could sense even more acutely.]
⋯⋯That would definitely help.
Superior senses were always advantageous.
"Shall I give it a try, then?"
With that, he drew out his mana.
"Whoa, gonna puke."
He regretted it immediately.
⋯⋯Trying it once flooded his brain with info like it was on fire.
Like thousands of cameras running at once, or dozens of books' worth of text caressing his mind simultaneously.
Did the hero handle this volume constantly? Monsters were monsters.
Well, Carlyle could still filter out urgent info.
"Not locked, so come in, Your Highness."
"⋯⋯."
Panic seeped from beyond the door.
"I didn't make a sound. How'd you know it was me?"
"Heard the rhythm of your footsteps?"
"⋯⋯You can identify people just by footstep rhythm?"
Carlyle couldn't.
The hero could.
Anyway, Bisels opened the door with a drained look.
"This is how you wear it, right?"
"⋯⋯."
Maid outfit.
Worn neatly and sharply—not her first time.
Feeling Carlyle's gaze, Bisels furrowed her brow.
"⋯⋯What."
"No, just thinking you don't seem embarrassed like before."
"What're you gonna say to someone who practiced putting on underwear alone."
"⋯⋯."
"I've stripped you plenty, but you've never dressed yourself. The self-loathing from back then—you wouldn't—"
"⋯⋯I don't need that level of detail."
Why would a grown man listen to tales of a guy in women's underwear?
"⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
Carlyle and Bisels fell silent together.
Humans were adaptable creatures, the perfect specimen right here.
Anyway.
"Well, looks perfect for disguise."
This was the 'attendant' Carlyle had chosen.
Well, she was ideal for spying from within.
Sharp on political dynamics as a former prince, skilled enough to be picked as envoy by both prince and princess, and in this form, no one would suspect.
Plus, with Carlyle holding the kill switch to restore her original body, she obeyed well.
"⋯⋯Ah, forgot my smokes."
⋯⋯Though that made her search for tobacco with a haggard face.
Watching Bisels fumble at her chest, Carlyle tilted his head.
"You smoke?"
"Always have. You don't?"
"Quit."
"Quit? You don't look the type."
"Only when I'm depressed beyond words. Want me to find some?"
"⋯⋯? How at this hour? Shops are closed."
Unless cigarettes fell from the sky.
But no worries.
"It's fine. I can find them easy."
With his new 'perception,' he could even count nearby flies.
Tracking nearby tobacco was child's play.
[⋯⋯Is using my ability for that okay, liege?]
'Practice makes perfect, right?'
The longer he maintained it, the more useful it'd be.
Thinking that, Carlyle smirked and circulated mana again.
"⋯⋯."
He stiffened briefly.
"What? Why the face?"
"⋯⋯No."
Carlyle scratched his chin.
"Found something more harmful than smokes."
With that, he gazed where the 'Residual Scent' clung to his Super Sense.
It hadn't been there before.
A familiar smell.
Unforgettable.
'Hero.'
[⋯⋯This is definite.]
Demonic energy.
Hell's aura.
⋯⋯A demon was nearby right now.
◆