Chapter 71
Thankfully, once we lifted the enchantment from the village men, everyone returned to normal. They'd only been drained of their life force without suffering any major harm, so they were just a bit weakened—no threat to their lives. Sure, sucking life force in the first place was the problem, but with no deaths, we let it slide.
For the record, the baron had been frail to begin with, so he was in real danger for a while. But thanks to the Saintess's divine power, he pulled through, and with some nourishing foods, he was on the mend. According to the others, he'd been hiking regularly and in great health before the enchantment hit.
"Honey!!"
"Ellin! I'm sorry... I must've lost my mind..."
Ellin, the villager who'd helped us out, had her husband back to normal too. He vaguely remembered what he'd done to his wife under the enchantment and kept apologizing profusely. She forgave him with a gentle smile. Even knowing his actions were manipulated by evil forces, she'd decided to forgive him from the start.
"Sorry, Ellin... I swear, I'll never hurt you with these hands again..."
"No... well, sometimes... it might be okay..."
"...?"
It seemed he'd accidentally awakened some hidden side of his wife, but I quickly erased it from my mind.
"Thank you. For noble guests like you to aid our territory... I don't know how to repay you."
The recovering lord tried to kneel in guilt, but we stopped him. It wasn't his fault—he'd been enchanted against his will—and he'd always been a good lord who cared for his people. Making him grovel felt wrong for us.
"Lord, I have a question."
"Ask anything, Princess."
"Do you remember any of what happened?"
The princess cautiously asked about the events. It felt a bit rude, considering he'd nearly lost his territory and let Lillia turn villagers into test subjects, but we had to confirm.
"Hmm... Yes. Not perfectly, but I recall what I said and bits from when I was bedridden and moaning."
"Your thoughts from the enchantment lingered?"
"Yes. I can't make sense of it now, but back then, my mind was consumed by the obsession that she was my wife and I had to bring her to the manor immediately."
An ability that clouded the mind and forced submission. Redirecting one's conscious thoughts toward her—it was terrifying in hindsight.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Come to think of it, what was I supposed to make of this woman who'd fallen for my life force and surrendered (forcibly)?
"Sorry, but keep this confidential. It's embarrassing, but it could cause massive chaos... In exchange, I promise full support for your territory, on my name."
If word got out that a Heaven God Cult executive had done this—and nearly controlled a whole territory—the empire would erupt in panic again. With her now our spy, we couldn't afford the uproar, so we had no choice but to report it as a rogue black mage's doing. Fortunately, the seasoned lord understood and agreed.
The princess pledged full aid for the village's recovery, and we returned to the Imperial Palace with Lillia.
* * *
The academy mattered, but we needed to explain the cult executive's handling and the full story of the village incident.
"Well now... I knew you were exceptional, but capturing an executive in that short time? Impressive."
With the prime minister's help—one of the emperor's closest aides—we'd snuck into the palace and were now meeting the emperor in secret. He'd heard a bit about Lillia's identity and eyed her with intrigued admiration.
"Hmm~ So you're the emperor that Jelros messed with? A bit old, but still got that wild charm on your face~ I kinda like—"
Smack!
"Ow! Why'd you hit me?!"
"You crazy bitch... Who flirts with the emperor in front of his daughter?"
I smacked the lunatic trying to seduce the emperor right in front of the princess. Girl, you'll get killed before you spy for us.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. As you see, her personality is... a bit much."
"No matter. I expected anyone leading in that group to be a few screws loose."
Was it the emperor's experience ruling the empire? He met Lillia's lecherous gaze without flinching, his bold curiosity fitting a true sovereign.
"So... you'll use her as a spy?"
"Yes. For a secretive group we can't infiltrate ourselves, sending a spy for intel is far better."
"Fair point, but it'll have many variables."
"Well..."
"Plus, she was in that territory from the start to drag my empire's people off as test subjects. Hard to just let her go scot-free."
He had a point. Sheltering someone who'd experimented on our people just because she was useful felt off morally.
"And for her to return without suspicion, she'll need test subjects. Where do we find them?"
"Send convicted criminals or death row inmates who committed major crimes—"
"They deserve punishment, yes, but by our hands. Extracting a bunch at once isn't simple anyway."
"I see. My thinking was short-sighted..."
Was I too eager for the intel? Hearing his near-refusal, I pondered executing Lillia here. Sensing my gaze, she shuddered and spoke up.
"H-Hey, Emperor! Er, Your Majesty!! L-Look, I was an executive! I didn't care much before, so I don't know tons, but spare me and I'll fetch anything! For real!"
"Then, can you get info on your cult leader?"
The emperor eyed her pathetic, death-fearing formality with disbelief and asked about their most guarded secret. If we could learn about that shrouded figure—!
"No idea. Never seen the leader's face."
"...Then execution it—"
"No no no! The leader never shows up!! How am I supposed to know someone I've never seen or met?!"
Recalling the cultists I'd encountered, I asked:
"Yet you follow such a shady figure?"
"I told you—his power's overwhelming. Accept it, and you leap past Expert level. Who'd refuse?"
"Hmm..."
With all his underlings boasting like that, his power must be beyond imagination. For them to challenge our empire—with me, Count Helios, and countless other powerhouses openly—meant they had a secret weapon that could beat even this force. If the leader was the ancient demon king from the tomes, rivaling gods... could we win?
"Our organization is run by the sub-leader anyway. I'm an executive, but I don't know much about him."
"Then tell us about this sub-leader."
"Hmm... He's got a kind face."
"...That's it?"
"He handles most Heaven God Cult stuff but rarely shows his face. Only at executive meetings or for big tasks—otherwise, he stays in his room."
"Hah."
"Still, he found my ability and powered me up. Uses the leader's strength too, so he's got trust. Sometimes feels like he's the real boss."
"Absurd."
"Hey, grunts aside—executives are all selfish types loyal to their desires~ They stick around 'cause it helps their goals. Otherwise, they'd bail. Total individualists."
A gathering of egoistic desire-driven folks. That summed up the Heaven God Cult nicely?
"When the sub-leader recruited us, he said he was gathering useful pawns for his vision of the future. So he's probably similar. No idea what that future is, though."
"...A different question."
The emperor, listening intently, shifted gears.
"Is Noctus-style life force that good?"
"Your Majesty?"
"The best! Top-tier among what I've tasted! Virgin tang makes it extra smooth~"
"Hey."
I nearly kicked her mouth shut for the nonsense but held back before the emperor.
"Virgin..."
"A virgin, eh."
"..."
What do I do? Suddenly wanna die.
Ignoring the women's whispers, the emperor declared as if resolved.
"Very well. I'll approve your plan."
"R-Really?"
"Know your enemy and yourself—victory in every battle. Without intel on them, an informant is key. One sacrifice for that? Worth it."
That sacrifice is me.
I shot him a cold glare; he coughed awkwardly and looked away.
"From what I hear, life force drain isn't fatal—just like transferring stamina. As an Aura Lord, no big deal for you. Can't half-kill regular soldiers for intel, right?"
"True, but..."
"Brushing off such a grave matter with life force quality? The empire's fortune. I'll reward you properly for the heavy task, so don't fret."
"...Understood."
And so, I ended up offering my life force as payment for Lillia to spy and extract Heaven God Cult intel.
All this stemmed from a father's selfish wish—hoping his daughter might give up her crush if he rolled around with other women, just to keep his little girl forever. I remained blissfully unaware.