Chapter 126
Chapter 126
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Swordmaster in a Count's Family
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I looked at Yuria.
Yuria had schooled her expression, frowning slightly as she stared at the tent entrance.
'There's no real reason to refuse. And I'm curious why Bella is so interested in Yuria.'
I trusted Yuria to handle the current situation well.
I spoke softly to her.
"Yuria. Talk with Bella. I'm curious why she's taking an interest in you."
"Yes. Understood."
Seeing her nod, I turned to Bella.
"Yuria says it's fine too. If you'd like to speak privately, shall I step out?"
"No, that's okay. Young Master Yujin, you're not feeling well, so please rest inside the tent. Yuria and I will talk somewhere a bit away."
I handed Yuria the wireless earpiece, camera, wiretap, and such. The wireless earpiece could be hidden in her hair, making it invisible. Even if discovered, Bella, being a native of this world, wouldn't know what they were.
"But does it have to be just the two of you?"
"It's a personal topic. It's not anything serious, so no need to worry."
"Something I shouldn't hear, then?"
"Hehe. Ask Yuria about it later."
Yuria, equipped with all the devices I'd given her, opened the tent flap and stepped out. I sat on the bed, feigning frailty as I waved weakly at Bella.
"Oh dear. Sorry to disturb your rest."
"No, it's fine. I'm feeling off today, so I need Yuria's care. Will the talk be quick?"
"Probably done in under thirty minutes."
"Young master. I'll be back."
Bella and Yuria left.
I immediately pulled out my laptop. I'd secretly attached the camera to Yuria's waist. With the sound of footsteps, Bella's back came into view. They were heading deeper into the forest.
"Yuria, you must have been surprised to be called out in the middle of the night like this."
"Yes. I was. I never dreamed Lady Bella would summon me."
"I didn't expect to meet you today either. I was shocked the moment I saw you."
"......We've never met privately before. What do you have to say to me?"
Was Bella connected to the Helbrith Ducal House somehow? From what I knew, there was no relation between Bella and the Helbriths.
Of course, my knowledge wasn't perfect. I wasn't the author of this world, after all. There might be hidden lore I didn't know about.
"Isn't this far enough? If we go too deep, it'll be trouble getting back."
"No, Yuria. A bit further."
They walked for nearly ten minutes, putting distance between themselves and the base camp.
Bella stopped. She turned to face Yuria. The warmth from earlier was gone from her face. She regarded Yuria with a cold expression. That was Bella's true face.
"Now that we're this far, no need to hide."
Bella's tone changed.
"I don't understand what you're saying, Lady Bella."
"I get it. We have to hide. If our true nature is revealed, we'll be shunned and eventually subjugated. We can only trust our own kind. That's why I was so glad to see you—we're the same."
"...Lady Bella, you're mistaken. We're not the same."
"No. We are. We're comrades."
With that, Bella began removing her dress. The ornate garment fell to her feet. My eyes widened. She wore no bra—just a single pair of panties.
'Pink nipples! G-cup!'
It was an overwhelming bust. In contrast, her waist was incredibly slender.
'She'd strip right here? What a slut.'
Bella grabbed her right breast and lifted it up. The underside, hidden by the massive mound, was revealed.
'A magic circle.'
A green magic circle was tattooed there.
Proof of her contract with a demon. Demon contractors bore such circles somewhere on their bodies—marks of the pact.
"See? Proof that you and I are comrades. You have one somewhere on you too. Show me."
"I haven't contracted with a demon."
I jolted upright.
The thought hit me—maybe Bella would try to kill Yuria. How strong was this Bella? Could she wield the demon's power fully? Could Yuria escape her successfully?
A storm of thoughts swirled.
"Don't lie. Hefel told me. He said you reek of demons and impure mana."
"Hefel. The Demon of Plague."
Hefel, the Demon of Plague. A top-tier demon recorded in numerous tomes.
'...I see.'
I now understood why Bella was interested in Yuria. Bella's demon had scented the impure mana Yuria possessed and the lingering aroma of the low-grade parasitic demon Saphin.
'When I smelled her, all I got was Yuria's sweet scent.'
Demon "scent" probably meant their aura. Yuria still tortured Saphin occasionally, after all.
"Lady Bella, you're mistaken. I haven't contracted with a demon."
"......You don't trust your comrade?"
"I've said it many times—I'm not your comrade."
"That's harsh. I was so happy to meet you, Yuria. But if you act like this... I might get angry."
The green magic circle on her began to glow faintly. Bella released her breast, letting it bounce heavily back into place.
"Yuria. I'll say it once more. We're comrades. Show me the proof on your body."
Dark mana rippled from Bella's form. Demon power. Similar to impure mana, but from a different demon—demonic energy.
Behind Bella, the silhouette of a demon appeared. Hefel, the top-tier demon she was contracted to.
I spoke urgently to Yuria.
"Yuria. Play along moderately. This is both a crisis and an opportunity."
Bella was a witch contracted to a top-tier demon. If she used its power fully, current Yuria would struggle. Even if I intervened, I had no clever solution.
Better to lie, then.
'And maybe use this to infiltrate Pantheum.'
Pantheum, the demon cult. I might gain ongoing intel on those headaches.
"Lady Bella. The truth is, I'm not contracted to a demon right now."
"...Right now?"
"I'm preparing to contract one. I did summon a demon, but it was low-grade, so I put it off. I want at least a mid-tier one."
I stared tensely at Bella on the screen. Would she buy it?
"I see. I understand. Summoning demons isn't easy. Without my family's treasure, I couldn't have contracted Hefel either."
She bought it.
I sighed in relief. The mana leaking from Bella dissipated.
"He said he sensed impure mana... How'd you get that?"
"I made it myself. I heard demons love impure mana."
"True. They adore it. Impure mana can even fuel their power. But even demons can't make it easily. You're impressive, Yuria."
"If you want, I can give you some impure mana."
"Really?"
Yuria pulled a glass vial of impure mana from her shadow.
Bella's eyes widened at Yuria's magic.
"...Yuria really is extraordinary. Hard to believe you haven't contracted yet. Any demon would jump at the chance with you."
"Summoning isn't easy."
Bella took the vial from Yuria. She uncorked it and held it high.
A green-skinned demon appeared behind her. Unknown slime oozed from its skin, its head resembled a fly's, and it had three mouths.
The Demon of Plague, Hefel, latched onto the vial and slurped the impure mana greedily.
-It's impure mana alright! Delicious! But the amount's a bit lacking.
The demon cackled.
"Yeah. I can feel my power grow a little. Impure mana is amazing."
-Exactly. So work on getting more. Skip the pointless noble games.
"They're not pointless. To act freely, no status beats nobility. And our goal is continental domination, right? Nobles are perfect for gaining ruling experience."
-Whatever. Don't get too absorbed. You have to keep sacrificing humans to me steadily.
The demon eyed Yuria.
I couldn't see Yuria's expression, but I could guess. Probably blank. She wouldn't fear a demon.
-Strong whiff of demon. You—did you summon a low-grade one and devour it?
"I've never eaten a demon."
-Kekeke. Not denying the kill, huh? Interesting woman. Bella, teach her demon summoning. She's got talent.
"Got it, Hefel. I think so too."
The demon vanished.
Bella dressed and taught Yuria demon summoning methods.
"For summoning, it's best to start with a ritual altar. Sacrificing someone under twenty makes calling them easier."
I shook my head at Bella's words. I didn't catch the exact magical terms, but it was gruesome enough.
"Understood."
"Yuria, want to come to the Hutris family with me? I'll help a lot. I want to learn how you make impure mana too."
"I can't. I have duties with the Frucker family. I'll teach you how to make impure mana. First, find a suitable prison, then..."
"Wow... You make it like that? Might be tough for me."
"You'll get used to it with practice."
They finished talking and returned to my tent.
"Did you have a good talk?"
Bella smiled brightly at my question.
"Yes! It was a delightful time. I'd love to chat with Yuria again."
"If you'd like, visit my territory next time. I'd welcome Lady Hutris with open arms."
"Ah, you're becoming lord of Tevra next month, right? Can I really visit?"
"Of course."
"No takebacks. I'll really come play."
"I'll look forward to it."
"Then, I'll head out. Sweet dreams, Young Master Yujin. And you too, Yuria."
"Yes. Good night, Lady Bella."
Bella left.
I grabbed Yuria's wrist, pushed her onto the bed, and climbed atop her.
Yuria's eyes met mine without a flicker. I reached out and caressed her soft cheek.
"I was worried. Yuria."
"I made you worry because of my shortcomings, master."
"Your shortcomings? No way."
I pulled down the clothing covering her breasts. Her pale mounds and pink nipples were exposed.
"No need to contract with demons. They're untrustworthy. They toy with pacts."
Demons valuing contracts was another world's tale. Here, they treated them like shit.
My left hand slipped under her skirt. Brushing her thigh stockings, I slid my fingers inside her panties covering her mound.
"Yes. I won't contract. Ngh...."
"We'll use Bella Hutris moderately, then kill her. Her plague power is dangerous."
She might be too risky to even use. Eliminate without mercy if needed.
"Haaah.... Master...."
Yuria exhaled hot breath.
Squelch.
A lewd sound came from her pussy.
???
The next day.
We departed at dawn as light broke. Soon, Hutris City appeared, where we parted from the Hutris siblings.
Before leaving, Bella secretly handed Yuria something. A book detailing demon summoning, contracting, and lore. If its existence were known, it'd cause an uproar.
No need to burn it. I could take it to reality, or store it in Yuria's shadow subspace. It couldn't be detected from outside.
Around noon.
We finally arrived at the Hughes Snow Mountains.