Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Scheme (3)
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The appearance of the Church's forces turned the jousting arena deathly silent, as if cold water had been dumped over it.
The nobles felt greater fear at the Church's arrival than they had at the sight of black mana.
They knew full well that when it came to anything involving black magic, the Church went berserk like rabid dogs.
"Da, damn it all!"
The first to break the silence was Jackson Cutter.
Realizing there was nothing good to come from sticking around, Jackson Cutter tried to flee.
But Demian wouldn't let go of his wrist.
"Let go of me, you... Gahk!"
The moment Jackson Cutter tried to resist, the Church's Holy Knights charged in.
They smashed the hilt of a sword into the back of his head, forcing him off his horse. Then they wrenched both his arms behind his back.
While Jackson Cutter was being subdued, the remaining Holy Knight approached Demian and bowed. He was a man with a face as large and plump as a full moon.
"Sir Demian, a pleasure. I am Thomas, a Grade 2 Holy Knight of the Church."
Unlike regular knights, Holy Knights identified themselves by rank. A Grade 2 Holy Knight was equivalent to a mid-class knight.
'As expected, connections are everything.'
The night before, Demian had sent Victor to contact the Church branch in a nearby city.
The message was that a heretic would likely appear at the jousting arena, so they should dispatch Holy Knights.
As a bonus, he mentioned that one of the heretics was a mid-class knight, so they should send someone of matching caliber.
Not only had the Church immediately honored Demian's request, but they had sent real firepower capable of handling a mid-class opponent.
Thanks to that, he could resolve the situation without lifting a finger himself.
It was fighting poison with poison.
"Just as you said, Sir Demian, there really was a filthy heretic here."
At those words, Jackson Cutter shrieked like a cornered animal.
"Wh-who are you calling a heretic? I haven't done anything wrong...!"
One of the Holy Knights smashed the scabbard into Jackson Cutter's mouth. Something crunched.
"A heretic who dabbles in black magic, and you talk too much."
"Don't dirty our ears. Shut your mouth."
The Holy Knights growled at Jackson Cutter as if they might kill him any second.
He shrank back at their killing intent.
"But Sir Demian, where is the other heretic?"
Demian pointed toward the stands with a finger.
Jacques Nuare sat there.
"That man is the mid-class heretic I mentioned."
Jacques Nuare's face twisted.
At the same time, Thomas charged toward him.
* * *
When the jousting matches had just begun, Jacques Nuare hadn't a worry in the world.
The bracelet he'd given Jackson Cutter was no ordinary item. It was crafted with utmost care by a black mage of ill repute.
Back when Jacques Nuare was a low-class knight, that bracelet had saved his life more than once.
If not for the major drawback of consuming life force and mana, he would have worn it constantly.
The jousting began, and Demian Haksen started moving.
Watching Demian knock knights off their horses with a single mount, Jacques Nuare felt anticipation swell.
He had no idea what opportunity Demian Haksen had seized.
But elevating Demian Haksen to low-class in just a few months suggested it was something extraordinary.
By killing Demian Haksen today, Jacques Nuare would claim both the Copperhead County and that opportunity.
A moment truly worth commemorating...
That was when Demian Haksen grabbed Jackson Cutter's wrist, and the bracelet shattered.
"...?"
Black mana billowed out in all directions.
Caught off guard by the unforeseen event, Jacques Nuare's mind filled with chaos.
But before he could sort through the confusion, something even more shocking happened.
Holy Knights revealed themselves from the stands.
"...!"
Jacques Nuare could only be stunned. They had been right beside him, yet he hadn't sensed them at all.
It was only after they shed their robes that he detected their presence.
Those weren't ordinary robes. They were special holy relics used by the Church for stealth operations.
The Holy Knights swiftly subdued Jackson Cutter.
Layer upon layer of turmoil left Jacques Nuare blank-minded for a moment.
Until Demian Haksen pointed him out.
"That man is the mid-class heretic I mentioned."
The Holy Knight charged at him, swinging his blade down.
Reflexively, Jacques Nuare raised his forearm to block.
The protector on his arm clashed with the blade, producing a sharp ring.
"Kyaaak!"
"Kiyaak!"
The clash of two mid-class knights unleashed tremendous shockwaves. Those seated nearby were flung back.
"A mid-class heretic after all!"
Flames blazed in the Holy Knight's eyes.
"To defile your God-given talents with black magic! Today, I'll tear you limb from limb and offer you to the Lord!"
"Zealots like you don't have a shred of reason. Spouting nonsense without a care proves it."
Jacques Nuare spoke in a calm voice.
But unlike his tone, his mind raced with countless thoughts.
The Church was a power as vast as the Empire itself. There was no corner of the continent beyond its reach.
As far as Jacques Nuare knew, almost no one had opposed the Church and lived.
"Don't yap back, heretic!"
White light erupted from Thomas's body. Strangely, even as it blazed, it didn't dazzle the eyes.
Divine power.
The miracle usable only by those who believed in and served God had manifested.
"I'll split your skull right now!"
Thomas poured strength into his arm, pressing the blade harder.
Jacques Nuare didn't resist. Instead, he used Thomas's force against him, launching backward over the stands.
"Where do you think you're running!"
Thomas bellowed and pursued. Intense clashes echoed from behind the jousting arena.
"As expected of the Church."
Demian watched in admiration.
No one was better suited to handle black magic.
"Hm...?"
Then, something caught Demian's eye.
Count Copperhead was fleeing the jousting arena, his face drained white as a sheet.
* * *
"Th-this can't be... For such a thing to happen in my territory...!"
Count Copperhead sweated profusely with every step, looking ready to collapse.
"Jacques Nuare! That fool used black magic on my land!"
The Church's inquisitors were tenacious and cruel.
They wouldn't let this end as just Jacques Nuare and Jackson Cutter's misdeeds. They'd investigate broadly and root out anyone connected.
"If it comes out that I was dealing with those bastards... N-no. I knew nothing. I knew nothing!"
Count Copperhead trembled nonstop as he walked.
Olivia gazed at him with utter contempt.
To think the man who usually acted so stern and cunning would crumble in terror at a real crisis.
"Olivia! I need to think of a solution! If the Church comes, say I collapsed and buy time! Got it?"
The moment they reached the tent, the count barked orders at Olivia.
She replied with a bored expression.
"That won't work."
"Do as I say! Why so much backtalk!"
At Olivia's retort, Count Copperhead yelled.
He desperately needed time to collect his thoughts.
"My lord, I wondered where you'd gone. For a nap?"
The sudden voice startled the count into whipping around.
Demian Haksen stood right behind him.
"...Demian Haksen! How dare you show your face before me!"
From the Holy Knights' attitude, it was clear Demian Haksen had summoned the Church.
To the count now, Demian was the enemy who had ruined everything.
"I came to discuss something with you, my lord."
"Nonsense! Knights! Drive this scum out!"
The count's knights blocked Demian.
"Don't come any closer..."
Demian struck each knight's jaw with his knuckles. It was too fast for anyone to follow.
The knights collapsed unconscious. The count screamed.
"My lord, this wounds me."
With that, Demian grabbed the count's collar and hoisted him up.
"You seem displeased that I called the Church... Have you forgotten you tried to have me killed?"
As Demian exuded killing intent, all color drained from the count's face.
"Shall we discuss this quietly inside? Or do you prefer another method?"
"I-I'll talk! I'll talk!"
The count cried desperately. Only then did Demian smile in satisfaction.
"You've made the right choice."
* * *
"My lord, I'm deeply disappointed."
Demian sat in a chair, propping his feet on the table.
The count was in no state to complain about his attitude.
"I thought we had a good relationship. Yet you tried to kill me behind my back."
"You must have heard some absurd rumor. I've never tried to kill you. What nonsense..."
"Lady Olivia told me everything. Jacques Nuare wanted my head, and you promised to clean up afterward, right?"
The count glared at Olivia. She met his gaze without flinching.
"Yes, Father. I told him."
"Olivia! Have you lost your mind? Why would you do this..."
Thud.
Demian stomped the table with his heel. The count shut his mouth again.
"My lord, I'm not finished."
"Y-you..."
"What if I tell the Church you were scheming with Jacques Nuare?"
The count's face turned ashen.
"I-I didn't know! I truly didn't! I never thought Jacques Nuare would use black magic..."
"You think that excuse will fly with the Church?"
The Church tolerated no connection to black magic, direct or indirect.
Moreover, the count was implicated in an attempted murder using it.
Pleading innocence wouldn't stick.
"Si-Sir Demian! Forgive me! I was wrong! Please, anything but informing the Church..."
"Even without me, Jackson Cutter will spill everything under torture. You know how brutal the inquisitors are."
At Demian's point, the count felt his strength ebb away.
"You may not know, my lord, but I have connections in the Church. Defending one noble like you is easy."
Demian said silkily. The count looked as if he'd met his savior.
"Y-you..."
"But there are conditions."
"T-tell me! I'll agree to anything!"
Demian counted on his fingers.
"First, permit the courtship between my brother and Lady Olivia."
"Th-that's simple."
"Second, declare me the winner of this jousting tournament."
"Of course!"
The first two conditions were easy. The next was the problem.
"Before year's end, cede half your territory to Lady Olivia."
"What nonsense is that? Half! Are you insane?"
The count flew into a rage. Demian's voice sharpened.
"Then go to the Church and claim your innocence."
The warning silenced him.
"Finally, as compensation, send 300 gold to Viscount Haksen."
"Three... 300 gold..."
"Isn't that a small price for trying to kill me?"
Faced with Demian's bloodthirsty words, the count fell silent again.
"What will it be?"
"G-give me time to think..."
"Decide now."
Demian said firmly. The count sighed.
"...I'll accept all your demands."
"Good choice."
Demian stood. Before leaving the tent, he gave one last warning.
"My lord, just so we're clear. If you break our agreement today or keep delaying..."
Demian unleashed his presence.
Mana and killing intent intertwined, engulfing the entire tent.
"..."
Overwhelmed by the terrifying power, the count was left dazed.
"I'll collect the price myself."
The count's head nodded slowly up and down.
* * *
Demian emerged from the tent with Olivia.
"Are you really okay with this?"
Demian asked, concern on his face.
The night before, he'd gotten Olivia's consent to reveal her father's plot.
The reward was half the territory.
This effectively severed her ties with the count.
"You don't need to worry. It doesn't bother me at all."
But Olivia replied without batting an eye.
"Father used me as a tool my whole life. Now, I'm just using him as one."
It was a chillingly cold statement.
Was it right to let a woman like this marry Abel?
Demian pondered briefly.
'Well, Abel's a bit naive. Might not be a bad match.'
That was when the two began walking.
Someone came running from ahead.
"De-Demian... There you are!"
Sophia Russell said, her face on the verge of tears.