Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Demon Sisters of the Tobacco Shop (2)
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"Cecilia has a rare, incurable disease where mana backs up into her heart. Once she reached adulthood and her mana sensitivity surged, the strain from that hypersensitivity took its toll on her heart. Cases like this are incredibly uncommon, so Cecilia's illness is considered extremely rare..."
In truth, contracts with demon archdukes could only be made after reaching adulthood by demon race standards.
Whether it was a Dragon Heart or a World Tree seed, an immature mana core simply couldn't withstand the lethal demonic energy of a demon archduke.
Even after Cecilia came of age and fully formed her Dragon Heart, that energy proved too much. She failed to form a contract with even a single demon archduke, and the backlash corrupted her Dragon Heart.
Lucia had phrased it delicately as an incurable heart condition.
"That's why Cecilia needs specially refined medicine made from purified demonic mana stones just to stay alive. She's such a good girl... Why must she suffer from something so awful..."
"I'm fine, Lucia. Please don't worry so much."
Seeing Lucia's pained expression, Cecilia forced a bright smile. Her thoughtfulness matched her stunning beauty.
Tricia picked up where Lucia left off.
"That's why we sisters came to the capital. Purified demonic mana stones have a short shelf life. They quickly revert to their corrupted state."
Tricia was right. Outside the capital, brimming with holy obelisks, purified demonic mana stones were so fragile they reverted almost immediately.
To make matters worse, demon race members lacked the advanced purification techniques of the capital's holy priests. Thus, purified demonic mana stones were a unique commodity available only in the capital.
Had they not come here, Cecilia's Dragon Heart would have been destroyed, sealing her fate.
Her remaining days were numbered, and even those were worthless without any utility.
'A ruined Dragon Heart like that can't even attempt another contract with a demon archduke.'
So Tricia had risked everything to bring her blood sister to the capital. But infiltrating the capital as demons could provoke the palace's central tribunal and inquisitors—a grave taboo for their kind.
Because of that, the two had likely been abandoned by the demon king's house.
Lucia continued.
"But even in the capital, purified demonic mana stones are in huge demand. One stone alone costs as much as a commoner here would save in half a year... So I've been working as a guard to help cover the medicine costs, even if it's just a little."
Yet no matter how much Lucia contributed or how much the sisters earned at the tobacco shop, there were limits.
Even those exorbitant demonic mana stones were merely a stopgap. Prolonged use built up tolerance, barely holding her body's crumbling mana together as the medicine's effects waned.
A fundamental cure for the Dragon Heart required clearing a quest tied to the holy obelisks.
Tricia pressed on.
"That's why I always feel bad for Lucia. She helps us like this even though we're not blood-related... Of course, as a spirit user, I take odd jobs in the capital when I can... But purified demonic mana stones are rare and in high demand. If only the tobacco sold better..."
As Tricia and Lucia's faces darkened, Cecilia bowed her head with deep guilt.
"I'm sorry... Because of me, all you sisters..."
"No! It's not your fault, Cecile. Never say that again."
"That's right, Cecile!"
The other two jumped in surprise at her downtrodden look, rushing to comfort her. Even Lucia seemed like a blood sister to the pair in this tender moment.
Having heard their full story, a quest notification appeared in the system.
Demonization Sub-Quest 3: "Bonds Forged in the Name of Demons"
📍 Description: Awaken the demon blood within you by making contact with demon bodily fluids.
⏰ Details: Upon awakening, your bodily fluids will brim with demonic essence. For demons, they will provide mana stabilization superior to purified demonic mana stones.
It was a perfectly timed quest. Progress on the sub-quest had advanced since meeting these two. Just as the notification described.
Evidently, bodily fluids infused with demonic energy triggered the awakening of my own demon bloodline.
'So, contact with fluids from Tricia or Cecilia would enable demonization?'
But the target soon narrowed to one. The details clearly pointed to Cecilia.
My blood seemed closer to dragons than my father Lucifer's. Born warrior Reinhardt blood. Fittingly, the lion's blood resonated more closely with fellow beasts like dragons.
In any case, per the quest, Cecilia and I could aid each other.
'Still, the awakening requires bodily fluids. Not easy.'
I couldn't just demand them outright. Kiss or sex—either would brand me a perverted beastly count.
Especially with frail Cecilia, whom they cherished so dearly.
'There are ways, but I must proceed carefully.'
Some preparation was needed. I addressed the three with their gloomy faces.
"I'm the successor to an archduke and count of Harsen domain. If you wish, I can offer some assistance. Friends of a friend are friends to me. In the name of Count Harsen, I'll cover the medicine costs."
But Tricia shook her head.
"We appreciate the offer, Count Julian, but we're fine. We can't accept help from a stranger like that."
"No burden intended. But isn't a life at stake?"
"Really...?"
Tricia's eyes wavered fiercely at my words. But as Cecilia gripped her hand, she steadied herself.
"Still, we can't take your help without reason. It wouldn't be proper. Oh, listen to me. You're a guest in our home, Count, and we've burdened you with such depressing talk. Breakfast time—let's eat."
Tricia changed the subject. Understandable. They couldn't accept aid lightly. Despite their poverty, they were highborn demon royals.
Besides, carelessness could expose their identities. Not knowing I was kin, their caution was natural.
Tricia fetched food from the kitchen. She sliced a long, hard loaf into four pieces and filled four cups with thin soup, setting them on the small table in the cramped room's center.
"It's not much, but please eat up, Count. I put a bit more effort in since an esteemed guest visited."
I wondered what effort until Lucia explained.
"Rishi? Isn't soup for lunch?"
"A special guest calls for a treat now and then, Lucia."
Normally, they skipped soup for bread alone. Elves ate lightly, but... would this suffice for dragon Cecilia?
Yet the three ate with relish, looking fully satisfied. Having grown up in the slums, Lucia wasn't picky.
'I've taken lavish meals for granted.'
Chloe, the wealthy lady, would faint at this poverty.
Yet they refused unearned aid. Their demon royal pride stirred admiration in me.
After eating, as we chatted more, I spotted something intriguing.
"Craftworks everywhere. Collected them?"
I knew the maker but asked anyway. Bows, crossbows, miniatures of gear adorned the room.
Tricia said,
"Ah, those are Cecile's—Cecilia's makes. She's always been handy, close to skilled relatives. She'd hole up making things. Pretty impressive, right?"
They were exquisitely detailed, as Tricia claimed. The system confirmed.
"Cecilia the Dragon's Craftwork"
The handy relatives were likely dwarves—also demons. Bedridden as a child, Cecilia had learned crafting from them to ease her boredom.
Cecilia blushed at Tricia's praise.
"N-No big deal... Just... when the shop's empty... little toys I tinkered with..."
Modest, yet the system rated them Rare. Cecilia was a dragon exceptional in crafting over combat or magic.
Later items could be enhanced or repaired through her—why else include well-raised Cecilia in nest raids.
I sorted my thoughts. Ways to bond naturally, obtain fluids, keep Cecilia close.
Confident, I spoke.
"Craftwork, eh? I know my way around it. Made some in my private atelier, infused with my artistic soul."
Cecilia's eyes sparkled.
"Really? Crafting's such a joy. You're like me, Count."
"Indeed. But as an art order piece, practicality suffered. Anyway, Pantheon supports skilled folks like me."
"A private atelier? Makes sense. If the order backs you..."
Julian's sham atelier got no funding—all self-paid. But confirming their interest, I continued.
"Cecilia's skill is solid from what I've seen. Just came of age? Meets Pantheon's entry perfectly. Art and tech orders have laxer requirements. Care to hear more?"
Cecilia nodded vigorously, color returning to her frail face. I briefed Pantheon's system.
Art and tech orders were freer than the other four. Skilled adults could enter as art/tech scholars anytime.
And with talent, they could gain patronage from rich nobles or merchants.
"Wasting this talent on tobacco sales? Pantheon's faculty could hone it, earn more too."
Tricia's ears perked—elf instincts. But the offer seemed too good; she hesitated.
"But we're nameless country folk... practically commoners... with circumstances..."
Skill aside, vague status was the issue. In the holy empire, demons ranked below runaway serfs.
Pantheon accepted commoners but not fugitives. Tricia hinted as much.
"No worries there. If Essenmont Border Count's heir vouches for your status, no one questions it. Claim you're my domain's folk—undeniable."
"Still, we're strangers—such a huge favor..."
Tricia fell silent. Cecilia gazed at her with desperate longing.
Confined sickly since childhood, she'd dreamed of Pantheon life. Tricia couldn't resist her treasured sister's eyes.
She bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Count Julian. If her skill falls short, just check entry feasibility..."
"No concern. My eyes are sharp. Interviews will be easy."
Their wariness eased with my kindness. Lucia beamed beside them.
'Truthfully, placing Cecilia at Pantheon eases fluid access...'
A twinge of conscience, but it saved her too. Post-meal, we left the shop.
"Thanks for the meal. I'll relay entry via my coachman. Until next time."
"Yes! Thank you so much, Count Julian!"
"Th-Thank you!"
We departed the market amid their heartfelt farewell.
Back at the mansion, lunch was nearly over. I'd essentially stayed out overnight.
Eirin greeted me, face utterly expressionless, tone icy.
"Welcome back, Young Master. You're late."
After the pleasure district all-nighter, thinking him improved from wastrel—yet same old. Eirin might be disappointed.
But actually the opposite. She'd worried, folding my discarded clothes.
"Breakfast, Young Master? Skipping harms the body."
"Had some. Simple bread and soup—not hungry."
"Just that? For you, that's a snack... I'll prepare lunch at once."
Eirin hurried to the head chef, gravely serious. The perfect maid, ever fretting over my health.
Over lunch with her, I received Pantheon's upcoming schedule.
"Next week: mana lord lectures from the medical order, and Golden Wing combat eval. The medical prof sent you a letter ahead."
"A letter?"
"Yes. Reinhardt blood makes mana lords unlike ordinary folk. Crucial for you."
She was right. As she reported, I organized my tasks ahead.