Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 100
Chapter Title: Piercing Eyes #1
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〈 Chapter 99 〉 Piercing Eyes #1
If Elga, Mirna, and Aira could get along peacefully, that would be a blessing from my perspective.
Sure, I could play mediator if they clashed and squeeze some benefits out of it.
But strictly speaking, it was far better for them to live in harmony without causing any trouble.
In that sense, the sight of the young ladies from those four families sitting at the same table, sipping tea peacefully, should have been immensely satisfying to me.
“…….”
And yet, for some reason, I felt incredibly tense right now.
Elga and Mirna were just quietly sipping from their teacups in front of them, not saying a word. Only Aira waved at me happily as she looked my way.
“Theo, we were just talking about you. I heard something interesting. But it’d probably be best if you explained it yourself.”
Aira had heard something from Mirna and Elga, and she wanted me to fill in the details. The fact that Aira was asking me to explain was bewildering—too many possibilities came to mind.
Had Elga spilled something to Aira?
Or was it Mirna?
I’d piled up plenty of karma with both of them.
But getting flustered over something like this wouldn’t cut it for a queen’s retainer. So, I quickly scanned Elga and Mirna’s expressions and calmly turned back to Aira.
“So, what would you like me to explain? I’ll tell you anything I can.”
“That’s more like it.”
Aira wet her lips with a sip from her steaming teacup.
She fixed her black eyes on me.
It was a calm, ordinary gaze, but it felt like my body was stripped bare and being scrutinized.
A chill pierced my bones, and goosebumps raced down my back.
Magic.
A mage’s instinct told me that her intense stare just now had measured or appraised me somehow.
Aira spoke.
“Indeed, Theo. I can see now that some mana has taken root inside you.”
“ Mana?”
“Yes, I heard from these two. You fought a warlock, right? And you chanted spells to shine during the battle.”
“Ah-.”
Only then did I understand what Aira was getting at. She must have heard from Elga and Mirna about how I’d taken down Professor Ballan.
Regaining my composure and cool-headedness, I bowed my head.
“I was told today that I’ve just reached the 3rd Circle in my evaluation.”
“Ever since you came to this ark, your skills have been honing day by day. As your queen, I’m delighted. It’s only natural for the man I chose.”
Aira nodded proudly, as if it were a given. I wondered if that meant I didn’t need to explain further, but she added one more thing.
“There’s something important here. Theo, as your skills advance, I’ve decided to grant you a title.”
“A title?”
“Yes. I thought you didn’t need one, but Elga and Mirna both suggested it for once.”
Elga and Mirna had recommended to Aira that I be granted a title?
Just then, Elga set down her teacup and crossed her arms. Her slender forearms lifted her chest, which was hidden by her uniform, making for quite the view.
Ahem—she cleared her throat.
“Theo Gospel, for your contributions to Angmar thus far, the Lioness family will specially permit granting you a noble title.”
We’d been getting along fine, so why the sudden title? Could it be because of that half-lie I told Elga recently about being the descendant of a fallen noble house?
I tried to think calmly.
Elga had probably heard me say my goal was to revive my fallen house, so she was trying to help by granting me a title.
Then Mirna chimed in.
“Theo Gospel. You’re one of the men who proposed to me. To avoid making the Draco name look ridiculous, you naturally need the qualifications to match.”
At Mirna’s words, Elga slammed her palm on the table as if indignant.
“Granting a title for some personal reason like that? Isn’t that abuse of power? Is the Draco family, so strict about rules and doctrine, finally running out of steam?”
Elga snorted derisively, and Mirna shot back without backing down.
“Personal reason? He fought Professor Ballan for the honor of my father, Aleister Draco. That’s more than enough reason for praise.”
“Well, that’s true, but-.”
Elga seemed frustrated, fumbling for words as if she couldn’t organize her rebuttal. She really was weak in verbal sparring.
I felt a bit sorry for Elga, but it was surprising that Mirna was defending me so passionately. I’d thought she was furious about that kiss I stole last time.
Then, with a rustle, Mirna unfolded her blue feathered fan to cover her face.
“And, embarrassing as it is, Mirna and Sir Gospel already know each other intimately. We’re practically engaged already.”
That was the end of Mirna’s statement. She’d tossed a bombshell onto the table, perfect for inviting suspicion. She was probably referring to that kiss we shared in the moonlit garden.
For a devout follower of the Church of Radiant Flame like Mirna, a premarital kiss between man and woman carried huge significance. But did she know?
That I’d done far more than just kiss with the other two women here, excluding her.
If they revealed that, it’d be my doom.
I glanced anxiously at Aira and Elga, my eyes wavering.
But they averted their gazes to the air, as if they had no intention of spilling their secrets. A relief for me.
Of course, Elga grumbled, “Hmph, what a joke,” but she didn’t seem about to expose all my secrets.
At least not yet.
So, before this conversation veered into unpredictable territory, I decided to seize the helm of this shaky little boat.
“If there’s nothing more to say, may I give my report? I wanted to share some results while you’re all gathered.”
“A report?”
Aira nodded, her expression saying, “Go ahead.”
* * *
I told them the information I’d uncovered today.
That the Demon King’s son was alive.
And that he’d vanished at some point.
Elga scowled deeply, as if she couldn’t believe it.
“You’re saying my father tried to enthrone some unknown bastard as king? That’s absurd. Is this reliable? Belhok could be feeding us false info.”
“There’s a chance, but slim.”
I turned from Elga’s troubled face to gauge Aira’s reaction.
While listening, Aira simply twirled the rim of her teacup with her finger.
I couldn’t read her thoughts.
“So-.”
Then Aira quietly parted her lips.
“So, you don’t know where that man is now?”
“That’s right. He’s probably dead. Everyone searched hard but couldn’t find him, so chances are he starved or froze somewhere. That’s the end of the Angmar line.”
I wanted to bury the info on the Demon King Angmar here. Make it seem like Isaiah Angmar died and the bloodline ended there.
But Aira shook her head.
“The Angmar family was infamous for their womanizing. There’s a good chance he met women somewhere and left descendants. My wise mind tells me so.”
“Descendants…?”
“Isaiah was around our fathers’ age. So any child he had would be about our age.”
Aira reasoned bluntly, uncharacteristically sharp.
“Age roughly late twenties. As an Angmar heir, naturally talented in magic. A mage plagued by woman troubles. If Isaiah had a child, they’d be around this profile?”
Late twenties mage with woman problems.
That’s me.
Aira’s deductions pointed straight at me. A tyrant like her only showed this sunny brilliance at times like this.
Her reasoning continued.
“He vanished last in this ark. So if a descendant lives, high chance they’re nearby. Of course— it’s where the Demon King Angmar’s treasure is hidden. They must be close.”
Aira’s words tightened around my neck.
Her razor-sharp deductions circled me like she was deliberately tormenting me while peeking at the answer key. Each word stabbed my heart like a dagger.
“Hey, Theo. What’s wrong?”
Elga spoke up then.
“Your face looks bad.”
My face?
Only then did I realize I’d lost my composure from her hitting too close to home. I deployed my near-level-9, master-level acting skills to play it cool.
“If Lady Aira is right and an Angmar heir really exists, it’ll stir up the country.”
Elga nodded in understanding.
“It won’t just stir—it’ll be chaos. Anyway, if a descendant’s alive, that’s a headache. Wonder what they look like? Tall, red hair, horns maybe?”
Elga chuckled, imagining the Demon King’s heir.
The Angmar bloodline all had red hair and great height, so she’d concluded that.
My puny half-fairy build was why I survived.
Aira’s deductions nailed me in every way, but no one here seemed to realize I was the Demon King’s last blood.
Thanks to that, I bowed calmly.
“Then, based on Your Majesty Queen Aira’s insights, I’ll investigate the area.”
“Do that. And Theo.”
I lifted my head slightly at Aira’s call.
“Do you have more to say?”
“Soon there’ll be a meeting between Prie and the Saintess. Keep that in mind.”
Prie and the Saintess, meeting with Queen Aira.
Two massive-episode villainesses who’d never cross paths originally, now holding a summit. I couldn’t imagine what it meant or what story it would unfold.
“Should I attend as well?”
“Of course.”
Perfect.
There was something I wanted to discuss with Prie the Saintess anyway.