Chapter 71
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Holy Doubts and Hidden Blades
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Beelzebub let out a scoff. What an utterly ridiculous situation.
'Repelled my power? How dare it?'
Of course, the location was the mortal realm, so that had to be taken into account. Demon power weakened dramatically there, leaving even a demon lord unable to unleash their full strength.
But even so, to bounce back his power?
'Forcibly repelling such immense soul attraction and binding the soul... Was there a monster like that in the mortal realm?'
Beelzebub shook his head. No point in dwelling on it—what good would thinking do?
It had been ages since he'd last set foot in the mortal realm. Over those endless years, it was only natural that a few noteworthy talents might have been born.
'It has to be a dragon.'
Dragons. The undisputed strongest beings in the mortal realm, self-proclaimed guardians of the world.
They would certainly have the confidence to stand against him and survive.
So, was it one of them this time?
'But I distinctly felt holy power.'
That was the problem.
The presence of holy power.
In all his long years, he'd never heard of dragons wielding holy power.
Which meant it had to be some other race.
No way—a human?
"Ha."
A chuckle escaped his lips. Even to him, the thought was absurd.
'A human repelling my power? Ridiculous.'
Still, possibilities had to be kept open.
Humans were the most numerous race in the mortal realm, after all. It wasn't impossible.
They didn't call it a lotus blooming from the mud for nothing.
'Or maybe a High Elf.'
The rulers of the elven race could plausibly repel his power.
They lived far longer than humans and drew strength from the World Tree.
So, a High Elf, then?
'Doesn't matter either way. They're all the same in the end.'
He sifted through his memories and sensations from that moment. The distinct feel of holy power was still vivid.
That was key. Whoever had thwarted him repeatedly was clearly a servant of the gods—and thus a clear target for elimination.
Ian returned from the north after wrapping things up successfully. He headed straight to the palace to report to the Emperor, whose reaction struck him as oddly peculiar.
For starters, there was something profoundly meaningful in his gaze.
"You did splendidly. I can always entrust matters to you, Sir Ian. Count Lycan is a seasoned veteran, so he must have been a great help."
"Your praise humbles me."
"I heard you oversaw the exorcism rite yourself. Is that true?"
"Ah, well, it went like this..."
"I know all about it. The grand chieftain asked you to purify the demon's corpse, right?"
'What?'
How does he know?
"Pardon? Yes, I obliged... but it wasn't because I have any holy powers. They'd left the demon's body untouched without even burning it, so I acted to prevent any potential disasters. You see, the demon's corpse was..."
"I've already heard. A demon appeared—one just like ours."
"Pardon? Yes, that's right."
"Disguised as a human, worming into a position of power to beguile the ruler and ruin the nation. Sounds eerily similar to our empire. Almost feels like comrades, doesn't it? Heh heh heh."
No mind-reading ability, surely.
'He must have gotten the report early.'
That made sense. The Emperor's intelligence network was unparalleled.
"Now I understand why you insisted on going to the north yourself. Those blessed by the gods can't just stand by evil. Even from afar, the stench of depravity must have been unbearable."
"Pardon?"
"The heavens surely love Us. How else could they bestow such a magnificent treasure?"
'What is he talking about?'
Stench of depravity?
'What does that even mean?'
"Entrusting you with a mission has solidified Our conviction. We shall never let the Church seize this treasure."
"Y-Your Majesty, what do you mean by that?"
"Heh heh. Never mind. You must be exhausted from the long journey. Go rest and recover."
"Yes. I shall take my leave."
Once Ian had left the audience chamber, the Emperor sat on his throne, mulling in silence before murmuring softly.
"You're there, aren't you."
"Yes."
A shadow briefly darkened the corner, then a figure emerged—a woman in tight black attire that accentuated her figure.
"What do you make of it?"
"Make of what, Your Majesty?"
"Whether Sir Ian carries the gods' favor."
"Honestly... I'm not sure."
"Not sure."
"Yes. He's undoubtedly a skilled mage—one of the empire's finest. But divine favor... hmm."
The woman shook her head.
"I can't say for certain. I've observed Sir Ian closely in many ways, but I've never sensed even a hint of holy power."
"Yet he's performed miracles multiple times. He's done so before, and now again on the northern plains."
The Emperor recalled the report. Another shadow agent he'd secretly embedded in the delegation had witnessed it firsthand.
Ian chanted some incomprehensible incantation, and a massive blaze erupted in blinding light. Amid wails of torment, the demon crumbled away, radiating immense holy power.
Placing his hand fearlessly on the demon's grotesquely decayed head, igniting holy flames without hesitation to conduct the exorcism.
White smoke billowed amid roaring inferno until the demon was fully purified—a mystical, sacred sight so profound that anyone present would have knelt in awe.
Shadows didn't lie. Nor were they so inept as to mistake trickery for holy power. What the shadow saw was truth.
So, which was real?
The woman's claim of no divine presence, or the other shadow's report of a thrilling, sacred aura?
"What do you think is the truth?"
"I can't give Your Majesty a definitive answer. But one who experienced it firsthand would be far more accurate than an observer from afar."
"Heh heh heh. Indeed."
The Emperor stroked his chin, his expression brimming with intense curiosity.
"Shall We share Our view?"
"Yes, if it pleases you."
"All paths of the unknown converge to one. Be it swordsmanship or magic. Perhaps holiness is much the same."
"Meaning...?"
"Sir Ian's divinity has reached such heights that even you couldn't detect it."
"...!"
The woman's stoic facade cracked for the first time. Her eyebrows twitched in shock.
"You look quite startled."
"Ahem, no."
She hastily composed herself, but the damage was done.
"What do you think of Our theory?"
"It's highly plausible. It's the only explanation that fits."
"Heh heh heh. We thought as much."
"It also explains why the Church hasn't targeted him. Divinity surpassing even their saints might elude them too."
"Exactly. It's Our good fortune."
"But we can't let our guard down. The Church's influence is not to be underestimated."
"True enough."
The Emperor stroked his beard with a smile, his eyes gleaming.
Back from the north after two weeks away, Ian was greeted by Kez and the Sukkies.
"Master, welcome home safe and sound. Keruk."
"Yeah. You kept the house in order? Business going well?"
"Yes, very smoothly. We're about to open a branch in the western empire, so things have been busy lately. Keruk."
"Oh, really?"
This guy Kez had already expanded the merchant company that much?
"Hold on. Didn't you say you set up a branch in the east too?"
"Correct. This would be the second expansion. Keruk."
"Impressive work."
Launching the third outlet already.
Praise where it's due. Serious praise.
At this rate, he'd build a full-fledged franchise empire.
"Gasp! S-Such lavish praise... this humble servant can't bear the honor... kkhk!"
He clutched his throat, genuinely choking as if overwhelmed.
'What a... consistent fellow.'
"Sukk!"
"Sukk sukk!"
A sudden sound at his feet drew his gaze downward. Blue slime-like creatures with arms bounced around his ankles.
"Hey there, Sukkies. Good to see you too."
"Sukk!"
Watching these cuties was surprisingly heartwarming.
Pure healing.
'If I made little homunculi like this to sell, they'd be a hit.'
Merch always sells.
The Sukkies were already a smash hit, so similar designs would fly off the shelves.
"Kez, got an idea. Wanna hear it?"
"Yes, please share."
"Nothing groundbreaking. Make and sell cute homunculi like the Sukkies. What do you think?"
"Ah, I was already considering it."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yes. The Sukkies are hugely popular with noble ladies, especially the young misses. Mass-producing them properly could work wonders."
Kez was more impressive the more you watched him.
How did he handle everything so perfectly on his own?
"Last time it was household spirits, so this round we should aim for other uses. But I haven't figured out what yet, so no progress."
"They don't need a specific purpose."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"They don't have to be practical. The Sukkies sell on cuteness, not function."
"Oh! Oh ho!"
"Got it?"
"Yes! Perfectly understood!"
Kez's eyes sparkled. Ian nodded in satisfaction.
Quick on the uptake—what more could you want?
"Alright, make it happen."
"Yes! Oh, I'll prepare dinner."
"Nah, skipping dinner. Heading straight to the lab. You do your thing."
"Ah, understood. I'll leave some light snacks then."
"Sounds good."
Ian beelined for the lab. Diving back into alchemy research after so long had him humming cheerfully.
'You're done for, alchemy.'
Not that he'd make breakthroughs overnight.
Still, steady progress in spare moments was the way to go.
Thus, as Ian immersed himself deep in alchemy late into the night...
Kez donned a hood, teleported to a dingy alley on the outskirts of the capital.
A slum of filth and shanties. Deep within lay a nondescript building, marked only faintly with a sign reading [Night's Blade Unit].
Kez entered.
Winding stairs led underground to dim red lighting and black-clad men who bowed at ninety degrees.
"Welcome, Master."
"Good to see you. All well?"
"No issues."
"Glad to hear it."
Kez surveyed the interior. It was rundown. Far from the grandeur of his mansion or the merchant company he oversaw, but he loved this shabby setup.
It had to be this place—his blood and sweat had built it.
It all started after commercializing the Sukkies.
Watching black mages get mass-executed hammered home the need for intelligence.
Everything else was covered—except info.
Might? Plenty. Master's was immense, and his subordinates' bordered on unreal.
Money? Sufficient, and growing via the company.
That left information.
They were sorely lacking.
'To serve Master properly, intel is essential. With it, we could've handled the black mage crisis far better.'
To fill that gap, Kez chose to conquer the underworld.
Build an intelligence network.
He took over a third-rate gang in the capital. With money and alchemy as weapons, it was easy.
Bribes, hired mercenaries for intimidation, explosive and poison potions for threats.
Thus, Night Blade fell into his hands—the Night's Blade Unit.
'We'll expand it rapidly.'
Modest now, but Kez believed its future would be glorious. Unshakably so.