Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Salon Uproar - 4
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I was immediately apprehended by Duke Grimjack's knights right there in the office.
Possessing a demon sword in the Empire was a grave crime in itself. They could have executed me on the spot without question or trial, and I wouldn't have had a leg to stand on.
Common knowledge held that anyone who gripped a demon sword inevitably lost their reason and turned into a murderous fiend without exception.
But ironically, the first exception to that ironclad rule had emerged—and that exception was me.
"Well, I'll be... How does something like this even happen?"
At first, every knight there had been ready to kill me on the spot while I held the demon sword.
Fortunately, the duke noticed something off and restrained his knights, allowing me to keep my life—for now.
And at present, I was facing Duke Grimjack alone in the drawing room.
"Are you truly alright? No auditory hallucinations, visual distortions, or murderous impulses... anything like that?"
"Thank you for your concern. But none of those symptoms apply to me in the slightest."
"Even right this moment, as you hold the demon sword?"
"Yes, as you can see."
I repeatedly drew and sheathed Tyrbing as if to prove my point.
I even went so far as to pick a bit of meat from between my teeth with the sword tip—a bizarre stunt.
I half-hoped it might shame the sword into some reaction.
I secretly anticipated some response from the demon sword, but Tyrbing remained utterly still, like it was dead.
Is possessing my body a greater humiliation than that?
"Seeing you like this, it really does seem you're fine."
"It's as good as useless now."
"Then why did it radiate such ferocious energy earlier?"
"At first, the sword tried to take over my body. I even heard its voice. But it gave up, saying I lacked the talent."
"As an ego sword, it can choose its host. I never imagined the Altesia curse would prove helpful in this way."
"I don't know whether to laugh or cry about that."
"At least it didn't steal your body. Look on the bright side."
The only person in the world who could wield a demon sword unscathed.
Sad as it was, that was an achievement in its own right.
I slid Tyrbing back into its sheath and schooled my expression.
"Your Grace, the demon sword was hidden inside the estate. I trust you understand what that implies."
"...If someone else had drawn it, the salon would have been a bloodbath. Thank you. And allow me to apologize on behalf of my foolish sons. Name any compensation you desire, and it's yours."
"It's not about the reward. The issue is how the demon sword entered your house."
"...You've seen something unseemly. My deepest apologies."
I realized it after gripping Tyrbing.
The demon sword was the true culprit behind the Grimjack clan's near-extinction.
Unlike me, the duke's two sons had exceptional talent—precisely what the sword sought in a host.
The sword must have forcibly awakened and blossomed their talents, compelling them to slaughter the entire family.
"We need to thoroughly investigate how it entered the estate and take appropriate follow-up measures."
"Do you want us to torture Hans until he talks?"
"No, I don't think that's necessary."
I'd already heard from Hans himself how he'd obtained the demon sword.
A noble visitor from the north had shared tea with him and gifted it as thanks.
Hans had no reason to lie about that.
The north was Lunaria's direction—the domain of the Nidhogg Cult.
Someone from there had handed Hans the sword while concealing its nature. That could only be malice aimed at Duke Grimjack.
In the end, it pointed back to the cult.
No wonder they hadn't shown up despite the salon being such a perfect stage for chaos.
They'd already planted their bomb—no need to meddle further.
Any additional meddling risked exposure, which would be a headache.
Unfortunately for them, I'd defused the bomb they'd buried.
Duke Grimjack wouldn't have to endure another clan massacre.
The biggest problem was resolved.
But lingering mysteries remained.
Why had Hans treated a Nidhogg cultist like nobility?
How had the cultist entered the estate?
And finally, why hadn't they assigned someone to coax Hans into drawing the sword?
A mountain of unsolved riddles.
And every question inevitably led to suspicions about Hans. Deliberately so.
"Your Grace, you said earlier you'd grant any reward within reason?"
"Don't hold back. I'll accommodate whatever I can."
"Then, regarding this demon sword incident, could you grant me full authority?"
"Planning to quietly cover it up?"
Duke Grimjack eyed me with concern.
His gaze suggested he hoped I wouldn't sweep it under the rug.
I twisted my lips into a smirk and gave him the answer he'd want.
"After digging the tunnels, that is."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Duke Calon Grimjack sensed the demon sword's aura and promptly suspended the salon.
Considering the potential for disorderly panic, he withheld details and boldly sealed the entrances.
Once the crisis passed, Duke Calon took the official stage to apologize to the guests.
"Investigations confirm a minor explosion occurred inside the estate. On behalf of House Grimjack, I sincerely apologize for any concern caused to our esteemed guests."
"Is the situation fully resolved?"
"Indeed. Aftercare is complete, so no need for worry. However, the hall is in disarray, and night has fallen. We'll extend the salon by one day and resume tomorrow."
"And accommodations? The estate can't house everyone."
"We'll open our family villas fully and assign skilled attendants to ensure top-tier hospitality. Of course, we won't detain those who wish to leave. Instead, we'll offer them modest gifts as a token of our sincerity."
The nobles nodded approvingly at Duke Calon's flawless handling.
Public opinion naturally favored him. House Grimjack held enough authority that he could have ended the event unilaterally without backlash.
Yet his consideration for lesser nobles touched many, highlighting his magnanimity.
"Additionally, we've prepared a special event to instantly reignite the subdued mood. Details will be relayed via attendants after dinner, so we hope for your enthusiastic participation."
Even the seasoned wit to bury unease under curiosity.
The nobles departed with pleasant anticipation.
Confirming their backs fully out of sight, Duke Calon summoned his knights and two sons separately.
Those who knew the commotion's cause was the demon sword.
He demanded their silence.
"After consulting with Princess Rosmel, we've decided to transport the demon sword to the capital immediately after the salon ends. It will be done secretly, so you must keep this absolutely hushed."
Ferocious light gleamed in the duke's eyes.
"If even a whisper leaks out, I'll personally tear the culprit limb from limb and hang them in the town square. Take this secret to your graves. Understood?!"
"""We obey the family head's command!"""
No sooner had the knights' resounding reply faded than the duke dismissed them.
Alone in the once-vibrant hall filled with music and laughter, Duke Calon double-checked for any presence.
Then, he carefully pried up a marble tile in the corner of the wall.
Into that hidden crevice, he deeply inserted the sword Heinz had handed over.
The darkest shadows lurk beneath the lamp.
Duke Calon had concealed the family's unspeakable shame in the hall, where no one must discover it.
He could have stored it in a warehouse, but this guarded against potential internal foes.
Only family knew of the space beneath that hall tile.
With Duke Calon departing after hiding the demon sword, one gaze watched his back from behind a corridor pillar.
The eyes fixed wistfully on him soon vanished into the shadows.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Deep into the night, with the clock's hour hand at XII.
Clouds veiled the moon, blanketing the estate in thick darkness.
A shadow exploited blind spots beyond patrol lanterns, crossing the corridor.
Weaving expertly—as if intimately familiar with the layout—the shadow headed somewhere specific.
Dodging patrols' sightlines, it arrived at the eerily quiet hall.
It stopped before the exact marble tile where Duke Calon had hidden the demon sword.
Crouching, the shadow lifted the tile cautiously, revealing the jet-black sheathed sword untouched.
In the darkness, the shadow's eyes curved slyly.
The moment its arm reached to seize the sheath—
Fwaaah—!
Dazzling light cascaded from the ceiling, spotlighting the shadow like a stage lamp.
"Guh! W-what?!"
"Everyone, our star has finally arrived!"
And simultaneously—
Whoosh—!
Candles on the chandelier ignited, flooding the hall with light.
As brightness bloomed, crowds poured in, filling the space.
On the platform, Heinz held a magic amplifier, pointing at the auburn-haired man clutching the sheath.
"House Grimjack's esteemed eldest son, Young Master Cassis Grimjack, has found the hidden sword!"
"What...?"
"Kuh! As expected of Young Master Cassis!"
"Damn, I believed in him!"
"Cassis oppa all the way! Contrarians, go sleep it off!"
The gathered nobles cheered wildly, chanting Cassis's name.
Cassis, meanwhile, looked flustered—like a thief caught red-handed.
Why were nobles suddenly crowding to praise him?
"Ah, so Cassis was searching for the sword..."
Amid the cheering nobles, only Duke Calon fixed his son with icy eyes.
The moment that frigid gaze hit him, Cassis realized it was a trap to lure him out.
The duke had anticipated he'd sneak back late at night to retrieve the sword he'd hidden.
'I was going to force it on Hans, but since things turned out this way, no choice!'
Desperate, Cassis drew the demon sword.
But...
"Oh no! What's this? Sadly, the sword Young Master Cassis found is a fake!"
In Cassis's hand was nothing but an empty hilt—no blade.
Disappointed sighs rained down on Cassis as he stared blankly at the hilt.
"What? He found a fake?"
"Tch, got my hopes up for nothing."
"Young Master Cassis's eye for treasure must be past its prime."
"Come now, everyone! We still have 30 minutes left! Don't lose heart—shower Young Master Cassis with your hot cheers!"
Cassis shot a murderous glare at Heinz on the platform amid the taunting voice.
Heinz held the amplifier in one hand and Tyrbing's blade in the other.
Locking eyes with Cassis, Heinz stuck out his tongue and demonstratively licked the blade long and slow.
'Public humiliation like this is unbearable!'
At that perverse sight, the demon sword's horrified voice echoed in Heinz's mind.
⚙ DEMON SWORD VOICE ⚙ [To think primordial evil exists in this world too...!]