Chapter 49: The Fourth Demon of the Gem (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49: The Fourth Demon of the Gem (1)
‘Who was he again?’
Since Veronica called him "Uncle," he had to be a relative.
Moreover, he possessed the black hair and red eyes that were the symbols of the direct lineage. His status was clearly quite high as well.
However, I didn't recall any relative appearing in the novel as an ally to Veronica.
That meant the man before me was either a minor extra with very little screen time, or…
"I don't know why you're making such a fuss at the temple just because a child is a little sick… Tsk, tsk."
"…."
It meant that even if he was a relative, he wasn't on our side.
I stared at the man spewing such nonsense with cold, icy eyes. But before I could even open my mouth, a displeased voice rang out from beside me.
"Do you not even see Us, Marquis Blair?"
Dantalion asked with a stiff expression, as if speaking up for Veronica, who couldn't retort to her elder relative.
"Ah, my apologies. Your Majesty."
"…."
However, it was a half-hearted apology that no one would ever mistake for being directed at an Emperor.
‘Marquis Blair, huh.’
It was a name I’d never heard before; he was a fellow not even worth remembering. Furthermore, despite carrying the Winston bloodline, he was acting this hostile toward Veronica and me.
Surely he wasn't taking the Empress Dowager's side, was he? I looked up at Marquis Blair—who looked exactly like a Winston in appearance—with a suspicious gaze.
‘Hmm?’
But looking closer, I felt a strange sensation coming from him.
It was that same sense of déjà vu I’d felt when I first met Abel.
When I looked to see what it was, I noticed a brooch with an ornate decoration pinned to Marquis Blair’s chest.
‘Oho.’
It was the fourth Demon of the Gem. The pitch-black stone, which looked as if it wouldn't let a single speck of light penetrate it, looked exquisite.
Unlike onyx, which has faint stripes, this gem was purely black—it was obsidian.
‘His name was… Ilnes, I think.’
My memory seemed to be worsening ever since I possessed this child’s body, but fortunately, I remembered the contents of the novel relatively clearly.
In any case, this was a stroke of luck. They might not be on good terms, but it seemed this man had inherited the black gem that the vassals had been keeping as a close relative.
"Tsk. Anyway, Veronica. Haven't I told you before? Don't be so dramatic over a child. To bother the High Priest over something so trivial—you're a disgrace to the family."
"…."
"It’s just a little pain; it’s not like she’s going to die. Please, just stop. Do you have any idea what people are saying about you?"
"I don't."
"Tsk, tsk. This is why you were shunned by Marquis Lionel. You’ve always had such a headstrong personality…."
"…."
Wow, this guy was really spouting nothing but bullshit from start to finish.
I felt like my ears would rot if I listened any longer, so I let it go in one ear and out the other, but then I heard the sound of teeth grinding next to me.
It seemed Dantalion was thoroughly enraged. Marquis Blair looked like he was headed for big trouble at this rate.
Well, not my problem. I put on a bored expression and called out to the demons.
‘Demon, Bibi.’
[Ma-Master.]
[Master….]
‘Are you guys finally coming to your senses?’
[Ugh, I have no excuse.]
[I’m so sorry….]
Once we moved a bit away from the center of the temple, Desmond and Bibi finally regained their composure.
Perhaps they were embarrassed that they had been so helpless unlike the unfazed Dollens, as they weren't their usual energetic selves.
I continued calmly.
‘I’ll forgive you, so go steal that guy’s gem.’
[Oh, it’s that fellow Ilnes. How many years has it been?]
[So he was alive!]
‘….’
"So he was alive"? The demons' reaction seemed a bit strange.
I felt a slight sense of foreboding, but I didn't pay it much mind. Hiding a devious smile, I spoke.
‘Steal it the moment we leave.’
[Understood!]
[Leave it to us!]
Right on cue, Marquis Blair’s nonsense was finally winding down.
"I will handle my own affairs, Uncle."
"Honestly, you’ve never listened to your elders since you were young…."
"I said I would handle it myself, Uncle."
"Ahem."
Veronica’s low voice echoed softly through the surroundings.
Marquis Blair, who had been looking down on Veronica just because he was an elder relative, cleared his throat and turned his head away at her chilling gaze.
"Lady Veronica, let us depart."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Dantalion spoke as he naturally placed a hand on Veronica’s shoulder.
Perhaps because she was so angry at Marquis Blair, Veronica didn't seem to notice and simply walked forward.
[I’ve brought the gem!]
[Hehe, I swapped it for a pebble without him noticing!]
‘Good job, both of you.’
I had successfully obtained the fourth Demon of the Gem.
With a triumphant expression, I boarded the carriage heading back to the mansion.
*
"Dia! My baby!"
"…."
As soon as we arrived at the mansion, Duke Winston made a huge fuss while hugging me.
From what I heard, the temple had specifically requested that only Veronica and I come.
They probably thought it would be a burden if the direct line of the Winstons swarmed the place.
‘Besides, the High Priest was wary of the now-defunct Demons of the Gems.’
Diandre had said it was a joke, but if I hadn't acted like an innocent child back then, I might have been caught.
Children don't lie, after all. It seemed that snake-like bastard, Diandre, thought he could find out through me if the Winstons were involved with demons.
‘That sly fox.’
Surely he wouldn't even dream that an adult like me had possessed this child’s body.
I snorted and looked indifferently at the Winston direct line, who were making a scene again today.
"This won't do. For the time being, Dia should sleep in my room."
"Pardon?"
Duke Winston spoke in a serious voice. Immediately, the surroundings broke into a noisy stir.
"What are you saying, Father? Even if you are her grandfather, putting Dia in a man's room is just…."
"How can we leave the child alone after what happened?"
"That may be true, but…."
Duke Winston and Vincent began to bicker. Veronica, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Of course Dia should sleep in my room."
"But if something happens to you too…."
"I am not that careless."
"Hmm…."
The glint in Veronica’s eyes was a bit scary. The Duke seemed to feel her intensity as well, as he fell silent for a moment.
"Then that matter is settled, right? And since His Majesty is here, you should hurry and attend to our guest."
"Ah, right. My apologies, Your Majesty."
"No, I understand, given how serious the situation was."
Unlike the rude Marquis Blair, Dantalion shook his head with a rather pleased expression.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. Please, this way."
"Thank you."
Dantalion went straight to Duke Winston’s office instead of the drawing room. It seemed the two of them had something private to discuss.
"Dia, aren't you sleepy?"
"Mmm, not sleepy."
"Then shall we read a picture book with Mommy?"
"O—"
I was about to say okay, but then I heard Dollens’ voice.
[I have brought the child.]
‘Really? Where is he?’
[For now, I’ve left him in a room where there are no signs of people.]
‘Hmm.’
Fortunately, with Dantalion being here, it was easier for Dollens to move around. I nodded in satisfaction.
Then, I changed my words to Veronica.
"Mommy, I'm sleepy."
"Oh, are you?"
"Mhm."
"Then let's go night-night."
Veronica, easily believing my words, headed to the room. It wasn't the room I usually slept in, but Veronica’s room. It seemed I really would be staying with her from now on.
‘You guys, don't you dare get caught until I get back.’
[Understood.]
[Yes!]
Fortunately, perhaps because of what happened at the temple, the demons didn't talk back to me.
With the help of Desmond, Bibi, and Dollens, I slipped out of the bedroom where I was pretending to sleep and headed to where Nathaniel was.
[It’s here.]
"Hmm."
The shabby room looked like a dormitory for servants. However, it seemed it wasn't currently in use, as it was dusty and smelled musty.
No one would come to a place like this. Just in case, I asked Dollens to stand guard and approached Nathaniel.
"Whoa…."
"…."
Finally seeing Nathaniel in person, I couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration.
The dim sunlight filtering through the window illuminated Nathaniel’s transparent white hair.
Cedric had similar silver hair, but this was different. It was truly pure white hair, as if all color had been drained from it.
Perhaps because it was so fascinating, I stared at him for a long time. Then, suddenly realizing I didn't have time for this, I shook my head.
"Um, excuse me?"
"…."
"Hey, Nathaniel?"
He didn't budge even when I called him, so I gave his shoulder a light nudge. But even then, Nathaniel didn't move an inch.
What’s wrong with him?
As I was feeling perplexed, Dollens’ voice reached my ears.