Chapter 47 - The Count's Knights (1)

Yohan sank deep into thought. As Ilea had said, corrupting the holy spear would solve many problems.

First, Gawain. His suspicions of Yohan would disappear, since he would no longer be able to sense the holy spear's presence from him.

That was not all. It would likely solve the problem with White Horn as well. Once the holy spear became an accursed object, the wounds Gawain had inflicted would heal naturally, allowing White Horn to become active again.

Of course, that conclusion depended on one premise:

— White Horn was alive.

Otherwise, corrupting the holy spear would accomplish nothing. The imp had told him about White Horn's vitality, but Yohan found it difficult to trust the creature completely. He needed definitive confirmation.

Yohan looked at Ilea.

"First, let's establish one thing. What exactly is inside that rift only you can see?"

She gazed above his head.

"I can't see inside it. But I think I can answer the question you're really asking."

She understood the heart of his question.

"Am I alive?"

"Yes. Without a doubt."

"On what grounds?"

"Your demonic energy is still in my heart, Yohan. In other words, our contract of protection remains in effect. If Yohan the Demon had died, that energy would have vanished—or, depending on the circumstances, I would have died too."

Ilea's explanation settled it. White Horn was alive.

"I see. Thanks to you, my priorities are clear. However we look at it, corrupting the holy spear comes first."

The imp cried out, his eyes full of anticipation.

"I can almost hear their screams already!"

Ilea, however, was watching Yohan with a curious expression.

"You agreed sooner than I expected. This should be a decision that takes considerable resolve on your part."

Yohan had worked tirelessly to preserve his humanity. By his own principles, he could never go through with this. Ilea knew that well.

Yohan spoke.

"You both seem to have misunderstood. I have no intention of sacrificing those people."

"Of course! The scale was far too small to herald the beginning of your evil deeds!"

Ilea tilted her head.

"Weren't you agreeing with me?"

"The holy spear must be corrupted, of course. It's the method that's the problem. Think about it. What are the essential requirements for an Unhallowed Array?"

"Living sacrifices, mana, and a holy relic to corrupt."

Yohan nodded.

"Even if we count the sacrifices and mana as ready, the holy relic is still a problem. Do you have any way to place the holy spear Espada on the Unhallowed Array?"

All the evidence suggested that the holy spear lay above Yohan's head—in the rift. Even Gawain, its owner, had suffered terribly when he tried to retrieve it, and the rift Ilea described was invisible to ordinary human eyes. No ordinary means would even allow them to approach the spear or the rift.

Ilea would have no solution either. If she could control the rift, she would already have tried all sorts of things. Witches were mad about the unknown, after all.

Ilea shook her head.

"At present, I can't so much as lay a fingertip on it."

Yohan frowned.

"Just as I thought. It was never feasible in the first place. Why did you suggest it? Were you testing me?"

Had she wanted to know which he would choose when forced to decide between humanity and practicality? It was hard to explain her true intentions any other way.

Ilea's expression grew sober.

"You're half right and half wrong. First, I did want to know what you would decide in a situation like this, with only one way out. Yes, I was testing you. I apologize. But you're wrong to say the proposal was never feasible. I suggested it because the plan can work, provided we find a means of making contact with the rift."

If she wanted him to abandon his humanity, he needed to make his principles unmistakably clear.

"There is a line I will not cross. No matter the circumstances. Remember that."

"I will. I won't test you again."

'But if that line must be crossed, I'll do it. Without you knowing.'

Ilea smiled, keeping the rest to herself.

Yohan clicked his tongue.

"That aside, what is this means of contacting the rift?"

"I gave it some thought on the way here. There's clearly no visible mechanism, yet the rift rejects every kind of approach, including magic and physical contact. That makes it very likely it's bound by an 'interdiction.' Do you know what an interdiction is?"

In Chronicle of Humans and Demons, an interdiction was an unwritten law governing a phenomenon or object. Unless one met specific qualifications, no means whatsoever would allow access to what it governed.

Yohan nodded.

"I have a rough idea."

"That interdiction is hovering around you alone. This is only a guess, but could the rift be some sort of special space accessible only to you?"

"A place only I can enter and leave?"

"Exactly. Yohan the Demon is inside that rift right now, after all. Assuming the interdiction doesn't discriminate by race, you should be able to enter it as a human too. That's what I think."

Yohan considered this for a moment before speaking.

"A fairly reasonable guess. If your hypothesis is right, human sacrifice wouldn't be entirely impossible."

"There's another option as well. It still involves human sacrifice, but with a different offering."

"Explain."

"You, Yohan. You would use yourself as the sacrifice. Enter the rift, draw an Unhallowed Array, then place both the holy spear and yourself on the altar."

At that moment, Yohan the human would vanish from this world. He would live as a Demon for the rest of his life.

"Corrupting a Class Four holy relic requires roughly two thousand lives. Surely I alone wouldn't suffice?"

"You seem to have forgotten. You have the Great Saint's eye implanted in you."

Yohan's current body was worth far more than two thousand ordinary humans.

He gave a disbelieving laugh.

"Impressive. You really are a witch. A very creative idea, and one worth trying."

Ilea looked puzzled.

"Are you sure you understand? If it succeeds, you won't be able to become human again. You'll spend the rest of your life in a Demon's body. Day and night."

It was a decision that required considerable thought.

"Couldn't I simply sacrifice someone else who meets the same conditions, instead of my own body?"

Interest flickered across Ilea's face.

"Obtain a piece of the Great Saint's body, implant it in some human, then sacrifice that person. Is that what you mean?"

Yohan patted her shoulder lightly, making no effort to hide his delight.

"Precisely. You've shown me a way out. A witch through and through."

"... That is a compliment, isn't it?"

"Of course."

Ilea cleared her throat before speaking.

"Then we'll have to find the worst scoundrel in the world. Someone you can accept as a sacrifice."

Yohan had no intention of sacrificing an innocent.

"It'll be a lot of trouble. We need to obtain a fragment of the Great Saint's body as well. You may find much of this hard to understand, but I'd like you to respect it. This is the bare minimum I insist on."

"Don't worry. I understand perfectly."

Yohan nodded.

"Then shall we test your hypothesis first?"

For the proposed solution to work, Yohan had to be able to enter the rift.

"We can't do that right now. To test it, you need at least some ability to perceive the rift."

"Can you find a way to make that happen?"

"Let's return to the domain first. After spending a day here."

What Yohan needed right now was rest. A village this large was bound to have an inn.

"All right. Let's catch our breath, then leave straightaway."

The two headed straight into the village. Insisting that he could never presume to use an Apostle's body as a mere hiding place, the imp burrowed into Ilea's clothes.

* * *

Baron Grian Miyatro sipped his drink, lamenting his lot as usual.

The many tribute girls, Betra who had sat on his lap and fawned over him, Ilea whose mere sight had brought a smile to his face—not one remained at his side.

He was a mere figurehead, shut away in his office to keep the seat occupied. No one ever came looking for him.

Today was a little different. The office door burst open. The uninvited visitor who had not even bothered to ask permission to enter was none other than Gaf.

"Oi, scum. Someone's here for you."

Grian sprang to his feet.

"... M-Master?"

By Master, he meant Yohan.

"No. They say House Staviana sent them."

No sooner had he finished than heavy footsteps and the clanking of armor sounded. Gaf called into the corridor.

"Go in and get on with your business."

Two powerfully built knights strode into the office. They spoke without even removing the visors covering their faces.

"I am Sir Kembel Laura. Count Staviana sent us."

Grian stammered out a reply.

"G-Grian Miyatro. But on what business has the Count sent you, good sirs..."

"Where is the Baron’s heir? Our business is with him."

The Baron's heir meant the next lord—Yohan.

Gaf looked puzzled.

"Why are you looking for Lord Yohan?"

The visored knight stared at Gaf. His helmet concealed even his eyes. He spoke.

"How rude of you to interrupt. You don't even appear to be a knight."

"You're hardly in a position to lecture me on manners. Not when you've walked into the lord's office wearing a sword."

The knight tapped his sword hilt.

"Why don't you try taking it from me, then?"

Gaf snorted.

"You whelp hiding in armor. In my younger days, I used to tear your kind apart with my bare hands. That armor won't protect you."

Just as the knight was about to shout something, the other knight spoke.

"Enough, Kembel. We're not here to fight."

Gaf replied curtly.

"Then state your business. I'd like to know why you want Lord Yohan."

"Count Staviana wishes to see the heir to Miyatro. He sent an invitation. See for yourself."

The knight unfolded a white sheet of paper for Gaf to see. An eagle-shaped seal was stamped in the center of the invitation.

"Give it here. I'll pass it on."

The knight shook his head.

"It must be delivered in person."

"He isn't here at present."

"Then it can't be helped."

The knight removed his visor and dropped into a chair.

"You intend to wait?"

"Is there any other option?"

"No. Suit yourself."

Just as Gaf finished speaking, the office door opened. Yohan and Ilea entered side by side.

Gaf gave an incredulous chuckle.

"Now that's good timing. Young master, you have visitors. They say House Staviana sent them."

Yohan spoke without so much as looking at the two knights.

"I'm busy. Where's Raguel?"

The knight's brow furrowed slightly.

"Count Staviana has business with the Baron's heir."

Yohan clicked his tongue.

"I'm busy, so please come back later. More importantly, Gaf, bring Raguel down to the basement. It's urgent."

With that, Yohan left the office. The knight stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded.

What in the world could be more important than business involving Count Staviana? He could not begin to understand Yohan's behavior.

Gaf looked at the knight with a smirk.

"Want me to pass it on for you? That invitation."