Chapter 71 - The Count’s Domain (1)

Yohan left his bedchamber and headed straight for the underground study. Before visiting the Count’s house, there was something he needed to check.

Raguel beamed as Yohan entered the dim study.

"Yohan!"

Zal’karin raised both arms to welcome him as well.

"O great End! What a relief that you have recovered!"

They could hardly help worrying about him. What had happened the night before was deeply shocking. Maphel’tan had suddenly collapsed, and his body had immediately begun undergoing all manner of changes. His swelling, expanding frame, the blood pouring from every opening in his body, the swirling demonic energy—it had looked as though something was about to go terribly wrong. Had Ilea not explained, the two would certainly have made quite a fuss.

Ilea smiled.

"I told you, didn’t I? He would be perfectly fine."

Raguel sighed with relief.

"Thank goodness. I thought something terrible had happened."

Yohan spoke.

"I’m fine. More importantly, Raguel, there’s something I need to check."

Raguel deliberately opened his eyes wide.

"I’m fine too. I can see clearly, and I’m full of energy."

Yohan chuckled.

"Congratulations, but that’s not what I meant."

Raguel scratched his head sheepishly.

"Haha, what is it, then?"

Yohan pointed to the round table in the center of the study.

"Try activating the goldmirror stone."

Goldmirror stone was a fragment of the moon, a mineral that recognized Miyatro blood. The door to the forbidden library would open only if the stone responded.

Raguel bounded over to the table.

"I’ll open it for you right away."

Did Yohan need something from the forbidden library, as usual? Raguel gave it no more thought than that. He made a small cut on his hand and touched the goldmirror stone.

Nothing happened.

Raguel looked thoroughly flustered.

"Wh-why isn’t it...?"

No matter how many times he pressed his palm against it, the result remained the same.

Ilea spoke.

"It’s a consequence of becoming a High Elf."

Raguel was no longer of Miyatro blood.

Yohan nodded as though he had expected this.

"Good thing I kept Grian alive."

Even without Raguel, he could use the Baron to open the forbidden library whenever he wished.

Ilea gazed quietly at Yohan before speaking.

"So that decision really did turn out to have practical benefits."

She had thought Yohan spared Baron Grian out of affection for Raguel. Yohan had not denied it at the time, but he had said the decision might prove useful as well. His words had come true. Had he killed Grian that day, gaining access to the forbidden library from now on would have been difficult.

Yohan’s lips curled playfully.

"See? Just listen to me, and good things will come your way even while you sleep."

Ilea’s eyes curved in a gentle smile.

"Then accept me as your worshipper. I’ll obey."

Yohan cleared his throat.

"Persistent, aren’t you? Go fetch Gaf."

Ilea puffed out her cheeks slightly, pretending to sulk.

"How cruel. All you do is order me around."

As she finished speaking, heavy footsteps echoed out, followed by a familiar voice.

"No need. I’m here."

It was Gaf. He descended into the study and stopped before Yohan.

Yohan spoke.

"Good timing. I’m in a hurry, and there’s something I need to tell you."

An inexplicable unease flickered across Gaf’s face.

"What is it this time?"

"I’ll be leaving the castle for another few days. Sorry, but I’ll need you to keep looking after the territory."

In practice, Gaf was managing all its internal affairs.

"That’s a change. Since when have you ever asked me like that?"

"One more thing. Start training to open your energy channels today."

Energy channels were the pathways through which aura flowed.

Gaf frowned slightly.

"You know my aura core is sealed, don’t you?"

He could no longer wield aura. A Demon had taken his aura core from him in the east long ago.

Yohan spoke.

"I’ll get that aura core back for you."

Gaf was strong even now, but when he could wield aura, he had been a true monster—a force capable of taking on dozens of knights alone. Yohan needed a companion with that kind of strength.

Yohan and Maphel’tan were gradually entering the main course of events in this world. Their enemies would inevitably grow stronger. Yohan had to build a force capable of opposing them.

Gaf would make a trustworthy companion. They had built a measure of trust, and his potential was considerable.

Gaf looked puzzled.

"... How will you get my aura core back?"

"I have my ways. All you need to do is focus on training."

He needed to open his energy channels in advance to get the most out of his aura core once it was restored.

Gaf studied Yohan’s face. His expression was blank. He did not seem to be making empty promises. In fact, he had always kept his word. He probably really would bring back an aura core. At some point, Gaf had developed a curious faith in Yohan.

Gaf gave a wry laugh.

"Should I thank you?"

Yohan shook his head.

"I’m doing this because I need you. Just do your part."

Raguel cautiously chimed in.

"R-right. We show our gratitude through our actions, in return for everything Yohan has done for us."

Gaf’s gaze shifted to Raguel. Visibly taken aback, he spoke.

"Y-younger master...?"

Raguel’s eyes shone a pure jade green. The blind boy was gone. He met Gaf’s gaze with clear, focused eyes.

Raguel looked sheepish.

"Well, this happened. It’s all thanks to Yohan."

Yohan chuckled.

"Took you long enough to notice, Gaf."

Gaf could not hide his shock.

"How in the world!"

Raguel scratched his head.

"T-to explain from the beginning..."

Yohan cut him off.

"I’ll be going now. You can finish the conversation among yourselves."

He turned to leave, and Ilea immediately followed.

Zal’karin came running after them, shouting.

"O g-great End! I shall accompany you!"

Yohan shook his head.

"Stay with Raguel. You won’t survive if you follow us."

The Count’s castle was no place for a mere petty spirit to wander.

Zal’karin’s shoulders slumped.

"... As you command."

* * *

Yohan set off on horseback at once. His destination was House Staviana’s demesne in the central kingdom.

It was a considerable distance. Despite riding all day, they had not made it even halfway to the Count’s domain. They would have to devote several days to travel alone.

Being stranded after sunset made progress far too slow. He could not roam the central region in Demon form.

The central region was different from the south. Systems for detecting Demons were everywhere, along with countless churches, parishes, and monasteries. If he flew about in the open, he would soon have a punitive force on his heels. That would be a serious problem.

Reluctant though he was, they had to make camp on a nearby wooded hill.

Seated on a rock among the trees at the foot of the hill, Yohan spoke.

"I’d like to travel at night from tomorrow onward. Is there any way?"

Ilea answered from across from him.

"There is magic that can conceal your presence, but it would still carry risks. Exceptionally sensitive priests can detect even that."

He had little desire to take risks merely to travel faster. Yohan clicked his tongue.

"Then we’ll just have to push harder during the day."

Ilea gave an enigmatic smile.

"Who knows? Perhaps ‘Maphel’tan’ has gained a power that could help."

"What do you mean?"

Ilea pointed at the sky.

"See for yourself."

The sun was disappearing completely. Darkness settled over the hill. Black mist shrouded Yohan’s body, and red eyes flashed within it.

Maphel’tan sensed something strange.

"... What is this?"

His body was nowhere to be seen. Only his red eyes floated in the air.

Ilea spoke.

"I was a little surprised yesterday too."

There was no form below his head, as though he had merged with the night. Maphel’tan immediately closed his eyes. Once their red light vanished, his presence disappeared completely. There was nothing there.

Countless lines of text appeared before Maphel’tan’s eyes. One newly acquired power caught his attention: Night Immersion, the power to sink into the night.

Night Immersion was different from mere invisibility. His very existence sank into darkness. No one could perceive Maphel’tan. Even the witch had been unable to find him.

Maphel’tan deactivated Night Immersion and spoke.

"That must have given you some trouble."

"Yes. You suddenly disappeared. In the end, I had to wait until morning."

It was a very satisfying power, with an enormous range of uses.

"Thank you for your trouble. Nothing else seems to have changed."

"Would you touch your forehead?"

Maphel’tan raised a hand to his forehead. He had two horns.

That meant his very stature as a being had risen. All his powers would have advanced a level. Words of Command in particular must have become far more efficient.

Maphel’tan’s lips curled into a smile.

"Ilea, I’m truly glad I chose to work with you. I’ll repay you somehow."

She had played a considerable part in his growth this time.

Her eyes curved in a smile.

"Then will you accept me as your worshipper?"

Maphel’tan rose.

"Let’s go. No need to delay any longer."

"You’re rather irritating."

Maphel’tan vanished in an instant. His voice came from empty air.

"Hurry up before I leave you behind."

Ilea let out a long sigh.

"I suppose I’ll follow. What else can I do?"

She too soared into the night sky.

* * *

The Staviana demesne boasted a size and splendor rivaling the royal capital. An immense river crossed the city, feeding dozens of canals that spread throughout it.

Merchant ships from across the continent poured in along those waterways. The wealth amassed through trade and taxes stood as high as the demesne’s walls.

Instead of the smell of earth, the air here was filled with the scents of iron, spices, and metal.

At night, lanterns on the hundreds of ships lining the river glittered like constellations. By day, endless crowds and carriages made the ground rumble.

Money and power flowed like water here, but the direction of that flow was always determined by the Count’s house. The flags bearing an eagle emblem that fluttered throughout the city were proof enough.

Gazing at that dazzling prosperity, Ilea smiled.

"Yohan, you’ve brought me somewhere quite interesting."

"I knew you’d like it."

They were looking down at the demesne from a hill opposite it.

Ilea spoke.

"I think the Count and I will get along quite well. I wonder just what price he paid."

Amid the scents of wealth and power lingered a faint stench. Beings with sinister smiles could be seen among the laughing, chattering crowds. Malice that could not be concealed flowed through the canals alongside the gold. It could not fool a witch’s eyes.

Yohan spoke.

"Let’s find out."

"Before that, may I ask you a favor?"

"Anything."

He had received so much from her that he intended to agree to almost any request.

"If I find one I like, I’d like to keep it."

He could happily give her that much.

"Do as you like."

"Thank you."

They headed straight for the drawbridge. Countless processions were still streaming into the demesne.