Everything Went According to Plan
An unpleasant green light poured from Prince Yurei's body as it trembled violently.
Because a preservation spell had been cast on it, it did not feel as though a corpse had been awakened, but rather as though someone were rising from a very long sleep.
"Who are you?"
Erika, the caster of the spell, questioned him.
—Marcus… Yurei… the only son… of Perry Yurei.
Normally, confirming the identity would have been enough, but Erika pressed him further.
"I'll ask you again. Who were you before you became Marcus?"
He answered.
—Kevin… of the Red Fields.
Kevin of the Red Fields.
That was how one introduced oneself as the descendant of an ordinary peasant.
It was an introduction the real Marcus Yurei would never have made.
No one could suspect that the answer had been fabricated.
The dead could not lie.
"How did you become Marcus Yurei?"
—I kidnapped… Marcus Yurei… killed him… then used a Doppel Ampoule….
"What is a Doppel Ampoule?"
—A path… to becoming… a servant of the great… Lord Godwin.
The Black Dragon, Godwin.
The most wicked and terrible evil dragon—one they could never forget.
Those who followed him were worshippers of demons!
Without even allowing herself time to recover from the shock, Erika continued with her next question.
"Did Regent Ferda kill you?"
—N… no.
"Then how did you die from demonic magic?"
—To frame… Ferda…. Create… confusion.
The green light in his eyes faded.
They had exhausted every question that could be asked through Deadman's Knock.
That meant it was now time to counterattack.
"Bishop Joseph Faust."
Ferda, who had remained as still as a corpse until then, finally spoke.
Amid the maelstrom of shock, Joseph's shoulders jolted toward the ceiling.
"W-what is it, Regent Ferda?"
"You were the one who said it, were you not? You claimed that the demonic magic originated from me."
The look in Ferda's eyes, which had remained calm and rational until now, began to change.
"You declared your findings to be fair and impartial beneath the Light of Alte. Would you care to explain how the source of the demonic magic somehow became me?"
He moved on to an entirely new subject without the chairman's approval.
But what need was there for approval?
A man who had publicly proclaimed that he had nothing to hide beneath the Light of Alte—the highest representative of the Empire's religion, no less—had nearly condemned an innocent man because of such a fatal error.
"Th-that is… When I investigated it, I am certain the traces belonged to Regent Ferda Valdrova—"
"There seems to have been an error. May we examine those traces again?"
Ferda casually prodded him, already knowing he would refuse.
"I am afraid that will be impossible. The traces were heavily damaged during the investigation."
"Then why don't we see exactly how damaged they are?"
The one who cut him off was Erdes.
As someone who despised demons, she hated demonic magic just as much. Without asking anyone's permission, she reached toward the corpse and examined it.
"Oh my. This is practically the same as deliberately tearing it apart. How did you manage to damage it so roughly? Hmm… Fortunately, it isn't as though I don't know how to restore something like this."
With several gestures from Erdes, the blurred traces gradually sharpened before returning to their original state.
"Now then, let's see… Hmm. This definitely wasn't created in the Valdrova Princedom. It still carries the scent of the north."
As though she were having the time of her life, she freely recited the information contained within the traces.
In contrast, Joseph Faust's face grew steadily paler.
He was the representative of the state religion.
However, Erdes was the president of the Mage Association, representing the entirety of Cerdes.
"Commissioner Faust."
Valdemar called out to him as though he himself were still reeling from the shock.
"This is nothing but conjecture!"
Joseph shouted.
"It is possible that Regent Ferda's preservation spell covered the original traces when he cast it—"
"If you're incompetent enough to be fooled by the schemes of some mere Fourth-Circle mage, doesn't that simply mean you lack ability? And you call yourself a bishop?"
"Th-this is clearly a conspiracy!"
Joseph pointed accusingly at Ferda.
As the pressure mounted and he was driven further into a corner, his behavior became increasingly frivolous and desperate.
"That demon-blooded bastard from the Far East is clearly trying to brand me a liar!"
Foam gathered at the corners of his mouth as he attempted to denounce Ferda as a demon worshipper.
However, it was still impossible to know which side was telling the truth.
It was difficult to accept that the renowned and virtuous bishop of Alte was, in reality, a heinous follower of the opposing demons.
At that moment, one of Akad's aides rushed over and whispered something into his ear.
As Ferda watched, he felt the temptation of the devil itself.
The urge to extend his shadow and eavesdrop on their conversation surged within him.
'…'
Even though he could already guess what was being said, it was precisely the kind of news he wanted to hear with his own ears.
"According to the urgent report we have just received, new evidence has been secured!"
Akad's eyes turned cold as they settled on someone.
"Commissioner Joseph Faust."
"Y-yes, Chairman…."
"Unidentified human remains have reportedly been discovered inside your room at the Grand Cathedral. How do you intend to explain this?"
Ferda quietly checked the time.
One hour and twenty minutes.
Considering the time required for the report to reach them, the operation itself had probably taken around an hour.
'He's not quite as fast as he was in his prime.'
It was an unprecedentedly outstanding result, but knowing the man's true abilities, Ferda did not find it entirely satisfactory.
"Human remains? What are you talking about…?"
"It has just been confirmed. A decomposing corpse was found inside a secret storage chamber in your private bedroom, alongside documents classified as top secret."
Even Akad, the chairman, abandoned all pretense of neutrality as he pressed Joseph fiercely.
"Unless you provide a proper explanation, you will not take a single step out of this chamber today, Bishop."
Joseph neatly folded his trembling hands together.
"That corpse has nothing to do with me either. I…."
His trembling stopped.
A joy born of madness settled across his face.
"In accordance with the will of Lord Godwin, Master of the Void, I offer this body as a sacrifice!"
Joseph spread his arms wide and shouted.
He activated a self-destruction spell.
Just as light was about to burst from his body, a cube-like barrier formed around him, imprisoning his entire body.
The rapidly intensifying light subsided helplessly.
"Well, look at you. You dared to put on a self-destruction show in front of me?"
It was Erdes's magic.
"You filthy piece of trash."
What she hated most were demons.
But there was something she despised almost as much—their worshippers.
Erdes clenched the hand she had extended toward the cube, grasping the empty air.
A dreadful sound echoed loudly from inside the barrier.
Crack!
"Aaaaaaargh!"
Joseph Faust screamed in agony.
Erdes did not stop there.
Crack!
Cr-crack!
She twisted him, folded him, and crushed him.
She broke every bone in his body and did not stop until he hung limp like a mollusk.
Only after tormenting him until he was barely clinging to life did she leave him suspended inside the cube like a grotesque specimen.
Having reduced him to a ragged wreck, Erdes turned to Erika.
"You let me examine the demonic magic, so I'll take this one back and investigate him myself. You don't have any complaints, do you, Eri?"
"Do as you wish."
"Looks like there's nothing left worth discussing, and I doubt I'll get to see anything entertaining."
Erdes turned toward Akad.
"So, I'll be leaving?"
Despite phrasing it as a question, Erdes opened a portal without waiting for an answer and returned to the Mage Association with Bishop Joseph.
Her complete disregard for procedure was infuriating, but it was nothing compared to the sheer absurdity of the current situation.
Once again, the chamber had been left in chaos, as though a storm had swept through it.
Of everyone present, Duke Yurei was the most devastated.
"That can't be…. My son… Are you saying that wasn't my son?"
Since when had his son ceased to be his son?
Countless questions seemed to pour out of him like water bursting through a collapsed dam.
Yet there was no longer any way to answer them.
Not anymore.
"Everyone, please remain silent. The session has not yet been adjourned."
It was Valdemar, not Akad, who calmed the chamber.
"Duke Yurei."
He looked down at the duke.
"May I leave? I want to know what scheme that damned bastard was plotting…."
"It appears the one impersonating your son was either a demonkin or one of their followers."
"That is why…."
Valdemar placed his interlaced fingers on the table and released a heavy sigh.
"I believe we will need to investigate your identity as well."
"What… are you saying?"
"What else could I mean? You must prove that you are human."
Duke Yurei shouted.
"Of course I am human! I am Perry Yurei, head of House Yurei, which has devoted itself to the kingdom!"
"And how are we supposed to believe that?"
Valdemar's gaze was cold.
"You did not even realize that the son closest to you was a demonkin, did you?"
"I-I…."
"Of course, you may not be another creature wearing that face. But what if you willingly joined hands with demonkin worshippers?"
"I would never commit such an outrageous act…!"
"It is hardly outrageous."
Valdemar shook his head.
"Did you not come here intending to risk everything and settle this matter once and for all?"
Such behavior was typical of demon worshippers and followers of demonkin.
Duke Yurei had come here believing he had nothing left to lose.
Yet here, he had lost something else once again.
"Unfortunately, we cannot allow you to leave until we finish confirming your identity."
Now that even that had been taken from him, Duke Yurei finally began to see clearly.
Within the eyes that had been clouded by shock, a sticky and hideous truth revealed itself.
"Valdemar Golt, you sly old fox! You planned this from the very beginning!"
His profound fury gathered at the tip of his finger as he pointed at Valdemar.
"You spoke of the grief of a father who had lost his son! You claimed you would carry out justice! And now that you have an excuse, you intend to dispose of me like this?!"
Valdemar answered his rage calmly.
"You failed even to recognize your own son, yet here you are struggling so disgracefully, you dog of the demonkin."
"You unforgivable piece of filth!"
Duke Yurei finally lost all reason and sprang from the witness stand.
Something gleamed between his fingers.
Hidden inside his collar was a sharpened awl.
It had been prepared to punish the man who had killed his son.
The weapon he had brought for Ferda now flew toward Valdemar Golt.
He hurled himself forward, but never reached his target.
Something crushed his body downward and slammed him against the floor.
It was Oldin Rooster.
With agility that did not suit his enormous frame, he had swiftly subdued Duke Yurei.
"You are clearly not in your right mind, Duke. Forgive me, but I must be somewhat discourteous."
Crack!
"Aaargh!"
Oldin twisted and broke his arm, rendering him helpless.
Valdemar looked down at him.
"We will first have to interrogate you and determine whether you truly are Duke Yurei. This concerns not merely the safety of the Arken Empire, but that of the Heinkel Kingdom—and indeed, the entire continent."
"Goltttt…!"
Duke Yurei glared at Grand Duke Golt through bloodshot eyes.
His anguished scream echoed throughout the Golden Council.
And thus, the Golden Council's meeting, having descended into complete chaos, was adjourned.
Ferda returned to the inn where he was staying.
Arwon, acting on behalf of Consilus, welcomed him back.
"Do you have any engagements tomorrow as well?"
"No. Now that the session has been adjourned, I doubt there is anything more to discuss."
"Then I will have everything prepared so that you may depart at any time tomorrow."
"Thank you."
Ferda entered the inner section of the pavilion and sat on the sofa.
He reflected on everything that had happened that day.
Ultimately, he had successfully protected the Far East and the assets he was obligated to defend.
'The plan was unquestionably successful.'
Ferda had considered what method would best ensure the safety of the Far East.
Had he attempted to wage an open battle for public opinion, he could never have won.
The Far East could not hope to rival the Empire in either population or influence.
Therefore, Ferda had devised a plan to prove that demonkin worshippers existed within the Empire.
And indeed, they did.
Not among the audience or the ordinary councilors, but among the highest-ranking commissioners.
Worse still, a bishop of the Grand Cathedral had lived all this time as a pawn of the demonkin without anyone knowing.
'This has given us justification for autonomy.'
The corruption hidden beneath the Empire's golden splendor had been exposed, proving that the barrier surrounding the Far East was not the true problem.
They could no longer obstruct him while claiming that the Far East had failed in its responsibilities.
The master of the Blue-Eyed Tower had even stepped forward in its defense.
As a result, the Valdrova Princedom could no longer be regarded as merely a border territory of the Empire.
It would inevitably be recognized as the shield protecting the continent of Cerdes.
'And yet….'
Strangely, Ferda did not feel as though he had won.
Alexander was famous for blundering spectacularly, so Ferda had expected nothing from him in the first place.
Dealing with him had been as dull as watching a twenty-year-old adult fight a seven-year-old child with bare hands.
'Valdemar.'
There was something peculiar about that old man.
Amid the violent waves of emotion that had swept through the council, Valdemar's presence had remained consistent from beginning to end.
He had flowed like a vast river that nothing could obstruct.
Why?
Ferda continued pondering the question as he drank his tea.
"Regent."
Someone called out to him.
It was Arwon.
He entered the pavilion and asked cautiously,
"You have a visitor. It is Her Highness the Princess. How would you like me to proceed?"
The evening sun was already setting.
It was not an appropriate hour for an unmarried woman to be wandering about.
"Tell her she may enter."
After receiving permission, a woman dressed in an inconspicuous robe entered.
She removed her hood, revealing the golden hair she had concealed beneath it.
"Congratulations. You have now secured undeniable justification for autonomy."
"Do you consider this an overwhelming victory?"
Still unable to rid himself of his unease, Ferda questioned Olivia.
"If we judge it solely by the fact that you gained autonomy, then yes, it was a victory."
Her answer was less enthusiastic than expected.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that when you look at the broader picture, it was not truly your victory."
So his unease had not been unfounded.
Olivia must have sensed the same thing Ferda had.
The difference was that while Ferda had perceived it only instinctively, Olivia understood it in concrete terms.
"If we define the victor as the person who benefited the most from this affair, then that person was Grand Duke Golt."
The victor was indeed the one who had remained outside the current, quietly observing as everyone else was swept away.
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