127 – So, we’re not like that. (1)
Then, how should they involve the two of them? It wasn’t a difficult task. They just needed the viscount of Lancel to continue appearing at the saint’s official events, right?
Rumors don’t necessarily circulate just because something actually happened. Just the appearance of a possibility is enough for rumors to circulate. Moreover, if a man like Nam Jeong-ne is constantly by the saint’s side, it will surely become a hot topic.
“Let’s not use excessive measures for now. The saint’s reputation is soaring to the sky… People will react more sensitively to even the slightest pretext.”
“What if they keep denying it from their side?”
“Well, the truth is not important. Once people believe it, that’s enough.”
“Hmm… But how do you plan to connect the viscount of Lancel and the saint?”
“Well, there will be a mass soon, right? We’ll invite the viscount of Lancel then.”
“We should also consistently show them being together.”
“That’s not difficult for now either. The saint studied at the Empire’s Academy. It’s been quite a while since she set foot on the land of the Holy Kingdom again, so if the saint does something, won’t people flock to her like clouds? And soon, there will be the Saint Valensia Festival.”
“I see. Are you planning to keep the viscount of Lancel and the saint together throughout the event?”
“Yes.”
“But that would require the consent of both the saint and the viscount.”
“Well…”
“That’s definitely a problem. It’s already well-known that the saint is wary of us. There’s no way she would accept our proposal hastily.”
Once again, they faced a dilemma. How to keep the viscount of Lancel and the saint together.
An attack was out of the question. After all, the saint’s personal power was not overwhelmingly strong. With ordinary mercenaries, only their heads would be broken.
It would be a problem if only they were killed. The inquisitors, who had often dealt with them, knew best how wicked the judges of this heretical court were. If it were an attack on the saint, the judges would be very interested and would try to find the culprit.
Once the judges of the heretical court found out the crime, they would turn into terrifying beings. The inquisitors hoped not to become victims of those judges.
“It’s difficult. It would be nice if there was something we could use.”
“That’s true.”
“But do we really need to think so complicatedly?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Surprisingly, there are many stories that the saint and the viscount of Lancel are close. Can’t we just add to that? After all, if there is any event, the saint will approach him.”
Come to think of it, that wasn’t necessarily a wrong statement. In this situation where the saint does not trust the inquisitors, there would only be a backlash if they forcibly tried to do something.
So, it would be best to just exaggerate their basic friendship.
“Well then, let’s put aside forcibly connecting the saint and the viscount for now… Let’s just watch and spread rumors that inflate their relationship to a certain extent. That seems to be the best way.”
“Alright. Then, let’s leak some information and prepare those who will incite the people when they get agitated. We just need to put those who are good at speaking and have loud voices in between.”
They roughly outlined the plan and disbanded the meeting.
* * *
“It’s been a while.”
Asti and I were looking at the man in front of us, bowing his head with sweat dripping down. The demon who had been studying at Selus Academy until recently, Dantalion.
He had rushed to us at our call and was now bowing his head like this.
“Sir, you called for me. Lord Prax. Lady Asty.”
“Yes. How have you been?”
Since Dantalion had played a significant role in the attack on Ruslan last time, I called him again this time. He was a useful guy in many ways.
After that incident, I heard that he had abandoned his status as an academy student and was living in the human world under a different identity.
But Asty found him within a day when I told her that I needed Dantalion. I wonder how she found him…
“Yes, I’ve been well…”
He looked at Asty with a tense expression. It was understandable since we were the top predators to him. He must have felt like a frog with a snake right in front of him.
But well, I have no intention of devouring him. I just want to use him as I did before, for light tasks.
“There’s something I want you to do.”
“Do you mean… a task?”
“Yes. It can be considered a very suitable mission for you. Oh, of course, I’m not asking you to do it for free. I know you’re a guy who knows how to make deals. Well… it’s something that a demon like you would need, a task that can cultivate evil deeds.”
“Is that really true?”
Dantalion’s eyes sparkled at the mention of evil deeds.
“Whether it’s true or not, it’s not just any evil deed… it’s a deed that will plunge the kingdom into chaos. Isn’t that the kind of evil deed you enjoy the most? After all, you became a higher-ranking demon by obtaining a significant evil deed from Nebiros last time.”
“Oh…!”
That’s right. Demons don’t care about wealth or honor. The honor they gain in the human world is all vanity. It’s like gaining honor from a toy. It’s just laughable.
In the end, what they desire is more power and a higher position in Hell as a result.
Breaking through the barrier of their innate limitations and becoming a demon with greater power, trampling on the demons who have ignored them.
That’s what they desire the most.
In other words, in order to move demons, they needed a chance to accumulate a solid “evil deed.”
And this time, what Prax would ask Dantalion to do was a significant evil deed among them. It involved inciting and deceiving the people within the kingdom, causing discord.
Causing chaos in the land that serves the celestial beings alone was already a significant evil deed, which is why Dantalion was so eager.
“And I will absolutely guarantee your safety in this matter. So, what do you think? We won’t force you.”
“R-Really? Can I have some time to think about it?”
Dantalion seemed to be considering it, and after a while, he nodded. No matter how you calculate it, it was a story that only benefited him, so there was no reason to refuse.
“I will do it. What specific task should I do?”
“It’s simple.”
I subtly explained to him what he needed to do. He would monitor the officials of the kingdom and assist them in their work.
“Is that all? No, why would helping the officials cause turmoil in the kingdom…?”
“Those guys are rotten. They are individuals who accumulate evil deeds that are not befitting of officials in the kingdom… By helping them, your evil deeds will naturally accumulate.”
“I see. I understand right away.”
“There are a few individuals among the officials who have clear thoughts, so you need to judge the ones who commit wrongdoings well. They will be very eager to harm the saint, so help them with their plans.”
“Do you mean I should help them plan to harm the saint?”
“Yes. However, you don’t need to take a prominent role. Your main role in this task is to tease them with your mouth. It’s your main ability, which symbolizes you more than magic.”
“If that’s the case, I’m confident. Leave it to me.”
“And if you sense any suspicious movements, let me know immediately.”
Dantalion nodded in response to my words and disappeared in front of me. Soon, he would find a place among the officials.
I don’t know what method he will use, but deceiving humans and joining their ranks is the specialty of demons, so he will figure it out on his own.
“Now all we have to do is wait.”
“Yes.”
“I wonder how the Chugikyung will turn out.”
“…Right. It would be quite challenging to corner the saint in any ordinary way, so how will it turn out?”
And not long after entrusting the task to Dantalion.
I was summoned by Adrian once again.
—
“So, you’re saying I must be present at the Holy Valencia Celebration this time?”
“Yes. It seems so. Given your significant position in the Imperial Envoy… It might be bothersome, but I ask of you.”
“Indeed… Coming as an envoy and not showing up at a significant celebration of the Holy Empire would not be appropriate. Besides, the purpose of this visit to the Holy Empire is also to demonstrate the enduring bond between the Holy Empire and the Empire’s citizens.”
“Yes. That’s why I hope you will participate, Senpai.”
“Well, it’s not a difficult task, I understand. Oh, but on the day of the celebration, let’s be careful not to be too close to each other. We might be misunderstood.”
“Of course.”