Chapter 126
Muel (4)
The moment Johan became Prince, the count’s wife, Yeriyan, would also be resurrected.
That day was no longer far off.
With both the royal family’s authority and the count’s power behind him, Johan should soon be able to accomplish his goal.
The count spoke calmly.
“What would you have me do?”
From this point onward, Johan needed the count’s power.
The count had to step forward and guide every decision made during the meetings in the direction Johan desired.
Johan opened his mouth.
“To begin with, Cromwell, become the Chief Investigator for this incident.”
Johan needed to be directly involved in the investigation of the attempted summoning of Muel. Otherwise, troublesome complications might arise.
Unfortunately, it would be difficult for Johan to assume overall responsibility for the investigation himself.
He was still too young, and his influence within the Council remained limited.
Even if the count forced the matter through and installed Johan as Chief Investigator, it would inevitably provoke opposition from outside parties.
Rather than becoming embroiled in needless controversy, it would be better to place the count in charge.
If the count became Chief Investigator, probably no one would object.
Johan would merely have to control the count from behind the scenes.
The count said,
“It seems we will have to manipulate the investigation.”
Johan nodded.
“We will need to alter it to some extent. First, we must keep Archmage Lumina alive.”
The count furrowed his brow slightly.
“...Was Lumina not the mastermind behind this incident? Even I would find it difficult to shelter a Class-One Apostate.”
Since she had attempted to summon a Great Demon, Lumina would be classified as a Class-One Apostate.
A Class-One Apostate could not be pardoned for any reason.
The Holy Kingdom and the Empire would be watching closely to see how Lumina was dealt with.
The kingdom did not possess enough power to save her.
Lumina had to die.
Johan spoke.
“Do not worry about that. I have someone who can take Lumina’s place.”
“You intend to use a substitute?”
“Something like that.”
Verdan the Schemer.
Johan intended to make some use of him.
A trace of skepticism crossed the count’s face.
“Lumina might die during the interrogation. No, there is a high probability that she will. Would that not cause problems for you? From the looks of it, you seem to need Lumina.”
Johan had said that Lumina needed to be kept alive.
The count assumed that Johan required the Archmage’s power.
The truth was slightly different.
Johan had to protect Lumina in order to uphold the promise he had made to King Roderick.
Johan nodded.
“That is why I intend to conduct Lumina’s interrogation myself. Count, nominate me as her interrogator.”
He merely had to torture her moderately, pretend to extract information, and then secretly spirit her away.
The count let out a contemplative hum.
“The Church will strongly oppose it.”
The present incident had arisen from a demonic affair.
When it came to matters involving demons, the Church rarely surrendered control to outsiders.
“Is it impossible?”
The count considered it briefly before shaking his head.
“Not impossible. However, we will likely have to make a considerable donation to the Church.”
He was referring to a political transaction.
Johan chuckled.
“That is for you to handle. In any case, I will be the one to interrogate Lumina.”
As always, he was being completely unreasonable.
The count was accustomed to that side of Johan and showed no particular displeasure.
“I will see that it is done as you wish. Is there anything else you require of me?”
“This will be enough for today’s meeting.”
The meetings would continue for several days.
The count would have to work hard during that time.
“...Today, you say. It seems I will be rather busy for the foreseeable future.”
Johan shrugged.
“Get some rest. There should still be around two hours before the assembly, so you could even take a nap.”
The count had to be considerably exhausted.
He had spent ten straight hours on horseback.
He replied expressionlessly,
“I do not have the time. There is a mountain of people I must meet.”
The count was a busy man.
Countless dignitaries were waiting to see him.
Johan waved his hand.
“Then be on your way.”
As he left the study, the count said,
“I will see you later.”
The Royal Council meeting would begin that evening.
Not all the nobles had reached the capital yet.
Those traveling from distant territories would not even be able to attend.
The same applied to Johan.
He had no choice but to miss today’s meeting.
Once the sun set, he would transform into a demon.
“Ilea will attend in my place.”
The count looked puzzled.
“What are you talking about?”
“Circumstances have made it necessary.”
Johan offered no further explanation.
The count did not press him for answers.
He merely stared at Johan for a moment before murmuring,
“I am sure you have thought everything through.”
He promptly walked out the door.
After the count departed, Ilea came to the study.
The moment she saw Johan, she spoke.
“Circumstances are turning in your favor.”
Through the unexpected variable known as Muel, Johan had gained quite a lot.
He had placed a leash around the king’s neck and secured the important position of interrogator.
Moreover, he had managed to leave everyone with a somewhat favorable impression of the entity known as Mapheltan.
—The decisive factor that allowed Muel’s summoning ritual to be stopped was the Thirteenth Apostle of the End.
That story was now spreading rapidly throughout the capital.
To be honest, Johan was rather satisfied with the present circumstances.
One day, he would have to unite the powers of humanity and demonkind.
It was necessary to prepare for the apocalypse that would come in the latter half of the story.
The more humans revered him, the more advantageous it would be for Johan.
Muel had laid the foundation for that.
At least, that was how things appeared based solely on the outcome.
Muel’s true intentions remained unclear.
Johan said,
“I hate to admit it, but in the end, I did benefit somewhat from Muel’s actions.”
“Do you think Muel deliberately helped you?”
Muel was a demon with a powerful gift of foresight.
Because he could see the future, he always acted in whatever manner would benefit him most.
This incident would be no exception.
Muel had undoubtedly gained something from it.
But what exactly had he gained?
Did creating advantageous circumstances for Johan truly benefit Muel as well?
Or did he have some other objective?
“We cannot be certain of anything yet. I merely intend to focus on the situation before me. If fortune has presented itself, I should naturally make use of it.”
Johan decided not to dwell too much on Muel.
Any conclusions he reached now would be nothing more than speculation.
He intended to focus on what he could accomplish immediately.
Ilea’s expression became solemn.
She spoke carefully.
“Everything has fallen into place far too conveniently. To be honest, it makes me uneasy. I do not think we should completely disregard the matter of Muel.”
Johan nodded.
“I have no intention of forgetting about Muel altogether. I plan to obtain some information about him while interrogating Lumina.”
Archmage Lumina might possess some understanding of Muel’s schemes or intentions.
Johan was placing his hopes in her.
Ilea said,
“Then you truly must secure the position of interrogator.”
“I have already spoken to the count about it. It seems you and the count will have to endure some hardship.”
Ilea would attend the Royal Council meeting in Johan’s place that day.
She had to impersonate Johan and reinforce the authority of House Myatro.
Johan felt no particular anxiety.
He trusted Ilea’s abilities.
Ilea smiled gently.
“Do not worry. I will handle it well. You will achieve everything you desire.”
She seemed quite dependable.
Looking out the window, Johan said,
“The sun will set soon. Prepare to attend the meeting.”
Less than an hour remained before it began.
Ilea immediately released her mana.
Her appearance transformed in an instant.
She now looked completely identical to Johan.
Ilea smiled with her eyes and said,
“I’ll be back.”
The fake Johan left the study.
***
The royal palace’s grand hall was filled with people.
Every one of them was a noble attending the meeting.
Regardless of whether they came from the provinces or the capital, or whether their houses were great or small, numerous noble families throughout the kingdom had sent representatives to the royal palace to discuss the present crisis.
Well over a hundred people had already gathered.
Of course, only a small number of nobles possessed the right to speak.
Seats had been arranged before the throne for the privileged elite among the nobility so that they could exchange their opinions.
The remaining nobles stood in orderly rows along both ends of the grand hall. In truth, they were little more than decorations present for the sake of appearances.
Naturally, no one voiced any complaints.
They all understood their place.
Everyone remained silent, waiting for the count to speak.
Standing one step below the throne, the count slowly surveyed the grand hall.
As the kingdom’s chancellor, he was presiding over the meeting.
The count spoke expressionlessly.
“It appears everyone who can attend has gathered. Escort His Majesty inside.”
The moment he finished speaking, a member of the palace guard shouted loudly,
“His Majesty the King approaches!”
The doors to the grand hall flew open on both sides.
The resounding blare of trumpets filled the chamber.
Dressed in ceremonial robes, the king slowly entered along the red carpet.
Every noble simultaneously dropped to one knee.
Speaking on their behalf, the count said,
“We greet His Majesty, our great king.”
King Roderick avoided the count’s gaze.
“...It has been a long time, Count.”
Even as a child, he had struggled to meet the count’s eyes.
Although they had grown old together and spent many years in one another’s company, the king still found the count intimidating.
Roderick ascended the steps leading to the throne and took the highest seat.
The count rose from his kneeling position.
Following his lead, all the nobles straightened.
Looking down at the assembly, the count spoke.
“We shall now commence the first session of the Royal Council. The matters on the agenda are—”
The king raised one hand.
“Before we begin, may I say a few words?”
He had interrupted the count.
It was a rare occurrence.
The nobles began murmuring among themselves.
The count showed no particular reaction.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Please speak freely.”
The king glanced cautiously at the count before turning his gaze toward the nobles.
Roderick’s expression grew grave.
In a remarkably powerful voice, he declared,
“Listen well, my lords. I, Roderick Artelga, King of the Artelga Kingdom, find the present circumstances utterly deplorable. Cracks are forming in the peace that has endured for five hundred years. Evil runs rampant beyond the capital, while an Apostle roams freely within it. Vile spirits infest the provinces, and wicked factions at the heart of the kingdom threaten the royal family.”
The nobles wondered what he intended to say after such a preamble, but they remained silent and listened attentively.
The king continued.
“I intend to break this cycle of evil. While we have grown complacent in peace and begun to disregard evil, one house has watched over it for centuries. I now entrust that house with this great undertaking.”
The king turned toward the seats occupied by the nobles of the Council.
“Johan von Myatro, Watcher of Narak, hear my command. You shall serve as Chief Investigator of the demonic incident that occurred last night. From this moment until the investigation concludes, you shall possess the authority to command every organization within the capital.”
The grand hall erupted into commotion.