Chapter 165 - Everything Went According to Plan

An eerie green light seeped out from Young Duke Yurei's body, making it tremble violently.

Because Preservation Magic had been cast on it, it didn't feel as though a corpse had been awakened. Instead, it seemed like someone had simply risen from a deep sleep.

"Who are you?"

It was Erika Iorga who asked the question.

"Marcus... Yurei... the... son... of... Perry Yurei..."

Normally, identifying the deceased was only a formality, but Erika dug deeper.

"Let me ask again. Before you became Marcus, who were you?"

He answered.

"Kevin... of... the Red Fields..."

Kevin of the Red Fields.

Introducing himself that way meant he was the descendant of an ordinary farmer.

It was an introduction Marcus Yurei could never have given.

No one present suspected the testimony had been fabricated.

The dead could not lie.

"How did you become Marcus Yurei?"

"Kidnapped... Marcus Yurei... murdered him... then... used... the Doppler Ampoule..."

"What is the Doppler Ampoule?"

"The path... to becoming... the servant... of the great... Lord Godwin..."

Godwin, the Black Dragon.

The greatest and most dreadful evil dragon that no one could ever forget.

Those who followed him were Demon Race Followers.

Without even having time to process the shock, Erika continued.

"Did Regent Ferda kill you?"

"N... no..."

"Then how did you die from Black Magic?"

"Frame... Ferda... create... chaos... Ughhhhhh!!"

The green glow in his eyes faded away.

All the questions that Deadman's Knock could ask had been exhausted.

Which meant it was finally time to counterattack.

"Bishop Joseph Faust."

The seemingly silent Ferda finally spoke.

Amid the sea of shock, Joseph's shoulders jerked upright.

"W-What is it, Regent Ferda?"

"You said the source of the Black Magic was me, didn't you?"

The calm gaze Ferda had maintained until now slowly changed.

"You declared everything under Alte's Light openly and fairly. So could you explain how I somehow became the source of Black Magic?"

Without even waiting for the chairman's approval, he shifted the subject.

Then again, what approval was necessary?

The very man who had publicly declared that nothing could be hidden beneath Alte's Light—the religious leader of the Empire itself—had nearly framed someone because of such a catastrophic mistake. 1

"W-Well... when I investigated, it was certainly Regent Ferda Valdrova..."

"It seems there was an error. May I inspect those traces again?"

Ferda asked casually, already knowing the answer.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. They were heavily damaged during the investigation..."

"Then let's see exactly how damaged they are."

The one who interrupted him was Erdes Roton.

As someone who despised demons, she naturally loathed Black Magic as well.

Without asking anyone's permission, she reached toward the corpse and began examining it.

"Oh my. Someone practically tore it apart on purpose. How could they make such a mess? Hmm... Fortunately, I do happen to know how to restore this."

She made a few gestures with her fingers.

The blurred traces gradually became clearer until they completely returned to their original state.

"Now then... hmm... It's definitely not something made in the Grand Duchess Valdrova's territory. I can still smell the north on it."

She cheerfully listed one piece of information after another.

Meanwhile, Joseph Faust's face steadily turned pale.

He was the leader of the Empire's state religion.

But Erdes was the President of the Magic Association, representing the entire Cerdes Continent.

"Committee Member Faust..."

Valdemar Golt called his name in disbelief.

"Those are mere assumptions!"

Joseph shouted.

"It's possible the traces were overwritten when Regent Ferda cast Preservation Magic..."

"If someone claiming to be a bishop can be fooled by nothing more than the scheme of a mere Four-Star Mage, doesn't that just mean you're incompetent?"

"T-This is clearly a conspiracy!"

Joseph pointed directly at Ferda.

The tighter the corner he was backed into, the more irrational he became.

"That Demon Race spawn from the Far East is obviously trying to paint me as a liar!"

Foaming at the mouth, Joseph desperately tried to brand Ferda as one of the Demon Race.

But no one could yet determine where the truth truly lay.

After all, it was difficult to believe that the widely respected Leader of the Alte Religion was actually a cruel follower of the Demon Race.

At that moment, one of Akard Dvelung's aides rushed over and whispered something into his ear.

Watching this unfold, Ferda felt a temptation worthy of the devil himself.

He had the urge to extend his shadow and eavesdrop.

Even though he already had a good idea what it was about, he wanted to hear it with his own ears.

"There are urgent reports that new evidence has been discovered!"

Akard's icy gaze settled upon someone.

"Committee Member Joseph Faust."

"Y-Yes, Chairman..."

"It has been reported that unidentified human remains were discovered inside your room in the cathedral. How do you explain that?"

Ferda quietly measured the timing.

One hour and twenty minutes.

Considering the time needed for the report to arrive, it had probably taken around an hour.

Not quite what he was capable of in his prime.

To anyone else it was an unprecedented achievement.

But Ferda, who knew that man's true abilities, couldn't say he was completely satisfied.

"Human remains...? W-What are you talking about...?"

"It has just been confirmed. A decaying corpse was found hidden inside a secret vault in your private bedroom, together with top-secret classified documents."

Even Chairman Akard had abandoned all pretense of neutrality.

"If you cannot provide a proper explanation, Bishop, you will not be leaving this chamber today."

Joseph clasped his trembling hands together.

"I-I know nothing about that corpse. I... I..."

His trembling suddenly stopped.

Ecstatic madness spread across his face.

"I offer this body in accordance with the will of Lord Godwin, Master of the Void!"

Spreading both arms wide, Joseph roared.

Then he activated a self-destruct spell.

Just as light was about to erupt from his body—

A cube suddenly imprisoned him completely.

The growing radiance was instantly suppressed.

"Oh? You actually think you can put on a suicide show right in front of me?"

It was Erdes's magic.

"You miserable piece of trash."

What Erdes hated most were demons.

The only thing she hated nearly as much...was the Demon Race.

She clenched the hand she had extended toward the cube.

A horrifying cracking sound echoed throughout the chamber.

Crack!

"AAAAAGH!"

Joseph Faust screamed in agony.

But Erdes wasn't finished.

Crack!

Craaack!

She twisted.

She folded.

She crushed.

She did not stop until every bone in his body had been shattered and he hung limply like an octopus.

She tortured him until he was barely clinging to life, turning him into something resembling a grotesque specimen trapped inside the cube.

Only after reducing him to a rag did Erdes look toward Erika.

"You let me investigate the Black Magic, so I'll be taking this one back with me for further investigation. No objections, Erika?"

"...Very well."

"Looks like there's nothing interesting left to discuss anyway. Since the fun's over, mind if I leave? I'm dying to find out what kind of scheme this bastard was plotting."

She technically asked Akard.

But before he could answer, Erdes casually opened a portal and departed for the Magic Association, taking Bishop Joseph with her.

Her complete disregard for procedure irritated everyone.

Yet compared to everything else that had happened today, it barely registered.

The Golden Council had once again become a complete disaster, as though a storm had swept through it.

Among everyone present, the person who suffered the greatest shock was Duke Yurei.

"It can't be... My son... You're saying... that wasn't my son...?"

Just when had his son ceased to be his son?

Countless questions burst forth like a dam collapsing.

But there was no longer any way to answer them.

Not anymore.

"Everyone, please remain calm. This session has not yet been adjourned."

It wasn't Akard this time.

It was Valdemar who restored order.

"Duke Yurei..."

He looked down at him.

"It would seem the one impersonating your son was a member of the Demon Race—or one of their followers."

"..."

"Which means..."

Valdemar folded his hands on the table.

With a heavy sigh, he continued.

"We'll have to conduct a thorough investigation into your identity."

"W-What... are you saying?"

"What do you think? You must prove that you are human."

Duke Yurei shouted.

"Of course I'm human! I am Perry Yurei of House Yurei, who has devoted itself to the Kingdom!"

"And why should we believe that?"

Valdemar's gaze remained cold.

"You didn't even realize that the son closest to you was a member of the Demon Race."

"I... I..."

"Perhaps you yourself weren't replaced."

He shook his head.

"But what if you willingly cooperated with followers of the Demon Race?"

"There's no way I'd ever do something so absurd!"

"Absurd?"

Valdemar slowly shook his head.

"Hadn't you already lost everything and come here intending to settle everything once and for all?"

That was precisely how demon worshippers and Demon Race followers behaved.

When they believed they had nothing left to lose.

He had come here believing exactly that.

Yet here, he had lost something once again.

"Unfortunately, you won't be leaving until we've confirmed your identity."

Only after even that was taken from him did Duke Yurei finally see the ugly truth through the haze of his shock.

"Valdemar Golt... you old fox! So this was your plan from the very beginning!!"

His rage condensed into his pointing finger.

"You spoke of a father's grief after losing his son! You claimed to seek justice! And now that you finally have an excuse, you're trying to dispose of me like this?!"

Valdemar answered without hesitation.

"You couldn't even recognize your own son, yet you struggle so pathetically, dog of the Demon Race."

"You despicable piece of filth!!"

At last, Duke Yurei completely lost control.

He leapt from the witness stand.

Something flashed in his hand.

Hidden beneath his sleeve was a sharp awl.

"Today... I'll kill you, if no one else!"

It was originally the weapon he had prepared to avenge his son.

A weapon meant for Ferda.

Instead, it flew toward Valdemar Golt.

He lunged with everything he had.

But never reached him.

His body was suddenly crushed downward and slammed violently against the floor.

Oldin Rooster.

Despite his enormous frame, he moved with astonishing agility, instantly subduing Duke Yurei.

"You've completely lost your senses, Duke. Forgive my rudeness."

Crack!

"AAAAAGH!"

Oldin twisted his arm, rendering him completely helpless.

Looking down at him, Valdemar spoke.

"First, we'll determine whether you truly are Duke Yurei."

His voice remained calm.

"For the safety not only of the Arken Empire, but also the Heinkel Kingdom... and indeed, the entire continent."

"Goooolt...!"

With bloodshot eyes, Duke Yurei glared at the Grand Duke.

His desperate roar echoed throughout the Golden Council.

And thus, the utterly ruined meeting of the Golden Council finally came to an end.

***

Ferda returned to the inn where he had been staying.

Acting on behalf of Ulvera Consilus, Arwen greeted him.

"Do you have any more engagements tomorrow, Your Highness?"

"No. The council has adjourned. I don't believe there's anything left to discuss."

"Then I'll make preparations so you may depart whenever you wish tomorrow."

"Thank you."

Ferda entered the tent and sat down on the sofa.

He carefully reviewed everything that had happened today.

In the end, the Far East and all of its assets—everything he had sworn to protect—had remained safe.

The plan succeeded exactly as intended.

Ferda had thought long and hard about how to safeguard the Far East.

He could never win a direct battle of public opinion.

The Empire simply possessed too much population and influence.

So he chose another approach.

He would prove that followers of the Demon Race existed within the Empire itself.

And indeed...

They did.

Not among the spectators.

Not among the ordinary council members.

But among the Highest Committee itself.

The bishop of the Empire's cathedral had unknowingly served the Demon Race all this time.

With this, we've secured the justification for autonomy.

The integrity once hidden beneath golden splendor had been completely exposed.

It proved that the Far East's defensive barrier was never the real problem.

No one could continue blaming the Far East.

Even the Master of the Blue Eye Magic Tower had stepped forward in its defense.

From now on, the Grand Duchess Valdrova's territory would no longer be viewed as a distant frontier of the Empire.

It would be recognized as the shield protecting the entire Cerdes Continent.

And yet...

He couldn't shake the feeling that he hadn't truly won.

Alexander had always been famous for blundering.

Ferda had never expected much from him.

It had been as one-sided as watching a twenty-year-old adult wrestle a seven-year-old child barehanded.

Valdemar...

That old man was strange.

Throughout the overwhelming tides of emotion, Valdemar had remained unchanged from beginning to end.

Like an immense river that nothing could ever stop.

Why?

Sipping his tea, Ferda continued pondering.

"Your Highness."

Someone called out.

It was Arwen.

Entering the tent, he asked cautiously,

"You have a visitor. It's the Imperial Princess. What shall I tell her?"

It was around sunset.

Not exactly the safest time for a woman to be wandering outside.

"Show her in."

Permission granted, a woman wearing an inconspicuous robe entered the tent moments later.

She lowered her hood, revealing the blonde hair hidden beneath it.

"Congratulations."

She smiled.

"With this, you've firmly secured the justification for autonomy."

"Would you call this a complete victory?"

Ferda asked Olivia Arken, unable to shake his lingering unease.

"If we're only talking about obtaining autonomy, then yes—you won."

Her answer was far from reassuring.

"What do you mean?"

"If you look at the bigger picture..."

She paused.

"...Then that's not actually the case."

So his unease had been justified.

Olivia had sensed exactly what Ferda had.

The difference was that while Ferda had only felt it instinctively...

Olivia understood it clearly.

"If we were to name the greatest beneficiary of everything that happened today..."

She looked directly at him.

"...That title would belong to Grand Duke Golt."

In the end, the true victor was the one who had remained outside the current...quietly observing while everyone else was swept away by it.

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