“In the meantime, I prepared a few things I thought you might want.”

The Count set a stack of documents on the table. Yohan examined them. The parchments contained detailed profiles of the Council members and a chart of their relationships. There were also several letters of recommendation, a promissory note, and an adoption registration form.

'He took care of everything without being asked.'

The Count was working on several fronts to ensure Yohan's ascension as sovereign duke. For a start, the material on the Council would be immensely helpful. Yohan knew little about its members beyond the broad outlines.

The original novel he had read had not covered the Council in detail, either. Chronicle of Humans and Demons was an ensemble narrative, and by its nature, it could not explore everything in depth. The material the Count had prepared was far more detailed than the superficial information Yohan had gleaned from the original novel.

Reading through the documents, Yohan smiled in satisfaction.

“As expected, Cromwell. If nothing else, I like how you get things done.”

The Count's expression remained blank.

“You would do well to learn those documents by heart. In particular, Horentz of House Marcano. Familiarize yourself with every last word concerning him.”

The viscountal House of Marcano was the kingdom's greatest merchant house. Despite their lowly origins, they had risen to the kingdom's pinnacle through sheer ability. Their current head was particularly shrewd: Horentz von Marcano. He effectively held the kingdom's economy in his grasp. He was a model for every merchant to aspire to.

Yohan nodded.

“I'm well acquainted with Horentz. I intend to see him first as soon as I reach the royal capital.”

Horentz played a substantial role in Chronicle of Humans and Demons. His power remained overwhelmingly effective even in the latter part of the original novel.

The Count's brow furrowed slightly.

“Read the material properly. Once you examine it closely, you won't be talking about meeting Horentz.”

Yohan chuckled.

“Horentz can read other people's thoughts. Is that what you wish to tell me, Count?”

Horentz could access other people's brains. The moment he used his power, the target's thoughts and state of mind flowed directly into him. The power was called the Mind-Piercing Eye.

As long as he used the Mind-Piercing Eye, Horentz was bound to hold the advantage in every deal and negotiation. The moment someone faced him, even their hidden secrets would be laid bare. Under no circumstances should Yohan meet him.

The Count spoke with a composed expression.

“You knew about Horentz?”

“Of all the Council members, Horentz is the one I probably know more about than you do, Count.”

Horentz had another secret besides the Mind-Piercing Eye.

The Count was somewhat puzzled.

“How very strange. Only a handful of people in this world should know about the Mind-Piercing Eye.”

Yohan shrugged.

“I'm one of them.”

After a moment's thought, the Count spoke.

“... You already knew about Yeriel, too. And now the Mind-Piercing Eye. Where on earth did you hear all this?”

Yeriel and the Mind-Piercing Eye. Neither was information easily obtained through ordinary means.

“If you're asking about my source, I'm afraid I cannot disclose it.”

“Cannot disclose it? You mean it is impossible to speak of it, regardless of whether you wish to?”

Exactly. He could hardly say he had read the information in the original novel. An interdiction forbade it.

Yohan nodded.

“Well, something like that. In any case, I'll tell you a secret about Horentz, in recognition of your efforts.”

Even if it was because of Yeriel, the Count was supporting Yohan in every way, material and otherwise. Yohan would have to offer something in return, if only for the sake of their future relationship.

“What is it?”

The Count's face was expressionless, but his ears were probably pricked. He understood the power of information well.

Yohan spoke calmly.

“Horentz isn't the one who possesses the Mind-Piercing Eye.”

The Count's brow furrowed slightly.

“Who is, then?”

“The young lady of House Marcano. Serena Marcano.”

Horentz's daughter was the true possessor of the Mind-Piercing Eye.

“... Is that information accurate?”

“Of course. Think carefully. Horentz will always have brought Serena with him to public occasions.”

The Count searched his memory for a moment. Just as Yohan said, Horentz had been accompanied by Serena on most occasions.

The Count gave a disbelieving chuckle.

“So that was it. Now I understand. But why are you telling me this?”

Yohan answered evenly.

“We're in the same boat now. We need to share some information.”

The Count was exceedingly wary of Horentz and behaved with considerable restraint in matters involving him. That did nothing to advance Yohan's cause. Only if the Count wielded unchecked power could Yohan achieve his goals as quickly as possible.

The Count nodded in understanding.

“I see what you mean. It should be easier to put pressure on Marcano from now on.”

Until now, he had always sent a representative to occasions where he would have to face Horentz, wary of the Mind-Piercing Eye. That was no longer necessary. As long as he watched out for Serena, he could easily bring House Marcano to heel.

He fell silent for a while. There was something cold about his expression.

Yohan frowned.

“Count, let me warn you now: do not lay a finger on Serena.”

The Count was probably considering ways to assassinate her. Cromwell was more than capable of such a thing.

He sounded a little puzzled.

“If Serena disappears, House Marcano will gradually lose its strength. What could be better for you?”

The viscountal House of Marcano was a leading royalist house. Royalist nobles would never recognize House Miyatro's right to self-rule. For Yohan, who needed to become a sovereign duke, House Marcano was a thorn in his side.

Yohan spoke.

“Serena's power is extraordinarily useful. It would be far too great a waste to dispose of her simply because she stands in my way. I will make that power mine.”

The Count folded his arms.

“In other words, you intend to become engaged to Serena?”

“That would be the surest method. You can't physically take another person's power, after all.”

“Weren't you planning to marry that silver-haired mage?”

Yohan had sent Ilea to become the Count's adopted daughter. His intention was clear: give her the Staviana surname, then marry her.

What would follow was obvious. House Staviana would fall into Yohan's hands. The Count had no one else to inherit his house.

His only child was the daughter born to him and Yeriel: Naria de Staviana, currently queen of the Kingdom of Artelga. As both a queen and a woman, she could not become House Staviana's heir. Nor did the Count have any siblings.

Under this arrangement, the Count's son-in-law stood first in line to inherit House Staviana. That position would be Yohan's.

Yohan spoke.

“That's right. Barring any complications, I intend to become engaged to Ilea as well.”

The Count frowned slightly.

“You intend to have two wives?”

He had loved only one woman his entire life. He seemed to feel disgust toward Yohan.

Yohan chuckled.

“Three, four... perhaps even ten.”

As far as Yohan was concerned, the number of wives did not matter. He could marry a hundred if necessary.

The Count stifled a groan.

“The kingdom's law permits only one wife. Even I would find it difficult to alter that principle.”

It was a tradition and law that had endured in the kingdom for five hundred years.

Yohan replied.

“Once I become sovereign duke, what will the kingdom's laws matter?”

The duchy would have new laws of its own. He would have no need to concern himself with the kingdom's laws.

The Count gave him a cold look.

“... You aren't wrong. But you are still a noble of this kingdom. For now, you must abide by its laws.”

Yohan nodded.

“Don't worry. I'm not saying I'll become engaged to two women right away. First, I need to win over Lady Marcano. Ilea comes after that.”

Nothing about his relationship with Ilea had been settled yet. He intended to decide her role as the situation developed.

The Count's tone grew a little chilly.

“Has that mage agreed to your intentions?”

“Agreed to what?”

“I'm asking what she thinks about you having several wives.”

The Count had met and spoken with Ilea before. She had openly expressed her anger toward Hakain in front of him. The source of that hatred was clear. It was the defensive response that arose when something precious was threatened.

Ilea considered Yohan someone very precious to her. The Count could see it all.

Yohan frowned.

“Ilea won't particularly care. Why are you asking me these questions in the first place, Count?”

He could not fathom the Count's intentions.

The Count gave a disbelieving laugh.

“You are a clever fool. You act as though you know everything, yet you fail to grasp what matters most. A man who does not understand affection can never stand above others. All human desires begin with affection. Only when you can control and exploit that emotion can you bend others to your will. Possessiveness, obsession, devotion, jealousy toward anything at all... such emotions ultimately spring from affection.”

He had suddenly begun expounding his political philosophy. Yohan was utterly bewildered.

'... Is my saying I'll take several wives really enough to get under his skin that badly?'

For the Count, the last romantic left in this age, it was entirely possible. Yohan, of course, found it difficult to understand.

'Let's change the subject.'

He had no intention of engaging in a pointless argument. Just as he was about to steer the conversation elsewhere, a knock came at the door.

“It's Ilea. May I come in for a moment?”

The Count answered.

“Come in.”

The door slowly opened. Yohan froze. He could not take his eyes off Ilea.

Adorned in an elaborate dress and light makeup, she truly looked like a painting. The witch was so beautiful she inspired awe.

Beaming, Ilea twirled in place.

“What do you think, Yohan? Everyone says I look pretty.”

They said fine clothes gave you wings, and dressed up like this, Ilea looked every bit an angel. This was how she would live for the time being.

Yohan nodded.

“... It suits you even better than I expected.”

Ilea's eyes curved into a smile.

“Really? I'm glad.”

Watching the two of them, the Count gave a knowing smile. He addressed Yohan.

“Allow me to show you some evidence for my philosophy.”

“What are you suddenly—”

Before Yohan could finish, the Count spoke.

“Ilea, did you know? Sir Yohan intends to take wives besides you. Several of them, in fact.”

At once, the smile vanished from Ilea's face. The air in the room turned cold. Her face set like wax, she began to speak.