Chapter 47. The Count’s Knights (1)
Yohan fell into deep thought.
As Ilea had said, corrupting the Holy Spear would resolve many issues.
First, there was Gawain. His suspicion toward Yohan would disappear.
He would no longer sense the spear’s energy from Yohan.
That wasn’t all.
The matter of White Horn might also be resolved.
The wound inflicted by Gawain would naturally heal once the spear was corrupted into a Cursed Scripture, and at that mont, White Horn would be able to act again.
Of course, one condition had to be t for this conclusion to hold.
— White Horn must be alive.
If he wasn’t, then corrupting the spear would be aningless.
Yohan had once heard from the Imp about White Horn’s lifeforce, but he couldn’t fully trust the creature.
He needed official confirmation.
Yohan looked at Ilea.
“Let’s confirm just one thing. What exactly is inside the crack that only you can see?”
She gazed at the space above his head.
“I can’t see the inside. But I think I can clear up the fundantal question.”
She already knew what he was really asking.
“Is he alive?”
“Yes. Definitely.”
“Your basis?”
“There’s still Yohan’s miasma in my heart. That ans the protection contract is still in effect. If ‘demon’ Yohan had died, the miasma would’ve disappeared—or in so cases, I would’ve died too.”
With her explanation, it beca clear.
White Horn was alive.
“I see. That clarifies my priorities. From any angle, corrupting the spear is the top priority.”
The Imp shouted with eager eyes.
“I can already hear their screams!”
In contrast, Ilea was watching Yohan with a curious expression.
“You accepted that faster than I expected. This must be a heavy decision for you.”
Yohan had worked hard not to lose his humanity. According to his values, this was not sothing he should be able to carry out.
And Ilea knew that well.
Yohan said,
“Seems you both misunderstood. I have no intention of offering them as sacrifices.”
“Knew it! Far too small a scale to herald the dawn of a great sin!”
Ilea tilted her head.
“Didn’t you just agree with ?”
“Of course the spear must be corrupted. The problem is the thod. Think about it. What are the essential conditions for the Heretic Array?”
“Living sacrifice, mana, and a Holy Relic to corrupt.”
Yohan nodded.
“Let’s say the sacrifice and mana are accounted for. The issue is the relic. Do we even have a way to place the Holy Spear Espada onto the Heretic Array?”
Given the situation, the spear was above Yohan’s head, inside the crack. Even its owner, Gawain, had failed to retrieve it and been gravely wounded. And the crack Ilea spoke of wasn’t even visible to ordinary humans.
No ordinary ans could reach the spear or the crack.
Ilea likely had no solution either. If she could manipulate the crack, she would’ve already experinted with it.
Witches were obsessed with the unknown, after all.
Ilea shook her head.
“As it stands, I can’t so much as touch the crack.”
Yohan frowned.
“Just as I expected. The plan doesn’t even hold. So why did you bring it up? Were you trying to test ?”
Was she curious which path Yohan would choose—humanity or pragmatism? That was the only way to explain her motives.
Ilea composed her expression.
“You’re half right. First, I was curious what decision Yohan would make in a situation with only one visible way forward. So yes, I tested you. I apologize. But you’re wrong to say the plan doesn’t hold. I told you because if we can just find a way to access the crack, it’s a viable plan.”
If she truly wanted him to abandon his humanity, Yohan had to clearly state his values and set them in stone.
“I have a line I won’t cross. No matter what happens, I’ll never go beyond it. Rember that.”
“I will. I won’t test you again.”
Though if that line must be crossed, I’ll do it myself. Without Yohan knowing.
Ilea swallowed the rest of her thoughts and smiled.
Clicking his tongue, Yohan asked,
“Separately, what’s your thod for accessing the crack?”
“I gave it so thought while we walked. There’s no visible chanism, but the crack rejects all forms of magical and physical interaction. That suggests it’s bound by a ‘prohibition.’ Do you know what that is?”
In the Inmalog, a prohibition referred to a tacit law around a phenonon or object.
If soone didn’t et the required qualifications, they couldn’t access it by any ans.
Yohan nodded.
“I know the basics.”
“That prohibition seems to revolve solely around you. My guess is that the crack is so kind of exclusive zone, allowed only to Yohan.”
“You an a place only I can enter?”
“Exactly. After all, the ‘demon’ Yohan is inside that crack right now. Assuming the prohibition doesn’t discriminate between races, even Yohan in his human form should be able to enter. That’s my theory.”
Yohan pondered briefly, then said,
“Seems like a reasonable hypothesis. If your guess is right, then a sacrificial ritual isn’t entirely impossible.”
“There’s another option. It’s still a sacrifice—but with a different offering.”
“Explain in detail.”
“Yohan, in other words, use yourself as the offering. Enter the crack, draw the Heretic Array, and place both the spear and yourself on the altar.”
In that mont, ‘human’ Yohan would vanish from this world.
He would live as a demon for the rest of his life.
“To corrupt a Grade-4 Holy Relic, it takes about two thousand lives. I alone won’t be enough.”
“You’ve forgotten sothing. You’ve got the Eye of the Great Saint embedded in you.”
Right now, Yohan’s body far exceeds the value of two thousand ordinary humans.
Yohan let out a short laugh.
“Impressive. You really are a witch. That’s a brilliantly creative idea—and worth trying.”
Ilea looked puzzled.
“Do you fully understand what you just said? If this succeeds, you’ll never be able to return to being human. You’ll live as a demon forever. Day or night.”
It was a decision that required deep thought.
“Then what if I found soone else with the sa condition and used them instead?”
Interest flashed in Ilea’s eyes.
“You’re saying, get a body part of the Great Saint, implant it into so random person, and offer them instead?”
Yohan gently patted her shoulder, not bothering to hide his appreciation.
“Exactly. Thanks to you, I’ve found a path forward. You really are a witch.”
“…That was a complint, right?”
“Of course.”
After a slight cough, Ilea said,
“Then we’ll have to find the worst person in the world. Soone Yohan can live with sacrificing.”
He had no intention of sacrificing an innocent.
“It’ll be a hassle. We’ll also need to acquire a piece of the Great Saint’s body. It may be hard to understand, but I hope you respect that. This is my line.”
“Don’t worry. I completely understand.”
Yohan nodded and said,
“Then let’s verify your theory first.”
In order for the proposed solution to work, Yohan had to be able to enter the crack.
“That’s impossible for now. At the very least, Yohan needs the ability to perceive the crack before we can test anything.”
“Can you prepare a way to do that?”
“For now, let’s return to the domain. We’ll just stay here for one night.”
Yohan definitely needed rest.
And in a village this size, there was sure to be an inn.
“Alright. Let’s get so sleep and head out right after.”
They headed straight into the village.
The Imp, insisting that a disciple of the End could never use a re shelter as a hideout, burrowed into Ilea’s arms.
***
Baron Grian Miyatro was, as always, drinking alone and lanting his life.
All those noble ladies, Betra who once sat on his lap and flattered him, and Ilea who brought a smile just by existing—none of them were by his side anymore.
He was a re puppet, stuck in his office.
No one sought him out.
Today was different.
The door to his office burst open.
The uninvited guest, who hadn’t even asked for permission to enter, was none other than Gaf.
“Hey, trash. Soone’s looking for you.”
Grian shot up.
“…Th-The Master?”
The Master ant Yohan.
“No. Says they’re from Count Staviana.”
Before he finished speaking, heavy footsteps and the clinking of armor echoed down the hallway.
Gaf called out toward the corridor.
“Go on in and state your business.”
Two knights with large builds entered the office.
They didn’t even remove their visors as they spoke.
“I am Knight Campbell Laura. Sent by Count Staviana.”
Grian stamred.
“I-I am Grian Miyatro. May I ask why the Count has sent you…?”
“Where is the young lord? We’re here to see him.”
The young lord referred to the next heir—Yohan.
Gaf looked puzzled.
“Why are you looking for Lord Yohan?”
The knight with the visor stared at Gaf. His eyes were hidden behind the helm, and he finally spoke.
“You interrupt rudely. I doubt you’re a knight.”
“You’re in no position to scold others about manners—coming into the lord’s office with a sword on your hip.”
The knight tapped his hilt.
“Then why don’t you try taking it from ?”
Gaf snorted.
“Brat hiding in armor. I used to rip your kind apart bare-handed. That tal won’t protect you.”
Just as the knight was about to yell sothing, the other knight intervened.
“Campbell, enough. We’re not here to fight.”
Gaf spoke curtly.
“Then just say what you ca for. Why do you seek Lord Yohan?”
“Count Staviana wishes to et the Young Lord of the Miyatro Family. He sent an invitation. Take a look.”
The knight held out a white piece of paper.
In the center was a seal shaped like an eagle.
“I’ll deliver it. Hand it over.”
The knight shook his head.
“It must be delivered personally.”
“He’s not here right now.”
“That can’t be helped.”
The knight removed his visor and sank into a chair.
“You’re going to wait?”
“Is there any other way?”
“No, so suit yourself.”
The mont he finished speaking, the office door opened.
Yohan and Ilea entered side by side.
Gaf chuckled.
“Nice timing. Young Master, you have visitors. They say they’re from Count Staviana.”
Without even looking at the knights, Yohan said,
“I’m busy. Where’s Raguel?”
The knight furrowed his brow slightly.
“Count Staviana has urgent business with you.”
Yohan clicked his tongue.
“Co back later. I’m busy. Gaf, take Raguel to the basent. It’s urgent.”
With that, Yohan left the office.
The knight was left stunned, frozen in place.
What could possibly be more important than a matter involving Count Staviana? He couldn’t comprehend Yohan’s actions at all.
Gaf smirked and looked at the knight.
“Want to deliver that invitation for you?”
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