Chapter 130 - Mind-Piercing Eye

“Let me ask you one thing. What is your ultimate goal?”

Ever since possessing a body in this world, Yohan had sought nothing more than survival. He had struggled simply to stay alive.

That had not changed. Everything he did was a desperate effort not to die. He had built up his power and influence to preserve his life, but it still was not enough.

Toward the end of the original novel, the world was destroyed. Demons and humans alike met their deaths.

To prevent that predetermined ending, Yohan needed overwhelming dominion. He intended to bring every sentient being under his rule.

Maphel’tan spoke calmly.

“I will reign as all evil incarnate and the god of all people.”

The Count stared at him without answering. Only after a long while did he speak.

“... So at least you do not wish for humanity’s destruction.”

Every Apostle lived to bring humanity to extinction. Their thirst for vengeance against humans and the Great Saint knew no end. Once the gods of forgotten ancient races, they had been corrupted by Marziel. They could not help but hate him and his flock.

Maphel’tan was different. Though an Apostle, he did not sing of humanity’s end. Instead, he sought to reign over humans.

He was an oddity among oddities.

He said, “As I told you earlier, I am a half-demon. Human blood flows through my veins as well. Why would I wish for humanity’s demise?”

The Count gathered his thoughts before speaking.

“I understand your goal. If you resurrect Yeriyan and do not set yourself against her, then I, Cromwell Staviana, shall forever stand with the Watcher of the Abyss and Thirteenth Apostle of the End.”

He made that pledge with a composed expression. Whether he meant it was unclear. He might have been lying to escape his present predicament.

Maphel’tan had no way of verifying the Count’s true intentions. He did not yet possess the Mind-Piercing Eye.

‘I need Serena.’

Serena Marcano. He needed to recruit her soon if he wanted to be free of doubts like these.

Maphel’tan slowly nodded.

“Cromwell, I hope you mean what you just said.”

The Count looked straight into his red eyes.

“And I can only hope that your declaration was sincere.”

So long as you do not make an enemy of Yeriyan, an angel—in other words, so long as you do not destroy humanity—I will lend you my strength.

That was what the Count was saying.

Maphel’tan chuckled.

“Good. We truly are in the same boat now. Let us deal faithfully with one another.”

He extended his pitch-black demonic hand. The Count clasped it in his wrinkled one.

“Faithfulness. Hardly a word I would expect from a Demon, but you are a half-demon. I suppose that makes it somewhat understandable.”

They exchanged a brief handshake. Maphel’tan was quite pleased. He had fully secured the Count’s power for himself.

On the surface, at least.

Lumina, who had been watching them, spoke.

“So, what do we do now? O King of All Evil, pray bestow your august command upon me.”

Her tone held a hint of sarcasm. She felt no genuine reverence for the Apostle. To her, Muel alone was her true master.

Maphel’tan would have to uproot that profound loyalty first.

He looked at Lumina.

“Before we get to work, let me check something. Lumina, what has become of your magical rank?”

Advancing from archmage to Adept of the Primal Circle required meeting numerous conditions. One was a direct contract with a transcendent Demon.

Lumina had just entered into a contract with Maphel’tan, yet she had not advanced. Despite fulfilling all the other conditions beforehand, she remained an archmage.

Her face darkened slightly. She spoke in a subdued voice.

“... There has been no change yet.”

Maphel’tan gave a derisive laugh.

“So Muel was telling the truth after all. It seems you lack the talent to break through that ‘wall.’”

Muel had previously told Lumina that she did not have what it took to become an Adept of the Primal Circle. Those words had become reality.

Lumina’s face twisted.

“Do not presume to judge me!”

Maphel’tan shrugged.

“I was merely borrowing Muel’s words.”

“S-stop!”

“But those words are only Muel’s opinion.”

Lumina furrowed her brow.

“... What are you trying to say, my lord End?”

“I know a way to break down your wall and bring your talent into bloom.”

Lumina had become an archmage with nothing more than a human body. She had already proven that she had no limits. Given a fortunate encounter, a coincidence, or some trigger, she could certainly become an Adept of the Primal Circle.

She stared at Maphel’tan, almost glaring.

“You were born a transcendent being. You could never understand the anguish of us mortals.”

Maphel’tan chuckled.

“What rigid thinking. A fatal flaw in a mage. Those preconceptions are what impose limits on you. Open your mind a little. Once that brain, hardened by Muel’s indoctrination, becomes pliable again, you will set foot in a new world.”

Mages were flexible thinkers. They approached phenomena with every possibility open, ceaselessly exploring the unknown.

Lumina was somewhat different. She acted solely according to Muel’s will. For a full 150 years, she had lived as Muel’s servant, a puppet with no will of her own.

It had made her an archmage, but the problem lay in what came next.

From the rank of Adept of the Primal Circle onward, one needed insights of one’s own. A shackled self could not fathom that realm.

Only by overcoming Muel could Lumina advance into the higher heavens.

She said, “... Do not try to drive a wedge between us. Whatever tricks you use, my lord End, you will never break my bond with Lord Muel.”

Maphel’tan shrugged.

“Well, I was only offering advice. Whether you advance or not has little to do with me, really. All you need to do is assist me for the year we agreed upon, as an archmage—the limit of your abilities.”

Lumina shot him a piercing glare.

“Just tell me what to do. I do not wish to speak any further.”

Maphel’tan nodded.

“Go to the execution grounds and retrieve Berdan’s corpse. No one must discover that someone took your place.”

Berdan the Schemer stood at the stake in Lumina’s place. He would be burned to death instead of her.

Maphel’tan regretted using him up like this, but under the circumstances, there was no other way. He had to use Berdan to fake Lumina’s death.

Lumina spun around and left the office without a word. Watching her go, Maphel’tan clicked his tongue.

‘All those years, and no wiser.’

Neither her speech nor her behavior befitted someone of 150. Apparently, she had washed her mind clean when she molted her body.

Seeing his displeasure, the Count spoke.

“Mages tend to be like that. Ilea is something of an exception.”

Young though she was, Ilea was remarkably mature.

“Ilea is not a mage, but a witch. Though you must know that by now, Cromwell.”

Lumina had called Ilea a witch a little earlier. The Count surely would not have missed the word.

He spoke with a calm expression.

“To think a witch still exists in this day and age. Frankly, I never suspected.”

“From now on, you will keep encountering things beyond common sense. Get used to it. Though that may be a little difficult for an old man.”

The Count laughed softly.

“I am not as hidebound as you think. I am prepared to accept anything.”

Maphel’tan chuckled as well.

“I like that answer.”

“So, what should I do now?”

“Get some proper rest today, at least. Soon you will be too busy to catch your breath.”

Maphel’tan waved a hand, dismissing him. As the Count left the office, he asked,

“And you?”

“I will meet Horentz Marcano as soon as the sun rises. It is time I acquired the Mind-Piercing Eye.”

Yohan intended to become engaged to Serena. To obtain her Mind-Piercing Eye.

After a moment’s thought, the Count said,

“I doubt Viscount Marcano will refuse.”

Horentz was an intensely calculating man, and House Miyatro was an ideal marriage prospect. The outcome was already decided.

Maphel’tan shared the Count’s opinion.

“Well, he will most likely agree.”

“I wish you success.”

The Count left the office. Maphel’tan remained lost in thought until sunrise.

* * *

The morning sun rose.

After witnessing the archmage Lumina’s execution in person, Horentz Marcano returned straight to his mansion. He wanted nothing more than to throw himself into bed.

He had been so busy these past few days that he had barely slept. Since the Muel summoning ritual incident, he had been summoned to every sort of gathering: Council sessions, royal conferences, meetings with cardinals.

Horentz wanted to rest. His wish was not to be granted.

Instead of his bedroom, he went to the drawing room. Yet another appointment had been arranged.

This time, it was the Watcher of the Abyss. Yohan Miyatro had requested a private meeting.

Horentz could not refuse the Watcher’s request.

Yohan was now the kingdom’s most powerful man in both name and fact. The royal family and the Count supported him wholeheartedly. Reading the tide, countless nobles were making every effort to meet him.

The Marcano family could not swim against that tide either. They had no choice but to welcome his visit with open arms.

Yet Horentz felt uneasy. He had already seen Yohan’s dark intentions.

Yohan wanted several wives. He would undoubtedly use Serena for her Mind-Piercing Eye and political influence.

As a father, Horentz found Yohan deeply unsettling. That young snake was the person he had to guard against most.

He sighed, his narrow eyes drooping. He only ever wore this expression when alone.

After he had been lost in thought for some time, a knock came, followed by his butler’s voice.

“My lord, the Watcher of the Abyss has arrived.”

The moment had come.

Horentz composed his expression and steadied his voice. In his usual cheerful tone, he said,

“Show him in at once.”

The door opened, revealing Yohan’s smiling face.

“Viscount, a pleasure to see you. It has been a while... No, it hasn’t.”

They had run into each other several times at various meetings. Horentz rose from his seat.

“Ha ha! We dined together only yesterday. My apologies for failing to greet you properly.”

Yohan shook his head as he entered.

“It was hardly the time for leisurely pleasantries, was it? Let us be understanding with one another.”

Horentz gave an affable smile.

“That does put my mind somewhat at ease. Ha ha!”

The drawing room door closed. The moment they were shut off from the outside, Yohan’s demeanor shifted slightly.

His smile vanished. With an expressionless face, he spoke.

“Viscount, have you given my proposal any thought?”

He had gone straight to the point: the marriage.

“Ha ha, your proposal...?”

Yohan frowned slightly.

“I believe I have given you ample time. Give me your answer now.”

Horentz felt a peculiar pressure. A faint sheen of cold sweat formed on his forehead.