The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 38

Veiled by the curtains at the window, I gazed down towards the annex. The head servant, his face set in a cold, hard mask, stood with the mansion’s butler, engaged in what appeared to be a grave conversation.

‘It must be because the captive follower of the Ves faith has vanished.’

They must be bewildered.

How could someone have entered the locked basement of the annex without any sign, and moreover, extracted the victim who was held captive there? They would have no way of knowing.

‘The job was done quicker than expected.’

I couldn’t help but admire the capabilities of Mori, the doppelganger who could steal faces, and Bill, the dark elf assassin.

This matter would surely reach the ears of baron Grimhal swiftly.

Swish…

Turning around, Mori and Bill were standing there.

“Where is the rescued follower?”

“They are staying in my quarters.”

Bill responded to the question.

“Is there no risk of being watched?”

“We will be watched. But they won’t be able to see inside, so we should be safe for a day or so.”

Bill and Mori weren’t the only ones in the room.

“How did you manage this so quickly…”

Saint Adelia, who had entrusted the task to us, was also present, having come to the room under the pretext of teatime.

She must have been surprised.

I was surprised by the incredible speed of their work.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

With Bill and Mori gone, only Adelia and I remained in the silence.

“Adelia, what will you do now?”

“I plan to prove the baron’s guilt at the final dinner tomorrow.”

“Is that so?”

I replied to her, feeling my interest in the subsequent events waning.

‘So, my part is done.’

I had completed the task I was asked to do in exchange for magic stones, so whatever happened next had little to do with me.

I just needed to receive the promised magic stones.

“The baron will face… the judgment of Ves.”

“…I wish you luck.”

“The promised magic stones will be handed over near Liudira.”

“Isn’t it prepared?”

“Yes. Even I have limits on how much I can move around. I’ve already sent an envoy, so the holy knights dispatched from the order will be ready.”

“…Understood.”

I had no choice but to accept and move on.

The highest-grade magic stones were almost impossible for an individual to obtain in this world of Solaria.

Moreover, if the highest-grade magic stones amounted to three chests, it would be too much to carry while traveling.

The matter would thus be concluded.

However, there was still a point of concern.

“Do you think baron Grimhal will quietly stand trial?”

“Opposing the Ves faith is akin to inviting death itself. Admitting his wrongs and accepting a fitting punishment is the most peaceful resolution the baron can choose.”

…Well.

If I were the baron, I wouldn’t think so.

‘But, he’s an outsider, so he’ll handle it.’

Still, it’s better to address the issue at hand.

“The information we have isn’t much different from the baron’s. Adelia, you should keep in mind that if the baron learns you’ve extracted the Ves follower from the basement, he might resort to drastic measures.”

“…Thank you for the advice.”

“…Until I receive the magic stones, we’re still in a transaction.”

* * *

The banquet was the evening plan for the third day.

Curiously, I wasn’t granted a place to sleep after the feast, and it was scheduled to return to the pilgrimage.

The moment Adelia climbed into the carriage and smoothly received the mausoleum, it was also goodbye to this Ves Church for me.

‘By the way… The baron’s side is too quiet.’

It was clear that Adelia’s side had noticed what happened in the annex, yet baron Grimhal kept entertaining the guests with a serene smile throughout.

“Do you find the food to your liking?”

“Such lavish hospitality. A single bowl would have been more than enough for me, and all this food feels almost sinful to leave.”

Sin.

Adelia deliberately mentioned the word sin.

And then she watched for the baron’s reaction.

Swoosh…

Grimhal stroked his mustache.

“Ha ha… There’s no need to feel burdened. Just think of it as the kindness of a foolish noble who has nothing but gold to offer. If you could overlook it as mere clumsiness, I would be grateful.”

“I’m just at a loss for how to respond to such hospitality. I wasn’t blaming you.”

“Of course, the holy lady wouldn’t blame you, Grimhal.”

Not blaming…

I almost let out a sneer without realizing it.

Both the saint and Grimhal were deliberately emphasizing certain words to test each other.

‘The Ves Church is full of such gloomy fellows.’

The one who broke this thin ice situation was the woman sitting next to me.

Yawn-

Amon yawned ostentatiously and whispered in my ear.

“How dull, when can we leave this place?”

“Just bear with it a little longer, it seems like a conclusion is near.”

“Hmm… I doubt that.”

“Why…”

That’s when I also realized why Amon had said that.

‘Presence…’

It wasn’t about the presence of the people guarding the mansion. If it were just them, the holy knights could have fought equally if they put in all their effort.

The presence was lining up towards the mansion.

Glancing out the window, carriages adorned with torches kept entering the mansion’s main gate.

‘I knew it would come to this.’

It was clear that it was Grimhal’s doing.

The holy knights on the side of the saint seemed to have noticed the procession of carriages as well.

Looking at how they leaned towards Adelia and chattered.

Certainly, the conflict would intensify.

A troublesome event was bound to happen…

Wait, could this actually be good for me?

With my gaze fixed outside the window, I opened my ears.

* * *

The saint, yet unaware of the approaching carriages, commanded one of the holy knights.

“Mary.”

“Yes.”

“Bring them here.”

“But…”

“Hurry.”

“…Yes.”

Mary shrank away, exiting the banquet hall.

No one else stirred. Despite the grand feast, there was neither eating nor conversation.

All eyes were on the figure Mary was to fetch—a beastman whose wounds had yet to scab over.

A man with wolf ears and fluffy fur staggered into a corner of the banquet hall. baron Grimhal’s expression remained as blank as an untouched canvas.

Saint Adelia addressed the beastman.

“Would you speak of what transpired in this estate?”

“I… I am a follower of the Ves Church. So is baron Grimhal here…”

The tale began.

“On my way back from meeting the baron, I was abducted by thugs. When I awoke… it was hell.”

The man recounted calmly.

“Everyone… was either mutilated or tortured. Most of those imprisoned with me… are dead.”

“Who is involved in this?”

Pointing forward, the man declared.

“baron Grimhal before us.”

Silence fell, chilling the air.

Mary supported the man as he swayed, drained of strength.

“You’ve done well.”

Mary laid the fallen man aside.

Adelia spoke.

“baron Grimhal, you are…”

Grimhal laughed it off.

“Before you make a hasty judgment, hear my side, Saint.”

“…”

“I love the Ves Church. Its doctrine to practice love beyond race aligns with my beliefs.”

“Why then…”

“It was merely an eccentric form of love. Some might call it sadistic. But remember…”

He began to growl.

“I am Grimhal, and this is my domain.”

“…”

“The power struggle within the church is intensifying. Not everyone honors your truth, Saint. How about this? Let me be your patron.”

“…What?”

“Money or military power… I lack nothing. Ah! Except… love. The love I lack… you, Saint, can provide.”

Bang!

Mary and the other knights stood up, pointing angrily.

“This scoundrel…!”

“How dare you!”

Just then, Adelia’s party finally noticed the carriages flooding the courtyard.

The conversation had been too urgent to notice the non-threatening carriages.

“What is this behavior, baron Grimhal?”

“What do you mean…”

“Are you threatening us?”

“Threat? That’s absurd.”

“Then what are all these carriages?”

“Ha! They are guests to be welcomed after you leave, Saint. They won’t disembark until I permit it. But…”

Grimhal’s eyes narrowed.

“If our conversation unexpectedly prolongs, who knows…”

“…”

No one dared draw their sword.

To do so would surely lead to bloodshed, with Adelia’s side at a severe disadvantage.

“What say you, Saint? You gain the power you lack to claim ecclesiastical authority, and I gain a bit of recognition. Speak.”

baron Grimhal bared his fangs.

“Has something happened in this estate?”

“…”

It was humiliating.

Adelia surely wanted to express how disgraceful this situation was.

But accusing baron Grimhal here would be akin to suicide.

Should she retreat?

Must she retreat?

Grimhal seemed to relish even the wandering of her lost gaze.

Retreating now… what would become of her?

One retreat leads to a thousand more.

Such was her faith.

“Ves God, why have you…”

Why have you sent me this trial?

Adelia suddenly remembered the words of the Ves God from her dream.

Go to the man with black hair.
Adelia turned to the man she had forgotten. The man with hidden black hair was looking out the window.

As if he had no part in this affair.

He was more interested in what was outside.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Is the tedious talk over?”

“…”

Faust responded to Adelia’s question.

“I was counting carriages.”

“…What?”

“Fourteen in total.”

Realizing his intent, Adelia asked with joy.

“If threatened by fourteen carriages, would you… be in trouble?”

“Troublesome, indeed.”

“How much so?”

“Well…”

Faust’s lips curled.

“As troublesome as two chests.”

Trouble with a price tag.

“I’ll take care of that trouble.”

“Then what are you doing now?”

“…”

Faust urged Adelia.

“Why not end this tiresome conversation?”

Adelia stood up and declared to Grimhal as if cursing him.

Boom!

“Lanford Grimhal! For the heinous crimes of racial discrimination and murder, I will bring you to ecclesiastical trial! You shall receive Ves’s divine punishment!”

“…”

baron Grimhal laughed, baring his teeth.

“Ha… Hahaha! Amusing. Who can punish me?”

Crash!

With a thunderous sound, Grimhal’s private soldiers, including those from the carriages, stormed the estate. The numerical advantage was overwhelming.

Faust, hand on his sword, addressed Adelia.

“Adelia, may I ask.”

“Yes.”

“Can you take responsibility for what happens here?”

“Responsibility…?”

“Everything that transpires will go unrecorded, and you shall not speak of what you’ve seen. Can you swear this to Ves?”

“…I swear.”

“And you all?”

At Adelia’s nod, the solemn knights agreed.

“We swear.”

“We… swear. What are you planning…”

Hearing their response, Faust removed his hand from the sword sheath.

“Who can accuse me! God is not here!”

Faust spoke to Amon.

“Amon.”

“Is it time to end this boring conversation?”

“Yes.”

Swoosh…

As Amon removed her hood, her horns were revealed.

“Close your eyes, everyone.”

Whoosh…

All the lights in the hall went out.

“Amon is present.”

The great demon descended to earth, clapping her hands together.

Rumble!

Thunder roared louder than before.

[Amon is unarmed: Using bare hands.]

…