novelraw Chapter 126 : Chapter 126
Chapter 126 : Chapter 126
Chapter 126. Muel (4)
The moment Yohan became the Public King, the Count’s wife, Yeriel, would be resurrected as well.
That day was not far off now.
Yohan, who held both the authority of the royal family and the power of the Count, would soon achieve what he desired.
The Count spoke with a calm expression.
“What do you need me to do?”
From now on, Yohan needed the Count’s strength.
He had to step up and guide all decision-making in the meetings toward Yohan’s desired direction.
Yohan opened his mouth.
“First, Cromwell. You're going to be the Chief Investigator for this incident.”
Only if Yohan could directly intervene in the investigation of the ‘Failed Summoning of Muel’ incident would no troublesome issues arise.
Unfortunately, it was difficult for Yohan to take on the role of Chief Investigator himself.
He was still too young, and his standing within the Council was weak.
Even if the Count used force to appoint Yohan as Chief Investigator, there would inevitably be backlash from the outside.
Rather than getting entangled in unnecessary scandals, it was better to have the Count take the position of chief.
If the Count took the lead in the investigation, likely no one would object.
All Yohan had to do was control the Count from behind the scenes.
The Count spoke.
“So we’re going to need to rig this case, huh?”
Yohan nodded.
“We’ll need to tweak things a little. First off, we have to spare the Grand Mage Lumina.”
The Count furrowed his brow slightly.
“...Isn’t Lumina the main culprit of this incident? Even for me, it’s difficult to protect a Class 1 Heretic.”
Having attempted to summon a Great Demon, Lumina was classified as a Class 1 Heretic.
Class 1 Heretics could never be pardoned under any circumstances.
Both the Sacred Nation and the Empire would be watching closely to see how Lumina was dealt with.
The Kingdom’s power alone wouldn’t be enough to save her.
Lumina had to die.
Yohan opened his mouth.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got someone who can take her place.”
“You’re planning to set up a substitute?”
“Well, something like that.”
The schemer Verdant. He intended to make some use of that one.
A shadow of doubt passed over the Count’s face.
“Lumina might die during interrogation. No, with high probability, she will. Wouldn’t that put you in trouble? Seems like you need Lumina.”
Yohan had said he had to keep Lumina alive.
The Count assumed he needed the Grand Mage’s power.
But the truth was a bit different.
Yohan had to protect Lumina because of a promise he had made with King Roderick.
Yohan nodded.
“That’s why I intend to handle the interrogation myself. Count, recommend me as an Inquisitor.”
Torture her just enough, pretend to extract information, and then smuggle her out.
The Count let out a low sigh.
“The Order will strongly oppose this.”
This incident stemmed from a demonic situation.
When it came to demons, the Order rarely handed over control to others.
“Is it impossible?”
The Count paused in thought, then shook his head.
“Not impossible. But we’ll need to offer quite a generous donation. To the Order.”
He was talking about a political deal.
Yohan let out a short laugh.
“That’s your problem to deal with. Either way, I’ll be taking charge of Lumina’s interrogation.”
As always, he was high-handed and unyielding.
The Count was used to this attitude from Yohan, so he showed no particular resistance.
“As you wish. Anything else I should do?”
“That’s enough for today’s meeting.”
The meetings would continue for several days.
During that time, the Count would have to work hard.
“...Today, huh. Looks like I’m going to get busy.”
Yohan shrugged.
“Take a break. There’s about two hours until the assembly. Get some sleep if you can.”
The Count must have been exhausted.
He had ridden horseback for ten hours straight.
With a blank expression, he replied,
“No time. I’ve got a mountain of people waiting to see me.”
The Count was a busy man.
Many dignitaries were lined up just to meet him.
Yohan gestured.
“Then be on your way.”
The Count, stepping out of the office, said,
“See you later.”
The Royal Assembly would begin in the evening.
Not all nobles had arrived in the capital yet.
Those coming from distant territories likely wouldn’t make it in time.
The same went for Yohan.
He had no choice but to skip today’s meeting.
Once the sun set, he would turn into a demon.
“Ilea will go in my place.”
The Count wore a puzzled expression.
“What are you talking about?”
“It just turned out that way.”
Yohan skipped further explanation.
The Count didn’t press.
He simply stared at Yohan for a moment, then muttered softly,
“You must have your reasons.”
And with that, he stepped out the door.
***
After the Count left, Ilea came into the office.
The moment she saw Yohan, she spoke.
“Things are turning in your favor.”
Through the variable named ‘Muel’, Yohan had gained quite a lot.
He had put a leash on the king and secured an important position as an ‘Inquisitor.’
Moreover, he had left a slightly positive impression of ‘Mapheltan’ in everyone’s minds.
―The decisive factor that allowed the summoning of Muel to be stopped was the Thirteenth Apostle of the End.
This rumor was now spreading rapidly throughout the capital.
To be honest, Yohan was quite satisfied with the current situation.
One day, he would have to unite the powers of humans and demons.
It was to prepare for the Late-stage Apocalypse.
The more humans revered him, the more advantageous it would be for Yohan.
Muel had laid that foundation.
At least in terms of outcome.
What Muel’s true intention had remained unclear.
Yohan spoke.
“I hate to admit it, but in the end, I guess I owe Muel a bit.”
“Do you think Muel intentionally helped you?”
Muel was a demon with powerful precognitive abilities.
It could see the future and always acted in ways that benefited itself.
This time was no different.
Muel had clearly gained something from this incident.
But what exactly?
Was providing Yohan with a favorable situation really a benefit to Muel?
Could there be some hidden motive?
“I can’t be sure of anything yet. For now, I’m just going to focus on the situation at hand. If I’ve been handed a windfall, I ought to use it.”
Yohan decided not to dwell too much on Muel.
All his current thoughts were just speculation anyway.
He chose to do what he could in the moment.
Ilea’s expression calmed.
She spoke cautiously.
“This situation has unfolded a little too perfectly. Honestly, I feel uneasy. I don’t think we should completely dismiss the Muel issue.”
Yohan nodded.
“I’m not planning to forget about Muel entirely. Through Lumina’s interrogation, I intend to gather some information about it.”
If anyone could have some insight into Muel’s schemes or intentions, it would be the Grand Mage Lumina.
Yohan had placed some hope in her.
Ilea said,
“Then it’s all the more important you serve as the Inquisitor.”
“I’ve already told the Count. You and he are going to have to work a bit.”
Today, Ilea will attend the Royal Assembly in Yohan’s place.
She would impersonate Yohan and uphold the authority of the Miyatro Family.
Yohan didn’t feel particularly anxious about it.
He trusted Ilea’s abilities.
Ilea smiled gently and said,
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it well. Everything you want—I’ll make it happen.”
She was quite reassuring.
Yohan gazed out the window and said,
“The sun’s about to set. Get ready for the meeting.”
Less than an hour remained until the assembly.
Ilea immediately released her mana.
Her appearance changed in an instant.
She looked exactly like Yohan.
She gave a slight smile and said,
“I’ll be back soon.”
The fake Yohan left the office.
***
Royal Palace, Great Hall.
The vast space was packed with people.
All of them were nobles attending the meeting.
From provinces to central regions, from major houses to minor ones—nobility from across the kingdom had sent their representatives to discuss the current crisis.
Over a hundred people had already gathered.
Of course, only a few among them held the right to speak.
Among the nobility, only the privileged class.
Seats had been arranged in front of the throne so that those individuals could voice their opinions.
The rest of the nobles stood lined up at the far edges of the hall. They were, in truth, just for show.
No one expressed dissatisfaction.
Everyone knew their place.
They waited in complete silence for the Count to speak.
Standing one step below the throne, the Count swept his gaze across the great hall.
As Chancellor of the Kingdom, he was presiding over the assembly.
With a blank expression, the Count spoke.
“Seems like everyone is here. Bring in His Majesty.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the palace guards shouted loudly.
“His Majesty the King!”
The great hall doors burst open with a loud bang.
Trumpets blared through the space.
The King, dressed in ceremonial attire, walked slowly across the red carpet.
All the nobles dropped to one knee simultaneously.
Representing them all, the Count said,
“We pay our respects to the Great King.”
King Roderick avoided meeting the Count’s gaze.
“...It’s been a while, Count.”
Even as a child, he couldn’t meet the Count’s eyes.
Though they had aged together over many years, the King still found the Count intimidating.
Roderick climbed the steps to the throne and took his seat.
The Count rose from his kneeling position.
All the nobles straightened their backs in unison.
The Count looked down and began to speak.
“We now commence the first Royal Assembly. The agenda is...”
The King raised one hand.
“Before we begin, may I say a word?”
He interrupted the Count.
A rare move.
The nobles began murmuring among themselves.
The Count showed no particular reaction.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Please speak freely.”
The King glanced briefly at the Count, then turned to face the nobles.
Roderick’s gaze grew heavy.
He spoke in a deeply resonant voice.
“Hear me, all of you. I, Roderick Artelga, King of the Artelga Kingdom, find our current situation utterly lamentable. Five hundred years of peace are beginning to crack. Evil festers outside the capital, and Apostles roam within. Low demons swarm the provinces, and twisted forces threaten the royal family from the center.”
What in the world was he about to announce? The nobles were confused, but listened in silence.
The King continued.
“I intend to break this chain of evil. While we basked in peace and grew complacent, there was one family who alone stood vigilant against evil for centuries. I now entrust this great task to them.”
The King turned toward the seats where the Council nobles were gathered.
“Yohan von Miyatro. Watcher of the Abyss, I command you—take up the role of Chief Investigator into the demonic incident that occurred last night. From this moment until the investigation concludes, you shall hold authority over all organizations within the capital.”
The great hall stirred in a wave of shock.