novelraw Chapter 130 : Chapter 130
Chapter 130 : Chapter 130
Chapter 130. The Insightful Eye
“Let me ask just one thing. What is your ultimate goal?”
Since his possession of this world, Yohan had only pursued one thing: survival.
He had struggled simply to stay alive.
Even now, nothing has changed.
Everything Yohan did was a desperate attempt not to die.
He had gathered power and influence solely to preserve his own life.
Yet, the results were still lacking.
In the latter part of the original story, the world ends.
Demons and humans alike meet their doom.
To stop that predetermined ending, Yohan needed overwhelming dominion.
He aimed to rule over all sentient beings.
Mapheltan spoke in a calm voice.
“I will become the embodiment of all evil—and reign as the god of all.”
The Count remained silent as he stared at Mapheltan.
It was only after a long pause that he finally spoke.
“…So, at the very least, you don’t wish for the destruction of humanity.”
All Apostles lived to bring about human extinction.
They harbored endless hatred for humanity and the Great Saints.
As gods of a forgotten ancient race who had been corrupted by Marziel, the Apostles naturally despised Marziel and the sheep who followed him.
Mapheltan was different.
Though he was an Apostle, he did not sing the end of humanity.
Instead, he sought to reign above it.
He was a true anomaly.
Mapheltan said,
“As I said before, I am a half-demon. Human blood flows through my veins. Why would I wish for mankind’s extinction?”
The Count organized his thoughts and then responded.
“I understand your goal. So long as you resurrect Yeriyan and do not become her enemy—so long as you do not destroy humanity—I, Cromwell Staviana, shall stand with the Watcher of the Abyss and the Thirteenth Apostle of the End until the end of my days.”
He spoke with a composed expression.
Whether his words were sincere was unclear.
It could have been a lie to escape the current situation.
And Mapheltan had no way of discerning the Count’s true feelings.
He did not yet possess the Insightful Eye.
‘I need Serena.’
Serena Marcano. If he could recruit her quickly, he would be freed from doubts like this.
Mapheltan slowly nodded.
“I hope, Cromwell, that what you just said was genuine.”
The Count looked directly into Mapheltan’s red eyes.
“I too hope your declaration was sincere.”
If you truly do not stand against Yeriyan, and do not bring about the end of humanity—then I will lend you my strength.
That was the Count’s message.
Mapheltan smirked.
“Good. Now that we’re truly on the same boat, let’s uphold our trust in each other.”
He extended his dark, demonic hand.
The Count clasped it with his wrinkled hand.
“‘Trust’—not a word you’d expect from the mouth of a demon, but since you’re a half-demon, I can accept it.”
They exchanged a brief handshake.
Mapheltan was quite satisfied.
He had secured the power known as the Count.
At least, on the surface.
Watching them, Lumina spoke.
“So, what now? Oh, King of All Evil, please bestow your sacred command upon me.”
Her tone was slightly mocking.
She felt no genuine reverence toward the Apostle.
To Lumina, only Muel was her true master.
For Mapheltan, that deep-rooted loyalty needed to be uprooted first.
He turned to her.
“Before we begin, let me confirm one thing. Lumina, what is your current magical rank?”
To advance from Grand Mage to Original Ring-Bearer, numerous conditions had to be met.
One of them was forming a direct contract with a transcendent demon.
Lumina had just formed such a contract with Mapheltan.
Yet she had not advanced.
Even though she had already met the other requirements in advance, she was still merely a Grand Mage.
Her expression darkened.
With a subdued voice, she said,
“…There’s been no change yet.”
Mapheltan scoffed.
“So Muel was right after all. Seems you lack the talent to break through your ‘wall.’”
Muel had once told her: You are not worthy of becoming a Ring-Bearer.
That statement had now become reality.
Lumina’s face twisted.
“Don’t judge me so carelessly!”
Mapheltan shrugged.
“I was simply quoting Muel.”
“S-Stop it!”
“And besides, that’s just his opinion.”
Lumina narrowed her eyes.
“…What are you trying to say, Apostle?”
“I know a way to break your wall—and awaken your potential.”
Lumina had become a Grand Mage with nothing but a mortal’s body.
She had already defied all limits.
With the right catalyst, coincidence, or trigger, she could certainly reach the level of a Ring-Bearer.
She glared at Mapheltan.
“As a transcendent being, how could you possibly understand the struggles of us mortals?”
Mapheltan laughed quietly.
“That rigid way of thinking will be your downfall. For a mage, inflexibility is a fatal flaw. It’s that kind of fixed mindset that defines your limits. Try opening your mind. Once the brain that’s been hardened by Muel’s brainwashing softens a little, you’ll step into a whole new world.”
Mages were beings who thought flexibly.
They faced every phenomenon with all possibilities open.
Constantly exploring the unknown.
Lumina was different.
She moved only according to Muel’s will.
Without her own sense of self—for 150 years she had lived as Muel’s servant, like a puppet.
That’s what allowed her to reach Grand Mage.
But the problem came after that.
To become a Ring-Bearer required personal enlightenment.
A bound and obedient self could not grasp that level.
Only by overcoming Muel could Lumina reach the realm above the heavens.
She said,
“…Don’t try to sow discord. No matter what tricks you pull, you’ll never break the bond between me and Lord Muel.”
Mapheltan shrugged.
“Fine. I was just giving advice. Whether you ascend or not has little to do with me. As a Grand Mage, all you need to do is fulfill our one-year contract.”
Lumina shot him a sharp glare.
“Just tell me what you want me to do. I don’t want to talk anymore.”
Mapheltan nodded.
“Go to the execution grounds and retrieve Berdan’s corpse. No one must learn that you’ve been replaced.”
Berdan the Impersonator had taken Lumina’s place on the pyre.
He would be burned in her stead.
Mapheltan regretted wasting Berdan this way, but there was no other choice given the situation.
They had to fake Lumina’s death using Berdan.
Without a word, Lumina turned and left the office.
Mapheltan clicked his tongue as he watched her leave.
‘All those years and still so immature.’
Her tone and behavior didn’t suit someone 150 years old.
It seemed even her mind had been cleansed during her Shedding.
As Mapheltan looked annoyed, the Count commented.
“Mages tend to be like that. Ilea’s just an unusual case.”
Ilea was young, yet remarkably mature.
“She’s not a mage—she’s a witch. Cromwell, by now you’ve figured it out.”
Earlier, Lumina had referred to Ilea as a “witch.”
The Count wouldn’t have missed that word.
With a calm expression, he said,
“I never imagined a witch still existed in this age. Honestly, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“You’ll be seeing many more things beyond common sense from now on. Get used to it. Might be a bit hard for an old man.”
The Count let out a soft laugh.
“I’m not as narrow-minded as you think. I’m ready to accept whatever comes.”
Mapheltan smiled faintly.
“That’s the kind of answer I like.”
“So, what do you need me to do now?”
“Rest for today. Soon you won’t even have time to breathe.”
Mapheltan waved his hand lightly.
A dismissal.
As the Count rose and made for the door, he asked,
“What about you?”
“I’ll meet with Horentz Marcano at sunrise. It’s time I acquired the Insightful Eye.”
Yohan was planning to get engaged to Serena Marcano.
To obtain her Insightful Eye.
The Count paused briefly, then said,
“If it’s Lord Marcano, I doubt he’ll refuse.”
Horentz was a calculating man, and the Miyatro family was an ideal match politically.
The outcome was practically decided already.
Mapheltan agreed.
“Chances are high he’ll say yes.”
“Then I wish you luck.”
The Count left the office.
Mapheltan sat in silence until sunrise, lost in thought.
***
Morning light broke across the sky.
Horentz Marcano returned to his estate right after witnessing Grand Mage Lumina’s execution.
He wanted nothing more than to collapse into bed.
The past few days have been overwhelming.
Ever since the Muel summoning incident, he’d been dragged into endless council meetings, royal sessions, and private cardinal conferences.
Horentz just wanted to rest.
But his wish would not come true.
Instead of his bedroom, he headed to the reception room.
Another meeting had been scheduled.
This time, with the Watcher of the Abyss.
Yohan Miyatro had requested a private audience.
Horentz couldn’t refuse the Watcher’s request.
Yohan was now, beyond all doubt, the most powerful man in the kingdom.
Both the royal family and the Count supported him unconditionally.
Countless nobles were scrambling to get close to him.
The Marcano family couldn’t resist the tide.
They had no choice but to welcome Yohan with open arms.
Still, Horentz felt uneasy.
He had already seen the darkness in Yohan’s heart.
Yohan intended to take multiple wives.
To gain the Insightful Eye and political influence, he would surely use Serena.
As her father, Horentz found Yohan deeply unpleasant.
That cunning child was his top threat.
Horentz let out a sigh.
His half-closed eyes drooped.
He only ever wore that expression when he was truly alone.
As he sank into thought, a knock came—and the butler’s voice followed.
“Master, the Watcher of the Abyss has arrived.”
So, it begins.
Horentz composed himself and steadied his voice.
With his usual bright tone, he said,
“Let him in.”
The door opened.
Yohan entered, wearing a pleasant smile.
“Lord Marcano, good to see you. Though… it hasn’t been that long, has it?”
They had already crossed paths at several meetings.
Horentz rose from his seat.
“Haha! We dined together just yesterday. My apologies for not greeting you properly then.”
Yohan shook his head as he stepped inside.
“It wasn’t exactly a leisurely occasion. Let’s be forgiving, shall we?”
Horentz offered a warm smile.
“Spoken like a true gentleman. I feel much better now. Haha!”
The door to the reception room closed behind them.
And as soon as they were isolated from the outside—
Yohan’s expression changed.
The smile vanished.
He spoke in a flat tone.
“Lord Marcano. Have you thought about my proposal?”
Straight to the point—he was talking about marriage.
“Haha… if you mean the proposal…”
Yohan’s expression darkened slightly.
“I’ve given you ample time. I’d like your answer now.”
A strange pressure filled the room.
Sweat began to bead faintly on Horentz’s forehead.