novelraw Chapter 88 : Chapter 88
Chapter 88 : Chapter 88
Chapter 88. Variable (2)
Yohan stared intently at Gawain.
His black pupils seemed even darker now.
‘…Is it just my imagination?’
It might have been.
Because of Ilea’s words, perhaps he was exaggerating what he saw.
He needed something official, something certain.
If Gawain truly was being corroded by the Cursed Spear, Yohan had to devise a solution at once.
Gawain could not be allowed to fall.
He was the hero destined to bear humanity’s fate.
Only with his holy power and authority intact could Yohan hope to navigate the calamities of the latter half.
Yohan’s mind spun rapidly.
He pressed his lips together and continued observing Gawain.
Gawain forced an awkward smile.
“Sir Yohan, is something on my face?”
Yohan’s thoughts broke off.
“N-no, nothing.”
“Then why stare at me so? You’re making me uneasy. Haha.”
After a pause, Yohan spoke.
“…Your Highness, forgive me, but have you noticed any changes in your body of late?”
Gawain looked slightly puzzled.
“Changes? What sort of changes?”
“For example, sudden nightmares, frequent mood swings, or perhaps your blood turning a darker shade—symptoms like that, have they appeared?”
Gawain’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I can’t say about the others, but nightmares—yes, they’ve been coming often. So often I can hardly sleep. But Sir Yohan, how did you know?”
Nightmares severe enough to prevent sleep. The moment Yohan heard it, he felt a crushing sense of dismay.
It was identical to Stage One of corrosion described in the original story.
Yohan kept his tone calm.
“Your visage seemed thinner than before. I guessed you might be unwell. You seem fatigued, Your Highness. Why not remain here tonight and rest?”
He must not let Gawain leave.
High priests, at least some of them, would surely notice what was happening to him.
If Ilea could sense it, so could they.
Yohan had to hide Gawain from the world—at least until the corrosion problem could be solved.
Gawain spoke.
“I had hoped to stay the night. Thank you for offering. I’ll remember your kindness, Sir Yohan.”
It was a relief.
Had he refused, the situation would have been dire.
To forcibly keep him would have been nearly impossible.
His might rivaled even the Twelve Holy Radiants.
To subdue him would mean risking death.
Yohan said.
“Then I will show you to your chamber. Until dinner is served, you may rest.”
He sounded unusually hurried.
Gawain frowned.
“I thought we had more to discuss. Has something happened?”
Since the maid had entered the reception room, Yohan’s behavior had seemed off.
Yohan bowed.
“I beg pardon, but a matter requiring my immediate attention has arisen. Please forgive me. We can finish our talk at dinner.”
To put aside a prince of the realm—it bordered on disrespect. But Gawain did not mind in the least.
He had suffered far worse slights.
Compared to that, Yohan was showing great respect.
Gawain laughed.
“Very well then. I’ll see you later.”
Yohan rose.
“Thank you for your understanding. Let me escort you.”
He guided Gawain to a second-floor guest chamber, then went straight down to the underground library.
Now he had to plan for Gawain.
***
“Are you certain? About the corrosion?”
At Yohan’s question, Ilea answered.
“I think so. Most likely.”
“Could it not be from a demon contract?”
A demon’s contractor sometimes carried faint traces of miasma.
Residue of the pact—so faint even the Pope would hardly notice.
But Ilea shook her head doubtfully.
“The presence I felt was stronger than that. It didn’t feel like the residue of a contract.”
Yohan swallowed hard.
“Then it truly is from the spear.”
Ilea studied his expression.
He looked deadly serious.
“Is the Third Prince’s corruption such a grave matter?”
To survive the late Apocalypse, balance between good and evil was vital.
Gawain was one of the pillars supporting the side of good.
He must never fall.
Yohan said.
“I cannot explain fully, but yes. It must be stopped.”
Ilea held his gaze for a moment, then nodded.
“I see. Then first we should find a way to halt the corrosion.”
Yohan sighed.
“Easier said than done.”
In the original tale, Gepetto of the principality had succumbed to corrosion and fallen.
Countless high priests had tried, but none found a solution.
Once corrosion began, it was practically hopeless.
Gawain would slowly deteriorate.
In the end, he would become a demon like Gepetto.
Ilea asked.
“How much time do we have?”
“Best to find a solution tonight. Tomorrow he said he would depart. And we’ll have no pretext to hold him.”
“One night isn’t enough. Then let’s buy time first.”
They needed a reason to keep Gawain in the territory.
But what excuse could Yohan possibly give?
He thought hard, then spoke.
“There is one way to hold him. But the side effects could be severe.”
“What kind of side effects?”
“Armed conflict. Ilea, could you handle it?”
One day, Gawain would rank among the world’s strongest.
Ilea too.
Their potential was nearly equal.
At this point, even Yohan could not say who would prevail.
Ilea said.
“His strength is already extraordinary. Likely beyond human limits. At full power, yes. But now? He has no spear.”
Without his signature weapon, his power would drop exponentially.
Gawain was not at even half of his full strength.
“You’d have no trouble against him, then.”
Ilea nodded.
“Exactly. And I’d have the initiative. If I chose, I could subdue him without shedding a drop of blood.”
If they clashed, it would not be a duel.
It would be Ilea’s ambush.
Gawain would have no way to counter.
Yohan said.
“Encouraging. But there’s another problem.”
“What is it?”
“His personal guard. They’re likely encamped near the castle.”
Even a cast-off prince would not move without escorts.
A personal guard always followed.
Among them was Yuri, a formidable knight.
Yohan had spoken with her before.
From that conversation, he judged her loyalty to Gawain absolute.
The moment something befell him, she would rush in recklessly.
The affair would escalate.
Ilea thought for a moment.
“Could you handle them, Yohan?”
Until now, Yohan had never fought a true strong opponent.
He had always used trickery, avoiding open combat.
But this time, violence might be unavoidable.
Yohan said calmly.
“I will. This will be a chance to test my strength precisely.”
He had grown much these past months.
Another horn had sprouted, and he had learned the spear.
Even if the opponent was a prince’s guard, Mapheltan should be enough.
Ilea said.
“Take Hakain with you. Just in case.”
That would be insurance.
Sword Demon Hakain—against him, the guard was no issue.
Yohan said.
“If it comes to battle, I will. But the best outcome is to hold him here without violence. I’ll try persuasion first.”
“Good. But it may fail. I’ll prepare to strike if needed.”
Yohan nodded.
“Be ready. Now, I must meet him again.”
It was nearly dinner.
Yohan headed to the dining hall.
***
The long table was laden with food.
The castle’s stores must have been emptied.
But to host a prince, there was no choice.
Even if strained, formality had to be shown.
Yohan looked at Gawain seated across from him.
“Your Highness, please eat before it cools.”
“I will. Thank you for such generosity.”
Gawain spooned a bit of soup.
Yohan also began eating, saying:
“I should have held a banquet, but the domain’s situation is tight. I beg your understanding.”
Gawain waved his hand.
“No, no. This feast is more than enough. I’m satisfied. When you come to the capital, I’ll host you in return.”
“So Your Highness resides in the capital?”
“I move often, but at present, yes.”
Yohan let out a deliberate sigh.
“Excellent. I too will soon travel to the capital. Why not accompany me?”
Gawain looked puzzled.
“Together?”
“Yes. Let us depart in about half a month.”
“But if we grow close, the Count will frown upon you.”
Gawain and the Count were political enemies.
Since Yohan allied with the Count, he ought to keep distance.
“The Count is of no concern. He is in no position to interfere with me.”
Gawain gave a carefree smile.
“Then you must have him firmly in hand.”
“Indeed. So take your rest here in the South for a fortnight, and we’ll travel together.”
Gawain’s smile turned wry.
“A tempting offer, but I must refuse. I have a promised meeting in the capital. I depart tomorrow morning.”
Yohan swallowed.
He needed to press harder.
“If it is not urgent, perhaps delay it. You look unwell. Better to rest a few days with me first.”
But despite the persuasion, Gawain’s smile held.
“I’m sorry. But it’s truly important. Let’s plan for next time.”
He was firm. He would not be swayed.
Yohan realized he needed a stronger hand.
He set his utensils down.
“Forgive my bluntness. But in truth, I need time to judge you, Your Highness. Before I meet the Count in the capital, I must decide my stance toward you.”
At last, the smile faded from Gawain’s face.
He too put down his spoon and said:
“…Do you know everything about my relationship with the Count?”
Yohan nodded calmly.
“I do. Even the hidden truth of that day.”
Hatred flickered in Gawain’s eyes.
His voice turned cold.
“Then what is it you want from me?”
Yohan opened his mouth slowly.