Chapter 21. Shaferia
Valkyrie Shaferia was one of the protagonists in the original work, and later came to be known as the Demon Butcher.
When it came to demon eradication, she would rise to a semi-divine level. As befitted someone who would leave behind mythological achievements, she was different from birth.
She was born with a constitution that allowed her to sense demons.
No demon could conceal its identity before Shaferia.
The same was true for the Old Hag Spirit. No matter how it hid its rotting body within Ilea’s flesh, the stench inevitably remained.
Once the Judge caught that lingering trace, Ilea could no longer avoid investigation.
In the underground prison of the lord’s castle, the imprisoned Ilea looked through the iron bars.
“If you stay here, young master, you’ll be in danger too.”
Yohan shook his head.
“Did you not see it? Shaferia didn’t see through my identity. That means I’m safe.”
“…Shaferia. Is that the woman’s name?”
“Yes. She’s a troublesome enemy, even if she’s young. She’s only an apprentice Holy Knight for now, though.”
“You speak as if you know her well.”
“Is there anything I don’t know?”
Yohan’s information network was beyond imagination. He had seen through Ilea’s identity and objective, and had easily discovered the location of the Forbidden Archive.
He had shown that same side while taking control of the mansion, so Ilea could not deny Yohan’s confidence.
“You knew everything, didn’t you?”
“It’s the same this time. Shaferia possesses the ability to detect demons.”
“You’ve prepared countermeasures, I see.”
Though Shaferia had indeed found the Old Hag Spirit, she had been unable to detect Yohan’s black blood.
Because he had prepared for it.
Yohan pointed to his ring finger.
“The Ring of Kazan.”
It was the holy relic he had corrupted by sacrificing Betra previously.
Originally, it had the power to defend against Miasma, but it now possessed the ability to resist divinity.
“Before the Holy Hero’s legacy, Shaferia’s power is nothing more than a shallow trick.”
All clergy manifested authority through divine power.
Since Shaferia also detected demons through divine power, her ability did not work against Yohan, who wore the Ring of Kazan.
Ilea looked at her shackles as she spoke.
“As expected, you prepared measures. Though you didn’t give me any hint about it. I suppose we weren’t in the same boat after all.”
“Don’t take it to heart. This situation shouldn’t even count as a crisis for you anyway. In fact, haven’t you already prepared a method to escape?”
In the original work as well, the first meeting between Shaferia and Ilea had been the same as now. The Judge who had drawn her sword, and the witch strapped to the frame. Yet, the witch boldly overcame this crisis.
It was proceeding according to the original work.
“In any case, if you had told me in advance, we could have skipped this entire process.”
Yohan nodded.
“That’s true. There was no need to let you suffer. Yet there is a reason I did not mention Shaferia.”
Ilea looked at Yohan silently. Yohan continued.
“The Pilgrimage Group will take you to the Inquisitorate.”
The Inquisitorate was an inquisitorial institution under the direct control of the Holy See, where suspects underwent various investigations.
“Usually, people don’t return alive.”
“You are different. You will be freed before you arrive. However, there is something I need you to do while you’re being taken away.”
“And what would that be?”
“I want a piece of the Great Saint’s corpse. You will open the container where the corpse is kept. With your magic, it should be possible.”
The Pilgrimage Group was traveling the continent to collect the remains of the Great Saint, and one of the pieces they had found was currently being guarded by their procession.
Yohan intended to steal it.
Ilea let out a small, bitter laugh.
“You intend to steal the Great Saint’s corpse? Even if you succeed, you’ll be hunted for the rest of your life.”
Each piece of the Great Saint’s corpse was classified as a first-class holy relic. The moment one touched it, they would turn the most dangerous group in this world into their enemy.
It was an utterly reckless act.
“They won’t even realize it has been stolen. I can make it so.”
Yohan’s face was full of confidence, but Ilea could not entrust her fate to such confidence.
After thinking for a while, she spoke.
“I don’t know why you want the corpse, but just this once, I don’t think I can join you. I’m sorry.”
“You could at least hear the plan.”
Ilea shook her head.
“I hear footsteps. Please, you should leave now. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear what you just said.”
Yohan spoke with a calm expression.
“That’s unfortunate. I thought you would find it interesting.”
“It is quite interesting, but not enough to risk my life. I’m sorry for disappointing you.”
“Tell me anytime if you change your mind.”
Just as Yohan was about to turn to leave, a cold voice was heard.
“How troubling.”
Shaferia, who had descended to the prison, was staring silently at Yohan.
“Meeting with a suspect of heresy in private… Do you wish to invite unnecessary suspicion?”
Yohan looked up at her.
‘She’s rather tall. Around sixteen, perhaps.’
When no answer came, Shaferia’s brows narrowed slightly.
“I asked you why you are here.”
Yohan spoke with an expressionless face.
“I was curious to see if my servant had really made a contract with a demon.”
Shaferia sighed.
“I don’t know whether there was a contract, but it is certain she harbors a demon. If she has been possessed against her will, she will receive treatment at the monastery, and if she made the contract by choice, she will receive appropriate punishment. Either way, it is for the Inquisition to judge. Do not involve yourself any further.”
Yohan let out a small laugh.
“The Inquisition, you say. From what I hear, they decide the answer first and investigate later. If that’s true, my servant is already as good as dead.”
Displeasure flashed across Shaferia’s face.
“You are insulting the judges of the Great Saint.”
“When you start off with such crude methods, it’s inevitable that the investigation will lack credibility.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“Isn’t it primitive to brand someone as a heretic after just looking at their face?”
Shaferia glared at Yohan.
“The Great Saint granted me the power to discern demons, and my eyes have never been wrong.”
Yohan shrugged.
“If it’s the Great Saint’s power, I must accept it. There’s no way he would make a mistake.”
“Of course…”
“However, the humans wielding that power do make mistakes from time to time. Do not be overconfident and continue to refine yourself. Your power is wondrous, but it also makes it easy to trample on someone’s life.”
The words were too mature to have come from the mouth of a young boy.
Moreover, it was something Shaferia constantly kept in mind herself.
Without realizing it, she glanced at Ilea.
At the same time, Shaferia’s pupils shook violently.
The demon she had sensed during the day had completely vanished.
Beyond the bars, there was only a silver-haired girl sitting quietly.
Yohan raised the corner of his lips.
“Admitting and correcting one’s mistakes. It is one of the teachings the Great Saint always emphasized.”
Leaving only those words, Yohan departed.
***
In the reception room of the lord’s castle, Baron Grian Miyatro was facing his sworn enemy of a younger brother.
“It seems you are not pleased to see your brother, even after ten years. You won’t even ask how I am doing and just glare at me, making it uncomfortable to sit here.”
Contrary to his words, Krill was sitting very comfortably. He was completely sunk into the sofa, even resting his legs on the table.
Grian snorted.
“You haven’t changed at all. Still arrogant and repulsive.”
“You have changed quite a bit, brother. For one, you’ve gotten fatter. A physique befitting the Watcher of the Abyss. Haha!”
At the sarcasm, Grian ground his teeth.
“Indeed, I am a more rightful Watcher than a coward like you. Look at yourself today, hiding behind the Church. Were you too afraid to come alone?”
Krill had deliberately matched schedules with the Pilgrimage Group to visit the Miyatro territory.
As long as he was with the Church, his safety was guaranteed.
Krill crossed his arms and nodded.
“You have always been unpredictable, brother. Even when we were young, you often failed to consider the consequences due to being blinded by immediate gains.”
Had Krill not come with the Church, Grian might truly have broken the nobility’s conventions.
By inviting Krill only to kill him.
Grian slammed the table with a bang.
“I am better than you, who only thinks! That is why Father chose me!”
Krill shook his head.
“Father was just like you. Enveloped in jealousy and envy, he even cast aside his own children. He failed to make the right decisions.”
Grian’s plump face contorted violently.
“You bastard! How dare you!”
Krill spoke in a calm voice.
“Calm yourself. I did not come here for a petty emotional dispute, and neither did you. Please tell me why you called me here.”
The hand gripping the glass trembled.
He wanted to challenge Krill to a duel, but it was impossible.
Krill, who had continued to train, still had a muscular body, while Grian was nothing but fat.
From the start, the baron had never won against his younger brother. In any field.
With a voice like chewing on blades, Grian spoke.
“…It wasn’t I who called you.”
“What do you mean?”
“My son called you.”
“Raguel called me?”
“No, my illegitimate son did.”
Krill let out a hollow laugh.
“I heard about the bastard, but you say he called me?”
“Yes. He will chew you up thoroughly.”
The baron spoke as if hiding behind a thug.
It was so ridiculous that Krill burst into laughter.
“Ha! You’re hiding behind a snot-nosed brat now? Brother, how far have you fallen?”
“Laugh while you can.”
As the laughter continued, a knock was heard.
A calm voice followed from beyond the door.
“This is Yohan. May I come in?”
The baron shouted as if he had been waiting.
“Yes! Come in!”
A black-haired boy entered the room.
Krill’s gaze moved to Yohan.
Suppressing his laughter, he spoke.
“Nice to meet you. You’re the shield of my brother, aren’t you?”
Yohan bowed.
“Yohan Miyatro. Greetings, Uncle.”
Krill’s expression twisted slightly.
“He’s even given you the family name already?”
Originally, an illegitimate child could not use a noble’s surname.
Grian snorted.
“Even a scoundrel like you is called a Miyatro, so what does a surname matter?”
Yohan looked at Grian.
“Father, could you please give us a moment?”
The moment he spoke, Grian hurriedly stood up.
“Y-Yes. Have a comfortable talk.”
The loud, shouting figure was gone, replaced only by a near-servile attitude.
To act like this toward his son, and an illegitimate one at that—it was hard for Krill to believe.
As the baron left the room, Krill stared at his brother’s back in disbelief.
“What the…”
“Uncle, I will get straight to the point.”
Yohan, already seated, spoke calmly.
“Give up the barony. That is the only way you will survive.”