“A relic to select the king of gargoyles, huh? Hoh. Living through the ages, I see all sorts of precious items.”
Interest sparked on Bathory’s face as he looked at the item Oparn had brought out.
But, well.
‘What’s this?’
Contrary to the initial intuition.
To the eyes of a thief, it was nothing more or less than a piece of jewelry that looked slightly expensive.
[Diamond Seal]
[A relic symbolizing the king of gargoyles]
The status window only went so far as to describe it, with no special abilities to speak of.
It was pretty much pretty garbage.
“Do you recognize this item?”
Hiding my disappointment, I asked Bathory, who seemed to know about it.
Who knows.
There might be abilities that I hadn’t checked in the original work.
“I’ve never actually seen it before, but how could I not know? In our clan, there’s a treasure that only reacts to Blad. That must be similar.”
The king of the clan.
This meant there was a king among vampires, gargoyles, and even Levains.
‘Is it an artifact whose symbolic value is more important than its performance?’
Then, it was of no use to me.
Symbolism?
Who cares.
To think I was expecting something, only to find it worthless.
“Now, you must have one yourself. Why ask me…”
“Shh.”
I pressed my index finger to her lips.
I nodded to Bathory.
My eyes, however, were on Oparn.
-It’s our secret.
With lips trained in conversations with Elizabeth, I silently conveyed my opinion to her.
It was enough that Bathory mistook me for the king of doppelgangers.
– I see. Well, it would be troublesome for you if it were revealed.
“What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. It’s nothing you need to worry about. Let’s talk more about that seal.”
Prompted by Bathory, the topic returned to Oparn’s relic.
Oparn, holding the seal tightly, continued.
“Diamond entrusted it to me, saying under no circumstances should it fall into the Demon King’s hands.”
“Hmm, indeed. If it’s about the position of the king of the race, that makes sense.”
Curious.
It was strange how seriously Bathory, Oparn, and even the Demon King, who was trying to steal it, regarded this artifact.
‘Is there something I’m missing?’
“I’m curious. It’s just an item related to hollow honor. What could possibly be the reason the Demon King covets it.”
“Hollow honor? What blasphemy!”
“Oops, my mistake, I forgot to filter my thoughts, and ended up saying what I really felt.”
At the slight provocation,
I shrugged as I watched the gargoyle tremble with clenched fists.
“Such a bad taste.”
Catching on, Bathory commented with a single remark.
‘Ahem. I must restrain myself. He’s supposed to seduce a saint.’
“Retract your statement!”
“Yes, yes, I’ll retract. But isn’t it more important to consider why the Demon King covets that treasure?”
Enough with the trivial banter.
I’ve felt like I’ve been missing something for a while now.
‘It might be a misunderstanding, but it’s unsettling.’
Trampling over Bathory’s territory.
Laying waste to the gargoyle’s stronghold.
All had the clear purpose of ‘uniting the Evildon Empire centered around the Levain race.’
But what about this artifact now?
“By now, all the gargoyles within Evildon are already under Levain’s control. There’s no need to solidify their control further by obtaining this seal, right?”
Is it worth it to push his forces to the brink to obtain it?
To someone like me, who prioritizes efficiency and performance, the answer was naturally ‘doubtful.’
“Hmm. Are you abandoning your duty because of that? You really know nothing about being a king.”
“Well, I have no intention of learning in detail.”
She sighed deeply at my relaxed attitude.
“Well, I have no intention of forcing a sense of responsibility on you. But it’s certain that nothing good will come from the Demon King getting his hands on it.”
“Hm? Why?”
“Because with it, a puppet king will be established.”
Seriousness settled in her crimson, ruby-colored pupils.
“The command of a king is absolute among the races. The lower demons will all follow it. Even if it’s a puppet, the existence of a king elected through proper procedures carries its own significance.”
So that was it.
The gargoyles, unmatched in durability.
Something that couldn’t be dealt with without significant firepower, as I had learned all too well within the game.
To lead them in war?
The headache was already starting.
‘I remember, it was like that in the final battle too.’
A wall of gargoyles standing fortress-like in the front lines.
The Levains, disturbing the battlefield with their mobility when you least expect it.
And the vampire corps, annoyingly casting debuffs or bombarding from the rear.
Despite being of different races.
Their coordination was as troublesome as flowing water.
I thought it was due to the Demon King’s amazing control.
But if the secret was the commands of the kings of each race?
“I had no idea such a secret existed.”
“…Well, it’s not exactly relevant to you. I’m in the same boat.”
Her gaze now turned towards Oparn.
“Likely the same for him. Even if there’s a royal command, we high nobles can resist.”
Born noble, thus not easily swept away by the Demon King’s hand.
Bathory and Oparn were such cases.
‘I’m human, so naturally, I’m an exception.’
“I understand. Gargoyles are inherently strong warriors… To prevent Tyrone’s forces from growing stronger, we must protect him and the relic.”
“It won’t be easy. He wouldn’t send mere mercenaries for something he covets.”
Bathory really does worry about everything.
“What does it matter? Whoever comes.”
“What?”
“Unless it’s the Demon King himself. Kek.”
The thought alone was amusing.
I am Hans Byron.
A personal servant of the Speda family.
This means that an attack on me would be…
‘Equivalent to a direct confrontation with the North.’
The North’s ultimate force.
With the nightmare of demons, the Sword Master, ready to strike.
Certainly, even if a legion commander came, they would be sliced by that sword.
“Using the descendant of a great warrior to strike at the Demon King’s forces! How can I not laugh?”
“That’s exactly the kind of idea you would come up with.”
Bathory, holding her forehead as if it ached, and Oparn, confused and unable to follow the conversation.
I smiled and gestured for him to follow.
“Come, let’s go. We can get you treated there too.”
“…Where do you plan to go?”
I reached out my hand to Oparn, who anxiously lowered his gaze to the floor.
“To the place where Bathory and I are staying. The land of the great warrior.”
Thinking about getting things done without lifting a finger made me hum a little tune.
Oparn
Unbeknownst to himself, he had entered into the strongest fortress of the current era.
Anyway.
Seeing Oparn’s grimace from earlier and his now gloomy face.
I felt a flutter in my heart, like a feather.
“The great warrior you mentioned is…”
“Or would you rather stay here alone?”
Even now.
The male lead (candidate) is gritting his teeth and glaring at me…
Seeing his handsome features distort, something from my peripheral nerves seemed to rise.
“You’re being too mischievous, aren’t you?”
“Hehe.”
Under Bathory’s mediation, we started moving again.
Perhaps, as she said, my character has gotten a bit worse.
‘Ever since catching that doppelganger, this has been happening.’
Frustration, sadness, elation.
The closer I feel the intense emotions of others, the more an inexplicable pleasure seems to prick my heart.
‘Am I becoming a real doppelganger?’
Perhaps I’ve enjoyed playing the role too much.
It was a moment for some reflection.
***
“What?! The Duke is not here?!”
Despite my astonishment, Luciana calmly sipped her tea.
“Father has recently gone to the Barant fortress, where the offensive has intensified.”
“That’s unfortunate…!”
I had been short-sighted.
I should have realized when Tyrone’s minions were found in the territory.
The Speda stronghold has never fallen, being a natural fortress of tremendous strength.
Naturally, for demons of that caliber to infiltrate, there had to be a gap somewhere.
‘I didn’t expect the Duke to be taking on that role. What a letdown.’
The plan filled with easy victories was thwarted.
“You seem disappointed as well. So am I. It’s a coincidence that the hearts of the lord and servant align.”
How she saw my despair.
She rose from her seat with a gentle smile.
“I pleaded to be of help in the fight, but Father was worried. He said to be careful, as I’ll be going to the academy soon.”
With melancholy in her eyes and an elegant atmosphere, she set down her teacup.
Caught in that picturesque, elegant moment, my eyes were unwittingly stolen away, as if complex problems evaporated in an instant.
“Before going to the academy, it’s a pity you won’t get one last chance to loosen up. Don’t you think, Hans?”
“That, that’s true.”
I stuttered like a fool in response to her question, and her smile deepened upon seeing my reaction.
A radiant beauty that even diminished my own sense of self-reproach.
At this moment, I thought I could easily fill three books with essays on her.
“Well, taking a break like this isn’t so bad. I hear there are subjects related to swordsmanship at the academy, and duels among students are frequent.”
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened.
“Come to think of it, I never asked. Hans, which department are you planning to apply to?”
I snapped back to reality.
The academy was divided into departments based on the students’ talents.
The Martial Arts Department, primarily for learning swordsmanship, a means of self-defense and a noble’s refinement.
The Magic Department, for those chosen by mana to explore the miracles they can create.
And the Political Science Department, analyzing politics, an essential virtue for most noble offspring.
There was no need to ponder.
The essence of power and the core of supporting Luciana lay in Political Science.
“Obviously, Political…”
Her brows furrowed instantly.
‘It’s not the answer I wanted,’ her face seemed to say.
“…would be quite different from the atmosphere in the North. It must be the Martial Arts Department, right?”
Only after my response did Luciana nod in satisfaction.
“Right. To assist me, you naturally have to join the swordsmanship department. A wise choice.”
I found myself nodding along with her, my course decided somewhat forcibly, but what does it matter?
Plans can change.
‘To support my favorite character at school and be by her side at all times? Even better.’
From the time school starts to the time it ends.
To be by her side as a follower for such long hours.
I was already savoring Elizabeth’s jealous face.
-Ding.
My blissful daydreams were interrupted by a loud alarm sound.
[Emergency Mission Alert!]
[Within a few hours, invaders will start attacking the location of ‘Oparn’.]
[Remaining Time: 02:59:59]
‘That’s much sooner than I thought.’
Like with Bathory, it seemed they had some way of figuring out locations on their side.
While refilling her empty teacup, I casually asked.
“Lady Luciana, did the Duke lead the troops himself?”
“No, Father said the soldiers stationed at Barant were sufficient. He only took my brother along to gain experience.”
Meaning the soldiers here were still intact.
There was no reason not to use them.
“Actually, I heard something serious from Bathory.”
“The demon?”
Just the mention of a demon’s name seemed to sour Luciana’s mood, her displeasure not hidden.
“She should stick to her maid duties instead of blabbering unnecessary things to my subordinates about some trivial contract.”
A harsher rebuke than expected. Perhaps it’s about human compatibility.
The hostility towards Bathory, who is still a demon, seemed to persist.
“She said she felt an awkward flow of mana.”
“What do you mean?”
“She warned me to be cautious because there are unpleasant intruders nearby.”
Sorry, Bathory. I’m selling your name here.
Clang-.
As if to underscore Luciana’s sentiment, the sound of the teacup and saucer clashing echoed through the room. I gave a quick glance at the undulating shadows beneath my feet, hinting at their presence.
“Intruders. Has Barant’s fortress defense been breached?”
“From my analysis, yes.”
“Hmph. Hard to believe.”
Even as she said this, Luciana’s face bore a mix of seriousness and concern.
Knowing Bathory’s competence as a wizard from personal encounters, she couldn’t easily dismiss his contracted advice.
“With the Duke and the young Duke absent, you’re the only one here with the right to make decisions, Lady Luciana.”
She was the only one of the Speda lineage currently at the estate.
“May I suggest a plan?”
“Planning to do something reckless again, I presume.”
Her lips curled up in a smirk.
“Let’s hear it. Though I call it reckless, your advice has never been wrong.”
“Thank you for the high praise.”
Slowly and in detail, I shared my thoughts with Luciana.
***
“It’s quiet.”
“The humans must all be sleeping off. Lax discipline.”
Robed figures gathered around the moonlit black walls of the castle.
“It’s high. Not as much as that fortress, though.”
“What shall we do?”
“What do you mean? Overcome it as we did with the fortress.”
Leading the way, one figure scaled the wall as if walking on flat ground.
-Psshht.
The wall crumbled wherever his bare feet touched, his long claws and extreme muscles securely anchoring him.
Moreover, the wings he spread out balanced him, making the climb as easy as walking on flat ground.
Magic circles for demon sniping, tall and thick walls, all rendered useless.
“What are you doing? Follow me.”
After scolding his followers, he looked down from the top of the wall.
‘That’s the place.’
‘The descendants of the great warriors are staying there.’
The tracking device in his hand was glowing red, indicating the target was indeed there.
“Hehe. Good. It’s been a while since we destroyed everything.”
For Levains, combat was both a duty and a ritual that brought exhilaration.
A wide grin spread across the leader’s face.
Cliche Novel 