Chapter 280
Chapter
280. Stirring the Bushes
“Pfft, is that what you were saying?”
In the library of Evaroti Castle, when I mentioned Yavka, Claire burst out laughing.
It was a facial expression I’d never seen before. Even now, she was adding new expressions to her repertoire…
Was she bored out of her mind being alone in Evaroti? Or was she honing her mimicry skills to blend in as a resident of the Autonomous District…?
“That girl only went because I told her to, despite her grumbling.”
Now Claire was grinning mischievously.
“Is that so?”
I’ve heard through the daily Evaroti reports via Enma that it was Claire who first detected the Manticore attack. While looking for a soul to extract as a pastime, she happened to find the victim from Ryan Village…
“Truly a useless way to kill time…”
That was a word we agreed not to say.
“As a courtesy, I ran into that girl while reporting to the officials and demon race folks, so I shared the information with her.”
Claire spoke with a certain satisfaction.
“She acted all casual, as if it was someone else’s problem, so I teased her, ‘It’s not like doing nothing is lazy when you could be there in time,’ and she panicked and flew off. That was quite the sight.”
…So she hadn’t acted voluntarily. While it matched Yavka’s “uncharacteristic” decision, it also felt unusual for Claire.
Claire was undead. Naturally, she didn’t get along well with the vampires. Because Enma had insulted her in Claire’s body, her relationship with Yavka was already terrible.
Moreover, Claire, who wasn’t particularly aggressive, seemed to avoid any interaction with vampires like Yavka.
So why did she bother to talk to Yavka now?
Was it just this time?
If such pressure was applied, Yavka would have no choice but to rush to help the guard unit. I couldn’t believe that Claire’s intellect wouldn’t comprehend that. Despite that being a perfect opportunity to increase “allies,” she had practically guided Yavka…
“I thought it would be more amusing if the existence of the vampires got exposed, but surprisingly, it was accepted too easily and turned out boring.”
Claire sighed dramatically, as if she could read my mind.
…Is that really true? Did she incite Yavka knowing that?
“Hey, hey, things are already chaotic enough because of the magical beasts. Don’t stir up the situation unnecessarily.”
However, I avoided touching on that issue and managed a wry smile.
I wouldn’t try to pry too deeply. Since I couldn’t understand Claire’s thoughts, if it turned out to be as I wished, I didn’t want to trouble her. I didn’t want to stir up any bushes and provoke a snake…
As a result, the casualties among the guard unit were minimized. Thanks to Claire’s actions.
That was fine; for now, that was…
“Well, this is a testament to the efforts of the vampiric races. It seems they may officially get involved in the duties of the guard unit.”
“Tch. How boring.”
With a truly bored expression, Claire rested her chin on her hands and pouted. Though she claimed that, her lips also seemed to hold a smile.
Undead do not exhibit facial expressions unless consciously done. Therefore, the way she looked like she was smiling must be my illusion.
But—she looked that way.
Claire was definitely smiling.
†††
Demon Lord Castle, Residential Area.
The area of the Izanis Tribe is located on the eastern side of the Demon Lord Castle.
Diurnal species, including humans, generally prefer a location facing east. However, nocturnal demon races do not favor the bright morning sunlight pouring through the eastern windows.
Thus, they were assigned a rather unpopular east-facing area. This starkly indicated the position of the Izanis Tribe within the upper clans.
As dawn approached, a solitary demon woman walked through the corridor, where the brightening sky was clearly visible, accompanied by a servant.
Hysidia Izanis.
She knocked on the door of a room in a corner of the residential area.
“Young Master… I’ve brought your meal.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
Hearing a muffled voice, as the door opened—
A wave of powerful magical energy surged forward, distorting my vision.
The night elf maid pushing the wagon containing the meal was gritting her teeth, desperately enduring. Hysidia, too, used protective spells to manage the unsettling sensation of snakes crawling all over her body.
“I’m sorry. I still can’t keep it under control.”
In a dimly lit room with the curtains drawn shut, Emelgias, who had been lying on his bed and reading, closed his book with a thud.
—A snake scale-like bruise appeared on his face. His elongated pupils were still the same.
Since returning from the demon world, Emelgias had used “illness” as an excuse to miss all banquets with the Demon Lord and meetings of the Aiogias faction. Despite being a demon prince, being sick was seen as the pinnacle of weakness, and other clans mocked him, but that was merely a superficial reason, and not a single person in the Izanis Tribe dared ridicule Emelgias now.
(Again… it’s growing stronger.)
Overwhelmed by the magical power Emelgias emitted, Hysidia felt her heart race. Unlike the previously desperate expression, Emelgias, lying back leisurely, now bore a calm and even serene expression.
And yet, he emanated a terrifying power.
A duke… no, at this point, it could even be called a grand duke level. He was explosively growing his magical power by fully accepting the demon’s authority.
Immediately after returning from the demon world, he had drained the power from surrounding demons and demon races so much that even the usual dragons became too weak to fly.
It seemed even now, if he relaxed, his powers would run rampant, so he was resting like this until he could gain control or could hold back his strength outside a bit more…
“Any changes?”
While propping himself up and speaking lightly from his bed, Emelgias asked.
“Yes. There’s a report that caught my interest from the personnel of Evaroti.”
Hysidia answered.
—Suddenly, as Emelgias focused on her, his pupils dilated, becoming round.
“Recently, a village in the Autonomous District was attacked by a Manticore—”
Standing as tall as she could, Hysidia read aloud the report she had gathered regarding the inexplicable actions of Zilbagias, the Demon Lord’s prince.
