Upon arriving in Clatie, what Ezekiel and his party faced was an utterly shocking sight.
“Well, this operation was originally supposed to be done together with the Imperial Tower, but the Imperial Tower abandoned Clatie! Our Magic Tower is the only one that has kept its loyalty!”
The elder of the Purple Magic Tower was shouting this, and he certainly didn’t appear to be a fiend as he turned some poor soul into a charred corpse.
Seina exploded with rage.
“The guys from the Magic Tower came a day earlier than promised. Since then, they’ve been staging this fake play to win the hearts of the populace.”
The citizens of Clatie were not strong enough to discern and capture fiends themselves. In that situation, they had no choice but to depend on the Magic Tower.
“Such a beautiful appearance and such charm…!”
“Golden Lightning? Just looking at it feels like a feast for the eyes. Will we be able to see it every day from now on?”
Zeta’s shining golden face contributed to this.
In the end, winning the hearts of the people was not much different from politics. If the figure presented at the forefront has a beautiful appearance, it naturally garners more support.
Agnes’s expression turned quite serious.
“The Imperial Tower is connected to the Imperial Family, so they cannot ignore the people’s sentiments. However, if the support for the Magic Tower is high like this…”
“…It’ll become difficult to publicly punish the Magic Tower. If the conflict between the Imperial Tower and the Magic Tower becomes known, the citizens might end up blaming the Imperial Tower instead.”
Ezekiel silently nodded along as he listened to Agnes and Seina. Indeed, the Purple Magic Tower had brilliantly captured the sentiments of Clatie.
‘This outing has to elevate the Imperial Family’s honor as well.’
He had to turn the people’s sentiments back.
The Emperor, as if making a deal, attached the following conditions.
Even without this, Ezekiel was already preparing for a collision with the Emperor through double dealings. His heart towards the Sun Elixir grew even more fervent.
Of course, there was another reason.
He also disliked the shameless way the Magic Tower people were winning the populace’s favor. Everyone in this place needed to know just how lowly they were.
After a moment of thought, Ezekiel did not linger long on his dilemma.
He soon recalled a plan.
“I have a way.”
“A way, you say?”
“Master, you mean…?”
The glances of the two women turned directly to Ezekiel.
“Those Magic Tower punks claimed to have accomplished a marvelous feat by taking down fiends in this city.”
Ezekiel pulled out the Sunweed while continuing his words.
“Then we’ll just have to show them getting smashed by fiends, right in front of everyone, while making a show of it.”
“H-H-How…?”
At the same time, the two women’s heads tilted in curiosity. But instead of answering, Ezekiel simply moved his feet forward.
Ezekiel’s steps led him to the outskirts of Clatie, the very spot where he had faced the Demon Lord.
“So, you mean…”
The personal secretary Agnes said, as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Are we going to disguise ourselves as fiends and beat up those punks from the Purple Magic Tower?”
“Correctly understood.”
The two women exchanged puzzled looks.
“Secretary, do you understand?”
“I get the concept, but accepting it…”
Soon, Seina asked with concern.
“Master, it seems difficult to perfectly disguise ourselves as fiends, and the elite from the Purple Magic Tower likely won’t be weaklings. Is it really possible?”
“If Inspector is going to do it, then we will, but I’m worried that if I make a mistake, things might go wrong. I’ve never pretended to be a fiend.”
Ezekiel said briefly to the two women.
“Don’t worry.”
Once a decision is made, it will be executed correctly.
The belief that Ezekiel held in his heart had not changed, and he finally arrived at the destination.
In the forest, there was an artificial circular clearing.
It was where Ezekiel had previously unleashed the Scatter’s secret. It was here he had met the Demon Lord.
Hissssssssss…
Ezekiel flared up his energy and focused.
Soon, an immediate reply came. The sharp mana began poking at Ezekiel’s shoulder.
He chased that energy back instantly.
Shwaaa—!
Feeling the speed as if the space was being compressed, the next moment the Demon Lord’s figure came into view. He was meditating atop a sheer rock.
Even with an eye patch, Ezekiel felt their eyes meet.
Perhaps it was due to the joy of realizing that Ezekiel had returned. Suddenly, the Demon Lord grinned.
“Have you come to see me? How considerate of you. My Han-shin, I wish I could pat your head.”
Blood trickled down the eye patch like tears, yet the mouth wore a smile, giving a rather eerie vibe.
Swish!
At that moment, Seina and Agnes landed behind him. Perhaps it was because the Demon Lord was right in front of them; tension coursed through their bodies.
The Demon Lord slowly parted his lips.
“However… you’ve brought two humans. Is that a tribute for me? Although it’s not my hobby to feast on maidens, it might help with my recovery.”
“It’s not a tribute for you. Keep your distance.”
“Is that so? This time, I’ll make an exception. Since it’s a request from Han-shin.”
Yaaawn, Valetta yawned at that moment.
“So, why have you come to see me? Surely every second counts. You must be aware that the support for the Magic Tower is rising by the moment.”
“I’m here to slightly change the terms of the deal.”
“Change the terms? At this time?”
The Demon Lord asked curiously, but Ezekiel ignored him and proceeded.
“I want a vessel to disguise myself as a fiend. One for a man, one for a woman.”
“…”
A brief silence followed.
Seina and Agnes’s faces revealed confusion. It was understandable; Ezekiel was casually discussing a deal with the Demon Lord.
But surprisingly, it seemed the Demon Lord was even more astonished.
“You want a vessel to disguise yourself as a fiend?”
His thick lips broke into a bright smile.
“Oh.”
Starting with a short exclamation, he burst into a boisterous laugh. Instantly, he understood everything about Ezekiel’s plans.
“Ah hahahaha! This city is about to get very interesting! Moreover… you thought of disguising yourself as a fiend? Nothing could bring me more joy!”
The Demon Lord approached trying to embrace Ezekiel. Naturally, Ezekiel took a step back to avoid him.
“My Han-shin, my dear, this chance to disguise yourself as a fiend would be a great experience. It might even lead you to truly want to become one someday.”
Seeing the Demon Lord joyfully offering the vessel, Ezekiel could only click his tongue.
“What utter nonsense, just hand over the vessel.”
…
…
…
…
…
Upon returning to the city of Clatie, Ezekiel felt piercing gazes.
As expected, the two women were looking at him with the eager eyes of baby birds waiting for food. What just happened was so incredibly fascinating to them.
Eventually, Seina broke the silence first.
“What on earth just happened? The Demon Lord didn’t seem hostile towards you at all. He readily offered the vessel, and most importantly, the way he addressed you…”
“Well…”
Ezekiel pondered for a moment before nodding.
He could certainly trust Seina and Agnes. They were invaluable allies who unconditionally believed in him and had nothing to hide from them.
He began to explain everything that happened in the Demon Realm, about the three energies coexisting within him, and the deal proposed by the Demon Lord.
“So that’s what happened…”
“I can’t believe it even after hearing it…”
Seina and Agnes were in awe.
“Indeed, it seems that your strength and accomplishments hide such secrets. I can’t even imagine how many things you’ve had to endure for your power…”
“You must have had it tough, Inspector. That persistent sensation from the Demon Realm must not be pleasant, but I will gladly assist you.”
Ezekiel felt grateful for these two women.
Even when revealing considerably troublesome information, they weren’t hesitant or fearful; rather, they showed concern and trust, eager to find ways they could help.
‘They’re truly precious.’
The expressions of Seina and Agnes softened considerably.
It was only natural. Their minds felt much lighter after resolving all their curious questions.
Seina, the elder of the Blue Tower, smiled brightly.
“Now, executing what you have planned has become much easier. With the Demon Lord’s vessel, transforming into an exceedingly wicked fiend is entirely feasible.”
Her words were right. What they received from the Demon Lord was a cloak; simply wearing it would present an entirely wicked fiend to any outsider.
It was at that moment that Agnes tilted her head.
“However, now that I think about it, didn’t we receive two cloaks? But there are three of us.”
“Right. It’ll just be me and Seina who disguise ourselves.”
“Eh? Then what about me?”
Agnes pointed at herself with her finger.
“You’ll play the role of defeating the fiend.”
Ezekiel chuckled.
“If there are villains, then there have to be heroes, right?”
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