– Run to my mansion right now!
A deep night with rain pouring down.
It was a message received by the archpriest of Cologne.
Even without a name written, it was obvious who it was from.
There’s no one else in Cologne who can boldly refer to themselves as ‘I’.
“What happened?”
“Try to decipher it.”
“······.”
Flutter.
Lawrence Briam appeared as the door to the mayor’s residence swung open.
What he handed over immediately were two pieces of paper.
Paper inscribed with runic script.
Holding an umbrella, the archpriest stared blankly down at the paper.
Did he really call me out in the middle of the night just to decipher this runic script…?
“Wait a moment. Hmm. What’s written on this paper is ‘Hello, nice to meet you’. And on the second paper, it says that it’s okay for me to stay in Cologne…”
“What? That can’t be true.”
Before the deciphering was even finished, Lawrence snatched the paper back.
After checking the written characters again, a sigh escaped Lawrence’s lips.
“Good grief.”
The letters had changed.
They were not in this form and arrangement just moments ago.
He couldn’t recall how it looked before since he couldn’t read it, but at least he was certain that it had changed.
It seemed that the magic planted beforehand activated and swapped the words.
“Damn it. You slippery little bastard. Fine. You may go now.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you hear? I said you could leave since there’s no more business here.”
“······.”
Creeeak. Bang.
The road door closed.
The archpriest was left alone outside in the pouring rain.
“You arrogant brat. Just because I treat you like a friend, do you think we’re equals?”
Back in his room, Lawrence, fuming, ripped the paper apart as he paced around.
He felt anger rising.
That mercenary.
He thought he could understand him, and considered it wouldn’t be bad to keep him around if he had some skills.
So he invited him over and even treated him to a meal.
But the guy openly stared at his wife and shared peculiar notes with her in a language that I didn’t even know.
The brat outright disregarded Lawrence.
“They’ve got eyes for each other.”
Cornelia didn’t seem to mind him looking at her, either.
It was clear she was reciprocating the gaze.
Cornelia appeared to have fallen for someone of unknown origins who’s just good-looking.
“Women, honestly… There are so many things more important than looks. Tch.”
I bet those two are now dreaming of forbidden love.
Running away from a husband who beats her every day to live sweetly with a commoner?
Not a chance.
The crime of daring to eye my possessions is severe.
And the price for that crime can only be paid in death.
“······Hah. This is infuriating.”
Right now, I want to unleash this boiling rage.
I want to storm into Cornelia’s room and slap her until I cool off.
But with a guest at home right now…
I can’t let her screams echo through the mansion.
That only made my irritation grow.
“You said everything would go well if I just listened to you…!”
Lawrence suddenly yelled at his reflection in the mirror.
The reflection of his face twisted grotesquely.
“I even sold part of my lifespan! Now I have to worry about losing my wife?”
Crunch.
Thanks to hearing ‘that person’s’ words, he made it this far.
Even if the orders seemed irrational, when followed through, everything had turned out fine in the end.
Having sold my lifespan for an additional 20 years, this much was to be expected.
But now I have to worry about my wife running away with a mercenary who has nothing but a pretty face?
Should I be getting my lifespan back at this point?
“If I just follow orders, I can kill him… I understand. I will trust and follow you…”
But Lawrence’s defiance was short-lived.
He soon bowed his head again, grinding his teeth.
By morning, I will kill that arrogant mercenary.
And throw him to the crocodiles in the sewers.
*
The day of the plan’s execution dawns.
The outline of my plan is as follows.
Make it look like Lawrence Briam was killed by a monster.
Cornelia swallows the Briam family.
And that’s it.
Too simple, isn’t it?
A simple and straightforward plan tends to work better.
Of course, just because it’s simple doesn’t mean the details are simple.
I made quite a bit of preparation.
First, I sent a message to Hildegart last night.
Soon, Cornelia will kill Lawrence Briam and seize the Briam family.
So I instructed them to be prepared to support Cornelia.
To be precise, even though I’m the one killing him and not Cornelia, it’s going to be a secret.
It’s more convincing that she reached her breaking point and killed her husband than some stranger did.
‘Cornelia will take care of this. It won’t be hard.’
In the Briam family, which has no heirs or council, if head of the family Lawrence dies, the highest authority will naturally fall to Cornelia.
Once that happens, this baseless family can easily be subdued by Cornelia.
She’s quite capable, so there is no need to worry.
Cornelia has probably been waiting for this situation eagerly.
I’m sure she’s envisioned overturning the Briam family and taking it over more than once.
Leaving it to her, I’m confident she’ll handle it well.
‘But post-disposal could be a bit tricky.’
The execution of the plan itself isn’t problematic.
What is problematic is the aftermath.
There will undoubtedly be people who question Lawrence’s death.
They’ll shout that it was intentional murder by Cornelia.
Anyway, there’s no escaping suspicion.
What’s important is not leaving any evidence behind.
Even if it looks like Cornelia killed Lawrence circumstantially, without hard evidence, she can’t be accused recklessly.
Even if they malign her as the demoness who ate her husband without evidence, it wouldn’t matter.
I could counter with unfounded claims that Lawrence was a ruthless man who poisoned his wife.
······It’s absurd that both could be true.
“······Preparation. Done.”
“How’s your condition?”
“······Perfect.”
“Then let’s go.”
Our Count Slayer (soon to be) is ready.
Just as I was about to swing the door open,
Mi Jeong tugged at my sleeve, stopping me.
“······Your leg.”
“Your leg, what?”
“······Your leg. Are you okay?”
Was she talking about the leg injured by the spike trap?
I wrapped it up with a potion and bandage, so it healed quickly.
But why is she still asking about it from ages ago?
“I’m completely fine now. Just a slight scar remains.”
“······Oh. A scar.”
Mi Jeong’s expression twisted for a moment.
Is she feeling sorry?
What a funny girl.
I laughed lightly as I opened the door.
.
.
.
Early morning.
Lawrence snapped shut his pocket watch and shoved it into his pocket.
A mercenary, sword at his waist, was walking towards the mansion.
“You’re challenging the dungeon from today? I’ll guide you.”
“Oh. How kind. Just when I lost my way, this is perfect.”
He’s just so blissfully unaware of his future.
What a silly guy.
Lawrence held back a smirk as he took the lead.
The path leading to the sewers.
Sneaking a glance behind him, Lawrence secretly clicked his tongue.
‘Something feels off.’
The handsome commoner mercenary.
And the child walking with him.
Still unknown name, unknown job, unknown origin.
They didn’t have the feel of the usual shady characters one encounters in the slums.
The sense that they were hiding something grew stronger.
‘What’s there to worry about? I’m the king here.’
Of course, there would be no repercussions.
The dungeon had received the conquest abandoned rating of black star.
In here, no matter how formidable someone was, it wouldn’t be odd for them to die.
“Hm? You’re going straight into the dungeon?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“None, I guess…”
An enormous stone door radiating ominous energy.
Without hesitation, the mercenary pushed the stone door open and proceeded.
Lawrence had to force a smile, feeling a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Some dungeons are known for monsters popping out right from the entrance.
But seeing someone so completely relaxed was alarming.
He was convinced that this guy must be quite clueless.
With that conviction, he no longer even felt a smidgen of tension.
‘If I follow the instructions, it should go smoothly.’
As ‘that person’ said, it seemed easy to kill him.
Lawrence gripped a mana stone in his pocket, thinking so.
“But are you going deeper into the dungeon? It’s dangerous. I think it’s better if you turn back here.”
“Hahaha. It’s fine. I’ve been to this dungeon often enough to know that the early part isn’t threatening.”
That was a lie.
This dungeon was a work of the demon, filled with pure malice.
Unexpected dangers arise from places and timings that are unimaginable.
This dungeon wasn’t meant to be conquered in the first place.
“Hm?”
Noticing something strange, the mercenary looked up.
Seemingly startled.
Without prior information…
“Orcs?!”
He would never have predicted that a group of orcs would drop down from the cliff above.
Thud! Crash!
With a heavy landing sound, the green-skinned giants quickly surrounded the mercenary and the child.
With massive clubs in their hands, they looked to be at least four or five times larger than a human.
Their thick skin didn’t yield to swords and could bounce back most spells.
They were finished.
‘They were bound to die even if I hadn’t come here.’
But the orcs seemed entirely uninterested in Lawrence, only approaching the mercenary and child.
That was thanks to the invisibility magic he had used with the mana stone.
Lawrence swallowed hard and slowly backed away.
Bang! Crash!
Soon, a chilling sound echoed from the orc group.
Lawrence turned his back and left.
Watching the gory scene where flesh ripped apart would likely sour his appetite.
They were taken care of.
With that, he believed he had neatly avenged himself.
At least, that’s what Lawrence thought.
“How dare you eye my possessions. Your life is forfeit…”
Huh?
Bam.
At that moment, a sound of something collapsing came from behind him.
This couldn’t be.
Turning around in panic, horror spread across Lawrence’s face.
“The blade feels a bit dull. Doesn’t cut well.”
“What…?”
The severed orc heads tumbled around.
In the midst of them stood the mercenary and child, looking annoyed as they examined the blade.
Not a scratch on them. Completely intact.
Soon, they seemed to recall something they had forgotten.
They raised their heads and locked eyes with Lawrence.
It must be a coincidence.
Since he was cloaked in invisibility magic, it was natural they…
“Hey. Come here.”
“······?!”
The mercenary beckoned with a finger while staring directly at Lawrence.
Startled, the invisibility magic unraveled instantly.
As the mercenary approached, Lawrence found himself seated on the ground.
“W-Wait a moment. I must have been mistaken. There definitely weren’t any orcs last time. The dungeon’s structure must have changed…”
“Well, let’s assume that’s the case. Is that all for your last words?”
The mercenary scratched his ears while making a bothersome face.
Lawrence’s face turned deathly pale.
Everything had been exposed.
But his pride wouldn’t allow him to kneel and beg here.
Thinking of ‘that person’s’ honor, he could never do that.
“W-What? You don’t really plan on killing me, do you? Surely you can’t be that foolish! Do you think you can kill me and escape safely? The whole of Cologne is under my command! The archpriest of Cologne will bow to my words, and you, a mere commoner…! Cough!”
Thud.
A club hit Lawrence’s forehead, the sound ringing clear.
He rolled his eyes and collapsed backward.
“······Peace.”
“Well done. That was loud.”
Holding a wooden club, Mi Jeong flashed a peace sign.
Yoo Jin roughly ruffled Mi Jeong’s hair and approached Lawrence.
Lawrence, knocked unconscious and with a large lump on his forehead.
He wasn’t dead, just passed out.
“Ugh. This is too clean. Doesn’t feel like something a monster would do.”
“······Really?”
“Oh? Hey?”
Thud. Pow. Thwack. Splatter. Squish.
Mi Jeong continued to strike down, with gruesome sounds and splatters of blood spraying everywhere.
After a considerable time of beating, Mi Jeong put the club away, revealing a face that was nearly unrecognizable.
He was certainly dead now.
“Now it finally feels like something a monster would do.”
“······Tch.”
Mi Jeong, holding a blood-splattered club, smiled emotionlessly.
Yoo Jin awkwardly smiled back and dusted his hands off, stretching and groaning.
“Ugh. We’re done.”
Alright.
It was absurdly easy.
The higher-ups waiting above for Lawrence to return alone after killing me and Mi Jeong would never imagine he would die like this.
By now, Hildegart must be coming to provide support, fully prepared.
Cornelia would also be preparing to seize the family.
It was a simple victory.
“You shouldn’t think that just orcs can kill me.”
Lawrence’s downfall lay in underestimating Yoo Jin.
Orcs are indeed strong monsters.
Even fully armored knights struggle battling orcs.
However, Yoo Jin’s strength far exceeded that of an ordinary knight.
At this point, there weren’t many who could contend with Yoo Jin.
As Yoo Jin rummaged through the pockets of the corpse leisurely…
|A sacrifice is offered.|
“······?!”
At the eerie voice, his hands froze.
A boiling sound came from inside the bloodied corpse’s throat.
He immediately realized.
This wasn’t a human voice.
“Insane.”
Quickly grabbing Mi Jeong’s hand and stepping back, the widening of Yoo Jin’s eyes reflected growing horror.
An ominous energy seeped from Lawrence’s corpse.
Just touching that energy made him feel nauseous, and his head spun.
|I, the Great Demon······|
Lawrence’s corpse began to move, letting out a bizarre sound.
Then, the body twisted its joints and bones grotesquely, rising up.
It looked as if it was rewinding time, an unnatural movement.
This was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
The instincts honed over 12 years screamed out within Yoo Jin.
With a shiver down his spine, he took a battle stance and drew his sword.
|Belphegor shall manifest in the current world.|
“Mi Jeong, step back!”
“······Okay.”
The appearance of Belphegor, the right arm of the final boss Draken.
One of the Four Heavenly Kings.
The lazy demon, Belphegor, had arrived.
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