The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 35

The third and final day, when the black market closes, has arrived.

In truth, I had achieved most of my goals on the second day, but there was no particular reason to leave early, so I stayed to witness the end.

The biggest event of the third day, the relic auction, turned out to be rather mundane. That was to be expected, given the remote location and the lack of buyers willing to pay the right price for the rare items, leading to a lack of quality goods on offer.

‘Perhaps such items would flow into the system instead.’

Even more barren than the desolate borderlands was this vicinity. Yet, I checked the auction list just in case it included a top-grade magic stone.

Regrettably, as expected, there was no top-grade magic stone listed.

‘Well… at least I managed to get everything Lucifer and Amon wanted, so that’s fortunate.’

It wasn’t a bad outing for me. After all, I had gathered quite a bit of valuable information, and Amon would no longer be slacking off.

“So… it’s about time…”

Bill and Mori seemed to have finished preparing the carriage and looked at me, waiting to continue.

At that moment, I was looking elsewhere.

Specifically, a group approaching us.

‘Someone I’ve seen before…’

The woman leading the group towards the carriage was unmistakably the same one I had seen before. She was the woman who had been arguing with the guards on the first day of the black market.

‘Then the others must be…’

They appeared to be her companions. Indeed, there were a few familiar faces. There were about five in our group, and theirs seemed to be about the same number.

“Stop! Stop!”

The woman, flailing her arms as she approached.

The gleam of silver armor made it clear that she was a knight.

Swoosh…

Bill, the dark elf, blocked the woman’s advance.

“Who are you to obstruct travelers who are about to depart?”

Bill might be the most sociable of us. He asked about the stranger’s identity politely and harmlessly.

“Hem hem… Our side, that is, um… Anyway, we have something to discuss and have come to find you.”

Bill looked at me, bewildered. Although it didn’t show on the outside, my inner expression was also twisted with incredulity.

‘Who is this person to be so brazen?’

If they put forward such a woman as their vanguard, it suggested a lack of notable figures in their group.

Their gaze soon followed Bill’s to me.

‘Be wary of those who hide their identities.’

They might have been too obvious in concealing themselves, but since we met in the disreputable black market, caution was necessary.

“Do you have business with us?”

“Ah, are you the leader of this gang? The boss? Whatever…”

Swoosh…

As I slightly lowered the hood of my robe, the woman named Mary stepped back.

“Eek…”

Mary averted her eyes for some reason, her expression flushed.

“What is your business?”

As Mary hesitated, another woman stepped forward.

“I asked to come here.”

“To me?”

“Yes. May we talk?”

There was no need to listen.

There was no reason to play the role of a knight in shining armor rescuing a damsel in distress, not at a time like this.

“Go back.”

“I’ve come to make a deal.”

“A deal?”

“…Surely, it will be beneficial for you as well.”

The woman spoke with her hood pulled low.

‘What’s her angle?’

I couldn’t afford to waste more time here. If I wasn’t careful, it could take a toll on my body…

“Shouldn’t you at least hear her out?”

“…What?”

Amon spoke to me quietly, so only I could hear. It was a mysterious skill.

“Aren’t you worried about your condition? It’s about time to head back.”

“How would you know…”

“Have you forgotten who I am? Nothing can deceive my eyes.”

Lucifer overheard Amon’s conversation and whispered.

“Amon is quite gullible, you know.”

“Shush, don’t interrupt! Anyway! There’s no need to worry right now.”

“May I know why?”

“I’ll explain later. It’s quite complicated. For now, let’s treat our guest.”

“Hmm…”

“Isn’t the guest right in front of you? We can talk about it next time.”

“Alright.”

I postponed the conversation with Amon and turned around.

“Get on the carriage, alone.”

“Wa-wait! I can’t… I mean, I can’t send her alone…”

“Mary, stay here.”

“But…”

“There won’t be any danger. I assure you.”

“…It can’t take long. If there’s no word after 10 minutes, you know what to do, right?”

“Yes.”

After 10 minutes, it would be as if all hell had broken loose.

Creeeak…

Thump.

The sound of the woman closing the carriage door was grating.

How should I put it… It felt like my dignity was being chipped away in real-time. I began to understand why nobles spend money like water to maintain their dignity.

“Why did you want to see me? And how do you know me? Who are you?”

“You’re quite curious. I’ll explain one thing at a time, but if it takes more than 10 minutes, Mary will get angry. So, let’s save the trivialities for a better day.”

Ha.

This woman spoke as if we would have another chance to meet like this.

‘Irritating… It’s irritating…’

I felt an inexplicable unease coming from her. It wasn’t because she was strong, but it was a different kind of feeling.

‘It’s as if… something ominous is about to happen.’

It was just a feeling, for now.

“My name is Adelia.”

“Adel…ia?”

Where had I heard that name before… Where was it?

‘Of course, it must be from the game… But where…’

Ever since I resolved to live as Faust, my memories of the game have started to fade slowly.

Perhaps there will come a time when I wonder if I ever had such memories at all.

“I am a devotee of the Ves Church.”

Ah, the predicament.

“Ves Church, you say?”

In the mighty empire of Aslan within the world of Solaria.

The state religion of Aslan is the singular Luber faith, worshiping the Sun God.

All other religions are deemed heretical, and their believers face dreadful punishments.

The rules of the Luber faith are relatively liberal, but when it comes to heresy, they are strict.

Aslan, where church and state are one, and so are law and religion.

Naturally, having an Emperor who is also the Pope, Solomon, meaning to believe in another religion is to deny Solomon’s authority.

“May I speak? It seems you’re not afraid of the heresy inquisitors.”

“You before me, you’re not an inquisitor… nor do you seem like one who would report to them.”

“Trusting people so hastily.”

“God tells us to trust in people.”

“…Why would a heretic believer seek me out?”

Getting involved would only lead to trouble.

Demons face discrimination, abuse, and are hunted, but heretics receive similar treatment.

‘After all, from Aslan’s perspective, we’re all thieves, aren’t we?It’s bestt not to overlap bases.’

“God… came to me last night.”

“If you’re planning to proselytize…”

“No, it was an oracle.”

“…And what did it say?”

“Seek out the man with black hair.”

“…What?”

Damn it!

Click…

Instinctively, my hand went to the sword at my waist.

If I were to draw it, I could make that woman, Adelia, rot in an instant.

“Are you surprised?”

“…”

“Black hair is a symbol of demons. You don’t look it now, though.”

“Everyone disguises themselves, especially in a place like this. You too, right?”

“Yes, the same.”

Swoosh…

The woman’s face was changing. To be precise, becoming more beautiful.

Pointy ears, deep eyes.

Even her hair shone brilliantly.

An appearance that inspires awe.

“I am… one of the candidates nominated to be the next Pope of the Ves Church.”

Her true identity was that of a fairy.

Even at a glance, her dignity and holiness overflowed, making it clear why the faithful followed her.

“…Why reveal this to me?”

“God came to me last night and told me to seek your help.”

“That god is a sham, I can’t help you.”

“Didn’t you say it would be a good deal?”

“…”

I frowned and waited for her story.

“I came here because of something related to Baron Grimhal, the patron of this black market.”

“Baron Grimhal…”

The story traces back to why this place was chosen for the black market.

A patron who supports the black market with a large sum nominated this place.
It seems the patron of the black market might be Baron Grimhal… but what does that have to do with anything?

‘…Ah!’

Could it be?

“Baron Grimhal is a follower of the Ves Church?”

“You’ve noticed.”

“But what does that have to do with your visit here?”

“The candidates for the next Pope are currently undergoing a ritual called ‘mission.’”

“Mission?”

“It’s a process where the candidates perform tasks necessary for the church, from trivial to dangerous, whatever the order from the main church.”

“There must be something with Baron Grimhal.”

“Specifically, there are three parishes in the domain he belongs to, and one of them has had a series of disappearances.”

Disappearances…

‘That smells dangerous.’

Quite repulsive.

“You suspect it’s Baron Grimhal’s doing?”

“All the missing had records of contact with the Baron.”

“So you have suspicions.”

“I’ve arranged a visit under the pretext of touring the parishes.”

So, you’ve made it that far?

“If you’ve come this far, why do you need my help? I have no intention of meddling in church politics.”

“Have you heard any rumors related to Baron Grimhal?”

“Baron Grimhal…”

There was something Mori mentioned.

It’s a bit strange, but the rumor is that the deceased father… that is, the former Baron, had one foot in the underworld. There’s even a rumor that he scratched the backs of influential nobles to obtain his title…

I see.

Why you’ve come to me.

“You don’t trust the mission team.”

“No, I trust them. But I’m old enough to understand that there’s a gap between faith and reality.”

“That’s not something a saint should say.”

“I never wanted to be called that.”

To summarize, Saint Adelia suspects Baron Grimhal of a crime and has been dispatched to interrogate or investigate him, but she fears that Grimhal’s private soldiers might be stronger than her own mission team.

If so, Adelia’s side, outmatched in strength, might face obstacles in their mission or even…

‘Be eliminated.’

That’s why she needs it.

Me.

“You need a guard.”

“Exactly.”

“Go back.”

“…”

“After all, it’s an internal matter, and there’s not a single reason for me to get involved.”

“For that one reason, it will arise now.”

Clatter…

From her sleeve fell a stone, the size of a finger.

Yes, a stone more precious to me than anything.

“You’re looking for a top-grade magic stone, aren’t you?”

“…”

“I’ll fill a chest for you.”

A chest with 3,000 pieces.

3,000 magic stones.

[You have been offered assistance during intelligence activities.]

[The reward is 3,000 top-grade magic stones.]

[Tip: The reward for intelligence activities is not confirmed until you receive it directly.]

A 10-year cycle.

Gacha…

Did you say gacha?

It’s gacha!

“Baron Grimhal’s mansion is in this vicinity, isn’t it?”