Chapter 274: You Are Like Sand (15)

I felt the boundary pressing in like a forced immersion. Unlike my pact with Malphas, I didn't have to do anything. With my Occult Knowledge at Lv. 5, I could clearly see that this place was already a perfect altar. The living presence of the sacrifice itself was being offered as tribute.

The square, brimming with viridian energy, swept across me once. The bizarre runes, sigils, and twin circles slowly dissolved. Then the system messages appeared.

[Botis is watching you...]

[The Demon King pities one who bears a brand without cost.]

[Trust has increased.]

[A blessing has been temporarily bestowed.]

[Perk acquired: Craft.]

[Perk acquired: Concealment.]

[Duration: 48:00:00]

[Perk: Craft Lv. 1

— You may sculpt gloomy or beautiful landscapes using humans.

— Mortality rate of subjects is greatly reduced during shaping.

— At higher levels, the emotional resonance of the sculpture may grant additional effects.

— Most subjects go mad during the process, though skill mastery increases the chance their sanity is forcibly maintained.]

[Perk: Concealment Lv. 3 (Temporary)

— As one hideous, you desperately conceal yourself from the world.

— By Botis' blessing, you may temporarily straddle the Demon Realm.

— Until you intervene in this world, your presence will be utterly erased.

— While straddling the Demon Realm, your mind will gradually be corrupted.]

The first perk was utterly useless, but the second was astonishing.

Cloaking myself by stepping into another world entirely?

I already had Stealth, but this was something else altogether.

Duke Biblio gazed at me, face beaming with the pride of a successful intermediary. "The power you've received is the unique authority to deceive the world itself. Can you feel it?"

I nodded.

"You can hide your presence even from the mightiest foes, even in battle as well. If you conceal yourself down to the last fragment, your foe will not even realize until the blow is struck."

Assassination, perfected. Is this why he wanted me to kill the marquis?

As if reading my thoughts, the old man continued, "I drew in as much as I could for you to wield temporarily. What you received is only that much, but it is sufficient for the pursuit."

So, it will vanish soon. I had to strike before it faded.

"First, uncover the weakness of Leandro von Batyenne, the most irksome obstacle in the imperial capital. Breaking him won't be easy, but persuasion is far more useful than destruction. He is worth making into a contractor."

He wanted me to probe for Marquis Leandro's desires and bind him with them. However, I knew what choice Leandro would make. If he had accepted Biblio's hand, he would not have met the miserable fate I had witnessed. He would never ally with this thing.

Not that I could say so aloud. He would never believe it.

So I only need to find a weakness, then.

I had no reason to refuse, as it was an excellent opportunity. Botis' blessing was rare, and intelligence on Leandro would serve me endlessly.

"What are you thinking?" Biblio asked.

If I accepted too eagerly, it might seem suspicious.

I prodded instead. "Would a man that powerful even want to make a contract with a Demon King?"

"Even without contracts... many already borrow the power of Concealment."

Borrowing Concealment...

A thought struck me about the ghosts of Erast. I could never detect their presence until the very moment of battle. Some were far weaker than me, yet still untraceable. I had faced several in Grassmere as well.

"Could it be...?" Biblio's expression twisted curiously. "You know something?"

"Those imperial ghosts or secret agents borrow your strength, don't they?"

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Biblio's mouth split wide in satisfaction. "You even know about the ghosts? You please me more with every word. You are correct. How did you learn of them?"

"I know only that they exist. However, they bore no contract or serpent brands... how do you grant them power?"

I had not seen any tattoos on the masked ghosts' throats.

Is he acting like this because he's thrilled that I know? Or is it because Botis is watching?

Either way, Biblio explained, "Conditioning. At first, I offered it, but the more they drown in Concealment, the more they cannot live without it."

I hardly needed him to finish. I knew he could withdraw that power at any moment. He could hand it out freely, then bind them later.

"Once a man tastes such power, he cannot give it up. Feed them only once, and they'll crawl back forever."

Questions flooded my mind.

Did the effeminate duke receive Botis' power as well? If he has the ghosts already, why test me against the marquis? Is it because they aren't fully under his control yet, or is this trial meant only for me?

His yellow eyes glowed down upon me. "So will you do it? Or not? Any more questions will wait until after."

Of course, that was as far as trust would go, for now.

"Very well," I replied.

Investigating Leandro von Batyenne might prove easier than expected. We had crossed paths more than once already. Perhaps luck was on my side.

"Good. You'll need support. Will you use T&T? Or shall I provide slaves?"

"Your slaves will suffice. T&T does not suit me."

"

Oh

?"

"They were a temporary tool. Nothing more."

I had already spilled too much, especially after Rena's pendant in his sphere of influence. Nonetheless, I feigned distaste for T&T, trying to reclaim ground. Above, he hissed laughter, sharp and mocking. I could only pray that Naneow, Sharunian, and the others would guard Rena well.

"

Hmph...

they have their limits. Fine. Use my slaves."

***

A heavy darkness seeped into me as I gazed across the great hall where they stood assembled. So, these were the officers of the Necron Society. I had pursued them for so long...

Pathetic.

Yet, not a single one was on the same level as the ghosts.

Had I expected too much? No wonder Biblio welcomed me so eagerly. Before true demonic descent, who in their right mind would willingly become Botis' slave?

Plenty had grand backgrounds, but few trained themselves to any real height.

Compared to my expectations, it was disappointing. Though admittedly, they were still stronger than men like Pretcher or the guards of Yublam.

"My lord! Which do you prefer? Hunting, sport, or slaughter?" a man asked with a cruel smile.

By appearance, he was the strongest of the group. He was called Galapadon, the stockmaster. His bloodshot eyes glistened with hunger for violence and flesh. Even as he stood, he matched Christina's strength before her awakening. With his unorthodox traps and tricks, she would likely lose to him nine times out of ten. Among humans, that made him formidable indeed.

Still, these men were disappointing. And I could not shake the sense that Biblio was hiding far greater forces from me.

Ding!

[Quest updated!]

[Massive information about the Necron Society has been added.]

[— The Society consists of High Priest Botis and his slaves.

— The true mastermind has been identified.

— You have directly met the 13 high-ranking officers.

— Extra: You have succeeded in contracting with Demon King Botis!

— Extra: The 13 high-ranking officers now acknowledge your authority!]

[Quest complete!]

[You have successfully uncovered the truth of the Necron Society.]

[Converting your exploits into rewards...]

[Hero Points boosted by 375% bonus.]

[You have gained 23,750 points!]

Whirrr...

[Current Purchase Power: 25.6%]

The empty digit on the right surged at once to twenty-five percent, or over one-fourth. Yet, the Hero Shop remained locked.

World denial...

Perhaps I had been reckless, but at this pace, it almost seemed within reach. Either way, this was supposedly Biblio's full strength, revealed without reservation.

I swept my gaze across the humans arrayed before me. At least I could use them right away.

Even when I showed them the bare skull beneath my helm... they only snickered, delighted. In its own way, this was convenient.

The ranchmaster exclaimed, "Great demon! A fine piece of livestock was brought in recently. Untouched, completely pure."

He didn't mean pigs, cattle, or sheep. These men hunted, tortured their own kind, and called them livestock. Six humans were dragged forward, and I glanced at them. The cattle trembled in terror, unable to breathe properly, flinching at every shadow.

"To match your tastes, I brought a variety. Some are fully trained..."

One gasped, gagging as a noose cut his throat. A young girl lifted her head, her eyes vacant. No plea remained there. Her soul was blurred and crushed, already half gone.

"..."

I wanted to look away. The image of Necron's slave ledgers returned to me, with pages of ranks and prices, notations of training and conditioning. Even Rena's name had once been written there. Here were the very perpetrators. But if I overturned the table here, I would only earn Biblio's suspicion.

"Pathetic," I spat

"

Eh...

?"

I had to play the part, at least.

What would Isaac have said?

"Hunting, sport, and slaughter are not separate. Without careful selection or proper pursuit, they mean nothing. Every step of the process must be mine."

"

Oooh!

As expected!"

The words felt forced. Yet, as orders from a superior, they drew no protest. The sycophants simply nodded, murmuring in admiration.

Soon enough, I'll give those cattle at least the mercy of a swift death.

I cast my eyes over the assembled Necron cultists. "The first mission I give you is this."

"Yes, master!"

"Investigate the commander of the Imperial Guard, Isabelle Simone. Find her weakness. Something worth exploiting."

I knew two things about Leandro. More than the emperor himself, he had raged when Isabelle Simone was killed. He had crossed the sea alone just to chase me.

And he obsessed over Miyu, too.

So, by tracing him, Isabelle would naturally come into view. A chorus of bowed heads filled the chamber.

"We obey, master!"

These fanatics worshipped Duke Biblio as if he were a god. Disobedience was not in their nature.

"I will personally take charge of Marquis Leandro. Provide me with all records."

At the name, the cultists twitched, shuffling uneasily, but hurried to comply.

***

Of course, I moved alone. Those without Botis' blessing would only get in my way.

They had almost no information to offer anyway.

Not even Isabelle Simone's ties seemed to be known here. Leandro guarded his secrets well.

Rustle...

I raced toward the offices of the Blue Lion Knights, swiftly and silently. If I were discovered by ordinary knights, then Botis' blessing was worthless to begin with.

It must be there.

I reached the vantage overlooking their sprawling training grounds. Only two knights guarded the perimeter. Even if hundreds patrolled, none could catch me.

I vaulted lightly over the wall. The two knights stared straight ahead, never sensing me pass before their eyes.

If even this much goes unnoticed...

I advanced deeper inside. With Detection active, I traced every presence within dozens of meters. There was no need to avoid them. The goal was the knight commander's office. This would be the test.

Would Botis' blessing conceal me even from the marquis?

Tension wound tight. The air felt parched and brittle. Every other thought vanished. Every singal came from the largest chamber ahea. Marquis Leandro was inside. I had not been discovered yet, but the door was firmly shut, and I dared not open it. So I waited.

Leandro called, "Quartermaster."

"Yes, commander!" the quartermaster replied.

"No need to shout. I hear you. From here on, you are to withdraw from this case."

"But commander, we've found no leads. How can you handle this alone?"

"I don't want to borrow your hands any longer. This is not to be made the order's affair."

"Commander... if we work together, we could resolve this faster..."

"It was a burden placed on me alone. If you meddle and I fail, then it will stain the name of the entire order."

"What do you mean by that?!"

"If I cannot find the diamond, the world will say Marquis Leandro shirked imperial duty. They'll say that I am no obedient knight, only a swordmaster who does as he pleases. Do they not already whisper such things?"

"

Mm...

" Leandro mumbled. "So tell me... who are you?"

"Sorry?"