The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 115

15. Conspiracy: The Whispering Bastard

Immediately after the meeting with my colleagues.

I contacted the Seven Stars to get information about the paladin Johann.

First, I didn’t have a separate communication channel with Karina in the North, so I sent someone with a letter.

I sent it by express messenger, and since it was urgent, Karina would send a reply soon if nothing major happened.

I wrote a letter to Tom as well, but considering his habit of traveling all over the continent, it would take a long time to find him directly, so I used the Pilgrim Network.

The Pilgrim Network involves visiting shops with the Aslan Empire’s insignia tattooed on a part of the body, wearing brooches, or displaying ancient imperial emblems on their signs to deliver letters.

The pilgrim group was rooted throughout the continent, and fortunately, I could find two contact points in the capital of the Elven Kingdom.

“We will arrange for Tom to see it within three days.”

Lastly, my father, Marquis Lloyd.

I didn’t need to send a separate letter to the Marquis; I used a crystal ball for video communication.

As soon as I sent the signal, the Marquis answered right away and scolded me as soon as he saw me.

-You rascal! Why haven’t you been in touch! Do I have to hear from others that my son has become the royal consort of a country!

I started by apologizing.

It took an hour to soothe my father’s feelings.

In a slightly calmer atmosphere, I got to the main point.

The Marquis’s face clouded over when he heard that Archbishop affiliated with the Hilton family and the executor Johann from the Seven Stars were coming.

-I remember. Johann was a comrade who fought with me in the final battle.

“Then you must be quite close. Can’t you visit him directly and persuade Johann?”

Marquis Lloyd, visible through the crystal ball, sighed, resting his hand on his forehead.

-How nice would it be if things were that easy? As far as I know, Johann was uncompromising on matters related to demons. Besides, he tended to blindly trust those around him.

The Johann described by Marquis Lloyd was a stubborn, inflexible, and unyielding man.

Of course, it was because of his stubborn nature that he was not swayed by any temptation, and he had executed numerous demons. Eventually, during the final battle, he was called the Paladin of Terror by the Demon King’s army.

-He’s endlessly reliable when he’s on your side, but he’s a bigger headache when he’s on the other side. From what I hear, it doesn’t seem like there’s any room for negotiation with the Archbishop.

“That’s right.”

-Johann wouldn’t have been bought off by the Hilton family’s money. He’s not the type to be bought off. He must be getting played by the Archbishop’s words. He was always that simple-minded.

I’d like to kill the Archbishop, but that would only make the situation worse.

-It looks like we’ll have to get help from Karina.

The power struggle between the Lloyd and Hilton families surrounding the royal consort selection is still ongoing.

The two forces are facing off at the border between the Marquisate and the County, so Marquis Lloyd can’t leave his post.

Therefore, my father advised me to call Karina and hold out until she arrives.

“I understand.”

-I trust you, as always. I wish you good luck. If necessary, return to the Marquisate.

The call ended.

I grasped what kind of personality Johann had.

And inferring from Marquis Lloyd’s story, it seemed my father wasn’t very close to Johann.

A few days later.

The express messenger sent to the North brought a reply.

At the same time, a pilgrim visited Andre’s mansion and delivered a package.

Not a letter, but a package.

Curious, I checked Tom’s message first.

[I heard the story. You’ve gotten caught up in something troublesome. I want to congratulate you on becoming the royal consort, but since I have urgent matters here, I’ll get straight to the point.

In fact, that guy is what we pilgrims call a ‘brick wall.’ Even a racehorse that covers its ears and only looks ahead is less stubborn than him. I often hung out with Johann, but if Karina hadn’t been there, we would have fought a long time ago.

If I were to tell you one hopeful thing, it’s that he’s a martial artist, so he listens to the words of the strong to some extent. Therefore, if you want to have even a minimal conversation with Johann, you have no choice but to show him your strength.

The best way is to bring Karina, who was the closest to him at the time. That brick wall was completely devoted to Karina’s words. Anyway, he was always swayed by the people next to him.

I’m sending you an artifact just in case. I hope you don’t have to use it. Keep in touch when you have time.]

The artifact Tom sent looked like a lie detector I used to see occasionally in the old world.

As soon as I saw the hemispherical artifact that fit in one hand, the system window popped up.

[Ancient Artifact]

[Gravity Field Generator]

[Creates a gravity zone advantageous to you in a specific area for a certain period of time.]

[Remaining Uses: 2/5]

[Recharge Required]

As expected of an Aslan Empire artifact, it was an object with amazing abilities.

‘If I had such a useful weapon, I would have used it when fighting Greed.’

I didn’t have it back then, but I wanted to grumble for no reason.

Anyway, through Tom’s message, I reaffirmed that Johann was a stubborn person and additionally learned that he was closest to Karina.

Come to think of it, Marquis Lloyd also told me to get help from Karina.

Finally, I opened Karina’s letter. Her letter was simple.

[Haa… Is that bear finally coming to cause trouble? He used to listen to me so well, but it looks like he’s completely fallen for another woman.]

Karina poured out her words without even saying hello.

It felt like her, so I chuckled.

I continued reading the letter.

[I want to go and beat up that bear myself after a long time, but the North is still unstable. I’m sorry that I’m a guardian but can’t be there when you need me.

Instead, I’ll send you a rosary. This rosary saved Johann’s life during the final battle, and he gave it to me as a gift. When he gave me the rosary, Johann said this:

‘I will unconditionally grant you one request within my ability, no matter what happens in the future. I give you this rosary as proof.’

His tone was cheesy, but good things are good, so I quickly took it. If you show it to Johann, he’ll recognize it as the rosary he gave you unless he’s an idiot.

p.s. He might really be an idiot, so I’ve enclosed a personal letter separately. Show this to Johann too. Stay healthy. Come visit the North with Campbell and Zion when you have time!]

In the envelope Karina sent, there was another sealed letter and a rosary covered in fingerprints.

‘That’s it!’

With this much, Johann would listen to me as long as he had two eyes and two ears.

It’s useless if Johann doesn’t execute, no matter what the bribed Archbishop says.

Rather, Johann could prove my innocence.

The preparations were complete.

The Hilton family’s attack was quite sharp, but that was it.

I calmed my mind and waited for the Holy Nation’s envoy to arrive.

* * *

Boo-ooo-ooo!!!

The sound of a horn echoed throughout Fontano.

It was a unique kingdom ceremony performed to welcome foreign envoys.

Boys and girls scattered flower petals on the streets, welcoming new faces.

Archbishop Francis from the Holy Nation was riding a horse, wearing a pure white robe, a long staff with a sun emblem, and a bishop’s hat commonly worn by bishops.

The man walking beside him was the executor Johann, an enormous figure with thick everything.

As a paladin, he wore full plate armor painted white, a kite shield with a sun emblem, and a menacing mace on his back.

It was quite an unusual outfit in a small border kingdom.

Commoners, regardless of age or gender, flocked out and watched Francis and Johann with curious expressions.

For them, today was a day to alleviate the city’s atmosphere, which had been stagnant since the king’s death.

However, the royal palace was different.

From the working servants to all the ministers, everyone felt like they were walking on thin ice.

Depending on what words and actions the Archbishop from the Holy Nation took, the pro-imperial and anti-imperial factions would have their ups and downs.

Today was the day to be judged whether I was possessed by a demon, so I was sitting in a chair placed in the middle of the conference hall.

Originally, Rebecca told me to sit with her on the dais.

However, the pro-imperial ministers would surely protest, and I had something else in mind, so I sat in the middle.

Surrounding me, the nobles held their breath.

Glancing at Charlie and Philip, they seemed full of composure, while Princess Rebecca, sitting on the throne, bit her nails with an anxious expression.

I maintained a blank expression and showed no particular reaction.

Soon, cheers were heard from outside, and the gate opened wide, revealing the figures of the moment.

“Haha, this is quite an excessive welcome.”

Archbishop Francis entered the conference hall with a benevolent smile.

The person who greeted him was Princess Rebecca.

“Welcome, Archbishop Francis.”

Even if she said welcome, her expression was not at all.

A stiff face.

She was a rookie queen who hadn’t even held her coronation yet, so she needed to practice her facial expressions a bit more.

“I greet Princess Rebecca. May the bright light and grace of Belanus [a deity in their religion] be with the Elven Kingdom.”

“Thank you.”

“Meeting Your Highness in person today, I realized that words cannot fully capture Your Highness’s beauty. The rumors about Your Highness’s beauty that were rampant in the Holy Nation were not exaggerated but rather understated.”

Did he oil his tongue?

Even if I didn’t know anything else, he was an Archbishop who seemed good at socializing and drinking.

Right now, I was curious about how much Archbishop Francis had been promised by the Hilton family.

And I wondered if that Archbishop was really the head, or if the Archbishop was just the tail and there was another head above him.

“As the leader of the kingdom, I thank you for coming all the way here. Would you like to take a rest?”

“No. I didn’t come for a good reason, and even at this moment, poor lambs are longing for Belanus’s warm touch.”

He meant to start right away.

Princess Rebecca nodded.

“Do so.”

Archbishop Francis stood in front of me.

He still had a benevolent smile, but I instinctively felt the snake-like wickedness hidden within.

“I am Archbishop Francis. A report that you are possessed by a demon has been received by the Holy Nation, so I have come all the way here.”

“······”

It was an answer full of courtesy, but I didn’t answer.

Rather, I fixed my gaze only on Johann, who was standing behind him.

As I stared intently at Johann, Johann also looked at me and tilted his head.

Meanwhile, feeling ignored, Archbishop Francis’s forehead veins popped out, and his voice tone lowered.

“I greeted you.”

“I am Baron Henon Lloyd.”

A curt reply.

All the nobles in the royal palace were shocked by my rudeness.

That’s because my fate would go back and forth between heaven and hell depending on Archbishop Francis’s words.

In the midst of all this, I was acting so boldly that they were surprised.

“Baron Lloyd! He is a guest who has come from afar. Please be polite.”

Rebecca had to stop me.

“I will keep that in mind.”

An answer that anyone could see was perfunctory.

I didn’t even look at the Archbishop.

My gaze was still fixed on Johann.

“Haha… Baron Lloyd is a very unique person. Or do you feel a sense of rejection towards priests who serve God?”

“Archbishop Francis, stop with the nonsense and tell me about the judgment method first. You can’t possibly be able to judge with the naked eye alone.”

At my repeated arrogance, the Archbishop suppressed his anger and tried to maintain a poker face.

“Hahaha! How could that be?”

The Archbishop took out a small sphere with a sun emblem from his chest.

“This is a sacred object called ‘The Joy of the Sun.’ The divine power it emits momentarily is quite powerful. The Baron can hold the sacred object and press the button.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. If the Baron is truly possessed by a demon, he will not be able to withstand the divine power and will be overwhelmed by pain.”

In short, if you hold the sacred object called the Joy of the Sun and show even a little bit of pain, you are possessed by a demon, and if not, you are innocent.

“Good, it’s simple. Let’s do it right away.”

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Of course.”

The corners of Archbishop Francis’s mouth twisted as he handed over the sacred object.

It was as if the thought that you could never bear the pain was written all over his face.

I held the sacred object in my hand and pressed the protruding button.

Then, a white light burst out from the sacred object and enveloped me.

“Oooooh!!!”

All the nobles in the hall, including Princess Rebecca, exclaimed.

The light emitted by the sacred object was so brilliant, beautiful, and cozy.

However, I focused on the system window that appeared in front of me rather than the splendor that captivated the five senses.

[The Curse of Pain is activated.]

[The caster falls into a state of pain.]

Oh?

Now that I see it, it wasn’t a sacred object.

It only looked sacred on the outside, but in fact, it was an object that cast a curse on the person who pressed the button.

‘It’s so childish that it’s not even funny.’

I was dumbfounded.

In this way, all subjects would be in pain, whether they were possessed by a demon or not.

Then the Archbishop would judge that they were possessed by a demon and have Johann punish them.

How many innocent people have been unfairly sacrificed by this method?

‘That guy is a bug who is not even worthy of being called a clergyman.’ [A bug is a derogatory term for someone despicable.]

I burned my animosity towards Archbishop Francis inside.

The curse of pain enveloped my whole body.

But I am not an ordinary human.

I am a half-elf, a druid, and a master swordsman on the verge of becoming a Sword Master.

[Skill: Self-Purification activated]

[Complete Immunity]

[Dispels the curse]

The curse of pain is a joke.

The curse disappeared.

Only white light flowed gently.

“…Huh?”

The cursed person was too calm.

Confusion was revealed on Archbishop Francis’s face.

On the other hand, Princess Rebecca’s face brightened.

“I knew it! There’s no way Henon could be possessed by a demon!”

“Please wait a moment! We need more time.”

Archbishop Francis stalled for as much time as possible.

He stared at me intently, trying to find any sign of pain, but I would never give him a chance.

I responded with a smile that revealed my healthy teeth.

At the same time, I lowered my head and whispered in a small voice that only Archbishop Francis could hear.

“If you’ve seen everything you need to see, get out of my country.”