The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 58

8. Liang: The Slob’s Departure

The corpses of demons inherently radiate potent magical energy.

Consequently, ordinary humans often find themselves corrupted by this residual magic even after slaying a demon.

They’re troublesome in many ways.

[Dragon Egg Incubation: 2% -> 30%]

However, the Dragon Egg, dormant within the sub-dimensional gourd, absorbed all the dark magic inherent in the demon’s corpse.

After the absorption, a third of its incubation progress was instantly filled.

Seeing the egg, which hadn’t stirred even when attached to a Dragon Heart—a nexus of mana—acting so proactively, I realized I should frequently feed it dark magic in the future.

After all, encountering dark mages or other demons on our future journey is inevitable.

Nom nom! Slurp!

After feasting for a while, the Dragon Egg, as if done with its business once Dantaleon’s corpse vanished, re-entered the gourd.

It seems to be digesting the consumed magic, so I decided to give it some time.

* * *

Next, I visited Zion and Campbell to check on their recovery.

I went to comfort and encourage them after their severe injuries from Dantaleon.

Here, an unexpected situation unfolded.

The beds were empty, and a maid beside them was fidgeting anxiously.

“Where did Zion and Campbell go?”

“That is… despite my desperate pleas, they brushed me aside and went to the training grounds.”

I heard their injuries weren’t minor.

In Zion’s case, her side was so deeply lacerated that her intestines were exposed, and Campbell had a chunk of flesh torn from his thigh.

To dash off to train in such a battered state… I headed to the training grounds to see these stubborn fools driven only by enthusiasm.

Clang! Clash! Clang!

The familiar sound of metal echoed from the training grounds.

Campbell and Zion, wrapped head-to-toe in bandages, were gritting their teeth as they crossed swords.

“Halt.”

At my appearance, both stopped simultaneously and looked my way.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived?”

“Haha! The demon slayer has come.”

“Slayer or not, what on earth are you two doing?”

“We were training.”

To call this mummy-like figure, fit for a pyramid, ‘training’ was absurd.

Just as I was about to scold them to stop immediately and return to their sickbeds, the Heavenly Demon’s voice echoed in my mind.

-Let them do as they please.

“What do you mean? You want me to let them continue training with such severe injuries?”

-In some ways, you’re quite oblivious and dense.

The Heavenly Demon continued.

-Their lord, whom they serve, has vanquished a demon and is gaining fame in the kingdom. It’s only natural they’d be stimulated. As subordinates, they couldn’t possibly remain idle.

“But if they neglect their injuries, their bodies could worsen.”

-If they truly felt that way, they would have rested. They’re capable of managing their bodies to that extent. Besides, it hasn’t been long since they fought a major battle that brushed with death. Now is when their senses are most alive. If they wield their swords, capitalizing on that feeling, they’re bound to gain something.

Listening to the Heavenly Demon, it made sense. So, I stopped myself from telling them to put down their swords. Instead, I drew my own sword and said,

“Was the demon not enough? This time, I’ll send you back to bed.”

The usual 1-on-2 sparring.

Zion and Campbell were taken aback that I, who they expected to dissuade them from training, was instead encouraging them by drawing my sword.

“Did you think I’d tell you to stop because you’re injured? Not a chance. If anyone’s putting you down, it’ll be me.”

“That’s our Vice-Commander for you. There’s a reason they call you a mad dog.”

“…We’ll be in your care, Young Master.”

Once again, explosive sounds echoed through the training grounds.

It seems Campbell and Zion are desperately trying to keep up with my journey.

Their efforts were commendable.

So, I beat them thoroughly, ensuring they rested for three days straight.

* * *

Even after defeating the demon, I was incredibly busy. As soon as training ended, I received a summons from Marquis Lloyd, so I headed to his office.

“You’ve arrived.”

The Marquis, sitting at his desk and approving documents, put down his quill as I entered.

The entire room reeked of ink.

If I become the Marquis in the future, will I have to bury myself in such piles of documents?

I think it would be better to just hire a competent administrator.

Marquis Lloyd invited me to sit on the reception sofa in the center of the office.

As I sat to the right of the head seat, the Marquis personally poured me a warm cup of tea.

“Thank you.”

I roughly guessed the reason for Marquis Lloyd’s summons today.

He probably wanted to discuss the aftermath of the demon subjugation and ask for my opinion on a few matters.

As expected, he started with a brief report.

“I’ve reported the news of the demon’s appearance and your subjugation to the royal palace. We’ll receive a response from them soon.”

“What about the Bellanus Order? Are they dispatching investigators?”

“It seems they’re trying to handle it as an accident.”

“They’re not what they used to be.”

Marquis Lloyd looked at me with a curious gaze at my nonchalant reaction.

“I didn’t know you were so knowledgeable about the continental situation.”

“I just picked up bits and pieces here and there. More importantly, how is my mother?”

At the mention of Rosaline, a shadow fell over the Marquis’s face.

“I’m sorry to say, but this incident will be treated as an unfortunate accident, not as Rosaline summoning the demon.”

“It’s alright.”

Frankly, I expected this.

If rumors spread among the noble social circles that the wife of a Seven Star was seduced by Twilight and summoned a demon, it would damage the Marquis’s prestige and put pressure on the family.

If the Bellanus Order were to investigate, we might face unwanted disadvantages.

Exposing Rosaline’s misdeeds to the world and conducting a witch hunt wouldn’t be bad, but since she’s already been punished, I decided to let it go.

“Then, what will happen to Phillip?”

Phillip wasn’t involved in this demon summoning, but his biological mother caused a major incident.

With the situation as it is, Phillip has effectively been pushed out of the line of succession.

“I’ve already sent him a letter. I told him to stay put in the Molte County. Phillip won’t be blocking your path in the future.”

I doubt the greedy Phillip will easily give up the Marquis position.

Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.

I’ve grown too big for him to interfere.

“Lastly, there’s something I need to entrust to you regarding Twilight.”

Saaa…

The air grew heavy.

With just the mention of Twilight, he instinctively exuded killing intent.

I deeply felt how profound Marquis Lloyd’s animosity was towards that demon-worshipping group.

“Before that, I should introduce someone. Come in.”

As soon as the Marquis finished speaking, the door opened.

I checked who entered.

The person who appeared was a young man with white hair.

His unique hair color aside, the aura he exuded was extraordinary.

‘A strong individual, at least superior to me.’

To be precise, he seemed to be an upper-level Expert. Judging by his clothes and demeanor, he didn’t seem to be from the Elteen Kingdom. He looked like a foreigner.

The white-haired man skillfully bowed his head with one hand, offering his greetings. His respectful yet courteous attitude somehow reminded me of Sebastian.

“Nice to meet you, Young Master. My name is Pahel.”

I lightly nodded in acknowledgment. The Marquis took a sip of his tea and provided additional explanation.

“He’s a guest from the Empire. We had some connection in the past. As far as I know, he’s a fairly successful information broker in the underworld.”

“You’re giving a rather high evaluation to a good-for-nothing idler. I’m grateful.”

After the polite greetings ended.

Pahel opened his mouth.

“You’re probably very curious about this demon summoning. Why Twilight targeted the Lloyd family, and who the Greed suspected to be behind it is.”

Pahel continued.

“In truth, we didn’t even grasp Twilight’s movements. Not only is it an organization in the shadows, but if we carelessly provoke them, it could backfire on us.”

“Sounds like you don’t know anything?”

“That’s not true. We cautiously investigated in our own way. After all, Twilight is a tumor that must be eradicated from the Arnia continent. So, we have some results.”

“What is it?”

“…”

Suddenly, Pahel’s mouth closed.

An awkward silence.

The Marquis sighed and placed a heavy bundle of silver and gold coins on the table.

“…So, what we found out is that Greed enjoys disguises and role-playing. This time, he infiltrated the Hilton family as a strategist and orchestrated the events. He has now suddenly disappeared from the Hilton family.”

“Hmm.”

“No one knows his true identity. No one knows what face lies beneath the mask. However, he seems to have a knack for illusion and curses. He also seems skilled at manipulating people.”

“You’ve done a lot of investigating.”

“Above all, we learned that the disguise Greed uses most often is related to a certain place. That place is…”

The Marquis expertly added another bundle of money.

“Ahem, thank you. That place is the free city of Liang.”

Liang.

A city that’s been mentioned frequently lately.

Come to think of it, didn’t the Heavenly Demon say that the next Golden Branch is also in Liang?

“Greed is lurking somewhere in Liang, disguised as a powerful figure.”

“What kind of powerful figure?”

“We couldn’t find out that far… Ah! You don’t have to pay. We really couldn’t find out.”

Pahel waved his hand, stopping the Marquis from putting down more money.

In any case, through Pahel’s words, it was confirmed that Greed’s base is in Liang.

Since the Seven Star, Marquis Lloyd, trusts him so much, the reliability of the information shouldn’t be doubted.

“Then, I’ll take my leave now… Oh, I almost forgot this.”

Pahel, who was getting up from his seat, took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Please deliver this to Zion. I beg you.”

“Zion? Are you talking about my maid?”

“Yes.”

It’s highly suspicious that a man I’m meeting for the first time is suddenly mentioning Zion. As I glared at him with narrowed eyes, Pahel scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression.

“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m just a messenger delivering my boss’s letter.”

Just who is it that has such a skilled person under their command?

A man full of suspicion.

Marquis Lloyd seems to know something but doesn’t seem inclined to tell me.

“Good luck. New hero.”

Pahel closed the door and left.

Marquis Lloyd began to speak.

“I’ve heard the story roughly, so I know what task to entrust to you.”

“You’re saying I should go to Liang?”

“That’s right. Go and catch Greed’s tail. Don’t overdo it. You may have caught a demon, but the executives are difficult to deal with in many ways.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. If it doesn’t seem right, I’ll back out immediately.”

“That’s a good mindset.”

Since I have to go to Liang to find the Golden Branch anyway, it was convenient for me that the Marquis gave me a good reason.

With this, the next destination was decided to be Liang.

“When are you planning to depart?”

“I’ll depart as soon as Zion and Campbell recover.”

I decided to move as quickly as possible.

I had a lot to do there.

* * *

Southeastern Arnia Continent.

Free City of Liang.

A bustling city that always thrives with ships and merchants coming and going, thanks to its location on the Mediterranean Sea and its large port.

In one of Liang’s luxurious interiors, a sight too gruesome to bear was unfolding.

“P, please save me… Kyaaaaak!!!”

Splat!!

Blood splattered.

Hans turned into minced meat were scattered on the floor.

Just yesterday, the slaves who were working normally in the market office had their limbs torn apart and were writhing on the floor.

“Hoo…”

The person standing blankly in the sea of blood, breathing heavily, was the masked bowler-hatted gentleman, Twilight’s executive, Greed.

The reason he committed such a terrible act today wasn’t because his subordinates had done something wrong.

It was purely because he was in a very bad mood.

“Henon… that bastard ruined everything.”

It was an unbelievable situation.

That a demon couldn’t catch just one Sword Expert and was instead subjugated.

Of course, Dantaleon isn’t that strong of a demon. He was just a mid-to-low-level demon, and even he could play with him and kill him.

Even so, it was impossible for a pushover like Henon to deal with him, but how he handled it was a mystery.

Knock knock knock

Just as the heat rising to his face hadn’t subsided, the door opened and a secretary wearing thick glasses entered.

“What is it? I told you not to let anyone come in. Do you want to die too?”

“A guest has arrived.”

“Damn it! Send them back. How many times do I have to say that I’m not in the mood to meet anyone!”

“Your mood swings are still the same. You filthy bastard.”

A cold woman’s voice.

Then, the door swung open.

“Oh, no…” The secretary tried to stop her, but he was immediately intimidated by the woman’s fierce gaze and stepped back.

The woman who appeared showed no particular emotion even after seeing the dismembered corpses and the blood-soaked floor.

“Bring me tea.”

“Ha! It was you?”

Greed, who put his hand on his forehead, sat down heavily on the back of a slave who had died face down with a bitter smile.

“Sloth, what brings your heavy ass all the way here? I have no idea what’s going on.”

There’s no way Greed wouldn’t know that the big deal Sloth was talking about was the demon summoning.

“Lust is cleaning up the mess you made with all sorts of curses from the Bellanus Order. I’ve also been erasing the rumors coming from the Empire until recently.”

“So?”

“So? It means be careful. The Pope seems very uncomfortable.”

“My plan was perfect. That Henon guy is weird. It’s okay if the calculations are a little off. That guy is completely out of spec [out of specification].”

“Who are you blaming for being stupid?”

Killing intent rose from Greed’s shoulders at Sloth’s provocation.

However, Sloth’s life hadn’t been easy enough to be intimidated by such threats.

“What the hell is Henon? If you, who controls all the information on the continent, know something, don’t you?”

“I’m looking into it.”

“You’re always looking into it. So, I’m a little suspicious.”

“About what?”

“Henon… could he be the druid we’ve been looking for?”

A silence fell in the room.

After a moment of silence, Sloth spoke.

“What’s the basis?”

“I don’t know either. I couldn’t see the detailed battle scene because of the fog. But Henon suddenly flew into the sky. I don’t know much about that, so I’m asking, can druids fly?”

Sloth replied.

“It could be the power of an artifact. It could be a natural elementalist like Envy, who died in the north. The assumption that he’s a druid is too far-fetched.”

“Just in case, should I report it to the Pope first?”

“What are you going to do if it’s not? I’m telling you clearly, I’m going to pretend I don’t know then.”

“Damn it.”

Sloth turned her back on the grumbling Greed. Before closing the door, Sloth stopped for a moment and added before leaving.

“Stop playing with humans. You’ve lived long enough, isn’t it time to get rid of childish hobbies?”

Sloth left.

Greed kicked the flower pot with his foot.

The shattered flower pot made the floor covered in blood and dirt.

“Just you wait. Once the ancient curse is complete, I’ll get rid of Henon and that unlucky bitch all at once.”