I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake. Chapter 96

I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.

Chapter 96

Caesar and Hyginus sat facing each other alone.

Caesar handed over a glass of water and said,

“I don’t have any tea prepared, so there’s only water. Is that alright?”

“This alone is more than enough.”

Hyginus took a sip of water with a kind smile before speaking.

“First, I have three proposals regarding sponsorship.”

Hyginus took out a check and handed it to Caesar.

The check was blank.

“If you agree to collaborate with the Royder Order on this welfare foundation project and become a member of the Royder faith, we promise endless sponsorship and potions from the Royder Order.”

He’s coming straight to the point without beating around the bush more than expected.

Did he get information that I dislike indirect talk?

Caesar used psychometry.

-Caesar is essentially the king of Homigraph.

-If I can just win his favor, I can definitely increase influence over Homigraph.

-Above all else, I must clearly find out what Caesar thinks about the Royder Order.

Hyginus’s thoughts weren’t much different from other nobles and wealthy people.

But knowing the ‘Hyginus’ that Caesar knew, this wouldn’t be the end.

“If the first condition is collaborating with the Royder Order on the welfare foundation project, and the second is me officially becoming a member of the Royder Order, what’s the last condition?”

“That’s actually the trickiest condition.”

Hyginus took another sip of water and stared at Caesar like a snake.

“Please stop the malaria treatment project.”

So this was the real point.

Actually, he didn’t think the Royder Order was completely unaware.

The Crown Prince had fully recovered from malaria, and Caesar had been talking about it everywhere.

But he hadn’t expected them to try to persuade and attack him like this.

‘He’s certainly not an ordinary person, befitting one of the rulers.’

Hyginus was someone Caesar knew quite well.

Hyginus was the type of person who would cut the throats of all eleven other cardinals when the warring states scenario came and ascend to the supreme position.

Also, according to his ending, it’s quite unique – when the Royder Holy Nation falls due to demon invasion, he gains the alias ‘Devil of Lust’ and plays a major role in destroying the imperial province.

In other words, to sum him up in one sentence, he’s a cruel and extremely lecherous cult leader.

While it’s quite scary to be threatened by such a person, Caesar’s answer was already decided.

“I’m sorry, but the last condition won’t work.”

If he was going to give in and say “Alright, I’ll stop the business” to those words, he wouldn’t have built up everything until now.

Why would I have saved the Crown Prince and made deals with Mitchell?

I’ve made close friends until now so that I could withstand threats from the Royder Order.

“May I know the reason why?”

“Because the malaria treatment is certain.”

“Is that statement really true?”

“Yes, it is. It’s a conclusion reached through numerous clinical trials and various tests.”

“Are you confident it’s as certain as potions?”

Hyginus interlocked his fingers and glared at Caesar.

“Potions are a panacea that can cure all humans and living beings, blessed water infused with Goddess Royder’s protection. Are you saying it’s more perfect than that?”

If you remove all the religious talk, the argument is quite solid.

Potions have never had errors and are perfect treatments.

Moreover, their effectiveness is remarkable.

It means that at least to be used as medicine, it needs to guarantee stability on par with potions.

“Nothing made by humans is perfect. That treatment may cure malaria. However, there could be other diseases or unexpected side effects. Just because it’s effective right now doesn’t guarantee there won’t be problems.”

Hyginus continued pushing forward with orthodox arguments.

The undiscovered side effects and risks of the malaria treatment.

His point was that without a clear answer about these, there should be no product production.

“Can you say what you just said in front of people with malaria?”

“……”

“You’ve never had malaria, have you? Do you know what happens when you get it? You’re cold even in a fire pit and burning with fever even in a snow pit. Your limbs tremble and you can count on one hand the days you can properly sleep. Even a large knight who cuts through orc heads like harvesting barley can’t lift a spoon when they get malaria.”

“That’s why we have potions. When you drink a potion, the malaria symptoms disappear.”

“I know. But does it last more than a year? Doesn’t it eventually recur?”

Hyginus opened his eyes fiercely.

“That’s because they were cured and then caught new malaria.”

“Is that really true? That’s different from what the mages have said. There are reports of people who had malaria recurring even after moving to regions where malaria doesn’t exist at all. And it’s not just one or two people.”

“Are you now insulting holy water?”

“No. I’m just trying to be certain. Potions are definitive for life support treatment, but complete cure is not easy.”

“I’ll give you a chance to take those words back. Do you really sincerely think that?”

Now he’s even resorting to threats.

Since it’s come to this, Caesar decided to make a complete break.

“Yes. I sincerely think so.”

Hyginus fiddled with his gold ring.

-Caesar was planning to break with us from the start.

-Why would he want to break with the Royder Order over one treatment?

-I just want to brand him as a heretic.

“You will regret it.”

Caesar snorted as he spoke.

“Since we’re on the topic, let me add one more thing. Most people who suffer from malaria are poor. There are even children among them. Is the potion supply smooth enough to be distributed to such poor and destitute people? If potions could be supplied in such large quantities, we wouldn’t have needed to develop a malaria treatment in the first place.”

Oh, that feels so satisfying.

After finally letting out everything I’ve been holding back, all that pent-up stress just flew away.

Hyginus’s face turned bright red, seemingly extremely angry.

-This insolent fellow dares to slap away the hand I extended?

-Despite my repeated tolerance, he continues to speak rudely.

-This simply won’t do.

Hyginus stood up from his seat.

“I’ve heard well what heretical delusions Sir Caesar holds. You will receive a response soon, Sir Caesar.”

“Yes. I understand. I’ll accept the consequences.”

Hyginus took a deep breath and relaxed his reddened expression.

Then, with a benevolent smile, he left through the reception room door.

Caesar let out a hollow laugh at Hyginus’s behavior, finding it absurd.

“Being a cardinal must be quite a difficult job.”

Because even when faced with factual criticism, you always have to show a benevolent smile to the masses.

I would never want to be a cardinal, even if they asked me.

***

In the basement of the Royder Church.

Tina’s heart raced most when the damp, cold air with its subtle hint of mold brushed against her nostrils.

Whether working as a nursing nun in the recovery room or as a regular nun in the church, whenever she came down to this basement, the dark instincts deeply buried in Tina’s heart would raise their head.

“Hmm… Hmm”

Tina descended the stairs lightly while humming.

As she slowly descended the spiral staircase, her expression became more composed and calm.

But inside, she was burning with excitement.

Like a spider waiting for its prey.

More precisely, like a snake that had spotted a mouse.

Making every sense more sensitive than ever, preparing each cell to enjoy the upcoming pleasant entertainment to the bone.

Tina grabbed and turned the rusty door.

A peculiar scent mixing faint blood drops and mold brushed past her nose.

The preparation was complete.

Stop.

Tina’s feet halted.

A subtle citrus perfume scent.

Fresh, not old.

An intruder.

Tina slowly pulled out the stake hidden in her robe and entered.

Who could have invaded Tina’s sacred space?

Tina followed the scent, slowly passing through the narrow corridor and turning the corner.

And there, she discovered a man dressed in blood-red clothes.

Tina’s expression froze even more.

“Inquisitor Tina.”

The man put down the interrogation diary Tina had written and turned around.

“…I am honored to meet you, Cardinal Hyginus.”

Hyginus waved his hand with a benevolent smile.

“There’s no need for formalities when it’s just the two of us.”

Tina looked at Hyginus’s face.

As people age, their wrinkles change according to their most common expressions.

Hyginus must have been someone who smiled often.

However, there was darkness as deep as those wrinkles.

“What brings you to this humble place?”

“Humble, you say? This place is still clearly within reach of Lady Royder’s light. Come, this way.”

Hyginus and Tina stood face to face with a lantern between them.

Even though the lantern was close, it couldn’t penetrate Hyginus’s deep wrinkles.

Hyginus caressed Tina’s cheek.

“Have you been well, Inquisitor Tina?”

“…I have been well, thanks to Cardinal Hyginus’s prayers.”

“When I first saw you, Inquisitor Tina, it was certainly in Vex Province. At that time, Viscount Herson asked me to treat you. He said there seemed to be a demon’s seed in your head. But I didn’t think there was a demon’s seed in your head.”

The golden necklace around Hyginus’s neck sparkled in the lantern light.

“I thought it was a gift given to you by Lady Royder. The talent to make those who say ‘no’ say ‘yes,’ and those who say ‘yes’ say ‘no.‘”

Hyginus’s hand began to move downward gradually.

But Tina couldn’t reject Hyginus’s sticky touch.

After all, Hyginus was the only human who could manipulate Tina’s weakness.

“I helped that talent to be used in the right place. I think that’s the best work I’ve done in my life.”

“…I am always grateful.”

“Yes. You should always be grateful to me.”

Hyginus grabbed Tina’s chin.

“After all, I saved you.”

Tina suppressed her rising shame and anger.

Hyginus enjoyed watching that enduring appearance.

“Indeed, the more I look at you, the more I think it’s such a waste for you to be a nun.”

Tina gritted her teeth and spoke.

“…May I know why you have come?”

Hyginus’s wandering hand stopped.

“Caesar Sylvatil.”

Hyginus smiled faintly.

“Make Caesar Sylvatil a heretic and bring him here. That’s what you need to do.”

Tina thought this was bound to happen.

When she received intelligence that Caesar had obtained the malaria treatment formula from Wizard Smir and was producing it, she expected such pressure would come soon.

However, she never expected Cardinal Hyginus to come to handle it personally.

“I hear you have quite a friendship with Caesar? The Inquisitor Tina I know should have at least one card to play.”

Tina took a deep breath.

Then she looked straight at Hyginus and said.

“There are no weaknesses to frame Caesar as a heretic.”

Hyginus laughed as if amused.

“Not even one?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Why didn’t you look for weaknesses?”

“Because I thought there was no reason to be at odds with Caesar. In fact, until this incident, Caesar was favorable to the Royder Order. From the smuggling busine–”

Hyginus placed his thumb on Tina’s lips.

“Tina. That’s not important. What’s important is that he has now drawn his sword against us.”

Hyginus poked Tina’s chest repeatedly.

“And you failed to notice and prepare for him doing this. This is your responsibility.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Honestly, both Hyginus and Tina knew this was nonsense.

Tina was an inquisitor, and Caesar was not at all someone who performed heresy.

Rather, he was closer to being an ally, and hadn’t they given him a million del donation certificate and various rewards in return?

However, someone had to take responsibility for this incident, and Tina simply became that person.

“I’ve taken some measures anticipating this might happen. You should be grateful to me.”

“…Thank you.”

“So take the bait I give you well, and whether through blackmail or making him a heretic, somehow cook and boil him until he kneels before me and gives up the malaria treatment business. Or…”

Hyginus smiled wickedly as if he had thought of something more interesting.

“He could hand over the manufacturing method to us.”

Hyginus caressed Tina’s cheek.

“Well then, I’ll be going now. Though I’d like to catch up with you after so long, I have things to do as I came up in a hurry.”

With those words, Hyginus left the basement.

But that unpleasant sour perfume scent still remained on her clothes.

***

There was a slight change in Caesar’s training schedule.

Gideon wielded his sword toward Caesar.

However, not quickly but slowly.

Even Gloria watching from the side could see it.

Clang…

Caesar parried Gideon’s sword at the same speed.

When the powerless axe and sword collided, an empty sound echoed.

Gideon launched a front kick at Caesar, and while Caesar tried to counterattack after dodging it, the vertically flying sword came first.

Caesar recovered his axe to block the sword, but his movement had already become too wide, and Gideon’s sword reached Caesar’s shoulder first.

“I win.”

“This isn’t easy.” Gideon wiped away his flowing sweat. “Still, you’re catching up incredibly quickly. It’s almost strange how fast you’re adapting.”

Gloria opened her mouth while yawning.

“I still don’t understand why we’re doing this ‘slow fighting.’ And I don’t understand how the Master lost either.”

The reason Caesar was doing slow fighting was because he had learned a lot from his previous duel with Vigilante.

Against opponents with equal or superior reaction speed and strength, Caesar had very few ways to win.

Therefore, Caesar needed to find a way to overwhelm opponents with ‘combat sense’ alone under equal conditions.

When he asked Gideon if there was a way to increase combat sense, he was told that ‘slow fighting’ was the most effective.

“It’s not easy to fight with just simple exchanges using the same force and speed without any technique. It’s kind of like playing chess.”

“It just looks like regular fighting to me.”

“That’s why you’re a novice. Train more.”

“Tch.”

Gloria began swinging her greatsword with sandbags attached again.

Caesar took a sip of water before speaking.

“I’m going to review the previous training, so do your individual training.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

After Gideon left, Caesar picked up a sword and an iron skewer leaning against a tree.

They belonged to Vigilante.

While there is the method of ‘slow fighting’ to increase combat sense, Caesar had an even faster method.

Caesar sat leaning against the tree and used psychometry on Vigilante’s sword. [TL/N: Fucking cheat]

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