#77
“Then Benato shouldn’t be allowed to succeed, should he?”
Jeha murmured softly. Hearing his words, Hereis shook his head.
“No, it is better to let him continue to succeed.”
“Why? Won’t your side be suppressed if his momentum grows stronger?”
“The higher his momentum climbs, the better. Naturally, the higher one flies, the more devastating their fall will be.”
Only after hearing Hereis’s words did Jeha realize that he had already formulated a plan regarding Benato and his patron, Bishop Irellio.
“Hmm… in that case, I’ll forgo the ‘accident’ I was planning for today.”
Jeha spoke with a touch of regret.
“An accident?” Hereis inquired, puzzled.
“I was thinking of briefly reviving a dead demon beast and letting it rampage, just because seeing Benato succeed so effortlessly was grating on my nerves,” Jeha said, shrugging his shoulders. Hereis chuckled softly.
“You even considered such a thing?”
“It would be amusing, wouldn’t it? If a supposedly dead demon beast suddenly came alive and rampaged just as he entered Enkarosha in triumph. Enkarosha would descend into chaos, and Benato, far from gaining fame, would become a criminal.”
“Indeed, that would certainly be quite entertaining.”
Hereis also seemed somewhat intrigued.
“But since you have a separate plan, I’ll hold off on that idea.”
“Hmm…”
Hereis’s beautiful eyelashes fluttered downward. Jeha found himself admiring the sight of him lost in thought, gazing at his teacup.
‘Ah… still so beautiful,’ Jeha repeatedly mused inwardly. It truly felt as if he were wearing a thousand layers of love-struck glasses.
A sudden impulse arose within him to touch those softly lowered eyelashes. He also yearned to bury his hands in Hereis’s neatly styled, cleanly tied silver hair and revel in the sensation. A strong desire also welled up to pounce on him, to tickle his side and tease him as he had before.
Then Hereis would writhe, unable to laugh properly, only groaning… and to that Hereis…
“Lord Jeha?”
Jeha startled, brought back by the voice calling his name and those vivid blue eyes.
“Is something the matter?” Hereis asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
“Oh, nothing at all. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
Jeha forced a composed expression, fearing his scandalous, even depraved, inner thoughts might be exposed. Hereis’s eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at Jeha. Jeha’s heart pounded, wondering if his thoughts had been revealed.
Fortunately, Hereis did not press further. Instead, he checked the window, where it was almost midday, and then spoke.
“Lord Jeha’s idea is not bad. Even if Benato receives recognition for his efforts from Bishop Irellio in this matter, it would still take considerable time for him to achieve a dramatic promotion. Rather than waiting until then, it might be acceptable to bring about his downfall during this moment of glory.”
“Hmm, so should I proceed with what I suggested?”
Jeha asked, a distinctly villainous smile spreading across his face. Hereis smiled back, nodding.
“In addition to reviving the demon beast and letting it rampage, would one more thing be possible?”
“What do you need?”
“Please make the demon beast charge at me.”
“At Hereis?”
Jeha’s voice rose slightly. Though he hadn’t seen the demon beast, it was said to have killed several Holy Knights. It was clearly no ordinary creature. To have such a demon beast charge at an unarmed Hereis…
“You know my power, do you not?” Hereis said, his eyes curving into a gentle smile.
“I do. Of course, I do. But I’m worried you might get hurt, even if it’s just a slight injury.”
Jeha spoke with concern, rising to sit beside Hereis on the opposite side. He then reached out and wrapped his arm around Hereis’s waist.
“Everyone knows that Benato was selected on Bishop Irellio’s recommendation. If the demon beast he captured awakens and attacks me…”
“Hmm… once it happens, we’ll need to spread some rumors. That Bishop Irellio is targeting Hereis.”
They exchanged a meaningful smile, their gazes locked.
****
Chapter 7
The grand avenue leading into Enkarosha was packed with spectators.
The second and third floors of buildings overlooking the main road were already occupied by the wealthy and nobles. Belgarga had been a step too late and couldn’t secure a suitable spot. Fortunately, however, Mrs. Fanucci had invited them, stating she had rented the best seats.
Enkarosha’s central plaza was the main stage for the event.
Cheers began to ripple from the entrance. People threw flower petals and colorful paper, welcoming the brave Inquisitors and Holy Knights. Jeha sat in a chair on the terrace, listening to the growing roar of the crowd.
Beside Jeha sat Miss Fanucci. As invited guests, they had been seated as assigned, and he could distinctly feel her continuous glances from beside him.
Normally, he might have been slightly bothered by her attention. But at this moment, Jeha’s focus was solely on Hereis, who stood in the plaza with the other bishops. As the procession drew closer, the cheers mingled with an undertone of awe and slight fear.
Finally, when the procession was close enough to be seen from the terrace, Miss Fanucci, unable to contain her curiosity, rose and leaned over the railing. Mrs. Fanucci was about to caution her but then saw Jeha also leaning over the terrace and quietly closed her mouth.
“Good heavens, Your Grace! Look at that! That must be the demon beast!” Miss Fanucci exclaimed, her voice a mix of wonder and fear. Jeha fixed his gaze on something loaded in a large wooden cage, positioned in the middle of the approaching procession.
Its entire body was pitch black. It was difficult to see clearly within the sturdy wooden cage, but its appearance was undoubtedly grotesque. Given its arms and legs, it seemed to be a humanoid demon beast, yet its head resembled a massive wild boar. Furthermore, tattered, bat-like wings barely clung to its back.
It appeared to be at least six times the size of an average adult male. Sparse black fur covered its body, and thick, green blood had dried stickily on the bottom of the wooden cage. People, unable to resist their curiosity, scrutinized the demon beast’s corpse, yet simultaneously struggled to hide their horror and disgust.
“Oh… how repulsive…”
Miss Fanucci, having examined the demon beast’s corpse as it drew closer to the terrace, covered her mouth with a handkerchief. Her face was pale, clearly shocked. Jeha, ever the gentleman, helped the young lady back to her seat. He then subtly exchanged glances with Paimon, who stood nearby.
Paimon gave a very slight nod. Jeha leaned over the terrace again, looking down. The wooden cage was now directly below the building. Beyond this building lay the plaza.
From somewhere on the crowded ground below, a small rat scurried out and disappeared beneath the wooden cage. Jeha noted that the rat’s eyes were crimson, unlike ordinary rats, and a faint smile touched his lips. That rat was the one Paimon had caught earlier and fed a drop of Jeha’s blood.
The creature, now under Jeha’s control, climbed the wooden cage and burrowed into the demon beast’s corpse. The numerous wounds from the Holy Knights’ swords and spears posed no obstacle for the rat to enter the body. Confirming the rat’s successful mission, Jeha shifted his gaze to the plaza. He then recalled the words he had spoken to Hereis before they parted ways.
‘No matter what you do, it’s fine, but don’t do anything that would hurt yourself.’
Jeha had not missed Hereis’s almost imperceptible pause after hearing his admonition. Just as he suspected, Hereis had intended to deliberately suffer an injury from the demon beast. That would undoubtedly maximize the effect of their plan.
‘Even if you can heal quickly, absolutely not.’
Jeha had stated firmly. After a moment of thought, Hereis eventually changed his mind, nodding in compliance.
The wide plaza was lined with many priests, archbishops, and bishops, ready to welcome the procession. High-ranking clergy stood before chairs arranged on a raised altar.
Jeha now watched the procession as it passed the terraces where the nobles gathered and entered the plaza. When Benato, riding at the head of the Inquisitors, halted, the entire procession stopped as well.
Benato dismounted and walked towards the altar. His shoulders were squared, brimming with confidence, as he walked slowly.
Benato! Benato! Benato! Benato!
The crowd continuously chanted the name of Benato, clad in black priestly robes. Benato, however, acted as if he couldn’t hear them, fixing his gaze solely on the high-ranking clergy on the altar.
The eldest archbishop raised a hand.
Simultaneously, the cheers that filled the plaza and the avenue ceased as if by magic.
Despite the immense crowd, an eerie silence descended. The archbishop scanned his surroundings and began to speak.
“Today, we have gathered here to witness the true form of evil with our own eyes.”
The archbishop’s voice carried a subtle divine power. As a result, it resonated far and wide, much like someone speaking into a microphone.