How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game-Chapter 191: Emperor (3)

“A man who became a devil to catch devils, and the first Devil’s Blood-borne on the continent.”

The Emperor’s calm words were quite shocking. Was such a secret hidden behind Sagnat?

I had no idea because nothing like this was known to the public.

Well, there are quite a few such things in past history. Even the relics of Leocran, a close friend of the founding emperor, are like that.

It’s because I found information that wasn’t known through ancient books.

Just as history is determined by the victors, only what the empire has announced is known about the stories from the founding emperor’s time.

There’s talk that there are stories only known by the imperial family.

After all, the empire was able to maintain its power since the founding emperor’s time because it occasionally obtained legacies.

‘It’s shocking.’

A man who became a devil to catch devils, and the first Devil’s Blood. Honestly, it was difficult to understand.

I thought it was something that came from the combination of a devil and a human. But that wasn’t the case.

The first question was whether it was even possible. And another question was whether I really was of Sagnat’s bloodline.

In fact, I don’t think so. The fact that my mother was a shaman is a fictional story I made up. I don’t even look like a native of the West.

Of course, children don’t always resemble their parents, but there’s a high chance that the Emperor and Rudehrn are mistaken. Honestly, I think I just got lucky.

While I’m satisfied that my lie has come to be regarded as truth, it’s true that I was flustered.

“Cough!”

The Emperor suddenly coughed roughly. It was a cough that scratched his throat, coming from deep in his lungs.

He hurriedly covered his mouth with a handkerchief, but blood seeped through his fingers.

This, his physical condition seemed worse than I thought. I looked at him with a worried face.

“Are you alright?”

“…I’m fine.”

The Emperor waved his hand while coughing slightly. The discomfort of the situation was visible on his face. He probably didn’t want to show weakness to his subordinates. ɌἁΝօꞖΕš

I deliberately didn’t mention it further.

“I’m curious about something. Is it possible for a person to become a devil? Even though I have Devil’s Blood myself…”

I continued speaking while observing the Emperor and Rudehrn’s reactions.

“Actually, I only found out that day. I even learned that it was Devil’s Blood through the newspaper.”

The Emperor made an uncomfortable face and gestured to Rudehrn. It meant for him to speak instead.

Since Rudehrn is the Emperor’s shield and spokesperson, he probably knows most things they share and consult about.

“In those days, when the founding emperor had not yet ascended to the position of Sword Master, at least three Sword Masters were needed to fight a devil. It means the losses were big. So… there were many experiments.”

Rudehrn’s face looked reluctant even as he spoke. Many experiments… I hadn’t heard of this either.

It must have been something not right to reveal to the public. Humans would have become beings capable of doing anything when faced with impending doom.

“Drinking or eating the body of a Devil’s Blood that was difficult to catch was one of them.”

“…”

“Almost everyone died. Only Sagnat survived and gained the power of a devil.”

It was quite shocking to me that Devil’s Blood came from eating the body and blood of a devil.

“In fact, it wasn’t a successful experiment. But there was a gain. Sagnat, a Sword Master, could face a devil alone.”

“I see.”

Of course, not all of his descendants would have been Devil’s Blood. That’s clear.

Although Sagnat was exterminated long ago, it was still recent compared to the founding emperor’s time.

He was quite a powerful nobleman. He must have spread a lot of seed.

Devil’s Blood must have been much easier to find than now. Maybe cases where the blood manifests are rare.

“Honestly, I still find it hard to understand what you’re saying. Are you saying that I’m of that family’s bloodline?”

“It’s highly likely, that’s what I’m saying.”

Rudehrn calmly continued.

“There were many questions about your origins. Investigations have been carried out since you came to the empire. It’s rare for such incredible talent to suddenly appear.”

That’s right. Just as on Earth, if my parents are tall, there’s a high chance I’ll be tall too, it’s the same here.

If anything, it’s even more extreme than Earth.

There are talents that suddenly emerge like a dragon rising from a small stream, but they’re hard to find.

The higher the level, the more so. It’s because this is a world with mana.

The belief in bloodlines of people here is beyond imagination.

It’s similar to why it’s difficult for those of low status to succeed. In fact, I was looked down upon too.

“It wasn’t included at that time. It’s a place that came to mind when it was revealed that you were Devil’s Blood.”

I knew that a thorough investigation of me would be carried out. That’s why the duke put so much effort into creating Carl Schurtafen.

“But when you say the Sagnat family…”

I had no choice but to pretend not to know about that family. It was a family that was exterminated long ago.

As soon as the current Emperor’s father ascended to the throne when he was young, he got rid of them.

Because they supported his older brother. Anyway, since I was supposed to be an orphan, it was right to say I didn’t know.

“It was a family that supported my uncle.”

The Emperor spoke in a calm tone. Perhaps because he had never met them himself, there was no emotion in his voice.

Rudehrn, who had been speaking, hesitated at the Emperor’s intervention, but as the Emperor closed his mouth again, he continued.

“At that time, when the previous emperor annihilated the family, the third son of the Sagnat family escaped. Was he 9 years old? He fled pretending to be a servant’s child. We couldn’t find him.”

The youngest son. Even if he were alive, quite a few years would have passed.

“And about 20 years ago, we learned that the child had gone to the southwest and had a son named Merem. Though he himself was already dead.”

As I listened to the story, I quickly turned my thoughts. Whether I was that descendant or not wasn’t important, but I needed to pay attention.

“We captured Merem. His children too. But this time we missed the wife. The southwest is wary of outsiders, and the wife was of shaman origin.”

“Was that woman pregnant?”

“Yes. We could have caught her, but suddenly a sandstorm blew. It was a strange thing. The woman disappeared into the sandstorm and we haven’t heard news of her since.”

So the Emperor and Rudehrn seemed to think that the child that woman was carrying was me.

Isn’t that too much of a leap? I thought.

But they’re not fools either.

They must be saying this after thinking it through. There might be parts they can’t tell me.

‘And it’s certainly fitting enough.’

Devil’s Blood with talent to become a Sword Master. It’s also a place with more blind faith in bloodlines than Earth.

Moreover, since I had already said I was the child of a shaman, it’s understandable that they would be surprised from their perspective.

“To be honest, it’s hard to believe. That I was of such a family’s bloodline…”

Of course, the situation was very good, but I needed to show a stance of denial.

Rather, if I acquiesced or accepted too easily, they might become suspicious.

“Of course, I understand that you’re confused. It must be surprising. We don’t think it’s absolute either. But the circumstances fit too well, that’s a fact.”

I nodded silently. And I deliberately made a face as if I didn’t understand, tilting my head.

I needed to take one more step back. I judged it was better for them to feel frustrated.

“It’s surprising. In fact, when I came to have an audience with Your Majesty, I was worried whether you would believe my words. But I never thought I would be the one to have doubts…”

“That can happen. I think so too. Isn’t the situation funny? Still, know that we’ve seen parts you couldn’t have considered.”

I nodded. I agree. There must be things they haven’t talked about in this place.

For example, the information and conjectures obtained by the Imperial Intelligence Agency while investigating me.

Perhaps, like the lie that my mother was a shaman, the path I’ve walked and the words I’ve spoken might have fit well with those conjectures.

Or it could be that the Emperor and Rudehrn completely think of me as an ally.

If they knew I wasn’t an enemy from when the Empress died, they probably wanted to believe I was an ally.

Humans believe what they want to believe. Some of my words might have coincidentally matched, but wasn’t it that they themselves wanted to believe?

It could be both. I’m not sure. Should I just say it’s all good?

“Even if the family is one thing, do you really believe in the premonitions that appear in my dreams?”

“Well. There are ambiguous parts.”

It was the Emperor’s words.

“But it was quite surprising that you knew about my illness.”

“Is that so?”

“At that time, only five people, including myself and the Emperor, knew about His Majesty’s illness.”

Rudehrn interrupted.

Even without saying, I could guess who they were. The Emperor, the two Sword Masters, the palace doctor, and the Chief of Intelligence, I suppose.

“Not only is there little possibility that one of the four, excluding His Majesty, leaked the information, but even if that were the case, we judged that it wouldn’t have flowed to you. Even if you were Haisen’s spy.”

Hmm. He just spoke directly about it again, but it was absurd that the situation changed when I came thinking of making excuses.

It’s good for me, but can I just acquiesce like this? While I was pondering, the Emperor opened his mouth.

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“Please speak freely, Your Majesty.”

“How long do I live?”

The Emperor’s eyes turn to me. Complex emotions were glimpsed. Firmness and anxiety, incompatible things mixed together.

And a small aspiration too. That must be the desire for life.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t see Your Majesty’s rest. However, I didn’t find Your Majesty’s figure when the devil worshippers were rampant.”

“…I see, so that’s how it is.”

The Emperor nodded calmly, but somehow he looked a bit deflated.

“It’s a strange thing, by the way. I didn’t believe in shaman prophecies. The recent shaman from the southwest too. Erendil being my only child to confront the devil…”

It was the Emperor’s mumbling. I thought this was an opportunity to give strength to Erendil.

“Yes. In the path of destruction I saw, the Princess was the only possibility.”

“Come to think of it, Erendil obtained Teme’s Spear. The legendary spear that defeated the Great Devil.”

Rudehrn’s pupils behind widened. He seemed to have just realized. In fact, this was something I had in mind from when I was fabricating the past with lies.

There was enough room to utilize it. I thought so myself, and Faorn had told me about it too.

I was just grateful that the Emperor thought of it himself. In fact, this was up to interpretation.

They could think I made it up because I knew that fact. The situation is flowing too comfortably.

‘Is the correction of the Stratagem trait working?’

Thinking about it, there must have been help. But they took it seriously from the moment I started speaking.

Wouldn’t the mind that thinks of me as an ally have been there from the beginning?

In fact, it’s also because I’ve made it that way. It’s the same reason why there isn’t much suspicion that I’m a Haisen spy even though I have winds.

Although it wasn’t mentioned in this place, on the day I killed the Empress, I attacked the Haisen intelligence agency.

“Anyway, we don’t need to bring you in specifically.”

It was about the earlier words asking me to come to the empire regardless of where I belonged.

“If I were somewhere else and accepted Your Majesty’s offer, what would I have been doing?”

The Emperor silently smiled. It meant he wouldn’t answer. It was a curious part.

What task would the Emperor, who is soon to die, try to entrust me with by recruiting me?

“Actually, that’s a part I don’t like. Right now, you’re not moving solely for the empire.”

“…”

Instead of answering, I slightly bowed my head. It wasn’t wrong, since I said it was to confront the devil.

What I said about being on the empire’s side was no different from stating my real purpose. I just phrased it a bit indirectly, but he saw the essence.

“Still, since the result is the same, let’s pass over it. In the end, it means the empire must exist to stop the devil.”

Anyway, the situation turned out very well. The atmosphere wasn’t bad either. It’s an implicit permission from the Emperor.

But this good atmosphere makes me greedy. I couldn’t be satisfied here.

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“It’s a bit different. Princess must ascend to the Emperor’s throne.”

“That’s a bit presumptuous.”

The Emperor frowned deeply.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Actually, I’m not sure what the Emperor is thinking. I know his stubbornness about that competition, but…

If the situation has come to this, he should mark Erendil as the successor. Suddenly, I had a worry. Should I speak?

‘It’s better than having it explode from the outside.’

The atmosphere is good. Even the Emperor’s eyes looking at me now are better than when I was Carl Schurtafen.

Should I say it’s a bit more sincere?

I made a decision. At this moment, I felt like I wouldn’t die no matter what I said.

“Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, I have something to say.”

“Speak.”

“The three princes, Your Majesty’s sons…”

At the mention of the three princes, the Emperor’s brow twitched. Rudehrn also narrowed his eyes.

“Do you know that they are actually not Your Majesty’s children?”

“Schurtafen!”

Rudehrn let out a small roar.

Perhaps because the Emperor was nearby, his voice wasn’t loud, but anger was glimpsed.

The Emperor raised his hand. One corner of his mouth rose in a bitter smile. It was a bitter smile, but it looked pitiful.

However, neither of them looked surprised. This wasn’t the reaction I expected. The Emperor opened his mouth.

“I know.”

He knew?

Rather, I was at a loss for words.

Author's Thoughts

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