Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss – 126
EP.126 Charlotte
It did not take long for the rumor that the Pope was a demon to spread throughout the kingdom. It was such a sensational rumor. Given the nature of the church, which spread its doctrines everywhere, the rumor spread even faster due to the wide distribution of believers.
"That's why the fact that the Pope was a demon could be heard everywhere."
Even those who were hard of hearing knew about this rumor. The problem was that the rumor was being "somewhat distorted" as it spread.
"The ignorant masses tend to insert their views and opinions when spreading rumors."
What mattered to them was not the "truth" but the sensational elements. That's why ridiculous rumors were spreading, just as he was seeing now.
Duke Filothes looked at the list of information brought by his informant and chuckled. Even if the absurd rumor that all high-ranking clergy in the church were demons was disregarded, the baseless rumor that even the royals were demons was too laughable to ignore.
"Foolish... If we were truly a group of demons, this place would have already been conquered by demons."
Without considering such things, they spread these judgments based purely on interest, which he found truly pathetic.
"Though I don't want to get entangled in these foolish stories... the problem is that these rumors are growing excessively."
The prolonged war had already made the public sentiment unstable. Due to the Pope's foolish actions, the barely maintained public sentiment had completely collapsed. If this was not addressed, it was clear that the aftermath would consume them.
"Therefore, it must be addressed quickly... but the problem is that the rumors are so absurd that it's difficult to tackle them easily."
From the rumor that all high-ranking clergy in the church were demons to the rumor that the royals were also demons. If they touched on these matters unnecessarily, it could backfire due to the public's tendency to believe only what they want to believe.
"So the best method in this situation would be to..."
Bring the hero to their side and have him publicly declare that none of this was true... The problem was that the hero was hostile towards them.
"It's troublesome... truly troublesome."
As he pressed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on, his butler approached with some good news.
"Duke, Princess Charlotte has agreed to a conversation."
In a way, it was an expected result. Although she was royalty, she was merely a princess without any authority. She couldn't ignore him.
Pleased with this fact, he relaxed his expression and turned to the butler to get to the point.
"Really? Then how did she react to the proposal?"
"Unfortunately, she didn't show much interest."
She wasn't interested in his offer to support her claim to the throne... Realizing that her reason for going to the academy wasn't to build a political foundation but to genuinely give up, he spoke with a voice full of ridicule.
"... Foolish."
Her gentle nature had been a problem since she was young.
Clicking his tongue at the unexpected turn of events, he tapped his fingers on the desk for a moment before pushing the documents aside and speaking.
"Then we'll have to make her want the throne."
"Yes. I will contact the second princess, Karina."
The butler, quick to catch on, deduced his intentions, and he nodded, granting permission.
"We'll have to provoke her using the second princess."
The second princess was someone with a keen interest in the throne. She would likely take the bait and attack the first princess.
"In that case, the first princess would have no choice but to take measures to defend herself."
If he extended his hand again at that time, everything would fall into place smoothly. With that thought, he decided it would be best to postpone the meeting with the first princess as much as possible and focus on resolving the issues at hand.
***
It did not take long for the rumor that the Pope was a demon to spread throughout the kingdom. It was such a sensational rumor. Given the nature of the church, which spread its doctrines everywhere, the rumor spread even faster due to the wide distribution of believers.
"That's why the fact that the Pope was a demon could be heard everywhere."
Even those who were hard of hearing knew about this rumor. The problem was that the rumor was being "somewhat distorted" as it spread.
"The ignorant masses tend to insert their views and opinions when spreading rumors."
What mattered to them was not the "truth" but the sensational elements. That's why ridiculous rumors were spreading, just as he was seeing now.
Duke Filothes looked at the list of information brought by his informant and chuckled. Even if the absurd rumor that all high-ranking clergy in the church were demons was disregarded, the baseless rumor that even the royals were demons was too laughable to ignore.
"Foolish... If we were truly a group of demons, this place would have already been conquered by demons."
Without considering such things, they spread these judgments based purely on interest, which he found truly pathetic.
"Though I don't want to get entangled in these foolish stories... the problem is that these rumors are growing excessively."
The prolonged war had already made the public sentiment unstable. Due to the Pope's foolish actions, the barely maintained public sentiment had completely collapsed. If this was not addressed, it was clear that the aftermath would consume them.
"Therefore, it must be addressed quickly... but the problem is that the rumors are so absurd that it's difficult to tackle them easily."
From the rumor that all high-ranking clergy in the church were demons to the rumor that the royals were also demons. If they touched on these matters unnecessarily, it could backfire due to the public's tendency to believe only what they want to believe.
"So the best method in this situation would be to..."
Bring the hero to their side and have him publicly declare that none of this was true... The problem was that the hero was hostile towards them.
"It's troublesome... truly troublesome."
As he pressed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on, his butler approached with some good news.
"Duke, Princess Charlotte has agreed to a conversation."
In a way, it was an expected result. Although she was royalty, she was merely a princess without any authority. She couldn't ignore him.
Pleased with this fact, he relaxed his expression and turned to the butler to get to the point.
"Really? Then how did she react to the proposal?"
"Unfortunately, she didn't show much interest."
She wasn't interested in his offer to support her claim to the throne... Realizing that her reason for going to the academy wasn't to build a political foundation but to genuinely give up, he spoke with a voice full of ridicule.
"... Foolish."
Her gentle nature had been a problem since she was young.
Clicking his tongue at the unexpected turn of events, he tapped his fingers on the desk for a moment before pushing the documents aside and speaking.
"Then we'll have to make her want the throne."
"Yes. I will contact the second princess, Karina."
The butler, quick to catch on, deduced his intentions, and he nodded, granting permission.
"We'll have to provoke her using the second princess."
The second princess was someone with a keen interest in the throne. She would likely take the bait and attack the first princess.
"In that case, the first princess would have no choice but to take measures to defend herself."
If he extended his hand again at that time, everything would fall into place smoothly. With that thought, he decided it would be best to postpone the meeting with the first princess as much as possible and focus on resolving the issues at hand.
* * * * *
About three days had passed since that day. As a hero, Jeong-hyeon had kept his promise to the Pope. After completely healing her, he immediately locked her in the subspace pouch, fulfilling all of his promises. Feeling proud of himself, he chuckled as he recalled what he had seen earlier.
"The Pope's expression when I was about to lock her in the subspace pouch after healing her was quite amusing."
The expression of despair after being betrayed—just that alone was enough to make him feel like he could drink without any snacks, and he laughed.
Next to him, Shin Si-ah sighed and spoke.
"Mr. Jeong-hyeon... about making the chimera."
"Is there a problem?"
"Not exactly a problem... it just seems like it will take some time."
Since it wasn't an urgent matter, he asked why, and Shin Si-ah sighed before explaining.
"Creating the chimera itself isn't difficult, but making it as strong as you want is quite challenging, so it seems we need to conduct some experiments."
"Really?"
"Yes. Of course, we're planning to use all the resources and wealth of the demon realm to create it, so it won't take too long, but it seems difficult to make it immediately."
"I see."
Since it didn't matter much if a chimera made from the Pope wasn't created right away, he nodded. Then, thinking it might be better for Shin Si-ah to keep the Pope, he decided to ask her about it.
"Then should I package the Pope separately for you, or should I keep her?"
After pondering for a moment, Shin Si-ah seemed to have a good idea and playfully clung to him, whispering softly.
"I think it would be better if you kept her. That way, I can use it as an excuse to come and go to you."
Then she slyly nestled into his arms and whispered softly.
"I'll make sure you pay the price I mentioned before... so be prepared, okay?"
At her words, Jeong-hyeon could only nod awkwardly. He had long known Shin Si-ah's feelings, but when she approached so actively, it was quite overwhelming.
"Anyway, I'll be satisfied with this for today. Next time... hmm."
Shin Si-ah touched her lips and then wrapped her arms around his neck, speaking.
"I might just devour you like a big sister would, Jeong-hyeon."
The sweet scent unique to Shin Si-ah wafted over him. As he was taken aback by the scent, she smiled and spoke again.
"Anyway, I'll stop here for today. Then... I'll be going now, Mr. Jeong-hyeon."
At her words, Jeong-hyeon was about to let her go absentmindedly, but then he felt like he was losing, so he instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist and spoke.
"Kyaa!?"
Shin Si-ah, not expecting him to counterattack, let out a voice full of surprise. Looking at her, he stroked her horns and spoke.
"Where do you think you're going after launching such an attack?"
As he continued to stroke her horns while saying that, Shin Si-ah squeezed her thighs together and weakly tried to push him away.
"Ah... no... not there..."
Her voice was full of allure, and her waist trembled. Watching this, Jeong-hyeon thought he had won and chuckled briefly. Thinking it was enough, he let go of her horns and whispered to her.
"Anyway, I'll be looking forward to it, big sister."
"Uh, uh?"
Shin Si-ah's face turned even redder, perhaps because he called her "big sister" or because he touched her horns. She looked up at him stiffly, like a machine, and answered foolishly.
"Uh... huh? Huh... yes? No, what?"
Really, it was hard to understand. Jeong-hyeon chuckled at Shin Si-ah's reaction, then calmly released her waist and spoke.
"Anyway, see you later."
"……"
As he bid farewell, Shin Si-ah nodded at him with a dazed expression.
***
"Even if you didn’t know last time, you touched her horns knowingly this time… you’re truly amazing."
As expected of Shin Si-ah’s admirer, Reltra, who had been watching everything, muttered in admiration. Realizing his mistake from Reltra’s words, Jeong-hyeon covered his forehead with one hand.
Reltra, looking at him as if she understood everything, continued speaking.
"Honestly, I also want to touch the Demon King’s horns… those brilliantly shining horns. Aren’t they truly tempting?"
Since they were black, he wasn’t sure if they shone, but they were quite large compared to one another.
Since it wasn’t an incorrect statement, he simply nodded.
Thinking it was time to return to the main topic, Jeong-hyeon decided to change the subject.
"By the way, can you manage the demon realm well? I messed it up, so isn’t it overwhelming?"
"Oh, that’s fine… I think it can be resolved somehow."
"That’s a relief."
Although Reltra’s expression seemed a bit complicated, since she said she could handle it herself, it was best to trust her and leave it be.
He nodded to indicate he understood and decided it was time to return to the dormitory.
"If there’s any problem, contact me anytime."
"Yes. If the hero needs the demon realm’s help, please contact us anytime."
After saying he understood, Jeong-hyeon slowly walked toward the teleport gate that Reltra opened.
"Finally, I get to see my daughter."
He thought he would be troubled for a while as he entered the teleport.
Surprisingly, the first thing he saw was Charlotte. Her expression seemed somewhat tense.
Seeing her expression, he was about to speak, but Charlotte wiped her tears with the back of her hand and crawled under a nearby desk.
"...What on earth is she doing?"
It seemed she hadn’t noticed his arrival. Regardless, he couldn’t understand why she was crawling under the desk.
He was conflicted about whether to greet her or not when he heard her sniffle from under the desk.
"I hate everything..."
Hearing her sniffle from under the desk, Jeong-hyeon decided he had no choice but to speak to her.