A piercing gaze from high above bore down on me.
His sharp eyes looked down at me sprawled out on the floor, his posture ramrod straight for some reason, exuding an overwhelming pressure that pressed down on my entire body, making resistance feel impossible.
The absolute authority of one who radiated an instinctive, crushing intimidation you couldn't even think to defy without conscious effort.
Starnassila Urtega.
One of the few Sword Masters in the vast Galante Empire.
Even in his mid-forties, his vitality and mastery showed no signs of decline, marked by countless achievements. His incorruptible integrity and upright conduct served as a model for knights and nobles alike.
...Or so it was recorded in Alzen's memories and the setting documents.
Though in the end, he'd betray humanity and side with the demons.
"Hm... I still can't quite grasp what's going on here..."
"Starnassila Alzen. What do you know, and how far does it go?"
Before I could sort out my confusion about why I was here, another question flew at me—he clearly had no intention of waiting for me to calm down.
His pronunciation was so crisp that, had I not seen his fancy mustache twitch ever so slightly, I might not have even realized he'd spoken.
"...You're curious about where I got my info from, right?"
"Yes. Tell me everything."
"Hmm..."
In other words, had I been kidnapped?
His reaction was faster than expected.
Then again, anyone else might not have reacted this way, but him? It made sense.
Especially after I'd leaked such sensitive information.
"..."
So, how should I handle this situation?
I tried to wrack my brain, but it felt sluggish and foggy.
And the growing sense of reality—the constricting coils of the world around me—only made it worse.
"Tch...!"
Without booze or smokes, maintaining my composure was proving impossible.
"Uh, first off, gimme some booze and a cigar."
"...Alzen. Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Hey, I'm not joking either, so hand over the booze and cigar! Quick!"
I snapped in the heat of the moment, then snapped back to reality and gauged his reaction.
"...Hoo."
After a silent pause, he let out a low sigh and turned his head toward empty air.
"Are you there?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Bring alcohol and cigars."
"Understood."
After a brief exchange with someone invisible, he fixed me with an emotionless stare.
I met his gaze with blank eyes of my own.
Though my mind was elsewhere.
"Hm..."
Was the one who just spoke to the duke the 'Shadow Knight'?
According to the settings, unlike regular knights, they specialized in stealth, concealment, and assassination. Brainwashed with absolute obedience and loyalty, they were a convenient tool every high noble employed.
But raising them involved horrific, brutal, inhumane processes—so much so that while everyone knew, it was tacitly ignored. Poor souls who never saw the light of day.
In the game, they were just moth-like mobs that charged players and died instantly.
I hadn't expected the upstanding Sword Master Starnassila Urtega to have one... Guess no one's completely clean if you dig deep enough.
"Huh?"
When I came to, a fancy brandy, cigars, and snacks like nuts and cheese had appeared on the reception table.
"Ooh... Snacks too? Your Excellency's Shadow Knight has some sharp instincts."
"..."
Ignoring his silence, I uncorked the brandy and took a swig straight from the bottle.
Gulp gulp!
"Kaaah...!"
Savoring the fiery, heavy burn sliding down my throat, I popped a piece of cheese in my mouth, lit a cigar with magic, and inhaled deeply into my lungs.
Sip... Haaaaah...!
The harsh booze and tobacco smoke filled my lungs and brain, finally relaxing my body and sharpening my mind.
My unstable consciousness steadied at last.
"Now, can we get to the point, Alzen?"
"Ah... Sure, sure thing. What were we talkin' about again..."
"Where did your information come from?"
"The source? Ah, yeah... All I can say is I just know it."
"...Alzen. Are you really asking for blood?"
"Heh, c'mon, no need to get so scary with your own daughter, right? Torture, interrogation... Sip, haaah~ My answer ain't changin'. If that don't satisfy ya, I could say I've spent years adventuring as a hero, observing the world and uncovering secrets, mysteries, and info. Which one tickles your fancy?"
Gulp!
I grinned while downing more booze, and his eyebrow twitched faintly.
"...How much of that nonsense about the duke's family falling was sincere?"
"Pffft... Father. Your Excellency. That's not the question you wanna ask, is it? Right? What you're really curious about is that high demon who snuck into your bedroom last night."
"..."
"Or more precisely... Doubts about those shaky emotions of yours eating at you even more?"
"...Speak."
"Gladly."
Gulp!
Sip, puhaah~
I took a big swig of brandy, savored a drag from the cigar, and leaned back against the chair, looking up at his tall, imposing figure.
"To cut to the chase: every emotion you're feeling is an illusion."
"An illusion?"
"Yup. Total delusion. There's no bewitchment in your heart. You left all that behind in childhood. All that's left now is a rock-solid mind, convictions, and ambition."
"You talk like you've peered into my soul."
He murmured with a hint of irritation and sat quietly across from me.
"How could I read minds? I don't have that power. I just know what I know."
I rolled some expertly roasted nuts—bursting with nutty, savory flavor—around my mouth, crunched, and swallowed.
"The desire for strength drilled into you since childhood, the harsh training that made you puke, your father like an impossibly high wall... Heh, I guarantee ya, Family Head's old man had zero talent for raising kids. Worst parent ever."
"..."
"Then the cutthroat war among the previous generation's heirs... Your father died powerlessly in the midst of it. That hit you hard. The unbreakable wall of a father met such a pathetic end."
"..."
"That's when the tug-of-war with your inner demons began—brief wandering, escape, adventure, enlightenment... Hahaha! Family Head's life wasn't so smooth either! Though to someone talentless like me, it's all luxurious hardship."
I spilled out Alzen's backstory along with Urtega's settings, the alcohol loosening my tongue.
Smack!
I slapped my own face hard.
What's with you spouting off on your own? Shut it.
"What are you doing?"
"Pfft. Don't mind it. Just a spasm or somethin'."
Gulp!
"Kaha... Anyway, those memories are why you're shaken. Doubts that some longing for power still lingers, suspicions about your righteous ambition, rationalizing desires any knight would have... That's what's rattling you. Ain't it?"
"...Yes."
"So it's all an illusion."
"What do you mean? Be specific. I clearly felt those things you described inside me."
"Kehhehe. High demons are scary, huh? Using an artifact that can shake a Sword Master—even a normal person would've betrayed humanity by now."
"An artifact... Right, you mentioned that. One that interferes with the mind? But if such a thing was used, I would've noticed. What makes you so sure it's an artifact?"
I chuckled and shook my head.
"Not your average artifact. It's a sort of clone a high demon creates by offering their soul to their demon lord. We call it an artifact for convenience, but it's a whole different beast. Demons call them 'Soul Gears.' Oh, and was the demon who invaded your bedroom snakelike, with a single spiraling horn, bat wings, lizard tail, green eyes, and green hair?"
"...Spot on."
"High demon Cambello, then. His Soul Gear is the 'Pit of Souls.' A nasty thing that gathers grudges and vengeful spirits from countless sacrifices to cast curses."
"Grudges, vengeful spirits, curses..."
"Even a Sword Master would be blind to that stuff. Your mental resistance probably ain't high either... Ah, never mind that. Point is, you felt the unease but got lured by that snake tongue and didn't notice. Your thinking and judgment dulled, desires amplified, eroding your self-certainty."
Of course, only possible because a high demon's caliber rivaled a Sword Master's.
I finished and watched his reaction.
"...Any countermeasures?"
No anger, irritation, or killing intent.
Even knowing the demon shaking him, he remained serene.
A guess, but he might still be battling his inner demons right now.
Which meant a dangerously precarious state... I could only hope he won.
Amazed he could converse so calmly amid mental chaos.
Without even snapping at my rudeness.
"Dunno. Get purified at a church, carry a holy relic? Might help some."
Gulp!
"Haa... Best would be shaking it off yourself, Family Head... But that seems tough."
"Why? Because my mental fortitude is lacking?"
"Nah, it's matchup issues with demons and your stats... Eh, somethin' like that."
"...You raise many questions."
"Still wonderin' how I know all this?"
"That's one... But how are you so nonchalant? If you're right, I'll betray humanity, side with demons, and destroy the duke's family myself."
"My feelings matter?"
"...No. They don't."
"Then let's move on. Oh, about countermeasures—there's actually a more effective one."
"What?"
"Smash the schemes the demon's weaving over the ducal lands. Cambello specializes in necromancy, curses, and sorcery—not super strong one-on-one, but in his domain, those powers multiply."
"The ducal lands are his domain now?"
"Not yet. But it's only a matter of time. Feels like half's already fallen."
"...If I trust and support you, can you crush this plot?"
"Hahaha! Piece of cake! If you give me full authority!"
"That... Seems difficult."
"Suit yourself. Good luck then."
"..."
He watched me drink and puff smoke, then asked softly.
"One last thing, if I may."
"Haha. Since when do you ask my permission? What's up?"
"Is something possessing your body?"
"...What're you talkin' about?"
I blinked in confusion, and he stared back impassively.
"A goddess, or some divine being of equal stature... Is one of them inside you?"
"Puhahaha! Has the Pit of Souls already driven you mad? Father! Talk sense! Me, a high priestess or cleric? What kinda nonsense is that?"
"...I suppose so."
"We done here?"
"Go."
With that, he rose and sat at his desk.
I stared blankly, then grabbed the booze, snacks, and cigars before heading back to my room.