Overgeared Chapter 798:
Chapter 798
The gates came into view .
“Wait a minute!” Mercedes, who was pulled by Grid, suddenly stopped . She watched the soldiers guarding the gate and gently pulled her hand away from Grid . There was a dark flush on her white face, and the feeling of Grid’s touch lingered on her fingertips .
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Where are you going to take me?”
“Outside the empire, of course . ”
“What? I can’t leave . ”
“What?” Grid frowned . “Was that guy called Gyuratan? From his attitude earlier, he seems to occupy a high position in the empire?”
Grid had noticed that the empire didn’t know Gyuratan’s identity . The demonkin were common enemies of humanity . So, if the Saharan Empire knew that Gyuratan was a great demon, they wouldn’t be able to stand by . The reason Mercedes was in a crisis was due to Gyuratan’s trick .
“He said that you are a traitor . Aren’t you in a very dangerous situation? He will frame you like he did Piaro in the past . ”
“But I have an obligation to inform everyone about Gyuratan’s identity . ”
“Do you think people will believe you?”
Mercedes smiled bitterly at Grid’s question and replied, “Nobody will believe me . I can’t believe it myself . ”
It had been 15 years since Gyuratan became the Fourth Knight . He had acted as a perfect human for many years . Even with her sharp eyes, Mercedes, as well as the famous magicians and priests, hadn’t noticed for the past 15 years that Gyuratan was a great demon . Gyuratan’s ability to hide his demonic power was beyond extraordinary . It was clearly the power of a great demon . Despite being weakened, his power was still enough to mock humans .
“But if I wait, I will be able to catch an opportunity . I will keep my position until that day comes . It is my duty . ”
Now that an unidentified great demon was about to bring the empire to chaos, the First Knight must stop him . This was a noble mission . She couldn’t turn away and didn’t want to turn away . Grid gave an uncertain response to Mercedes’ resolute expression, “If Gyuratan tells the emperor that you and I were together today . . . ”
She would disappear before the chance she waited for would come . However, Mercedes smiled brightly at Grid with a smile that was brighter than sunshine .
‘She could smile like this?’
It didn’t fit the appearance of a noble knight . Grid admired her beauty and couldn’t help turning red .
Mercedes blushed at his reaction and avoided his gaze as she explained, “I will deny it . Just like how people won’t believe my claims that Gyuratan is a great demon, people won’t believe the claims that Gyuratan places on me . But if I run away like this, I will have no chance to deny it . So I will stay . ”
“In the worst case scenario, what if Gyuratan attacks you directly? Like today . What will you do then? I won’t be able to help you . ”
“Who do you think I am?” A light shone in Mercedes’ clear eyes . It was a glimpse into the pride of the First Knight of the empire . The strongest knight who made Grid bow down at their very first meeting was now here . “Today, things turned out bad in many ways . But if I fight him again next time, I can do my best . ”
She hadn’t taken her armor because it was her detention period, and she had allowed Gyuratan’s magic because she had believed he was a swordsman . Moreover, in the first place, her morale had been at the lowest point . In a situation where she hadn’t known who to believe and had gotten trapped in her house, she had become restless and confused .
However, she was okay now . She knew that Gyuratan was an enemy, and there was someone she could rely on . The fog before her dissipated .
“Overgeared King . ”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry . I will clear the wrongful accusation of the Piaro you cherish as I promised . ”
“ . . . Yes . ”
Grid was well aware of the Piaro’s past pain . He desperately wanted to remove Piaro’s stigma and free him from the **** of his dark past . Additionally . . .
“You must stay safe . ”
Grid also wanted Mercedes . He needed people with strength and talent, and Mercedes was a person close to what he wanted . Mercedes stiffened like she was frozen before she asked, “ . . . Do you like me?”
It was a difficult question . Grid nodded . “It isn’t just liking but coveting . I think about it every night . ”
Who in the world wouldn’t covet a noble knight like her? However, among them, Grid was the one who knew her value best . Grid’s words contained this meaning, but Mercedes accepted them differently . Her ears flushed red, and she couldn’t face Grid . “You are too aggressive . Are you like this to everyone?”
Mercedes’ question was basically asking if he was a womanizer . However, Grid didn’t realize it . “No, I’m not like this to everyone . I also know that I shouldn’t say this, but what can I do? You are special . ”
He knew that she was already the empire’s knight, but he wanted to make her his own knight . Grid’s ardent heart was distorted while it was being conveyed .
“I-Is that so?” Mercedes was wary of Grid’s attitude .
‘This man isn’t ordinary . ’
Grid must live as a **** . He seemed like a person who would have a woman around him every day . However, Mercedes didn’t hate it . Grid was Piaro’s and Asmophel’s benefactor . He was also the one who provided the opportunity to wash away the stigma of the old Red Knights, as well as the savior of her life . So, he no longer seemed like a bad person .
“I won’t ask you why you are in Titan right now . I won’t doubt my benefactor . However, please stop shaking my heart . Nothing can happen anyway . ”
As the empire’s knight, how could she marry the king of an outside kingdom? That would be forsaking the empire . It was impossible . The moment that Mercedes smiled bitterly… Grid caught Mercedes’ wrist in order to express his strong will . Then he declared, “I won’t give up on you . Didn’t you say it when you were reunited with Piaro? You will repay me even if you have to give everything to me . Don’t you have to keep your promise?”
“ . . . So, you don’t want a lover or a wife but a slave . ”
“Huh?”
“You are crass . ”
“ . . . ??”
What the **** was this? Grid was embarrassed as he belatedly realized it . He was reminded of the power of his dexterity, but he had already touched Mercedes’ wrist .
“It is too much harassment to caress the body of a woman with those greedy eyes . In return for saving my life, you want such things in exchange?”
“ . . . ”
The reward he got from clearing the quest clear was being misunderstood as a pervert? Grid was embarrassed and disappointed .
“ . . . If you want that, it can’t be helped,” Mercedes spoke meaningfully and raised her hand to her slender neck . Grid’s gaze fixed on her collarbone, and he gulped nervously . However, it wasn’t the development he thought it would be . Mercedes released the pendant hanging around her neck and handed it to Grid . It was a pendant made of white silver with an elegant rose pattern .
“This is . . . ?”
“It is a token of my family . If you ever face an awkward situation in the empire, use this token . It will help you . ”
Ttiring~
[The hidden quest has been completed!]
[Affinity with Mercedes has risen by 50 . ]
[You have obtained the Vaintz Family’s Pendant . ]
[Vaintz Family’s Pendant]
[Durability: 31/33
Charm +100 .
Nobility +100 .
-A pendant passed down through the direct line of the prestigious Vaintz family in the Saharan Empire . It can be used to prove your identity in all places of the empire . There is a high probability of receiving great respect .
Weight: 5
Conditions of Use: The heir of the Vaintz family or someone recognized by the heir . ]
“Isn’t this precious?”
It was a token that symbolized Mercedes, who was the heir, or someone closely related to her . Strictly speaking, it was strange for Grid to receive it . Mercedes shook her head at his concern . “It is a trivial thing for me, king of a nation . ”
‘Rubbish . ’
This item demonstrated ‘status’ across the Saharan Empire . It meant that Grid could move freely through the empire, no matter his appearance . It would surely come in handy .
“It is really okay? What if I abuse it and put your family at risk?”
“Didn’t Piaro and Asmophel choose Your Majesty? I don’t think someone like you would abuse it . Even if you do abuse it, you would have a good reason . I will accept the damages caused as my price . ”
“ . . . Okay . Does this mean you will keep your word?” Grid grinned .
Mercedes’ straightforward personality was a favorite for him . The more he knew, the more he trusted her .
“Thank you . ” Grid said a short goodbye .
Meanwhile, Mercedes went down on one knee and politely spoke, “I appreciate it, Overgeared King . ”
“Good luck . ”
“I must achieve it, for the sake of the empire and Piaro . ”
Then Grid would safely meet Mercedes again .
***
“You came back without running away? Are you that eager to die?”
Mercedes returned to her mansion where Gyuratan was waiting . His tone and attitude were the same as always . It was as if nothing had happened a few hours ago . After confirming there was no one else around, Mercedes said mockingly, “Didn’t you expect me to come back?”
“Well, I didn’t want you to come back . ”
If Mercedes had gone with Grid, Gyuratan would’ve put all type of false charges against her to the emperor . It would also be possible to destroy her family by turning them into rebels . However, she hadn’t run away and had eventually returned instead . Fortunately, it wasn’t a big problem . It would be fine if he killed her .
“It is easy to falsify information about sins . There would be quite a backlash, but it’s fine if I kill everyone just as I did with Piaro’s family . Kukukuk!” Gyuratan smiled wickedly . His tone and attitude were like those of a great demon .
Why did he mention Piaro to Mercedes? Obviously, it was a taunt . There was no way Mercedes wouldn’t be able to see through it .
“Such trivial provocation, it isn’t suitable for a great demon . ”
“ . . . ”
“Well, I am nervous and can’t easily control myself . If you fight me while I’m fully prepared, great turmoil can’t be avoided and your identity might be revealed . Now, tell me . What do you want to do?”
Looking at Mercedes, Gyuratan realized something . “Are you trying to make a deal with me?”
Originally, making deals was the specialty of a great demon, not the contractor . Few people were able to reject the temptation of a great demon . Mercedes knew this .
Gyuratan said, “I don’t want us to interfere with each other . The fact that I’m a great demon can’t be revealed to the end . I am the great demon, Astaroth . Until the desire of the human who summoned me is fully achieved, my presence has to be thoroughly masked . I will use my power to oppose everything for the fulfillment of my contract . ”
“Summoner . . . ?”
Mercedes had overlooked one thing .
‘Who is the summoner?’
Who had summoned a great demon to infiltrate the palace? Mercedes’ eyes were very shaky . However, Gyuratan looked satisfied . “Kukuk! My summoner is someone you know well . ”
“Who is it?”
“How can I tell you? A demon’s contract is based on a definite agreement . The damage that the contractor will suffer is enormous and even a great demon can’t bear it . But let me give you a hint . It isn’t the woman you expect . ”
‘It isn’t Marie?’
“Compared to her, they are very close to the emperor . ” Gyuratan smiled widely enough for the corners of his mouth to reach his ears .
Mercedes’ face was turning blue . It was hard to see ‘close’ as a physical distance . In this case, it meant flesh and blood .
“Don’t tell me it is one of the princes?”
“My hints ends here . It is obvious that the person behind me isn’t easy . On the other hand, what about you? You haven’t earned the trust of the emperor from the beginning and you have rejected the empress’ hand . You also ruined your relationship with Sword Duke Limit, the man who trusted you . The knights that envy you? They are merely sheep . They can’t help you . Mercedes, you are alone . You are thoroughly helpless . You can’t threaten me . ”
These were whispers which caused the spirit to become helpless .
“Unfortunately, I also can’t threaten you . I don’t want to deal with you right now, so I also have to take a great risk . ”
His trump card of magic was lost . Mercedes’ skills were acknowledged by a great demon . Of course, he was in a weakened state, so he had to acknowledge it .
“Therefore, I propose that we watch each other . It won’t be so bad for you . Don’t you need time to accumulate enough power to resist me?”
The great demon’s temptation… it wasn’t as sweet as the rumors said .
‘I need to earn His Majesty’s trust urgently . ’
Mercedes nodded while in deep thought, making Gyuratan laugh .