Chapter 174: A Question

Chapter 174: A QuestionMagan’s corpse was lying there.

The moment they saw it, everyone became rigid, as if time itself had frozen in the banquet hall.

It was a situation where the highest authority figure of the host country was assassinated amidst a gathering of important dignitaries from different nations.

It was a scene that revealed the dangers of the place and also proved their incompetence at the same time.

"T-the Resistance?"

The first to speak was the heir of the Duchy of Valestan. Considering that the Resistance of the Clark Republic was famous enough to be known even in other countries, it was a somewhat reasonable deduction.

However, most people were skeptical. If the Resistance could cleanly assassinate thePresident in a place with so many powerful people gathered, it was rather strange that they had not been able to do it until now.

Rather than that...

“Rather than the Resistance, Griffin sitting closest to his seat appears to be more suspicious.”

Jordia, from the desert Kingdom of Jerman, stood with arms crossed and cast a suspicious glance toward the Griffin Kingdom.

Though openly hostile, Jordia's attitude toward the Griffin Kingdom left them a bit flustered. However...

"You are forcing a ridiculous narrative here."

Princess Eleanor dismissed it without hesitation.

"Why would we? We came here to make peace with the Clark Republic. There's no reason for us to assassinate the President out of the blue."

"..."

"We know that the Jerman Kingdom has taken a keen interest in us. After all, isn’t the situation that took place in the Marias Great Forest still unresolved?"

Without any hesitation or retreat, Eleanor firmly responded to the Jerman Kingdom, which openly sought reasons to slander Griffin.

Perhaps sensing a jab, Jordia kept his mouth sealed tight and didn't unfold his arms. However, Tyren found that demeanor was even displeasing.

"Uncross your arms and apologize."

His mana surged within the banquet hall—a closed chamber without escape.

In this place, while they were in each other's sight, it wouldn't be strange if someone else died if everyone closed their eyes intentionally.

"..."

Despite Tyren's warning, Jordia remained silent, standing with his chin held high.

Eventually, Tyren stepped forward assertively, unable to contain his anger.

"What about the Secretary?"

Deia's words echoed through the banquet hall, drawing everyone's attention.

Deia, who had leaped forward, was examining the Dictator's corpse and their surroundings.

It was a fittingly gruesome death for a dictator of a country, but more importantly, the Secretary with emerald hair was nowhere to be seen.

"The Secretary is missing."

Deia's words prompted the others to approach the stage one by one. Deia had looked around, hoping for another exit, but there was none.

"So, the Secretary was the assassin?"

"Oh, that's possible."

"It certainly seems more plausible to be the work of an internal assassin rather than us, the foreign guests."

Swept along in their own flow; everyone offered their own opinion. However, from Deia's perspective, it all felt a bit strange.

Then where did the Secretary go?

If the Secretary was the assassin, shouldn't she have been present here?

That implied that since it was impossible to escape, she was probably still hiding somewhere within the banquet hall.

"Sir Tyren, please see to the safety of the Princess and the Saintess."

"Hmm."

Tyren nodded reassuringly and told her not to worry. He tapped his staff shaped like a spear on the ground to assert his presence.

"So where did the Secretary go then?"

"Hmm, that also seems strange."

"We need to remain calm. The suddenness of the situation has narrowed everyone's focus."

As they spoke amongst themselves, the group quickly regained their composure, acknowledging their own distress, proving that they were not high-ranking individuals for no reason.

"Have you calmed down now?"

At that moment, an unusual voice came from the collapsed entrance. Emerald hair was faintly visible in the darkness beyond the light.

"Well, let’s save that for our future enjoyment."

The Secretary smiled and stretched out her hand. The only part of her that entered the light from the darkness was her hand that was pointing at the Saintess.

"However, only two people. Saintess Lucia and..."

The hand that was pointing at the Saintess moved towards Deus.

"Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi, the both of you must die here."

At this emotionless death sentence, Lucia clasped her hands in prayer, and Deus struggled to maintain his composure.

"Hmm, but before that, I need to confirm one thing."

The Secretary revealed herself as she slowly stepped into the light. Her eyes resembled those of a serpent, with an unnaturally long tongue protruding from her mouth.

Compared to what they had seen earlier on stage, it was a completely different appearance. Everyone present recognized it immediately.

She was a demon.

With the situation taking an unexpected turn, they had no choice but to be tense. The moment they realized that the woman was a demon, the words that just sounded like nonsense until now felt like cursed prophecies.

That showed how big a source of fear the existence of demons were for the people of the continent.

"Rather than seeking confirmation, I am providing you with an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

Her direct gaze pierced through Deus, who tilted his head in confusion. Rather than showing mercy, her pupils felt more like she was testing him .

And the very next words uttered by the Secretary made it very clear.

"Are you truly the Soul Whisperer?"

"..."

She was doubtful about his very identity.

All eyes in the banquet hall immediately turned to Deus.

The envoys from the Griffin Kingdom, who knew his true identity, were tense, while the people from the other nations were intrigued by the Secretary's question.

He was the only Dark Mage acknowledged by the Griffin, which strictly opposed Black Magic.

Naturally, the other nations had also done their basic research on him.

"What do you mean?"

Standing upright, Deus tried to feign composure.

Seeing that, the Secretary's lips curled into a sly smile.

"I suspect that you are not the real Deus. The man I met before had an imposing presence, an aura, and a calmness that you can't even imitate half-heartedly."

"..."

"So, I'll give you a chance."

Demons always tested humans.

They presented them with choices while reveling in their dilemma.

"Are you truly the Soul Whisperer? If you answer me honestly, I will let you live."

"...!"

"After all, there's no need to kill a man who isn't the Soul Whisperer."

A tense silence filled the room.

All eyes were on Deus, who was still pretending to have a blank expression, while racking his brain.

"Ah, really.”

But perhaps even that brief silence bored her, for the Secretary made another proposal.

"Alright then, just one thing. Answer this, and I will let you live."

"What is it?"

"If you truly are the Soul Whisperer, one who comforts the dead and you possess the eyes blessed and cursed to see all souls..."

Tap.

Her long nails pointed at Deus' eyes.

"Where is the soul of the recently deceased Lord Magan?"