Translator: Nox

49 - Marquis Maron

Episode 49

Asta rose to stardom in an instant.

The King of Kasnatura foamed at the mouth upon learning that his precious daughter had risked her life fighting a Demon, but he was more proactive than anyone in praising Asta's achievements and spreading the word far and wide.

The fact that Cyril had been a great help in this matter was conveyed even to Nieve, and a good opportunity came to him as well. A large number of vassals who had disregarded him as a bastard turned their backs on the head of the family and sided with Cyril, the heir.

Growing anxious, Michelan sent a marriage proposal directly to Kasnatura, and the desperate Order hastily pulled out the 'Saintess' card to bring Asta into the fold.

"Good, very good."

I was satisfied that this world was flowing, albeit clumsily, close to the original story.

Now, all I have to do is prepare delicious food at Maron Keep while preparing for the third Demon, and then send Asta there.

Ha, life.

To live the life of a villain harmoniously enjoying the protagonist's world. This is true work-life balance.

"What's got you so happy?"

"It's just, Asta's actions are so lovely."

"Does Marquis like the princess too?"

Rango asked, amazed.

We had set a date and met above the canyon. Rango said he would be in Enif for the time being, which was the result of me passing through the Demon Church and out of the canyon.

"Rather than like."

I smiled.

"She's someone you can't help but like."

"What's that?"

"You like her too, don't you? No need to deny it. I know you're sticking around because you like her. This guy… I didn't think so, but he's secretly a romantic."

"I'm not!"

Rango shook his head, dumbfounded. He explained several times that it wasn't true, that he was sticking to the princess to use her status and abilities.

"Ah, is that so."

"I'm telling you, it's not true! My ideal type is a woman who is shrewd, realistic, and has a lot of guts. A woman who, if I give her one gold coin, doesn't just become happy with that one, but makes ten out of that one and makes me happy!"

"Ah, I get it. Stop it."

After grabbing my ears and denying it twice more, saying it wasn't true, Rango stopped making excuses.

"Strong denial is affirmation…."

"Ah, seriously! I said it's not! It's not! I'd rather it be Marquis."

"What about me?"

"I hate it!"

He screamed.

I, who was grilling chicken over the bonfire, ended up seeing chicken byproducts fly out of his mouth and disappear into the flames.

"You dirty bastard! I hate you too, you jerk! Who says they hate someone so loudly to their face?"

"No, Marquis. That's not it."

"Enough, take this!"

I threw five old gold coins at him.

It was compensation for this job. Although he couldn't go in with me and steal the list, it was a great help just to know the way in and where the top-secret documents were kept.

Rango hesitated as he took the gold coins.

"This… it's not a portion of the tenfold reward you mentioned before if that thing succeeds, is it?"

"No!"

"Okay. Ugh, why are you always yelling?"

"Because you're annoying."

"No, Marquis, why are you so angry these days? Are people avoiding you because they're scared of you? You have to understand that. You look scary, your abilities are scary, and your identity is even scarier. I'm scared because I don't know how much more terrifying Marquis will become in the future…."

"If I become the Demon King, I'll be sure to eat you first."

"Have you finally decided to become the Demon King?"

Can't this guy even tell a joke? I couldn't take it anymore and flicked Rango's forehead.

There was a sound like a pebble breaking, and he covered his forehead with both hands. I, who was famous among my friends in my younger days for my spicy hands, used a flick of my finger to leave a clear red mark on his forehead.

"Ah… I think my head's cracked."

"I gave you five gold coins. Call it even."

"If I get money, my head should get better, but if it gets worse, it's Marquis's fault."

"You know, I'm sure you don't see me as scary, but as a pushover!"

"I'm doing this more because I'm scared!"

Rango screamed.

This time, his voice was really loud. It was a voice filled with 200% sincerity. Reikart, who was napping in the wagon, frowned and poked his face out.

Rango glanced at him and muttered.

"I'm just acting up to pretend I'm not scared because you're too scary. Pay attention. I know that if Marquis just wiggles a finger, I'll become a Contaminated Zone human or something even worse."

"You…."

I was impressed.

"You really do get smarter when you get money."

"Haa…."

"How much would I have to give you to maintain that intelligence for life? Would a hundred be enough?"

"I don't know either. Let's stop talking about this."

"You're the one who started it."

"About the Holy Knights who escaped from the Enif prison. I told them to take the travel expenses and identification Marquis mentioned and go to Selbon and rely on Cardinal Eugene Widemark, but will they really do as they're told?"

"Who knows."

"And those people."

Rango hesitated rarely and then said with a sigh.

"I told them that Sorceress Hayley is alive."

"What? Who did you tell!"

"Princess Asta Rosa."

I stirred the chicken silently.

Asta knew that Hayley was alive. The righteous protagonist knew that the villain, who was almost the background of the novel's world, was alive.

How would Asta react?

While the chicken was cooking, I took out a half-broken Magic Core from my pocket. It was extracted from the Demon that Asta had defeated. The core that had possessed the farmer's wife and turned her into a Demon was half-broken and returned to my hand.

"What's that?"

"It's something, you don't need to know."

"It looks ominous. Is it because Marquis is holding it?"

"Should I feed it to you?"

"I'm sorry."

Even while going to collect the Magic Core, I hesitated several times. I felt uneasy leaving it alone, but it wasn't very useful to bring it back.

It would be most comfortable if I just ate it, but after seeing a person become a Demon and go on a killing spree, I felt like I would get indigestion.

Oh well, whatever.

I put it back in my pocket. If necessary, I'll just throw it in the underground treasure vault of Maron Keep to roll around.

* * *

The Demon that appeared in Enif was nicknamed the 'Outlaw of the Forest Sea'.

On the same day, there was also news that the underground cemetery of the Enif Temple had collapsed and a prisoner had escaped from it, but no one paid attention to it because the Outlaw of the Forest Sea was such a hot topic.

After actually seeing a Demon appear and being defeated by Asta's Spirit Bird, Rango decided that he would obediently follow any orders Hayley gave him.

He would follow Hayley, not Asta.

It was only natural for him. It was Hayley who predicted that a Demon would appear, and it was Hayley who reassured him that Asta would defeat it.

Furthermore, after hearing that the Order was creating Fake Holy Knights and digging into the matter, he couldn't shake the suspicion that they were deeply involved with the Contaminated Zone.

The evil Wizard Hayley, Marquis Maron.

That woman stands at odds with the Order. No one knows, but she's secretly becoming that way on her own. Then, shouldn't I naturally side with that woman?

Because that's much more fun.

Snowbeast Rango grinned.