I Already Know My Magic Power Is Ridiculously High! Now I Just Need a Cute Wife... - Episode 84

**A Certain Place**

Beneath a strange night sky, where a burning red streak of light cut across, a barren land was dotted with rugged, distinctive rock formations. In the midst of this wasteland stood a group of human figures, their silhouettes cloaked in darkness.

Atop a throne that seemed carved directly from the rocky terrain, a shadowy figure shrouded in black mist sat, gripping a staff.

“Everyone has gathered…”

Aside from the speaker, ten pitch-black figures stood assembled, all positioned lower than the throne, looking up at it.

“Leader, it seems that Aquila is not here yet?”

A young man, standing at the lowest position, voiced his concern.

If he was absent, it meant he was occupied with something—or perhaps…

“…Serpence, share the information with everyone.”

“Understood.”

Ignoring the young man, the figure holding the staff gestured toward a large-built man.

The man, called Serpence, stood on the fourth highest rock formation from the top.

“…First, regarding Aquila—he is likely already dead.”

“Huh?! That’s impossible! Who could have done it?!”

The young man from before exclaimed in shock.

“A lowly one like you should not interrupt. Do you want to die?”

“…Tch.”

Serpence shot a piercing glare at the young man, making him fall silent.

Among those gathered here, a strict hierarchy existed.

The young man was the lowest in rank, and if he angered a superior, he could truly be eliminated.

“Oh no, did Lynx die too?”

A small female figure asked in a lazy tone.

She was seated on the fifth highest rock formation, resting a giant scythe on her shoulder.

“Velpecula, if you start talking, we’ll never get anywhere. Be quiet.”

“So mean! But it’s really a shame. I finally got along with Lynx…”

Velpecula, as she was called, spoke in a languid manner.

“This is pointless. People like them can always be replaced. Did you really make our leader use the ‘Gate Crossing’ ability just to give such a report, Serpence?”

The one who spoke reproachfully was a man sitting cross-legged on the third highest rock formation.

Even Serpence, who had been acting arrogantly, showed some respect toward this man.

“Aquila and Lynx were assigned to investigate the ‘Failed Prophecy’ incident in Ortenos. Lynx, a specialist in infiltration, and Aquila, an assassin—neither were the type to expose themselves. Yet, they disappeared at the same time. Doesn’t that strike you as strange?”

Serpence posed the question to everyone.

“Just get to the point already. I don’t have time to listen to your tedious explanations.”

A female figure, who carried herself like a noblewoman, spoke in a haughty tone while hiding her mouth behind a fan.

For someone of her standing, such refined behavior seemed second nature.

She was positioned above Serpence, so he didn’t argue back.

“The two of them may have been eliminated before they could escape. And the likely culprit—
A newly emerged Demon Slayer in Ortenos.”

Serpence declared firmly.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, save for a few exceptions.

“Ohh, a new Demon Slayer, really? Who is it? I’m so curious~!”

“Tch. The most likely candidate is Shalka de Ortenos. Just thinking about him makes my bl00d boil. That young noble disrupted my plans and even seized Bangwall Fortress.”

Serpence clicked his tongue at Velpecula’s carefree tone, his irritation growing as he recalled his foiled schemes. His voice dripped with hatred.

“Pardon my intrusion, but I doubt that Shalka is a Demon Slayer. Heh heh…”

Another male figure, positioned ninth from the top, offered his opinion.

Though of lower rank, he was valued by Serpence.

“Lupus, why do you say that? Shalka killed Barbato and took Bangwall in no time. It wouldn’t be surprising if he were a Demon Slayer.”

“Shalka is merely twelve years old. If he really became a Demon Slayer, he would have been only six at the time. Do you think that’s possible?”

“Hmm. When you put it that way, you may have a point. But still, Shalka’s presence is unsettling.”

Serpence appreciated Lupus’s unconventional thinking.

For a six-year-old to defeat a magical beast was beyond reason.

Yet, despite his words, Serpence seemed almost convinced that Shalka was indeed a Demon Slayer.

“Shalka… I’ve never heard of that noble. The only young noble who excites my womb is the rightful heir of the Albroke family. But if there’s another interesting one, I’d love to take a bite… Hehe.”

The noblewoman licked her lips as saliva dripped from her mouth.

She too seemed to consider the possibility that Shalka was a Demon Slayer.

(Hmph. They really are sharp.)

Lupus grudgingly acknowledged the intuition of the higher-ranked members.

“Naia and Ortenos have begun moving toward a ceasefire. If this happens, our plans will be derailed, and the overall progress of our operation will be severely impacted. Therefore, we must crush this negotiation.”

Serpence emphasized the urgency of the situation.

“Serpence, leave that task to us.”

“Leoril and Corvus, very well.”

The ones who spoke were the seventh and eighth-ranked figures.

Among the lower-ranked stars, they were simple but powerful individuals.

“However, dealing with a Demon Slayer on our own isn’t ideal. So, we’ll need some special preparations.”

Leoril spoke casually, his confidence apparent even through his shadowed form.

“What do you need?”

“A Floating Dragon and a Spirit Jewel.”

Leoril grinned darkly.

◇◇◇◇

**The Day of the Ceasefire Negotiation**

We were currently traveling in several carriages toward the negotiation site.

—Ruins of the Eastern Star Church

Located on the eastern banks of the Elhoro River, between Bangwall Fortress and Leran City, it was a mere abandoned church.

Roughly 250 years ago, an anti-Eastern Star Church movement began in the western continent. The early noble families took advantage of this, expanding their influence eastward. The church remained standing as a warning and a symbol of the nobles’ dominance over religious institutions.

The official purpose of this ceasefire negotiation was to broker peace between the Marquis families of Hoshiros and Ortenos.

The Naia royal family was merely acting as a mediator.

Originally, it was meant to be a discussion between Naia and Ortenos, but Hoshiros pushed its way in, making the situation more complicated.

Luna planned to use this as a way to indirectly secure a ceasefire with Naia as well, but it seemed forced, making me uneasy.

“Brother, why is this meeting being held in a place like this?”

Roa asked curiously.

Two days ago, during our dinner, Roa had left the table in tears. However, I visited her that night to console her, and now she was back to her usual self.

“High-ranking negotiations between opposing Stellar-class individuals are never held indoors. After a major terrorist incident in the past, meeting locations were changed to open areas with clear sightlines.”

“I see. That way, it’s harder for third parties to launch surprise attacks.”

Roa nodded in understanding.

As long as I was here, I wouldn’t allow any sneak attacks.

Roa looked up at me with admiration.