The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 622 Ghostly Figures in the Mist
As the year drew to a close in mid-January, Roland City experienced a rare period of clear skies.

The snowstorm that had been raging for days finally showed signs of abating, but the city was still shrouded in an endless chill of winter.

However, the vexing cold did not seem to dampen the spirits of Roland's high society.

Even though the occasional muffled cannon fire could be heard outside the city, the theaters and art galleries surrounding the Summer Palace were still filled with elegantly dressed women.

It was all because of Ophelia's arrival.

Tulips from the Empire brought the withered irises in Roland City back to life, and the Duchess was never short of beautiful women around her.

Of course, part of it was also because of Prince Colin.

As the prince's legendary story spread, Colin had become the focus of the entire Roland City high society.

Both nobles of the old dynasty and members of parliament of the new regime were full of interest in this illustrious man from the New World.

Even though these frequent court activities earned Marshal Fayet some criticism for being "indulgent in pleasure".

Perhaps annoyed by the noise, he finally couldn't help but complain to his subordinates at a banquet after drinking too much.

“I’ve had enough of those stonemasons. They drink plenty of wine from the Summer Palace themselves, yet they criticize me for being extravagant. Saint Sith, what do they want from me? To fire the cooks from the Summer Palace and replace them with expensive swill to show my frugality? Or to make me dress like a beggar and shake hands with the imperial envoys?”

“Oh, Prince from the Empire, look at me, have pity on the Ryan people! Marshal Fayet is like a beggar, why don’t you give him some alms… No one will pity us, they’ll just think I’m crazy! And I have a bunch of crazy people following me!”

Actually, it would have been better if he hadn't explained.

When his complaints were published in The Citizen's Voice, they immediately enraged a group of radicals who nearly besieged the Summer Palace.

From this perspective, Marshal Fayet was indeed a bit hasty. He was already standing just one step away from the throne, yet he was still speaking like a human being.

In contrast, Theoden de Vallout was much more experienced; he only uttered a few words of human language when he was dying.

When he wasn't about to lose his head, His Majesty never wasted much time talking to his servants, and his servants wisely focused only on Edward's questions and went off to beg for food outside Roland.

He was a professional at being a king.

But it is clear that Marshal Fayette has not yet adapted to his niche, nor has he established a new understanding with those who support him.

He remained a republican at heart, an inheritor of the encyclopedia, believing that knowledge could bring civilization, and he also believed in what he himself said.

The division within Roland City stems from this very point.

What people yearn for from the bottom of their hearts is not what they truly yearn for.

Fortunately, these annoying things have nothing to do with Prince Colin and Princess Ophia, and for the time being, no one dares to offend the two of them.

Whether they were Chartist, Stonemasons, or Barricades, most of the people who could sit in the Summer Palace and hold meetings were still sensible.

They are well aware that the future their supporters envision is far removed from the future they can actually achieve.

The insults directed at the marshal were merely a ploy to appease his supporters; they weren't truly opposed to him. This is why Marshal Fayet stopped mentioning the matter after he sobered up.

However, it cannot be ignored that a rift has emerged between the National Assembly and its supporters.

Ultimately, the encyclopedists promised too much for victory but failed to deliver on their promises to their supporters.

Hopefully, it won't fulfill the next line of your poem, "I took this to heart."

In short, Luo Yan did not get too involved in the internal affairs of Roland City. Whenever someone asked him about his views on the National Assembly, he would smile and steer the conversation toward topics more befitting a prince.

On the other hand, he also acted as Ophelia's guide, sometimes taking her to the Royal Theater, and sometimes taking her to the balls of high society in Roland.

This annoyed Ophia.

His Highness knew perfectly well that she wasn't interested in these things, yet he still took her to these boring places. Even though he said it was part of the plan, she couldn't see that what they were doing had anything to do with the investigation.

This doesn't look like an investigation at all—

It seems he really is here for cultural exchange!
This made Ophia feel deceived.

After holding back her emotions for a long time, she finally couldn't help but speak.

“Your Highness Colin, it seems we need to have a talk.”

What should we talk about?

"Regarding the agreement between us."

In the lounge of the Royal Theatre, fine black tea is steaming hot.

Ophia sat on the soft velvet sofa, her gaze passing over the delicate teacup and fixed intently on the pair of deep purple eyes opposite her.

However, those deep purple eyes did not look at her; instead, they lingered on the unfolded "Voice of the Citizen."

That was the best-selling newspaper in Rowland.

There is no doubt that the murderer would not stick himself on it.

“I remember,” Luo Yan turned a page of the newspaper in his hand and said in a slow, deliberate voice, “I promise you, I will catch the mastermind behind this.”

Looking at that calm and composed face, Ophia took a deep breath.

"I have no doubt about your wisdom, but you must at least convince me—"

"Should I wear a large trench coat, a deerstalker hat, a gourd pipe in my mouth, and a magnifying glass in my hand?"

“No, I mean, you have to at least convince me that Earl Sean’s death is not what you want.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yan lowered the newspaper in his hand slightly and looked into those azure eyes filled with anxiety.

Ophia did not back down, her eyes still fixed intently on him, her chest rising and falling gently.

Apparently—

Those words had been stuck in her heart for a long time.

It took a lot of courage for me to say it.

Luo Yan suddenly smiled and offered his praise in a gentle tone.

"As expected of my smartest student."

Ophia puffed out her cheeks.

"I appreciate your compliment, but I'm not in the mood for jokes right now."

“I’m not praising you, I’m just stating a fact… Also, I’m glad I was worried that I might have made you miss out on one of the most important experiences of your life.”

"What, what was it like?"

“Rebellious phase.” Even knowing this would annoy Ophia, Luo Yan still turned another page of the newspaper in his hand.

But it was clear that Ophia felt more than just annoyed; she also felt other emotions in response to those words.

His puffed-out cheeks deflated like a punctured balloon.

Youyou quietly appeared beside Luo Yan and whispered.

'Demon Lord, is this also part of your plan?'

It felt that the Demon King was being particularly mean to it today.

He rarely did this before, even with Professor Hector he would only touch upon the subject briefly.

"Exactly."

Youyou hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice.

'But...why didn't you tell Miss Ophia about the plan?'

Luo Yan remained silent for a while before answering.

'Because this is also part of the plan.'

The truth isn't actually that important.

But since Ophia had already said that, he would still grant her "whimsical" request, since what's meant to happen will happen eventually.

He had been corrupted by Novell long ago and had since then figured out how to deal with Novell.

That is to face the ghostly figures in the fog.

No one can defeat an unseen ghost unless it falls to the ground and becomes something visible and tangible.

Before uprooting the thorny vines—

He has to get the seeds to germinate first.

Seeing her tutor start flipping through the newspaper when faced with a difficult question, Ophia bit her lip gently, but finally broke the silence and pressed for an answer.

"When exactly do you plan to start the investigation? Can you give me a definite answer?"

Her tone carried suppressed dissatisfaction, and she leaned forward slightly. Without waiting for her beloved tutor's reply, she pressed on.

“We’ve wasted three whole days here! And all you’ve done is show me those oil paintings that I’m already tired of seeing, without doing anything of substance.”

"Haste solves nothing, Miss Ophia. Besides, I have never stopped investigating."

Luo Yan placed the newspaper on his lap, picked up the cup of black tea beside him, and elegantly blew on the steam rising from the rim of the cup.

"The director behind the scenes is far more patient than you might imagine. If we act too eagerly, it will only make him hide the flaws even more."

The grand and eloquent words made Ophia frown.

They look so alike!

Her father always said the same thing, but she never expected to hear almost the same thing from Prince Colin.

Once the seed of doubt is planted in your heart, it will inevitably take root and sprout uncontrollably.

Is this guy really not deliberately stalling for time?
Was the death of Earl Sean Wignell truly unrelated to him, as he claimed?
Although she believed that Luo Yan would not deceive her, she could not convince herself, much less believe, that Earl Sean's death was not entirely in the interests of "Prince Colin".

At least in her field of vision, everything was moving in his favor, and he was undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary!
If this inference holds true—

She couldn't help but suspect that he was actually using the guise of cultural exchange to keep her under house arrest in the summer palace in Roland City, taking advantage of her status as the daughter of a duke!

Isn't this exactly what he excels at?

He can then use this time to let the truth be weathered away by time, eventually disappearing into some unknown corner...

After all, he had said from the beginning that the truth didn't matter, and he tried to convince himself with that statement.

Ophia took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound calm and restrained.

“I don’t like the feeling of being kept in the dark, Your Excellency Luo Yan.”

She deliberately emphasized the real name.

"You promised to find out the truth. But if you're just trying to fob me off with these empty promises, or to cover up something that's detrimental to you..."

She didn't finish her sentence.

But it's hard to read the word "trust" in those azure eyes anymore.

Seeing that it was almost done, Luo Yan put down his teacup.

"It seems our Miss Ophia is tired from shopping. Let's stop here for today."

He paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to Sarah, who was waiting to the side.

"Sarah, could you please park the carriage downstairs? We're heading back to the Summer Palace."

Sarah nodded slightly.

"It is my pleasure to serve you, Your Highness."

Ophia bit her lip and ultimately remained silent.

……

That evening, Ophelia did not attend the banquet at the Summer Palace, making an excuse that she was tired, and then locked herself in her guest room.

The absence of the most anticipated female lead diminished the overall appeal of the banquet.

Clearly, the little girl was being difficult.

In the lounge area at the edge of the dance floor, Foreign Minister Conrad, holding a wine glass, looked worriedly at Prince Colin standing to the side.

"Your Highness, is Miss Ophia really alright? Should I arrange for the best doctor in town to come and take a look?"

Facing Minister Conrad's concerned gaze, Luo Yan smiled gently and said...

“She’s just a little tired, Minister Conrad, please have a little faith in her.”

Seeing that Prince Colin was so certain, Conrad nodded and wisely refrained from asking any further questions.

The two continued their conversation.

With Luo Yan's deliberate guidance, the topic naturally turned to Earl Sean, the imperial envoy who had arrived earlier.

When this regrettable name was mentioned, the smile on Minister Conrad's face gradually faded, replaced by a deep sense of guilt.

"This is a serious dereliction of duty on the part of our National Assembly. We failed to protect this distinguished guest, and we have let down not only his family but also the trust placed in us by the Senate."

Luo Yan took a sip of the red wine in his glass, pondered for a moment, and said in a comforting tone.

“You don’t need to blame yourself so much. To be able to eliminate a Gold-level transcendent being without anyone noticing, the other party is obviously no ordinary person. The one who should be condemned is the murderer.”

Conrad gave a bitter smile.

“That being said, it is also true that I failed in my duty. Moreover, I had just met with him the night before he was assassinated... If only I had insisted on going back with him then.”

His face was filled with self-reproach.

Although Luo Yan felt that even if Mr. Conrad had been in that carriage at the time, it probably wouldn't have changed anything.

Luo Yan lowered his eyelids slightly and naturally continued the conversation.

"Speaking of which, I've been meaning to ask, what were you and Earl Sean doing that night?"

Conrad answered truthfully.

“We watched a play at the Royal Theatre, and speaking of which, it was your script. I wonder if you remember it, the play that influenced the entire city of Thunder, ‘The Bell’.”

“Of course I remember, after all, it’s the script I’m most satisfied with,” Luo Yan smiled, then steered the conversation back to Sean in a casual tone, “By the way, I’m curious about Mr. Sean’s opinion on the script.”

"His evaluation was very high, both for us who performed in the play and for the script."

"Did he say anything?" Conrad pondered for a moment in response to Prince Colin's question.

“We talked about many things, including the newly promulgated charter and the future plans for the National Assembly. He expressed a rather optimistic view of us.”

At this point, a look of regret and pity returned to his face.

If Count Sean had returned to the Holy City alive and brought back the truth about Roland City, the current situation of the Republic of Ryan might have been completely different.

At the very least, that would greatly delay the royalists' declaration of war.

Of course, all of this is just wishful thinking on his part, and reality never offers "what ifs".

Luo Yan nodded thoughtfully and continued to ask questions.

Did he exhibit any unusual behavior that evening?

Conrad paused for a moment, then frowned and pondered seriously for a long time while holding his wine glass.

"No... If I had to say something, there's only one thing that I find a little strange, but I don't know if I should say it."

Luo Yan's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained expressionless.

“We are just having a private conversation, please feel free to speak.”

Conrad gently scratched his cheek with his index finger, carefully choosing his words before continuing.

"At the time... I cautiously asked him what he thought of us, and his answer was completely unexpected."

What did he tell you?

He said he felt very gratified.

Luo Yan raised his eyebrows slightly.

Is there a problem with this?

“No… I just feel something is off.” Conrad sighed, looked honestly at Prince Colin, and continued, “You know, people like me often rack their brains to say things that the imperial envoy wants to hear when they are facing the envoy.”

Luo Yan nodded slightly.

"This is normal diplomatic language, and it's understandable."

Conrad gave a wry smile.

"Yes, you can say it's pandering if you want. After all, I know my place very well; we don't take a hard line against the Empire."

He paused for a moment, his tone becoming hesitant.

"However, I was very surprised that night. He did the same thing as me... Every word he said was exactly what I wanted to hear."

Recalling his previous meeting with Earl Sean, Luo Yan asked thoughtfully.

Wasn't he like this before?

"He is a polite gentleman who will shake my hand, but that's all... Maybe I'm being too sensitive, but I always feel that it's not like his usual style."

Seeing Prince Colin deep in thought, Conrad subtly revealed to him his deepest doubts.

And that's a detail that wasn't shown on Citizen Voice—

"Although the play 'The Bell' was indeed very moving, just a day ago... our conversation was still stuck on ancient legal principles."

……

In the stillness of the night, in a guest room at the Summer Palace.

Cool water gushed from the brass faucet, splashing into the white porcelain sink.

Ophia cupped her hands in cold water and splashed it forcefully on her face, trying to extinguish the pent-up frustration in her heart.

However, it turned out that all of this was in vain.

She looked up, water droplets sliding down her fair cheeks and damp blonde hair, outlining the contours of her unconcealed weariness and self-doubt.

After staring at herself for a long time, Ophia suddenly muttered something under her breath, and her tense brows gradually softened.

"Ophia, what's wrong with you today? You're not usually like this..."

She had never been so angry with Prince Colin before. She ignored him for the entire night and even skipped the ball after the banquet.

She asked herself, although the man had indeed done many annoying things in the past few days, was she completely without fault?

Obviously not.

She had promised to hand it over to him, to give him everything, but now she was turning against him because the investigation had made no progress, and was aggressively questioning him.

Thinking of this, Ophelia felt a pang of self-reproach and recalled a sentence she had once read in a book—

People always fail to appreciate the kindness they take for granted, and then, after losing everything, they yearn for the beauty of what they once had.

All the memories of the past came flooding back.

This includes everything that happened in the Mage Tower, as well as everything that happened in the Holy City. Although that prince always avoided her after he realized her feelings, he was actually always very gentle with her and never really used her to achieve any ulterior motives.

Even when she was most blindly devoted to him.

Ophia felt increasingly guilty and was consumed by self-reproach.

I'll apologize to him tomorrow...

Just as Ophia was thinking this, a soft whisper suddenly appeared on her brow without warning and echoed deep within her mind.

“My poor child, lost sheep, are you so sure that your dear mentor is telling the truth?”

The sound was like footsteps hidden in the shadows, making one feel incredibly close, yet upon closer reflection, it sent chills down one's spine.

Ophia's body suddenly stiffened.

She instinctively reached out and turned off the faucet, the only sound in the large bathroom being the dripping of water. At the same time, her hand tightened on the hairpin hidden under the towel—

During the labyrinth trial, her necklace was destroyed by Arist Thorne's attack, and her father later gave her an even stronger defensive artifact.

This treasure comes from the "Castellion family's treasury." Although its power has not been tested, it is said that it can even withstand a full-force attack from a demigod-level expert.

At the same time, it is also a magical artifact that can be used as a medium for casting spells, and can replace a wand in critical moments.

Feeling the coolness from her fingertips, Ophia felt a little relieved, while remaining fully alert to her surroundings.

There was nothing unusual in the surroundings.

Just as she began to doubt whether it was an illusion, the whisper from the depths of her being resurfaced... Clearly, it, lurking in the shadows waiting for its chance, had no intention of stopping along with the ceaseless sound of the flowing water.

"Who can prove that your dear Prince Colin was not involved in that evil and cruel 'Holy Water' plan?"

"He's definitely not that kind of person!"

Ophia stared at herself in the mirror and gave an unwavering rebuttal in her heart, without even a second of hesitation.

If it were the corruption of arrogance, it would likely recede. However, what she was facing now was not the whisper of arrogance, but something far more insidious.

As they admired the unwavering face reflected in the mirror, the whispers echoing in her mind brought a pleasant chuckle to her lips.

The laughter echoed with a touch of sanctity in the washroom.

"Then how do you explain his unfathomable strength, that 'Mr. Luo Yan'?"

These words were like a sharp arrow, precisely striking the blind spot that Ophelia had been trying to avoid. Her pupils contracted instantly, and the index finger holding the hairpin wavered almost imperceptibly.

"...A fake prince who even has to forge his surname, yet he possesses power that even Alistair Thorne fears. Although you don't know how powerful he is, he is at least Diamond level, or even possibly Amethyst level, isn't he?"

“What do you want to say…” Ophia’s voice trembled slightly.

The voice paused for a moment, then gradually took on a seductive quality.

“Miss Ophelia Castellón, everything I know is what you already know. Why deceive yourself? You have received the best education. Others may not know the truth about the soul hierarchy, but you should know... Every servant of the Holy Light should know.”

She certainly knew.

Only those of noble blood possess a pure soul, which serves as the vessel for immense extraordinary power.

If Prince Colin really is Prince Colin, then everything makes perfect sense.

But it's obvious—

“He isn’t.” That soft whisper, spoken with a touch of sanctity, revealed the truth she didn’t want to face.

“Actually, you thought of this immediately after learning the truth, but you were unwilling to doubt your dearest mentor. Because Miss Castellón also had her own selfish motives; her feelings for him were not just those of a student respecting his mentor… Ophelia, am I right?”

Ophia's fingers gripped the edge of the marble sink tightly, her breathing becoming increasingly rapid, and the face in the mirror turned from fair to deathly pale.

indeed--

That was the flaw she had always wanted to ask, but dared not delve into.

She took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice.

"Not all powerful superhumans are nobles; some are—"

"Some special cases, like the Rock Sword Saint, right?" The voice seemed to see through her deepest thoughts, casually exposing her. "Creating a legend is indeed one way to become a demigod. Gaunt Steinggraber achieved a miracle in the hearts of the Rhodes with his sword, becoming a demigod after decades of training. But are you sure that Prince Colin's title has so many moving legends?"

Yes.

She actually realized the flaw immediately after discovering the truth, but she chose to ignore it.

Taking a deep breath, Ophia tried to temporarily shift her attention away from Prince Colin and instead question the whispering voice from the depths of her being.

"who are you?"

The voice grew increasingly sacred, echoing in her mind, even carrying a touch of ethereal compassion.

“I am you, or rather, I am the light that you have always longed for in your heart.”

"Of course, if you wish, you can also understand me as—I am Saint Sith's projection on earth."

Upon hearing this name, Ophia's heart leaped into her throat.

An ordinary person might have been fooled by this divine decree. But she was Ophia, after all; how could she possibly believe such nonsense?

Saint Sis is not without precedent of issuing divine pronouncements, but he would never repeat the doubts in the hearts of believers in such a sneaky and underhanded way!
Apparently—

This guy is chaos!

First, we can rule out Eternal Hunger's Claw and Destruction Flame. It's either "Crown of Pride" Avanor or "Mysterious Mist" Norviel!

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Ophelia's forehead. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes, but there was also a barely perceptible hint of joy.

This cowardly fellow is very likely the mastermind behind Earl Sean's assassination.

Of course, chaos cannot directly pollute the mortal world.

They must go through the hands of the "Chosen Ones" to carry out their secret plot.

It's even highly likely that this despicable fellow is hiding in this summer palace, not far from her and Luo Yan!
Otherwise, why would it target itself?!
She bit her tongue, using the slight pain to force herself to remain absolutely rational, neither confirming nor denying the false claim, and going with the flow to begin a reverse test.

"If that's the case, why did you specifically choose me?"

Let's see how you plan to act—

A soft sigh escaped his mind.

As Ophia had predicted, it opened its mouth with a hypocritical tone.

"Because I do not want the people of the Holy Light to be lost in the boundless fog, to be led to some inexplicable place by that unseen black hand."

Ophia felt a chill run down her spine and a wave of nausea surged through her chest.

That was exactly what she had said to Prince Colin earlier—

That was also her truest thought!
Unexpectedly, these demons hiding in the void not only donned holy robes, but also spoke in the manner of the Holy Light Nobles!
Fear gradually enveloped Ophia, but she swallowed the thought of retreating, after all, this was the only clue she could grasp.

She got straight to the point, lowering her voice as she spoke.

"Since you know everything, then tell me, who killed Earl Sean? If your answer satisfies me, I might consider believing you."

“Of course I know.” The voice chuckled mysteriously, “but I can’t tell you a name you don’t know yet.”

Gazing at herself in the mirror, Ophia's lips curled into a cold smile.

"It seems you are not sincere. While there are certainly suspicious aspects to His Highness Colin, you are clearly more suspicious to me."

Faced with these provocative words, the whisper from the depths of the universe chuckled softly, its voice carrying a hint of gentleness.

“That’s understandable. Everyone who hears a divine oracle does the same. I never expected to gain your trust immediately.”

Ophia sneered inwardly.

immediately?

Don't even think about it for the rest of your life!
Just as she was about to press for more information, the whisper from the depths of her being suddenly spoke in a very soft voice.

"Tomorrow at four o'clock in the afternoon, go to the Royal Library of the Summer Palace, find the third window from the left, and carefully observe its projection."

Ophia frowned slightly.

Why should I observe that?

She had been to that library, and with Prince Colin no less. She remembered it as nothing special, and not a particularly large collection of books.

The voice from the void did not answer, but spoke in a very soft voice.

"Pay attention to the third grid from the left in the projection. At 4:17, look at the area it covers. There's a notebook there that doesn't belong to that library... Oh, and you'd better bring a pocket watch. I can't tell you the time."

Ophia opened her eyes abruptly, suppressing the overwhelming joy in her heart.

"Notes? Are they Earl Sean's notes?"

However, the mysterious being did not answer, but spoke softly in its kind yet regretful voice, as always.

"Didn't I say that I can't tell you things you don't know yet? All I can do is point them out to you."

"Go find it, clever girl. The truth you crave is right there, and it happens to be the secret your mentor least wants anyone to know."

“I didn’t expect to gain your trust with it; I just couldn’t bear to see my child lost in the endless fog…”

(End of this chapter)