Chapter 32: Confession
To persuade someone, many conditions were needed.
The conditions become even trickier, especially if the one you were trying to persuade was completely opposed to you.
The listener was likely to view the persuader with a skeptical eye. Even if you called black, black, and white, white, they might turn a deaf ear.
As a result, the persuader often expended most of their energy trying to lower the others guard.
One would need to establish a friendly relationship with the target, never appearing as if trying to teach, and must only speak sweetly while guiding them to change their opinion themselves.
Moreover, there was no guarantee of a positive outcome after all the effort.
However
Shiron had already established a friendly relationship with the people he was trying to persuade. Whats more, they were in a position to listen to his orders, and they werent human.
Im pretty lucky.
Shiron slowly opened the door and entered. Yuma followed behind him.
Step- Step-
All eyes turned to the unexpected appearance of the young master. The buzzing atmosphere felt from outside the door disappeared. Silence naturally enveloped the space.
Still, even with all eyes on him, Shiron wasnt fazed. He wasnt that naive.
With every step, his confidence seemed to shine through. He couldnt even imagine backing down from what he intended to do here.
Thud-
Shiron stood on the table at the center of the room. It served as an improvised stage, allowing him to look down at everyone.
Looks like everyones here.
Shiron looked down with a contented smile. Excluding Yuma standing behind him, he could see all thirty maids at a glance.
Let me ask. Did anyone hear any instructions or messages before coming here?
The maids didnt respond to Shirons question. They just shook their heads. Their synchronized movements, shaking heads as if they were a single entity, were eerily surreal.
As expected
Shiron contemplated the situation at hand, lightly licking his lips.
Encia hadnt spoken a word to them when she summoned them. Perhaps she couldnt bring herself to say anything beforehand. She might have thought they wouldnt obey a young childs command That would have been her assumption.
Yet, Encia, who wouldve felt the most betrayed, followed the command without any complaints. This realization made Shiron smirk bitterly.
Its nerve-wracking.
Encias actions confirmed Shirons suspicions. Every servant of Dawn Castle was not human. This fact was imprinted in his mind again.
According to the game setting, they didnt have human emotions. They acted with purpose rather than emotion and judged with logic rather than sentiment.
I need to first confirm if these creatures are moving for a purpose that Im familiar with.
Shiron pondered what kind of childlike behavior he should display.
Im sorry for making you all come and go repeatedly. Im a bit impatient by nature.
Although his pronunciation was slightly slurred, he sounded relaxed.
As you all know, Ive successfully undergone the succession ceremony. I dont think any of you are foolish enough to deny it just because I fell into the ice but if anyone has any objections, speak up now.
Even when prompted, no maid raised a hand. Those with objections wouldnt have been present in the first place.
So
Shiron looked around with a satisfied expression.
All of them focused solely on him. The only movement was the flutter of their eyelids. It felt as if he was in a room with beautiful dolls on display.
Shiron shifted his gaze past them to Yuma standing behind.
Yuma.
Yes, young master.
I heard you told Encia about the power of prophecy. Thats a bit disappointing.
I apologize.
The red-haired woman with a horn-like protrusion on her head bowed slightly in apology. Yet, she was smiling. Shiron knew exactly why she was amused, so he didnt point it out.
I thought you were a woman who knew nothing about mistakes, but this was a real surprise. I cant believe youd be gossiping. But Ill let this one slide since you only told the other maids.
Thank you so much.
Shiron spoke as if warning Yuma. However, there was hardly any real intent of warning behind his words. He looked at her, who had already understood everything, solely to hint at the power of prophecy.
As he turned his head back, the situation changed.
Look at this.
Their gazes changed. What were once eyes filled with doubt were now shining brightly, and their faces seemed slightly flushed with excitement.
The mood had certainly intensified.
Shh
Shiron brushed his lips with a finger. They had fallen perfectly into the trap he subtly laid out about possessing the power of prophecy.
The maids leaned forward as if they were eager to immediately bombard Shiron with questions. Some even took a step forward.
However
Quenching the thirst of this excited lot would be foolish.
Instead of addressing the eagerly awaiting maids, Shiron turned to Encia, who was gloomily sulking in a corner.
Encia, why are you so downcast? You seemed happy just a moment ago.
Well
Encia slowly lifted her bowed head. However, her lips hardly moved. The anxiety induced by Shirons deliberate push towards a potentially critical encounter had made her believe Shiron was cruel.
You dont need to worry about it.
Encia intentionally evaded the question, but Shiron didnt let her off the hook.
Alright. Then the next question.
He smiled as if he was relishing her reaction.
Sir, did you fall for me?
I do hold grudges.
You wont let go until I answer, will you?
Of course.
Shiron nodded, and Encia sighed in resignation.
Ask away.
Why do you, a demon, follow the orders of a young one like me?
Thats because
Encia clenched her eyes shut. Shiron wasnt just throwing this question at her. He was making her speak on behalf of everyone present.
Because you are a Prient.
Whats a Prient? Surely, you arent following me just because Im a noble.
I follow you because you are my only hope of getting out of this place.
Anything else? Why are you beating around the bush?
Shirons eyes narrowed, frustrated that Encia wasnt giving him the answer he sought.
He knows everything.
Encia felt a lump in her throat. It seemed that Shiron had truly awakened the power of prophecy. He was about to reveal all of a truth that he should remain ignorant of until he became the head of the Prient. Encia felt her vague suspicions becoming clearer.
I knew it. My suspicions werent wrong.
The power of prophecy. The head of the Prient had the power to see the future. They could pinpoint the exact location where the apostles of the devil, who could resurrect endlessly, would come back to life.
Encia, her eyes wide, declared with a powerful voice,
Because you are the only savior who can kill the treacherous and hateful devil.
There you go. You should have said that earlier.
Shiron grinned, seemingly satisfied with the answer. He then looked for another appropriate maid to question.
Ophilia, why do you serve the Prient?
Same as Encia. To exact revenge on the devil that deserves to die.
So, youd do anything for that cause?
Absolutely, Sir.
Ophilia smiled, harboring the same thoughts as Encia.
One by one, Shiron posed the same question.
Aina. Vivian. Citri. Dorothy. Eliora. Florene. Gracia. Hemil. AiAi
All twenty-eight demons confessed to Shiron. They were serving the Prient to exact revenge on the devil.
Thank you for being honest.
Shiron cross-referenced the information and became certain.
These women werent humans.
They were demons who loved to gamble.
They were already bound by some contract or oath.
Now that he knew what they wanted, persuasion was easy.
The reason they had been fussing over the children of Prient for 500 years.
The reason they had been loyally serving the Prien in this suffocating castle, even though they could only leave for a single day in a year.
Shiron nodded, meeting their expectations. Now, he could finally say he wouldnt become the head of the household.
So, even if I dont take the position of the head, its enough to just kill the devil, right?
The boy
Drew a cluster of light from thin air.
Standing in a place that drew everyones attention, Shiron made sure they wouldnt have a chance to change their minds.
!
The holy sword in Shirons hand flaunted its majestic presence.
Indeed, his action seemed as if he had summoned the holy sword from thin air.
Lord, I wonder if theres any need to do this.
He behaved as if he was chosen by the holy sword, like Kyrie from 500 years ago. He spoke confidently as if he was the rightful owner.
I am the hero after all.
Their doubts turned into certainty.
The room was filled with elation.
Tears welled up in their flushed faces.
Its rather amusing that demons would praise a hero.
He decided not to act out of character anymore, yet not even a day passed before he did just that. Shiron bit his tongue, holding back the laughter threatening to spill out.
Its fortunate that Lucia isnt here.
Still, Shiron was curious. How would she react if she saw the scene of him impersonating a hero?
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