NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Civil War Period - The Devil and the Witch.
Translated by – Mara Sov
༺ Civil War Period – The Devil and the Witch. ༻
Civil War Period – The Devil and the Witch
Paimon ran its fingers through the long blood-red hair with a sly smile before saying.
[First and foremost, I must inform you that this footage has been pre-recorded through magic engineering, and as such, your appearance and voice are not being transmitted to me. This is such a shame in my personal opinion, but please understand that due to technical limitations, real-time long-distance communications are still not supported.]
Honestly, I didn’t understand half of what they said, but I could understand that I couldn’t talk through this crystal ball.
[Well then, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and respect to the Marquis for showing interest in our technology. We always welcome new clients, although it’s unfortunate that most of them aren’t very receptive.]
Paimon shook its head in feigned regret as they quickly resumed their speech.
[In that sense, Your Lordship is the client we have been eagerly awaiting. Yes, Absolutely perfect! I would love to introduce to you, in detail, our company, but due to technical limitations, our time is limited, so let’s move on to the matter you were curious about.]
I hadn’t expected such a direct approach, even though I figured they would show some interest after Christine began to verify the facts.
[Although I cannot divulge the core information of the ‘Drone’ project, the technology developed by our company. But to put it simply, this technology utilizes the inherent magical power all humans possess, converting this potential with sustainable productivity with high endurance.]
Paimon’s tone now carried a hint of pride, but–
[While this requires humans as a power source, there’s no need to worry! The humans ‘used’ in the technology are all legally acquired slaves from Abyss Corporation. Moreover, in cooperation with ‘Lust Corp’ they feel no pain and even live happily inside their own dreams! Of course, we also provide them with the correct environment to sustain their productivity and functioning. Our Abyss Corporation always prides itself in our capability of coexisting with humans.]
Despite the beautiful tone of their voice and their polite speech, there was something really wrong with the contents of this message.
[After all, the human slaves bought by our company often find a happier existence in an environment without pain, compared to their previous masters. They are free from all labor and suffering while having amazing efficiency! This is the true realization of our ‘Sloth Corp’ Ideals! Truly perfect.]
The Industrial Revolution ignited by Abyss Corporation had irreversibly damaged the economy of Francia.
[Thus, for you, a stalwart noble of the Kingdom of Francia, and a fellow intellectual who recognized the value of our technology, I have a proposal just for you! Since the Kingdom Of Francia is suffering from this Civil War, I believe you could capture several prisoners……]
The Civil War continued to rage on; money became scarce and most nobles drowned in debt, so they resorted to selling their subjects and war prisoners as slaves to Abyss Corporation.
[Should you have any prisoners you wish to, well let’s say ‘dispose off’, we could offer a fair price for them. I assure you that you’ll be well compensated. Should you also wish to learn more about our Company before making this decision, we are also willing to invite you to our headquarters for a detailed explanation. We from the ‘Sloth Corp’ sincerely hope you will consider this positively.]
The Royals who should have been the ones preventing this from happening, turned a blind eye and even encouraged it.
Both the First and Second Princes were the same.
Before I knew it, my hands were clenched, my nails biting into my flesh, almost drawing blood.
At that moment, Paimon paused for a moment before continuing.
[This was the aforementioned proposal from the CEO of ‘Sloth Corp’. Now with this done, I’m very, very, very curious about something my dear Young Marquis.]
Contrary to their tone a moment ago, Paimon’s voice now sounded quite-
[You see, my dear Young Marquis, I’m curious about how much you know of our technology. I am curious about whether you are now coldly calculating the profits that could be made from our offer, or if as a noble from the Honorable Knight Kingdom of Francia, you are now cursing this CEO in anger and indignation.]
Their tone sounded….rather heated.
[Ah, It’s such a shame that I cannot satisfy this curiosity of mine due to our technical limitations. Incidentally, I should mention that thanks to you, my dead Young Marquis and Lady Aquitaine, who knew of our technology even before it was released and made a bit of profit from these investments, we had quite the stir in the company. Wondering which lovely little employee leaked such a juicy piece of information.]
Gulp-
[But of course, you have nothing to worry about. I do not harbor any resentment towards those who take the initiative for progress when it’s done in moderation of course. It is simply astonishing that someone from a feudalistic kingdom was capable of noticing the progress and advancement in the broader world. So, I hope you will consider our offer, Acting Marquis Lafayette.]
Even though they were in this crystal ball, Paimon’s eyes seemed to bore holes in me.
[We have many other products and services that could be of use to you in this Civil War. The invitation to our headquarters is usually just a courtesy, but for you, I truly mean it.]
Yeah, right. That would be great.
After buying the people of the kingdom who were sold as slaves and selling the mass-produced weapons to further fuel the Civil War,
And when the Kingdom had nothing left to sell, they sold the surplus of those weapons to the revolutionaries who couldn’t endure the civil war and the tyranny of the nobles.
[I hope we can meet in person at your earliest convenience.]
After saying those words, Paimom disappeared.
Staring into the crystal ball, I let out a hollow laugh.
Apparently, they took my knowledge and the fact Christine poked around for the confirmation of said knowledge as an opportunity to gain access to the Kingdom of Francia.
I have no intention of joining hands with those who would only use the suffering of the people of Francia as a way to enrich themselves.
Still, it is better to let them believe that I have some interest in them so that they won’t have to procure another contact in the Kingdom.
With that I’m convinced. Their technology consumes not only slaves but any human as material.
Before my regression, the easiest source of this material was precisely the Kingdom of Francia, which was engulfed in chaos.
There should be about a year and a half left until the Revolution begins.
Since both the First and Second Princes are capable of selling their people to secure their victory, there’s no hope for this old regime. It must be overthrown and a new regime must be established.
But even if I, a noble, treat the commoners fairly and show myself different from the others, It would be foolish to expect that I would survive the revolution just because of that.
So I need an alternative.
A different Royalty. One that could serve as a focal point to unite the more moderated nobles while still maintaining the respect of the commoners.
—
A while later, the autumn harvest ended, and the news of the continuous battles in the north intensified as both sides sought to end this war before the winter struck.
So much blood was shed, and yet, no conclusion was reached.
Shortly after, the Abyss Corporation began to purchase a large quantity of raw materials.
Christine and I intended to wait until the price was the highest it could be, but the Abyss Corporation made the first move by offering a good price, enabling us to sell our stocks and buy some time.
Using these funds, we busied ourselves, and then, two months later, as autumn ended the winter began to settle in.
I reunited with Christine in the drawing room of my mansion.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Lady Aquitaine? Have you been waiting long?”
“Indeed it has, Acting Marquis of Lafayette. And no, I’ve just arrived as well. Have you been well in the meantime?”
We continued to exchange some small talk when Christine gestured to her maid.
Glancing at the maid who left the room, I opened my mouth.
“Your maid has changed.”
“Ah.”
Christine looked dumbfounded for a second, but her expression was quickly replaced with a wry smile.
I remember she was quite comfortable around her previous maid the last time she was here.
What a pity.
Christine and I took a moment to enjoy our tea in silence.
After all, we both knew what our business was about.
“Your ventures seemed to be progressing very well.”
“Indeed, it’s all thanks to you, Your Excellency. The investments are complete; now all that’s left is to collect the profit.”
Christine replied coolly.
The timing was very good.
Having Aquitaine County by my side at this time was essential to prepare for the upcoming events and the Revolution.
But I was patient.
This was important, but it would also mean a tragedy for her family.
Once the tea cooled and the taste soured, Christine spoke.
“……Honestly, right now, I must be turning into some kind of witch.”
A bitter chuckle escaped me.
“In that case, am I the devil who has tempted the witch?”
A smile spread across her face.
It bloomed like a summer flower, only to wither when autumn arrived.
“I’m sorry, Your Excellency. I know that relying on you for this is not ideal.”
Slowly, very slowly.
But surely.
The warmth she once held for her family was withering away, replaced by a cold, sharp resolve tempered by her anger.
While I engraved this moment in my memory, she asked me.
“So, will you continue to stand by my side until the end? My dreadful devil.”
“Isn’t it a devil’s duty to honor a contract made?”
I don’t know what thoughts she harbored before my regression, or what emotions she felt during her death.
I may have saved Christine from death, but she might now have to stain her hands with the blood of her family.
Whether this path was better for her, I cannot say.
Perhaps no one can.
“Ah.”
Christine’s soft noise brought me out of my reverie.
Following her gaze, I could see snowflakes dancing outside the window.
Christine rose from her seat, with me naturally following her.
As she opened the balcony doors, the cold winter breeze rustled her long dark hair.
For a moment, Christine simply watched the snow fall, before lifting her hands to catch it.
A lady just shy of her 19th birthday looked down at the snowflake melting in her hands with a flushed face, before turning to me with a smile.
“Perhaps the heavens are trying to stop me?”
I shrugged and said.
“Maybe they are weeping on your behalf.”
Hearing my words, Christine’s eyes widened as she offered a sorrowful smile, and extended her hand to me.
With the melted snow, her hand was somewhat cold, but even then, I took it, fulfilling my role as the devil who urged a young lady to seek vengeance on the family who would have her killed.
“Prosperity to Aquitaine County, My lady.”
The winter witch then replied to the cunning devil.
“And Glory to the Lafayette Marquisate, Your Excellence.”
This winter would surely be the coldest Aquitaine has ever endured.
TL note: Christine’s initial arc is so peak IMO
Also, The brits are devils bruh
hehehehhe
Paimon is described as gender neutral, so I tried to make the lines about her as neutral as possible.
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