A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 174: Companion (2)
–Crackle...
A forest not far from Count Ringaarden’s estate.
“Um... You’re really not going to put that thing on me, right?”
“...”
“You’re not just pretending, and then going to suddenly snap it around my neck, are you?”
As I headed toward an isolated area with Ember to access a Shadow Corridor used by black mages, I sighed, glancing sideways at her, still eyeing me nervously.
‘Honestly, I really do kind of want to slap it on her.’
To be fair, when I first heard the detailed explanation of this magic tool, I had been slightly tempted by her suggestion.
After all, Ember’s very existence—while currently on my side—is a total wild card. You never know when she’ll suddenly flip.
Frankly speaking, when Lunelle appeared earlier, I probably should’ve just gone ahead and forced this thing onto Ember’s neck. It definitely would’ve made things easier.
But, no matter how I look at it, that wouldn’t have been the optimal choice.
First off, there’s no guarantee that Ember told the full truth about the necklace.
Even if she did, putting it on her might come with a significant cost—one I can’t afford at the start of a brutal speedrun-worthy journey.
More than anything, this necklace will almost certainly come in handy somewhere else.
The problem is, there are too many situations where it could be useful... I’m not even sure where to use it.
If it were just a bit larger, I could’ve strapped it onto the dragon we’re about to face.
No, that’s wishful thinking. This thing is clearly made for humans. Trying to use it on a dragon is problematic on multiple levels.
Even if it were physically possible, wouldn’t it be like putting a bell on a cat? Dragons may be antisocial and complete bastards personality-wise, but one thing they do excel at is magic.
Trying to strap something this suspicious on one of them? It’d almost certainly—no, definitely—get exposed.
Hmph...
Clicking my tongue and shaking off the thought, I frowned, a sudden doubt creeping in.
‘But then, why did it activate just now?’
My best guess? Adel—the one who used to wear it—entered the mansion.
But she never touched this pendant-style necklace.
It only started activating when I took it out and touched it.
“Miss Ember.”
“Eep! Y-Yes?”
“What exactly is the activation condition for this necklace?”
I figured she might know, considering how familiar she seemed with the item. But her reply was... unexpected.
“Obviously, it activates when the owner wills it.”
“...Huh?”
“Why do you think I’ve been so on edge? You’re the one who took out that awful thing and started activating it of your own accord.”
If that’s true, then this situation makes even less sense.
Ember seems to think I’m the necklace’s owner, but that’s not the case.
This pendant originally belonged to the Felgrave Marquess—the Tower Lord—and was worn by his daughter, Adel.
If what Ember says is accurate, then there’s no way it should respond to my touch, since I’m not the owner...
“Are you sure about that?”
“Wh-Why are you giving me that look again? I don’t make mistakes with this stuff! I’m a literal top-tier endgame player!”
Judging by her indignant response, she’s probably telling the truth.
Which leaves only one plausible explanation.
‘The Power of Dominion...?’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
I already know that the Power of Dominion—one of the Demon King’s core abilities—sleeps within me.
But I’ve never once used it of my own volition.
“Miss Ember, do you know anything about how to control the Power of Dominion?”
“Eh? Wouldn’t you know more than me?”
“...Haha.”
Once again, I tried to probe her knowledge subtly, but she only gave me a puzzled look, forcing me to hold my tongue.
Honestly, I’d love to ask her everything she knows about controlling the Power of Dominion.
But if I let her realize I’m in the dark, that would be a massive blunder.
Like she said earlier, Ember already has enough power to eliminate every other Demon King candidate.
The only reason she isn’t attacking me is because of the crafted image of me she saw in the game—before she possessed her current body.
If she figures out I’m bluffing, I’m dead. Simple as that.
“Did I... do something wrong...?”
“......”
“Heh... I know I’m not the most perceptive, but... can you please not look so scary? It’s kind of terrifying...”
Luckily, Ember still seems thoroughly afraid of me.
I have no idea how I appeared in the DLC to make someone like her—who doesn’t seem like the type to fear anything—this shaken.
But I should definitely take advantage of that image while I can.
–Crackle...
Just as that thought passed, a wave of static rippled through the air—and then, a staircase of black appeared in front of us.
“There’s a Shadow Corridor entrance here? How’d you know that?”
“...Haha, who knows?”
To my knowledge, the Shadow Corridor has thousands—maybe tens of thousands—of branches scattered around the world.
Even Ember couldn’t possibly memorize all of them.
So, there’s only one likely answer: she’s used this one before.
‘Yeah... she’s not someone to take lightly.’
She must’ve been watching me for a long time now.
Even this whole act—trembling in fear—could be an elaborate ruse.
“Go on in first.”
“I-I don’t mind, but... why?”
“You never know. Might be trapped.”
I gave her a little push toward the stairs, and she pouted, muttering under her breath.
“I picked this place because it’s safe... this is kinda insulting, you know.”
“......”
“Fine, fine, I’ll go in.”
Feigning offense, she reluctantly stepped ahead.
“There aren’t many corridors we can use without being spotted by higher-ups anyway.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Surveillance here is really lax. I used this one a lot.”
She kept grumbling as she peered into the corridor—then suddenly tilted her head.
“...Wait. Something’s not right.”
Suspicious she might be up to something, I narrowed my eyes, but ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) what she said next made me tense as well.
“Why can I feel someone in there...?”
“...Someone’s already using it? Maybe?”
“No, that can’t be. No one else should know about this corridor. That’s why I brought us here.”
A chill crept over my skin. Something felt off—like a plan had just gone sideways.
“...You two.”
And sure enough, my instincts were right.
“Where do you think you’re going... at a time like this?”
A voice echoed from inside the corridor—cold and laced with menace.
Leaning against the wall was none other than the Death Knight, one of the black mage executives, his breath forming frost in the air.
***
“Why are you here?”
“That’s exactly what I should be asking you.”
As I stepped inside the Shadow Corridor with my usual pleasant smile, the Death Knight threw the question back with an icy glare.
“What exactly are you two trying to do?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Just using the corridor.”
Pretending ignorance, I shrugged. But the Death Knight made no effort to hide his hostility, stepping closer.
“My question was: where are you going?”
A cold aura pressed in on us, rolling in from the end of the corridor.
“This sector’s corridor is essentially a shattered fragment. It was sealed long ago due to its instability.”
“......”
“And yet, you’re sneaking around in it. So, what’s at the other end that you don’t want others knowing about?”
I kept a genial expression as I responded.
“You’re quite nosy, aren’t you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Do I owe you an explanation for where I’m going?”
The Death Knight raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t understand why you’re being so defensive.”
“...Excuse me?”
“I never said I’d stop you. I simply asked a question.”
I almost replied, but closed my mouth. He was technically right.
“But now I’m genuinely curious. What’s so secret that you’d go to all this trouble?”
“Well, the thing is—”
“We’re heading north.”
Ember tried to respond, but my voice cut over hers.
“...North?”
“You heard it during the last meeting, didn’t you? To awaken the Demon King’s power, one must enter the dragons’ territory.”
“I... do remember that, yes.”
Still eyeing us suspiciously, the Death Knight tilted his head.
“But we were supposed to send a small, elite team.”
“Haha. Doesn’t this count as one?”
I smiled coolly.
“Between me and Ember, we can handle most dangers. Besides, dragons aren’t the kind of threat you can overcome just by adding numbers.”
“...True enough.”
He finally nodded, seemingly convinced—then gave a sly grin.
“If I come too, that is.”
“Haha... that might be a bit much—”
“If you don’t let me join, I’ll report your movements immediately.”
“Not that it’d bother me all that much.”
I tried to stay calm, but he returned a frosty smirk.
“Would it still not bother you if all the other executives found out?”
Again—he wasn’t wrong.
“I get it. You don’t want to travel with someone who might try to keep you in check.”
“......”
“But two’s too few. At least three would be safer, wouldn’t it?”
As my smile faltered, the Death Knight offered his ‘generous’ proposal.
“Um, are you seriously going to ruin our date—”
Ember was about to protest, but clammed up under my glance.
“Then again... maybe a little interference is fine...”
Just like I’d been wary of her, she was feeling some fear toward me as well.
“Alright, then. Settled.”
And so, with a ‘majority vote’—however dubious—the Death Knight officially joined our northern expedition.
“Looking forward to it.”
She grinned, unaware of the ripple this decision was about to cause.
