Theo continued to read Robert's notes with increasing intensity.

------

My son succeeded in making a pact with a demon, albeit an imperfect one. Whether the mistake occurred during the attempt to exploit the method used to seal the demon or due to offering unsuitable sacrifices remains unclear.

However, one thing is certain: my son did indeed make a pact with a demon. The unnaturally grown fangs and bloodshot eyes are proof of that.

Most importantly, when I faced my son, the blood of heroes flowing in my veins stirred restlessly.

------

Theo's body began to tremble uncontrollably.

He empathized with the desperation that drove the body's original owner to make a pact with a demon, but for entirely different reasons.

'This miserable bastard. To think he was still a complete failure even after making a pact with a demon.'

Theo had made the pact with the demon before enrolling in Elinia Academy.

Despite the pact, he continued to be an embarrassment and remained at the bottom of his class.

Normally, contractors with demons, depending on the demon's rank, acquire uniquely powerful abilities.

There have been instances where a 70-year-old man single-handedly took on the empire's royal knights, a 10-year-old human child killed a high-ranking hero, or a low-ranking official manipulated an entire kingdom using a greater demon's charm.

Of course, these examples involve contracts with greater demons, but even a contract with a lesser demon should suffice for topping the academy.

Demons are that powerful.

Theo shook his head in disbelief.

'This guy's talent is truly hopeless.'

Then, a question surfaced in his mind.

'If he made a pact with a demon, there should be a mark on his body.'

But there was no such mark anywhere on his body.

'Did Robert make a mistake?'

The probability was low.

Robert was a direct descendant of the Waldeurk family, which had been opposing beings beyond the ordinary since ancient times.

Naturally, he possessed the [Descendant of a Hero] trait, enabling him to recognize demons and ancient dragons with ease.

If Robert sensed it, it was concrete evidence that Theo had made a pact with a demon.

During his tenure, Robert had also made a name for himself by subduing several lesser demons.

Despite closely examining the other notes, Theo couldn't find any reason for the absence of the mark on his body.

The notes concluded with the demon possessing Theo being sealed using the Waldeurk family's unique magic and Theo being locked in the deepest part of the castle until he returned to his normal appearance.

'The deepest part of the castle...'

Just as there is such a place in Chalon Castle, there exists one in Waldeurk Castle as well.

In Chalon Castle's deepest part, the [Demon Sword] lay dormant, suggesting something of similar significance might be in Waldeurk Castle.

However, access to that place was still beyond reach.

Only the Head of the family could access it, and it was under constant surveillance by a custodian 24/7.

'What could be there?'

Even in the game, what lay dormant there was never disclosed.

'Hmm.'

The curiosity was gnawing at him, but satisfying it was no simple task.

Robert would never allow Theo access to that place.

To gain access, he would have to become the Head of the Waldeurk family himself.

In other words, he had to somehow surpass the still vigorous Robert.

It was not that he couldn't do it, but there were priorities, more pressing matters at hand.

'Dealing with [Turning White] comes first.'

As Theo was sorting his thoughts.

"What's going on? You've been staring at that paper for a while now."

Irene and Aisha approached him.

Theo nonchalantly pushed the notes towards them.

"I've found some of my lost memories."

He thought that these girls, who had a close relationship with Theo in the game, might know something he didn't.

After a while, Irene and Aisha finished reading all the notes.

Irene said to Theo,

"Hmm. It's clear you're not a contractor with a demon right now... I'm not sure what the Waldeurk family's unique magic entails. There is something in the deepest part of the castle..."

"Hmm, the head will never allow it."

"I think so too. Personally..."

Irene stopped mid-sentence.

Theo urged her for an answer.

"Personally?"

"Honestly, I wonder if there's any need to dig deeper."

"Why?"

"You're not a contractor of a demon now, right? No mark on your body. That means you're just a normal person, right? Sometimes it's better to just leave things alone. I don't think there's a need to delve too deep."

Irene spoke her true feelings calmly.

She felt as if she had aged ten years from the mental shocks of the past few days. She didn't want to experience such shocks again.

Regardless of the past, having Theo safely by her side was enough.

"Hmm, is that so? You have a point."

Theo nodded in agreement.

"Aisha, what about you?"

"Oh, yes. Yes?!"

Aisha was startled.

"Just a moment... My head's all over the place."

She stuttered, lost in thought.

'Theo... Theo really made a pact with a demon.'

The incident where Theo, with bloodshot eyes, indiscriminately assaulted the Waldeurk household members flashed through her mind.

Although the direct family members prevented the incident from spreading outside, given the nature of the event, most of the collateral family members became aware of it.

Naturally, Aisha, dubbed the hope of the collateral line, knew of it.

'Leaving the notes aside, the fact that he's currently wielding the [Demon Sword], which burns all demons, suggests he's not a contractor now...'

...It's not a past to proudly disclose.

'Rumors distort the truth as they spread.'

Aisha knew this better than anyone.

Theo is currently at the peak of his popularity.

The idea that he had made a pact with a demon in the past?

The people of the continent would denounce him as much as they had adored him before.

'But the fact that he revealed that truth to me means, Theo must regard me...'

Aisha's face turned beet red as she entertained the thought.

BangBoomBa-Bam

Embarrassing scenes involuntarily flooded her mind.

...Just then.

"If it doesn't come to mind now, you can tell me later."

Theo spoke up.

"Ah, yes. Yes! Maybe it's because it's dawn? I'm, I'm so tired my brain isn't working properly. Ahahaha..."

Aisha said, bowing her head deeply.

For some reason, she found it difficult to look him in the eyes right now.

Saturday, a little after lunchtime.

About 12 hours had passed since Irene, Aisha, and I visited the Head of the family's room.

We boarded a carriage parked at the gates of Waldeurk Castle.

We were headed to a Renimid Church event in the Magic City.

The Waldeurk household members lined up on both sides of the main gate to see us off.

"Young master, take care!"

"Please spread the fame of the Waldeurk family even in the Magic City!"

Their expressions were bright.

I responded with a wave through the carriage window.

Then, I told the coachman.

"Let's depart."

"Yes, young master. To the Magic City, we go!"

The carriage started off with a jolt.

About 30 minutes later.

Irene asked.

"But Theo. Is it true that the headquarters of those who attacked the academy is in the Magic City?"

The previous day, I had shared the truth about [Turning White] to get the two of them on board.

I cast a [Soundproof] spell to prevent our conversation from leaking outside before responding.

"Yes. To be precise, it's one of their branches. They're spread across the entire continent."

"...It's scary. That such a brazen group is only one branch."

"That's why we need to eradicate them from the root now. There's a high chance that the Head is also entangled with them."

Aisha, who had been glancing at my face silently, finally spoke.

"...To think that the tax increase in Polaris was for such a reason. What could be the Head's reason for doing that?"

"We'll have to find out gradually."

I had my suspicions.

'Robert is trying to resurrect his deceased wife, Theo's mother.'

This was something I'd seen in the game.

Robert raises the taxes in Polaris in a short period, despite widespread opposition, to secure the investment funds continuously demanded by [Turning White].

The direct family members turned their backs on Robert as they received no benefits from it, and the citizens of Polaris revolted.

At that time, Aisha, along with Neike, rallied the citizens of Polaris and all members of the Waldeurk family to take over the Waldeurk household...

We arrived at the Magic City just before midnight.

Unusually, an event attended by Saintess Isabella was scheduled, which perhaps explained why the city's defenses were so tight even at night.

At least a hundred paladins were patrolling the outskirts of the city in pairs, and the lines at the checkpoints stretched long.

Aisha exclaimed in surprise.

"Wow... Will we be able to get in before sunrise?"

"Wait a moment."

There was no need to waste time idly on the streets.

I pulled out a communication crystal from my pocket.