Campione! - Volume 18 - Chapter 9.2

Part 2 

"Dejan, an interesting rumor has come to my attention."  

"Oh? Is it a rumor that a well-informed man of your standing would feel obliged to report to me?"  

Listening to the young Viscount Gerard, he muttered in response.  

He was someone who held the title of "Marquis."  

However, despite his noble heritage, this peerage did not come automatically through inheritance. It was part of the "spoils of victory" taken by force through his own strength, determination and talent—more than a hundred years ago.  

That being said, he did allow such ferocity and valor to be expressed honestly in his appearance.  

He enjoyed being regarded as a calm and rational person by others. In fact, that was the majority of people's impression of him.  

Dejanstahl Voban—was this young man's name.  

On the other hand, well-bred and gentle in character, the twenty-three-year-old Viscount Gerard continued:  

"It's a rumor about you, after all."  

The young Viscount winked in a joking manner.  

"The Balkan guest sojourning in London here, a certain Mr. Dejanstahl Voban who is also my friend—not only trespassed Buckingham Palace but also strolled into Her Majesty Queen Victoria's bedroom openly..."  

"Oh, that one?"  

"Making a display of his inborn sense of humor, Mr. Voban revealed his various diverse interests... But very regrettable, Her Majesty did not confer her favor upon him."  

"She should try harder to maintain composure."  

Voban commented in a slightly joking tone of voice.  

Having lived longer than any old man in this world, he looked extraordinarily young in appearance.  

To others, he looked not a day older than a man in his late twenties. Furthermore, with silver hair combed neatly on his forehead and a seemingly melancholic face, his demeanor was always shrouded under a shadow of aloofness.  

Both Viscount Gerard, as one would expect, and Voban were dressed as upperclass gentlemen.  

Namely, black frock coats, white shirts, bow ties, top hats, canes, etc.  

However, Voban's words were definitely not gentlemanly.  

"Oh well, perhaps I was not considerate enough. Turning into a werewolf before 

Her Majesty without warning... Perhaps that might've been a little offensive."  "Just a little?"  

"It occurred to me as means of amusement for us to pass time together... However, this whim of fancy ultimately failed my intentions."  

"O heavenly child of pride and cruelty. That's more like you, Dejan."  

Despite his personality as a gentle aristocrat, young Gerard uttered dangerous words.  

"O Lord of Magi, worshiped by us followers of the magic path, Your Excellency the strongest Devil King. Although it is very problematic from an English noble's standpoint, as a seeker along the magic path, I find it very reassuring."  

The twenty-three-year-old Viscount was actually a mage.  

Whether due to young age or personality, he was extremely bold. Even when facing Voban who was revered as a "Devil King," he could still interact with his own unique attitude.  

This was precisely how he had caught Voban's eye and become his trusted confidant for the past two years.  

Having only subordinates trembling in fear was not enough. Although this young man was insignificant as a mage, thanks to his personality, he possessed rather accomplished information gathering abilities.  

As a side note—  

The two of them were currently at Crystal Palace in the outskirts of London.  

In the year 1851, the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations was held in London, the British capital. Built for the venue, the glass prefab palace was later moved to a suburban hill and converted into a theme park. Although admission fees were definitely not cheap, it was open to the general public.  

The magnificent structure's roof and walls were all made of glass.  

Bright and glittering was not all. Today was a sunny day, rare for London. The late February sun's rays were streaming into the Crystal Palace's interior through the glass.  

This was all thanks to its traits as a building made of transparent glass.  

A kind of gigantic greenhouse as well as a museum. Displayed inside the facility were cultural artifacts, artwork and plant specimens from countries all over the world.  

This palace had only been opened for a few years.  

Today, there were many visitors in search of exotic sights. It was quite hot and crowded in the palace.  

"So, Dejan, why did you call me out here today?"  

"You'd like to hear about rumors apart from me, right? Three days ago, someone sent me—this Voban—a letter of challenge. A man named Sir Brennan."  

"A man who wants a duel with you? What a foolish bastard!"  

After mocking him, Viscount Gerard began to contemplate briefly. Seeing his serious expression, Voban laughed and said:  

"Hoh. It is uncertain whether that man simply overestimates himself. However, it is a rare and valuable event. Tell me in detail everything you know."  

"Rare and valuable?"  

"Yes, a man who dares to oppose Voban's authority... If possible, I sincerely hope he is someone with the strength to match me. It must be so."  

Voban's lips curled in a grin.  

"—Otherwise, there is no value in victory."  

"Well then, I wonder if he will meet my expectations?"  

Confronted with Voban's smile that was as fierce as a wolf's, Viscount Gerard could only smile wryly.  

"Three months ago, a magic artifact discovered in Tibet and later brought to England fell into the hands of Sir Brennan—That is what I heard."  

"So he relies on an artifact huh?"  

"However, the artifact is quite troublesome. Reportedly, it grants its wielder the power of an oriental war god named Vajrabhairava. It seems to be a divine weapon."  

"Hoh."  

"A weapon that is reminiscent of something like the trishula. Rumor says it allows the wielder to freely control divine lightning."  

The young and well-informed Viscount shrugged while explaining.  

"However, veracity is as yet unconfirmed. I would advise you not to raise your hopes too high, my dear Marquis."  

"No matter, I won't take it to heart at all."  

However, this was a pastime too. Voban intended to agree to this foolhardy challenge.  

The time was mid-nineteenth century. The British Empire was approaching its most prosperous era as a country. Two years had gone by since Voban had moved to this capital of London.  

Migrating to this "Fog Capital" on a whim, life had brought suitable levels of excitement.  

However, such excitement was gradually fading away, because Dejanstahl Voban was a man who frequently sought new amusements.  

Furthermore, meanwhile simultaneously...  

A certain girl was all fired up with motivation in front of a mansion located in Hampstead Heath in the outskirts of London.  

Although he was a Devil King, Marquis Voban did not possess the magical power of clairvoyance.  

Hence, of course, he was completely oblivious to this occurrence.  

"Starting today, I shall begin my new job at a new house."  

It was the verdant lawn in the mansion's garden.  

The girl was standing alone here, clenching her fist forcefully.  

She was wearing a maid's uniform. An apron dress of black and white. A headband worn on her head.  

"Work hard and get paid handsomely."  

Moreover, she was not Caucasian.  

Born in a British colony—India—it was only later that she moved to British soil.  

Hence, she had an olive complexion. A rather conspicuous appearance in London. She had started working as a maid since childhood, but after her master passed away from illness, she had taken the chance to go abroad.  

Then her travels persisted for several months.  

Finally returning to England, she turned over a new leaf and found a new place of employment.  

Compared to a suspicious maid of foreign birth, most upper-class households preferred to hire English women. Hence, it was rather difficult for her to find work.  

Fortunately, she had heard that this mansion's master was a bigshot unconcerned with such trivial matters.  

For this master's sake, she must devote herself to her job.  

The girl vowing in her heart was named Aisha. The mysterious noblewoman who would come to be known as the "Eternal Beauty."