These Demons Do it for Free-Chapter 97

Fiacra spoke as if he could read my mind.

"You just need to answer my questions."

Fiacra’s smile broadened, as if this were all so simple.

"This doesn’t feel like an interview—it’s more like an interrogation."

While both interviews and interrogations are one-sided in terms of questions and answers, the atmosphere is entirely different. No matter how intense an interview gets, you can always choose to walk away, but with an interrogation, you don’t have that luxury.

The intense aura emanating from Fiacra made it clear that this was indeed closer to the latter.

"I’ve heard quite a bit about you—a sudden rising star. Among your peers, you’re the central figure in the same cohort as her."

As if laying down bait, Fiacra began with a brief summary, then immediately went for the main point with a question that cut to the core.

"What is your purpose?"

"Isn’t there only one purpose for a Pioneer?"

Contrary to his directive to "just answer," I countered his question with another question. Fiacra’s expression remained unchanged, his poker face that of a seasoned politician.

"Simply pursuing exploration?"

"Yes."

"And yet, you’re aiming to skip two ranks at once?"

"Is there a problem with that? Senior rank is necessary to explore freely down to the fourth layer. No need to go through multiple steps for something I can achieve in one go."

"…Is that all?"

It was as if his deeply reflective gaze was questioning whether I wasn’t creating a guild to build influence and power.

It wasn’t my imagination. His swirling aura clearly conveyed that intention.

"The essence is singular. Everything else is just a stepping stone toward it."

Fiacra seemed to doubt me, possibly thinking I was merely managing a group of influential peers on Fiona's behalf, acting as her figurehead.

But it was a meaningless suspicion.

"I’m not interested in politics. I have no desire to get involved."

I already had enough on my plate. To return home, I needed to improve my skills and power, which meant diving deeper into the Abyss and fighting formidable foes. Then, there was the constant interference of Abyssal cultists. If I considered all the side issues, my head would practically explode.

There was no room for politics.

Convincing guilds to back me already felt like a monumental task.

To include political dynamics would require sacrificing a significant portion of my current goals.

That was my position, with one exception.

"But if Fiona were in danger…"

I owed her a debt. While I believe saving her life repaid that debt, I’ve received unspoken benefits just by being her peer.

And even without considering all that…

I just felt that way.

"I wouldn’t stand by and watch."

Fiacra seemed to recognize the sincerity in my answer, nodding slightly before murmuring.

"So, in other words, as long as she’s not harmed, you won’t interfere."

Then, as if that settled the matter, he abruptly posed a question.

"So how about you try persuading her?"

"…Excuse me?"

"No need to hide it. You must know that some people who oppose my succession are rallying around her."

Without waiting for a response, he continued his monologue.

"If she rejects them, they’ll lose their momentum. My succession will proceed smoothly, and she won’t face any harm. I have no desire for conflict within the family."

If he felt this way, why not speak to Fiona directly? Did he have a poor relationship with her? There’s an old saying that siblings are born with an instinct to rival each other, and with power involved, they’d naturally grow distant.

Perhaps my lack of experience in masking my expressions gave away my curiosity to Fiacra, who observed with the practiced ease of a seasoned politician.

"I sense you’re curious as to why I’m proposing this."

"…A little."

"Do you know how many layers there are in the Abyss?"

If I knew, I would’ve sold the information. Even the Pioneers, who lead the way in Abyssal exploration, don’t know the depth of the Abyss. I, a mere Novice, certainly wouldn’t have that knowledge.

'Though with the help of the Patron Demons, I might have a chance.'

Demons may be close to omnipotent within their own realm, but discerning every hidden truth in a world illuminated by my faint light would be difficult.

"I don’t. Do you, my lord?"

"No!"

Fiacra denied it outright, his voice elevated in an almost triumphant tone.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"But don’t you want to know? Don’t you want to reach the very bottom? The revered ancestors left records. They claimed to have touched the edge of the Abyss! This means the Abyss has an end. I want to go there. To tread the same path that the city's founder, the great Lovard, and the first expedition took. I’ve made up my mind."

His voice softened again as he asked,

"And what is the biggest obstacle to that?"

The answer was obvious.

"That would be the Abyss cultists, wouldn’t it?"

"Wrong. They’re bothersome, but that’s not the answer. The answer is the guilds."

Just as I was about to dismiss his statement as nonsense, Fiacra began to explain.

"The guilds are caught up in internal conflicts and rivalries, leading to wasteful losses. If they had pooled all their resources to explore the Abyss with maximum strength, we’d likely have reached at least one or two more layers by now. Allowing them such freedom was a mistake. The first expedition wasn’t like that."

In the days when the gods hid their presence and the Abyss began to restore mystery to the world, the first expedition took place during the transitional period between the Era of Gods and the Era of the Abyss.

They received substantial support from various nations and boldly ventured into the Abyss, achieving victory. While the details of their journey and return remain untold, it’s documented that Lovard and Cordelia, members of the first expedition, founded the city of Les Rimen and established it as an independent state.

"In other words, challenging the Abyss requires national-level power. And for that, we must restore the nearly obsolete authority of the Grand Duke."

Fiacra was nothing if not serious. He truly believed this to be his mission.

‘This guy’s lost it.’

His goal was to recreate the achievements of his ancestors by completely overhauling the existing power structure? And any resistance would simply be crushed?

He was the perfect seed for a dictator.

What he proposed would undermine the very values established by the city of Les Rimen and generations of the Grand Dukes who built its legacy.

Fiacra’s lofty ambitions—or delusions—left me momentarily speechless.

If national support is essential, shouldn’t he cooperate with the guilds instead of subjugating them? No matter how I look at it, it seems he just wants to claim all the glory for himself.

"Do you think so too?"

Perhaps this was the final question.

Depending on my answer, the nature of my relationship with Fiacra would be decided.

As I realized this, I was about to speak when—

"Brother!"

The door to the reception room burst open, and Fiona’s voice interrupted our conversation.

"Ah, I see."

The tension in the room dissipated instantly.

Fiona’s abrupt entry effectively ended our discussion.

Fiacra rose from his seat without hearing my answer.

"Time has flown by. Unfortunately, our talk must end here. It was quite enlightening. Ah, and your assessment—I'll mark it as passed. I hope you continue to advance in Abyssal exploration."

With that same wry tone as when we’d first met, Fiacra brushed past Fiona, tapping her shoulder lightly as he did.

"When you next invite people over, make sure to call me as well. Since the Grand Duke is busy, someone needs to manage the family affairs, don’t you think?"

"T-That’s not what this is!"

"Haha, of course. See you next time, Mr. Roman."

Sure you know, Grand Duke-to-be.

As Fiacra left, a sigh escaped Fiona.

“Haa…”

Step by step.

She walked over to me, her steps slightly more lethargic than usual, and sank into the plush chair beside me.

"Um… Lady Fiona?"

She didn’t respond to my call, her face buried in her hands. After a moment of silence, Fiona finally spoke.

"I’m sorry… you had to see me like this."