Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 9 Chapter 2 (section)

==Part 11==
With that remark, all attention in the room turned to Takigawa Yahiro. …Aah, how troublesome…
These things are not originally Takigawa’s role. Without leading, moving behind the scenes, unseen till the end—however, achieving maximum results.
Precisely that, is what’s sought after by Takigawa as a spy. He had learned much from the course of it, one of which was not to do extra things. Gathering attention on himself now was absurd. To add to it, Takigawa was putting himself on the stage of ‘politics’, which he hates. Furthermore, was an opposing hero clan, the place their home—right at the center. Since Takigawa had decided to act with Basara’s group, the word expelled had been floating within his mind.
…This really was an unnecessary risk.
To add to it, as this was a problem that deeply involves Basara’s group, it could also be forced on Takigawa.
If Basara was correct in theorizing that Ramsus is Wilbert, a father would not allow Takigawa to risk his precious daughter, and not completing his duty as a special envoy, that beloved psycho woman of Leohart would kill him with a smile.
…Hmm
It was the worst situation. Not to be self-pitying, but they had reached the point of which they could run.
As the three elders of the Japan village basked upon the sight of the Vatican holy knights who serve as hearing officers, Takigawa thought back sadly to his own standing.
“On such a sacred place, it’s not just for any demons. More so, while it’s on Naruse Mio’s escort… We now, are talking about an extraordinarily important circumstance. Don’t interrupt unnecessarily.”
Came Celis’ misunderstood statement. …Well, it couldn’t be helped.
How Takigawa goes along with Basara’s group was something Shuuya and the elders were aware of. But even now in the situation of Basara’s return to the 《Village》, Celis couldn’t have understood Takigawa’s standing. With that, Celis had said “more or less” with a cold gaze fixed upon him.
“To disregard Naruse Mio and come crashing in… It’s the same as smearing mud on her face” Rebuking him, Takigawa laughed as he moved his sight over to Basara.
“—Basacchi. Sorry, can I go home?”
“I understand your feelings, but do your job Takigawa…”
Basara sighed, and then.
“Celis… He’s not looking down on Mio. He’s an envoy from the combined forces of the moderate faction and the current demon lord faction. Bringing here, a secret letter from the two forces”
“An envoy… If I get it right, your name is ‘Takigawa’. I see… From the report you’re a spy who works with the demons.”
Celis, who finally understood said. The daughter of the previous demon lord Mio, wasn’t a existence the heroes as a whole could ignore. There’s also Basara to consider, the information raised by Yuki and Kurumi to the 《Village》 would be shared with the 《Vatican》, and it’s possible that they picked up information about Takigawa as well.
…In any case.
Assessment of Takigawa wasn’t likely to be good. On this, or on his secret cooperation with Basara in the demon world, knowing of Belphegor coming out bit by bit.
That being said, those being exposed was bad for Basara too—if the Vatican knew of this, they could be more extreme in their advance.
…Well, in general.
As they didn’t know how far has Celis understood of Takigawa, it’s best that they do not run their mouths more than necessary. As Takigawa tells himself that,
“—So then, what do you want to say?”
At Celis’ question, Takigawa nodded with a “yes”,
“Like you have your duties from the Vatican, I too have mine in bringing secret information for the higher ups. I want to finish that up and get rid of this uncomfortable feeling but… Before I could, you and those elders started on about the Vatican. Badly timed with this place, if the discussion further deepened, I’ll just get into more unnecessary things… I’m not fond of it going there. As your discussion seems like it’ll get more complicated, I want to finish my job and go home”
It was just as Takigawa said that, he took out the secret document inside an envelope from near his chest.
“This secret letter I’ve been entrusted with is addressed to the hero clan, but it’s meant to be given to the elders of the Japanese 《Village》… As to prevent any alteration of its content, I am supposed to open it and read it out loud before I give it over to you.”
However.
“It includes Basacchi, so it could be unsightly, and it seems like this could be a bargaining chip… Though I’m pretty reluctant as a special envoy, I want to open this in front of everyone to avoid involving you in more problems… What do you think?”
As Takigawa said that, he held the secret letter between his finger,
“…. If you say it, I don’t mind”
As to not show an aggressive agreement, Basara first nodded.
“Yes, I too do not mind…”
Celis approved once more. So then,
“The elders don’t mind, either right? You wouldn’t want to have any more misunderstandings about the 《Village》 hiding things after all”
Not forgetting to stab in the nail on the three elders with a calm smile.
…It’s done well, regardless…
Having it said like that, it’s wasn’t possible for the elders to refuse. If they try to hide the content of the secret letter, this fact may be exploited by the 《Vatican》. For that—as them being partnered with the demon world behind closed door, and if they modify the content this time too.
Exploiting the opponent’s weakness is standard for politics. To prevent this, it’s important not to make such a hole to begin with. This was something the elders who were long involved with politics know better than anyone. With that,
“…We understand. We have no objection to this”
With the approval of Fuji, the intention of the situation had been agreed on. With that, Takigawa, “—So then, I’ll go on ahead”
Saying that, he used his spiritual pattern to open the envelope’s password. With that, the seal wax emblems of the moderate faction and the current demon king faction glowed blue and black respectively—with that, the severely shut off secret letter was opened.
And then, Takigawa open the folded letter.
“Aah—“We, those who proudly live as demons—”, I can just skip this part right? For all our sake’s, I’ll get straight to the important part”
“I think expressing the content properly is a special envoy’s job though…” Said Celis with an exasperated expression.
“No need to act so elite, just excuse me from having to say all these meandering political greetings… You’ll confirm the content in writing later anyway. If you want to read some formal political greetings, you can go read it yourself later.”
Saying that with a snort, Takigawa,
“Let’s see. With the death of previous demon lord Wilbert, the ceasefire condition of the last great war had been a mere facade, the moderate faction and current demon lord faction both want to offer a truce once more to the heroes… Something like that”
“Hmm…. I see” “Well it’s like that”
This was within the scope of expectation. Neither Celis nor the elders showed surprise at the content Takigawa read out loud. Not saying whether they agree or disagree, was a careful fear in regard to political standing.
Takigawa who had expected as much gave a low laughter and continued to read the content.
“However… This peace between the moderate faction and the current demon lord faction was largely due to the achievement of Naruse Mio, who had participated in the war between the two factions. However, if the achievement of Mio, the daughter of the late demon lord was made public, it may cause renewed ambitions and unnecessary discord within their own camps.”
Saying that.
“In short, if one tried to use Naruse Mio’s influential power exclusively, it’s likely conflict would occur between the two sides once more. They matched in opinion in that fundamentally, they are not to inflict future harm on Naruse Mio. This too, extended to those close with Naruse Mio, including Toujou Basara, Maria and Zest…. And”
There are those who showed relief at that. Mio, Yuki and Kurumi, the three of them. Accomplishing their goal in the demon world, furthermore getting that commitment from the top of the two forces. There’s a realization that the fight they had risked their lives for was rewarded, on the other hand
“…”
Just Basara made no change in his expression, particularly looking at nothing. His eyes fell to the floor in front of him, deep in his thoughts.
…That’s right.
What Basara was looking for is a hand that can overturn the 《Vatican》’s assertion that Celis takes custody of them. Now, he’s building a basis for it in his mind. If there’s something in Takigawa’s secret letter that could assist in that, it’s good. But it’s important to not just rely on an unclear secret letter, but to think of their own situation in parallel to it. Mio and the others are probably doing the same, but Basara’s thoroughness on this is almost too much. But nothing good had come to him yet. Basara’s face is yet to soften. So then,
…It must be difficult.
Takigawa made a sad smile, and his eyes fell back to the letter.
“But—the act of non-interference towards Naruse Mio must not be respected by only the demons”
He said it with a small tone of a telling smile. At the same time, “—”
A slight change could be seen in Basara’s expression. However, this time Takigawa did not mind it even if he did notice,
“The heroes had judged that the presence of Toujou Basara and Naruse Mio is effective for the demons. Any malicious actions regarding them could interfere with this historic peace”
With that.
The terms for the new ceasefire—are for neither demons nor heroes to be able to lay a hand on their ‘sanctuary’, this is an absolute condition”
As Takigawa read that out loud,
“…—Wh, what is that!?”
Celis cried out with a tone laced with surprised and upset, but Takigawa ignored her.
“This letter will lodge a new ceasefire agreement, if it is found that the heroes made an attempt to take advantage of Toujou Basara and Naruse Mio—the combined forces of the moderate faction and the current demon lord faction must warn in advance that this was considered a serious sabotage against peace and they must declare war on the heroes based on this condition… That’s the end.”
“How dare you, such lies…!”
“Hey, hey, I opened this letter in front of everyone here. Formally, everyone here is witness to there being no fraudulent actions. If you still don’t believe it, here… Take a look with your own eyes”
“—Even if you say so!”
With her voice in a mess, Celis grabbed the secret letter.
At the same time—the secret letter was converted to a language Celis could read, her emerald eyes scanning through the words. However—it’s a waste of time. What Takigawa had read out loud was the content of the letter without a lie. With that,
“…”
Takigawa smiled at Basara’s group who looked at him with surprise.
…What, no need to worry,
With things being so dramatic and romantic, do what you can without trouble.
The secret letter had given a good situation for Basara’s group as they had left much achievements in the demon world, but also because of the affection and bonds of their blood.
…It’s not just that.
While it’s true the demons would be troubled by the heroes utilizing Basara or Mio, on the flip side, a sanctuary for Basara and Mio can be utilized and convenient for them. If everything was cleaned up neatly, that isn’t politics—a heart-warming story is just fabricated. This thing called politics, could use a useful fabricated story more than a useless truth. And then,
“This can’t be… This is…”
To Celis, who had read to the end with her shoulders trembling,
“So… What would you do? They had offered a new ceasefire. Whether you would accept or reject it, it’s best to carefully consider it”
However, said Takigawa
“If you take Naruse Mio to the 《Vatican》—at that moment, as it’s written here, would be a cause for them to declare war, right?”
“…”
At Takigawa’s words, Celis bit down on her lips bitterly. Being a hearing officer, surely, she was entrusted with corresponding authority from the top of the 《Vatican》.
…However,
The current situation had gone above the present hearing officer or the leaders of a district.
Since the decision in this case could cause an all-out war with the demons, each of the hero district’s representative should be part of the discussion. However, as it was also between the < Village》 and 《Vatican》 there’s a political side to it too. The discussion was bound to get more complicated if the United States and the other districts were present. It would take time to settle their opinions too. In that time, the peace between the moderate faction and the current demon lord faction should have been settled. With this information, it would bring the hero clan to more of a panic and create more disputes. As such,
…That probably bought enough time, Takigawa thought.
“But… More than determining the ‘sanctuary’ status for Basara’s group, we should clarify who’s in charge of their supervision”
Even so, Celis was eating it up.
Celis Reinhardt was racking up her brain. …At this rate, she wasn’t giving up.
Once the ‘sanctuary’ for Basara’s side was determined on the demon’s side, it can’t be messed with—so in theory, it’s good for Celis to interfere before the agreement was made. Although that’s quite an aggressive interpretation,
…It should proceed in a logical manner…
Taking advantage of their opponent needing time to decide. With that,
“I see… However, while we are waiting on the verdict regarding accepting the terms for armistice this time, the current situation is correct”
A male demon named Takigawa said that to dismantle Celis’ logic.
“The Nonaka sisters from the side of the hero clan, and myself from the demon side had been dispatched for observing them… That’s the present situation, and it’s a good arrangement for both sides”
At those words.
“No… It isn’t so”
Celis was firm in not acknowledging this.
“Our concern was as we expressed. Currently the Japanese 《Village》 does not have enough strength to deter Basara’s group effectively…. The ones that could fulfil that task is us, the 《Vatican》.
That’s why they wanted to take Basara with them—continuing those words like that. “Yeah—in that case there’s no worry”
A voice with a dark smile could be heard in that place.
It did not come from outside the room like Celis did earlier. So, it was, “—”
Celis and Basara also, looked over to that side.
With that, behind the three elders—just beside the sacred objects of the four gods, a young man stood. The young man took a fruit that had been placed as an offering, a red apple in his hand, biting it with a crunch, finally meeting their eyes,
“—To handle Basara’s group. I think I’d be able to do that?” A smile surfaced on his thin lips.
—Shiba Kyouichi stood there.