Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 370

What’s the easiest way to win an election?

There’s nothing else.

Running unopposed.

If there’s no opponent, the fight never even begins.

The Seven Deadly Villains’ Great Demons are the strongest contenders vying for the Demon King’s throne.

Which is why, no matter how impressive Grid’s power may be, he can neither know nor meddle with the other Great Demons.

But what if his guest could do what even he cannot?

That would be an extraordinary commodity.

Grid asked.

- Are you serious?

“Of course. Naturally.”

- Proof?

“You’re kidding, right?”

- What?

“Why would I lie when I’m holding the best card against you? If you can’t trust me, we don’t have to deal. I can’t get the Rune of Succession now, not ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) never.”

- ......

Grid closed his mouth.

Right.

That’s how it should be.

In truth, this ‘memorable first deal’ was a pretext for taming a Great Demon.

Su-ho planned to skyrocket his growth rate through the Great Demon of Greed.

So the leash and the handle of the knife had to be in his own hands.

First impressions matter in everything.

- Fine. I’ll trust you and accept it.

“A wise choice. Then for this deal, I’ll give you info on one of the six other demons.”

- ......Understood.

A single identity.

Stingy? Perhaps. But it was something Grid could never obtain on his own, so he had no choice but to nod.

Su-ho held out his hand.

“Goods first.”

- ......Hoo.

He had clearly said in advance he preferred payment up front, yet once again, Su-ho didn’t follow the rule.

When Su-ho extended his hand, Grid sighed and twirled a finger slowly through the air.

Fwaaaaa— tsch-pat!

A ring of light condensed for an instant, and then two runes of unfamiliar shape settled onto Su-ho’s palm.

[ You have obtained the Rune of Succession. ]

[ You have obtained the Rune of Succession. ]

System messages.

Guaranteed by the system—the goods were genuine.

After checking the runes’ information, Su-ho smiled and stowed them away.

‘To think I’d get my hands on these already.’

Not one, but two—he’d asked for exactly that because each already had a designated use.

Only after securing the Runes of Succession did Su-ho look back at Grid and speak.

“Before we proceed, I’ll promise you this: I may be a guest for now, but I regard you as a good partner. And if possible, I do intend to put you on the Demon King’s throne.”

- That is pleasant to hear. If you truly think so, I’m grateful.

“In that spirit, I plan to handle information on the full Seven Deadly Villains more efficiently going forward. I care about efficiency. And since this is our memorable first deal, I’ll give you two pieces of information.”

- Really?

“Really. This is a memorable first deal. First, know that not all of the Seven Deadly Villains’ runes have been discovered in this land yet. For reference, there are about two whose power has properly manifested—including me. And I’m the second.”

- ......!

At “two” and “second,” Grid’s eyes widened again.

He hadn’t expected there to be a front-runner other than himself.

- Who is this front-runner?

“I was going to tell you anyway. That’s the second piece of information. The one who awakened first is Lust of Lechery.”

- Lust......!

Lust of Lechery.

Among the Seven Deadly Villains, the Great Demon rooted in lust—one who is influenced by a Player’s sexual desire, and in turn influences it.

Excited, Grid asked:

- So, where is she now?

Not “he,” but “she.” He really did know Lust well enough.

Su-ho grinned and said,

“Information ends here.”

- What?

“It was supposed to be one. But I even told you the front-runner is Lust, so that’s enough.”

- What is this......!

“Don’t get too worked up. I do see you as a good partner. When the time comes, I’ll go hunt Lust—and when that time comes, I’ll propose a suitable trade to you.”

- ......

It wasn’t a lie.

It was the truth.

Handing out information for camaraderie and playing the right card at the right moment are two entirely different things.

Grid narrowed his eyes.

He wanted to object, but the logic was too sound—he had nothing to say.

Soon he nodded.

- Fine. You have a point. In any case, it is valuable information. Do you need anything else?

“Not for now. I’ll tell you if something comes up.”

- Understood.

With a pop! Grid vanished in a puff of violet smoke, and the deal was done.

‘Alright, shall we get moving again?’

Before moving, he checked his phone.

Nothing urgent from the Association.

After rubbing his brow, Miyamoto lowered his voice and said,

- Please wait...... just a moment.

He briefly ended the call, then rang again about ten minutes later.

- Chairman Yasuda, what I’m about to say is top secret. Only you must know this.

Top secret.

Guessing where this was going, Su-ho suppressed a quiet laugh and answered,

“Understood. I don’t know what you’re about to tell me, but I will keep it strictly confidential.”

- Very well. Then I’ll trust you. In truth, the Three Sacred Treasures are not in Japan at present.

As expected.

Though anticipated, Su-ho feigned surprise.

“What do you mean?”

- How much do you know about the Three Sacred Treasures?

“Only what everyone knows. That there are originals and replicas.”

- Yes. That’s the common understanding. But after the Great Upheaval, not only the originals but even the replicas disappeared.

“What? Then what about the ones displayed at the ceremony not long ago......?”

- Those were replicas of replicas...... No, to be frank, counterfeits. At any rate, that’s the state of the treasures. And because you revealed that the Ancient Legend Gate was actually the Yamata no Orochi Gate, we can’t not be interested. So please, answer honestly—did you discover Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in that gate?

Deputy Vice-Minister Miyamoto was sincere. Strictly speaking, it was the Japanese government’s frankness and desperation.

Hearing him, Su-ho smiled, sensing the situation could be steered exactly as he wished.

“To be honest, I didn’t obtain the sword.”

- Pardon?

“Instead, I obtained a lead.”

- A lead?

“Yes. That’s why my next destination is the Imperial Palace. I believe all of our missing Three Sacred Treasures are inside the Sealed Gate cast over the palace.”

- ......!!

Miyamoto’s eyes opened wider than at any point today.

If true, this was a matter of enormous importance.

“Of course, I can’t give you a guarantee. In the report I sent, I could only include what was certain, so I couldn’t write any of this. Which is why, though I’ve already received an entry permit, I wanted to ask again—this isn’t just any site, it’s the Imperial Palace. Deputy Vice-Minister Miyamoto, may I have the honor of entering the Imperial Palace? May I go in there and retrieve our lost Three Sacred Treasures?”

A firm tone.

Su-ho deliberately put strength into his voice.

It was a voice that, to the listener, stirred a peculiar sense of duty—and fortunately, Miyamoto immersed himself exactly as Su-ho intended.

- Chairman Yasuda, you truly......!

“Please, sir.”

- Yes, I will authorize it. No—I must ask you, on behalf of myself, and of all Japan. Chairman, please, through your conquest of the Imperial Palace Gate, reclaim Japan’s lost treasures. Then Japan—no, history—will remember you forever.

Japan and history will remember him.

At that, Su-ho smiled and replied,

“Of course, sir. I’ll be off, then. Please give advance notice as you see fit.”

- Leave it to me.

Permission secured, Su-ho ended the call.

Then he set off toward the Imperial Palace—the Emperor’s residence, guarded far more strictly than anywhere else.