My Hidden Heresy Skill Forged an SSS-Ranked Harem for Infinite Points

After leaving the inn, Ryan headed toward the residence where he was to be received by the Viscount.

Although the walk was not particularly long, it still felt tedious to him.

Somehow, with every situation that arose, he always ended up involved with the nobility in one way or another.

But this time would be different. It would be the first time he spoke with one as an A-rank.

After the adventurer took his leave, Ryan entered the mansion escorted by one of the guards.

When Ryan inspected the guard, he saw that the man was B-rank but with significantly boosted attributes, placing him close to reaching A-rank.

’So, I can assume that A-rank is the standard for this world, right?’

He followed the guard until they were deep inside the mansion.

But he couldn’t help wondering just how difficult it was for other humans, or even demons, to become truly strong.

Ryan was greeted by the Viscount with a handshake, and they headed to an empty room which the Viscount referred to as his study.

And once they were comfortable, the Viscount opened the conversation by thanking him for saving his son on the demon continent.

Ryan asked after the boy, and the Viscount replied that he should currently be studying with Dayan, a personal tutor.

Then he added that once the meeting was over, Ryan could see the boy if he wished, adding that his son would surely be happy to see him.

"I see. In that case, I would like to stop by and say hello."

"I appreciate it, Ryan. You have done more than you can imagine. For this kingdom."

"It is not that big of a deal."

"It is. Besides, you just arrived and ended up saving several adventurers, as well as the S-rank heroines."

"Well, it was not as if we could just stand by and watch while the demons attacked." Ryan paused.

"Even if it were a matter of life or death, I am sure the rest of the adventurers would have acted the same. Don’t you think?"

"Ha ha, you might be right."

"But many lives were still lost, were they not?" Ryan asked in a calm voice.

"Yes, unfortunately that was the case, but thanks to you all, nothing else happened."

As they continued talking, a member of the service staff entered.

They brought a cup of tea for each of them.

Ryan accepted it and began to drink.

’How bitter.’

He thought, but said nothing.

After a silence of at least forty-five seconds, the Viscount spoke once he finished his tea.

"Ryan, it is true that I wanted to see you to thank you, but there is also another matter that I find very unsettling."

The Viscount’s expression changed; it looked as though he wanted to say something of significant weight but could not find the right words.

’What is with him all of a sudden? Did I do something?’

Ryan was not sure what could be happening, so he stopped thinking about it and simply waited for whatever the Viscount would say.

"It is fine. You can talk to me about anything."

"Very well... this matter concerns the demon continent. Before I continue, I want to add that no one else knows what I am about to tell you." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Ryan finished his last sip of tea and placed the cup on the table.

Although his mind immediately drifted back to that place, his memories traveling to the demon continent as he tried to find a hint of what problem might be troubling the Viscount, he could think of nothing other than the danger his son had been in.

’Then why did he say no one else knows what he will tell me? How serious is it?’

Ryan looked at the Viscount and nodded.

"After being here with my son, as the days passed and the shock seemed to fade from him and he returned to his old self, I asked him. I insisted that he tell me about what he experienced on the demon continent."

Without looking away from the Viscount’s words, Ryan watched as the man gripped the arm of the chair he was sitting in with great force.

He then continued speaking.

Though he recounted things that Ryan already knew or had imagined, he eventually stopped for a moment.

And he stared fixedly at Ryan.

"My son told me that during the entire journey, a demon accompanied you... actually, two demons, to be precise."

’So that is what this is about. Was that the reason he invited my group to this kingdom?’

Ryan looked around.

He activated his skill to detect stealth.

But he saw nothing out of the ordinary.

However, Ryan’s expression became more serious.

"Yes, it is true. I will not deny it. Those two demons were a girl and her brother, roughly the same age as your son."

"I see, so it was true. For a moment, I thought that my son had been left with trauma significant enough to make him invent such a thing."

The Viscount sighed.

"I feel more at ease now."

"I do not understand. I thought you would reprimand me for traveling with those demons... why am I really here?"

Ryan was confused, but his gaze remained serious.

"Calm down. I am not going to question that just yet. In fact, I cannot even do so when you are the one who brought my son back. I only wanted to confirm it."

"But why are you staying so calm all of a sudden?" Ryan asked, unable to understand what was actually going through the Viscount’s head.

"It is fine, let me explain what I have deduced. When I spoke with Delia and Alina... they told me that you saved them, but not only that, though they did not want to give me the details."

He paused and leaned his body forward, as if trying to get closer to Ryan.

"They both agreed that you have some kind of ability capable of controlling people."

’So they told him after all...’

"What exactly was it that they told you?"

"As I said, they did not want to give me details. They only said that much."

The Viscount continued speaking.

"Therefore, now that you have confirmed you were in the demon continent traveling with demons, what I believe is that you somehow controlled them and used them to your advantage. Am I wrong?"

The Viscount asked his question with genuine curiosity; even so, Ryan noticed no trace of ill intent in his words.