Chapter 101. Sinister Air (1)

Until now, I hadn't taken any action that would stir things up, simply maintaining the status quo.

However, when it came to Aiden, I thought he had crossed a line.

To clearly establish dominance in his mind, I sought him out.

Finding his location wasn't difficult.

Thanks to a word I'd given to 'Felkhor' earlier, I could easily determine what he was up to and where he was.

"... But why are you here?"

I thrust my sword into Aiden's shoulder and noticed Lazlot standing idly by his side.

"Guh... What are you doing...!"

While I was lost in thought, Aiden's voice interrupted like a slap.

"Sir Aiden, I didn't come here to talk."

I smiled while looking at him bleeding.

"I came to end this."

"Argh..."

Yes, I came to finish this.

No matter his circumstances, he dared to threaten my life. Not just once, but several times.

There was the incident with Alphas at the academy and the recent chaos on the resonance train.

I couldn't overlook it any longer.

"Haha... Ending it? Yulian, you know you can't kill me. Saying such nonsense.... Urgh!"

To silence his raised voice, I twisted the sword a little.

"Do you really think so?"

While killing is admittedly something to avoid, I felt little remorse about dispatching him, as his crimes in both the game and reality were numerous.

Moreover, he had targeted my life.

There would be no concessions.

"Stop with the useless bravado..."

As he began to speak, Aiden, seemingly sensing my sincerity, started to trail off and mutter something.

Huh?

I felt mana swirling from his staff.

Tsk, he shouldn't act so recklessly.

"Argh!"

Before he could react, I slightly raised the sword embedded in him, canceling his incantation with the pain.

"Killing you isn't difficult, you know that, right? You know what I've done up to now."

Although I wasn't the same Yulian as in the past, to him, I would appear as if I was.

"There are even grounds to silence the other nobles."

"Ugh..."

"Illegal research on demon horns. If I exposed that, everyone would have no choice but to hush up your death."

"T-that was... all disposed of on Lord Tenelon's orders!"

"Oh. Is that really true?"

Lies.

I dismissed his words as such.

I knew well enough that he hadn't ceased his research.

If so, that event wouldn't occur.

'Bloody Tuesday.'

In the story, despite countless adversities, Aiden doesn't cease his research on demon horns.

Even now, he might be continuing his studies contrary to Tenelon's orders.

For that, he's killed by the "Sword Saint" in the story.

'He let demons run rampant in the capital and slums, so the protagonist won't leave him be.'

Nonetheless, the research left by Aiden, despite his death at the Sword Saint's hands, didn't disappear.

While clearing Aiden's estate, members of the Donatien family discovered related documents and resumed the experiments to achieve their aspirations.

It's one of the major events in the game 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, named 'Bloody Tuesday'.

If it's not a significant risk, it's best to let the event proceed with Aiden around.

However.

'The problem is, there's a high probability a Demon King might be born here.'

The 'Demon King' wishes for the 'Demon God's' resurrection, and the resurrection of the 'Demon God' means 'Game Over.'

In other words, the destruction of the continent.

So should I leave it be?

In the early days, I would have let it go since it's something the Sword Saint would handle, but now that crazy bastard has defected long ago.

"If you kill me here, things won't end well for you either! There are... other cult members watching!"

Who? Lazlot? He's on my side.

Seeing no change in my expression, despite his threats and intimidation, he was beginning to give up.

"Heh, just kidding. Sir Aiden. Would I really kill you?"

"Then remove this sword immediately! You filthy mongrel... Argh!"

Ignoring his noisy retort, I drew a dagger from my bosom and slashed it across his right eye.

A ghastly scream echoed raw inside the carriage.

"However, there are many other things I could do."

I gave him a very friendly smile.

I would have liked to end this here, but my true objective was his 'research materials.'

'A necessary storyline event. Originally, neither the story progress nor the Sword Saint could ever stop it.'

Now it's possible.

Since I could remove the cause of the 'Bloody Tuesday' event.

Killing Aiden immediately is one way, but whether he dies or not, the research would likely continue somewhere.

The mages of the Donatien family would probably build upon it and continue their studies.

This could lead to a situation where the tail wags the dog, so to speak.

'I'll let him live for now.'

To clean it up all at once.

With this commotion, Aiden, blinded by anger, would use any means to try and kill me.

In that process, it wouldn't be difficult to discover the 'Demon Horn Research Logs.'

'Felkhor will find it for me.'

In any case.

'Damn, this is unsettling.'

The gooey feeling transmitting through my fingertips.

Sure enough, cutting a living person's eye, the sensation traveling through the dagger was not pleasant.

"You... you bastard...!"

Despite the discomfort, I suppressed it and kept a smile on my face.

Something felt lacking.

What would 'Yulian' say in this situation?

He would probably dig into his opponent a bit more with his characteristically venomous language.

"Don't get too worked up. It's merely in the 'past' now, isn't it?"

Yes, this guy loves to reflect his opponent's words like in Tai Chi.

What a disagreeable fellow.

Seeing me smirk, Aiden glared furiously with his remaining eye.

"Well then, I'll take my leave. Whatever you do henceforth, remember the pain of that eye."

Saying so, I turned away from the carriage.

'... Hmm.'

The problem was Lazlot's unexpected presence here.

If today's occurrence spread within the Dawn Society, Aiden wouldn't be able to leave it alone.

Officially, it would be as if he defied Tenelon's orders.

I was slightly worried Aiden might deal with Lazlot, but concluded he wouldn't.

He needed any limbs he could gather, even one person, right now.

Now that he's been found out, he might explicitly order him to monitor me.

Whatever it is.

'What I want is for Aiden to act personally.'

He is a Bishop and isn't aligned with the Donatien family.

Bearing humiliation and all disgraceful names, and above all, suffering in the hands of a 'half-blood' like Yulian.

Aiden, receiving support from 'racial purists', would certainly lose his base.

'Thus, today's event ends up being a declaration of war.'

I glanced slightly at Lazlot.

Then, with my index finger to my lips, I made a zipping motion.

Like keeping things under wraps in a certain movie.

'Keep it quiet, man.'

He'd get it.

***

"I didn't know you received such high evaluations from the secretariat; you must have done an outstanding job protecting Prince Eulsis?"

Ordwin's businesslike voice smoothly resonated in the commander's room.

"Of course. Who do you think I am?"

Her words prompted me to shrug my shoulders and answer nonchalantly.

To be honest, there had indeed been a variety of incidents.

Because Eulsis hadn't said anything about it, it passed over calmly.

"You know, it's been a while since I heard your haughty talk."

"Did you miss it?"

"I haven't gone that crazy."

With a non-joke joke, Ordwin replied in a slightly incredulous tone.

Being the commander of 'Blind Eyes', she had no reservations when dealing with Yulian.

"Truth be told, I didn't expect you'd volunteer for the escort."

Neither did I.

I had volunteered with suspicion of Tenelon watching closely, and with the thought of retrieving the holy relic, the 'Bell of the Silent Night'.

Generally, I would never have done it.

"Indeed, the Holy Kingdom is dangerous, isn't it? Especially for someone like you."

"It was indeed dangerous."

"Huh?"

I experienced having large holes blown into my body.

If this isn't called 'dangerous', then the person is likely a psychopath.

"Prince Eulsis said there wasn't anything particularly dangerous?"

"That just means I went above and beyond."

"Oh... yes."

Here he goes again with his nonsense.

That's the kind of look Ordwin gave as she shifted her gaze to some documents as if searching for something.

"And take this."

"What is it?"

She handed me a document.

"It's a bonus related to your recent escort duty."

Bonus?

Though the word was amusing, I accepted it gladly. Who wouldn't like money?

'... Wow.'

However, the number written on the document had more '0's than I had anticipated.

Considering that one nar was similar in value to one dollar.

'As expected, the royal family is the royal family.'

A single job netting millions.

"This operation appears to have solidified the royal family's faith in your performance, Sir Yulian."

"Well, I've always been phenomenal, haven't I?"

"It's only in killing off people or demons where you're truly remarkable."

I knew what Ordwin was getting at with her comments.

She wanted to imply that my only specialty was in killing and that I was useless otherwise. But I couldn't refute it as it was the truth.

"Beyond that, I'm speaking about your execution capabilities in other areas. Although it's recent, before your head injury, you barely took on tasks other than killing."

Come to think of it, it must have been a pretty good move for the commander of 'Blind Eyes'.

If Yulian had more escort duties for the royals, the commander of 'Blind Eyes' would gain a bit more standing in the royal family.

"Isn't it good for Commander Ordwin?"

"Well, yes."

"Then why so blunt?"

I detected slight discontent in Ordwin's tone, so I asked straightforwardly.

"I'm the commander of Blind Eyes. The 'commander' of the unit you belong to."

I knew that.

While nodding, she seemed to hesitate over something.

"I didn't think I was particularly authoritarian but..."

Based on her track record, it seems true.

"Still, I believe a commander should earn more than the members."

I figured out why she suddenly started discussing an odd topic.

"Commander Ordwin, are you short on funds?"

"Not at all. Even though the noble family collapsed, we've enough to survive for three generations."

"Then what's the issue?"

Ordwin furrowed her brows slightly in response to my puzzled tone.

"I just don't want to appear... lacking in dignity."

Her answer left me taken aback.

She claimed a moment ago not to be authoritarian.

***

After completing the escort duty and returning to the royal family, the surrounding atmosphere seemed somewhat different.

"I heard you executed Prince Eulsis's escort perfectly this time."

"That guy? If he didn't cause any trouble, it'd be a relief."

"The strange thing is, before, he wouldn't have performed escort duties..."

"He'll do anything to get into the royals' good graces, I suppose."

Being a topic didn't particularly bother me.

Whether nobles or public, seeking gossip to facilitate smooth conversation seemed quite common.

'But could they lower their voices?'

After leaving Ordwin's office, I briefly stopped by the secretariat before heading back to the 'Blind Eyes' office.

The whispers of nobles constantly bombarded my ears.

Did they lose their sense of fear?

If they feared me brandishing my sword, it would be wise to be more discreet.

"Is everyone talking about Sir Yulian?"

Amidst the nobles, a voice chimed in.

A lively, friendly tone.

The voice belonged to Diana, a friend of Aileen, and someone affiliated with the Magic Tower.

"He's right there, why not talk to him directly?"

Her voice carried pure curiosity without any malice.

Hearing her, the nobles cleared their throats, dispersed, and went their separate ways.

As Diana - or rather, Eleanor - approached me.

"No need to worry yourself."

Acknowledging her presence, my tone turned cold as the mask came off.

"It bugs me. Whispering distracts from private conversations, you know?"

"For a private talk, wouldn't a separate space be more appropriate?"

"I'm busy too, you know? I have the Eleanor life, and I have Diana's life too."

When I resumed my walk back to the 'Blind Eyes' office, she matched her pace to mine.

"You must be busy. Given that you've likely become an 'Archbishop', your workload must have increased."

"Thanks to you."

"So, what is it you wanted to say?"

Passing through the long garden inside the palace, Eleanor smiled.

A fake smile. She smiled for the sake of others' eyes on us.

"What about the Sword Saint?"

Ah, this was it?

It's a name I didn't feel like mentioning.

"Did Lord Tenelon ask you to check?"

"I haven't been asked yet. But I thought it'd be good to ask in advance, just in case."

"He's alive."

Smiling at my answer, Eleanor turned to meet my gaze.

"Didn't you say you'd end him decisively?"

There's nothing to end.

That's something Lord Tenelon should do personally.

Though ultimately unable to, he sent me for the task.

"An unexpected situation arose. I'll discuss that matter directly with Lord Tenelon."

"Oh? Wouldn't it be better to tell me? Administrating the Bishops is part of an Archbishop's duty after all."

"Don't be too authoritarian. I..."

While speaking, an ominous sensation crept over my skin.

Though not directly hostile, an impure intention was lurking.

===

⇒ 〈Remarkable Intuition〉 has detected a covert activity.

===

"Hm."

I glanced briefly at Eleanor.

"Is this also a part of your 'management' duties?"

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