Chapter 124. Questions and Doubts (2)

I somehow persuaded "Sombra" to give me the Moonstone Sword, and I looked at the creature with an utterly dumbfounded expression.

"A storage ability,"

I mused.

It's undoubtedly a useful skill.

Now, I wouldn't need to worry about carrying "holy relics" or "Soul Stones" with me since I could store them easily.

"Ah, but perhaps not Soul Stones?"

Observing Sombra's actions, it seemed like there was a risk it might consume any Soul Stones I would store inside, if they were beneficial to it.

Better exclude Soul Stones then.

Blink. Blink.

Noticing something peculiar, several eyes focused on me simultaneously.

Though one might find such a sight quite disturbing, perhaps I had quickly adapted, or maybe it was the grotesque aesthetics of this creature that made it look somewhat endearing...

===

⇒ You can increase affinity by giving a name to 'Sombra'.

===

At that moment, a system notification popped up.

A name?

Now that I thought about it, "Sombra" was its designation as a demon.

That doesn't mean it's not a "demon" now, but since we've become one and it seems I've acquired a new ability, perhaps naming it anew wouldn't be a bad idea.

Rather like naming a pet.

"What would you like?"

When I asked Sombra to choose its name, it looked at me intently before shifting its gaze to the name tag on the pot it sat on.

"Angelica..."

A name I cherished but one I needed to let go.

Lingering on memories with her could make others jealous.

"Do you like this name?"

As I tried to pass that name to Sombra as a token of farewell, it seemed to like it, clutching the name tag tightly.

"Then, from now on, 'Angelica' shall be your name."

===

⇒ You have bestowed a new name, 'Angelica', on 'Sombra'.

⇒ You can now use "Sombra / Erosion Corridor."

===

***

After assigning the name "Angelica" to Sombra, I returned to "Blind Eyes'" duties and began to feel anxiety creeping in.

"Aiden is dead... "

It's so quiet. Too quiet.

The imperial family not paying much attention to the actions or lives of the nobility is well-known to the citizens, but even the "Dawn Society" not making a single move was unexpected.

The deceased wasn't just an ordinary member or of Monsignor rank but was a 'Bishop'.

I was preparing to respond to what I thought would be inevitable activity on their part, making this unexpected situation even more baffling.

Knock, knock.

As doubts filled my mind, a knock came at the door.

When I bid them enter, a familiar face stepped into the office.

"You came all the way here, so you must have urgent business."

It was Eleanor, whose tear-shaped mole was rather charming.

Although she came in the guise of 'Diana,' it was evident she was here for matters related to the Dawn Society.

Considering the connection between 'Diana' and 'Yulian' wasn't significant enough to warrant a visit to the "Blind Eyes'" office.

"It's not that urgent. But beyond that."

Thud.

Once the door closed, Eleanor's expression turned as cynical as usual.

"For the supposed 'Blind Eyes' commander, wasn't it too easy to get into the office?"

"Hmm."

I let out a short sigh at Eleanor's words.

Where should I begin to correct her?

"I am not the commander of 'Blind Eyes'. The rightful commander here is Lady Ordwin Valadir."

"I didn't mean to imply I didn't know, but doesn't Lady Ordwin's position hold little meaning to you?"

If Ordwin were present, such straightforward comments might have been considered hurtful.

"Not at all. Lady Ordwin is diligently fulfilling her duties."

Hearing my words, Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and began to toy with her earrings.

'It's probably a magical artifact,'

I thought.

She confirmed there was no eavesdropping on our conversation.

Those who have experience know better.

Corund and Aiden having gotten caught up in eavesdropping magic seemed to bother her.

"So, what brings you here?"

Regardless of anything else, if a high-ranking bishop like Eleanor personally made her way over, it must have been something significant.

I could guess it was likely related to Aiden...

"The High Pontiff has invited you for a meal."

Huh? Tenelon with me?

And Eleanor personally came to convey that? A high bishop?

"Of course, it won't be an ordinary meal. Discussions about Sir Aiden will undoubtedly surface."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, although not many people seem to know yet, it was certainly Sir Yulian who orchestrated Sir Aiden's demise."

Watching her continue speaking, I shrugged my shoulders.

Rather than agreeing, such a reaction seemed more appropriate.

I did have a hand in it, but accurately, it was the "Black Knight" who carried it out.

"And... wouldn't it be fitting for Sir Yulian? There's something I wish to say."

What now? What do you want to say?

Don't tell me you're going to make some ridiculous dinner invitation.

"We need to dethrone the High Pontiff."

Hmm.

Eleanor's audacious statement nearly stopped me from breathing.

Fortunately, this role of slit-eyed villain is not so lightweight as to allow feelings to be exposed by such things.

Supported by traits of 'cold-bloodedness' and 'poker face.'

But why is she saying that in front of me?

I had considered eliminating Tenelon, but never to the extent of revealing such thoughts, nor had I exposed my intentions.

Besides.

"There's an unexpected naïve side to her."

Seeing her nonchalantly uttering such words revealed Eleanor's considerable trust in me.

If it were me, I wouldn't have spoken such intentions to anyone.

Even if I did, I would involve others, making them accomplices, and if they showed signs of dissent, right there...

"That's going too far."

Shaking off such thoughts that began to reflect Yulian's nature, I cleared my throat to change the atmosphere and shifted my gaze to Eleanor.

"Sounds like treason."

"Treason... "

Eleanor gently bit her lip.

"Not treason, but for restoring the Dawn Society to its original color."

We decided to call that "treason."

"Besides, Tenelon's behavior is drastically different from before."

Different? I hadn't seen what Tenelon was up to lately.

"Beyond different, one might say he's gone mad."

What sight had she witnessed to warrant such harsh language?

"I believed he was making wise decisions, albeit deeply entrenched in something. But not anymore."

"A wise decision? What's the criterion for that?"

"Who knows. What's certain is, he wouldn't arbitrarily kill or expel bishops just on his standards."

Killing bishops based on his standards.

Somehow that stung.

"Oh, I don't mean to imply Sir Yulian. Recently, Tenelon has been making excessive demands on the cult members under the guise of 'loyalty'."

"Excessive demands... you mean?"

"Impossible missions, wealth, even as far as requiring their children."

The face of Eleanor gradually stiffened as she continued.

"If such acts of testing the cult members' 'loyalty' persist, the pillars of the Dawn Society could shake."

Indeed, using "loyalty" as leverage to harm nobility could damage the foundations of the Dawn Society.

The reason they gathered wasn't due to power and relationships with other nobility but certainly not to sacrifice their lives through excessive actions.

'And Tenelon is really doing that?'

Though he pretends to be carefree, he's actually a coward who avoids excessive ventures.

Because of that, 'Sword Saint' Hayden Reich found it hard to catch him, quietly expanding power and eventually reviving the 'Demon God' as the 'Demon King'.

'Fearing that point, I joined the Dawn Society to intercept it early on.'

Listening to Eleanor's words now, it seemed that if left alone, the Imperial Court might handle it.

For the Empire's Imperial Family, it's customary to eliminate any errant actions promptly.

"I understand your point. Lady Eleanor."

In that regard, I found myself in a difficult position.

If the "Dawn Society" surfaced, being a bishop would endanger me.

"As an Archbishop wouldn't lie, it's only a matter of time before the imperial court's keen pursuit follows."

"Indeed."

Festering wounds should be excised.

Though it was a fairly extensive part, now was the time for removal.

"Just as Lady Eleanor said, I believe the time has come."

After a brief chuckle, I turned to Eleanor.

"I'm seeing you differently now, lady Eleanor. You are someone who acts upon selfish motives."

"Pardon...?"

"Though you claim to do it for the Dawn Society, don't you eye the High Pontiff's position, and therefore work to topple him?"

Indeed, dealing with "Tenelon" would be righteous, yet the main benefactor of his downfall would be Eleanor.

Should the High Pontiff's seat fall vacant, Eleanor, being the Archbishop, would undoubtedly take that position.

Hearing my thoughts, Eleanor appeared slightly flustered.

"... I merely said the time has come, the one scheming wasn't me, but you, Sir Yulian."

Me, scheming?

Eleanor regained composure and spoke with a refined expression.

"It was Pintel working behind the scenes. He... said he moved on your command."

Ah... Pintel.

With his name mentioned, a dizziness began to overwhelm me.

I told him to stand by.

***

Even if something was stirring beneath the surface, it seemed I had to humor the High Pontiff's dinner invitation for now.

In the end, I accepted Tenelon's dinner invite.

Refusing it would certainly not endear me to him.

'But... is this place?'

The venue Tenelon chose was one of the most renowned restaurants even among the capital.

Always bustling with patrons, even the nobility needs to make reservations, adhering strictly to their own rules.

In a way, it's similar to the 'Twilight Flame', characterized by a craftsman's spirit.

Such a place.

'Did Tenelon book the entire venue for a private use?'

That's quite the reach.

Upon entering the restaurant, Tenelon could be seen seated, holding an appetizer bread.

"You've arrived, Sir Yulian. Have a seat."

At Tenelon's gesture, a man with a refined appearance approached and pulled out a chair for me.

Though his movements were akin to that of a waiter, he didn't seem like staff. Rather, staff seemed absent from the restaurant.

The man who pulled the chair resembled an owner, at least.

"The soup and appetizer bread here are always up to the mark. I'm not adept at conveying it since I'm far removed from the life of noble aristocrats."

As Tenelon praised the food, the noble attending him twisted his body in sheer ecstasy.

After that, without turning his gaze towards me, Tenelon tore the appetizer bread, but left it uneaten as he nonchalantly queried.

"Did you kill Aiden?"

I'm pretty sure a cold sweat ran down my back at that blunt question.

Just in case, I'd stored the "Bell of the Silent Night" in Sombra... or rather 'Angelica'.

"He is dead."

"I see, in a way, it was bound to happen."

After a simple meal, we were served lamb steak at the table.

The mouth-watering fragrance enticed my senses, but I had no appetite.

"I actually contemplated on Aiden's disposal."

"Is that so?"

"While his research on demons was permissible, it exceeded acceptable bounds."

"For that matter, hadn't you been quite accommodating towards his actions?"

Tenelon emitted a slight chuckle.

"Still, he was a bishop, was he not? I had to show some respect."

Pretending to string along with caring rhetoric, Tenelon's emptiness was palpable.

Recalling his past words imbued with certain emotions solidified Eleanor's claim.

"Indeed, somewhat strange... huh?"

As I pondered over that reasoning, I noticed that the demonic energy clad around Tenelon had turned murky.

Familiarity struck me as I deduced the outcome from fleeting thoughts.

A tidbit from the storyline of 《Let's Kill the Demon King from Now》 started to form.

It was caused by none other than the caprice of the 'Demon God'.

"Lord Tenelon, have you perchance... become unable to hear the 'voice'?"

As Tenelon reached for the steak, he halted and turned his eyes towards me.

"Yulian, how do you know that?"

Clacky's Corner:Oh, I was wondering why Angelica kept reappearing in previous chapters. I didn't know she'd come back as Sombra.Also, talks about usurping the High Pontiff's position.

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