Chapter 128. Cross Verification

"Phew."

I gently exhaled as I observed the battered face of Kolparan.

Though he was lying down without any sign of resistance, his chest was still moving in rhythm with his breaths, indicating he wasn't dead.

Despite his age and seemingly meek demeanor, he seemed somewhat trained. Thus, I gave him a bit harsher 'education'.

"Sir Al Hashar."

Upon carefully calling out his name, the man watching over Kolparan flinched and glanced at me nervously.

Well, my appearance was somewhat striking.

The flickering purple haze above his head seemed to reflect his state of mind.

I frowned slightly at his reluctance to approach and pointed at Kolparan with my finger.

"Take him away."

"Yes, understood."

Al Hashar respectfully bowed and supported the collapsed Kolparan.

Under usual circumstances, Kolparan would have refused Al Hashar's help due to his noble pride, but he seemed to have let go of such vanity.

Given the beating he received, it seemed inevitable.

Looking around, everyone seemed to have lost the will to fight.

The battle was over.

With Kolparan's 'acknowledgment,' no one gathered here could lay a finger on me.

That's why they could do nothing but watch as Kolparan was beaten to a pulp by me.

"When Sir Kolparan wakes up, inform him."

"Yes, what should I...?"

"Tell him that the next time we meet, it won't be in these mountains, but in the capital, at a time of my choosing, and Pintel will come to greet him."

"Understood."

With a nod, Al Hashar began to gather the soldiers and lead Kolparan away.

Even as they retreated, the gaze from everyone carried fear.

And awe.

Facing this many soldiers, yet displaying composure without a single scratch.

"Uuuuugh..."

Once everyone had disappeared, the facade of the 'proud Yulian' began to slip away.

"Indeed, things aren't perfect."

For some reason, the result was less than satisfactory.

The wounds from the magic no longer even hurt, but that was because the mage was lacking in skill.

'If there had been even a few proper mages, it wouldn't have ended with just a burn.'

Originally, 'Yulian' wouldn't have tolerated even such a scratch.

"This is ridiculous."

Denying the 'nature' contained within me while desiring its 'skills'.

*Grumble.*

Suddenly, a shadow within my body stirred, and an eye popped out.

"Sombra."

Though I called its name, it showed no response.

What's with it?

Ah, I had given it a new name, hadn't I?

"An... gelica?"

Upon calling it by its proper name, it finally reacted.

Squirming and revealing its eyes, it began to tend the scorched area.

"The wound is fine."

Only upon hearing those words did it seem reassured, moving away from the injury.

"Speaking of which, how did you do it?"

During the battle, I clearly saw.

Kolparan's arrow soaring towards me.

With nowhere to dodge and no means to block it, I had resigned myself.

Focusing mana onto the area to prevent a critical injury at most.

'I was so urgent that I forgot to harden the shadow.'

Yet, how did I block it?

*Click.*

As if reading my thoughts, 'Angelica' expelled something from its body.

An arrow?

"... You ate it instead of blocking it?"

In disbelief, I looked at 'Angelica', who, taking it as praise, blinked its eyes and curved them slowly.

As if mimicking 'Yulian's' slit-eye expression.

***

"I never imagined you'd come so soon."

A few days after the incident with Kolparan, he visited my estate.

Naturally.

The 'traces' of the 'education' he received from me had not yet faded.

I smirked inwardly, but Kolparan looked at me with a sullen expression.

"You need to learn to respect your elders, Yulian."

Muttering, he appeared battered from head to toe, using a cane to walk.

"Do you need more 'education'? From how you speak, it seems you're still quite lively."

"Ahem."

Kolparan Demius coughed into his hand.

Though a noble, he gave off an unusually light feeling.

In the original work, I didn't recall many dialogue logs with him.

I wondered what his personality was really like.

"The previous incident... you made a grave mistake, Sir Kolparan."

Pintel, who stood beside him, reprimanded.

Originally, I hadn't intended to call him, but somehow, he had caught wind of the incident with Kolparan and insisted on joining in the discussion.

'Tsk. It couldn't be helped.'

This made it difficult to execute the plan to make Kolparan the center of a rebellion.

However, in hindsight, it became an opportunity.

'I must show my strong resolve this time.'

Absolutely!

Don't even think about putting me at the center of the rebellion.

"Heh, it was true that you seemed to lack legitimacy back then. Except for standing idle while getting thrashed, I regret none of my actions."

"... Tsk."

Pintel clicked his tongue at Kolparan's attitude.

"Nevertheless, my inaction was my way of acknowledging you. Besides...dismantling Tenelon is something you all need my power for, no?"

It's not my intention, but...

Knowing Pintel's antics in the Dawn Society, Kolparan grew bolder.

Yet no matter how proud and triumphant he looked, it was of no use.

Shiver.

Having been beaten, his legs were trembling, somehow invoking a sense of pity.

"So!"

Bang.

Clapping his cane down, Kolparan placed both hands on it, adopting a serious expression.

An old man who had aged all he would.

Perhaps due to the deep wrinkles, the shadows they cast exuded a solemn atmosphere.

"When would be a good time?"

Among the three bishops gathered here, everyone knew what Kolparan meant by 'when'.

To seize the position of the High Pontiff.

Even further, the death of Tenelon.

He was asking when the coup d'état should occur.

"Acting recklessly will not do. It is Sir Yulian who will determine that."

"Oh...?"

At Pintel's words, Kolparan smirked, casting a sideways glance.

"It sounds as if, regardless of being ready, the moment Yulian permits, you plan on proceeding."

"If Sir Yulian desired...even now..."

"Tch."

What nonsense was this?

While I understood Pintel's trust in me was immense, it seemed to have blinded him somewhat.

Hey, dude! Get a grip!

This isn't it!

"Sir Pintel. Let's have some patience, shall we? What we desire is success, not meaningless and senseless death, isn't it?"

"... I apologize."

But at least he was quick to listen.

Kolperan glanced at Pintel once and then resumed speaking.

"Judging by the situation, nothing has been properly decided yet."

Pintel showed slight irritation at Kolparan's smirk, but upon my gesture to stay silent, he said nothing.

"In that case, I shall plan the schedule moving forward. What say you?"

Kolparan started revealing his true nature.

Even if he acknowledged me and joined the coup, he couldn't let go of his instinctive desires.

'Yes, that's it!'

My purpose in bringing in Kolparan was to delegate all responsibilities to him, allowing me to step back from the danger.

Though Kolparan might not have been aware of my intentions, I supported his actions.

Bang!

"What do you mean, Sir Kolparan!"

Pintel's expression grew nasty as he slammed the table.

"Haha, why so angry?"

"Wouldn't you be angry too!?"

Considering his efforts would be devoured by Kolparan, it's understandable he was upset.

"No matter how Sir Kolparan is allied with other bishops, all authority lies with Sir Yulian!"

"Hahaha."

While emotions boiled within Pintel, Kolparan chuckled leisurely.

Their emotional contrast was stark.

Yet, despite their opposing stances, both eventually fell silent, a heavy silence hanging in the air.

Knowing there was no point arguing among themselves, they awaited my input.

In that case, it was only right for me to speak.

"Let's do as Sir Kolparan suggests."

My intention to break the silence only ended up deepening it.

The atmosphere plunged into an abyss, even deeper.

Why? I just proposed we proceed like that.

Pintel's face flushed with frustration and seemed about to explode.

"What...what do you mean, Sir Yulian!"

The one to break the silence was Pintel, his voice a mix of confusion and anger.

"This is a significant endeavor you must lead yourself, Sir Yulian! To entrust it to Sir Kolparan is to...!"

"Does it matter? As I said earlier, what matters is achieving success, isn't it?"

Disregarding Pintel's outburst, I spoke firmly.

'I don't care who succeeds.'

But withdrawing is vital.

What matters is my safety, my mental health.

Isn't that a matter of course?

Sure, I could step forward personally and succeed.

Thwart Tenelon, ascend to the High Pontiff, and command the bishops.

But then, the Imperial family might uncover my identity quickly, and I risk losing a safe haven for a life of liberty and safety.

I've said this repeatedly, but as long as it doesn't harm me, I wouldn't even concern myself with the Dawn Society.

The revival of the Demon God? Let it go to the dogs.

Though, I do harbor some curiosity about the Sword Saint.

"To succumb to trivial desires and lose sight of the bigger picture... Haha, nothing could be more amusing."

In any case, my goal is simply to succeed with this 'task'.

Adopting that stance, I observed Kolparan's reaction.

'What do you think, with my proposal, you can devour as much as you wish... Huh?'

Kolparan's reaction wasn't what I expected.

Battered and worn, sweat trickled down his face, and he no longer appeared confident or relaxed.

Is it...still hurting?

***

It's a given that humans desire power, and calling it nature's order would be no exaggeration.

'His actions suggest he craves power...'

Kolparan lifted his gaze, regarding Yulian's face.

Eyes hidden and emotions unreadable in the slits of his eyes.

Concluding that penetrating his 'poker face' fell into the realm of impossibility, Kolparan nonetheless smirked internally.

'There must be an ulterior motive.'

While he didn't know the true intentions behind such words yet, Kolparan laughed inwardly, thinking it didn't matter.

'This brat's getting clever, huh.'

No longer just the fool who played the Imperial lapdog.

Having honed some tricks.

'Preaching about not losing sight of the bigger picture due to petty greed? Ha!'

Regardless of the outcome, the benefits would inevitably fall into Yulian's lap.

Should Kolparan accept this proposal, he'd be portrayed as someone moved by 'personal gain' rather than the 'greater good'.

Refusal would paint him as a small-minded coward.

"What will you do, Sir Kolparan?"

"Hmm... Very well, in that case, as you suggested, I'll lend my strength."

In that case, perhaps proceeding like this is an option.

'The young fool, unaware of being caught in his own snare.'

Even if it meant being seen as someone blinded by 'personal gain', Kolparan was unwilling to stop.

While he acknowledged that Yulian was a 'talent' befitting the head of the Dawn Society, he couldn't quite acknowledge him as the 'head'.

"I'll inform the bishops I'm acquainted with. First, I should speak to Genin. He's overseeing the 'management' of the monastery."

Laying out a clear future plan.

With steps set in place, Yulian couldn't backtrack now.

'Well, what next?'

Will you retract, claiming it was all a joke?

"Very well, exceptional indeed, Sir Kolparan."

Contrary to Kolparan's expectations, Yulian wore a satisfied smile.

"If Sir Kolparan manages things, the chances of failure decrease."

Rather than assuming responsibility, Yulian effectively shifted the whole burden onto him.

Could that be why?

A tumult of thoughts began to storm through Kolparan's mind.

'... What is this youngster plotting?'

Through his years spent as a noble.

As a bishop within the 'Dawn Society'.

Exercising shrewd judgment in navigating the lines of politics.

Had he not, he would have surely been 'eliminated' by Tenelon.

Reading what lay on the negotiation table.

Identifying the other party's intent formed the basics of 'negotiation'.

'Yulian...'

Yet he found himself unable to discern Yulian's thoughts.

Is he genuinely passing all responsibility to me?

'Claiming to have no greed for power?'

In this gathering, the one wielding significant influence was undoubtedly set to ascend as the High Pontiff.

There's no way Yulian would forsake it after orchestrating this.

"Kkuk kuk. A jest, my young friend. Had I really intended to take your place, I wouldn't have appeared here."

In negotiations, the side revealing their cards must take a step back.

Having reached the impossible realm of understanding, Kolparan gazed at Yulian with reverence.

"No, you need not dismiss it as a jest. I am sincere, Sir Kolparan."

Even after casting his cards.

Yulian continued to pursue with relentless tenacity.

'This Mad Dog of the Imperial family... What on earth is he thinking!?'

A fox skilled at negotiating.

The Imperial family's hound that flustered him thought this way,'Hey, I told you it's all yours! Just take it!!'

Clacky's Corner:When you are your own worst enemy.Kolparan, overthinking things.Yulian, with his unreadable face.LOLOLOL

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.