Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 149

Chapter 149. The Repeater (1)

Having lived in this body for so long, I now had a rough idea of how I appeared to others.

'The madman who subdued the Third Prince's direct unit, the Wedge Knights, right in front of the prince.'

Moreover, the Smiling Executioner who challenged the prince's stronghold while claiming to follow "the Royal Family" with blind loyalty.

'They must see me as a lunatic.'

Naturally.

A member of the prestigious Cryphart family—a being labeled as 'Frason'—who else would show such behavior when they had no power or influence beyond their title of 'Blind Eyes'?

That was exactly my intention.

"No matter how loyal I am to the Royal Family, if I go crazy, anyone can end up like this."

I was still unsure of why Kaldrach had brought me here, but surely there was something he wanted.

By pretending to be insane from the start, my goal was to lead the conversation.

Of course,

'If they just decide to kill me.'

I'd be in a difficult spot.

After all, Kaldrach was the Third Prince of the Adratan Empire.

He seemed to be aware of "something" and was initiating actions based on that knowledge.

'If he approaches this as a 'prince', then my life ends here.'

That's unacceptable. I want to live long. I haven't even seen the orchids I newly purchased grow yet.

"Enough, Yulian."

Thankfully, Kaldrach didn't order severe punishment as a 'prince'.

Perhaps out of curiosity towards me, he didn't seem keen on using his power to harm me.

I knew full well that going further and overdoing it would be suicide.

"Should I leave it at this?"

I feigned submission to Kaldrach's aura, answering his glare with a smile.

"He seems to have been a good worker. Since Your Highness is personally sparing his life."

"Keheuk, cough...!"

As I let go, Derrick began to glare at me as if he could kill me.

Kaldrach addressed him.

"Release his cuffs."

At the order to release a criminal, Derrick looked flustered.

"But, Your Highness..."

"If Yulian has any sense, he wouldn't harbor thoughts of harming me. Besides, do you think I'd lose to Yulian?"

"That is..."

"Release him."

With a stern nod from Kaldrach, Derrick hesitantly released my cuffs, his lips quivering.

"Thank you, Your Highness. That's much better."

"Leave us. I have matters to discuss with Yulian alone."

Doubting if it was okay to be alone with him...

If I really snapped, prince or not, it wouldn't matter—but of course, I had no intention of doing that.

The Wedge members looked slightly worried but soon saluted politely and left his office.

Now, Derrick and I were alone in the modest office.

After a brief silence, he broke it by speaking up.

"This is the first time."

The first time?

"The timing of your return to the north."

I'd felt an odd sensation from him before.

It was likely a kindred spirit akin to my own.

Someone who knew the scenario and contents of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉.

"A player?"

That was my first thought.

If he understood the game's scenario and some of its contents, there was a high chance that he, like me, was a 'player' who had reincarnated here.

"If so..."

He would be an ally.

Anyone who'd played the game at least once would know the future the game presents.

However, circumstances had 'slightly' changed, and no one could predict how the future would unfold.

The Sword Saint had left in search of work-life balance.

Those who should have died were still alive.

The Dawn Society showed no signs of crumbling and remained resilient.

In such a situation, if he was the same 'player,' teaming up to plan for the future would make sense...

"But oddly enough, he doesn't seem to have that intention."

From this, I drew one suspicion.

It was not a situation to judge hastily, but cautiously considering the possibilities...

"He might not be a player."

If he was a 'player' from the start, he would have directly asked me by now.

Are you a player?

Of course, he might be cautious.

Particularly with 'Yulian'. In this world, saying unnecessary things to such a formidable villain could easily lead to decapitation.

But I had a different thought.

"Players have no reason to antagonize each other."

No matter their differing social statuses, the overarching goal of 'players' was to prevent potential disasters.

In that sense... who was this guy?

"That's what I have to figure out now."

I cleared my throat and refocused on Derrick.

"Sometimes, I find myself longing for the chilly winds of the north."

Words not from the heart.

Who would want to come here?

I had tried everything to avoid being assigned here.

"If so, how about reinstating yourself in North Pole? I could even find a place for you in the Wedge Knights."

"Huhu..."

Instead of directly refusing the prince's offer, I simply let out a short laugh.

Considering his position, complete denial was something to avoid.

Surely, he also recognized that this was a 'rejection'.

"I'm serious, Yulian."

I'm serious too, Your Highness the Prince.

Isn't it time to show your true intentions?

"In the future, when this Rozenda continent faces its impending crisis, it would be wise to side with me."

Hearing his continued words, I thought internally, "As expected."

With the resurrection of the demon Barbatos, demons would dominate a ravaged continent in a bleak future.

The 'One-Armed Demon' and a phenomenon called 'Red Transformation', served as the foundation for this.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't feign ignorance. You must have had your reasons for being so desperate to kill the One-Armed Demon."

"I'm not sure what Your Highness means, as someone as humble as I cannot comprehend it."

Despite my feigned ignorance, his eyes reflected a firm resolve.

He was aware of the One-Armed Demon's position in the story, or rather, the phenomenon known as 'Red Transformation'.

When Kaldrach clicked his tongue, he looked displeased for a moment, but that was fleeting.

With a face of determination, he began to speak once more.

"It's not strange to be cautious. The 'events' before us aren't exactly ordinary."

As if being convinced of something, he murmured, shrugged his shoulders once.

"To ease our mutual suspicions, let me start by speaking my mind."

So... who exactly are you?

"Few are aware of the danger posed by demons undergoing 'Red Transformation' at this point in time."

That's true.

Because 'Red Transformation' was meant to occur later. Moreover, there had been no related research or statistics yet.

"Hardly anyone knows of its threat unless they've 'experienced it' before."

If 'game' experience counts, that statement holds true indeed.

"I am like you, Yulian—I'm a repeater."

A repeater.

"Nonsense..."

At the moment I heard those words, I felt an overwhelming sensation of dizziness.

"What on earth does that mean!?"

I genuinely don't know.

***

What does he mean to convey?

Honestly, I had no idea.

The term 'repeater' was a setting I'd never encountered before.

As a hardcore player of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, if it was something new to me, it must not exist in reality.

"... I see."

Yet, the stubborn ego in me didn't like 'pretending' to be clueless, so I feigned knowledge.

Based on just the word, one could infer that:

The term could possibly describe someone who repeats 'life'.

Or someone who repeats only a certain 'specific situation'.

That would be an educated guess.

"Indeed. So, why not join forces with me? In preparation for the inevitable disaster and to eventually swallow everything in the Adratan Empire."

Preparing for disaster is one thing, but the expression 'to swallow the Adratan Empire' was very direct.

It's as if he's saying he wants to become 'Emperor'.

"Your contract with the Witch of Blizzard Forest was all for that, wasn't it?"

"... Not only for that."

Trailing off, he seemed to drift into past memories.

Nonetheless, it wasn't long before, in a compelling tone, Kaldrach spoke up.

"So... what is your answer?"

Of course, he wanted a commitment to join him. Thinking of me as a similar 'kind'.

However, my answer was predetermined.

"I'm sorry, but I must decline, Kaldrach."

Though I conveyed my rejection, Kaldrach remained unflustered.

"Why?"

Why, indeed?

"It's because, as Your Highness mentioned, I am not a 'repeater'."

At my words, Kaldrach displayed a hint of surprise but soon regained his composure.

"If you're not a repeater, how do you know about the One-Armed Demon?"

"Well..."

I subtly gauged Kaldrach's reaction before speaking up.

"Because I know even more than you, who has 'repeated' several times already."

Flinch.

He seemed taken aback.

So much so that I wondered if it was acceptable to be this shocked.

Precisely upon hearing the word 'repeat', he showed an expression of astonishment.

'I thought so.'

With this reaction, I was able to deduce why Kaldrach was aware of the future disaster and the 'One-Armed Demon'.

'He seems to be someone who can perform 'save and load'.'

〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉 is a game.

Naturally, for user convenience, developers included a 'save-load' system within the game.

This was meant to provide some relief for players dealing with incredibly unfair situations by offering flexible solutions within the game.

"Essentially... in contrast to me, he's the actual regressor in this world."

Frankly, the decisive reason I realized Kaldrach was capable of using the 'save-load' function was due to bringing the 'Witch of Blizzard Forest'.

"Breaking through the Witch of Blizzard Forest's enchantments requires understanding it through multiple attempts."

It's a necessity to trial-and-error repeatedly, headlong, to eventually grasp the mystery.

Managed to break through and directly negotiate with the 'Witch of Blizzard Forest,' entailing:

"A proof that reinforces my assumptions."

Kaldrach isn't a 'player'.

He simply has the ability to utilize a feature that 'players' had access to.

While I don't know precisely how the character 'Kaldrach' could use such a power—

Realizing that a supposed character could use the 'system window' itself implies such occurrences aren't particularly extraordinary.

"Foolish."

Kaldrach declared.

"Yulian, you should know that your fate is now in my grasp. If it were me, I would at least feign agreement."

Snicker.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Who claims to hold my fate?"

What ignorance.

"Doesn't Your Highness yet understand exactly what's about to unfold?"

I spoke as leisurely as I could.

To make him wonder about my bluff.

Truly, it wasn't a bluff.

Possessing foresight for future events at the fortress, I was somewhat aware of what was imminent.

However, what intrigued me was his 'save point'.

'Knowing that would make handling him easier.'

"Are you referring to the barbarian tribes assaulting the North Pole barrier?"

Up to that point, he was aware.

"They're referred to as 'barbarians' all lumped together on the continent. However, truly, they are a conglomerate of distinct tribes, as I know."

With a slightly triumphant voice, Kaldrach spoke.

"If the barbarian tribes heard that their peers have breached the first gate and suspected a possibility for themselves, they would launch a surprise attack. Did you really think I wouldn't know that?"

"Of course not, Your Highness, brighter than the sun, I wouldn't dare assume ignorance on your part!"

What I meant when I said he didn't 'know' was something else entirely.

"Your Highness, what you don't yet grasp is the 'heart of people'."

"... The heart of people?"

I even found it amusing.

For 'Yulian' to utter such words.

Crash!

Abruptly, the door to the office swung open.

"A—a disaster, Your Highness Kaldrach!"

"... What is it?"

But, what could I do?

"The barbarians are advancing, and the soldiers have declared they won't engage in battle unless Yulian's release is secured!"

Because it was true.