Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 154

Chapter 154. Witch Hunt (3)

Thanks to Felkhor's misdeeds, it had become difficult to pry further, but I wasn't particularly anxious.

The only thing that piqued my interest was the word "Queen of Thorns" that came from the witch's mouth.

'Wymad Tribe.'

They are a tribe specializing in 'curse sorcery' among the natives living beyond the barrier.

Once every fifty years, the Wymad Tribe places a crown made of thorns on the head of the tribe member who can handle the most powerful 'curse', bestowing them with the title of 'Queen of Thorns.'

In other words, it's a title only the pinnacle of 'curse sorcery' can achieve.

'Could that be Milena...?'

I felt a slight cognitive dissonance.

Although I had never met her, the 'Milena' in my memory seemed quite gentle.

I was sure she was strong, but I never thought she was someone who would curse others or spread malice.

'... I suppose people aren't always what they seem?'

But to be honest,

When I heard that 'Milena' was a 'master of curses', I somehow felt it might be true.

Although Oben was more of an observer, he wasn't someone so evil to be called inhumane.

So, where did 'Yulian' get this nasty personality from?

'... Hmm.'

No, let's not think too deeply about it.

They say it's best to keep memories as memories, right?

"Still, I can't help but be worried."

As I was organizing my thoughts about Milena, Zahard spoke up.

With his staff touching the ground as he moved to his seat, he sat down and showed his concern.

"I don't think Kaldrach would come here alone just for the witch."

Zahard seemed to want to say that if he stormed in with wedges, we could be in danger.

No matter how much I could observe the surroundings from afar with Aurasona, it could be dangerous if a 'pursuit' began.

That's a reasonable thought.

"Moreover, if he's trying to rescue the witch, wouldn't he use hostages?"

"Hostages?"

"Yes, by using someone not present here."

Joshua? No, what comes to mind immediately is Rinne.

Kaldrach must know that the one who visited the north for academy matters has a connection with me.

'Still... he wouldn't use hostages.'

The personality of the third prince would want to show a relaxed demeanor to others.

'Surely, he's coming... alone.'

At first, it was a thought close to certainty, but as Zahard and Felkhor continued to express anxiety, I began to change my mind.

In the first place, the soldiers of the 'North Pole' barrier and the wedges are hostile towards the witch.

That's why the witch doesn't reveal herself openly and trails behind Kaldrach like a shadow.

Because of that, it's difficult to withdraw troops.

'... In case there's a slim chance.'

If 'Kaldrach' was more impulsive than I thought?

Even after experiencing 'repetition', if that unique stubborn spirit persists and he marches recklessly, we'd end up in an inevitable situation. Damn.

'Have I been too complacent?'

As I was thinking that,

"... He's coming."

Zahard, who was broadening his aura to survey the surroundings, got up from his chair and approached the window.

As I focused my 'aura', I could sense someone approaching.

'Kaldrach.'

At least he was coming alone.

Well, the 'witch' is an important key to him, so it can't be helped.

***

"Fancy you doing such a thing, Yulian."

As Kaldrach entered the cabin, he displayed a distinctly displeased expression.

Honestly, I was a bit skeptical. I never thought he'd actually come alone.

"Even a cornered rat can bite a cat, Your Highness. I apologize for the offense."

"A cornered rat, you say? Are you saying you feel cornered?"

Perhaps it was his formality that provoked him, but Kaldrach narrowed his eyes and glared at me.

"If you want to talk, I'd prefer it was just between the two of us."

Just the two of us?

I was about to ask whether there was really a need for that, but I sensed a strong willingness in Kaldrach's eyes.

Does he have something to say?

Feeling that way, I looked at Zahard and Felkhor, and they nodded, then promptly exited the cabin.

They must be cold, I thought, wishing they had taken a blanket, but then Felkhor returned, trembling, grabbed a blanket, glanced at me with an awkward smile, and disappeared.

... Right, who am I worried about?

"Why are you doing this? If you wanted to talk, we could have done so at the North Pole barrier."

"There are too many eyes watching and ears listening at the barrier."

I wasn't unaware of Kaldrach's scheme to forcibly keep me at the 'barrier'.

But more importantly, the problem was the many 'ears' that listened.

Now that I know some members of the 'Dawn Society' are around, talking there could lead to unknown trouble later on.

'... Especially if it reaches Tenelon's ears, it'll become a nuisance.'

I found my action to be justified.

"I thought it would be different this time, but it seems this point remains the same."

As I organized my thoughts, Kaldrach spoke.

What does he want to say?

He briefly glanced at the door before meeting my gaze again.

"You're still part of the Dawn Society, I see. Yulian."

Kaldrach's words almost caught me off guard, but thankfully, the 'poker face' served its purpose effectively in situations like this.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't pretend. This isn't your first time being part of the Dawn Society."

Kaldrach glanced outside.

"Was it Felkhor? I am sure that fellow is part of the Dawn Society."

It seems he's trying to use the fragmentary information he knows to tighten my leash.

If the matter of the Dawn Society is revealed to the public, I'll be the one in trouble.

"Yes, that's correct. So, what is it you wish to say?"

But then, what?

It's evident others cannot know. If discovered, it would surely result in risk.

But not you, Kaldrach.

"Do I have to spell it out? If it's revealed that you're part of the 'Dawn Society', the imperial family..."

As he listened to Kaldrach's words, I took out an item from 'Angelica'.

A holy relic, 'Bell of the Silent Night'.

Kaldrach's eyes widened significantly more than I'd ever seen.

"If my being part of the Dawn Society is revealed and I perish, do you know what would become of this holy relic?"

A tool balancing against Tenelon's relic, the Demon God's Chalice, and one of the necessary materials for entering the place where the Demon God died, 'Tomb of the Demon God.'

Particular sacred artifacts like the 'Bell of the Silent Night' primarily choose the first user as their 'master' and disappear when that person dies.

In short, if I die and this holy relic disappears, there would be no means to counter 'Demon God Barbatos' and the 'Demon God's Chalice'.

'A game of leveraging the continent's future, huh?'

What's there to lose?

If I die, the matters thereafter aren't my concern.

In the first place, aren't I doing this just to survive?

"... Speaking as someone who knows the future, are you telling me you're using the future of the continent to survive?"

When he's lining his own pockets, where does he get the nerve to act all noble?

Moreover,

"I don't think you're in a position to talk while using the witch."

Though incomplete, the witch, who could handle 'demonic energy', could play a role similar to the 'Bell of the Silent Night'.

The reason Kaldrach employed the 'Witch of the Blizzard Forest' was to prepare for that 'one in a thousand' event, keeping her as a sacrificial pawn for his own survival.

"No, I didn't bring Abisha to use her."

When the name 'Abisha' came up, I was genuinely surprised.

The witch's real name.

In this world, witches proficiently using 'demonic energy' place a 'restriction' upon themselves.

The most common is that they cannot harm anyone who learns their 'real name.'

In essence, the witch Abisha lying over there has devoted her entire being to Kaldrach.

'... Hold on?'

At that moment, the witch I assumed unconscious was awake.

Looking between Kaldrach and me with bewildered eyes.

As if to say, "How do you know my name!?"

"Y-you... how do you know my name...?"

Did you not tell him yourself?

Though, come to think of it, that's strange. If you're close enough to exchange names with a 'witch', it suggests a deeply close relationship.

Yet the 'witch' regarded Kaldrach as nothing more than a business interest.

In the midst of pondering whether something occurred during the repetition...

"The fact you have the Bell of the Silent Night means your purpose in the Holy Kingdom wasn't to escort Eulsis..."

He even knew that 'Bell of the Silent Night' is a holy relic found in the Holy Kingdom.

Well, I suppose it's natural? Being in a position to undergo 'repetition' means knowing at least this much.

"In that case, you're not a subordinate of Eulsis?"

Kaldrach began stroking his chin.

"... So my assumption was wrong from the start."

What is he trying to convey?

Kaldrach turned his gaze back to me. The usual leisure I saw was nowhere to be seen, but there was a firm resolve in his eyes.

Seeing that gaze triggered a realization.

While I might know more information than him, my 'experience' might be lacking.

And the words he's about to utter are encapsulated in that 'experience'.

"Eulsis..."

A surprising name emerged.

"Beware of him, Yulian."

***

First cycle repetition.

That memory clung to Kaldrach's brain like melted sugar, refusing to come off.

It was such a vivid memory.

A memory of failing a coup on the Northern Front and getting set ablaze by the imperial mage Flugel's 'combustion magic,' leaving my entire body burned.

― You fool. Why on earth did you instigate that damned coup? It was bound to end like this.

By Kaldrach's side, the one who nursed him when he couldn't even move a finger was none other than the Witch of the Blizzard Forest.

She treated his festering wounds and replaced the pus-covered bandages multiple times.

Caring for someone with burns is grueling, yet she grumbled slightly but tended to him wholeheartedly.

However, the imperial pursuit was relentless.

If caught, it was evident even the witch would meet her end.

― You must escape.

Kaldrach, who held little emotion towards the witch, acknowledged that she did save him.

― Aren't I already escaping? Did the burn fry your brain... hmm?

The witch tapped her own head, smiling.

― Did your brain cook too?

No, I meant you should flee and leave me behind.

He intended to say such, but the witch sharply chastised him before replacing his bandage.

Watching this, Kaldrach thought.

If he survives, he'd find a way to repay her.