novelraw Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Chapter 158. What Do You See?
Rinne's mind became even more chaotic due to such an incredibly straightforward answer.
What on earth is this situation?
I had assumed that it would be something that he would want to hide behind a mask, but to accept it so easily like this?
Is he joking, perhaps?
"You, really?"
"Yes, is there a need to hide something? I am indeed the Black... huhut."
Yulian burst into a sudden chuckle.
He clamped his hand over his mouth to suppress the overflowing laughter.
Yulian's laughter continued without end.
To the extent that, to an ordinary person, he would be mistaken for a madman.
Typically, one might think he is trying to mask his secrets being revealed with laughter.
"Heh, heheh..."
However, to see even that man with the 'slit eyes' who only showed 'fake laughter' continuously burst into laughter like that.
'Is he really... the Black Knight? Yulian?'
'Or is he just messing with me?'
All sorts of thoughts began swirling chaotically in Rinne's mind.
'... No, maybe not?'
Although it was just a guess, she had some degree of certainty.
The only thing missing was evidence.
What could Yulian, gain by operating as the 'Black Knight'?
'So far, the actions of the Black Knight have...'
Though she couldn't know the full details, it seemed like he was targeting the Dawn Society.
Or rather, he only appeared in incidents related to the Dawn Society.
Moreover, didn't Yulian harbor a strong grudge against the Dawn Society?
To someone who claims to be the imperial hunting dog, the Dawn Society would seem like a pest tarnishing the glorious empire.
Him operating under the guise of the 'Black Knight', therefore, seemed logically plausible to her.
'But seeing that laugh...'
Assumptions clearly, are just that—assumptions.
"Heheh... heheh, heh."
But as Yulian's laughter continued, Rinne started to feel embarrassed about what she had said.
Was it a needless comment...?
"Wouldn't it be better to stop laughing?"
Her cheeks turned red, reminiscent of a bashful teenage girl.
***
It's often said that people laugh unknowingly when they're flustered.
'Crazy...'
How did she figure it out?
I haven't interacted with Rinne much as the 'Black Knight'. At best, it was just in the slums, I suppose.
How on earth did she realize?
'Is it because of Sombr... no, Angelica's presence?'
Seeing as Angelica is a 'demon', it's likely there's a particular pattern in her form and the mana flowing within her.
Very few individuals can detect that.
Only those sensitive to 'mana' or 'demonic energy' would even come close to noticing.
'... Was it because she visited the Holy Kingdom?'
Perhaps during the time spent rolling around in the arena resembling a 'Demon's Graveyard,' a 'switch' might have flipped inside her.
The real reason the Sword Saint had an eye on her as a disciple.
Regarding her newfound 'aura'.
'What should I do?'
After stopping my laughter, I gauged Rinne's complexion.
After laughing aloud so much, somehow her face seemed to lose the assurance she once held.
Could it be?
'Isn't there any solid evidence?'
If so, then the flow remains in my favor.
Thinking so, I cleared my throat to shift the mood.
"I apologize, lady Rinne. It seemed... it just sounded like a very amusing jo...ke."
Please believe it that way.
"If I were the 'Black Knight', what would you plan to do, lady Rinne?"
"Pardon?"
"Would you betray me and receive the bounty?"
Working for a royal agency, one hears a lot of things even if one doesn't want to.
One of those things is the bounty on the 'Black Knight'.
In some sense, it makes sense.
To the citizens, he might be a hero revered and praised.
But the 'Black Knight' is a lawless figure indulging in personal sanctions, a systemic tumor prying into the affairs of the 'nobles'.
Even if the royal family could utilize him, in the end, he is a force that must be curtailed.
Moreover,
'Rinne is also a noble.'
Though she's not as tight-lipped as the others, she surely thinks that the 'Black Knight' should be dealt with.
"I just... wanted to support him."
Excuse me?
But her words left me rather dumbfounded.
"Supporting him? That sounds ridiculous. Are you justifying a lawbreaker?"
As a result, it turned into a scenario where I was criticizing her, even though it was Rinne who first introduced the 'Black Knight' into our conversation and was leading it.
"That's because wearing a mask implies there's no need for any reward."
In her usual flat tone, yet with a hint of admiration, Rinne spoke.
"Not wanting any rewards... means there must be a noble purpose behind it, correct?"
Hmm. Me?
'... That's not it though?'
What was it again?
The 'Black Knight', from what I know, is far from anything 'noble.'
With a bourgeois mindset, even when possessing the identity and body of 'Yulian', he'd make the least bad choice just to ensure his safety.
"Heh..."
Hence, once again, laughter escaped unwittingly.
"So if I were the 'Black Knight', would you be supporting me then, lady Rinne?"
"That would... be a bit unfavorable."
Why would it be then?
Despite suspecting me as the 'Black Knight'.
"From the start, I've never really understood why the royal family would go so far as to place a bounty on the 'Black Knight'. He is... um..."
After pondering for a moment, Rinne spoke up.
"Come to think of it, the 'Black Knight' is once again making a name for himself for beating up nobles."
She's right about that.
What's funny is that the noble who got beaten up has now become one of my fervent followers.
"Placing a bounty isn't such an odd thing, I suppose."
***
"So, this is how it ends."
Zahard, who was seated in the cage of a wagon, uttered a lament as if unable to suppress his despair.
"Well, what's the big deal? Not like you can see it, what's so embarrassing about being there?"
"You might want to feel a little ashamed about your own shortcomings."
"... What's lacking in me, exactly?"
At Felkhor's spiteful query, Zahard lifted his unseen eyes to look in the direction of Felkhor's head.
"Why wouldn't there be something lacking?"
"What are you looking at? Really!"
Aware that Zahard's gaze was directed toward his head, Felkhor scowled.
"So this is how my long wandering life comes to an end."
Leaving Felkhor behind, Zahard let out a hollow laugh.
Returning to the capital, there was no certainty about how he'd be treated.
That situation seemed to be weighing on Zahard's mind.
"Are you afraid?"
Hence, even someone like me, who usually remained silent, couldn't help but curiously ask.
"Afraid? What's there to be afraid of? Instead, it's like a long-cherished wish has been fulfilled, so it feels rather refreshing."
"That's a relief, then."
"Heh."
Zahard chuckled softly.
"Don't worry too much. If the royal family knows what's good for them, they wouldn't execute you or anything."
"Hmm... it's not like those guys have ever thought straight, so who knows?"
"It seems your thoughts have dulled from wandering for too long."
"That's true."
Nonetheless, it was a somewhat understandable statement.
The royal family tends to either be excessively hands-off or execute their decisions with superfluous force.
Being the representative authority of the empire, it was inevitable, but observing it closely from alongs
ide, it evoked all sorts of thoughts.
"Elder brother Yulian."
In the brief moment I was lost in thought, Joshua approached, wearing an awkward smile while glancing at me uneasily.
'Hmm?'
Behind him, the academy students were looking to Joshua, indicating he was representing them.
"The preparations for departure are complete."
Ah, is this guy acting on behalf of the other students?
By chance, he joined the northern group and seemed to have gained a following; the students appeared to be supporting him.
Well, it was to be expected, I suppose.
Even if not aspiring to be a knight, Joshua has a certain depth in swordsmanship, and being part of a great house, it's understandable that the other students might be attentive to him.
And he is a blood relative of 'Yulian'.
'Suits well as a communication channel.'
With a soft smile, I turned and called out.
"Then let's depart."
As I moved the reins, the horse began to walk.
The carriage carrying the students, as well as the one carrying Zahard, moved along.
"Oh, it's like a moving prison?"
The sight prompted Felkhor to make another sarcastic comment, causing Zahard to close his unseen eyes tightly.
Responding might lead to being subjected to biting remarks mixed with ridicule till we reached the capital.
'Pretending not to know is wise.'
The procession continued smoothly.
Moving along like this, I felt certain we would reach the capital in no time.
"Lady Rinne."
Amidst it all, a question suddenly arose.
"Come to think of it, they wouldn't have sent just students to the barrier, so someone must be escorting from the capital, right?"
No matter how rigid the empire might be, there should be some consideration for the students.
The Bayer Academy must wield a certain degree of influence as well.
"Yes. Just like when going to the north, we agreed to meet up with the knights at the midpoint between the capital and the barrier."
As I suspected.
"They mentioned... it's the Azure Lion Knights."
What? Really? Are you kidding me?
My lips twisted inwardly.
The Azure Lion Knights, huh. That's certainly not a group 'Yulian' has good rapport with, to say the least.
No, the knights do dislike 'Blind Eyes', but the 'Azure Lion Knights' especially despise Blind Eyes.
Especially 'Yulian'.
'... There was also a bad history with Commander Schvalt.'
Regardless, it wouldn't be pleasant if we encountered them.
"... How about taking a detour?"
Felkhor muttered with a sickened expression.
Come to think of it, he's a former member of the Azure Lion Knights.
"Why detour? I'd rather not be in this place for even a day longer."
Zahard, gripping the iron bars, muttered as if he knew nothing of our sentiments.
"If you really want to go back, Felkhor. How about switching places with me for a bit?"
"Hey, blind man. It's not me who's captured, but you."
"Don't be so cold... Hm?"
Zahard, who was speaking, furrowed his brows as if sensing something.
Even I started to vaguely grasp what Zahard had noticed.
'... Tsk.'
They say when you mention tigers, they appear.
What started coming into view was the procession of the Azure Lion Knights.
"Looks like it's the Azure Lion Knights. Originally, we were supposed to meet at the midpoint, not here."
Noticing something unusual, Rinne muttered in a puzzled voice.
It seemed they too had sensed our presence and were approaching us.
"Yulian."
The first to speak was the head of the Azure Lion Knights, commander Schvalt.
His already cold expression began to ice over.
"Why are you with the students?"
"I was assisting with unfinished business while Commander Schvalt was waiting."
"What do you mean?"
"You've heard of the tri-horned demon attacking the barrier?"
"Of course, that's why we rushed here to meet them."
Tsk.
This damned 'one-armed demon' causing a chain of troubles.
"And there's a familiar face I see."
Schvalt shot a cold gaze in Felkhor's direction.
It seems they do know each other.
"Since you were expelled unfairly, I decided to pay you no mind, but to see you alongside someone like Yulian?"
"Well... it happened, commander."
"Who's your Commander, you scoundrel!"
Schvalt barked at Felkhor's words.
"Exactly. Since you're no longer a Commander, perhaps make a candid statement, Felkhor."
"What should I say?"
"... Calling him a coward, who neglected action out of fear of the tri-horned demon, moving only after hearing the situation's resolved~ how about that?"
"Yulian, you bastard!"
Schvalt's usually stoic face twisted, and red steam began writhing above his head.
Anger.
Sufficient rage to draw his sword immediately, posing no absurdity whatsoever, had begun to seethe.
'... Did I poke too hard?'
If Schvalt was alone, he wouldn't have responded so intensely.
However, the subordinates of the Azure Lion Knights were watching.
Thus provoking such a sensitive response.
"H-Hold on... what's that!?"
It was at that moment.
Zahard uttered with a voice tinged with bewilderment.
"I can't believe what my eyes are seeing. What is that supposed to be!"