novelraw Chapter 173
Chapter 173
Chapter 173. Catching the Tail (1)
"Hmm..."
Lazlot could clearly feel that Yulian's demeanor was different from usual.
Notably, the usually fierce Yulian was watering plants.
Though he often masked his emotions with a smile, during this time, Lazlot could sense enjoyment radiating from him.
It showed how earnest Yulian was when it came to tending to the plants.
Lazlot couldn't understand how one could derive such joy from 'growing plants', but during this time, one could glimpse Yulian's humanity.
"Hoo..."
Seeing Yulian sighing during such a time, Lazlot instinctively knew that something was happening, that something was going wrong.
"Is something... troubling you?"
Thus, Lazlot ended up asking.
Usually, fear prevented him from asking personal questions apart from official 'reports', but his intellectual curiosity overpowered him this time.
"... Hmm."
Yulian's returning expression was uncomfortable, and Lazlot instinctively felt he had asked in vain.
He should have just pretended not to notice, as he usually did.
But even though he was scared, he had already drawn his sword; he had to see it out to the end.
"Is it perhaps because of Sir Dantes?"
"Hmm..."
Though there was a slight reaction to the mention of Dantes, Yulian didn't reveal significant emotion.
Dantes seemed to be on his mind, but it wasn't something of great influence.
'Well, if Sir Yulian sets his mind to it, dealing with Dantes wouldn't be a problem.'
Both Kolparan and Pintel were on Yulian's side, characteristically consolidating their positions within the "Dawn Society" while also exerting considerable influence in places like 'Exchange Meetings'.
"If it's not that, does it have something to do with Annarui's escape? 'Blind Eyes' is conducting a thorough investigation. We'll soon be able to track her steps."
"Hmm."
There was a stronger reaction than with the mention of Dantes, but it still didn't seem like the right issue.
'But... why am I so concerned about this?'
Ever since Yulian helped him with the "Bayer Academy scholarship" issue, Lazlot found himself unnecessarily concerned with Yulian's every move. Furthermore...
― Aren't we colleagues, collaborators?"
To someone who wasn't a noble or even a properly ranked member of 'Blind Eyes', to be called a "colleague" was something he couldn't quite comprehend.
'An utterly perplexing person.'
Someone who one would expect to be highly class-conscious said something like that.
"Where is Fern?"
"He's still handling the investigation on the Dawn Society. He's on the field right now, so I'm not exactly sure where he is..."
"Tell him to stop his investigation for the time being."
Stopping an investigation wasn't something Lazlot could request just like that. He was merely an apprentice, whereas Fern had become a formal member of "Blind Eyes" from the 'Azure Lion Order'.
"Say that I instructed him. For now, it's best to step back from the Dawn Society's affairs."
If said like that, the story would change. Given that Yulian, who could be called the real power behind 'Blind Eyes', said so, it would work.
"But there's no justifiable reason, Sir Yulian. Creating unnecessary trouble... Kuheum."
Under Yulian's indifferent gaze, Lazlot wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
"... Understood."
Lazlot felt he might understand the intention of the order, or rather, he was fairly certain.
If something were to happen to Fern while investigating the Dawn Society, it would draw even more attention from the imperial family to the Dawn Society.
Such revelations could raise the likelihood of Yulian's dual identity being exposed, an effort to prevent that.
'Still... from any perspective, simply dealing with Fern seems like a much easier solution for the Dawn Society.'
Regardless of Fern being affiliated with 'Blind Eyes'.
Whatever the case, Lazlot resolved to not overthink it. He would only do as much as he was given.
That was his motto.
***
"One of the executives, Annarui of the 'Six Fingers' has broken out of prison."
It seemed that was what Claude meant by the 'real target'.
Thanks to this, the imperial family was in quite a commotion.
Though one of the underworld's forces, it was still just a single organization.
When it became known that the security of a deep-seated prison in the capital had been breached, multiple voices began to emerge.
'Out of their minds.'
Upon hearing the news, I thought the 'Six Fingers' must have a death wish.
'Will the imperial family make a move?'
That was still uncertain since it was impossible to know what was going on in their heads or what they were planning.
But one thing was for sure:
'Something will happen soon enough.'
***
After visiting the Bright Moon Pavilion, I sensed familiar creatures following me. Realizing it, I summoned the creature and began conversing with T'alle.
Blink, blink.
Being morning, the nocturnal owls serving as T'alle's familiars appeared visibly tired even to my human eyes.
"Why didn't you report Fern's case to me?"
I thought it was a reasonable question.
After all, knowing Yulian's position in 'Blind Eyes', shouldn't every detail be reported to me? I felt a slight irritation.
If it were Yulian, he would have instinctively severed T'alle's head, but that wasn't the solution.
I needed to at least hear what T'alle had to say.
― I assumed it was a task assigned to him by Sir Yulian since it was something underway in Blind Eyes..."
Such ignorance!
How could T'alle not know that someone belonging to the Dawn Society like myself wouldn't draw attention by investigating a Bishop?
But T'alle didn't know about my affiliation with the Dawn Society.
"Well, never mind. What's done is done. But from now on, if it relates to Blind Eyes, report to me first."
― Ah, understood!
"Speaking of which, is it impossible to determine Dantes' whereabouts right now?"
To my query, the owl nodded.
'Can't be helped.'
Regretfully, I let Angelica's powers sink into the earth, beginning my communion.
Though Angelica is a demon, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it has become part of my body.
Without use, it tends to stagnate. It must be wielded carefully from time to time to keep it from getting rusty.
"Oh, now that I think about it... How did you come to know about Dantes?"
Should I have asked this first? Despite T'alle's expertise in information, it didn't seem readily available knowledge.
― It was mentioned by one of Bright Moon Pavilion's guests while he was drunk...
"While drunk?"
― Yes, some of my associates happened to overhear, and it gave us a general outline.
"Who was it?"
Curiosity rose. Who would know Dantes is linked to the Dawn Society?
Unless belonging to the same Society, identities were kept strictly secret. That person might pose the greatest threat of all.
― It was a young chap named Eitel, currently the principal at Bayer Academy."
'Eitel?'
Another unfamiliar name absent from the story. I recall seeing a young principal at Bayer Academy who was named 'Eitel' before.
'If you're a puppet, act like one and stay quiet.'
The principal of Bayer Academy exists merely as a facade for receiving complaints and petitions. Despite being a noble, he has no real authority.
Seemingly unlike Vice-Principal Allom, who holds a professor position, Eitel is just any ordinary fellow without expertise.
'Has he reached out to the Dawn Society for ambition's sake?'
Does he seek advancement?
If so, it's not something I can criticize.
Although a bit different in nature, Yulian also aligned himself with the Dawn Society for climbing the ladder.
Still, it's annoying how this unknown factor keeps interfering with my goals.
'It's downright displeasing.'
What should I do?
After a brief contemplation, I opened my mouth.
"... Finding Dantes will probably take some time, yes?"
― ... It seems so.
"Then it seems I'll have to go find him myself."
― You're going to pursue him directly?
My words seemed to confuse the owl, scratching its head with a wing. Likely embodying T'alle's confusion.
― I apologize to Sir Yulian, but I'd like certainty with this matter as well. I will assist, so it seems advisable to deal with Dantes decisively.
The owl radiated a determined resolve.
Despite being a mere creature, it amusingly conveyed T'alle's emotions, but its words were not dismissible.
Apparently, the life and fate of the Bright Moon Pavilion hung in the balance, urging for a swift resolution.
"I assure you. Annarui and Dantes will both be dead before long."
This, I am sure of.
― Why do you think... Waaah!
Suddenly, Angelica ensnared the owl's leg, scrutinizing it back and forth.
What are you doing!?
What if T'alle finds out you're a demon!?
At my scolding gesture, Angelica quickly released the owl and returned beside me. Observing its shift from black like a shadow to a dark gray hinted at its dejection.
Haaa, calling a demon timid is not misplaced at all.
"It seems its leg got caught on a branch. It's nothing serious."
― Is that so?
"Yes."
In truth, Angelica had assessed only if the creature was edible, but I decided to overlook that fact.
***
According to T'alle, Eitel holds the information on Dantes. Before going to intimidate him, I headed to the underground prison for some preparations.
Unsurprisingly, the cell where Annarui had been was empty. After a cursory look around, I headed toward the cell housing Zahard.
"Ah, Sir Yulian again. You seem to have plenty of leisure time."
"Yes, but I suspect I'll be busy soon. A bothersome situation has arisen."
"Hmm, I have some predictions. Is it related to the 'Six Fingers'?"
Apparently, even Zahard, who served in the north for a long time, knows of 'Six Fingers'.
"The woman imprisoned next door seemed like she was part of the Six Fingers."
"By the way, wasn't there any commotion when Annarui escaped?"
"Hmm... no commotion."
No commotion?
"They came claiming it was to transfer a patient, displayed proper papers, and the guards surrendered custody after confirming the situation."
Cunning move, these guys.
"Resultantly, the usual guards vanished from sight, didn't they?"
Not from mere disciplinary reasons, it appeared. Perhaps.
'They might have met a more dire fate...'
There's no greater nuisance than this.
"Indeed, audacious of them. It will be tough to leave the capital now that they've pulled this off."
"They must be confident they can evade the imperial pursuit."
"Tsk-click, confidence, huh... With monsters like you in pursuit, how do they expect to dodge?"
"Claude Febrance, he's the leader of the Six Fingers."
Mentioning Claude's name, Zahard's expression turned serious.
"A bothersome fellow took the helm, didn't he? Knowing his skills, their brazen behavior makes sense."
But that serious mien didn't last long. Zahard returned to a spectator's stance, looking at me almost indifferently.
"Seems you got stuck with nuisances right after returning to the capital. Bureaucracy always creates problems."
"With that in mind, Sir Zahard, may I ask for your assistance?"
Zahard's 'Aura Sonar' would prove advantageous in many ways, needless to mention his skills.
"Hmm... I'd like to help, but given my current condition... Also, with a prison break recently, it's practically impossible for me to leave, isn't it?"
Heh, seriously.
How comically he cast false glances around and shrugged, truly forgetting that he was blind. That's how remarkable his 'Aura Sonar' must be.
Zahard suggested that he intended to 'relax here for the time being rather than engage in bothersome matters.'
However.
There's no way I'd let him relax comfortably! Not alone, definitely not.
Screech.
I presented Zahard with an official document.
"Hm... Paper? Is it documentation? What's it?"
"Try reading it."
Upon receiving the document, Zahard began skimming the ink with his fingers.
His facial expression started to distort with time.
"A cooperation request... I see. They did say imprisoned criminals could help with 'Blind Eyes' investigations."
"Ha."
A short chuckle left me. Seeing Zahard click his tongue as if in defeat.
"Once this is over, I'll ensure your release from here."
"No choice... I gotta dance to the tune, it seems."
With Zahard's alliance secured, only capturing Eitel remained.
'Once Eitel is in hand.'
Grasping Dantes's tail would no longer be a challenging task.
'You've overstepped your bounds, Dantes.'
You've become quite the hassle.