Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 177

Chapter 177. Breaking Fingers (1)

The event called "Breaking Fingers" in 〈Kill the Demon King〉 unfolded as follows:

It began with an incident in the slums.

A demon's assault, starting from Aiden's now-destroyed underground lab, laid waste to the slums.

An episode where a few knights from the royal unit, out for investigation, were caught off guard.

Ultimately, to uphold the 'prestige' of the Sword Saint and save the 'face' of the royal family, a knighthood was dispatched to control and eradicate the stronghold of the 'Six Fingers' located in 'Zone 6'.

And while the event was underway, 'Claude Febrance' was present within the Sword Saint's party, significantly aiding in the 'Breaking Fingers' operation.

'He seems to be stuck among those fingers that are about to be broken now.'

Life may be unpredictable, but isn't it flowing too haphazardly?

Anyway.

At the moment, the urge to escape this filth-covered, foul-smelling place was intense.

"Sir Yulian, the positioning of the Blind Eyes is complete."

The Blind Eyes members' report came in, saying they had encircled the eastern part of Zone 6, the stronghold of the 'Six Fingers', from four directions.

Nodding, I surveyed the surroundings.

Despite the considerable number of knights, there were only five Blind Eyes members present.

I wanted to bring more, but.

'Is it necessary?'

More personnel weren't truly needed; the royal knights would handle most of it.

"... The looks they're giving us aren't good, Sir Yulian."

Among the Blind Eyes members was Lazlot.

Though he wasn't 'officially' a member and was rather an 'apprentice', thus wasn't supposed to be brought along, Lazlot had personally requested it.

The Genmel Orphanage was in the vicinity, and he had people dear to him there.

"It's always the case that the knights don't look kindly on us. Still, we need to cooperate, given how things have turned out."

Smiling briefly, I glanced over at the knights deployed to the eastern part of Zone 6.

"To see Sir Yulian's swordsmanship with my own eyes again is an honor."

One of the knights with a familiar face was among them.

He looked familiar, but his name escaped me. I was sure I had seen him before.

Sensing my hesitation, he spoke first.

"I'm Heinrich. Did you forget...?"

"How could I? Sir Heinrich. How have you been?"

Ah, hearing his name jogged my memory.

He was part of the 'Azure Lion Knights' I met when I took Fern and Aileen to fix the resonance stones.

It seemed he was still serving in the Azure Lion Knights, unlike Fern.

'Indeed, that's what should be expected.'

In the first place, Fern was an unusual case.

Among all those knights, he had specifically chosen to join the Blind Eyes after being impressed by 'Yulian'.

"Haha. I've been successfully rehabilitated and now am back serving as a knight. Thanks to you, Sir Yulian."

"It's only because your prowess as a knight allowed you to survive."

Even though it was a compliment I didn't mean, Heinrich's eyes sparkled as if quite touched by it.

"Thank you for saying so."

There's nothing to be grateful for; it's merely lip service.

"May I ask a question?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"Is Fern doing well in the Blind Eyes these days?"

Well, if 'well' means staying alive, then he's indeed doing well.

It's hard to give a definite answer because he's currently being scrutinized by the Dawn Society's investigation on how tough his life thread is.

Of course, I couldn't reveal that outright.

"Yes, he's doing well enough."

Maybe he interpreted my awkward response well, as Heinrich nodded.

― This is Theo of the Indomitable Knights; deployment to the west is complete!"

Theo's voice rang through the communicator.

Although it transmitted through 'transmission magic,' his voice was gratingly rough.

― The Branded Knights are ready in the south too."

Thanks to my 'investigation,' I had a rough idea of the Six Fingers' stronghold, and we had predetermined the spots to encircle.

Certainly, some of the other knight commanders had raised doubts about the reliability of this intel.

'Of course it's legit! I've already experienced it in the game.'

Instead of saying this, I dismissed their doubts by declaring it was investigated under a prince's order.

After all, they're people who'd play dead if it meant following the royal order.

― ... The north is also ready."

There was a discontented, curt tone in Schvalt's voice.

'I've noticed guys like that straighten up only after being knocked around.'

Anyway, with the preparations complete for the Azure Lion Knights, it was time to start the operation.

"Well then, let's have a brief overview."

The stronghold of the underground organization 'Six Fingers' in the slums has expanded randomly to become a labyrinthine Zone 6, which can almost be considered in its entirety.

"To be precise, it's the underground tunnels. That's where the Six Fingers are stationed."

Naturally, due to the reckless construction of buildings, there are many underground tunnels not reported to the royal family.

― Sir Yulian, so are the buildings you mentioned during the previous briefing entrances to those tunnels?"

Karina, with a mischievous glint, chose the word 'teacher' over 'sir' and asked, full of playfulness.

Even without seeing her face, I could imagine the expression she'd be making.

With those cat-like eyes... oh well, best not to dwell on it.

"Yes, those are the entrances."

― How do you differentiate between civilians and criminals?"

This time, it was Theo's query.

"True to the name 'Six Fingers', the members have a tattoo of a fist with fingers open from thumb to little finger on their shoulder. Identifying them should be straightforward."

― But isn't there the sixth finger?"

"The sixth is the 'Outsider', meaning the head who oversees the other five fingers."

― So, Sir Yulian, capturing the Outsider would simplify matters for us?"

If it were easy, do you think I would have sought the prince's help and called all of you here?

Currently, Claude Febrance holds the position of the 'Outsider' of the Six Fingers.

I could deal with him if needed, but he's tricky.

Just like Yulian, he wields a 'unique aura'.

"Yes, please have the Branded Knights capture him."

My task was to make sure Dantes was addressed first.

If Claude was dealt with first, it would simplify things.

But first, the two must be separated.

"Now, let's proceed with the operation. Can you all see the buildings we briefed upon?"

― Yes, I see them.

― I see them!

― ..."

"Do you see them?"

Lacking a response from one, I asked again.

The look on Schvalt's face was undoubtedly twisting.

'I wish I could see it for myself.'

The silence was tense, and soon a crackling came from the communicator.

― ... I see it.

With Schvalt's final confirmation, my gaze lifted.

A place bearing a sign like a tavern that said 'Bar', appearing rather shabby.

Despising its slight uncleanliness, yet pressing forward with my team inside.

What must be done must be done.

"Hmm? What's this? Who are you...?"

Despite being a tavern, the owner's attitude suggested they were not receiving customers, but as we stood silent, they sensed something amiss.

Ignoring them, I glanced around.

"Three finger members."

There were no civilians in sight.

Even without verifying the Six Fingers tattoo, I was confident enough.

"Let's tidy this up first."

As if my mumble was a signal to begin.

Led by Heinrich, the knights leapt forward like hounds.

"What, what's happening...!?"

"This is insane!"

As the panicked finger members tried to flee from their seats, they were unable to escape the seasoned speed of the knights.

Swish—!

As Heinrich's blade met its target, blood burst forth from the finger member's body.

As the dirt-ridden floor stained with blood, I found myself grimacing.

"Disgusting."

How was one supposed to clean this up?

For witnessing a death and merely summarizing it as 'disgusting', perhaps.

Above Lazlot's head, who was nearby, the color of 'fear' appeared after a long while.

"Come to think of it, Lazlot, you followed due to concerns about the orphanage, right?"

"Huh? Ah, yes."

"Then go on. The slums seem likely to become chaotic; it'd be better to start moving ahead."

Once we enter the Six Finger's headquarters, the knights can handle the battle on our behalf.

With one person absent, it shouldn't pose any significant problem.

"... Understood, thank you, Sir Yulian."

With a bow of gratitude, Lazlot disappeared.

"The subjugation is complete, Sir Yulian."

Heinrich approached me casually, leaving the subdued finger members behind.

Knights aren't called knights for nothing; they completed the task swiftly, systematically enough to earn admiration.

"Thank you for your work, but it's not over yet. You'll need to exert yourselves a bit longer."

"Yes!"

With that, I walked towards the place where liquor was displayed, where a thick carpet laid on the floor.

Upon slightly moving it aside, a wooden plank with hinges came into view.

At a glance, it almost screamed, 'Open me!'

So I shall.

Creak.

As I opened it, a musty stench wafted through.

Seriously, do they not clean here? Annoying.

Just as I was about to grimace, the fully opened sight came into view.

"Remarkable, Sir Yulian. To find this on the first try. This must be their hideout. Let's move in."

"Sir Heinrich, would you take command from here?"

"Yes?"

Predictably, Heinrich looked puzzled at my request.

'Capturing Dantes here makes no sense with so many eyes on us.'

It holds no significance.

Since the villainy of that wretch hasn't yet been laid bare, it would appear to the knights as merely 'a noble seized by a criminal organization.'

'I must act solo to discreetly manage the situation.'

I'm not convinced the operation will net 'Dantes'.

If luck favors, I might dispose of him.

But, he isn't a 'noble' for nothing. He likely has multiple escape routes set up.

Just like during the Exchange Meet.

However, the uproar leaves predictable avenues for him.

***

Claude was aware of the commotion likewise.

Mana that was settled began stirring in the slums.

Meanwhile, sharp killing intents intermittently pricking the skin showed this wasn't just an ordinary ruckus.

Something foreboding seemed poised to occur.

Perhaps, the end of the Six Fingers...

'Good.'

Claude was pleased as the sharp mana clumps drew nearer to him.

"B-big trouble! Boss! Knights, the knights are storming in!"

"And not just from one direction! They're coming from all four entrances!"

"What, what!?"

While the finger members reported, it wasn't the leader who reacted, but instead Dantes, seated restlessly in his chair, who sprang up in alarm.

"How, how did this happen, Claude? At this rate, I'll be caught before even fleeing to the Federation!"

Dantes rambled almost nonsensically, to which Claude responded with a face full of ridicule.

Someone full of greed on his face, who revealed his self-indulgent intentions, he had generously disclosed that he was part of the Dawn Society.

Fleeing from Imperial wrath due to being exposed, he sought asylum with the Federation.

The Six Fingers were prepping for this.

Yet, the Federation weren't going to simply accept him; he was bargaining for asylum with military intel he amassed from the 'Christo Household' within the Empire.

"Return to your post for now."

After sending off the reporting finger members, Claude looked at Dantes and spoke.

"Calm down, Dantes. Anyway, the other fingers will buy some time for us, and there's a secret tunnel for evacuation from here."

"Se-secret tunnel you say!?"

"Yes."

At Claude's words of reassurance, Dantes's face showed signs of relief.

It was as if he was certain that escaping this place would allow him to reach the border.

Or perhaps fear was impairing his brain, clouding his judgment.

With a half-smirk, Claude stood from his seat.

"W-where are you going?"

"To ensure the safety of the secret escape route. Unforeseen variables may arise."

"You're not thinking of abandoning me, are you?!"

"Never. I've been paid, so I'll ensure I earn my keep. Moreover..."

With knights storming in such numbers.

'Perhaps I too will need to flee to the Federation.'

Claude sensed the gravity of the situation.

"Da-damn it...! If it weren't for breaking out that Annarui or whatever, this wouldn't have drawn attention. Why did you...?"

Ignoring the quivering Dantes, Claude donned his sword and proceeded deeper into the fingers' stronghold.

His destination was the secret escape route leading to the cemetery on the capital's outskirts.

He began unlocking layer after layer of doors leading there.

As his hand grasped the final handle.

"... Hmm?"

A tingling sensation traveled up his fingertips.

Death.

From all the times he narrowly escaped death, Claude's instincts sensed this.

'Oh boy. How amusing.'

Nevertheless, Claude twisted the handle and swung open the door, revealing a familiar face.

"Where are you hastening off to, Sir Claude?"

It was Yulian Cryphart Frason, a former colleague from the Blind Eyes and a direct disciple of the Sword Saint, waiting for him.

Clacky's Corner:

Boss Battle!