Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 184

Chapter 184. Darkness (2)

Lazlot felt the air freeze.

A masked man appeared with two bishops in tow.

His aura was so intense that it would surely terrify ordinary people, and the two eyes visible through the mask were sharp enough to make cold sweat trickle down one's back.

'High Pontiff Tenelon.......'

When the head and core of the Dawn Society, Tenelon, appeared, it felt as if the surrounding air turned cold, though it might have been his imagination.

'What should I do here?'

The conversation had concluded with persuading Fern to hand over Dantes to Sir Yulian....

However, Dantes was dead, and the High Pontiff had appeared.

A grim situation.

Lazlot found himself in an awkward position, unable to do anything.

If he greeted the High Pontiff, he risked revealing his identity to Fern.

Yet, merely standing still could cause unforeseen problems due to blasphemy.

Of course, the situation became awkward due to Fern's presence.

"Who are you?"

Fern's cautious voice broke the silence and echoed through the alley.

At his feet lay Dantes's dead body, and the blood flowing from it mixed with the rainwater, spreading widely across the ground.

"This person seems to be a member of 'Blind Eyes' who was tracking us."

"I'll take care of it."

As one of the bishops tried to serve Tenelon, Tenelon raised a hand to stop him.

"No, it would be perfect to use as a 'trial'."

As if he had a certain intention, everyone tilted their heads in confusion at his words.

Pahk──!

Blood erupted from Fern's thigh.

"Ugh...!"

Lazlot couldn't follow what had just happened even with his eyes open.

He merely felt the air shake once, and when he came to his senses, Fern's thigh was bleeding.

Fern's green eyes were filled with confusion.

'It's not a match.'

Perhaps feeling this way, Fern seemed ready to flee at any moment.

"Greeting the High Pontiff!"

Seeing Fern's actions, Lazlot promptly knelt and began to pay homage to Tenelon.

Lazlot had suggested that eliminating Fern was best to avoid danger, but Yulian had postponed that judgment.

Embracing Yulian's decision, Lazlot decided to buy time for Fern to escape.

'Run, you idiot!'

Afraid Fern wouldn't flee because of him, Lazlot intentionally revealed his identity.

Although Fern hesitated for a moment, he swiftly retreated and started fleeing in the opposite direction from Tenelon.

"Hmm... that's unexpected; knights tend to enjoy facing battles head-on."

"They probably want to avoid a mortal danger."

"Indeed. Emily, you are correct."

Was it confidence that they could catch Fern at any time?

For the moment, they left him be.

Thump, thump.

Although Lazlot couldn't see his face as it was pressed into the ground, he was sure Tenelon was approaching.

When the dark aura, as overwhelming as a mountain, reached him, Lazlot bit his lip.

"Thank you for your efforts. Believer. Thanks to you, it was easy to locate Dantes."

"I only did what I had to do as a member of the order!"

"Your thoughts are noble. What is your name?"

"Lazlot! I'm Lazlot, high Pontiff!"

"I shall remember your name."

He'd rather they didn't remember him.

Lazlot trembled as impure thoughts filled his mind.

"High Pontiff, what will you do about the fleeing knight?"

"Finding him in this slum is not difficult. However."

Tenelon paused, raising his hand to his chin thoughtfully.

Somehow, feeling Tenelon's excitement, Lazlot shuddered but dared not lift his head.

"As I said earlier, I intend to use it as a 'trial'."

***

Pintel's words made me tilt my head.

"What do you mean?"

"As I said."

That's precisely why I'm asking what the 'as I said' means.

"A member of 'Blind Eyes' started probing into our information. That person knows too much to let live."

"So, are you saying you will kill my 'subordinate' right in front of 'Blind Eyes' member like me?"

"It's not my decision."

What does that mean again? If it's not your decision, whose is it?

I was about to ask Pintel, but noticing his wavering eyes stopped me.

Could he have directly ordered such a thing?

Concentrating the bishop in the slums and conducting operations would require at least an 'Archbishop', but it wouldn't be Eleanor.

In that case...

'Tenelon has moved.'

That person indeed started stirring from his heavyweight, but what's his intention?

I understand coming here to eliminate Dantes, but going further...

Planning to remove unwanted elements?

'The timing is not good.'

Currently, the bishops of the Dawn Society are gathering to replace the High Pontiff.

I'm almost the ringleader.... closely associated with leading it.

But the time hasn't ripened yet.

'Should I strike Tenelon now?'

No.

I cannot risk startling the enemy horses without reason.

For 'execution,' a precise time and place are needed.

Without those preparations, it's impossible to dismantle the massive mountain known as the 'High Pontiff'.

When the water gathers and becomes a furious flow, only then can the 'High Pontiff' be dealt with, and the subsequent noise won't be managed.

'Only by removing the noise can the Dawn Society be completely eradicated.'

Even if I accidentally remove only the 'High Pontiff', the Dawn Society wouldn't simply disappear.

Another would just take that place.

Ultimately, my desire is the complete dissolution of the Dawn Society.

"This isn't something you should hesitate on."

Pintel spoke up.

"Handling the Blind Eyes' member, Fern, might increase the empire's hostility towards the Dawn Society, but now isn't the time to weigh that."

I mentioned before, if Fern is dealt with, the risk falls heavily on me as a member of 'Blind Eyes'.

But if I oppose, my position within the Dawn Society weakens.

Tenelon might use that as a pretext to oust me, euphemistically speaking. Essentially, it would be a death sentence.

For defying his will.

"The High Pontiff is watching this situation closely. He will certainly scrutinize the judgment of Sir Yulian, a member of the 'Blind Eyes'."

Knowing this, Pintel urgently spoke up.

"You know, don't you? Currently, all our cause is rallying around Sir Yulian. Without you, it all becomes void."

Pintel's vigorous tone harbors no disbelief.

While I'm not performing grand acts for such lofty ideals, there is truth in his words.

Ultimately, Kolparan, Pintel, and Eleanor...

They began to rely on the name 'Yulian'.

"You must make a rational decision. Even if he's a Blind Eyes' member, you cannot become emotionally entangled."

Seeing Pintel's earnest demeanor, it seemed he was genuinely sincere as if he were discussing his own matter.

'Make a cold decision.'

'Open Eyes' once stirred, but now began to settle down.

Thanks to that, my thoughts were comparatively quicker than before.

'Pintel, I fully understand what you're conveying.'

Not to be blinded by trivial sentiments and to consider the future.

'True.'

My calm emotions made it clear what needed detachment.

Though not for the ambitious reasons Pintel suggested, my own safety became more apparent.

"From reports, it seems Bishop Emily is pursuing a Blind Eyes member."

"What's the status of Dantes?"

"The High Pontiff personally took care of him."

Indeed, he acted personally.

"Where is the Blind Eyes member located?"

As I appeared ready to resolve it myself, Pintel's face brightened.

"Anticipating the direction, it seems heading beyond zone 4 towards here."

"Hmm."

"This is an opportunity to show your loyalty outwardly by dealing with a member of 'Blind Eyes' like you. If done so....."

"The task of killing the High Pontiff will become easier later."

"Exactly."

Thus, there's no choice.

Most importantly, my safety.

Laudable though sacrificing non-wrongdoers is painful, it's essential for my protection.

'A person may need to be ruthless.'

By the way...

'The finger-breaking operation must be still ongoing.'

I'm fatigued to death.

***

Splash──!

As Fern hurried away, the overwhelming pressure caused nausea.

"Ugh...."

Simultaneously, pain began emerging from the wound in his thigh.

'Demonic energy.......'

Initially, he couldn't guess what had penetrated his thigh, but the ominous aura was reminiscent of a demon's presence.

The residual thought seeds scattered by the Demon on the continent, meaning, demonic energy.

The masked man, at invisible speed, had shot the 'demonic energy' like bullets.

'Is he the leader of the Dawn Society......?'

Suppressing the creeping pain as much as possible, Fern began piecing together the situation calmly.

'If that's true, why Dantes?'

Couldn't help but wonder.

'If he's the leader, shouldn't he have saved a fellow member of the Dawn Society?'

'No, Dantes was already being hunted.'

By Lazlot, no less.

'Lazlot......!'

Thinking of him ignited an intense anger that overrode the pain.

'You betraying bastard!'

Setting aside the rage, Fern resolved only to think about surviving from this place.

After all, if he returned alive to the capital, he could address Lazlot's case.

'However.'

Why does the ominous aura grow stronger the more he flees?

Rumble──!

With such thoughts, Fern, reaching the bridge that led from the slums to the capital, glanced at his feet.

Due to the relentless rain, the water level had risen, making the stream seem stronger than usual.

'Once I cross this, I can get help from the garrison.'

Though ominous energies akin to demonic energy linger behind, passing this assures safety.

With a sigh, Fern stepped onto the bridge.

At that moment, an all-too-familiar silhouette appeared on the opposite side.

"Sir Yulian!"

Despite knowing he was in a sorry state from blood and wounds, seeing him coolly striding like a moon on water brought strange comfort.

Did he hear Fern's call? Yulian slowly lifted his head.

Expressionless slit-eyes.

A subtly present smile.

Though something felt off, as his thoughts reached that point—

Slick──!

Yulian drew his sword.