Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 192

Chapter 192. I Won't Friends With You. (1)

"Hmm."

With a brief sigh, I glanced at Herand's face before shifting my eyes to the ruined bonsai.

'Was I a bit too hasty?'

I gave it to him without properly explaining how to care for it, suggesting he try growing it.

In truth, the difficulty of growing "bonsai" varies greatly depending on the type.

The one I handed to Herand was relatively easy, thanks to its strong regenerative power.

However, that "regenerative power" makes it challenging to maintain the desired style, though it aids in management.

'That's only for people who've done it a few times.'

A beginner might not know how to handle it at all.

'Should I teach him a bit?'

Knowing Herand's personality, he likely wouldn't ask anyone for care instructions.

With that thought, I approached Herand with a smile.

"Elder brother Herand."

"Uh, yes..."

As I slowly approached, Herand wore a perplexed expression.

Ignoring it, I gestured for the scissors Herand was holding.

"Wh-why do you want them!?"

Herand alternated his gaze between the sharp edge of the scissors and me, while a strong, purple haze swirled above his head.

'Why is it the color of fear? It's just "scissors."'

I didn't expect asking for scissors would scare him this much.

'Come on, don't just tremble, give me the scissors!'

I felt a bit wronged and wanted to raise my voice, but I suppressed it and continued speaking calmly.

"I'll teach you how to care for the branches, elder brother Herand."

"Br-branches!?"

Herand now alternated his gaze between the bonsai and the scissors.

"Ah... okay."

Luckily, he seemed to understand what I meant, and finally, he handed the scissors to me.

His hands still trembled, and his eyes were full of fear.

"......"

Seriously, what does he think of me? It's not like I kill people randomly!

Oh well, I guess it's better to nurse a grudge than stay silent.

Slowly, I approached the ruined bonsai and began examining each branch.

'There are many rough patches.'

For now, I'll cut everything and shape it at the next pruning.

I adjusted the grip on the scissors and started cutting.

"Elder brother Herand."

Clip!

Flinch.

The severed branch fell to the ground.

"I have a favor to ask."

Clip!

Flinch.

With each snip of the scissors.

"I heard a knight order is holding a friend's sword. I'd like to retrieve it, as you know."

Clip!

Flinch.

The atmosphere behind me felt like someone had stopped breathing.

"I'm not on particularly good terms with the knight orders."

Currently, Zahard's cane-sword was reportedly with a knight order, sent there through the imperial secretariat.

Was it the Branded Knights?

It's the same order I previously had a "finger-breaking" mission with.

'I can't say what incident they had with me, but.'

As a 'Blind Eyes', conflict is inevitable if I interact with a 'knight order'.

"So, I'd like you to accompany me, elder brother Herand."

To prevent any unavoidable conflict.

Hopefully, your connection to the Cryphart family will grant us some power.

'Good.'

After removing the dead branches, Herand's bonsai looked somewhat presentable.

Feeling satisfied with a smile, Herand's voice and movements caught my attention.

"Ah, understood... I will do so."

His voice, filled with an inexplicable fear.

And why was he touching his neck?

***

The Cryphart family has long held close ties with the knight orders.

Naturally, they were once known alongside the now-extinct "Febrance Family" as the epitome of 'knighthood'.

This probably explains her obsession with her grandson, 'Joshua'.

"Uh, um... Yulian, isn't it hot?"

Herand, the third son standing before me, like all of Aiden's children, had no affinity with 'swordsmanship'.

Especially the eldest son, reportedly a devout clergyman who gave up the family for his faith.

"Thank you for your concern, elder brother Herand."

"Ha, haha...!"

Responding appropriately to Herand's inquiry about my well-being, I observed his complexion.

Sweating profusely, Herand seemed strangely troubled since I handled the bonsai.

"Anyway, you're with an unexpected person, Yulian."

After wiping his sweat, Herand glanced at Zahard, who was seated in the carriage with us.

"The Northern hero, who recently received the Royal Elite Sword medal?"

Unlike when he spoke to me, Herand's tone towards Zahard was quite amiable.

"Indeed, Sir Herand."

"I wished to meet you, and I'm glad. Although I mentioned to Yulian that the medal was awarded appropriately."

At Herand's comment, Zahard smiled internally, shaking his head slightly.

Sensing the difference in his attitude towards Zahard and me, I jokingly teased.

"Then it sounds as though it wouldn't have gone to the right person if I received it, elder brother Herand."

"Th-that could never be the case!"

Herand was startled, vehemently denying it.

Goodness, he nearly gave me a fright.

I felt quite embarrassed.

***

The cane-sword crafted by Zahard's son is currently at the Branded Knights's headquarters.

The Branded Knights.

This place, known as an oddity among knight orders, bears no particular connection to me.

'Even in the storyline, it's only known for its odd reputation, no specific ties.'

Of course, I'm aware that was from the point of view of 'Sword Saint' Hayden Reich.

Still, I don't believe this sly slit-eye is close to anyone in the knight orders.

Like the Azure Lion Knight Order, most knight orders intensely dislike 'Blind Eyes'.

"I anticipated your visit, teacher. Of course, it's yours."

However, the commander of the Branded Knights, Karina, surprisingly welcomed my visit.

Her affectionate demeanor, addressing me as 'teacher', was peculiar.

"Here."

Clank.

With a playful grin, Karina held out Zahard's sword.

The memento of Zahard's son.

Had I known it would be so easy to retrieve, I wouldn't have troubled Herand at all.

"Why were you holding onto this?"

I naturally wondered.

If it had been with the secretariat, there was no need to involve Herand.

Keeping a prisoner's valuable belongings properly is the right protocol.

"Well, the teacher..."

Karina, who was about to use the word "teacher" again, corrected herself under my steady gaze.

"In the secretariat, to be precise, prince Osborne seemed interested in Sir Zahard's belongings."

Osborne? Why?

"I don't really know why."

Perhaps reading my thoughts or intending to, Karina continued.

"Hmm."

Upon her words, I pondered why Osborne would be intrigued by 'Zahard's sword'.

After some thought, I began to grasp the undefined reason behind his actions.

'He hasn't given up yet.'

It seems he still wants to associate himself with the infamy of the 'Smiling Executioner's block'.

Thus, finding a method to converse with me was his goal.

Had we met, it surely would have been troublesome.

Given that assumption, her having brought it here is praiseworthy.

'... Do you have an ulterior motive?'

Although there may have been a connection between "Yulian" and her, aiding in this manner seemed unfounded.

Then Karina leaned closer and cautiously began to speak.

"This is something I'll only tell you, teacher."

Hmm? What does she plan to say?

I glanced at Karina in curiosity as she continued.

"It seems the royal family has decided to collaborate with the Holy Kingdom to investigate the Dawn Society."

"With the Holy Kingdom, you say?"

"Yes."

Karina nodded once.

Given the Holy Kingdom's sensitivity to demonic energy, this is a logical course of action.

"I see."

As I acknowledged her words, a certain figure came to mind.

Recently, or perhaps not so recently now.

Anyway, it's the "game protagonist" who defected from the Adratan Empire to the Holy Kingdom.

"There are also rumors that Sword Saint Hayden Reich might enter the Adratan Empire to assist in the investigation."

"The Sword Saint, you say?"

Karina's words made my fist clench unknowingly.

Was it Yulian's instinct that reacted upon hearing his name?

No.

'What a crazy bastard.'

If he's 'retired', he shouldn't even think about coming back. Why is he so eager to return?

However, I had a lingering question.

While collaborating with the 'Holy Kingdom', the Sword Saint is a defector from the Empire.

Both the Emperor and the royal family should naturally oppose his entry.

"There must have been some discord."

I wanted to ask Karina about this but she was the first to shake her head.

"It was initiated by Prince Eulsis."

Eulsis? Why him?

"Additionally, the Adratan Emperor readily granted permission."

The fact that the Adratan Emperor "permitted" it holds little weight.

The 'Emperor', who has just entered his twilight years, is easily swayed by the whims of women.

As a result, the succession rights to the throne have begun to surface.

This is to solidify who will replace the soon-to-die or already dying 'Emperor'.

'Still, it's suspicious that Eulsis initiated it first.'

Having been to the Holy Kingdom together, you'd expect him to be passive regarding the presence of a 'Sword Saint'.

'Did he allow it due to his political stance?'

If not...

― Be wary of Eulsis.

Suddenly, Aiden's advice echoed in my mind.

His words to be cautious of the Fourth Prince Eulsis.

"Let's hope not."

"Yes?"

"No, I'm just talking to myself."

Unknowingly, I had voiced my thoughts aloud.

Anyway, this is becoming a headache.

Since the Archbishop hasn't been dealt with yet, if the Sword Saint enters the Empire, Tenelon's fury is guaranteed.

A lunatic like today's Tenelon might command his immediate assassination.

'The Bishop nomination ceremony is in three days.'

I need to eliminate the Archbishop, then leave the "Dawn Society" alone until the attention dies down.

Resolving matters with the "Sword Saint" comes afterward.

Given that I have no clue of his motives or actions.

'I'll have to probe him after handling the 'Archbishop' issue.'

"Thank you, lady Karina. But is it permissible to reveal such confidential information to me?"

"We're connected, teacher."

She chuckled quietly.

It felt impolite to ask, "Who are you?"

"But the Sword Saint..."

Mid-sentence, a strange sensation overcame me.

I questioned why I didn't refer to "Hayden Reich" as 'Master'.

Previously, I would bite my lip and forcefully say 'Master'.

"When is his arrival in the capital expected?"

Having just heard the news, I assumed it would be after the "Bishop nomination ceremony" in three days.

"The journey started a while ago, so I heard it could be tomorrow... Teacher?"

Covering my eyes, I sighed quietly within.

'What a useless prick!'

Clacky's Corner:

Things are getting entangled.