Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 195

Chapter 195. It's a Misunderstanding. (2)

"I have secured a list of the Dawn Society's Bishops."

With that statement from Yulian, the gaze of the gathered Followers in the room changed.

No one here had a precise understanding of the hierarchy within the Dawn Society.

They only understood that a "Bishop" held more value than just a high-ranking official within the society.

Even as cunning and ruthless as Yulian might be, he was not someone known to lie.

'...... He's not one to lie.'

Rinne turned her head to look at Yulian. Just like the moon reflected in a tranquil lake, there was no ripple of doubt.

He exhibited great confidence in what he said, attesting that it was acceptable to reveal such secrets here.

However, Rinne thought that not everyone gathered would feel the same way.

'Especially Sir Sebion, even if not Sir Theo...'

Sebion's displeasure was evident.

It didn't matter what Yulian said.

'The audacity of a traitor exiled by the Sword Saint to show up here.'

Clearly, that was Sebion's mindset.

Thus, Followers' disdain for Yulian was as natural as a reflex, for the Sword Saint was a page from the holy book and a lifeline bestowed from the heavens.

They were the ones who received the guidance of the Sword Saint as their salvation from some circumstances.

'I was too.'

Rinne too had once idolized someone, but after leaving the empire, Hayden Reich pointing a sword at her felt distant from the Sword Saint she had admired so dearly.

Conversely, recent evaluations of Yulian had turned the opposite.

Like her, he was also angry about the actions of the Dawn Society.

― ...... I have lost......

― ...... Since that incident, the person known as 'Yulian' is as good as dead.

Recalling past memories, he had spoken as if he had lost something precious, but the details were unclear.

Moreover, he seemed to possess the strength of spirit to quietly endure without disclosing his anger to others.

'Sir Sebion probably doesn't know about that.'

She had no intention of telling him.

Because she didn't believe that this fixed perspective would be changed by a few words.

'...... So he plans to use us?'

As expected, Sebion presumed Yulian was revealing the list of "Bishops" to use the Followers.

In the worst-case scenario, he thought Yulian might eliminate the scattered Followers one by one as planned, all to fan the fury of the Sword Saint, thinking it wouldn't be strange for this demon to try every trick in the book.

"Is that so? Then quickly tell us! For the imperial family, for the Followers, and as the commander of the knight order, the Dawn Society is an evil that must be eradicated posthaste!"

However, Sebion inwardly knew that the two present were not as antagonistic towards Yulian as he was.

'Unlike my foolish brother, I thought Rinne would understand my intentions.'

As the Followers were mentally organizing their thoughts, Yulian spoke up with a short laugh.

***

Offering the list of Bishops was, in fact, a lie.

I'm not an idiot.

Revealing it would put even me, a Bishop, at risk of being decapitated in the square.

"As if I'd be dumb enough to do that."

However, mentioning it was indeed related to why I had come to this place.

It was about how much the Followers knew about the inner personnel of the Dawn Society.

"If the Bishops are dealt with, the Dawn Society's power will be halved. Or there could be even more progress!"

The exuberant voice of the Indomitable Knights' commander, Theo, provided me insight into their level of intel.

Followers.

A group providing the protagonist with great strength.

However, without the Sword Saint, the Followers were an unknown organization I hadn't seen in all my experiences with 〈 Life·Death·Fate 〉.

"From Theo's words, it seems they haven't properly identified who the Bishops are yet."

Watching them all remain calm before me only solidified my speculation.

"...... Surprising."

Initially, seeing the Followers' startled reactions made it seem as though they had a clear outline of the Bishops' identities.

But apparently, that was a misunderstanding.

They merely bore an innocent, curious expression.

"Haaa."

I let out a quiet sigh of relief inwardly.

"Yes, if the Bishops were defeated, it would damage the Dawn Society's capabilities."

Upon saying this, all attention was drawn to me.

Seeing their eager expressions waiting for me to divulge the Bishops' names was somehow gratifying...

"If you truly think that, why not save time and just share the list instead of making these useless remarks?"

"Do you consider this a waste of time, Sir Sebion? Huh... Sir Theo's demeanor would suit you well."

With a sarcastic remark to the curt Sebion, I noticed the tension rising on his forehead.

Just when he seemed ready to unleash his fiery temperament like before...

"Gerard Oclear."

I spoke the name of a Bishop.

"He is a Bishop affiliated with the Dawn Society."

In an unwavering voice, devoid of falsehoods, I continued, causing confusion to wash over the gathered Followers.

"Is it that... Sir Gerard?"

"Precisely."

Theo's serious demeanor inquired, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

While Rinne too was taken aback, she showed no sign of questioning.

"Evidence?"

As expected, Sebion asked pointedly with a curt expression.

Ordinarily, I would've thought, 'What an irritating guy.' but right now, I needed someone to create this 'momentum.'

Thud.

I tossed some documents from within my coat onto the table.

"These are documents proving Gerard's atrocities as a member of the Dawn Society and his ties with the 'Nameless Band' one of the organizations governing the slums."

The journal of 'Nameless Band' I had obtained from the cottage when I encountered 'Maier'.

"By examining them closely, you'll find that the incidents where the symbol of the Dawn Society was found align with Gerard's activities in the West."

To prove he was a 'Bishop' of the Dawn Society, evidence was essential.

It was only logical that simply claiming someone was a Bishop without backing wouldn't carry any weight.

"So Gerard Oclear... he was indeed with the Dawn Society."

"And to think, as a Bishop no less, I considered him a seemingly noble gentleman!"

As the Followers cross-examined the documents, they muttered their disbelief.

Listening to them confirmed my assurances.

"They're still safe."

Even if the Sword Saint arrives, there was no immediate risk of them discovering I am a Bishop.

"But isn't Gerard currently missing?"

"... Could there have been a purge within the Dawn Society?"

When Theo voiced his curiosity, Rinne interjected.

Her deduction was sharp.

Indeed, the current 'High Pontiff' was holding a large-scale purge show under the pretext of loyalty.

"It might be time to start."

When the Followers gathered here were filled with doubt, it was the moment to lure them with it.

"No. Gerard is still alive and continues his duties as a Bishop of the Dawn Society."

I mixed truth with falsehood.

Hearing this, the Followers who were poring over the documents turned their attention back to me once more.

"Could you look at the bottom document?"

The sound of pages rustling reached my ears.

"There have been reports reaching me of a man resembling the now-missing Gerard Oclear."

The documents they examined would indeed note sightings of a man resembling Gerard Oclear, the one reported missing.

"... I see the reason why you're showing us this now."

Having read it, Sebion clicked his tongue and looked at me.

"Trying to clear your nose without lifting a handkerchief?"

"What do you mean, Sebion?"

"This scoundrel Yulian intends to capture Gerard without lifting a finger."

"Huhut."

I chuckled briefly at Sebion's words.

"Isn't that a problem? We are all loyal to the imperial family, aren't we?"

"The 'imperial family' you speak of and the 'imperial family' I think of seem to differ greatly."

"Even so..."

I cast a calm and confident smile.

"You must capture him."

Some for revenge.

Some for justice.

They would have to do so.

For the Sword Saint returning to the capital to investigate the Dawn Society as well.

***

"If you don't want it, we can pretend this information doesn't exist."

As Yulian casually moved to gather the documents, Sebion blocked him.

"Why the fuss, Sir Sebion? Aren't your words and actions contradicting?"

"You sly dog."

"Haha, don't be so harsh."

Yulian already knew.

The Followers, lacking information, wouldn't want to miss out on this bait.

"If you so wish, I'll leave these behind. Consider it my gift to the Followers."

With a gentle smile, Yulian bid them farewell and left the room.

On the third floor of the Resourceful Wish, which Yulian departed, a thick silence enveloped the Followers' gathering place. Sebion picked up the documents once more.

"... So Gerard, he was a Bishop?"

"What will you do, Sebion?"

"What are your thoughts, elder brother Theo?"

"I'll follow your decision! You're acting as the Sword Saint, aren't you?"

Shifting his gaze to Rinne after hearing Theo, Sebion found her nodding.

She seemed to have no intention of opposing his decision.

Indeed, it was as if the decision was already made.

"In that case, we'll have to form a pursuit team. Capturing this Bishop will anchor our understanding of the Dawn Society."

Though it crossed their minds that they were acting according to Yulian's ploy, there was no other option right now.

Yet, they knew once they captured 'Gerard', it would be they who held the reins.

"He plans to gather information from Gerard with no effort of his own."

Don't be so sure.

Nothing will be revealed to you from Gerard.

***

Sebion surely thought as much.

"They'll be so preoccupied with the bait I've cast, chasing it without realizing it."

But he wouldn't realize.

In the lie-laden truth, I fed them was one fact the Followers couldn't accept.

"Sir Yulian, the task you ordered is complete."

As I entered the alleyway, Pintel emerged silently from his hidden spot and spoke up.

The reason I risked visiting the Followers.

While partly to gauge how much they knew about the Dawn Society...

"We have captured the former Bishop, Gerard."

We'd already captured 'Gerard' by now.

I wished to shroud the Followers investigating the Dawn Society in mist.

Without the beacon of 'Gerard', the roadmap they could rely on was lost in the fog.