Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 208

Chapter 208. Hunting the Bishop (2)

"It's to put an end to an old bond."

It was Rinne who questioned the words of the Sword Saint, Hayden Reich.

However, after a bit of thought, she understood what he meant by 'old bond'.

'Pursuit of the Dawn Society.'

The Sword Saint.

She had heard that the reason he pursued the Dawn Society was to track down an individual named Tenelon, the remnants of an organization that killed his family in the past.

For revenge, quite like her own.

Because of this, Rinne felt a kinship with her master, Hayden. Perhaps Hayden felt the same and took her as his apprentice.

"Sebion, join the other Followers and stand by."

"What?"

"There might be something that comes up. As the acting Sword Saint, I entrust the Followers to you."

Sebion looked at Hayden, who was placing his trust in him, and nodded vigorously, as if he had sensed something.

"Understood!"

Determined to meet Hayden's expectations, Sebion quickly ran towards the rendezvous point.

Now, staring at the fallen cult members, Rinne shifted her gaze towards Hayden.

"Master."

"What is it, Rinne?"

"I still don't understand what you are thinking."

Once they were alone, Rinne decided to be more upfront and try to uncover Hayden's true thoughts.

"You don't understand my thoughts?"

"Yes."

"Would it change anything if you did?"

"Even if it wouldn't, I still want to hear them."

Hayden gave a faint smile as Rinne expressed her intent clearly, unlike before.

"You've changed a lot. Originally, you wouldn't have objected to anything I did."

I could somewhat grasp what he was trying to say.

Originally, she had followed 'Hayden's' orders like a shadow, silently carrying them out.

"However, it seems now is not the time for unnecessary words."

As Hayden spoke, a strong presence began to emanate from the alley.

Thunk, thunk──!

I sensed it simultaneously; figures wearing hoods appeared before us.

Even without scrutinizing them closely or asking, Rinne could tell they were members of the 'Dawn Society'.

"Really, my reputation seems to have diminished while I was away."

As Hayden assumed his stance with his drawn sword, an overwhelming aura overwhelmed them.

***

"You mean to head to the Genmel Monastery as it is?"

The first to react to the implications of replacing the High Pontiff was Zahard.

Even though Zahard had only joined the 'Dawn Society' recently, he understood the structure of the cult.

I had also informed him about the position the 'Genmel Monastery' held within the Dawn Society.

"A bad idea."

Perhaps due to this understanding, Zahard warned against my plan to resolve matters with the 'High Pontiff', calling it a bad idea.

"Even if we all here were to storm it, we couldn't possibly fend off the many cult members waiting there."

His reasoning was acceptable.

Though the number of members hiding within the Dawn Society was not entirely known, it was apparent that there were many.

"That's right! It's madness, Yulian!"

Felkhor also vehemently began to agree with Zahard.

However, I had my counterpoint as well.

"No, I suspect there may not be as many people at the Genmel Monastery."

Zahard is only aware of one aspect but not the other.

He knows much about the 'Dawn Society' but lacks understanding concerning the 'High Pontiff'.

"To utilize the cult members as sacrifices for the Demon God's Chalice, they must die."

For that purpose, the cult members must not be guarding the Genmel Monastery but instead be sent out for a 'Bishop Hunt'.

In other words, unlike before, the Genmel Monastery will be quite vacant.

"Do you have any proof?"

However, my confidence in this fact stemmed from my experience in 〈Kill the Demon King〉.

When asked for proof.

"It's intuition."

It felt frustratingly like an absurd response.

"So, intuition, is it?"

Zahard let out a short sigh.

"Normally, I wouldn't partake in such unreliable claims, but... there were instances in the North where we navigated dangers in this manner."

"... It's true."

It seemed from the way I had spoken like this until now, Zahard and Felkhor found some credence in my 'intuition.'

"... Finally."

While Zahard and Felkhor were nodding in understanding, Pintel's small soliloquy quietly filled the air.

Naturally, my attention shifted to Pintel.

'What's going on?'

This guy tended to tremble like that when something strange was about to happen.

"Yulian, have you finally resolved yourself?"

With an impassioned voice and bloodshot eyes, Pintel began to plead.

"It's not so much that I've resolved myself; it's more that the time has come."

From the start, the thought of dealing with Tenelon was on my mind.

"Finally... Good, Sir Yulian!"

Clap──!

Pintel raised his hand and clapped loudly.

Thereupon, presences began to manifest around Genin's mansion.

'Who are these?'

What emerged was a group of over ten suspicious figures.

"Hmm... So those lurking in the vicinity were them?"

It seemed Zahard was aware of these lurkers with his unique 'aura'.

"They weren't hiding. You were unable to deal with all the demons, so these men were tasked with it."

Tsk, Pintel clicked his tongue and threw a piercing look at Zahard.

"Because you didn't deal with them properly, Sir Yulian almost had to act again, didn't he?"

Zahard shrugged once with a shoulder receiving Pintel's gaze and looked at me.

More accurately, though his eyes couldn't see, his demeanor conveyed, 'What's he talking about?'

"Who are they?"

To change the subject, I inquired about the people gathered, addressing Pintel. As though he was waiting for it, Pintel began to speak.

"They're a newly formed group meant to guard Sir Yulian, 'Twilight'."

"Twilight...?"

As I let out a brief sigh, Pintel's face beamed.

"How do you find them? I've hand-picked talented individuals under my purview. Are you pleased?"

"Hmm..."

Am I pleased?

'Are you out of your mind!?'

Organizing a private militia not for the family but solely for an individual's benefit.

And not just anyone—someone from a royal-exclusive agency like the Blind Eyes forming a private force? Unthinkable.

If the Imperial Court were to find out about this...

I would undoubtedly be reprimanded as if attempting to bring spring to the imperial capital with this move.

"Sir Yulian, well done, indeed."

"... What are you talking about?"

"Revolution if successful, treason if failed!"

We are discussing the Dawn Society, right?

"These individuals will remain loyal to Sir Yulian's words. They'll kill if ordered to kill and die if ordered to die."

"That's commendable."

"Twilight and I will assist you, Sir Yulian, ensuring the Dawn Society's history is rewritten!"

"No."

Naturally, I chose to decline Pintel's suggestion.

'There are over 10 individuals just in plain sight.'

If Pintel's proud assertions hold weight, there must be far more than the visible number of 'Twilight' members.

Otherwise, there's no way he'd dare boast so.

"S-Sir Y- Yulian... Why?"

"Sir Pintel and the Twilights will be given tasks only they can accomplish."

"...which are?"

"From now on, eliminate the society members and protect the bishops from the attacks."

"Yes!?"

His tone questioned the meaning behind my words.

"Even if the High Pontiff perishes, the Dawn Society must persist."

Otherwise, the waste won't overflow.

"For that, the presence of the bishops are necessary."

"... Simultaneously forging a debt, to further solidify Sir Yulian's standing, I presume!"

That, too, is part of the purpose. However,

'Once the High Pontiff falls, I'll leave the Dawn Society with Eleanor and slip away.'

Strengthening my position would be nice, but it is also a strategy for ensuring silence remains.

"You've run across the capital, convincing the bishops against me, haven't you?"

"Th- That's true."

"By borrowing your hand, even the bishops who opposed me might change their stance."

Speaking in a trusting tone, I nodded while facing Pintel.

"Sir Pintel, this task can only be accomplished by you."

"Exclusively by me..."

He nodded in confirmation.

"I understand, Sir Yulian! I shall lead the Twilights and safeguard the bishops!"

To fulfill the trust placed in him, Pintel began summoning 'Twilight'.

Afterward, Pintel and those he gathered vanished into the shadows of the capital.

"... He's lost it."

Once their presence faded entirely, Zahard mumbled to himself as if finding it absurd.

I felt the same.

"Then, shall we also move?"

Calming my somewhat chaotic mind, I spoke as Zahard nodded.

Shortly, Zahard, Felkhor, and I began heading towards the Genmel Monastery.

***

Rinne, following without hesitation in the footsteps of her master, Hayden, asked,

"Master, where are we headed?"

Leading the way, Hayden turned in response to Rinne's inquiry and answered.

"To meet the leader of the Dawn Society."

"... The leader?"

"Yes."

"Did you know where he was all along, master?"

Rinne was taken aback by Hayden's words.

While 'Followers' gathered under the Sword Saint's name were many, there were also plenty assembled to uproot the 'Dawn Society'.

And now, to hear that the founder of the 'Followers', the Sword Saint, actually knew where the leader of the Dawn Society was?

"Yes, he was always within the capital."

"Why didn't you share that information?"

"Rinne, every matter comes with its own time to bear fruit."

With a gentle tone that seemed to explain, Hayden's demeanor left Rinne visibly perplexed.

"That's no answer, master."

"... Oh, really?"

With a nod, Hayden halted momentarily.

An atmosphere suggesting he wanted to say something. But his lips never parted.

Because once more, he began sensing the intent to harm directed towards him and his apprentice.

"It's endless. The empire truly is rotting."

Swish──!

Accompanying the Sword Saint's murmur, two shadows leaped down from a building rooftop.

The ominous glints of a sword and a dagger caught both Hayden's and Rinne's eyes, leading them to swiftly counter the surprise attack with their already unsheathed swords.

In the alley thick with darkness, sparks flew wildly.

"Hah!"

Rinne, shouting as she cleaved through a startled cult member, quickly scanned her surroundings, searching for other cult members' locations.

What caught Rinne's attention.

"Keheuk, cough...!"

Was the Sword Saint wheezing blood.

"Master!"

Although the ambush was quickly subdued, the Sword Saint's condition appeared concerning.

As though experiencing some internal injury. Though devoid of external wounds, he repeatedly coughed up blood and trembled violently.

The society members, not missing this opportunity, charged in.

"So, it's true you're in poor health, as the High Pontiff said!"

"You fool! Why did you return to the capital?"

Unlike the clumsy ones earlier, these cult members swiftly closed the gap, utilizing the walls for momentum.

'These bastards...!'

They were strong.

Spotting individuals who seemed to have the prowess of 'Monsignor' level, Rinne glanced nervously between the Sword Saint and the cult members.

While not unable to claim victory, protecting the master in a questionable state elevated the challenge.

'Even so.'

I would prevail.

Just as she was steeling herself, a flash of swordsmanship akin to lightning struck down upon the cult member leaping off the wall.

"Aaaaargh!"

As a cultist fell to the ground with a wretched scream, the remaining cult member turned around in shock.

Yet again.

They were struck down by a bolt of lightning.

"Keheuk... I never wanted my disciples to witness such a disgraceful state."

Recognizing the familiar swordsmanship, Rinne heaved a sigh of relief. Hayden, too, stopped his coughing and directed his attention towards the Sword Saint who subdued the cult members.

"Worry not. Since leaving the capital, you've always been a disgrace."