Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 213

Chapter 213. Teacher and Disciple (3)**

"Really, no matter how many you kill, there's no end to them!"

Zahard opened his mouth in a curt voice as he cut down a demon charging at him from the front.

Although there was no sign of fatigue in his voice, he sensed that more and more demons were beginning to gather here.

"My body aches, maybe I shouldn't have tagged along!"

Rinne knew that such complaints weren't sincere at all.

Just like Zahard, Rinne slashed through a demon.

Despite the sticky purple mucus adhering to her sword, which would make anyone frown, Rinne's expression showed no change.

"Are you alright, lady Rinne?"

"Yes, I'm still alright."

"Then, we should end this while you're still alright."

As Zahard said this, 'aura' began to slowly overflow from his body.

As if reacting to Zahard's aura, the 'demons' started to experience anomalies in their bodies.

Spewing mucus, the demons fell to the ground and their bodies turned to dust, scattering into the air.

"Huh? What's happening?"

A surprised Zahard retracted his 'aura' and looked around. Rinne had no questions.

Once she saw the face of the figure walking out from inside, she could be certain of what had transpired.

"Sir Yulian."

Rinne called out his name.

At the same time, she was about to ask about their mentor when she saw the familiar face he was carrying and fell silent.

Her breath nearly stopped.

"Ugh..."

Likewise, Zahard let out a short sigh.

The Sword Saint, cradled in Yulian's arms, seemed as silent as the dead.

As Rinne hastily approached, Yulian carefully laid down Hayden.

He was not breathing. Rinne, seeing this, nearly burst into harsh words but managed to swallow them.

Yulian was not smiling.

That fact alone vividly conveyed how heartbreaking he found the situation.

"What happened?"

The moment she opened her mouth, Rinne was surprised by her own calmness.

Deep down, she had known that it would end up like this.

"Your mentor sacrificed himself to take down the High Pontiff of the Dawn Society alongside him."

At Yulian's words, Rinne nodded with a devastated expression and embraced her mentor's body.

***

The death of the Sword Saint, Hayden Reich, stirred the capital.

【The Returning Sword Saint, fallen Star.】

【What Happened in the Holy Kingdom?】

Every newspaper covered his death, with tributes to the 'Sword Saint' prominently displayed on the front page.

【The Man the Sword Saint Chased, Tenelon. Who is He?】

【The Hidden Cultists, the Dawn Society】

Stories about Tenelon, the High Pontiff of the Dawn Society, were also not hard to find.

'As expected.'

Lazlot thought as he saw this. Most of the bishops were making a big deal out of this to distance themselves from the 'Dawn Society' scandal.

Naturally.

If one were a 'bishop'-level figure, they were likely nobility, and being entangled with the 'Dawn Society' would not end well.

As a result, the moment the 'High Pontiff' died, the organization known as the 'Dawn Society' was said to have dissipated, as if trying to prevent anyone from getting caught in unnecessary trouble.

'A well-played move.'

Though involved, Lazlot thought that he could withdraw at any time. As he read the newspaper, he nodded.

In any case, since a backlash could come again, it would be wise for everyone to lay low for a while.

'... Besides, things must quiet down for Sir Yulian to take the High Pontiff's position smoothly.'

In truth, many monsignors and 'bishops' who held animosity towards Yulian were cleared out due to the recent 'bishop hunt' incident.

Thanks to Pintel and Yulian's private soldiers, 'Twilight', the evaluation of Yulian had completely changed.

'Those who still harbor resentment against Sir Yulian.'

They have likely been shoved to the cold depths of the capital.

As he thought about this, Lazlot shivered for no reason.

Suddenly, memories of being a double agent, going back and forth between Blind Eyes and the imperial secretariat, surged up.

'Perhaps it's a relief that Sir Yulian discovered me.'

Had his identity not been uncovered and he'd continued to serve under Aiden, his head might not be on his shoulders right now.

"Kuheum."

With arms full of documents, Lazlot stood in front of Yulian's office.

And he hesitated to knock.

'Is Sir Yulian also mourning the Sword Saint's death?'

Though he was excommunicated, he was his mentor and disciple.

The person who changed his life was gone from this world; surely there must be some emotional change, big or small.

"Why don't you just go inside instead of hesitating?"

While Lazlot was deliberating on knocking, a familiar voice sounded beside him.

It was Zahard.

Seeing his face, Lazlot wore a slightly awkward expression.

Remembering the time he opened his mouth to ask for sword teaching.

"... How is Sir Yulian holding up?"

Lazlot asked, and Zahard shrugged his shoulders.

"I can't say what he's like usually, but he seems alright."

Then, Zahard spoke again.

"There's nothing unusual. He hums while watering plants and reads books with a calm face."

Listening to Zahard's words, Lazlot found it strange.

Watering plants could be one thing, but humming or having a calm face?

More importantly.

"... If there's nothing wrong, then why aren't you going inside, Sir Zahard?"

The fact that Zahard wasn't entering and lingering outside was suspicious.

It was something one could figure out with a little thought.

"You feel something's off, don't you, Sir Zahard?"

He must've come here with something to discuss. However, the strange atmosphere made it daunting to step inside.

"Hmm..."

Zahard let out a groan as if Lazlot had hit the nail on the head.

"Are you alright, Sir Zahard?"

"I've had countless experiences of losing friends."

"Just because you're experienced doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

Zahard chuckled at the slightly mature remark.

"Haha, this young kid sounds like they have a lot to say. Numbing emotions is like this. Everything is hard the first time, but it's easier afterward."

Tsk! Zahard clicked his tongue.

"However, it's true that the first time is difficult. I've lost a friend, but Yulian lost his only mentor, someone he once cherished like a father."

Watching Zahard's mature remarks, Lazlot was inwardly impressed.

"You're mindful too, Sir Zahard."

Zahard looked at him incredulously at Lazlot's candid impression.

"Yes, so lend a hand, you little brat."

Knock, knock──!

Having finished speaking, Zahard swiftly knocked on the door.

'Hmm?'

Since he said he had something to say, was he planning to talk first?

It wouldn't matter. If he could somehow dilute the bad atmosphere, Lazlot was all for it.

"I'll leave it to you."

But as soon as Zahard finished saying that, he fled as if escaping the scene.

'What, what the...!?'

Lazlot was about to catch Zahard when a voice came from inside the office.

"Please, come in."

It was Yulian's voice.

If someone didn't enter despite knocking, one might think someone was playing a prank.

"Y—yes!"

Concerned that Yulian's fiery temper could meet the poor situation head-on, Lazlot quickly opened the door and stepped inside.

'Sir Zahard...!'

Cursing Zahard inwardly.

"Lazlot, what brings you here?"

As Zahard had said, Yulian didn't seem much different.

He was watering bonsai and moving plants that shouldn't be exposed to sunlight to the shadows, maintaining the usual atmosphere.

Glimpsing.

Lazlot subtly scrutinized Yulian's face.

He swept aside his silver hair, yet his face showed no sign of emotion.

'... And that's scarier.'

Lately, such a tone was absent, but before, Yulian was the type who often said the 'Sword Saint' should die by his own hands.

With both his goal and purpose gone, he could've understandably been outraged, but Yulian remained serene.

Like a storm waiting to unleash.

"Lazlot."

"Yes!?"

At that moment, Yulian's voice sounded again.

"Didn't I ask, what brings you here?"

"Ah, yes!"

Lazlot hurriedly took out the documents from his arms.

"I have reports to deliver."

"Go ahead."

"First, it's the official statement regarding Sir Hayden Reich's death."

Hearing the name Hayden Reich, Yulian, who was tending to the plants, turned his head to make eye contact with Lazlot.

"I'm curious. What will the Imperial family say about this?"

"... It might not be pleasant if someone close to Sir Hayden Reich hears it, but the Imperial family has stated that there will be no events commemorating the death of the hero 'Sword Saint'."

"Hmm."

Yulian let out a short sigh. Listening to that made Lazlot's heart almost stop, but he continued to speak.

"Furthermore, Sir Hayden Reich will not be buried at the national cemetery, the Shrine of Heroes."

"Of course, even though he returned to the capital to assist in the investigation, he was still a body that had exiled itself."

A reasonable announcement.

Yulian added such words.

They were so small they were difficult to hear, but still.

"Haha, it's rather absurd, Lazlot."

"Yes?"

"It's laughable that someone who dedicated his life to serving the Adratan Empire doesn't get a burial at the Shrine of Heroes. Instead, there's a debate over which country's graveyard he will be buried in."

Lazlot fell silent at the words that were hard to easily reply to.

Clacky's Corner:

Not gonna lie, the death of the Sword Saint and Tenelon feels kinda lackluster.

Granted, Tenelon died a futile death and the Sword Saint sacrificed himself to destroy the Demon God's Chalice.

But with 90 chapters left, there should be another big bad. And if I have to guess who it is, it's probably Eulsis or the Emperor.