Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 217

Chapter 217. Weakening (1)

"Hmm, what should I do?"

While watching 'Angelica' freely move around the bookshelf in my office, I mumbled to myself.

Due to the mutual attraction between my Trait, 〈True Vessel〉, and the fragments of 'Demon God's Chalice' absorbed by 'Angelica', I felt that this couldn't continue.

'Not that I know any particular way.'

Even for someone well-versed in 〈Be·Ma·Zhu〉 like me, this situation was unprecedented.

After all,

'A demon possessing the power of the Demon God's Chalice...'

Luckily, this demon regarded me as its 'Master', but it was still an event that had never occurred before.

"Um?"

Gurgle, gurgle.

I saw that 'Angelica' was prowling around me.

What is its purpose?

Holding that question in mind, I noticed that the strength seemed to have left its many eyes.

"Are you hungry?"

In response to my question, Angelica blinked its eyes as if to confirm it.

'It's fascinating to understand this, and it's even more intriguing that it seems to understand my words.'

Pushing aside the strange feeling, I decided to contemplate how to address the hunger felt by 'Angelica'.

'Normally, my mana would suffice to satisfy it.'

Right now, it's impossible to feed it 'mana'. I had expelled it from my body, and in the process of extracting 'Angelica', the mana within the mana veins had been completely drained.

'I guess I'll have to feed it something else directly.'

Fortunately, 'Angelica' didn't solely consume 'mana'. It could ingest food and, through that process, generate mana.

But the real issue was,

'I can't feel mana within my body.'

This was probably due to the mana veins being utterly empty.

I had risked everything by draining all the mana in my body to extract Angelica.

'Even if I attempt to release aura.'

It doesn't come out.

'This is a precarious situation.'

Finding myself unable to use mana, I began to realize just how dependent I had been on 'mana' and 'aura' until now.

Whether sensing my surroundings.

Or during combat.

Or when protecting my body.

In every situation, I had utilized 'mana', and the absence was now profoundly significant.

'Hmm.'

Nevertheless, I've survived countless dangers in this world.

Even if my mind and spirit waver like reeds, I could quickly get back on track.

'What should I do!?'

Could I?

'Without mana, even the Moonlit Sword...!'

I felt a surge of bewildering emotion begin to bubble up from my core.

'I wouldn't even notice an ambush!'

I began to count inwardly the numerous ambushes I had faced.

There were many.

After all, not many would think of defeating 'Yulian' head-on, right?

'It's a relief that the Dawn Society issues have been resolved.'

Yulian had many enemies. It was a fact that no amount of good deeds could cover.

'How long do I have to wait until my body recovers?'

I started concentrating my mind on my core.

'Damn it.'

Why is this guy's mana vein so large?

Well, the 〈Moonlit Sword〉, compared to other 'unique auras,' was a technique that consumed mana immensely.

In comparison, other 'auras' may add appropriate nuances to 'consumption,' but this one acts like opening a faucet and pouring out mana.

That's what grants it its overwhelming cutting power.

'It looks like I need to rest for at least two days before I can use the Moonlit Sword again.'

Gurgle.

Once again, Angelica approached and squirmed clumsily.

It doesn't fawn over me by clinging to my body as it usually does.

It seems to have realized that I experience pain when it comes into contact. Because of that, all its actions have become cautious.

"Are you concerned for me?"

Did it even understand the worry I had due to not possessing mana?

A demon did that?

- Grrr.

Angelica shook its body in denial.

Oh.

It wasn't empathizing with me.

'It just wanted food.'

***

When I asked the butler to bring some food to the office, a cart laden with a banquet of dishes was wheeled in.

"Please wait."

I stopped 'Angelica' from digging into the food and it paused its wriggling body.

I made it do this to verify if it continued to follow my commands meticulously after being extracted from me, and it did, obediently.

"You may eat."

Crash!

'Angelica' began eating the food on the cart.

'I feel like I'm raising a dog.'

Thinking that, I simply picked up a piece of bread and put it in my mouth.

'I can't keep living like this. I must come up with a plan.'

The emptiness of 'mana' is a problem that will naturally resolve over time, so it's not an issue. The problem is 'Angelica'.

'Hmm.'

I had no plan, but there were avenues through which I might 'find out'.

That is, by gathering information from the 'northern sorcerers' who are well-versed in the study of 'demons'.

Of course, finding 'sorcerers' in the capital would be difficult. At most, there's that diviner and witch, 'Abigail', who flutters about near the Emperor.

'I doubt she would provide any information.'

Moreover, revealing that I'm nurturing a 'demon' inside my body is akin to suicide.

There's no need to expose my vulnerabilities to others unnecessarily.

'Ah.'

One more person.

There was indeed a 'sorcerer' in this capital.

Someone even closely connected to 'Yulian'.

'Milena.'

She was Yulian's mother.

Though no longer among the living, making it impossible to ask her directly, Milena, as a sorcerer, would have likely conducted her own research.

'Even if not to the extent she did in her homeland.'

She used a 'Soul Stone' to save young Yulian's life. If she could produce such results, she must have conducted her research as a sorcerer even here in the capital.

'Hmm.'

Chewing on the bread, I lost myself in thought.

The Cryphart family villa.

I had a feeling that something might be there at the place 'Milena' used to live.

'Is it alright to go to the Cryphart family right now given the situation?'

It seemed strange to ask if it was alright to visit my family home, but for 'Frason' Yulian, it was inherently risky.

Moreover, since I'm unable to use mana, the risk is doubled.

"Well, moving around a little is better than staying still."

Something huge had happened recently. In times like this, it's better to move around rather than being holed up in the room, waiting to recover.

To at least prevent idle thoughts.

"Uh."

As I was chewing the bread, I sensed something strange in my mouth.

Judging by the taste and texture, it seemed similar to raisins.

Apparently, this kind of thing is included in bread here as well.

People are similar everywhere.

***

Once I arrived at the villa where Milena had lived, I immediately started searching through the interior.

It seemed nothing had been touched after her death, as the furnishings and books were still arranged as they were.

Perhaps after 'Milena' died, this place remained frozen in time.

"...... Is this all?"

After reading through countless books in there, I muttered to myself out of disbelief.

There was nowhere inside the villa that seemed suitable for conducting 'research.'

The only suspicious area was the library, which had numerous bookshelves. However, the books on those shelves were all related to 'art.'

'Did she perhaps read such books for prenatal education?'

It was apparent who inherited her eccentric artistic sense.

"There's really nothing here."

After fully searching the library, I sighed and muttered to myself.

Milena was a sorcerer.

A sorcerer titled the Queen of Thorns. With her exceptional sorcery skills as a 'witch', I was sure she would've consistently conducted research.

Clatter!

The scabbard shook. More accurately, 'Angelica' inside twisted its body.

"Please remain still."

Since it wasn't supposed to touch my body, I left 'Angelica' in the scabbard. When I gave it a gentle nudge, it continued to wriggle.

'Why is it doing this?'

While questioning that in my mind, I sensed a presence behind me.

'It's close.'

It wasn't far. Normally, I would've been able to sense them using 'mana', but I can't use any mana right now.

'...... An enemy?'

Once that thought crossed my mind, cold sweat started trickling down my back.

Incapable of even performing 'sensing' with mana, conjuring the unique aura of the 'Moonlit Sword' was out of the question.

To put it boldly, it was no exaggeration to say my combat abilities had been halved.

'Damn.'

I should've stayed holed up at home!

Regretting as such, the presence gradually drew nearer.

"It's spotless every time I come here. More so than the main house."

"... That sounds like you're saying I neglect the main house, Eharc."

"How did you know? Please pay some attention to it, Oben... huh? The library door is open..."

Whether it was fortunate or not.

I couldn't use 'mana', but thankfully, the approaching individuals were not enemies.

"... Yulian?"

I was met with an encounter at the villa's library with the old knight Eharc and the head of the Cryphart family whom he served, Oben Cryphart.

Thud!

I put back the book and immediately turned to leave.

Damn trembling hands. Yulian disliked his father, to the point his body reacts on its own.

"What were you doing here?"

As I attempted to quickly exit the room, Eharc blocked my path.

His reaction was only natural.

As a 'knight', Eharc had every reason to question why I, someone who had departed from the family, was here.

"Do I have to seek Sir Eharc's permission to enter my own home?"

Naturally, I reciprocated with an apt response.

"... Your own home, you say?"

Then again, the one who reacted most profoundly was Oben.

"Indeed, it is your home. It's yours, Yulian."

Seeing Oben's somewhat pleased expression provoked a fit of anger deep within me.

"So, how about sharing a meal together after such a long time?"

Just as I was about to finally leave, Oben said, seemingly eager to make me stay.

"I'm sorry, but there's something I need to find."

I promptly declined.

Separated from 'Angelica', I needed to discover a way to accommodate it, possibly in Milena's work.

Though, I likely would've declined regardless.

"Is it pertaining to Milena?"

Having seemingly read my thoughts, Oben mentioned 'Milena's' name.

I was irritated he'd dare utter her name, but at the moment, that wasn't the issue.

"Yes."

"I know about it."

"But I haven't even mentioned what I'm looking for, Sir Oben."

"But I know. I know everything related to Milena."

Oben, with an oddly wistful expression.

Seeing that, I tutted inwardly.

Ah, hearing what he was about to say next would probably tempt 'Yulian' to throw a punch.

"Because I loved her."

Thwack!

As expected, Yulian's 'instinct' punched him.

I knew it would happen!