Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 219

Chapter 219. Distortion (1)

From the beginning, only a few characters or families had 'relics'.

The Hynix family, who carry the dragon's lineage.

Or the Godricht family, who control high society.

However, these are possessions of existing "families" or individuals.

'In contrast, the Snow Rabbit's Ring.'

Is an item you can only get at the accessory store 'North Watch'.

Moreover, the seller didn't even realize it was a 'relic', and only those who knew the game's content could purchase it.

'How?'

No, I should have asked Kaldrach from the start.

To replicate the fake 'Snow Rabbit's Ring', they'd need the "genuine article."

How did they know about it?

'It was said to be made by the Witch of the Blizzard Forest, Abisha.'

She must have had the chance to see the "genuine" one. Perhaps she observed 'Melina' wearing it and made a replica.

'If so, how did Melina manage to secure the ring?'

She must have had information to acquire it.

'Who is she, really?!'

Although it might seem a bit brash to speak this way about my mother, the person named 'Milena' remains a mysterious figure.

"Alright, take this with you, Yulian."

As I was organizing my thoughts, Oben came toward me, attempting to grab my hand.

He was trying to hand me the box containing the 'Snow Rabbit's Ring', but I instinctively stepped back.

Yulian's instincts rejected Oben.

"Come on, it's a good thing!"

Despite that, I managed to grab the box Oben offered.

'The Snow Rabbit's Ring.'

Finally, this relic was in my hands.

I had no way of acquiring it when I headed to the 'Northern Front'.

'Are events unfolding as they should?'

Like the Sword Saint's death.

And the 'player' obtaining the 'ring'.

"It's true that you deserve this ring more than I do."

That statement was correct.

"Hmm?"

As soon as my hand unexpectedly touched the ring in the box, I sensed a strange aura.

Even though I couldn't use 'mana', I could still sense certain 'changes'.

'There's another magic at play.'

Currently, a peculiar 'sorcery' was cast on the 'Snow Rabbit's Ring'.

With limited knowledge, I began to grasp the 'sorcery' etched onto the ring.

'This relic is a key.'

It's likely a certain location where Milena researched 'sorcery'. A key to enter that place.

I could roughly guess the location. I was able to visually track where the link connected to the 'ring' was pointing.

'Doesn't Oben sense this?'

I sneaked a glance at Oben's face.

Suppressing my irritation, it seemed Oben was unaware of the sorcery involved with the 'ring'.

'It depends not on skills or mana manipulation but on whether one knows sorcery.'

Well, this worked out for the better.

I wouldn't need to question Oben further about 'Milena'.

"Hey, where are you going, Yulian?"

As I turned to leave, Oben asked in a flustered tone.

"It seems it wouldn't be proper to inquire more with you, Sir Oben."

"Then at least join me for a meal...."

"Hmm."

While I intended to refuse, perhaps a response for obtaining the 'relic' might be polite.

"I'll delay it for later."

Of course, not now but sometime later.

Someday, that time will come.

***

"If only you'd been kinder since before he became an adult, none of this would have happened."

As Eharc added a comment while watching Yulian's receding figure, Oben gave a wry smile.

"I couldn't even face Yulian back then. Milena's face kept coming to mind."

Even with a sentimental expression, upon seeing Eharc's expression, he clicked his tongue inside his mind.

The veteran knight Eharc, still strong in old age and enjoying a harmonious household, couldn't quite appreciate Oben's romantic tendencies.

"If Lady Siliona heard this, she'd be heartbroken."

"Like I said before, Siliona was just a political marriage."

That political marriage.

"But you still built a family."

Though Eharc didn't meet his wife with the notion of pure love, he realized the importance of 'family' the moment he had children.

Unlike Eharc, Oben hadn't been particularly faithful to his 'family', and it was natural Eharc wasn't fond of this aspect.

"You seem inclined to criticize today."

"It's the same as always; just saying it today as well."

"Haaa."

Oben let out a deep sigh.

Looking at Eharc, he finally spoke.

"Eharc, what do you think?"

"About what?"

"About Yulian."

"He's an exceptional swordsman."

"And what else?"

"That's it."

Whether he was the Sword Saint's disciple or the son of his liege, Eharc didn't concern himself with it.

"I often think of appointing Yulian as my successor."

Oben's calm yet powerful voice made Eharc pretend to clean out his ear.

"I must have misheard you, master Oben."

"No, you heard correctly."

"Aren't you too young to be senile, compared to me?"

"No, hear me out."

It was a statement that didn't need to be heard, but Eharc looked at Oben irritably.

"The Cryphart family has always been respected by knights. But apart from Yulian, who else has made achievements in 'swordsmanship'?"

"There's Joshua, isn't there?"

"Joshua is too young."

"Haaa."

With Oben's firm tone, Eharc sighed. By now, Eharc knew it was impossible to change this line of thinking.

"Besides, I doubt Yulian would accept the proposal, nor would Lord Ornn or Lady Siliona stand by."

"That's...true."

"But!"

Blocking Oben's retort, Eharc spoke strongly.

"With his level of skill, Yulian being appointed family head wouldn't be strange."

"Oh?"

Oben was startled. For a knight who didn't particularly like Yulian, what sudden change of heart was this?

"Didn't you dislike Yulian?"

Oben, showing a hint of pride, asked with a smirk, prompting Eharc to turn and walk ahead instead of answering.

The reason for the change in Eharc's thinking was simple.

"I didn't sense any mana from Yulian's body."

Even as someone who had walked the path of a swordsman longer than the Sword Saint, there were things one could discern.

"There are two situations when you can't sense mana."

It's either there's no 'mana' at all.

Or, the method of handling 'mana' has reached such a state of transcendence.

In the latter case, reaching a state where one's body and nature become one, makes it impossible to detect 'mana' from such a person.

"After the Sword Saint's death, has his skill reached another level?"

For that reason, Eharc was compelled to keep a wary eye on Yulian, sweating nervously.

A state of not being able to sense 'mana'. If confronted by such an individual, one would certainly be caught unawares.

"He's become a monster..."

Eharc murmured to himself, marveling at Yulian's level of skill.

***

Whew.

Thankfully, Eharc merely emitted a deadly aura without intending to confront me.

"That was truly terrifying."

It was a different kind of fear from anything I'd experienced before.

If I had to compare, I'd liken it to a 'horror game'.

Having something like a gun for defense made it somewhat better, but holding a foolish torch with no means of resistance was terribly frightening.

"Whew."

Fortunately, the horror game had ended. Breathing a sigh of relief, I started to follow the 'sorcery' associated with the 'Snow Rabbit's Ring' relic.

"I suppose visiting a specific place with this ring would open a door?"

The location wasn't far. Though outside the capital, it was nearby to the west.

"Near Lake Tarnan, I presume."

One of the renowned scenic spots of the empire.

Though it's relatively close to the capital, "Seems Milena didn't just hole up in a villa."

Quite likely, for someone dubbed the 'Queen of Thorns', being locked up didn't suit her nature.

"Either way, I'll have to pay a visit at some point."

What she researched there wasn't of significant interest.

Who Milena was is unimportant compared to the now.

- Groan.

As if reading my thoughts, Angelica, sheathed in the scabbard, quivered.

"Do you find your enclosure stifling as well?"

Groan.

The scabbard shook affirmatively.

Owing to the unprecedented situation, a result of the 'vessel' and 'Demon God's Chalice' connection, I need to find a way somehow.

"Alright, let's head out. It's just a few hours away."

The distance was short enough not to require renting a carriage or preparing for camping.

A decent horse from which I can depart should suffice.

***

"Yulian has taken a horse and left the capital."

Hemmel, one of the Three Colors, unlike others of 'color', often cultivated many disciples.

Hearing this report from one of his disciples, Hemmel placed his hand on his jaw and sighed.

"He left the capital..."

Hemmel eventually accepted the offer from Ornn. If only he could eliminate 'Flugel', his path to the 'Sage's' position would be clear. Still, he couldn't shake off the ominous feeling.

"So, even Lady Abagail, the diviner, has started to move in earnest."

Through the magical artifact Obern wore, the voice unmistakably was from the emperor's diviner, 'Abigail'.

The fact that this woman, who usually plotted under the surface, began moving so openly gave a clear picture upon a little thought.

"With a noticeable plan like the Sword Saint eliminated, all the contained monsters within the empire are starting to act out."

Troublesome, indeed.

As Hemmel considered this, he shifted his focus onto the disciple who reported to him.

"Which direction is he heading?"

"West."

"West? Is there any reason he'd need to go west?"

"I'm not sure of that..."

As his disciple hesitated, Hemmel fell into thought.

"That's peculiar."

The direction itself wasn't of great concern—neither was the reason for leaving the capital.

"How did he not notice?"

For someone of Yulian's caliber, even if far removed, detecting 'mana' surveillance should have been possible.

Hemmel had heard about Yulian's prowess in 'mana manipulation,' often recounted through rumors within the Magic Tower.

The reason for accompanying a disciple in keeping watch over Yulian was simple.

"To lure him in this direction."

Merely stepping out for hunting was ordinary.

Luring the prey over was true sagacity.

As this way was relatively safer, it was chosen, yet Yulian hadn't reacted at all.

"Could it be he didn't notice us observing?"

Otherwise.

"Did Yulian intend to lure us instead?"

It boiled down to one of these two possibilities.

If it were the latter, Hemmel might find himself in peril.

For competent mages, avoiding even a hint of danger was considered wise.

"But interesting."

Hemmel was quite the eccentric.

"What shall we do, master?"

"What else? We follow."

He embodied a peculiarity that was almost unbecoming of a mage, driven by a strong sense of competition.

Clacky's Corner:

These misunderstanding I don't not like.