Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 220

Chapter 220. Distortion (2)

I left the capital, heading west.

It didn't take too long to arrive at my destination, lake Tarnan.

The lake was as beautiful as its reputation suggested, being one of the Empire's most scenic sights.

The blue waters were so clear and pristine that they drew admiration from anyone who beheld them.

Depending on the direction of the setting sun, the light shimmered more deeply and beautifully.

Around the lake, charming pines and oaks were densely packed, and delicate flowers scattered over the green hills.

It was a perfect place to rest with the beauty of nature and a tranquil atmosphere.

As a result, people who came to enjoy the scenery were occasionally spotted here.

However, I didn't come here to leave a commentary on the scenery.

"It's in here."

I was here to find the secret place where 'Milena' had discreetly stored her research.

I aimed to gather any hints I could about the 'vessel' to restore Angelica to her previous state.

After all, it was none other than Milena who had made Yulian a vessel. No matter what her intentions were, that was the truth of the matter.

If I knew how, I could possibly explain the phenomenon related to it.

"Hmm."

Before entering, I took a moment to take in the landscape of Lake Tarnan. It's beautiful, but it seems to be missing something. Perhaps a subtle touch of pink would look nice.

"Am I crazy?"

I nearly chanted 'pink' without thinking. What a crazy thought.

***

As I continued through the brush, I pulled out the 'Snow Rabbit's Ring' that I had received from Oben. Traces of 'sorcery'. Following these traces led me to a space that could be called a clearing.

'Here it is.'

At a glance, it was the kind of place that screamed, 'There's something here!'

However, I couldn't quite perceive what was actually there.

If only I had mana, I might have been able to find it somehow. But with all my mana depleted, that approach was impossible.

'Where does the sorcery activate?'

As I held a box and moved step-by-step into the clearing, a strange energy began to swirl.

Grrrrrrrr──!

When the 'Angelica' in the scabbard vibrated, warning me to be cautious, a loud noise started to echo from the ground beneath me.

'It's opening.'

Even without mana, my Trait remained intact. 〈Remarkable Intuition〉 began to sound an alert about the occurrences beneath me.

To prepare for any potential situation, I stepped back. The ground began to crack and reveal a staircase.

It was like the entrance to what could be called a 'dungeon'.

'...... Milena.'

Once again, I sensed where Yulian's strange instincts originated.

'Did she really have to make it like this?'

If efficiency had been a priority, the designs and ornaments at the entrance wouldn't be so ornate.

'Well, it wasn't far from Cryphart's villa.'

Even so, traveling back and forth to such a place was peculiar.

'Hmm?'

As I descended the stairs with the 'Snow Rabbit's Ring', the patterns around me began to glow faintly, responding.

It seemed that the structure was designed so that the 'power' would activate when the person with the 'ring' entered.

'It feels like quite some time has passed.'

I hadn't yet confirmed everything completely, but the interior atmosphere seemed distant from current styles.

It felt like it was built quite a while ago—long before 'Milena' and 'Oben' met.

With these brief impressions in mind, I continued down the stairs to find yet another large clearing came into view.

The difference here was that beyond it lay a stone door.

'...... A guardian.'

A guardian awaited by the door.

'I came to resolve issues related to the 'vessel' and 'Angelica', but it feels overly 'formal', raising questions instead.'

What had been done here, and how did Milena come to acquire such a place?

'I guess those answers will come as I proceed.'

The immediate problem was the guardian visible in front of me.

'A golem.'

Of course, 〈Ji·Ma·Juk〉 included golems.

In general, any offensive system that could be constructed using 'mana' was referred to as a 'golem'.

Nonetheless, what stood before me was a golem.

'A golem designed to counter opponents.'

A golem intended for counter-enemies. It rests until an intruder appears, then absorbs their mana and powers up.

'Unless the golem moves, the stone door won't open.'

Once inside, the golem can serve as a sentinel in case of outside intruders.

In other words, for intruders, this golem is a 'wall' to break through, while for the proprietors, it is part of the 'door' they use to enter.

'...... Damn it.'

Understanding the mechanism, I cursed internally.

As I came here with the 'key', I wasn't an 'intruder' who needed to fight the golem.

But I still couldn't proceed beyond the door.

'It needs mana.'

The stone door would only open if the golem was powered, but I lacked mana.

Of course, even without mana, Yulian could likely force the 'stone door' open. The consequences of such an action, however, were unpredictable.

'Yet a direct approach still seems the best choice.'

While not everything can be solved by brute force, 'most issues' can be.

Clatter──!

As if echoing my intent, 'Angelica' shook again within the scabbard.

'Wait.'

Upon closer inspection, it was a warning from 'Angelica'.

Someone was approaching.

'Is there someone nearby?'

It couldn't be just a casual visitor. Which means.

'Pursuers.'

Since leaving the capital, they had been tailing me.

'Tsk.'

I clicked my tongue inwardly. If I had mana, I would've easily detected the pursuers following me.

They were skilled enough to pursue me knowing I was 'Yulian'. Even if I had mana, the ensuing battle would likely have been arduous.

'If I climb back up the stairs now, I'll almost certainly run into them......'

I wonder if there's even a place to hide.

As I scanned the surroundings with that thought, I noticed a sunken area overgrown with branches and vines.

'I should be able to hide there.'

Firmly deciding, I immediately pushed aside the branches and vines, and slipped inside. Fortunately, the space was ample enough to completely conceal a person.

'They've arrived.'

Once I managed to completely hide myself, I began to hear footsteps descending the stairs.

***

"This is...?"

Having reached Lake Tarnan, Hemmel continued to pursue Yulian's trail.

In his view, there appeared stairs resembling dungeon entrances and a clearing cluttered with scattered rocks.

"Where has Yulian gone?"

Hemmel was concerned not with the 'location', but with the 'person'. The sudden disappearance of Yulian, whom he had been tracking, was making the pursuit difficult.

Asking a disciple nearby, who had their face mostly covered with a cloth, a man opened his mouth to speak.

"Yulian's trace vanished here... Urk!"

Thud──!

Hemmel struck the speaking disciple with his staff.

"Number 4, you are incompetent. I always advised you to keep track of Yulian's mana, even if he vanished from the world."

"I apologize......"

Blood stained the cloth that covered the disciple's face, but Hemmel, undisturbed, scanned the clearing.

And there it was, the 'golem', catching his eye.

'Sorcery.'

A form of 'magic' utilized by Northern barbarians.

Although one would expect it to be disorienting given how distinct it was from the continent's 'standard' abilities, Hemmel understood the 'sorcery' structure at once.

'If it employs mana, it all boils down to the same principle.'

After looking around a bit more, Hemmel came to a conclusion.

'It is designed to absorb the mana of anyone approaching the door, activating the guardian.'

Having grasped that much, Hemmel turned his eyes to the disciples trailing him.

"Number 3."

"Yes, master."

"Did I teach you that the water element magic you learned was for neural interference and perception reduction?"

"That's correct."

In response to the so-called Number 3 disciple, Hemmel briefly stroked his chin.

'Those abilities have no use here.'

Calculating in his head, Hemmel gestured at the stone door with his staff.

"Proceed, open that door."

"... What?"

"Go."

Appearing somewhat fearful, number 3 was intimidated by Hemmel's commanding tone.

The disciples, showing signs of reluctance as they approached, began to exhibit nervousness as gentle light seeped around them while nearing the stone door.

"Ahh, aahhhhhgh!"

As Hemmel expected, when Number 3 approached the stone door, the 'golem' began absorbing the intruder's mana.

Rumble──!

At the same time, scattered rock shards gathered together, morphing into a form resembling a human structure.

"Can the barbarian's magic rival the history of our noble Empire?"

The golem rumbled amid Hemmel's gestures with his staff. Silvery mercury oozed from the tip of Hemmel's waving staff, enveloping the golem.

Ssssss──!

The golem shuddered amid boiling sounds. Using his magic, Hemmel wrested control of the 'golem', coercing it to open the stone door.

With an unpleasant sound, the firmly sealed stone door parted open. Without stopping, Hemmel's magic dismantled the golem.

"Shoddy thing."

"Number 3!"

"Are you okay, number 3!?"

Despite the path being clear, the disciples hesitated. Scowling, Hemmel examined them closely.

"Just an empty shell without mana."

"B-but Master, at this rate, it really might..."

"Lead the way. I won't repeat myself."

Lack of mana made the disciple a mere burden. Though he didn't say it, the disciples, apprehending Hemmel's thoughts, reluctantly nodded.

'Yulian knowing this secret location suggests he entered first.'

Unlike them, Yulian wasn't an 'intruder'.

'Half-blood fool, why come to such a place?'

Suspicions remained as Hemmel advanced forward.

***

Having heard their footsteps fade away, I emerged from the underbrush, internally clicking my tongue at the recent scene.

Three Colors' Hemmel Degrind.

A mage specializing in water elements, a 6th ranking mage, was pursuing me.

And it didn't appear like he intended a simple conversation.

'... Ornn, that old man?'

It was most likely him. As a member of the Council of Nobles, the only person with ties to 'Hemmel' and a palpable dislike for me was him.

'Still, Hemmel, despite being an eccentric, should have sound judgement.'

Could someone else have offered something enticing?

'This is troublesome.'

Now, the issue is dealing with Hemmel who went ahead, rather than worrying over a backer.

'With no mana, dealing with a mage of Hemmel's caliber is impossible.'

'On top of that, he brought his disciples.'

For a character like 'Hemmel Degrind', disciples aren't seen as true 'apprentices' like Flugel and Meier.

To him, 'disciples' are.

'Expendable slaves,' or.

'Mana-replenishing batteries', and further still.

'Disposable scrolls' he could utilize without worry.

It meant, bringing such disciples.

'Indicates they intend to kill me.'

The situation was becoming tiresome. Either I should wait for Hemmel to leave, or for my mana to recover.

'Hemmel's actions inside remain unforeseeable.'

A figure like the 6th ranking mage, libra, could potentially access 'Milena's' research lab without much difficulty.

'Damn.'

What to do.

'Huh?'

As indecisiveness started to take hold, I spotted one of Hemmel's 'disciples' lying flat on the ground.