Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 234

Chapter 234. Even Old Generals Meet Their End (1)

Ornn Cryphart.

Though he had aged, it was clear that he had once been a skilled swordsman.

His spirit was so strong that I was convinced he could still defeat an average knight, which meant he wouldn't die even if he served in the northern region.

Of course, whether he died or not was ultimately none of my concern.

'Why has it come to this... That's what matters.'

Ornn was heavily tied with the 'Council of Nobles'.

And currently, the new "Dawn Society" had infiltrated many of its ranks.

It seemed likely that the majority of the council members were part of the 'new Dawn Society'.

'So...'

It's more terrifying this way.

What exactly was happening within the "Council of Nobles" that they would consider deploying Ornn to the frontline?

"Do you know anything about how this topic came up?"

I turned my gaze to Lazlot, who was reporting to me. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"I'm not certain, but it seems related to Lord Ornn's service time in North Pole."

His service time in North Pole?

'It seems true that the past members of the Cryphart family served half a year in North Pole.'

Yulian also had experience serving in the northern area. Perhaps it was an attempt to revive old protocols to rid the "Yulian" tumor.

During his short service, Yulian managed to earn the moniker "Devil of the North" before returning.

"But isn't that an old story?"

I grew curious.

Why were they clinging to such past protocols?

"Yes, however..."

However?

"Even if it's the past, a problem is still a problem. Numerous adherents in the Council of Nobles are making an issue of Lord Ornn's service record."

"Adherents are...?"

"Yes."

Lazlot nodded.

"I believe it's related to Bishop Kolparan and Pintel assuming the new positions of Archbishops."

"How is that related?"

Lazlot tilted his head in response to my question. Seeing the query in his teal eyes, I felt inclined to ask more.

"Perhaps because they, too, see the possibility of becoming the archbishops...?"

Possibility?

At that moment, inwardly, I realized.

'Ah...'

It's true that the idea of possibility easily stirs human desire.

They won't even look at a mountain that seems insurmountable, but if there's even the slightest possibility, they might step forward unknowingly.

'With Pintel and Kolparan becoming Archbishops, they saw a possibility.'

In other words, I had inadvertently fueled their desires.

'The cultists within the Council of Nobles are wreaking havoc because of it.'

These madmen!

They were so blinded by their hunger for power that they were eager to impress anyone.

Dismantling the position of High Pontiff would gradually calm such chaos if I took no action.

'The problem is, if Ornn is chased to the north, the imperial family might start questioning the Council of Nobles.'

If that were to happen, an investigation might start, and the "cultists" within would be ferreted out.

"Did Sir Ornn say he wished to speak with me?"

"Yes, Sir Yulian. He said you are welcome to visit his estate."

"And who gave him permission to grant that?"

Though it's best to handle the "Ornn" matter swiftly, hierarchy must still be respected during such times.

"Relay this to Lord Ornn."

He still seems to think of himself as a veteran.

"If he wants to talk, tell him to come in person, without an escort."

***

"Sir Yulian personally called for Lord Ornn?"

After finishing his conversation with Yulian, Lazlot headed straight to the training grounds.

There, after the previous incident, Fern had returned and was wiping his sweat after finishing his practice.

"Yes."

"Haha, it's something unimaginable in the past. If anything, Lord Ornn would call Sir Yulian, not the other way around."

After contemplating for a moment, Fern shook his head from side to side.

"No, this wasn't possible even in the past. Sir Yulian is so different from before."

"Are you feeling better, Sir Fern?"

Lazlot inquired about Fern's condition. Though the wounds inflicted by Yulian had healed completely, the state couldn't be considered perfect.

After all, the "demonic energy" inflicted by "Tenelon" still lingered in his body, gnawing away at his mana vein.

"I'm fine. I just returned from rehabilitation at the Mana Center today."

"Then, you could spar with me today?"

When Lazlot spoke in his typically blunt tone, Fern waved his tongue helplessly.

"Are you saying you want to go at it again today after being floored yesterday?"

At Fern's words, Lazlot grabbed a wooden sword hanging on the wall. He then tossed the other one to Fern.

"That's why I need to learn more today. So I won't get floored as much."

"Haha, the way you speak makes you seem like a knight already."

Saying this, Fern grabbed the wooden sword handed to him and aimed it at Lazlot.

"Come to think of it, asking Sir Zahard for lessons might be better."

Zahard.

At the mention of the name, Lazlot showed a slightly troubled expression.

"Since Sir Zahard has experience teaching soldiers in the north, he can probably teach you much better than someone like me."

"I asked before, but I was refused."

"Refused? Why?"

"... I didn't ask for details."

"Well, he must have his reasons, I guess."

Having said that, Fern spun the wooden sword playfully before pointing it at Lazlot.

"I hope today you fare better than yesterday."

Lazlot answered Fern's words.

"I sincerely hope so too."

***

Thud!

With a loud commotion, Lazlot collapsed to the ground.

Even though he was only an apprentice of 'Blind Eyes', he managed to brace his fall through tumbling techniques, avoiding injury, but couldn't avoid exhaustion.

"You've improved significantly since yesterday! You seem to have a knack for this."

"Is that something to say after throwing someone so easily?"

"I mean it. Don't compare us knights with ordinary folk. We're just people who eat and swing swords all day. Not that I'm a knight anymore."

Lazlot knew.

How strong those called "knights" truly are.

Even without using mana, through endless training, they transcend human limits to become superhumans. The Empire refers to these people as 'knights'.

"Still, my remark on your potential isn't empty talk. Plus, your stamina is quite impressive for your age."

True to Fern's words, Lazlot was confident in his stamina.

Though not by choice, he often required physical labor to fulfill his duties.

"Typically, you'd be exhausted by now, yet you still seem lively."

"... But I haven't landed a single blow on you, Sir Fern."

"Hearing that only makes me mad! You must think about the difference in our levels, you know."

Fern lowered his hand, placing it on his shin.

"This is your level."

He then raised his hand to his abdomen and spoke.

"This is my level."

Lazlot understood the gap in their abilities, yet Fern's action almost made him laugh.

"Then, how high is Sir Yulian?"

Curious, Lazlot asked. Fern clicked his tongue once and tapped his shoulder.

"Around here?"

"No."

Fern shook his head and pointed to Lazlot.

"You'd have to climb onto my shoulders, stretch your hand as high as it goes, and that would be Sir Yulian."

"Puhaha!"

This time, a laugh burst out of me.

After chatting and recovering his stamina, Lazlot stood up.

"Are you up for more?"

"No, I have engagements today."

"Engagements... Ah, it must be related to Lord Ornn."

Lazlot nodded at Fern's words.

"I hope nothing goes awry. Lord Ornn can be quite fiery."

"I hope so too."

Lazlot returned the wooden sword to the wall and expressed his gratitude to Fern before heading out of the training grounds.

"Lazlot."

When Fern called out from behind, Lazlot turned and met his eyes.

"I apologize for what happened."

Initially, Lazlot was unsure, but he soon understood Fern's meaning.

"For when I choked you."

"I should be the one apologizing more. I was deceiving you, after all."

"Yes, that you should apologize for."

A playful answer returned, making Lazlot bow once more as he left.

***

Despite his age, Ornn's muscular and robust physique, keen eyes, and incongruous with his white hair, bore a formidable presence, though he now exhaled a despondent sigh.

"To think such a day would come..."

He had served as the chairman for the Council of Nobles for almost a decade.

All nobility revered him, and even the knights within the royal court found it challenging to leverage the power of the 'Cryphart family'.

As the patriarch of one of the grand families, he wielded numerous connections.

"Being ousted from the chairmanship is something I can accept."

He had always known that he couldn't hold the position of the chairman of the Council of Nobles forever.

Even if they were raising concerns about his past service records this session, using it as leverage for punishment.

"That is no issue."

Though toothless, he wasn't completely helpless.

He still retained the power to bite, enough to dismiss insignificant proposals personally.

"It's the fact that things are beginning to slide... that's the issue."

There is no flower that blooms for ten days.

Once something peaks, it won't take long before it declines.

Though aware of this saying, Ornn struggled to accept the infallible decline he now faced.

"For now, I'll try to persuade the other nobles not to pass this council resolution."

"Indeed, Lord Ornn! Many knights within the council are acquainted with me!"

"I'm sure this is merely a passing storm. Once this is weathered..."

Despite his aides' reassurances, Ornn remained silent.

"Master Ornn, a message from Yulian has arrived."

The butler quietly conveyed to Ornn, who was lost in thought.

Without uttering a word, Ornn acknowledged, and the butler bowed before moving away.

Shortly after, a boy entered the room where Ornn and his aides were gathered.

An apprentice from 'Blind Eyes'.

The boy, with black hair whom he had seen coming and going from the secretariat, introduced himself.

"My name is Lazlot, here to deliver a message from Sir Yulian to Lord Ornn."

As expected. The moment he heard about his affiliation with 'Blind Eyes', he easily surmised it was related to Yulian.

"Speak."

"Yes."

Lazlot nodded once, then began to speak.

"It's not the time for him to come to you; instead, Lord Ornn should visit. He's willing to hold a conversation if you schedule a meeting."

"What!"

Unable to suppress anger, one of the aides sprang to his feet after hearing Lazlot's words.

With a stance far removed from anything martial, the aide approached Lazlot, roughly grabbing and shaking his shoulder.

"Say that again, you imperial bastard...! Gaaah!"

Thud!

Lazlot twisted the hand gripping his shoulder and slammed the man down.

Despite the numerous gazes on him, his teal eyes showed no hint of wavering.

A powerful sense of trust in "someone" protecting him resonated in his eyes.