Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 237

Chapter 237. Same Bed, Different Dreams

"I, I..."

To be banished to the north, instead of staying within the capital.

Ornn mumbled words akin to a lament, unable to comprehend the situation.

Alone, Ornn sighed in the silent air and stood up from his seat.

He couldn't stop it.

Ornn always considered Yulian a tumor to the family, excluding him from everything related to the Cryphart family.

Even at the funeral of his own mother, Milena, Ornn schemed to prevent Yulian from attending.

He treated him like an outsider of the family; now, stopping Yulian with something like "family honor" was impossible.

"It's over."

Sinking into the sofa in the mansion, Ornn muttered to himself.

The presence of the servants could be sensed in the surroundings, yet loneliness crept in as if he were left alone in the world.

The realization that his life hung in the balance of Yulian's grasp filled him with discomfort and a profound sense of powerlessness.

'Next is...'

There would be none.

There was nothing he could accomplish by himself anymore; he could only wait powerlessly for the break of dawn.

"I suppose it can't be helped."

With a bitter smile, Ornn resigned himself. No matter what, the world would continue.

Even if he gave up, the family would carry on, and as long as Yulian wasn't interested in the Cryphart family, nothing significant would happen.

― Sir Ornn.

ZZZZZ──.

A wave of mana caused a moment of noise, followed by a voice.

Ornn took out the 'magic artifact' he had tucked in his bosom. It was an artifact containing the communication magic that delivered a voice.

"What is it, Abigail."

Ornn calmly spoke.

The voice belonged to Abigail, the emperor's soothsayer.

She was the one who helped him enlist the power of Hemmel, a Three Colors Royal Mage.

Believing that Hemmel could take care of Yulian, Ornn felt a sense of reproach towards Abigail rising up.

"I don't particularly feel like talking right now."

― I understand it's late. However, there are words that must be conveyed.

Abigail pressed on more forcefully than usual, prompting Ornn to slowly shift his gaze to the magical artifact.

― He wishes to see you, Sir Ornn.

***

No matter how Ornn thought about it, he had no power to give Hemmel what he wanted.

The title "Three Colors" is equivalent to that of Flugel.

Although he knew what the aloof old man wanted previously, making it possible to gain cooperation, without it, gaining cooperation from the "Three Colors" was almost impossible.

After all, once you reach that position, you could have whatever you wanted at the tips of your fingers.

'What Hemmel wants is...'

Probably not money.

After contemplating just a little more, the outline became clear.

'Is it dealing with Flugel?'

As long as Flugel, the monstrous mage who has lived for over a hundred years, holds the title of "White", the remaining "Three Colors" cannot take the seat of the greatest sage in the Magic Tower.

The remaining one might not be interested in power, but "Hemmel" surely would be.

'The only reason Hemmel would collaborate with Ornn is that.'

And Ornn Cryphart couldn't achieve that request with personal power alone. There had to be backing.

'Abigail's cooperation is certain.'

It's easy to predict up to that point.

If there's someone who can easily bring up the topic of "Flugel" and is worthy of collaboration with Ornn, it would be none other than Abigail.

Though its trace had become dim, the Council of Nobles was originally formed by nobles to protect its authority from the emperor.

'However, I still don't get the reason.'

A "witch" cannot lay hands on anyone related to the 'Queen of Thorns'. Thus, while indirect, transferring the task to someone else was understandable, yet Abigail's reason for targeting him remained unclear.

A reason... a reason...

"Is there anything troubling you?"

Zahard, seemingly noticing my concern, inquired about my wellness.

"How did you know?"

I felt puzzled. I thought my body didn't particularly show emotion.

"Your face turned dark. If it darkened to that extent, anyone could notice."

"Was it that obvious?"

When I asked if it was noticeable, Zahard chuckled softly.

"I'm blind, how could I see your face? It's just that the atmosphere shifted."

Ah, right.

"It must be something serious if it's bothering you that much. I can't even imagine what could trouble you."

I wasn't sure how he perceived me usually, but Zahard seemed astonished at the source causing my 'concern.'

He wondered what extraordinary matter could make me worry, feeling a sense of awe.

"Sir Zahard."

I asked Zahard just in case.

"If I ever turn my back on the Empire, could you point your sword at the noble blood of the imperial family?"

Upon hearing the question, Zahard turned to face me, silently.

The noble blood of the imperial family.

There was no way Zahard didn't understand the implication.

"What are you intending...?"

Though he couldn't see, he seemed to sense that my intention was sincere and nodded soon after.

"It doesn't seem to be a joke."

After a brief hesitation, Zahard opened his mouth to speak.

"As long as it doesn't cost my life, I might help."

"Even if pursued by the imperial family, are you saying it's fine as long as you don't die?"

"I'm used to a wanderer's life. Being chased by the imperial family wouldn't be much different from when you were chasing me, would it?"

With a soft laugh, Zahard continued.

"After all, if I get chased again this time, you won't be the one pursuing me, so it would be better than before."

"Even just for the words, I'm grateful."

"Well, I'm also hoping it'll just end with words."

Zahard sincerely hoped that the 'what if' scenario wouldn't come to pass. I, too, wished for the same.

'The Demon God's corpse I saw in the underwater cave before.'

Initially, I thought Milena had brought it here, but I clearly saw the royal crest there.

It must be that someone from the imperial family orchestrated the transport of the Demon God's corpse and buried it there.

'Emperor Adratan.'

Most likely, the emperor himself ordered it.

Transporting something like the "Demon God's corpse" discreetly could only be performed by the head of the Empire.

'Perhaps enticed by a foolish quest for immortality again.'

Maybe Abigail persuaded him. The current Emperor Adratan, aged and shabby, would likely owe much to her influence.

'Luckily, the corpse itself was buried together with the cave.'

The problem was the missing "horn" of the Demon God.

'It wouldn't be possible to ask the emperor directly.'

It wouldn't end well, not even remotely resembling a new form of suicide.

"For now, I'll take my leave. Hopefully, Sir Ornn can take this opportunity to have a clear mind."

"Yes."

"Well, I doubt we'll meet again."

Leaving those parting words, Zahard turned away.

Watching his back, I organized my thoughts while heading to the most comforting place, my bedroom.

However, unable to resist the encroaching fatigue, I soon fell asleep.

***

"My son."

The gentle voice of a mother. As soon as I heard that voice, I knew this was a dream.

Someone embraced me with a smiling face. The warmth of her skin felt on mine, and a smile unconsciously spread across my face because of it.

"My apologies for making you live in such a confined place, unbefitting your blood."

No...

Those words came to mind, but it was as if my lips were sewn shut with thread and needle, making it difficult to move my jaw.

"My son, be strong-minded. Be strong so that this small cage cannot bind you."

The comforting skin that embraced me started to drift away.

Even if I tried to reach out, it felt as if my feet were sewn to the floor, restricting any movement.

I tried calling her name. Again, no sound emerged.

"Be strong so that you are not confined to the cage."

The woman, whose face I can no longer remember, drank something from a cup.

She wavered.

Soon after, she collapsed to the ground.

"This cage does not encompass your whole world, so break free."

The eyes of the fallen woman met mine. Bearing a strength more powerful than any king in the world, her eyes soon lost their light and began to dim.

This dream is no ordinary dream. It's a nightmare. I muttered inwardly.

Before long, a voice could be heard.

Master Eulsis.

With that voice, my once tightly bound body by needle and thread began to gain movement.

***

Eulsis awoke from sleep.

Outside the window, a large full moon shone brightly, illuminating the capital.

Captivated by the eerie landscape, Eulsis clicked his tongue softly as he got up.

"Tears..."

When he brought his hand to his eyes, he felt moisture. It seemed he had unknowingly shed tears during the nightmare.

"Master Eulsis."

A voice called as the boy turned his head. There, the Diviner and Spring Witch, Abigail, was kneeling on the floor, bowing to greet Eulsis.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yes."

Nodding to Abigail's query, Eulsis wiped the remaining tears and cast a cool glance at her.

"What about Ornn?"

"He just arrived and is waiting for you, master Eulsis."

"So that's why you woke me."

As Eulsis slowly began to move, Abigail approached and draped clothes over him.

"The weather is cold. Going out in thin clothes like that might cause you to catch a cold."

"Abigail."

"Yes, master Eulsis."

Slap──!

Eulsis's hand struck across Abigail's cheek.

Without a sound of pain, Abigail merely bowed her head once more.

"It seems you caused unnecessary trouble while I was away?"

"...... I'm sorry, master Eulsis. It just seemed he might become an obstruction to you..."

"That's not for you to decide, Abigail."

I am sorry.

As Abigail apologized again, Eulsis cast his a sharp look before stepping away.

Clacky's Corner:

Seems Eulsis really is the final boss.

P. S.:

The title of this chapter is 동상이몽 (同床異夢) → "Same bed, different dreams."

This Korean idiom refers to a situation where two people are in the same place or appear to share the same goal, but actually have different thoughts, intentions, or agendas.

It probably pertains to Yulian and Eulsis.