novelraw Chapter 243
Chapter 243
Chapter 243. He who stays near vermilion becomes red. (1)
The Heavenly Reverence Guard, directly under the Emperor.
They were an organization structured similarly to 'Blind Eyes', yet even more secretive and closely tied to the Emperor, the pinnacle of imperial power.
Aileen furrowed her brow as if recognizing the man in the reflection of the mirror.
"That man...?"
"Do you know him?"
I knew who he was, but if she couldn't recognize him, I had no intention of telling her, so I deliberately asked back.
Aileen nodded.
"He's Uruhar, one of the Imperial Knights. The elite among the elite overseeing the Heavenly Reverence Guard."
So, she knew.
"You're not unaware, right? During our days at Bayer Academy, Sir Uruhar made it quite obvious he disliked you."
A deep-seated grudge, was it?
I knew the man in the video was Imperial Knight Uruhar. However, I was not aware of any episodes involving him and 'Yulian'.
"The fact that I don't remember likely means it was a trivial matter."
Feigning indifference, I let it pass, and Aileen merely looked at me with an incredulous expression.
"Well, in the final list, it was Sir Schvalt, Sir Uruhar, and Sir Yulian, but it was Sir Yulian who became the Sword Saint's disciple."
Final list?
Sword Saint's disciple?
'Ah, I see.'
There was a time when Sword Saint Hayden Reich visited Bayer Academy to pick a talented disciple.
At that time, it appears that Schvalt, myself, and Uruhar, the man now visible, were the final candidates.
"But don't say things like that. If Sir Uruhar heard, he'd probably draw his sword, claiming it hurt his pride."
"In that case, wouldn't it suffice to defeat him?"
I replied, scoffing, to Aileen's question.
"Wasn't he someone who couldn't measure up to me in the first place and was thus eliminated from the competition?"
"... That's not the point I'm making. Just, be careful with your words..."
Sighing, Aileen wore a look of exasperation at my words before reverting to her usual demeanor.
"But why is this Sir Uruhar at the Magic Tower at this hour?"
"This man is the perpetrator who attacked Sir Flugel."
"... Sir Uruhar did?"
Aileen examined the video with a look of disbelief at my statement.
"Considering the alarm magic and the lab's barrier don't activate for those possessing a 'Imperial Seal'..."
"Just as Sir Yulian stated, there's no other explanation for why Sir Flugel was attacked beyond the Sir Uruhar shown in the video right now."
I nodded at Aileen's words.
"But why?"
"I don't know the reason."
However, there is a way to find out.
I planned to delve into that shortly.
***
"The order to silence Flugel came from the imperial family. And it's understood that the Imperial Knights were the ones who executed that order."
The issue is, the likelihood that an 'imperial family member' was involved behind the 'Imperial Knights' misconduct is high.
Particularly, it might be the 'Emperor', an embodiment of unfettered power, standing behind them.
For an order to silence Flugel, it would require someone of such stature.
'However, the matter here is about the Demon God's Horn. The whereabouts of that ominous entity must be known.'
Originally, the task at hand wasn't mine. However, there currently is no one else to resolve this issue.
As my thoughts drifted this far, a bitter taste lingered at the tip of my tongue.
'Is it really the time to be thinking such things?'
The priority should be on tackling the deeds which the 'Imperial Knights' have done under the imperial order.
What on earth prompted them to make such a bold choice?
'The quickest way is to ask the person involved.'
Regardless of who the backer was.
Whether it was done on personal intention, it's irrelevant now.
To swiftly uncover the truth behind the 'Flugel Assault' incident. That is the sole aim.
'There's certainty it's related with the Demon God's Horn.'
Haaa.
After organizing my thoughts, I let out a sigh inwardly.
Tending to the potted plants in the office couldn't ease the feeling of stuffiness.
'Should I use it again?'
I began contemplating internally as I set the watering can down.
Trying to approach a high-profile figure like Uruhar without disguising my identity is bound to lead to complications.
The fact is, he is an imperial knight.
Approaching someone who only guards the imperial family and bluntly asking, 'Did you assault Flugel?' would assuredly result in unfavorable outcomes.
Standing idle is not an option either. Now that a suspect is in sight, not acting would be foolish.
'The Black Knight mask.'
Hence, I was considered pretending as 'the Black Knight' once more.
Since Tenelon's death released the shackles of the 'Black Knight', there's no worry about being seen by anyone.
'I'm not too keen on it, though.'
Since the 'Black Knight' was originally the role of the protagonist, the Sword Saint, wearing its mask doesn't sit well with me.
The Sword Saint didn't betray, he was noble until his end. Taking on such 'Sword Saint's tasks for someone strange like me didn't sit well within my conscience.
'Even though in this world, if the Black Knight isn't Hayden Reich...'
I knew it was an unnecessary sentiment. I must have flicked the switch on the emotional component for no good reason.
― Kikikik.
As my mood slightly dampened, 'Angelica', ever perceptive of emotions, manifested.
She must be intending to apply the proverb, 'a smile brings good fortune,' as she smiled with multiple eyes and mouths.
"Now isn't the time for laughter, Angelica."
― Kikik?
Her head tilted, expressing what my words meant.
Angelica had developed a clear self-awareness through continuous growth.
Given my frequent interactions with 'Angelica', it became evident to discern matters she'd likely dislike.
One, in particular, involved creating and wearing a 'mask'.
"Should I act as the Black Knight, I'd have to don that mask again."
Kiiiiiik──!
The statement about donning a mask seemed to raise every hair on Angelica's body.
Even Angelica came to understand the purpose of the 'mask' as her intelligence increased.
A mask is to conceal one's identity. To hide, as it were, one's given 'name'.
― Kiiiiiik!"
Since acquiring a 'name' and developing 'intelligence', Angelica grew to dislike the act of wearing a mask.
It seems wearing the mask felt like hiding the given name 'Angelica', which was bestowed by me.
In some ways, it was akin to the thought process of a 5-year-old who didn't quite grasp the meanings of words yet.
"Even if you dislike it, it's necessary."
Prompting Angelica, who whined petulantly, she turned her eyes away, sulkily.
'Good grief.'
She was just like an unbridled child. With that thought, I started picturing where I might encounter the Imperial Knight, 'Uruhar', whom I had seen in the video.
'Engaging him at the training grounds or within the palace would likely prove futile.'
It's imperative to meet him amidst a crowdless environment.
― Kiik!
While lost in thought, attempting to gather ideas, Angelica had commenced her tantrum.
I don't like wearing the mask either, you little rascal.
'Hmm.'
Could it be, that even 'Angelica' discerned that I wasn't quite keen on playing the role of the 'Black Knight'?
Nonetheless, there's no other choice.
***
Unearthing the whereabouts of 'Uruhar' wasn't as difficult as expected.
The assistance from the Dawn Society.
Simultaneously, possessing an information network called 'Traelle', made acquiring his schedule hassle-free.
"Stop."
Yet the issue lay with, even encountering him, the question lingered: would I manage to extract the details surrounding 'Flugel's Assault'?
If it's due to a imperial order to maintain absolute silence, he'd meticulously avoid uttering a word.
Obtaining the whereabouts of the Demon God's Horn might prove equally unlikely.
"Stop."
Facing him is a necessity nonetheless. Meeting sets the narrative, allowing some degree of progression...
"Did I not ask you to stop?"
I gently swept my hand across the black mask cloaking my face: 'Angelica's' shard. At that, her body started bubbling fervently, distorting its shape repeatedly.
'Futile as bringing objections. Becoming the Black Knight, should identity not be veiled, repercussions might arise.'
Trying to persuade 'Angelica' in 'the Black Knight's' speech, rather than 'Formal Speech', bore no change in her disposition.
"Forsake the notion, and revert the mask to its original form..."
While speaking, from beneath the building.
The sensation of someone's presence emerged from the alleyway.
'It's Uruhar.'
At this hour, adhering to the information Traelle provided, 'Uruhar' was set to pass by. Waiting atop the building, the instant I sensed his presence, I cast myself into the alleyway.
"... Um!?"
Upon landing, a startled male voice rang out.
Looking up, I saw a man identical to the Uruhar I had seen in the video.
"There's no need for introductions."
"The Black..."
Grrrr.
When Uruhar attempted to articulate the name 'Black Knight', Angelica's body effervesced once more.
'Hey!'
This isn't the time for such antics!
I turned my head elsewhere, using my hand to hide the mask that seemed animated.
'God damn it...'
Uruhar is an Imperial Knight.
Hence, I initially thought sneaking up on him, gaining an advantage, then initiating combat would be ideal.
Since the 'Black Knight' was essentially an outlaw defying imperial and empire regulations, conducting a suave conversation wasn't feasible.
But.
'Angelica, you little...'
Thanks to the tantrum of a five-year-old, the ambush plan turned futile.
"Black Knight."
Hearing Uruhar's low voice, I resolved that there was no choice now but to proceed with the frontal method.
"Do you have any inkling as to why I've come?"
"An imperial hero such as you could have numerous reasons for visiting me."
Uruhar spoke with a cold tone. The reflection of the 'Black Knight' in his silver eyes was grotesque beyond measure, manifesting hostility wasn't unexpected.
Moreover, being one of the five 'Imperial Knights', it was only natural to bear enmity towards a lawless individual within the system.
"Before delving into such a serious discussion."
He placed his hand upon his sword's scabbard. To engage in 'conversation', one ought to subdue the other.
The presence made that fact unrestrainedly clear──.
"Could you sign this scabbard for me?"
Clacky's Corner:
"He who stays near vermilion becomes red" - means that a person is influenced by those they associate with. Just as someone close to red (vermilion) becomes red, being around good or bad people will affect one's character or behavior accordingly.