Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 246

Chapter 246. Untainted Black (1)

At the start, I never anticipated that the culprit behind the attack on Flugel would be Eulsis.

Even though having the 'Imperial Seal' was required to safely pass through the alarm barrier, possessing the 'seal' didn't inherently mean one was of 'imperial blood.'

It could be that merely having the seal, without an order from the 'imperial family', wasn't the reason Flugel was attacked.

'But the moment Uruhar claimed he wasn't the culprit...'

A possibility crossed my mind.

The barrier of the Magic Tower does not react to anyone possessing the 'Imperial Seal.'

Furthermore, the Magic Tower's barrier is designed so that no 'magic' can be detected if 'imperial blood' is involved.

'Because spying on noble imperial blood is considered sacrilege.'

It may sound ridiculous, but that's how the 'Magic Tower's barrier' was designed. Above all, it reflects the strict imperial rule that prioritizes the imperial family.

'If Uruhar indeed isn't the one who attacked Flugel.'

The footage should have captured another 'someone'.

There was no such record.

That means the person who attacked Flugel possessed a 'noble blood' undetectable by the Magic Tower's barrier.

It suggests a member of the imperial family self-initiated that visit, rather than being sent by someone.

"I never imagined it. Until now, I thought that Uruhar, an Imperial Knight, was the culprit behind Flugel's attack."

I shifted my gaze to Eulsis, who seemed accepting, and then cautiously spoke, recalling that he was 'royalty'.

"Why did you do it?"

"Why, you ask?"

"Surely, there must have been a reason for attacking Flugel? Considering a person of your status, prince Eulsis, personally took action."

"Haha, 'someone of my status,' you say!"

Eulsis began to smile at my comment.

"Fourth prince, far from the succession line, son of a consort, bearer of incompetent blood. There are many other names people call me, Sir Yulian."

His smile was layered with emotions.

"What you mean to say is it's unbelievable that someone like me would handle Flugel?"

"I'm not really here to question that."

The fact that Flugel was attacked was painful, but understanding why it happened was more significant to me.

"The Demon God's Horn."

When I mentioned the 'horn' of the Demon God, Eulsis visibly flinched.

"Do you possess it, prince Eulsis?"

It likely wasn't Eulsis who brought the remains of the Demon God. Considering the effort needed to acquire those 'remains', it wouldn't be surprising if they existed before Eulsis was born.

Nonetheless, I was certain that Eulsis had the 'horn'.

"Yes."

He nodded straightforwardly, confirming my question.

"I have it, Sir Yulian."

"You know what kind of item it is, don't you?"

"Absolutely. It's a fragment of the power that can bring the world to an end."

"With it, the Demon God Barbatos could be resurrected."

Eulsis' eyes widened at the mention of resurrecting the Demon God.

"Yulian, you're quite knowledgeable, aren't you? I only learned about that recently."

It seemed Eulsis was fully aware of the purpose behind the 'Demon God's horn.'

The remains of the Demon God, like their body or head, were mere shells of the disaster called a 'Demon God'.

The critical part was the horn. If the 'will' within the four horns resonated on a specific day, the Demon God would acquire a new body once more.

And the one orchestrating this...

'Demon King.'

I took a breath silently within.

"You were a vessel, prince Eulsis."

Someone who harbors the method to resurrect the Demon God and the intent to execute it is termed 'vessel' or 'Demon King' in "Zeimajuk."

"An enigmatic voice, claiming to be the Demon God, continues to whisper to me. If someone experiencing such a phenomenon is termed a vessel, then I must be the vessel you, Sir Yulian, spoke of."

Even the 'voice' that whispered to Tenelon seemed to have been snatched by Eulsis. It appeared that the Demon God assessed Eulsis' potential as 'Demon King' to be greater than Tenelon's.

'... If he truly is the vessel.'

He must be eliminated.

For the safety of the empire and continent. No, for my safety as well.

"The reason for attacking Flugel was that too."

That?

"The four horns of the Demon God. Flugel possessed one."

Wasn't that something that should have been kept secret?

Although I had such a thought, Eulsis seemed to continue speaking as if he expected that I was already aware.

"Are you not curious why the Demon God's horn was in the capital?"

Does he intend to reveal that too?

"Yes, I am curious."

"Emperor Adratan directly instructed the Heavenly Reverance Guards to bring the remains."

Even this information Eulsis freely shared.

"Father was seduced by a witch's sweet words and dreamt of immortality. Acting upon the claim that he needed the 'Demon God's horn' for that, he brought the remains to the empire."

"The witch must be Abigail, the diviner."

Hm, Eulsis nodded his head.

"It seems you are well-informed."

"One of the horns held by Flugel was entrusted to him by Emperor Adratan for independent research, wasn't it?"

"Yes, I possess the other three."

A short, dark chuckle escaped from Eulsis.

"Abigail sided with me."

"What is your objective?"

I queried Eulsis about his objective.

A 'Demon King' merely aiming to resurrect the 'Demon God' wouldn't maneuver so blindly.

"The extinction of royalty."

What came from Eulsis' mouth was the utterly shocking statement.

The empire's royalty represents noble bloodlines. This means Eulsis himself is included in the 'royalty' he mentioned.

"Doesn't that include you as well, prince Eulsis?"

"I suppose it does."

A small smile formed on Eulsis' lips.

"When the time comes, I'd like the Smiling Executioner of the empire to sever my head."

"Prince Eulsis, what you mentioned just now is an act of rebellion against 'imperial rule'."

I ran my hand along the scabbard of my sword.

"Acts that harm royalty, involved in such conspiracies, they all violate the rules."

"Are you suggesting capturing me? The 'Blind Eyes', an organization directly under the imperial family?"

"The rules strictly apply to royalty as well."

"Hahahaha!"

Suddenly, Eulsis burst into laughter.

"Yulian! That imperial rule is essentially me. Everything in the empire currently is under my control."

Clap.

With a single clap from him, I sensed an unsettling aura surrounding the vicinity of the sickroom.

'... One, two, three.'

Four, five.

Several remarkably skilled individuals began revealing their presence around the sickroom.

'Is it the Heavenly Reverance Guards?'

The emperor's direct guards. Their fierce spirit began to resonate around us.

For them to be aligned with Eulsis...

'He wasn't bluffing about controlling the empire.'

Phew.

I sighed inwardly.

'This is straight-up disastrous...'

Realizing the Heavenly Reverance Guards was embedded deeply around us, the 'threat' I had just uttered to Eulsis dawned on me as an overstep.

'I only wanted... to recover the horn, after all, I thought that I could move past this.'

A grave mistake.

"When I attacked Flugel, to avoid leaving evidence, I utilized magical items from Abigail and 'imperial blood' for a solo visit; but now, there's no need for that."

After summoning the 'Heavenly Reverance Guards,' Eulsis wore a composed smile.

"That time, Yulian, due to your arrival, I couldn't finish what I had started, but it will be different this time."

"Do you plan to silence me like you did Flugel?"

No.

Eulsis shook his head.

"You're different. Yulian, unlike that old man lying in that bed."

When Eulsis lifted his hand slightly, some of the killing intent from the 'Heavenly Reverance Guards' surrounding us seemed to dissipate.

"Join me, Yulian."

Abruptly, Eulsis proposed cooperation. At his words, a memory from the past resurfaced.

The 'High Pontiff' who blindly extended trust to 'Yulian'.

'... Villains feel a sense of favor towards Yulian.'

Could it be this time too?

"I can trust you. Like me, you've lived enduring persecution from families, nobles, and the empire."

Unlike a moment ago, Eulsis spoke appealingly.

"Join me, Yulian. As a imperial, it's an order from the 'Blind Eyes' within you."

What he desired was the strength of 'Yulian'.

Or is it empathy? Or understanding?

In any case, I had no reason to side with Eulsis now.

Disposing of the Demon God's horn. Further, ensuring my safety was my priority, the choice was clear.

"... If Prince Eulsis truly controls the Imperial Court, I know where my allegiance lies."

Feigning alignment.

Perhaps detecting the intent behind my words, Eulsis' previously somber face brightened.

"Yulian...!"

He spoke with a genuinely delighted expression.

"Thank goodness. I was worried, constantly wondering what I'd do if you refused."

"Hoho, I merely serve the Imperial Court."

Disposing of the Demon God's horn was critical too, but, indeed, my life came first.

Making a wrong choice now and dying, what peace could be found for the continent or for myself afterward?

"I apologize for Abigail's matter. I came to know about the nonsense she instructed through Ornn."

"It didn't cause any issues, prince Eulsis."

"Phew."

Eulsis glanced at Flugel before redirecting his gaze back to me.

"Unlike the Sword Saint, Sir Yulian shows flexibility."

"Did you have this conversation with my master too?"

"I once hinted at it. However, the Sword Saint wasn't inclined towards agreement."

Even I knew he wouldn't be one to assist in such matters.

"And because of that, he was in trouble. Utilizing the Demon God's horn to annihilate royalty, it was evident he'd attempt to stop such actions."

His allegiance was not to the 'royalty' but sincerely wanted the 'empire' to thrive.

Being the 'protagonist', he would avoid causing chaos, even if it meant self-sacrifice.

"Thus, I taught him how to create the Gu Poison Hall."

I slowly shifted my gaze towards Eulsis.

"While holding the holy relic of the Demon God that Tenelon possessed, I had hoped the Sword Saint would fall."

I was under the impression that he was merely listening without interest.

"The reason for visiting the Holy Kingdom was also to personally observe how the Gu Poison Hall was progressing."

As expected.

"Thanks to your handling of the minor issue, Sir Yulian, I've managed to return here successfully."

Eulsis genuinely looked at me appreciatively.

"Thank you for your help, Yulian."

===

⇒ Your emotions have been heightened.

⇒ Trait, 《Open Eyes》 has manifested.

===

Clacky's Corner:

Damn.