Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 249

Chapter 249. Headline News

Yulian had been captured by the hands of the Heavenly Reverence Guards.

Upon hearing that, Sedn Orbian sighed inwardly.

'What on earth has he done?'

If you're a noble, act like one.

Sedn believed that one should live a life serving the imperial family.

His long-standing position as the head of the secretariat could be attributed to such pure beliefs.

'I don't know the detailed circumstances, but...'

As a result, since he was imprisoned by the Heavenly Reverence Guards, Sedn could not understand Yulian's actions.

'Even if his loyalty to the empire wasn't genuine, I thought he wouldn't do something foolish.'

Still, he was merely 'imprisoned'. Talks of 'punishment' for some unknown atrocity have not surfaced.

Sedn believed that as time passed, this incident would pass like any other.

Thinking so, he reached for his teacup.

***

"... Could you repeat that once more?"

In the emperor's study, where Sedn had come, not through an official audience but as he usually did to report, he blinked in disbelief at the thunderous command.

His gaze landed on the emperor's study, where a refined chair and a desk for business lay.

"Didn't you hear what I said?"

There, emperor Adratan spoke with a face full of displeasure.

Quivering lips and hollow eyes.

The image of the Conqueror Emperor, 'Emperor Adratan', who had once initiated the conquest war and brought the empire its golden age, was nowhere to be found.

"Execute Yulian's sentence immediately!"

"But, Your Majesty, Adratan."

Though taken aback by the sudden order, Sedn composed himself and began to persuade Emperor Adratan.

"Yulian's imprisonment by the Heavenly Reverence Guards is certain, but the details of the situation are yet to be revealed. Until Eulsis explains, we should maintain things as they are..."

"What need is there for details? His imprisonment by the Heavenly Reverence Guards is reason enough!"

"But...!"

Crash──!

Adratan threw the glass in front of him at Sedn.

The shards of the glass grazed Sedn's cheek, causing red blood to trickle down his face.

"Y-You would defy me? If we were on the battlefield, such insubordination would cost you your head!"

Adratan, spitting with rage and glaring with wide eyes.

The achievements of Adratan were enormous; claiming he built the current empire would not be an overstatement.

Yet, as significant as his accomplishments were, Adratan's later years as emperor were not so smooth.

The backlash from the harsh physical demands of his younger years plagued his old age.

His bones were in ruins.

His muscles had suffered widespread necrosis.

Confined to living within his chambers, the emperor's mental state deteriorated, leading to a sordid obsession with the 'achievements' he had built.

"Even you will soon... cough, cough!"

Unable to contain his anger, emperor Adratan coughed blood. At that moment, someone hurriedly approached him.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty, Adratan?"

"A-Abigail...!"

The diviner, no, the witch Abigail.

She quickly approached Emperor Adratan and took out a paper containing powder from her possession.

Bringing it to Adratan's nose, Abigail said,

"Breathe in deeply, Your Majesty."

Following Abigail's words by inhaling deeply, Adratan's hollow eyes began to brighten.

'What has she mixed with the painkiller?'

Sedn looked at Abigail. As if reading Sedn's mind, Abigail gave a fleeting smile.

"Thank you, Abigail."

Once his pain subsided, emperor Adratan grasped Abigail's hand in gratitude.

"Not at all, it's an honor to assist Your Majesty."

With a gratifying smile, she turned her gaze to Sedn.

"But even the chief's words have merit."

With a benevolent expression, she began to speak.

"Without clear details on Yulian's imprisonment, the nobles will definitely view it unfavorably, despite your orders, Your Majesty. Yet, prince Eulsis seems unwilling to talk..."

"... Then, what do you suggest, Abigail?"

"Before the upcoming 'Day of Heavenly Rest'."

The Day of Heavenly Rest.

It's named so as it describes a solar eclipse when the sun is obscured by the moon as the 'rest of the heavens'.

"What if we unofficially execute him before that day arrives?"

"Unofficially... you say?"

"Yes."

Abigail smiled radiantly.

"If we proceed like that, the nobles who would oppose wouldn't know about it, and even if they did, it would be overshadowed by the fervor of the 'Day of Heavenly Rest'."

"Indeed... yes."

Eventually, the execution of Yulian proceeded.

The outcome did not change.

"Let's do it that way. Sedn, relay that to the secretariat."

After issuing the command, emperor Adratan fondled Abigail's hand while glaring at Sedn, who, unable to voice a reply, reluctantly nodded.

***

"It has come to that."

Informally informing of the execution, Sedn conveyed it to the visiting Yulian with a somber voice.

"Is that so?"

Contrary to the sullen Sedn, Yulian received the news with unparalleled calmness.

With unyielding emotions hidden behind slit eyes, he simply crossed his arms and stared at Sedn.

"... Are you not afraid?"

Confronted by this demeanor, Sedn couldn't help but ask. No matter how much he was known as the "Smiling Executioner of the imperial family" for his emotionless sword, he was still human.

One could not help but feel fear when faced with death.

"I am afraid. I do fear death, indeed."

While Sedn might have felt some humanity in Yulian's candid words,

"However, I am certain of one thing."

"What might that be?"

"That the execution will not take place."

Sedn was taken aback by the confident tone.

"What do you mean? His Majesty has decreed it personally."

"Indeed."

"In two days, you are set to head to the guillotine. There's no changing that fact."

Listening to the 'death' sentence without much reaction, Yulian extended a hand towards Sedn.

Though slightly furrowing his brow at Yulian's action, Sedn retrieved the newspaper from his pocket and handed it to him.

The reason for today's visit wasn't just to discuss the 'execution'; Yulian had also asked for a newspaper.

"Thank you, Sir Sedn."

Receiving the newspaper, Yulian unfolded it and began reading.

"... This reaction is beyond my understanding."

"What do you mean?"

"In this situation, what purpose does reading the newspaper serve? In two days, anyways..."

"Ah?"

Sedn stopped mid-sentence at Yulian's sudden change in reaction.

"Sir Sedn, are you aware that Sir Ornn, the former head of the Cryphart family, has been dispatched to the north?"

"Ornn? Ah... I am."

While wondering why this topic arose here, Sedn nonetheless nodded.

"There was talk that due to an unfortunate incident during his military service, Sir Ornn needed to fulfill his term as a knight of the Cryphart family again."

Of course, Sedn also knew that reason was merely a front.

Due to recent friction in the Council of Nobles, it was implied that Ornn was driven out.

"Sir Ornn is quite capable, isn't he?"

"... Indeed. Although it may seem like he was expelled, the position of the head of the Cryphart family isn't something obtained without ability."

Even at his advanced age, he disciplined himself with martial arts, possessing a unique approach to military strategies. Ornn Cryphart could be described as such.

"In essence, even if he was pushed out, there's now a degree of freedom for Prince Kaldrach if Sir Ornn went north."

"Is that right? I suppose it makes sense."

"He can cover for that absence."

"Hmm?"

Sedn, suspecting something from Yulian's statement, examined the newspaper handed to him.

"You haven't read the newspaper today, have you?"

As he said, today, Sedn had not read the paper. He was summoned by Emperor Adratan at the crack of dawn.

Sedn quickly read through what Yulian showed him in the newspaper.

"... The Wedge Knights of Prince Kaldrach, who had embarked on an expedition, is returning en masse from North Pole."

Reading the text, Sedn's face twisted.

"Could this possibly mean...?"

At Sedn's query, Yulian just smiled knowingly.

"It's precisely what you think."

***

Having enticed Emperor Adratan to proceed with Yulian's execution, Abigail watched over the calendar marking the execution date with a smile.

"With this, I can end my long-standing enmity with Milena."

Moreover, it allowed the removal of anyone hindering Prince Eulsis's plans.

'It's all for him.'

Even if Eulsis hurled harsh words and swore at her, it was a task that needed to be undertaken.

'Yulian is dangerous.'

She knew, much like Eulsis, Yulian was a vessel who could contain the 'Demon God'.

Therefore, Abigail hurried the process to dispose of Yulian.

'To fulfill Prince Eulsis's desires.'

Whether it was becoming the emperor of the Adratan Empire...

Or perhaps bringing down the empire.

Even laying waste to the continent.

Abigail had resolved to stand by Eulsis.

"For achieving that... you truly stand in my way."

Muttering to herself as she stared at the calendar, Abigail felt confident.

"K-Kindly, a matter has arisen, lady Abigail!"

One of the Knights of the Rose hurried towards her, breathlessly calling out.

"What is it?"

"There's a strange movement detected at the northern outpost, North Pole!"

"What?"

North Pole was where the empire's third prince, Kaldrach De Adratan, was stationed.

Simultaneously...

'Abisha.'

The winter witch, Abisha, was also there.

'Yet, if it involves Kaldrach, moving isn't feasible.'

Even if bound by the imperial succession rights, Kaldrach could not act at present.

North Pole relied heavily on the 'spikes' and Kaldrach's strategy. It would unravel without him, leading to a foreseeable large fracture.

"P-Prince Kaldrach..."

"Hmm?"

"The prince is descending upon the capital together with his Wedge Knights!"

"What?!"

Abigail was so shocked she yelled at the knight, unable to control her astonishment.