Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 256

Chapter 256. Where the Sword Points (1)

― Looking at this, the dead have more influence on the Empire than the living.

As I organized my thoughts based on the information T'alle had given me, something Kaldrach had once said suddenly came to mind.

The Empire of Adratan. His words about this country being more influenced by the dead.

'That's also true.'

Most of the Empire venerates the 'dead.' I am no different.

I had been so dumbfounded by the absurd death of the 'Sword Saint' that I deleted the game, leading to this mess.

Can I let it go?

I inwardly asked myself. And then, my eyes caught sight of the scabbard.

The saying that a strong mind dwells within a strong body. It was the scabbard used by Hayden Reich, the 'Sword Saint'.

"I might also be trapped in a delusion."

The formal speech that slipped out without me realizing had become a part of me, more than familiar by now.

However, T'alle, who was listening, seemed to think otherwise.

"What!?"

Surprised at my monologue, she asked what I meant, but I merely shook my head without answering.

"It's nothing."

I had a feeling that things would get busy from now on. Before that, something came to mind that I had to say to T'alle, the owner of the Bright Moon Pavilion.

"You mentioned earlier that you would side with the winner?"

When asked whom she would side with if the imperial family fought over the 'succession to the throne,' T'alle said she would side with the winner.

It was a very honest remark. I also thought the same way.

Though the tide was beginning to turn in Eulsis's favor, that bastard must not be allowed to hold everything in his grip.

Because his goal is ultimately to destroy the Empire and summon the Demon God to this land.

"...... Oh, no! Now that I think about it again, how could someone like me..."

Perhaps she anticipated what I was going to say, as T'alle started waving her hands, denying her former words.

"How humble you are. The special characteristics of the Bright Moon Pavilion you possess and your information-gathering abilities would be an excellent help to Prince Kaldrach."

"Ha, haha... someone like me, what can I do."

"Citizenship."

As soon as the word 'citizenship' was mentioned, T'alle's pupils slightly widened.

"Isn't it time you end this life of hiding as an imperial subject?"

***

Even those with power find it hard to issue citizenship to outsiders.

Only those with high ranks in the 'secretariat' could do so.

But, given enough power, even a 'prince' could easily make a savage into an 'imperial citizen'.

"Making one ally in the current situation is not a bad thing."

After seeing the emperor's face, Kaldrach came back for further conversation, looking more haggard than when I saw him in the morning.

Despite trying to hide it, it seemed the emperor's wavering lifeline had taken a toll on him.

"The owner of the Bright Moon Pavilion, is it?"

I suppose he had heard of the information through 'regression' as Kaldrach wasn't particularly surprised by the fact that the owner of the 'Bright Moon Pavilion' was a woman.

He even immediately accepted the fact that she was the actual leader of the 'Blood Demon Order'.

"Still, it's the first time I'm hearing that she's a vampire. I only heard before that she was uprooted by the influence of the Demon God."

"Have you never seen her?"

"Hmm."

Kaldrach let out a sigh. Judging by his demeanor, he seemed completely ignorant.

"Neither the Bright Moon Pavilion nor the Blood Demon Order seemed useful to me."

Because of that, he never saw T'alle.

"Moreover, I didn't even know they were the same person. If I had known she was a vampire, I would have at least investigated."

"A woman skilled in hiding her identity, it seems the news didn't reach prince Kaldrach's ears."

"That you are so connected to the mistress of the Bright Moon Pavilion, Yulian."

With a subtle laugh, Kaldrach looked at me. I merely shrugged my shoulders without replying.

"Well, anyway, it would be good to have even one ally against Eulsis. It's clear he has teamed up with 'Abigail' and seized the imperial palace."

Though he spoke calmly, Kaldrach's clenched fists trembled.

Recalling what happened at the imperial palace, his eyes flickered with a slight anger.

"Perfect timing indeed."

As I observed Kaldrach's trembling hands, I sensed a presence outside the mansion.

Normally, seeing 'T'alle' would only be possible at the Bright Moon Pavilion, but this time, since 'Prince Kaldrach' was here, I had specially invited her to the mansion.

'Besides, there are onlookers.'

I stood up and spoke to Kaldrach.

"I will escort her."

Although it was a late night, Kaldrach's visit to the mansion was confidential.

The servants had all left, and there was no one to receive her, so I decided to personally welcome T'alle at the entrance of the mansion.

"Have you arrived?"

When the door opened, T'alle's figure came into view.

True to her vampiric nature, her pale face was illuminated faintly by the moonlight, not devoid of life entirely.

"... To think the mistress herself had to come."

Beside her was Arthur, T'alle's bodyguard and the public leader of the 'Blood Demon Order'.

He wore an unmistakably displeased expression but seemed to acknowledge the necessity of the situation.

After all, how could a vampire without citizenship oppose a meeting arranged with a 'prince'?

"Please, come in."

Receiving permission, T'alle began to walk into the mansion.

In the eerie atmosphere of the deserted mansion, her elegant movements were quite fitting.

'... Huhut.'

I couldn't help but chuckle at what was to come.

"Prince Kaldrach, this is T'alle, the owner of the Bright Moon Pavilion."

After bringing T'alle into the parlor, I introduced her to Kaldrach.

"Lady T'alle, this is His Highness, the third prince Kaldrach."

"What business does this prominent small sun of the empire have with me?"

With arrogant composure, T'alle addressed the 'royalty', the pinnacle of public power in the Adratan Empire.

The surrounding air grew cold and tense.

Disrespecting an 'imperial' was not explicitly forbidden by the Empire's 'rules', yet everyone naturally abided by the decorum.

Why, you ask?

Because this was a realm where offensive behaviors towards 'royalty' could lead to instant execution.

"Not bad."

Despite her arrogance, Kaldrach seemed utterly unaffected by any sense of displeasure.

It was truly quite amusing.

As the last 'vampire', T'alle fears the government. However, since she was being watched, she can't overtly display that fear.

With her subordinate watching, she was putting on bravado to maintain her dignity.

'Yet impressive.'

The 'color of fear' was fiercely swaying above T'alle's head. Indeed, it was the first time I'd seen her so frightened.

Yet, given that her face showed no sign of it, I suppose T'alle was quite the actor.

"She seems useful, but Yulian, are you sure this woman will join our side?"

Kaldrach spoke honestly while sizing up T'alle.

She seems useful, but can we trust her?

"She'll have no choice. Once T'alle learns of Prince Eulsis's unreasonable goal of resurrecting the Demon God, who would collaborate with him?"

"The Demon God's...!?"

With those words, T'alle and Arthur, who hadn't been fully briefed, looked at me in shock.

Even in this commotion, T'alle, determined to maintain her dignity, didn't uncross her arms.

"...... So, shouldn't we spread this fact rather than seeking help like this from Lady T'alle?"

"If that were possible, I would have long done so."

It was Eulsis who had the imperial palace under his control. Besides, would he simply let us spread such information?

"Therefore, I am certain that Lady T'alle will also lend her assistance for the Empire."

Quickly glancing at T'alle, I noticed she was avoiding eye contact.

"Who knows, perhaps if all goes well, prince Kaldrach might officially recognize the 'Blood Demon Order' as citizens?"

The drive that brought T'alle here was that promise. When I brought it up, she dropped a bit of her pretense, looking at Kaldrach with hopeful eyes.

"It shouldn't be too difficult."

Hearing this confirmation, T'alle's face lit up.

"Kuheum."

Yet, the gleam of emotion soon faded.

She resumed her role as the 'cold boss'.

"So."

With a rather serious tone, Kaldrach spoke up.

"There must be a reason you've introduced the mistress of the Bright Moon Pavilion at this timing, Yulian?"

After leaving the imperial palace...

To be precise, after the cards he held became useless, Kaldrach, who wore a sharp look, questioned me.

Having reached this point after numerous 'regressions,' I'd seen the possibility of dealing with 'Eulsis', yet couldn't devise a plan, which seemed to gnaw at Kaldrach's nerves.

"Yes. Lady T'alle's abilities will greatly aid us now. Certainly.

I glanced at her as I spoke.

"Because now, with Sir Flugel's barrier gone, she can also spy around the imperial palace, can't she?"

Kaldrach slightly turned his head to fix his eyes on T'alle.

"It sounds like, in front of me, you hinted that she might be spying on our house."

"Wor-worry not... small sun, do not speak like that."

Above T'alle's head, the color of fear wavered.

"Even I have a sense of decorum. There's definitely a sense of boundary."

"Hmm, alright then."

As she finished speaking, T'alle discreetly checked Arthur's expression.

Good grief, if you're that frightened, it wouldn't harm to drop the facade before your subordinates, would it?

"Okay, if you have such abilities, I understand. What's the reason we need them now, Yulian?"

"His Highness Prince Eulsis, who now commands the imperial palace, has incorporated the 'Imperial Knights' as well."

"This I know. You also mentioned some Imperial Knights still take heed of His Majesty's orders rather than Prince Eulsis's."

"Yes."

"Alright, then."

Kaldrach nodded once.

"To recruit one of the Imperial Knights onto our side, that must be the certainty you have."

As expected, he was quick on the uptake.

"Who is it?"

"Uruhar, him."

"Uruhar?"

At the mention of Uruhar's name, Kaldrach looked a bit puzzled.

"I heard, Yulian, that you don't get along well with him."

"Yes."

"Then how?"

"Though we don't get along, Sir Uruhar and I share a commonality."

With the mention of commonality, all eyes turned to me.

"We both trust the mysterious one who walks around with a mask."