Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 257

Chapter 257. Where the Sword Points (2)

"A masked stranger?"

As an unexpected word slipped out, Kaldrach and Abisha wore expressions of confusion.

Having not stayed in the empire, they seemed unfamiliar with the rumors of the 'Black Knight'.

'Given his regressions, he should know better.'

Perhaps the 'Sword Saint', not influenced by the 'Player', might not have been active as the 'Black Knight'.

"Don't you know about it? You must have led a life so noble that you're unaware of the troubles faced by your subjects."

The one who spoke in a dissatisfied tone to Kaldrach's question was none other than Arthur, the nominal head of the 'Blood Demon Order'.

It seemed that important conversations between T'alle and Arthur followed such a pattern.

Arthur spoke strongly.

T'alle spoke more gently.

Of course, this odd structure probably arose from Arthur's endless trust and admiration for T'alle.

'T'alle has yet to reveal her true self to her subordinates.'

To her subordinates, 'T'alle' was an ancient vampire over 300 years old: the benefactor who took them in and a pinnacle among sentient beings.

'【Although】 she doesn't think so herself.'

I looked at T'alle.

Just before, Arthur's strong words cast a shade of "fear" over her.

"I apologize. I simply have no interest in such matters."

Though his tone might have seemed irreverent to others, Kaldrach shrugged it off without concern.

After going through a few regressions, this guy had become remarkably mild.

Had he been the original 'Iron-blooded Kaldrach', he wouldn't have let it go so easily.

'He was the type who would bind the limbs of barbarians, hang them from saddles, and parade them around the training grounds to boost morale.'

People do change, indeed.

"No, there's no need to apologize."

Whether he knew about the old Kaldrach or not, Arthur continued speaking.

"If an apology comes from someone unaware of the rumors of the 'Black Knight', lady T'alle would not wish to hear it either...."

"Enough, Arthur."

However, T'alle, who had lived for hundreds of years, seemed to be aware of him.

Thus, 'fear' emanated from her as she calmly pretended to admonish Arthur while restraint showed in her actions.

Please stop!

That's the vibe T'alle began to project.

"So, let's return to the main point. What is the relationship between the Black Knight and the Imperial Knights?"

Kaldrach questioned the connection between the "Black Knight" and the 'Imperial Knights'.

I explained it to him.

The Imperial Knights member "Uruhar" is a devotee of the 'Black Knight', trusting him entirely.

"So, if the 'Black Knight' persuades, we might be able to bring Uruhar, who hasn't sided with Eulsis, to our side."

"Yes, that's correct."

"Honestly, I was a bit flabbergasted when I first heard that, but Yulian, since you're saying it, it must have some meaning behind it."

Kaldrach nodded once and opened his mouth again.

"But why bring up such a story when the 'Black Knight', the crux of this issue, isn't exactly on our side?"

Kaldrach's earnest doubt. At that moment, as I was about to lie and claim familiarity with the 'Black Knight',

"The Black Knight does indeed side with us."

T'alle spoke up, hiding her face slightly with a fan she had brought.

With the elegant fan covering T'alle's face, it created the illusion of mysterious energy flowing from her entire form.

"Hmm, that certainty that the 'Black Knight' is indeed on our side. While I'm unaware of the foundation for such belief, since both the speaker and a renowned vampire of antiquity suggest as much, I have no choice but to accept it."

Kaldrach agreed with T'alle's statement. However, my interest lay elsewhere.

'... What's going on?'

Had T'alle ever conversed with the "Black Knight"?

It didn't seem so.

'Then what's with that confidence?'

While I was quietly observing T'alle, she began gesturing with her fan. Then, our eyes met.

"Hi, eeek...!"

Suddenly, fear began to creep into T'alle's eyes.

'Could it be you...'

Even with prevalent rumors about the 'Black Knight', there weren't yet whispers about him having ties with 'Yulian'.

Nonetheless, T'alle spoke as though she had the certainty that the "Black Knight" would aid 'Yulian'.

Almost as if she knew the identity of the 'Black Knight'.

As such thoughts came over me, sweat started to run down my back.

'Huuuk...'

Inwardly, I sighed. However, I tried my best to calm my racing heart.

'How' T'alle knew was not the issue.

'What' T'alle intended to do going forward was the real question.

"There is a certainty that the Imperial Knights are one of Eulsis' current vulnerabilities. There must be at least one among them still loyal to His Imperial Majesty."

"That is correct, prince Kaldrach."

Nodding at Kaldrach's words, I shifted my gaze back to T'alle.

***

Yulian's "Uruhar" lure operation went as follows:

Currently, Eulsis, using the might of Abigail, a "Diviner" and 'Witch', was monitoring the entire empire.

His utmost concern was preventing the "Demon God's Horn" from being removed, focusing all his attention towards that.

"Prince Eulsis is surely keeping a close eye on anything that passes from our hands beyond the limits of the empire."

"To prevent that, Eulsis intends to deploy the Imperial Knights?"

"Exactly, prince Kaldrach! Your comprehension is as outstanding as ever!"

Clap, clap, clap!

Applauding, Yulian expressed admiration for Kaldrach's words.

It was a seemingly frivolous act yet carried his unique aura.

Had it been anyone else, people might have frowned, seeing it as inappropriate behavior towards the 'Prince', but Kaldrach seemed unfazed.

"Even for the Heavenly Reverence Guards, they wouldn't know that the 'Demon God's Horn' is in the empire, leaving prince Eulsis no choice but to mobilize the Imperial Knights."

"Even though he has incorporated the Heavenly Reverence Guards under his command, if it becomes known that Eulsis is a fool wishing for the 'Demon God's' resurrection, the army would desert him."

Speaking in a solemn yet somewhat stately tone, Kaldrach spoke but bitterly insulted as Eulsis was mentioned.

Due to this, all eyes briefly turned towards Kaldrach, including those of the witch Abisha accompanying him.

"I am merely stating the truth."

Sensing the weight of these gazes, Kaldrach cleared his throat while crossing his arms.

"But, what evidence suggests that the deployed 'Imperial Knights' would include Uruhar?"

"Sir Uruhar hasn't been taking orders from prince Eulsis. Such certainty comes from information I've heard..."

Listening to the conversation between Kaldrach and Yulian, T'alle shielded her mouth with a fan.

'How long......?'

Although appearing nonchalant, this situation was absurd.

Standing before him was Yulian of 'Blind Eyes', and further still, the 'Third Prince' Kaldrach had summoned her for collaboration.

Being recognized aside, for T'alle, who scorned 'public power', this place was utterly terrifying.

'My, my stomach aches.......'

All she wanted was to go back as soon as possible. That was all T'alle could think about.

"Well, I understand. You must have your reasons for saying so. I shall leave this in your hands."

"What do you plan on doing, prince Kaldrach?"

"I intend to keep the Wedge Knights moving for now."

"That will serve to draw the attention of prince Eulsis. I will look forward to your handling of this matter."

Nodding, Kaldrach rose from his seat. Realizing the conversation was wrapping up, T'alle sensed the end of the dreaded interaction.

'I, I can go home now.'

A vampire who drank the blood of humans, possessed outstanding physical abilities, and controlled familiars through the power of 'Enchantment'.

While there was a time when they ruled over humans, T'alle preferred staying secluded rather than reveling in past glories.

"Lady T'alle."

As she secretly smiled at the thought of leaving this suffocating room, T'alle was startled by Yulian's voice calling her.

'...... Yes, what is it?'

Was there any reason for Yulian to call her?

A command to monitor the imperial palace through 'familiars' was also given.

There was a request to report if there was a scenario in which the Imperial Knights, aside from "Uruhar," were dispatched.

There shouldn't be any more topics to discuss.

"It seems you are aware of some secrets I'm holding, and that could be problematic."

With a light laugh, Yulian approached T'alle. Terrified of the approaching 'dread', she shielded her eyes with her fan.

"Arthur, could you leave us for a moment?"

"... Yes, lady T'alle."

Since the danger that was Kaldrach had left, Arthur agreed easily and stepped aside.

Left alone, T'alle discarded the fan and spoke with trembling eyes.

"Secret, a secret that Sir Yulian has!?"

What does he want to say?

T'alle wished to voice that thought, but her words got stuck in her throat from overwhelming fear.

"Yes."

Upon seeing T'alle nodding,

"T'alle, being a wise person, I trust that you won't share this with others. So let's keep it under wraps."

Yulian placed a finger on his lips.

"Everyone has their secrets, after all."

"Ah, yes......."

"Good."

Clap.

Once more, Yulian clapped his hands and looked at T'alle.

Are you not leaving? I want to be alone quickly.

That's what T'alle was thinking.

"Shall you not rise?"

Ah, come to think of it, she was the one who was invited. With that realization, T'alle gathered her fan and hurriedly stood up.

Watching her retreating figure, Yulian thought,

'Since it's T'alle, once informed to this extent, she wouldn't speak of the Black Knight story till her dying breath.'

Observing T'alle's receding back, Yulian held such certainty.

Simultaneously, on her way back, T'alle also thought,

'If the secret refers to...... the incident at the Genmel Monastery, perhaps?'

Once, at Yulian's request, she had planted a familiar with 'Sword Saint'.

While she couldn't spy accurately when the Holy Kingdom was far from the imperial capital, upon entering it, T'alle's familiar could observe "Sword Saint's" every move.

During this process, the scene her familiar witnessed was "Yulian" killing the 'Sword Saint'.

At the same time, the image of a heartless demon shedding tears.

'Perhaps he doesn't wish for anyone to know about his tears being shed at that moment?'

The incident at the "Genmel Monastery" was a tragedy.

Thus, even if Yulian was rumored to be heartless, it was understandable for him to have emotional fluctuations.

"What did you discuss with Yulian, lady T'alle?"

On the way back to Bright Moon Pavilion, Arthur asked. T'alle shielded her mouth with a fan and quietly replied.

"It was nothing significant."

Maintaining the utmost dignity one could display before a subordinate.

"I thought colder blood ran through his veins than that of a vampire, but it seems that's not entirely the case."

Clacky's Corner:

The misunderstanding is strong in this chapter.