Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 261

Chapter 261. The Dreadful Bastard I Respect (2)

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of the knights' boots, marching forward for inspection, echoed loudly. The knights were dressed impeccably for the day.

However, on Uruhar's ears, those sounds went unheard. The shock from Yulian's recent words left him hearing only ringing.

"What?"

You returned from the Heavenly Reverence Vault, didn't you??

That's what Yulian had said.

'No one should know about this.'

Uruhar's visit to the Heavenly Reverence Vault was confidential. He hadn't told anyone.

Though there was the 'manager' he had met face-to-face, they wouldn't act unless given a 'Seal' by the 'Emperor' or was in direct service to the 'Imperial Family'.

'The caretaker wouldn't have said anything. Then, how did Yulian know?'

He glanced at Yulian, but he maintained a perfectly composed expression, adept at hiding emotions.

He looked as though he was uninterested and simply watched the ongoing inspection.

"It's fortunate to be directly under the imperial family. What a ridiculous display, doing such a thing under this blazing sun."

Yulian even scoffed while looking at the knights undergoing inspection.

"That's a ceremony His Imperial Majesty himself presides over. It wouldn't be wise to dismiss it so lightly."

Uruhar spoke gently, considering the bond from their academy days.

"Oh dear, I misspoke. Please act as if you didn't hear that. I bear no discontent toward His Majesty's event."

Yulian gestured with a finger to his lips, asking for secrecy. Though annoyed at his audacious display, Uruhar prioritized solving his 'doubt' first.

"I want to discuss what you just said."

"Do you see that?"

But instead of addressing Uruhar's question, Yulian pointed towards the square where the inspection was taking place.

"Knight Commander Schvalt is over there."

As Yulian indicated, commander Schvalt of the Azure Lion Knights was indeed present.

"That grumpy expression is eternal. Well, he's disliked the sun intensely since our academy days."

As Yulian mentioned, Schvalt was displaying his characteristic emotionless face revealing his 'displeasure'.

Uruhar found this quite ironic.

One side had a blank expression yet openly showed emotions.

The other side always wore a smiling face, expertly concealing any internal feeling.

"Do you and Sir Schvalt still hold grudges?"

Frankly, it applied to himself too. The shadow of the 'Sword Saint' loomed large enough to view 'Yulian' through biased lenses.

"Well, I'm the one who suffers one-sidedly. I treat everyone equally under imperial protocols."

Uttering more needless words, Yulian was ever this way, murmuring nonsense when caught with something awkward or unwilling to discuss.

'Wait.'

This isn't the issue now.

"Wait, stop evading Yulian. My question is whether you're connected to the Black Knight."

Yulian merely displayed a sly smile at Uruhar's query.

Then, after a brief silence, Yulian surveyed the surrounding area.

It seemed like he was ensuring no eavesdropping devices were installed.

There weren't any prying eyes.

Even if there was a 'magic tool' installed, the noise from the inspecting knights would prevent clear eavesdropping.

"The lost horn."

Upon feeling secure, Yulian began to speak, his smile turning into a serious aura, juxtaposing his demeanor fascinatingly.

"What did you feel upon seeing it?"

"Feel? What do you mean..."

"Did you not converse with the Black Knight?"

He chuckled briefly.

Despite the infuriating chuckle, Uruhar managed to maintain his composure.

"There is someone aiming to cause disaster using the Demon God's horn. Isn't identifying that someone why the Black Knight instructed you to inspect the Heavenly Reverence Vault?"

Yulian seemed aware of the conversation between the 'Black Knight' and Uruhar from dawn.

The issue lies in not knowing if it was heard directly from the 'Black Knight' or attained by 'other means.'

"I checked."

"In that case, you must have reached your own conclusion."

"The one to hear that conclusion won't be you, Yulian."

Even though Yulian knew of the encounter between the 'Black Knight' and Uruhar, it didn't establish that Yulian collaborated with the Black Knight.

"The plan from now is to share my findings only with the Black Knight."

"Haha, stubborn, aren't you? What's there to hide?"

Yulian placed his right hand gently over his chest, smiling, as he spoke.

"I am the Black Knight."

"What?"

Upon Yulian unveiling his identity as the Black Knight, Uruhar was filled with confusion.

Then, a rage grew heatedly from his core, strong enough to wash away the 'confusion'.

"I can assure you Yulian, you're not the Black Knight."

"It's true."

"If you utter such nonsense again, I'll truly draw my sword here."

Uruhar, known for not tolerating belittlement of others, had a sacred domain.

Once a 'Sword Saint', now, that title belonged to the 'Black Knight'.

"If he's truly someone you respect so much, shouldn't you have cooperated from the first meeting?"

Despite fierce anger directed at him, Yulian merely laughed.

***

Crazy fool.

Even after divulging my identity as the 'Black Knight', Uruhar showed no signs of belief.

'... Well, I expected as much.'

Though it was said after making a firm resolution, I had foreseen he wouldn't believe it.

Yulian.

Black Knight.

The only shared trait between them is the use of the 'Sword Saint's' techniques.

The unique 'Moonstone Sword', when acting as the Black Knight, becomes black through 'Angelica', making it unrecognizable.

'The societal perception is extremely different too.'

A villain who can commit atrocities with a smile.

A hero working judiciously for his citizens.

Perhaps the discrepancy, the differing perceptions, between 'Yulian' and the 'Black Knight' is about that significant.

'Nevertheless.'

I shifted my gaze to Uruhar.

"Had I known earlier of the matters tied to the Demon God's horn in our previous encounter, my response would have differed. One with such a noble mission wouldn't be doing wrong."

When talking about the 'Black Knight', Uruhar spoke with a respectful gleam in his eyes.

'Did he have to be sternly serious?'

It was a bit shocking.

Before, I utilized the name 'Smiling Executioner' to instill fear, but that infamy should have diminished a bit by now.

'It's no big deal, but.'

It was a bit deflating.

'Should I revert to the Black Knight and talk?'

Honestly, I don't want to. It feels too troublesome, and showing up as the 'Black Knight' too often might reveal my real identity.

'I did just blurt it out earlier.'

Though baffled by my own actions, I decided to move on.

"The Black Knight won't appear before you anytime soon."

"Why?"

"He's a busy person. He acts in the dark; I act as his proxy in the light."

Even saying it this way provides immense hints.

I'm truly the Black Knight.

Am I not essentially declaring such?

Nonetheless, due to contrasting undertones, even 'coming out' statements couldn't be fully grasped.

So, let's get to the main point.

"... Why are you the Black Knight's proxy?"

No, let's focus on the main point. Yet again, Uruhar was fixated on my claim of being the Black Knight's proxy.

"Kuheum."

Clearing my throat as if signaling him to calm down, he finally seemed to regain his composure, scratching his head.

"As I mentioned earlier, the Black Knight doesn't have much time."

Indeed, time is scarce. Assuming both roles entails constantly racing against it.

"The Black Knight wants you, Sir Uruhar, to find out where the Demon God's horn is."

There was no response. Looking at Uruhar, his eyes were clouded with confusion.

Despite that, the inspection was nearing its end. Once people gathered, discussing such a delicate matter would become impossible, so I swiftly continued speaking.

"If you locate the position of the horn, please contact me. Then, I'll inform the Black Knight of this fact."

Having said this, I stood up.

"Since Commander Schvalt has also disappeared, there seems to be no reason to observe the inspection any longer. I'll take my leave here."

Smiling, I departed from the seat.

Uruhar sat there dazed, unmoving.

It was peculiar.

Sure, it was shocking news, but to be so overwhelmed to the point of being speechless?

Though questioning if he truly absorbed the conversation, I hoped he understood the request, deciding to leave.

***

Once the inspection ended, life emerged in the surrounding area.

Knights, members of the imperial staff, and the servants of Prince Osborne lined up as people streamed up and down.

'... The Black Knight.'

In his seat, after speaking with Yulian, Uruhar remained still.

With a face marked by shock, he ran his hands over his facade.

― As I mentioned earlier, the Black Knight doesn't have much time.

Why.

'In the capital... those with noble intentions.'

Do they perish so quickly.

Uruhar's eyes started to glisten with wetness.

Complex emotions surged like a tide within his heart.

'The Black Knight, his coercive and violent tactics are now understood.'

Curiosity surfaced before. Why did the masked 'Black Knight' act forcefully and violently in service to the Empire?

The reason was simple.

Lacking time himself.

In a limited timeframe, he needed results.

'Patriotism beyond what I can even utter.'

An indescribable patriotism.

Uruhar rose from his seat. Though unbefittingly said by the 'Smiling Executioner', the fact itself now mattered not.

― The Black Knight wishes for Sir Uruhar to discover the location of the Demon God's horn.

Hiding behind a mask, even in death, he shall have no one to commemorate him.

Thus, before he perishes, providing even a small 'outcome' is essential.

I must.

Assist him.