Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 269

Chapter 269. Remaining Whereabouts (1)

Emotions began to well up.

He wished to see the end before his time ran out.

Not long ago, the 'Black Knight's' response was tantamount to admitting that he was 'terminally ill'.

As a result, a storm of emotions began to surge within.

"...... Black Knight."

Barely overcoming the swirl of such emotions and pain, Uruhar opened his mouth.

"Can you tell me just one thing?"

He was so moved by the steadfastness of the man's belief before him that he forgot to wipe the tears streaming from his complicated heart.

"If it's something I can answer, I will."

"Could you tell me your age, perhaps?"

He had never been curious about the 'Black Knight's' age before.

Whether he was young or older than expected, it was certain that he was the one who stirred his heart.

He believed that noble ideals didn't require background details.

Because he saw it as an act of weighing values.

However, the fact that the suddenly appearing hero of the capital was 'terminally ill' changed his feelings.

So, he asked his age. Even if the value of 'ideals' might be distorted.

With a displeased voice, the Black Knight spoke.

"Why are you curious about that? Trying to uncover my identity?"

Uruhar was startled by his question. Although he indeed had no such intentions, upon hearing the Black Knight's words, it didn't seem strange to think so.

"No, ah...... ouch!"

Just as he was about to wave his hand, the wound inflicted by Kikubad throbbed.

While clenching the wound and groaning shallowly, the Black Knight spoke in a cold voice.

"If it's something I can answer, I will. If I can't answer, I won't."

The Black Knight's stance was clear. He took a step back, trying to avoid any statements that could endanger him.

'Who he is.'

He had no intention of finding out.

He wasn't asking who he was, just wondering about his age because of the 'terminally ill' thought.

Yet, the fact that he gave no answer moved Uruhar all the more.

As if saying, time can sweep me away like a fierce storm, and it doesn't matter if you don't remember me.

"This should be enough."

The Black Knight began to prepare to leave. Giving a glance towards the collapsed Fulcurn's residence behind him, he started to move away.

"Uruhar von Einer."

Watching the Black Knight, Uruhar managed to stand up, supporting himself against a tree.

The Black Knight tilted his head seeing Uruhar.

"My name and family."

The Black Knight only stared without a word.

"It just seemed we hadn't introduced ourselves till now, so I just said it. Don't think too deeply about it."

"Though you might think it's rude, I'm not inclined to give you my name."

"No, you don't have to."

Uruhar wiped the blood running down his mouth.

"I just said it 'cause I wanted to. Really, that's all."

Strange fellow.

Though it seemed that's what the Black Knight thought, Uruhar didn't mind.

"Next time, I won't be overpowered so disgracefully. Considering the opponent, I couldn't use Aura."

"It rather makes you look pathetic. Explaining the reason for your defeat?"

"No, had I used Aura, it wouldn't have been this disgraceful. Therefore, I want to say, use me once more."

"That's not even amusing."

Though the Black Knight's tone conveyed puzzlement as if he couldn't comprehend the 'Uruhar' before him, he merely shrugged indifferently.

"If you want to be of help, find Yulian. He'll tell you what needs to be done."

With those cold, cutting words, the Black Knight vanished.

Yulian.

Uruhar thought of accepting it, albeit reluctantly, as he still disliked hearing his loathed former classmate's name from the Black Knight even now.

***

Though Lazlot wasn't able to gather all the information happening within the Empire, he managed to get fragmentary information about the 'Dawn Society' and the 'Imperial Family'.

Thus, he was sensitive to the unsettling atmosphere swirling around the capital.

'...... A war, perhaps.'

Though it was known that due to the emerging issues regarding the right of succession to the throne, the activities of various nobles had contracted.

They could become a good 'example' for others if they made a wrong move, a natural consequence.

Hence, the nobles retracted.

They are trying to avoid external actions as much as possible, and until one of the princes firmly establishes a lead, they seemed to be lying low like mice.

'If only Eulsis hadn't run amok.'

Certainly, the situation began to tilt in favor of the '4th Prince' as the majority of the imperial relations took Eulsis's side starting with the 'Heavenly Reverence Guards'.

Moreover, Lazlot acquired knowledge of the 'Diviner Abigail' through the 'secretariat', who also stood by Eulsis and was under the Emperor Adratan's protection.

The moment the public opinion swayed, believing it was possible for Eulsis to claim the Emperor's seat despite the '4th Prince's' ambiguous status by utilizing Abigail, who received 'the Emperor's protection'.

'An unanticipated rampage occurred.'

Though he wished the storm to pass quickly, Eulsis ended up doing something unnecessary.

Of course, it wouldn't have been done thoughtlessly. There must be some purpose, which is why he is taking such actions now.

'Is it more important than inheriting the throne?'

Lazlot was puzzled.

The position of Emperor Adratan is a pinnacle of power that everyone reveres.

It's curious to wonder what intense emotion can reject such a lust for power.

'Phew.'

Anyway, a fortunate point was that 'Yulian' wasn't getting swept up in the raging 'storm' at the moment.

The administrator of the 'Dawn Society', which dominates the dark parts of the Adratan Empire.

At the same time, the real owner of the 'Agency Directly Under The Imperial Family' which can be mentioned as a bright part.

If he gets on the wrong side of one of the imperials, all of 'Dawn Society' along with himself could be uprooted.

'Including me.'

In such a situation as now, where it wouldn't be strange to die at any moment as if dancing on the edge of a sword, Lazlot awoke with a shiver of dread even this morning.

Though he was said to have been training in swordsmanship to protect himself, how could an ant possibly defy a great mountain?

"Hmm?"

While waiting in the 'Blind Eyes' building to carry out the schedule, Lazlot was startled by an abruptly entering familiar face.

"Sir Pintel."

Pintel Obradin, an Archbishop of the Dawn Society. For some reason, he had arrived at the quarters of the 'Blind Eyes'.

Initially startled, he quickly realized why upon seeing Pintel's face.

"Is Sir Yulian here?"

As expected. Lazlot quietly thought to himself as he responded.

"Currently, he's stepped out for a while. Perhaps if you wait a bit, he'll return......."

"I see. I'll wait then."

Saying this, Pintel folded his arms and with a solemn face, sat on a nearby chair.

Though he could have waited in Yulian's personal office, he didn't seem to even consider it, perhaps thinking it rude.

'...... Uncomfortable.'

Watching Pintel's demeanor made Lazlot feel exceedingly uneasy.

Lazlot hadn't had any ties with 'Pintel' since he acted as a mole between 'Eleanor' and 'Aiden'.

He merely regarded him as just a 'Bishop' with a nasty temper before he got involved with 'Yulian'.

"Lazlot."

"Y-Yes!"

Upon Pintel calling his name, Lazlot was startled.

He feared his inner badmouthing had been discovered.

"Among these members, is there any Monsignor with decent skills?"

Pintel pulled out a list from his arms and showed it to Lazlot.

All were 'Monsignors' and during the time when 'Tenelon' was leading the Dawn Society, they had enough influence not to be strange even if listed among the 'Bishops'.

"As you know, I'm forming a personal guard for Sir Yulian. Therefore, I want it composed of only capable individuals, but I find myself lacking the eye for such."

Ah.

Lazlot speculated why Pintel had come to this place with his question.

The 'personal guard for Sir Yulian' he mentioned probably referred to 'Twilight'. Seeking to meet 'Yulian' was likely to ask to select competent individuals from among those earmarked for 'Twilight'.

Lazlot, after briefly scanning the list while choosing his words carefully, eventually steeled himself and spoke.

"...... Sir Pintel, it might be presumptuous of me, but regarding particular groups like the Twilight, I think emphasis should be more on loyalty rather than skill."

"Hmm."

Lazlot began sharing his thoughts with Pintel.

"The individuals you've shown are strong enough that I can't compare with them, but they are likely to use Sir Yulian to satisfy personal gains."

"In that case?"

"Perhaps it might be better to recruit individuals from the lower ranks? Among them, there might be hidden gems, don't you think?"

"Hmm."

Once more, Pintel sighed.

"That is indeed valid."

Feeling that sigh as discontent, Lazlot hastily waved his hands dismissively.

"It was a counsel beyond my capacity. If you wish to proceed with your original thoughts......."

"No, you've been sufficiently helpful."

Pintel tucked the list back into his arms.

"There is a need to change directions."

Having murmured thus, Pintel turned his attention back to Lazlot.

"Anyway, what are the recent movements of the Imperial Family?"

Having reached some conclusion, Pintel swiftly switched topics.

Lazlot knew what prompted the question. It was presumably regarding the 'right of succession to the throne' and the actions of the '4th Prince.'

"I don't know the details either. Since not all the actions of the imperials are recorded by the secretariat."

That's reassuring. Pintel quietly appended such a remark.

"Indeed, there's an old saying, 'No news is good news.' Since there appears to be no significant action from His Highness Eulsis, it might indicate he's not overly concerned, even with the fact that the previously detained Sir Yulian is now out."

Pintel nodded as he spoke. Indeed, the previously incarcerated Yulian had been rescued with the help of Kaldrach.

'Insulting a imperial and inflicting harm on his face.'

Since Lazlot had read the report regarding Yulian's transgressions, he found it peculiar that Eulsis took no action.

"Excuse me."

Another visitor arrived in the sparsely populated Blind Eyes.

Lazlot lifted his head, expecting either a member of 'Blind Eyes' or a Dawn Society individual, only to be met with the insignia of the 'Imperial Knights'.

A familiar face.

Uruhar von Einer.

The leader of the 'Heavenly Reverence Guards', the imperial family's bodyguards, and currently servants to 'Eulsis'.

'So, it has finally come.'

At the appearance of Uruhar, Lazlot gulped down his nervousness.