Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 273

Chapter 273. Sense of Crisis (1)

A drop of cold sweat trickled down under Uruhar's chin.

The buried Kikubad was alive.

Just knowing that made him feel like his throat was tightening, but the words from the returning Kikubad were like a sword held to Uruhar's neck.

"I have nothing to say, no matter what number of Black Knight I am."

Turning his tension into energy, Uruhar opened his mouth.

Whether a real 'Black Knight' or someone impersonating a 'Black Knight', just being present there was an act of defying Eulsis.

If Kikubad decided, executing him on the spot would not be strange, and informing 'Eulsis' about this could thoroughly lead him to the execution grounds.

"Is keeping that secret more important than your life?"

Kikubad asked, and Uruhar thought.

He had no intention of revealing who the 'real' one was, and he didn't want to utter words betraying the 'Black Knight' here.

"I chose to live like this."

Although his wound throbbed, he had no small amount of confidence that using 'aura' could overcome the situation.

"Is that so?"

Upon hearing Uruhar's words, Kikubad tilted his head.

A moment of silent pause.

A tense atmosphere like a bomb that could explode at any moment flowed in the room, and Uruhar poised himself, ready to draw his sword any time.

"Then let's end this conversation here."

Contrary to expectations, Kikubad seemed to have decided to end the discussion about the 'Black Knight' there.

Why? Just as the doubt arose, Kikubad handed a 'resignation letter' back to Uruhar.

"I'll return this, too. A person like you, Uruhar, who cares for the Empire, must remain for this dying country to at least function somehow."

Though he chuckled with a grin like a flunky, the words Kikubad spoke were extremely sensible.

The gap left Uruhar staring at Kikubad with incredulous eyes.

"...... You said in the underground that you wouldn't care even if the world was destroyed."

"Hmm? Did you think I was that insane?"

Mentioning the conversation shared at Fulcurn's mansion was to admit he was there, but under the circumstances, Uruhar resolved to clear his doubts.

"Yes."

"...... To have seemed like that, hmm."

Kikubad stroked his chin once.

"Not caring if my country falls, that's a thought only a crazed fool or a mama's boy like the fourth prince would have, isn't it?"

"What, what......!"

"Calm down. Anyway, it's just you and me here, with no other ears to listen."

Feeling swayed, Uruhar cleared his throat and tried to change the atmosphere.

"Why is someone like you helping Eulsis?"

Thud.

Instantly, instead of quieting the atmosphere, it felt as if it had fallen into the abyss.

Uruhar quickly realized that Kikubad was the source of this shift.

"To prove it, of course."

Prove it?

He wanted to ask, but the words wouldn't easily come out.

"Anyone walking the path of the sword wants to prove their strength. This deviation is merely a process for that."

"To whom do you want to prove......."

"To the world!"

As they spoke, Uruhar began feeling dizzy.

"Even if I turn the world into my enemy, if I can overcome this crisis with just my sword, it'd mean I've triumphed over the world, wouldn't it?"

Normally, Kikubad hadn't shared such personal thoughts, and it was fortunate. He hadn't expected him to have such a crazed mindset.

"Originally, I intended to be satisfied by defeating the Empire's best sword, but what could I do? The person died."

Empire's best sword.

He knew that referred to the 'Sword Saint'.

"But you see."

The deep wrinkles under Kikubad's eyes held countless moments of judgments and executions as a 'Imperial Knight.'

His gaze was dark, bearing a deep shadow, but within it flickered a flame-like madness.

"Recently, I encountered someone similar to that Empire's best sword."

Kikubad harbored no hesitation in eliminating the Empire's citizens to prove his swordsmanship to the world. The cold aura sensed at his fingertips ran through his sword sheath.

"So, I'm letting you live, Uruhar."

Kikubad's voice was low and threatening.

"You need to survive and pass on information to the Black Knight so they can reach me, don't you?"

The faint smile that appeared on his lips seemed to testify that no one in this world could bend his will.

"Live to witness the birth of a new Sword Saint. A new Empire's best sword."

***

Finding the location of a possible 'land contamination' ceremony doesn't require equipment so much as it requires legwork.

And that needs a great deal.

Even I realized it was difficult to cover as much area as possible alone.

Therefore, I summoned Pintel. I felt a little bad since I had just sent him back and was calling again, but he accepted gladly.

"If that's the case, I, Pintel, Sir Yulian's loyal servant, have a thought!"

When I told him about my idea and mentioned deploying people to investigate, Pintel suddenly rose and loudly expressed his opinion.

A loyal servant, since when did I need such an ostentatious title?

"Please tell me, Sir Pintel."

"Yes! Sir Yulian needs someone to thoroughly search inside the capital, correct!?"

"That is correct."

"Then you should consider utilizing 'Twilight', the private army formed around Sir Yulian recently......!"

"That's not possible."

Indeed, consulting this guy wasn't the right choice. I clicked my tongue internally while observing Pintel making a fuss.

"Wh, why......!?"

"As I said before, 'Blind Eyes' cannot form private military organizations like private army."

It was partly to avoid standing out that I didn't want to be the head of the 'New Dawn Society', but it's also against the regulations of 'Blind Eyes'.

"Then I shall directly......!"

"Is it not your task? Archbishop Pintel."

"Well, it is......."

"Resolving the necessary tasks is the priority. 'New Dawn Society', recently organized, undoubtedly needs the Archbishop's touch."

"You speak truth......."

Pintel, who had raised his voice, began to deflate at my words.

"Currently, the 'New Dawn Society' needs you, Sir Pintel. If Pintel, whom I trust, doesn't hold the center, who shall be the pillar of the society?"

Nevertheless, seeing his shoulders sag, despite meaning well with his words, wasn't pleasant.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, these are tasks only you, Sir Pintel, can accomplish. Other archbishops aren't as proactive as you are."

Indeed, Pintel is helpful. He's caused headaches countless times by running riot, but ultimately, it was all for my benefit.

Moreover, considering the significant role he played in taking over the 'New Dawn Society', how could I dismiss him?

"Oh, oh......!"

Upon hearing my words, Pintel trembled a bit, gazing at me with admiration.

Is he bipolar? Why are his emotions fluctuating so rapidly?

"Then, how about inquiring with Sir Fern or other church personnel?"

Lazlot, who stood nearby, chimed in. In such situations, more minds are always beneficial. Reflecting that thought, I had summoned Lazlot as well.

"That doesn't sound bad."

Pintel nodded in agreement with Lazlot's words.

Indeed, at this point, that seems like the easiest method.

'Should I proceed with that idea?'

Thinking thus, I examined Pintel's face again.

The desire to use the 'Twilight'. Such feelings were visibly etched on Pintel's expression.

***

Cryphart family's third son, Herand, visited their mansion in response to a summons from his father, the head of the house.

The trees in the garden where he had played as a child still greeted him with their robust appearance, and as he passed through the large stone gate, a blend of poignant memories and the weight of heavy responsibility seeped into him.

'...... Ugh.'

Currently, 'Ornn Cryphart' and former patriarch of the family had been banished to the north for certain reasons.

His absence began to gnaw at the 'Cryphart family's' current state, diluting its stature as one of the Empire's top four families.

Thus, Herand vaguely sensed why his father, Oben, had summoned him.

"Did you call for me, father?"

Entering the drawing-room with a somewhat awkward posture, Oben greeted him. Beside him, the old knight, Eharc, gave Herand a slight bow.

"There's a reason I called you,"

Oben began to speak. His voice carried weight.

"I think it's time for you to take over for me when thinking about the future of this family."

As expected, Herand had anticipated him to bring this up.

He gathered that Oben intended for him to take over as 'family head' and solve the confusion, left by 'Ornn', by seizing the now-vacant role of 'Council of Nobles chair' to manage the turmoil at least a little.

'Though usually, one of the two older brothers should claim it.'

There's a saying among the people. In the past, Cryphart family built its glory along with the empire's history, but it would not fall to external forces or internal politics; it might collapse due to failure in raising its children.

Such rumors circulated widely; Oben's first and second sons were complete messes.

A hunchback and an alcoholic.

Neither could be entrusted with the role of 'family head'.

"This is too heavy of a burden for me, father."

However, Herand understood his own limitations well.

Though cowardly, not skilled with a sword, and lacking leadership, he wasn't fit to be at the head of anyone.

He retained the title of 'noble' merely because of his blessed birth.

His dark thoughts were never from inferiority. Herand had a clear grasp of his position.

"I think it would be better to entrust it to Joshua."

"Joshua is too young. You know this, don't you?"

At Oben's sensible words, Herand clamped his mouth shut.

"For the Cryphart family, even if it's just for a year, can't you take on the role of family head?"

Oben could have forced his hand, but he pleaded instead, and Herand flinched at his father's attitude. A certain individual came to his mind.

"How about Yulian?"

Herand recalled hearing the opinions of the family members regarding 'Yulian' during their meetings.

Surprisingly, the Cryphart family members' opposition to 'Yulian' wasn't significant.

Moreover, he had recently acquired a medal that could only be bestowed by the imperials, and 'Kaldrach', intimately connected to him, had returned to the system.

"At this point, I believe Yulian taking on the head position would benefit the family the most."

Though some insecurity colored Herand's voice, a firm resolve also resonated through.

Seeing this, Oben paused momentarily, looking at his son with a slightly puzzled expression.

Oben hadn't expected Herand to refuse. Yet, gradually, his gaze softened, and a smile of understanding spread across his face.

"So, you genuinely wish for Yulian to be a member of the family."

If he becomes the 'family head', regardless of the derogatory nickname 'Frason' he would have no choice but to accept him as a family member.

Herand exploited that point.

"Because he's family, isn't he?"

Oben nodded.

"Then I entrust this matter to you."

Acknowledging his father's words, Herand nodded. Oben, not being in a position to easily converse with Yulian, understood the situation.

"Herand."

As Herand was about to rise, Oben called, causing him to halt momentarily.

"My thoughts differed from your grandfather, Lord Ornn."

"Yes?"

"Among the sons I've borne, I thought you would perform the role of family head the best."

"Ha, haha......."

Herand couldn't help but laugh at Oben's somewhat corny words.

While the family's future remained uncertain, at this moment, the understanding and respect between the two generations found perfect harmony.