Acting as a Slit-Eye Chapter 149

Chapter 149. The Repeater (1)

Having lived in this body for so long, I now had a rough idea of how I appeared to others.

'The madman who subdued the Third Prince's direct unit, the Wedge Knights, right in front of the prince.'

Moreover, the Smiling Executioner who challenged the prince's stronghold while claiming to follow "the Royal Family" with blind loyalty.

'They must see

as a lunatic.'

Naturally.

A mber of the prestigious Cryphart family—a being labeled as 'Frason'—who else would show such behavior when they had no power or influence beyond their title of 'Blind Eyes'?

That was exactly my intention.

"No matter how loyal I am to the Royal Family, if I go crazy, anyone can end up like this."

I was still unsure of why Kaldrach had brought

here, but surely there was sothing he wanted.

By pretending to be insane from the start, my goal was to lead the conversation.

Of course,

'If they just decide to kill .'

I'd be in a difficult spot.

After all, Kaldrach was the Third Prince of the Adratan Empire.

He seed to be aware of "sothing" and was initiating actions based on that knowledge.

'If he approaches this as a 'prince', then my life ends here.'

That's unacceptable. I want to live long. I haven't even seen the orchids I newly purchased grow yet.

"Enough, Yulian."

Thankfully, Kaldrach didn't order severe punishnt as a 'prince'.

Perhaps out of curiosity towards , he didn't seem keen on using his power to harm .

I knew full well that going further and overdoing it would be suicide.

"Should I leave it at this?"

I feigned submission to Kaldrach's aura, answering his glare with a smile.

"He seems to have been a good worker. Since Your Highness is personally sparing his life."

"Keheuk, cough...!"

As I let go, Derrick began to glare at

as if he could kill .

Kaldrach addressed him.

"Release his cuffs."

At the order to release a criminal, Derrick looked flustered.

"But, Your Highness..."

"If Yulian has any sense, he wouldn't harbor thoughts of harming . Besides, do you think I'd lose to Yulian?"

"That is..."

"Release him."

With a stern nod from Kaldrach, Derrick hesitantly released my cuffs, his lips quivering.

"Thank you, Your Highness. That's much better."

"Leave us. I have matters to discuss with Yulian alone."

Doubting if it was okay to be alone with him...

If I really snapped, prince or not, it wouldn't matter—but of course, I had no intention of doing that.

The Wedge mbers looked slightly worried but soon saluted politely and left his office.

Now, Derrick and I were alone in the modest office.

After a brief silence, he broke it by speaking up.

"This is the first ti."

The first ti?

"The timing of your return to the north."

I'd felt an odd sensation from him before.

It was likely a kindred spirit akin to my own.

Soone who knew the scenario and contents of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉.

"A player?"

That was my first thought.

If he understood the ga's scenario and so of its contents, there was a high chance that he, like , was a 'player' who had reincarnated here.

"If so..."

He would be an ally.

Anyone who'd played the ga at least once would know the future the ga presents.

However, circumstances had 'slightly' changed, and no one could predict how the future would unfold.

The Sword Saint had left in search of work-life balance.

Those who should have died were still alive.

The Dawn Society showed no signs of crumbling and remained resilient.

In such a situation, if he was the sa 'player,' teaming up to plan for the future would make sense...

"But oddly enough, he doesn't seem to have that intention."

From this, I drew one suspicion.

It was not a situation to judge hastily, but cautiously considering the possibilities...

"He might not be a player."

If he was a 'player' from the start, he would have directly asked

by now.

Are you a player?

Of course, he might be cautious.

Particularly with 'Yulian'. In this world, saying unnecessary things to such a formidable villain could easily lead to decapitation.

But I had a different thought.

"Players have no reason to antagonize each other."

No matter their differing social statuses, the overarching goal of 'players' was to prevent potential disasters.

In that sense... who was this guy?

"That's what I have to figure out now."

I cleared my throat and refocused on Derrick.

"Sotis, I find myself longing for the chilly winds of the north."

Words not from the heart.

Who would want to co here?

I had tried everything to avoid being assigned here.

"If so, how about reinstating yourself in North Pole? I could even find a place for you in the Wedge Knights."

"Huhu..."

Instead of directly refusing the prince's offer, I simply let out a short laugh.

Considering his position, complete denial was sothing to avoid.

Surely, he also recognized that this was a 'rejection'.

"I'm serious, Yulian."

I'm serious too, Your Highness the Prince.

Isn't it ti to show your true intentions?

"In the future, when this Rozenda continent faces its impending crisis, it would be wise to side with ."

Hearing his continued words, I thought internally, "As expected."

With the resurrection of the demon Barbatos, demons would dominate a ravaged continent in a bleak future.

The 'One-Ard Demon' and a phenonon called 'Red Transformation', served as the foundation for this.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't feign ignorance. You must have had your reasons for being so desperate to kill the One-Ard Demon."

"I'm not sure what Your Highness ans, as soone as humble as I cannot comprehend it."

Despite my feigned ignorance, his eyes reflected a firm resolve.

He was aware of the One-Ard Demon's position in the story, or rather, the phenonon known as 'Red Transformation'.

When Kaldrach clicked his tongue, he looked displeased for a mont, but that was fleeting.

With a face of determination, he began to speak once more.

"It's not strange to be cautious. The 'events' before us aren't exactly ordinary."

As if being convinced of sothing, he murmured, shrugged his shoulders once.

"To ease our mutual suspicions, let

start by speaking my mind."

So... who exactly are you?

"Few are aware of the danger posed by demons undergoing 'Red Transformation' at this point in ti."

That's true.

Because 'Red Transformation' was ant to occur later. Moreover, there had been no related research or statistics yet.

"Hardly anyone knows of its threat unless they've 'experienced it' before."

If 'ga' experience counts, that statent holds true indeed.

"I am like you, Yulian—I'm a repeater."

A repeater.

"Nonsense..."

At the mont I heard those words, I felt an overwhelming sensation of dizziness.

"What on earth does that an!?"

I genuinely don't know.

***

What does he an to convey?

Honestly, I had no idea.

The term 'repeater' was a setting I'd never encountered before.

As a hardcore player of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, if it was sothing new to , it must not exist in reality.

"... I see."

Yet, the stubborn ego in

didn't like 'pretending' to be clueless, so I feigned knowledge.

Based on just the word, one could infer that:

The term could possibly describe soone who repeats 'life'.

Or soone who repeats only a certain 'specific situation'.

That would be an educated guess.

"Indeed. So, why not join forces with ? In preparation for the inevitable disaster and to eventually swallow everything in the Adratan Empire."

Preparing for disaster is one thing, but the expression 'to swallow the Adratan Empire' was very direct.

It's as if he's saying he wants to beco 'Emperor'.

"Your contract with the Witch of Blizzard Forest was all for that, wasn't it?"

"... Not only for that."

Trailing off, he seed to drift into past mories.

Nonetheless, it wasn't long before, in a compelling tone, Kaldrach spoke up.

"So... what is your answer?"

Of course, he wanted a commitnt to join him. Thinking of

as a similar 'kind'.

However, my answer was predetermined.

"I'm sorry, but I must decline, Kaldrach."

Though I conveyed my rejection, Kaldrach remained unflustered.

"Why?"

Why, indeed?

"It's because, as Your Highness ntioned, I am not a 'repeater'."

At my words, Kaldrach displayed a hint of surprise but soon regained his composure.

"If you're not a repeater, how do you know about the One-Ard Demon?"

"Well..."

I subtly gauged Kaldrach's reaction before speaking up.

"Because I know even more than you, who has 'repeated' several tis already."

Flinch.

He seed taken aback.

So much so that I wondered if it was acceptable to be this shocked.

Precisely upon hearing the word 'repeat', he showed an expression of astonishnt.

'I thought so.'

With this reaction, I was able to deduce why Kaldrach was aware of the future disaster and the 'One-Ard Demon'.

'He seems to be soone who can perform 'save and load'.'

〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉 is a ga.

Naturally, for user convenience, developers included a 'save-load' system within the ga.

This was ant to provide so relief for players dealing with incredibly unfair situations by offering flexible solutions within the ga.

"Essentially... in contrast to , he's the actual regressor in this world."

Frankly, the decisive reason I realized Kaldrach was capable of using the 'save-load' function was due to bringing the 'Witch of Blizzard Forest'.

"Breaking through the Witch of Blizzard Forest's enchantnts requires understanding it through multiple attempts."

It's a necessity to trial-and-error repeatedly, headlong, to eventually grasp the mystery.

Managed to break through and directly negotiate with the 'Witch of Blizzard Forest,' entailing:

"A proof that reinforces my assumptions."

Kaldrach isn't a 'player'.

He simply has the ability to utilize a feature that 'players' had access to.

While I don't know precisely how the character 'Kaldrach' could use such a power—

Realizing that a supposed character could use the 'system window' itself implies such occurrences aren't particularly extraordinary.

"Foolish."

Kaldrach declared.

"Yulian, you should know that your fate is now in my grasp. If it were , I would at least feign agreent."

Snicker.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Who claims to hold my fate?"

What ignorance.

"Doesn't Your Highness yet understand exactly what's about to unfold?"

I spoke as leisurely as I could.

To make him wonder about my bluff.

Truly, it wasn't a bluff.

Possessing foresight for future events at the fortress, I was sowhat aware of what was imminent.

However, what intrigued

was his 'save point'.

'Knowing that would make handling him easier.'

"Are you referring to the barbarian tribes assaulting the North Pole barrier?"

Up to that point, he was aware.

"They're referred to as 'barbarians' all lumped together on the continent. However, truly, they are a conglorate of distinct tribes, as I know."

With a slightly triumphant voice, Kaldrach spoke.

"If the barbarian tribes heard that their peers have breached the first gate and suspected a possibility for themselves, they would launch a surprise attack. Did you really think I wouldn't know that?"

"Of course not, Your Highness, brighter than the sun, I wouldn't dare assu ignorance on your part!"

What I ant when I said he didn't 'know' was sothing else entirely.

"Your Highness, what you don't yet grasp is the 'heart of people'."

"... The heart of people?"

I even found it amusing.

For 'Yulian' to utter such words.

Crash!

Abruptly, the door to the office swung open.

"A—a disaster, Your Highness Kaldrach!"

"... What is it?"

But, what could I do?

"The barbarians are advancing, and the soldiers have declared they won't engage in battle unless Yulian's release is secured!"

Because it was true.