Acting as a Slit-Eye Chapter 173

Chapter 173. Catching the Tail (1)

"Hmm..."

Lazlot could clearly feel that Yulian's deanor was different from usual.

Notably, the usually fierce Yulian was watering plants.

Though he often masked his emotions with a smile, during this ti, Lazlot could sense enjoynt radiating from him.

It showed how earnest Yulian was when it ca to tending to the plants.

Lazlot couldn't understand how one could derive such joy from 'growing plants', but during this ti, one could glimpse Yulian's humanity.

"Hoo..."

Seeing Yulian sighing during such a ti, Lazlot instinctively knew that sothing was happening, that sothing was going wrong.

"Is sothing... troubling you?"

Thus, Lazlot ended up asking.

Usually, fear prevented him from asking personal questions apart from official 'reports', but his intellectual curiosity overpowered him this ti.

"... Hmm."

Yulian's returning expression was uncomfortable, and Lazlot instinctively felt he had asked in vain.

He should have just pretended not to notice, as he usually did.

But even though he was scared, he had already drawn his sword; he had to see it out to the end.

"Is it perhaps because of Sir Dantes?"

"Hmm..."

Though there was a slight reaction to the ntion of Dantes, Yulian didn't reveal significant emotion.

Dantes seed to be on his mind, but it wasn't sothing of great influence.

'Well, if Sir Yulian sets his mind to it, dealing with Dantes wouldn't be a problem.'

Both Kolparan and Pintel were on Yulian's side, characteristically consolidating their positions within the "Dawn Society" while also exerting considerable influence in places like 'Exchange etings'.

"If it's not that, does it have sothing to do with Annarui's escape? 'Blind Eyes' is conducting a thorough investigation. We'll soon be able to track her steps."

"Hmm."

There was a stronger reaction than with the ntion of Dantes, but it still didn't seem like the right issue.

'But... why am I so concerned about this?'

Ever since Yulian helped him with the "Bayer Academy scholarship" issue, Lazlot found himself unnecessarily concerned with Yulian's every move. Furthermore...

― Aren't we colleagues, collaborators?"

To soone who wasn't a noble or even a properly ranked mber of 'Blind Eyes', to be called a "colleague" was sothing he couldn't quite comprehend.

'An utterly perplexing person.'

Soone who one would expect to be highly class-conscious said sothing like that.

"Where is Fern?"

"He's still handling the investigation on the Dawn Society. He's on the field right now, so I'm not exactly sure where he is..."

"Tell him to stop his investigation for the ti being."

Stopping an investigation wasn't sothing Lazlot could request just like that. He was rely an apprentice, whereas Fern had beco a formal mber of "Blind Eyes" from the 'Azure Lion Order'.

"Say that I instructed him. For now, it's best to step back from the Dawn Society's affairs."

If said like that, the story would change. Given that Yulian, who could be called the real power behind 'Blind Eyes', said so, it would work.

"But there's no justifiable reason, Sir Yulian. Creating unnecessary trouble... Kuheum."

Under Yulian's indifferent gaze, Lazlot wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

"... Understood."

Lazlot felt he might understand the intention of the order, or rather, he was fairly certain.

If sothing were to happen to Fern while investigating the Dawn Society, it would draw even more attention from the imperial family to the Dawn Society.

Such revelations could raise the likelihood of Yulian's dual identity being exposed, an effort to prevent that.

'Still... from any perspective, simply dealing with Fern seems like a much easier solution for the Dawn Society.'

Regardless of Fern being affiliated with 'Blind Eyes'.

Whatever the case, Lazlot resolved to not overthink it. He would only do as much as he was given.

That was his motto.

***

"One of the executives, Annarui of the 'Six Fingers' has broken out of prison."

It seed that was what Claude ant by the 'real target'.

Thanks to this, the imperial family was in quite a commotion.

Though one of the underworld's forces, it was still just a single organization.

When it beca known that the security of a deep-seated prison in the capital had been breached, multiple voices began to erge.

'Out of their minds.'

Upon hearing the news, I thought the 'Six Fingers' must have a death wish.

'Will the imperial family make a move?'

That was still uncertain since it was impossible to know what was going on in their heads or what they were planning.

But one thing was for sure:

'Sothing will happen soon enough.'

***

After visiting the Bright Moon Pavilion, I sensed familiar creatures following . Realizing it, I summoned the creature and began conversing with T'alle.

Blink, blink.

Being morning, the nocturnal owls serving as T'alle's familiars appeared visibly tired even to my human eyes.

"Why didn't you report Fern's case to ?"

I thought it was a reasonable question.

After all, knowing Yulian's position in 'Blind Eyes', shouldn't every detail be reported to ? I felt a slight irritation.

If it were Yulian, he would have instinctively severed T'alle's head, but that wasn't the solution.

I needed to at least hear what T'alle had to say.

― I assud it was a task assigned to him by Sir Yulian since it was sothing underway in Blind Eyes..."

Such ignorance!

How could T'alle not know that soone belonging to the Dawn Society like myself wouldn't draw attention by investigating a Bishop?

But T'alle didn't know about my affiliation with the Dawn Society.

"Well, never mind. What's done is done. But from now on, if it relates to Blind Eyes, report to

first."

― Ah, understood!

"Speaking of which, is it impossible to determine Dantes' whereabouts right now?"

To my query, the owl nodded.

'Can't be helped.'

Regretfully, I let Angelica's powers sink into the earth, beginning my communion.

Though Angelica is a demon, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it has beco part of my body.

Without use, it tends to stagnate. It must be wielded carefully from ti to ti to keep it from getting rusty.

"Oh, now that I think about it... How did you co to know about Dantes?"

Should I have asked this first? Despite T'alle's expertise in information, it didn't seem readily available knowledge.

― It was ntioned by one of Bright Moon Pavilion's guests while he was drunk...

"While drunk?"

― Yes, so of my associates happened to overhear, and it gave us a general outline.

"Who was it?"

Curiosity rose. Who would know Dantes is linked to the Dawn Society?

Unless belonging to the sa Society, identities were kept strictly secret. That person might pose the greatest threat of all.

― It was a young chap nad Eitel, currently the principal at Bayer Academy."

'Eitel?'

Another unfamiliar na absent from the story. I recall seeing a young principal at Bayer Academy who was nad 'Eitel' before.

'If you're a puppet, act like one and stay quiet.'

The principal of Bayer Academy exists rely as a facade for receiving complaints and petitions. Despite being a noble, he has no real authority.

Seemingly unlike Vice-Principal Allom, who holds a professor position, Eitel is just any ordinary fellow without expertise.

'Has he reached out to the Dawn Society for ambition's sake?'

Does he seek advancent?

If so, it's not sothing I can criticize.

Although a bit different in nature, Yulian also aligned himself with the Dawn Society for climbing the ladder.

Still, it's annoying how this unknown factor keeps interfering with my goals.

'It's downright displeasing.'

What should I do?

After a brief contemplation, I opened my mouth.

"... Finding Dantes will probably take so ti, yes?"

― ... It seems so.

"Then it seems I'll have to go find him myself."

― You're going to pursue him directly?

My words seed to confuse the owl, scratching its head with a wing. Likely embodying T'alle's confusion.

― I apologize to Sir Yulian, but I'd like certainty with this matter as well. I will assist, so it seems advisable to deal with Dantes decisively.

The owl radiated a determined resolve.

Despite being a re creature, it amusingly conveyed T'alle's emotions, but its words were not dismissible.

Apparently, the life and fate of the Bright Moon Pavilion hung in the balance, urging for a swift resolution.

"I assure you. Annarui and Dantes will both be dead before long."

This, I am sure of.

― Why do you think... Waaah!

Suddenly, Angelica ensnared the owl's leg, scrutinizing it back and forth.

What are you doing!?

What if T'alle finds out you're a demon!?

At my scolding gesture, Angelica quickly released the owl and returned beside . Observing its shift from black like a shadow to a dark gray hinted at its dejection.

Haaa, calling a demon timid is not misplaced at all.

"It seems its leg got caught on a branch. It's nothing serious."

― Is that so?

"Yes."

In truth, Angelica had assessed only if the creature was edible, but I decided to overlook that fact.

***

According to T'alle, Eitel holds the information on Dantes. Before going to intimidate him, I headed to the underground prison for so preparations.

Unsurprisingly, the cell where Annarui had been was empty. After a cursory look around, I headed toward the cell housing Zahard.

"Ah, Sir Yulian again. You seem to have plenty of leisure ti."

"Yes, but I suspect I'll be busy soon. A botherso situation has arisen."

"Hmm, I have so predictions. Is it related to the 'Six Fingers'?"

Apparently, even Zahard, who served in the north for a long ti, knows of 'Six Fingers'.

"The woman imprisoned next door seed like she was part of the Six Fingers."

"By the way, wasn't there any commotion when Annarui escaped?"

"Hmm... no commotion."

No commotion?

"They ca claiming it was to transfer a patient, displayed proper papers, and the guards surrendered custody after confirming the situation."

Cunning move, these guys.

"Resultantly, the usual guards vanished from sight, didn't they?"

Not from re disciplinary reasons, it appeared. Perhaps.

'They might have t a more dire fate...'

There's no greater nuisance than this.

"Indeed, audacious of them. It will be tough to leave the capital now that they've pulled this off."

"They must be confident they can evade the imperial pursuit."

"Tsk-click, confidence, huh... With monsters like you in pursuit, how do they expect to dodge?"

"Claude Febrance, he's the leader of the Six Fingers."

ntioning Claude's na, Zahard's expression turned serious.

"A botherso fellow took the helm, didn't he? Knowing his skills, their brazen behavior makes sense."

But that serious mien didn't last long. Zahard returned to a spectator's stance, looking at

almost indifferently.

"Seems you got stuck with nuisances right after returning to the capital. Bureaucracy always creates problems."

"With that in mind, Sir Zahard, may I ask for your assistance?"

Zahard's 'Aura Sonar' would prove advantageous in many ways, needless to ntion his skills.

"Hmm... I'd like to help, but given my current condition... Also, with a prison break recently, it's practically impossible for

to leave, isn't it?"

Heh, seriously.

How comically he cast false glances around and shrugged, truly forgetting that he was blind. That's how remarkable his 'Aura Sonar' must be.

Zahard suggested that he intended to 'relax here for the ti being rather than engage in botherso matters.'

However.

There's no way I'd let him relax comfortably! Not alone, definitely not.

Screech.

I presented Zahard with an official docunt.

"Hm... Paper? Is it docuntation? What's it?"

"Try reading it."

Upon receiving the docunt, Zahard began skimming the ink with his fingers.

His facial expression started to distort with ti.

"A cooperation request... I see. They did say imprisoned criminals could help with 'Blind Eyes' investigations."

"Ha."

A short chuckle left . Seeing Zahard click his tongue as if in defeat.

"Once this is over, I'll ensure your release from here."

"No choice... I gotta dance to the tune, it seems."

With Zahard's alliance secured, only capturing Eitel remained.

'Once Eitel is in hand.'

Grasping Dantes's tail would no longer be a challenging task.

'You've overstepped your bounds, Dantes.'

You've beco quite the hassle.