Acting as a Slit-Eye Chapter 275

Chapter 275. As an Older Brother (1)

The ritual site for 'Land Contamination'.

Simultaneously, when the evidence of another 'Demon God's Horn' erged on the 'system window', a sense of expectation arose.

"Aiden."

I recalled 'Aiden', whom I had dealt with in the underground canal previously.

He was the one who, through continuous research on the 'Demon God's Horn', raised the conspicuousness of the 'Dawn Society'.

Because of that, I, hiding my identity as a 'Black Knight', snuck into this place with Aileen to eliminate him.

'Bloody Tuesday.'

It was Aiden's research achievents and the troubleso event caused by his disciples.

After thwarting that, I thought I wouldn't have to return here again.

'Eulsis is causing trouble for many.'

Still, seeing the 'demon' stirring below, I felt fortunate to find them so easily.

'These guys are sacrifices for the ritual. They won't co outside.'

Phew.

Once more, I sighed and looked down.

'Should I break it?'

After a brief contemplation, I shook my head.

'No, let's leave it to Pintel.'

If this place is indeed the 'ritual site' as I anticipated, it's certain Eulsis has deployed defense forces.

There's even a probability that 'Kikubad' is stationed.

'According to Kaldrach, he said the guy is alive, right.'

I had a feeling this would be the case.

I want to avoid a confrontation with Kikubad as much as possible. Even if I have to, I want to avoid a one-on-one situation.

"Yulian, huff... huff, Yulian!"

Herand, who barely managed to follow the arduous path of the underground canal due to its disarray, was panting heavily, keeping up with difficulty, which evoked so sympathy.

'He managed to catch up?'

The structure of the 'underground canal', recklessly expanded simply to increase its scale and later abandoned due to mismanagent, was akin to a maze.

In that sense, I thought he would get lost following

and return in fear, but he managed to stick around.

"Please take on the role of family head! Only you can!"

Moreover, each ti the distance closed, he uttered those words.

'Tsk.'

Both I and 'Yulian' considered Herand the most communicative within the Cryphart family.

Although there was Joshua, he was rely a 'card' that could be played well, while 'Herand' was the only one who felt like 'family'.

Even such Herand constantly urging

to take up the 'family head' position was starting to irritate .

"How about stopping that, elder brother Herand?"

Being communicative implies being an 'understander' to so extent. And yet, asking

to step into the detestable 'Cryphart family' was sothing that couldn't help but annoy .

"Bear in mind, elder brother Herand, that I only hold back because of you, and you know I dislike getting involved with the 'Cryphart family', don't you?"

"B-but Yulian... huh?"

I was about to leave the ritual site to Pintel and turn back from the exchange with Herand when it happened.

While speaking, Herand looked inside the aqueduct as if he saw sothing peculiar.

"Who, who are you?"

Herand shouted inward. I, too, turned around, curious about what was happening.

Then I saw a man and a woman staring at this place.

They were ard. Judging by the aura they emitted, they were not ordinary.

'... Damn.'

Seeing the duo, a chill ran down my spine.

It wasn't because the vigor released by the two before my eyes was terrifyingly overwhelming.

Rather, it was a level I could suppress with competitive spirit.

The problem was,

'Why wasn't I able to sense them?'

Yulian's trained body and sharpened mind, along with 'mana efficiency', are very sensitive to killing intent and hostility.

Perhaps this is the result of living a certain kind of life. Such innate 'detection' abilities failed to catch the aura from the two.

'Why?'

Was it because they were overwhelmingly stronger than ?

No.

This ant there was an issue with my condition.

"Nice to et you, Sir Herand. I am Aihan trono from the Imperial Knights."

Among the two, a man with a sword sheathed at his waist spoke first. He politely greeted Herand and showed the 'Imperial Knights' emblem.

'... Not a friendly gaze.'

Aihan trono.

I knew the na because it was in the data book.

Such Aihan had unfriendly eyes toward . If Herand weren't beside , it wouldn't have been strange for him to charge at .

'This guy.'

He also seed to be guarding the 'Demon God's Horn'. It's better to assu Eulsis had assigned him here.

"So, is she also a mber of the Imperial Knights?"

"No, she is my sister, Ariam trono."

"... Why are you two here?"

Cryphart family.

Living up to the reputation of the Empire's 'Four Great Families', Aihan didn't seem intent on launching an attack lightly.

However, seeing the intense killing intent, it seed he didn't plan to let

go easily either.

Given that they had lost one of the 'Horns of the Demon God', such an approach was understandable.

"We are here on the order of His Highness Eulsis to guard this place."

"What lies ahead..."

"A secret facility managed by the imperial family."

"A secret?"

A hint of anger appeared in Herand's voice at Aihan's words.

"This place is managed by the Cryphart family! While the imperial family may have initiated the project, all authority rests with our Cryphart family!"

Herand's voice grew slightly louder.

'Is this place Cryphart family's?'

Ah, is that why Herand knew his way around this complex path?

"So, are you saying you didn't even get permission from our family!? No matter how highly esteed His Highness Eulsis is, isn't this against the regulations?"

Raising his voice, Herand. I looked at him again.

Until now, though there were those who spoke ill of the 'imperial family', no one brought up 'regulations' to bind them.

It's natural, given that 'imperial family' sat above all Imperial laws.

'No matter how imperial they are, they must adhere to the established regulations.'

That's what Herand was declaring.

"Hmm.."

Rendering a sigh at Herand's reasonable stance, Aihan glanced backward.

From behind Aihan erged his sister, drawing a bow as she aid at

with narrowed eyes.

The bowstring pulled taut behind her ear; as I realized this, the sharp arrowhead cut through the air, speeding toward .

Clang──!

Having prepared beforehand, I drew the Moonstone Sword and deflected the arrow.

Sparks splintered into the air, and simultaneously, the 'Imperial Knights' insignia ca into view.

'Ugh...!'

Aihan, who was conversing with Herand, charged at

the mont the arrow flew.

Swish, clang──!

As his sword and mine clashed, a roar echoed within the aqueduct.

It seed signal enough; Aihan began swinging his sword repeatedly.

Displaying his skills as he penetrated my guard, Aihan's objective was clear without even asking.

'Trying to push

back?'

Behind

was a drain leading to the deepest layer of the aqueduct. It was the height from which Aiden had fallen in the past.

"Do you think you can?"

Grasping his intention, I asked Aihan. He frowned slightly.

He was aware. Despite charging energetically, his sword skill didn't match my level.

The 'Sword Saint' taught swordplay that surpasses all. Because it had beco second nature, most of Aihan's efforts to push

back proved futile.

"I'm capable, hence, I am here!"

With a shout carrying a presence, Aihan began to turn his sword red.

He had begun showcasing 'Aura', the apex of mana manipulation. To respond, I too started to infuse aura into the Moonstone Sword.

Srrrng.

Moonlight began to seep into the murky aqueduct.

"Ugh...!"

In the midst of it, imnse pain began to surge within my chest. Simultaneously, the moonlight illuminating the aqueduct started fading.

Breathing beca tough. At the sa ti, I felt the 'mana' coursing within

fluctuate irregularly.

'Ugh...'

Damn, I felt like hurling.

"That witch's words were true, huh!"

Just as I intended to back off, overwheld by the nausea within , Aihan lunged at

again.

Trying to fend off an incoming attack, swinging the 'Moonstone Sword', wasn't as easy as it was before.

The presence, or absence, of aura.

That was beginning to manifest as a difference in power.

"W... Witch?"

Suppressing the nausea, I slowly lifted my gaze. Then, the younger sister, who had shot the arrow earlier, held sothing in her hand.

'Isaac's Mirror...!'

A jewel crafted into a mirror from the first offspring nominated by the Sun God Solarun, the heir offered to prove faith.

"Damn woman."

Upon seeing the mirror, a curse slipped out.

'Isaac's Mirror' is set to manifest the 'majesty of the Sun God' upon reflecting the 'impure existence'.

Here, the 'impure existence' refers to demon.

The 'majesty of the Sun God manifests as 'pain akin to scorching fire'.

The problem is, this mirror is one of the 'holy relics' managed by the 'Holy Kingdom'.

"Crazy, why is that here?"

"For you, the witch Abigail borrowed it."

Aihan chuckled, smirked.

"Seems the witch's words were true. Raising a demon within, are you not suffering?"

Sneering, Aihan emanated a mighty aura, pushing

to retreat.

As he said, it was miserable. From the mont my reflection appeared in that mirror, nausea along with the inability to use 'aura' ensued.

Probably, it's the fault of 'Angelica' dwelling within . Nurturing her within the mana vein makes

susceptible to the influence of the holy relic, 'Isaac's Mirror'.

"You resort to such cowardly ans; your Rose Knights' honor might cry."

The drainage behind

gradually grew nearer. Cold drafts swept past my back.

'I'm worried about Elder brother Herand.'

A situation worsened to nausea because of 'Isaac's Mirror'. Moreover, Imperial Knights were dying to kill

right upfront.

In such a situation, anxieties centered over Herand began looming.

'He'll be alright.'

Herand is a mber of the Cryphart family.

Given the circumstances concerning 'Ornn Cryphart', and desiring noble support, 'Four Great Families' won't be unnecessarily antagonistic.

So, Eulsis won't harm 'Herand'.

"Regardless of the filth, fulfilling the imperial mandate faithfully. That's the reason Imperial Knights exist, Yulian."

"Is that so?"

Responding to Aihan's assertion, I strained to contain the urge to retch as I spoke.

"Then, I trust you would understand even if things get dirty."

"What is tha... Ugh!?"

Tossing the Moonstone Sword backward, I grabbed Aihan by the collar with one hand.

Sensing overwhelming force pulling him in, Aihan, in an attempt to counterattack, swung his sword, but I twisted his wrist aside with the other hand.

'No winning with Isaac's Mirror here.'

Considering thus, I embraced Aihan and leapt into the drainage.

An unfathomable height where falling would result in instant death for a regular person. As it unfolded itself in sight, inwardly a curse erupted.

'Damn.'

From Aiden's omniscient perspective.

I'd now experience it.