Acting as a Slit-Eye Chapter 74

Chapter 74. Pruning (1)

Aileen's admiration for his appearance was fleeting.

Her mind started spinning with thoughts as she wondered about the purpose of the rumored 'Black Knight's' presence here.

"Are you curious?"

His words, as if he knew her innermost thoughts, startled her, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Don't worry, I intend to speak only of the business and then return."

The Black Knight continued in a dry tone and then pulled sothing from his robes.

It was an ordinary box, appropriate for holding small objects.

Although it was not sleek or ornate, Aileen found herself inexplicably curious about its contents.

"It's a Soul Stone."

'What?'

This ti, his tone was still dry, yet her surprise at his words was significant.

"... A Soul Stone, you say?"

"Yes."

Nurous questions stord through her mind.

Why did the Black Knight possess a Soul Stone?

Is there truly a Soul Stone inside?

Why is he giving it to ?

"... What is that?"

Her query was laden with various implications, which made Aileen internally chide herself montarily. She realized it was a ridiculous question to ask.

"How could you not recognize sothing you're researching?"

"I-I do know. I'm asking about the purpose of giving it to !"

Determined to mask her embarrassnt, she lashed out slightly. The Black Knight opened the box to reveal its contents to her.

Indeed, it was a Soul Stone.

Although its appearance slightly differed from the ones she had been studying, its brilliant crimson light and ominous aura were unmistakably the sa.

"Cooperation."

"... Cooperation?"

"I have no intention of opposing the Imperial family. Although I have attacked the nobility's honor, it's all for the empire's prestige."

Aileen looked at the Black Knight's face.

While she could not read emotions through his eyes, she did feel a sense of similarity to 'soone' from the Imperial family.

"... Lies."

"What?"

"You're lying."

Unlike him, she could sowhat read this one's intent.

"Why do you think that?"

"If you truly sought cooperation with the Imperial family, you would have gone to the secretariat directly."

She stated her opinion plainly. If the Black Knight genuinely desired 'cooperation', he would have approached the secretariat directly.

She was rely a mage researching the 'Soul Stone', without direct ties to the Imperial household.

'He's undoubtedly aware of that, too.'

Given that he possessed a 'Soul Stone' and had co to her specifically.

Then, why...?

"You have a surprisingly astute side."

Despite the rude tone and subtly mocking nuance, Aileen refrained from showing any irritation.

"As you said, there is indeed another objective. However, desiring cooperation is no falsehood."

"Then the true purpose is...."

"Is it necessary for you to know?"

The Black Knight's strong stance made Aileen flinch.

"With more Soul Stones, your research will progress. It's not a significant detrint to you, is it?"

"There's no need for one more. I've already seen a certain degree of success in my research...."

"Wasn't the first paper you submitted rejected?"

'Ugh.'

Aileen attempted to conceal her emotions, but this ti, they appeared on her face.

"Ho-How do you know about that...?"

"There are many ways to know. So, will you accept the Soul Stone?"

There was no need to refuse.

Yet...even though people called him the hero of the commoners, the thought of playing into the 'Black Knight's' hands made her uncomfortable.

Nonetheless, Aileen accepted the jewelry box from the Black Knight's hand.

"A wise decision."

Although it dampened her mood, the ans to prove herself lay before her.

Declining would have been a foolish act.

"Tell the secretariat. The Black Knight has no intention of breaking the Imperial law."

Watching the 'Black Knight' disappear into the shadows, Aileen felt her insides churn.

Was it because he had mocked her intelligence a mont ago? No.

'Why do I find that mask so intriguing?'

It was due to reasons too complex to articulate.

***

"Sir Yulian, may I co in?"

While tidying up a few simple docunts in the office of the 'Blind Eyes', I heard the sound of knocking along with Lazlot's voice and told him he could enter.

Upon stepping into my office, he greeted

courteously.

"It seems you have sothing to relay."

"Yes."

Lazlot nodded lightly in response to my casual question, swallowed hard as he briefly made eye contact, and proceeded with his report.

"It seems the Archbishop's succession ceremony will be delayed."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"It must be due to the Black Knight."

When I spoke quietly, Lazlot exhibited a slightly surprised expression.

"How did you know?"

"It seems the secretariat was quite the commotion over the fact that he brought a Soul Stone. I am, after all, part of the 'Blind Eyes'. How could I not know? Hehe."

Of course, admitting I delivered it myself would be out of the question.

"P-Please excuse . I must have spoken out of turn...."

Although my words bore no particular significance, Lazlot apologized for his indiscretion.

"But this developnt might expedite the dismantling of the 'Naless Band'. Now that it's been confird the 'Black Knight' is part of the 'Naless Band'...."

Knock-knock──!

While Lazlot was speaking, there was another knock at the office door.

I once more invited them to enter.

"Pardon , Yulian. I was told you wished to see ...."

A man stepped into the office.

Seeing the familiar man's face, Lazlot's pupils grew wide.

"S-Sir Dantes."

The man who entered was 'Dantes Christo', one of the Bishops of the 'Dawn Society'.

Wearing a friendly-looking smile, he turned his gaze to Lazlot.

"Oh, it seems you've been assigned here, Lazlot."

"Y-Yes."

At Dantes' words, a 'purple' shimr hovered over Lazlot's head.

Lazlot's current employnt with

instead of the 'Dawn Society' would beco a hassle if uncovered.

It appeared he was conscious of that.

"... Oh, so the reason Yulian was so privy to the internal affairs of the Dawn Society was thanks to you, was it?"

As befitting a seasoned noble, Dantes quickly grasped the subtle relationship between us.

While I stayed composed at his statent, Lazlot's violet aura swayed violently, revealing a deep-seated fear.

"That's correct. Not only with the Dawn Society but also in personal cooperation."

As I confird that fact, Lazlot glanced at

in shock.

He must have expected I would defend him.

"And, you must do the sa, Dantes Christo."

Upon my firm remark, Dantes hid his friendly smile.

"The Christo family, which built its wealth on transportation. I understand your struggles for the empire's prestige, but...."

I showed him one of the docunts I was organizing. It candidly detailed the long-suppressed scandals of the 'Christo family.'

"It's troubling that they're colluding with the Holy Kingdom, fernand."

As if unfazed, Dantes began reading the docunt I handed over and, after finishing, returned it to

with a smile.

"... Haha, you certainly know a lot. How did you find this out?"

"There are many ways to know."

In my case, it wasn't 'finding out' but that I already 'knew'.

Dantes Christo, a Bishop of the Dawn Society, was one of those characters to tackle throughout the story's progression.

However, a question always arose.

The hero, Hayden Reich, celebrated as a matchless hero and the Sword Saint, why didn't he ever think of placating them rather than only confronting them?

'He already had all the information, didn't he?'

For instance, the 'Christo family' was actually a devout mber of the Church of the Sun, which maintained close relations with the Holy Kingdom.

Or, how the 'Naless Band' was a group born from Gerard's hands.

Things like that.

"There are churches that worship the Sun God Solaris even within the empire. It seems the Christo family is unaware of this?"

Truthfully, the docunt before him was a re forgery, written hastily within the set format.

Even so, Dantes lacked the ans to verify its authenticity.

"Why else would they call the 'Blind Eyes' the 'Blind Eyes'? It implies that, while adhering to the path of righteousness, minor deviations will be 'overlooked'."

The issue for him wasn't the evidence but the knowledge itself.

"I always thought a day like this would co."

With a composed expression, Dantes began weaving a soliloquy.

"So, what is it you want, Yulian? If you didn't co in the capacity of the 'Blind Eyes', there must be sothing you desire from ?"

Even while grasping the fact that his weakness was known, Dantes remained remarkably composed.

The Imperial family, an edifice of imnse power, is known for its strict stance on treason.

Dantes, aware of this, maintained his calm deanor, suggesting he believed there was a way out.

"Indeed, if the rules were enforced to the letter, you would likely be on the gallows, Sir Dantes."

"That is exactly it. Haha, this is quite surprising, thank you for keeping

alive."

Strangely deflated, Dantes cast a glance at Lazlot.

"I now understand why you have chosen to stay in Yulian's employ, Lazlot. You're likely in a situation similar to mine now."

At Dantes' remark, Lazlot began cautiously eyeing .

These guys always cast

as the bad guy...well, I am.

Yes, I am indeed the slit-eyed villain, 'Yulian', from 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉.

***

"That damn Black Knight, ddling once more...."

Gerard, too, was quite irked by the fact that the 'Black Knight' had handed over a Soul Stone to the Imperial family.

He planned to proceed with the 'work' following Tenelon's succession to the 'High Pontiff' position and after the vacancy of the 'Archbishop' role.

The delay in that succession troubled him due to the rescheduling.

'Actually, it may be fortunate.'

Yulian is more cunning than anticipated.

Although the 'Black Knight' is known to be from the 'Naless Band', he is a ghostly figure.

Facing two such formidable opponents, thorough foundations are paramount.

'Moreover, Sir Tenelon has personally summoned

this ti.'

Given the postponent of the succession ceremony and the concurrent summoning, it presumably ant Tenelon intended to declare him as the 'Archbishop'.

Of course, Gerard admitted the futility of such dreams.

Nevertheless, Gerard saw no other plausible reason for being summoned at this mont.

Arriving at the location where he was to et Tenelon, he adjusted his attire before stepping inside.

***

"The Black Knight has apparently delivered a Soul Stone to the Imperial court."

The words from Tenelon's mouth weren't related to the 'succession ceremony'.

"Yes, I've heard. That damnable individual, how long must we endure his betrayals...."

"Gerard."

Quietly, Tenelon called Gerard's attention.

Under normal circumstances, having his words interrupted would draw his ire, but Tenelon was not soone to express such grievances openly.

"If a rat scuttles in a garden you've designed, what would you do?"

Though bewildered by the sudden question, Gerard resolved to answer sincerely.

"I would kill it."

"Why so?"

"Seeing one rat implies there are likely many hidden ones in the garden."

"Hmm...."

"They need to be made an example of. There are rats everywhere. Making an example of them is important to prevent them from reappearing."

Speaking fluidly, Tenelon removed the mask he wore, revealing the scars left by the Sword Saint.

Gulp.

Gerard swallowed quietly. It was his first ti seeing his face like this.

"Is that so? If that's your belief, I guess it can't be helped."

A resigned tone laced his words, though his lips twisted slightly.

Despite the intention to smile, the wounds imbued his face with an unsettling atmosphere.

"Why did you betray us, Gerard?"

Clacky's Corner:

Yes Gerard, why did you betray Dawn Society, Gerard?