Acting as a Slit-Eye Chapter 81

Chapter 81. Checkmate (1)

Like a volcano erupting, the quiet dawn beca uproarious before settling back into silence.

The one who incited the situation was none other than Pintel.

Though I had never interacted with him deeply, it was the first ti I saw him this enraged.

"He wasn't even like this in Tenelon's audience chamber."

I was utterly bewildered. I had no idea why he would display such wrath.

However, it didn't take long for

to piece it together.

"How dare you point a sword at Sir Yulian! What blasphemy is this!"

... Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? You're the one being disrespectful here.

From the first ti I encountered him, a strange atmosphere began to stir, and it only grew more intriguing.

"But he... he is defiling the essence of our order, Sir Pintel! If left unchecked, greater misfortunes will arise!"

A mber of the order spoke with a respectful tone, unlike how they usually addressed .

Hmm. Even though I'm also a bishop, the difference in tone is stark.

"And what is this misfortune you're speaking of?"

"... Pardon?"

"What is it, I said! This misfortune!"

"A threat to the existence of other bishops..."

"Nonsense!"

Snorting, Pintel countered the mber's words with a sharp glare.

"Are you, a re Monsignor, worrying about bishops?"

"Well, that's..."

"Let's see what you can do in this situation."

Saying so, mana began to ripple around Pintel.

Due to my high 'mana sensitivity', I quickly realized that Pintel was using magic.

Fssssh──!

Raising a hand, Pintel unleashed his specialty, the 'Blade Magic'.

"...... Ugh."

The magic, imbued with great power, flew towards the fellow, but it wasn't intended for domination.

Flick.

The magic brushed past the cheek of the mber of the order, causing drops of blood to trickle down his face.

"Did you feel this magic aiming for your life?"

"... No, I did not."

"Then, did you see it?"

At Pintel's sharp inquiry, the mber closed his mouth firmly.

Without being able to sense the 'flow of mana,' Pintel's 'Blade Magic' was swift, intricate, and soundless to the extent that it was difficult to follow by eye.

Most haven't reached that level yet.

"Sir Yulian had already anticipated this magic, which you couldn't feel, see, or evade!"

The infinite trust in Pintel's eyes was visible when he turned to look at .

'...... It is true, though.'

But to say that out loud... Isn't that like admitting your magic was 'trash' because soone saw through it?

"Moreover, Sir Yulian holds a social status that is nothing less than other bishops. As the true owner of 'Blind Eyes' and a bloodline of Cryphart..."

"He is from an collateral branch! Sir Pintel! That's why he's labeled a 'Frason'..."

Swoosh──!

A sharp 'Blade Magic' flew yet again next to the mber's neck, stopping him mid-sentence.

"Say that once more."

"I'm sorry."

When Pintel glared more fiercely than before, the mber swallowed hard and bowed his head.

"Get lost. Along with those fallen trash over there."

Pintel spoke spitefully, pointing at the individuals who collapsed when he first used the 'Blade Magic'. The mber offered a resentful bow to Pintel and

before disappearing with the fallen mbers.

"......"

After a brief lull, I broke the silence with a slight cough.

"...... I didn't expect to receive help like this. Thank you, Sir Pintel."

My slight bow caused Pintel to twitch his shoulder slightly.

"Not at all! Sir Yulian is to beco an archbishop; there's no reason for you to mingle with those lowly people!"

"Um."

I sighed softly at the agitated words from Pintel, as if beyond his control.

This guy... Is he trying to curry favor with

to get on my 'line'?

He's trying to buddy up with , anticipating I'll soon be an 'archbishop'.

... Sorry, but I have no interest in becoming an archbishop.

"It seems Sir Pintel has misunderstood sothing."

"Misunderstood, you say?"

Pintel asked, puzzled at my nod.

"What could that be...?"

"I declined the 'archbishop' position."

"..."

At my words, Pintel's face visibly crumpled, understanding now that his flattery ant nothing.

"Why, Sir Yulian?"

Pintel, appearing confused by my refusal of the archbishop position, asked.

"I wasn't particularly driven towards it."

"That doesn't seem reason enough to refuse! Becoming an archbishop..."

It appeared he was quite agitated.

Even as he babbled about the benefits and power associated with becoming an archbishop, his voice no longer caught my attention as powerfully as it did a few seconds ago when it radiated authenticity.

It wavered like a reed in the wind.

"If you hold power, Sir Yulian, we could avoid situations like the earlier one!"

"Haven't I said? I'm not interested."

"Even so, things may change if you accept the position!"

When I ntioned declining the archbishop post, I expected Pintel to react irritably, like usual. Instead, he started persuading .

Honestly, I couldn't reveal everything.

I don't wish to beco further entangled with the Dawn Society.

'I ca to dismantle the Dawn Society, not to make it thrive.'

... How could I possibly convey this to a bishop of the Dawn Society?

"My interests lie in even higher places, Sir Pintel."

Still, not having a reason to persuade him, I decided to remain as vague as always.

"Higher than an archbishop..."

"Yes, so I request you refrain from unnecessary interference."

At tis like these, 'Yulian's' face is indeed helpful.

Even vague words seem profound when spoken with the 'slit-eyed villain's' face.

"Is it really okay to tell

this?"

Pintel asked with a nervous tone.

... What's there to worry about?

"Why shouldn't I?"

I smiled faintly.

Witnessing my smile, Pintel tightly squeezed his eyes shut before responding.

"I understand! I, Pintel Obradin, will take this secret to my grave, Sir Yulian!"

Huh?

Hold on, is this guy misunderstanding sothing...?

Ah well, let things unfold naturally, I guess.

Though I wasn't sure what aning he attributed to my words, Pintel clenched his fist and offered a respectful bow.

Watching his retreating figure, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

'I must say, he's an enigma.'

As a character who vanishes early in the story, it was hard to fathom his temperant.

'Such unpredictable nature can be dangerous.'

His thoughts and actions are elusive, especially for soone like Pintel, who doesn't impact the plot.

'There's nothing I can do.'

Besides trying to minimize creating more cases like Pintel's, what else can I do?

***

"My na is Fern Kranish, I am a new recruit of 'Blind Eyes'. Nice to et you all."

While conducting the welco ceremony for the new recruits in the barracks of 'Blind Eyes', an all-too-familiar face caught my eye, leaving

sowhat bewildered.

The reason was simple.

Fern, who once operated alongside

on the Resonance Stone maintenance task as part of the 'Azure Lion' knights, now stood among the ranks of 'Blind Eyes'.

"Fern was a mber of the esteed Azure Lion Knights."

Commander Ordwin addressed that point specifically.

Hearing the na 'Azure Lion', whispers erupted among the other mbers of 'Blind Eyes'.

It was understandable. Generally, knight orders do not hold a favorable view of 'Blind Eyes', an institution directly under the royal family.

Among them, the 'Azure Lion Knights,' was especially vocal.

"Everyone seems curious why a forr Azure Lion Knight would join 'Blind Eyes'."

Perhaps aiming to clear everyone's curiosity, Ordwin continued.

"Honestly... I'm not sure myself."

Ordwin smiled innocently.

... Wasn't she trying to explain?

"Why leave the chivalric order for 'Blind Eyes'?"

As if echoing my thoughts, Ordwin asked Fern bluntly.

"Yes! I thought this place would hone

better than the order!"

As befitting a forr knight order mber, Fern answered with enthusiasm in his voice.

"Hard to understand. Staying with the order seems a better choice given your understanding."

Indeed. I'm puzzled, too.

Why did you join here?

Ordwin reflected my sentints, yet Fern rely offered an awkward smile instead of an answer.

"Feels like I've shouldered a botherso burden."

Speaking to myself, once again, the familiar formal tone erged.

***

"Let

help with that, Sir Yulian!"

I was on my way, having stopped by the command room to fetch so official docunts, carrying them to the office.

Suddenly, Fern approached, extending his hands, requesting the docunts I was holding.

With no reason to refuse, I handed over the stack of papers to him.

"Once you're done, would you also water the orchids in the office? The watering can has just the right amount, so just divide it among them."

Adding another chore to the task.

'Azure Lion Knights' are a reputable legion among all the knight orders.

In contrast, the 'Blind Eyes' is more bark than bite, despite the grand portrayal as a group directly under the Imperial Court.

It might as well be a personal agency for the madman.... I an, one executor known as 'Yulian'.

Although the other mbers possess decent skills, they are like night and day compared to knights.

Fern's actions indeed aroused curiosity.

What made him join here...?

"Yes, understood!"

Fern, with the sa unwavering enthusiasm, headed towards my office.

Checking the 〈Color of Negativity〉 through his back revealed no particular sentint.

His mind was genuinely fixated on doing what was instructed.

"Why would a mber of the 'Azure Lion Knights' join us, I wonder."

Lazlot, erging from the command room, echoed a thought similar to mine.

And then he murmured, soft enough for none other to hear.

"I'm still a trainee, though...."

Lazlot, lanting, wondered aloud when a successor might co.

***

One lingering question from after eting Tenelon—the thod he ntioned to help

enter the Holy Kingdom of Fernand.

The papacy of the Holy Kingdom isn't foolish.

They would rigidly object to soone closely connected with the Empire's royalty entering the domain.

'What on earth is the plan?'

Thinking about it, I let out a sigh while looking over the docunts Fern had moved.

【Selection List for Escort Commander of the 4th Prince, Eulsis Renault Adratan's Diplomatic Corps.】

... So it was this.

Upon reading phrases like 4th Prince, Eulsis, and diplomatic corps, a particular episode ca to mind.

The 4th Prince Eulsis stepping forward to ease tensions between the Empire and Holy Kingdom.

Fueled by the need for 'humanity' to unite against the common enemy, 'Demon'.

... Not at all.

In reality, not out of such grand reasons, but rather a political show by Eulsis, distant in line for the throne, to safeguard his own position.

Though there are tensions, voices for improving relations with the Holy Kingdom continue within the royal circles.

He aid to draw such forces under his wing through a performance.

'If the 4th Prince headed to the Holy Kingdom for peace, I'd probably just join the escort.'

Predictably, my na appeared on the 'escort commander' list.

Though I hadn't applied directly, being listed hinted at the Dawn Society's ddling.

The final list displayed my na among three.

'Yulian of the Blind Eyes.

Schvalt, commander of the Azure Lion Knights.

Anies, a disciple of the royal court's mage, 'Pure White.'

'Since Tenelon's influence is involved, it's certain my na would be there.'

Thus, I let out a sigh.

'Damn, I made a fuss over nothing.'

I began to regret ntioning anything about the Holy Kingdom to him needlessly.

Thinking I should make the most of the situation, I decided to grab so extras on the trip, like 'holy relics' if possible.