Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 175

Episode 175. How to Handle Noble Blood

“Thank you for your cooperation, Sir Aitel.”

As in Myeongwol Gwan, Aitel's interrogation was not that long, perhaps because he was so loose-lipped that he could divulge important information while drunk.

And fortunately.

How did you know I hate violence?

With a refreshing smile and a few words of pressure, she started talking very smoothly.

It's to the point where I wonder if it's really okay to do that.

So, I was able to hear about Dantes' position as well as how he came to cooperate with Dantes.

“The Dawn Society…….”

Zahat, who was watching Aitel reveal the information he knew, muttered quietly.

“I got involved with some annoying guys.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“They’re really amazing, to the point of forming their own private army.”

Although it wasn't revealed on his face, a slightly surprised tone came out of Zahat's mouth.

He knows everything now.

The reason why Aitel became involved with 'Six Fingers' was because of 'Dantes Christo'.

Even, it is said that 'Dants' is related to the 'Yeongmyeonghoe'.

“How much do you know about the Yeomyeonghoe?”

“I know that there are high-ranking officials comprised of nobles. I know that they can exert influence over society as a whole. And that the ‘power’ of each individual is quite strong.”

It seems that Zahat knows something about the 'Dawn Society', as he has picked up quite a lot of things.

After all, it is a place where people gather to pursue personal glory, the revival of their family, and great power.

Zahat may have also been touched.

but.

‘I’m also a member of the Yeomyeonghoe… … .’

You don't know this far, right?

Probably. I tried so hard to hide this.

'But now it's starting to get overwhelming.'

Just as you can't cover the sky with your palm.

One day, everyone in the system will know that I belong to the Dawn Society.

If that happens, the royal family, who hates them, will step in.

'I guess I have to deal with this quickly.'

If I have to live.

***

As expected, Dantes was now with 'Six Fingers'.

The moment when guesses become facts.

The locations of the 'six fingers' garrisons in various places came to mind.

In fact, there is a special episode called 'The Extermination of the Rat Pups' that takes place a little later.

This is an episode where an event occurs that inevitably requires the elimination of slum groups that were a necessary evil, and Geomseong and his colleagues eliminate them.

However, since this is a result of the player's choice, it is not unconditional.

'But I've been there and back dozens of times.'

The hiding place of 'Six Fingers' is stored in my head.

'Well, Dantes will be with Claude, and the rest of the fingers are the problem.'

Go in alone, wipe out all of the 'Six Fingers' and deal with 'Dantes'?

I know full well that that is nonsense.

No matter how strong 'Yurien' is, it is impossible to defeat multiple hands with one hand.

Moreover, the fingers are known to be quite strong in this world.

Each individual can handle it well enough.

If we all rush in at once… … ?

'No matter how big the country is, it'll be hard.'

However, I had no intention of doing so in the first place, and now that the variable called 'Claude' has been created, such suicidal behavior should be avoided as much as possible.

'But that doesn't mean I can give up.'

It's not that there is no way.

Just then, a sharp idea occurred to me.

'If you feel that I am not capable of removing the fingers.'

It's something that can be done by borrowing capabilities from elsewhere.

Even finding a place to borrow that 'capability' wasn't difficult.

The place that suffered the most damage from this 'six fingers' incident.

A strange group of people who would rather choose death than live a cowardly life for their own 'honor'.

At the same time, they are the ones who receive the abnormal loyalty of 'Yurien'.

The answer is 'the imperial family'.

When I finally got my thoughts organized like that.

As I was walking diligently down the imperial corridor, I saw a sign that said 'Secretary's Office'.

'This is where it begins.'

***

“Ughhhhh……”

Secretary Seden Orbian, who was enjoying tea time during my visit, frowned and sighed.

“I think it will be difficult, Sir Yurian. It is against the duty of a nobleman.”

Seden's face was filled with trouble.

One of the facts I was able to learn from several meetings.

Se-den likes to talk nonsense like 'the duty of a nobleman' and 'duty'.

It is quite a rare sight to see him, who loves to talk indirectly, speak so directly.

But that doesn't mean we can give up.

“There is nothing difficult. Given the current situation, I have decided that ‘doing this’ is in line with the ‘nobility’ that Your Majesty the King is talking about.”

“Hmm…, I definitely respect that thought, but let me tell you this for sure.”

Click.

Se-den put down his teacup and opened his mouth.

“Before finding the ‘next’ of nobility, you must first be respectful to the ‘royal family.’ Don’t you know that?”

"yes."

“So, regardless of the other circumstances, do not refuse His Highness Prince Osborn’s offer.”

Seden comforted me in a voice that seemed to be soothing me.

“What would Lord Osborn think of you if you refused the Order of the Ten Swords he bestowed upon you?”

Se-den's expression as he spoke showed considerable anxiety.

In fact, this is what I talked about with Se-den when I came to the secretary's office.

It is true that he gained merit by catching 'Anna Rui' who appeared at the exchange meeting, but he could not stop her from escaping from prison.

In that sense, someone like me cannot receive this medal!

'That's nonsense.'

Annarui's capture and her escape from prison are separate events.

Equating the two and rejecting the 'medal' may actually be an overreaction and over-immersion.

“No, Sir Seden.”

But who am I now?

The leader of this over-immersion and over-reaction is 'Yurien'.

The 'fanatic loyalty to the royal family' that is known to the world means that even if I act excessively in a place like this, an atmosphere that is somewhat understandable is created.

“That is why I cannot accept it anymore. More importantly, I am afraid that by accepting it, my loyalty to the royal family will be tarnished.”

Se-den's eyes waver at my earnest appeal.

Almost open his mouth, but almost not.

A look that seems to want to say something.

'My acting is improving day by day.'

Of course it's a lie.

Who would be loyal to a royal family like this?

There will be no one who is truly loyal to the 'royal family' that easily kills people regardless of age, gender, old age or children.

Actually, I don't know if 'Yurien' did that.

First of all, it's not me.

I still have my dignity.

“Ahem!”

When I revealed my feelings about the royal family, Se-den made a somewhat satisfied expression.

Wow, this guy is a real piece of shit.

Is it because you are the Chief Secretary and have a direct relationship with the royal family?

Loyalty to the royal family drips from his eyes.

I heard from Kaldrak that this guy also has a close relationship with the 'Third Prince'.

The truth is yet to come out, but I have a feeling it's not on my side.

“Still, how about avoiding actions that smear his face?”

“Your Majesty, I have already made up my mind.”

I don't think he had the heart to make it happen in the first place, but he said it on purpose.

“A guy like me doesn’t deserve the Order of the Golden Guard Ten Swords.”

Once again, a look of difficulty began to appear on Se-den's face as he showed his determination.

But perhaps sensing that saying more would be meaningless, Se-den simply nodded silently.

“Could it be that you are refusing because of your connection with the Third Prince?”

“No, that’s my personal opinion.”

“If that’s the case……”

Se-den nods in agreement.

“However, His Highness the Prince Osborne may refuse. Please be aware of that in advance.”

"this……."

I trailed off.

As if I had forgotten the possibility that Osborne might 'reject' my refusal of the medal.

“I didn’t think that far ahead.”

Actually, that's my purpose.

Osborne's 'rejection' of my 'rejection' again.

***

Tomorrow, right away.

Today is the day that Yurian was awarded the 'Golden Ten Swords Medal'.

I know there are a lot of people who are jealous that he is being awarded a medal.

The position of 'Chief of Staff' is one where a lot of information comes in, but even if you don't listen, a lot of talk is going on.

But──.

'I thought the person in question would refuse directly.'

It goes without saying that the 'medal' awarded directly by the 'royal family' is of enormous value.

I'm not just talking about 'benefits'.

It talks about the political standing that comes with receiving it and the repercussions that come with it.

'The gazes and gossip of the surrounding nobles.'

Just forming them is worth the 'medal'.

I thought Yulian would know its value very well.

To refuse that──.

'As expected, the royal hunting dog thinks differently.'

As a noble representing the secretariat.

His actions were incomprehensible, but that didn't mean I could 'deny' it.

Refusing the 'reward' because he had failed to fulfill his duty was truly in line with what Se-den considered the 'duty of a nobleman'.

'But His Royal Highness Prince Osborne will not remain silent.'

In the first place, the reason Second Prince Osborn gave the medal was not literally to praise Yurian's 'merit'.

To solidify his position and bring him over to his side.

It was a fact that even those who had been touched by Kaldrak's breath knew, but it was not something that could be stopped.

'But since the person in question refused, you can't say anything to me.'

This fact has already been relayed to Second Prince Osborn.

Seden glanced out the window.

Then, Prince Osborn was seen heading towards the 'Closed Eyes' building with armed knights.

***

It's faster than I thought.

I looked at the man sitting in front of me.

A man wearing clothes with the 'Imperial Crest' on them, looking at me with an imperious expression.

The second prince, Osborn d'Adratan.

Actually, I had expected Prince Osborn to come.

“I thought I heard something ‘wrong,’ so I came here to check.”

The royal family, who are obsessed with pride, do not even tolerate refusal of the 'honors' they bestow.

Of course, there are some political reasons involved, but it is more likely to have to do with pride.

Above all else.

'How dare you refuse the medal I bestow upon you?' he would try to regain his damaged dignity.

That's why I prepared it.

If you don't do this, you won't have a chance to meet the Second Prince before the award ceremony.

"yes."

“I heard the general reason. But could you tell me again?”

Osborn's golden eyes sparkled.

Don't think of useless things and just accept the medal quietly.

Wouldn't that be good for you and me?

Such oppressive pressure began to emanate from the prince's entire body.

'Certainly, he's a tough guy compared to Kaldrak or Yulsis.'

A royal family that values FM thoroughly and maintains an authoritarian attitude toward others.

I smiled inwardly at the attitude that best fit the description 'noble blood'.

'So it's easier to use.'

Ultimately, the source of their actions is ‘pride.’

If you know how to deal with that 'pride', boiling it down won't be a problem.

Still, the prince is a prince, so he's a little nervous.

If you say one wrong thing, you'll have to fight with the knights lined up outside.

“Ahem.”

As I cleared my throat to lighten the mood, 'Flugel', who had come in with Osborn, looked over at me.

The Second Prince is, in name and reality, the greatest patron of magicians.

In that sense, it seems that 'Flugel' is an imperial magician and a bodyguard.

If only he had the monstrous inspiration, there would be no problem with escorting him, but of course, he has 'noble blood'.

There are also a lot of knights and servants outside the room.

“It is to protect the honor of the royal family.”

I'm so used to lies that I don't even think about them anymore.

"honor?"

Osborne showed some interest.

“Yes, the ‘Six Fingers’ executives eventually escaped. I don’t think it was a security issue…….”

Osborne, who had been listening to the story, raised his hand and stopped me from speaking.

“Yeah, it was a problem that was bound to explode someday. In fact, the security of the Imperial Prison isn’t that tight. Even before that, Dad… no, ahem.”

Osborne corrected himself.

“I have always told Your Majesty that we must change the way we treat prisoners.”

Did you almost say 'dad' just now?

Number two in line to the throne?

“I told some agencies that the system that allows prisoners to be released with just documents is not very good and that it needs to be fixed. However, it was always rejected.”

Without even realizing my thoughts, Osborne's voice became slightly agitated.

“After all, isn’t it thanks to that structure that the ‘six fingers’ trash escaped?”

……I know.

I'm using it well, you know. I did the same thing when I brought out Zahat this time.

“So, this situation is not your fault, Yurian. It’s simply a structural problem that the royal family has had, and it’s not someone else’s fault that needs to be shouldered.”

Although he speaks grandly, Osborne's point is this:

I don't know if it's your fault or not, just accept the medal.

And by pretending to support me, you solidify my position!

"then……."

He opens his mouth to pretend not to be able to resist Osborne's words, then closes it again.

This action will definitely catch Osborne's attention.

“I think it would be better to postpone the award ceremony.”

“What next?”

"yes."

I need to slowly get into the swing of things.

Furthermore, if you ‘reject’, ‘special measures’ may be taken.

“As you said earlier, it is true that the prisoner structure is not good. However, the reason the prisoners do not escape is probably because they are afraid of the imperial family.”

Let me give you a space here.

“I believe that breaking that unspoken rule and leaving the escaped prisoner alone would be a disgrace to the royal family’s name. It could even damage its prestige.”

Level the floor.

Certainly, it is difficult to deal with the 'Six Fingers' including 'Claude' alone.

In that sense, I need a collaborator, and the stronger the collaborator, the better.

"so?"

Of course, if you are a 'strong collaborator' in the current system.

“How about holding the award ceremony after all six fingers have been defeated, including the escaped Anna Rui?”

That's right, it's the imperial family.