Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 106

Episode 106. Killing Two Birds at Once (2)

What's that over there?

As I was coming down to the stadium and talking to Zahat, the noisy scene in the VIP room suddenly caught my eye.

Two men are fighting.

The shallow tent was pitched so that the face could not be seen clearly, but it was clearly visible.

“I see. So, ‘Closed Eyes’ came all the way here to catch criminals?”

What woke me up from my day of distraction was the voice of the blind warrior, Zahat.

“Of course.”

… … That’s not a given.

In fact, I didn't even know it existed, and the reason I came to the martial arts hall was because I wondered if I could get some technical inspiration.

“This is difficult. I’m in a position where I can’t be caught right now.”

Less noise.

He spoke lightly, as if joking, and prepared to take out the sword he had put in his staff that had subdued Kagum.

“For the sake of our old friendship, can’t you just close your eyes? The royal family probably wouldn’t be that desperate to capture me.”

surely.

'Blind Warrior' Zahat is not a criminal who committed a terrible crime against the Empire.

I'm just trying to hold on to it because of my 'needs'.

That's why there is no option to let go. This guy's skills are real.

You might tilt your head if you say it's stronger than 'Geumseong', but if you ask if it can compare, you can definitely say yes.

“That can’t be…….”

The moment I was about to say, “No,” a sharp aura rushed straight at me.

I already know.

This is the 'purpose' of the aura fired by the 'blind warrior' who cannot see to gauge the distance from the opponent.

As soon as the attack starts,

Pabat──!

As expected, a lightning-like sword strike came flying in.

'That's crazy, that's unbelievably fast.'

It's a tremendous speed that will make you want to curse.

But this is the specialty of the 'blind warrior', 'one-point stab', and I have seen it hundreds of times, so I already know this situation.

Replacing the invisible eyes with 'Aura', using that 'Aura' to determine the distance, and then striking so fast that you can't react.

That is the winning pattern of the 'Blind Warrior'.

“Hmm……?”

Knowing that is a huge advantage against the enemy called the 'Blind Warrior'.

His habits, his thoughts, his actions.

Because I could have predicted everything.

Even.

===

⇒ The 〈Inspection〉 trait detects auras.

===

Thanks to his high mana sensitivity, he was able to follow the auras that the 'Blind Warrior' was spewing out with his own eyes, and this soon became a clear indicator of the direction in which Zahat was attacking.

Thanks to that, I was able to avoid Zahat's attack by jumping slightly to the side.

Zahat looked slightly displeased as his winning pattern was blocked.

It seems that he had a great deal of pride in the skills he had accumulated as a prosecutor.

However, rather than continue the attack, Zahat chose to take a step back.

“Aren’t you going to continue?”

I provoked that Zahat.

The 'aura' he was emitting was really helpful.

I thought that if I applied this, I might be able to reach the realm of 'one stroke of a pen' a little sooner.

And above all.

'be pleasant.'

Never before has a clash of swords been this emotional.

Perhaps, after acquiring the trait called “New Swordsmanship,” my attitude toward “swords” changed.

If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have come to a place like this to practice my studies.

“By the way, the mad dog of the royal family must be really shocked to recognize me even though I’m wearing a disguise magic tool.”

In fact, I was a little surprised because the appearance was not like the 'blind warrior' I knew, but if you remember the indicators that indicate the 'blind warrior' in <Let's kill the demon king now>, it's not that difficult.

Pupils out of focus.

And a blind man's staff with a hidden sword.

“Criminals tend to have a unique aura.”

“Haha, I was just joking.”

Zahat's gaze turned to me with a bitter smile.

“Can’t you just pretend not to know? Didn’t we foster camaraderie while fighting demons together on the northern front?”

“If you were a mercenary, then that might be possible…….”

I smiled brightly at Zahat, who was acting a little weak by bringing up old, musty stories.

“……If you see me as a criminal, I will be ashamed of myself as a ‘closed eye.’”

Do you think it's easy to find a sparring partner like you? Just be quiet and become proficient in my skills.

“It’s still so stuffy. Haa, I was just trying to make some quick money.”

Zahat, who was sighing, gripped the staff sword tightly in his right hand.

Do you plan on having another go at it?

“I have no choice, I have no choice but to resort to desperate measures.”

Number of spleens?

I became slightly interested in a story I didn't even know about.

Aside from the Blind Warrior's special 'Aura Sonar' and 'One-Point Stab', were there any other techniques?

‘… …What are you looking forward to?’

Tension and excitement.

Two conflicting emotions entangled themselves and enveloped my whole body.

“Yurien, do you remember the story we shared on the Northern Front before?”

No, I'm not?

“I don’t remember having any conversation with a lowly criminal.”

“It is not the strong who survive, but the survivor who is strong.”

That's a fair point.

No matter how much a swordsman is admired by everyone, it's over when he dies.

“I’ll take this opportunity to prove that I’m strong.”

When I sensed something ominous in his confident smile, I put strength into my sword.

I came here for growth, and also considered using 'Sombra' in case something happens.

The purpose is to──!

Huh? That sounds weird.

It was like a fuse being lit, like you see in the movies… .

'train of powder……?'

No way, a bomb?

Kwakwaang!

As expected, an explosion occurred around Zahat with a loud noise.

But I didn't back down.

Because the 〈Insight〉 trait told us that this explosion was a ‘smoke screen’.

“Since we both survived, let’s both be strong.”

Zahat's voice could be heard through the smoke.

'Weren't those the words you said to start a fight?'

In the thick smoke, the shape of Zahat, formed like an 'aura', came into view and he began to move towards leaving the stadium.

'Should I chase after him?'

No, if you chase after me, then it will really be a matter of life and death.

Besides, it would be difficult to catch or kill Zahat right now. He would catch the 'Triangle Demon' for me.

“Sir Yurian!”

As the smoke cleared, a masked man came in. It seemed to be Byron.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Yes, it’s okay.”

“No, why did you suddenly jump out!?”

Baron, who was usually terrified by even the slightest mention of words, revealed his true feelings at the unexpected turn of events.

“There was a criminal.”

“Criminal… Are you talking about the blind man earlier?”

As I nodded, Baron's face became thoughtful.

“Are you sure you’re contacting ‘Closed Eyes’ to investigate this place?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

At my words, Baron breathed a sigh of relief.

I guess he was worried that he would be fired again from the new job he had just landed.

“Then the reason Sir Yurian came to the martial arts hall was to catch criminals!”

Okay, let's say that's the case for now.

I didn't know the 'Blind Warrior' would be here.

“It’s too bad. Because the guy ran away, there was no harvest……”

“That’s not true. There was a harvest.”

Unlike Baron, who had a pitiful expression on his face, I looked at the 'Moon Jang Sword'.

Somehow, I feel like I've gotten a feel for the 'one-stroke calligraphy' that had been blocked for so long.

***

Eleanor was waiting for someone outside the martial arts hall.

That person is, of course, Yurian.

Normally, she would avoid meeting in private, but today she had something to talk about.

'You're using me.'

There was nothing unpleasant about drawing oneself.

She thinks she owes Yurian a debt from the beginning. It was thanks to his help that she was able to become the Arch Bishop.

The problem is that he didn't say 'anything' about this.

“Have you seen through this far? I’ve been playing into your hands, too.”

Because of that, when she saw Yurian, Eleanor opened her mouth as if it was natural.

'Well, are we just the same?'

Actually, I know it's shameless.

He also tried to cast a wiretapping spell on Yurian.

Surely, Yulian will also point this out.

“What are you talking about?”

But contrary to expectations, he was a swindler.

A gentle smile and those squinted eyes.

Eleanor frowned slightly at his attitude, which seemed to be trying to leave her alone.

“Don’t evade your duty. You noticed the eavesdropping spell placed on Bishop Corund and used it, didn’t you?”

“Bishop Corund… oh, you mean that pig-like man?”

Another nonsense.

Considering Yurian's strategy of cornering Aiden in an instant, there's no way he didn't know that he was here, but he pretended not to know.

“Yes, because you showed up at the martial arts hall, Aiden and Korund’s secret meeting fell through. Besides, Aiden will become even more impatient after what happened today.”

"hmm……."

Yurian's voice trails off slightly.

It seemed as if he was trying to convey the nuance of, 'I really didn't know,' but Eleanor wasn't fooled.

This person hates crowded places.

Along with Aiden, the man who was the furthest from the 'Martial Arts Hall' came here on purpose, and furthermore, he even took off his mask to hide his identity.

'Is this just a coincidence?'

There's no way a fool would think like that.

***

‘… …What are you talking about?’

I was lost in thought for a moment as I watched Eleanor come in out of nowhere and say something out of the blue.

All I could understand was, 'Aiden's plan has gone awry, and he's going to get nervous.'

If so, it was obvious that the guy would act boldly so that his research could bear fruit as soon as possible.

'It was like that in the original story too.'

Then in the end he was killed by Geomseong.

'Then is it now?'

As I said before, 'Aiden' is a character that becomes difficult when he dies.

To be exact, it's not that the guy's death has a major impact on the story, but rather that his death is the trigger for the event.

That's why I decided to change my mind.

'Like in a game, there's no need to just wait for an unfavorable event to happen.'

If Aiden's research is the problem, then we can just get rid of it.

Because of that, I keep having to keep keeping him alive, and my mind is getting more and more anxious.

“I guess this incident will allow Sir Aiden to focus more on the fake horns he was previously researching.”

“That would be true. If word of what happened today spreads, the other bishops won’t be able to lend him a helping hand.”

“It went well.”

“……Was this the act done to intercept the research results?”

Eleanor seems to be quick-witted.

It seems that you can easily infer what my intentions were by looking at my actions so far.

“Are you going to speak to Sir Aiden?”

“Of course not. I don’t intend to take sides, but if I had to, I would take the side that received help.”

As expected, it seems like you instinctively know which line is stronger.

“Good idea.”

“But, it’s Aiden. Aiden of the Donatien family. The research on fake horns is well hidden, so it’ll be hard to find, right?”

“Probably, that lab is in the slum area.”

Eleanor looked slightly puzzled.

“How can you be so sure?”

Aiden's secret lab was located in a random location, but was usually in or near the slums.

'Because that's what happened in the game.'

Of course, you can't say that.

“I am Yurian. I am Yurian Krapait Prasson, a member of the Imperial ‘Closed Eyes’.”

When I repeated her words verbatim, Eleanor looked dumbfounded.

“Even if you were lucky and had a good sense, how are you going to find your way through that vast slum?”

That is a valid point.

How can I search all that vast space by myself when I only have one body?

But there is one thing she doesn't know.

'Two of the three organizations that divide the slum into three parts.'

Anonymous group.

Bloodthirsty group.

The fact that I have a connection with these two places.