Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 154

Episode 154. Witch Hunt (3)

It was difficult to ask any more questions because of Pelkor's atrocities, but I didn't feel particularly impatient.

What's interesting is the word 'Queen of Thorns' that comes out of the witch's mouth.

'The Wimad tribe.'

Among the indigenous people living beyond the barrier, they are a tribe specializing in 'curses'.

In the Wimad tribe, once every 50 years, the tribesman who can handle the most powerful 'curse' is given a crown made of thorns and given the title of 'Queen of Thorns'.

In other words, it is a title that only the highest level of 'curse magic' can obtain.

'That Milena… …?'

I felt like there was a bit of cognitive dissonance.

Although I have never actually seen her, the 'Milena' I remember seemed quite kind.

It was clear that he was a strong person, but I didn't think he was the type of person who would curse or vent his resentment on someone.

‘… … Are people different from what they seem?’

But to be honest.

When I heard that 'Milena' was the 'Master of Curses', I somehow thought that it might be true.

Although Oben may be a bystander, he is not a villain to the extent that he can be called a hypocrite.

So where did this annoying personality of 'Yurien' come from?

'……hmm.'

No, let's not think too deeply about it.

Don't they say it's better to keep memories as memories?

“Still, I can’t help but be worried.”

While he was organizing his thoughts about Milena, Zahat opened his mouth.

He moved to his seat, tapping the ground with his cane. He sat down on the chair and looked worried.

“I don’t think that Kaldrak would come here alone for the witch.”

'If we come in with wedges, we could be in danger.'

Zahat seems to want to say that.

Even if you can see far around you through the 'Aura Sonar', it is dangerous if you start being 'pursued'.

That's a valid thought.

“Besides, if you’re trying to save the witch, wouldn’t they be able to use you as a hostage?”

“Are you talking about a hostage?”

“Yeah, by taking advantage of people who aren’t here.”

Joshua?

No, the first thing that comes to mind is Linnaeus.

Kaldrak would also know that I have contact with him, having visited the North on Academy business.

'Still… …I won't use hostages, right?'

Because of the Third Prince's personality, he would want to appear easygoing to other people.

'Obviously, alone… … .'

Are you coming?

At first, I was confident, but as Zahat and Pelkor kept showing signs of anxiety, my thoughts began to change.

To begin with, the soldiers and wedges of the 'North Pool' barrier are hostile to the witch.

That's why the witch doesn't appear on the surface and follows Kaldrak around like a shadow.

Because of that, it will be difficult to withdraw troops.

‘… … Just in case, there is that one chance.’

What if 'Kaldrak' is a stage cannon rather than what I thought?

If, despite going through 'repetition', that unique spirit of invincibility still lives on and you force yourself to march on, then there's no choice but to go through with it. Damn it.

'Was I too complacent?'

Just as I was thinking that.

“……They’re coming.”

Zahat, who had been looking around with his aura wide open, got up from his chair and approached the window.

As I focused my 'Aura', I could feel someone approaching me.

'Kaldrak.'

I'm glad you came alone.

Well, I guess there's nothing you can do since 'Witch' is an important key to you.

***

“How dare you do something like this, Yurian.”

Kaldrak entered the cabin with a distinctly unpleasant expression on his face.

To be honest, I was half in doubt. I really didn't think he'd come alone.

“A cornered mouse may bite the cat. Your Majesty. I apologize for my rudeness.”

“You’re saying that when you’re cornered?”

Kaldrak narrowed his eyes and glared at me, perhaps taken aback by the polite remark.

“If I want to talk, I want to do it alone.”

The two of us?

I was about to ask if it was really necessary, but I could sense a strong will in Kaldrak's eyes.

Do you have something to say?

Feeling that way, I looked at Zahat and Pelkor, and they nodded and immediately left the cabin.

It must be cold, so bring a blanket.

To my horror, Pelkor, shivering, comes back in, picks up the blanket, looks at me, smiles awkwardly, and then disappears.

… … Yeah, who am I worried about?

“Why are you doing this? If you wanted to talk, you could have done it at the North Pool Barrier.”

“There were many eyes watching and ears listening on the wall.”

It's not that I'm unaware of Kaldrak's scheme to force me to remain at the 'Wall'.

But more importantly, the problem is that there are a lot of 'ears' listening there.

Now that I know there are members of the 'Dawn Society', I don't want to have pointless conversations there, because I don't know what might happen later.

‘… … It would be even more annoying if it got into Tenelon’s ears.’

I think I did the right thing.

“I thought it would be different this time, but it’s the same this time.”

While he was gathering his thoughts, Kaldrak opened his mouth.

What are you trying to say?

The guy turned his head toward the door for a moment, then met my gaze again.

“As expected, you belong to the Dawn Society again, Yurian.”

I almost looked slightly taken aback by Kaldrak's words. Fortunately, the 'poker face' worked effectively in this situation.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t evade. This isn’t the first time you’ve been a member of the Dawn Society.”

Kaldrak looked out the door.

“Did you say Felcor? I know for sure that he’s a member of the Dawning Society.”

I guess he's trying to use the fragmentary information he has to grab my leash.

If the world finds out that I'm a member of the Yeomyeonghoe, I'll be in trouble.

“Yes, that’s right. So, what are you trying to say?”

But, so what.

It can't be discovered by other people, because it's obvious that it would be dangerous if discovered.

But you are not, Kaldrak.

“Should I tell you? If the royal family knows that you, the sword of the royal family, belong to the ‘Dawn Society’, then the royal family….”

Swish.

Listening to Kaldrak's words, I took out an item from 'Angelica'.

The sacred bell of the quiet night.

Kaldrak's eyes widened to a size he had never seen before when he saw this.

“Do you know what will happen to this sacred object if it is discovered that I am a member of the Yeomyeonghoe and I become the dew of the execution ground?”

It is a holy relic of Tenelon that restrains the Demon God Castle, and is one of the materials required to enter the 'Demon God's Grave', the place where the Demon God died.

Special relics such as the 'Bell of the Night' basically consider the first person to use it as their 'owner', and if that person dies, it disappears along with the user.

In other words, if I die and this relic disappears, there will be no way to control 'Mashin Barbatos' and 'Mashin Castle'.

'Weighing the future of the continent, huh?'

What do you think?

When I die, what happens after that is none of my concern.

In the first place, I'm doing these things to survive.

“……Are you saying that someone like me who knows the future will use the future of the continent to live?”

How can you pretend to be noble when you are also pursuing your own selfish desires?

furthermore.

“I don’t think that’s something someone who uses a witch should say.”

Although not perfect, a witch who can control 'Magi' could also play a role similar to that of the 'Bell of the Night'.

Kaldrak must have hired the 'Witch of the Snowstorm Forest' to prepare for the 'one in a million' event and bring her along to survive by sacrificing her.

“No, I didn’t bring Abisha here to use her.”

When the name 'Abisha' came up, I was surprised.

The witch's real name.

In this worldview, witches are those who can more skillfully handle 'magic' by placing 'restrictions' on themselves.

Most of those 'limitations' are that you can't harm anyone who finds out your 'real name'.

In other words, the witch Abisha lying there has given everything she has to Kaldrak.

'……huh?'

The witch, who was thought to have fainted, was awake.

She looked back and forth between me and Kaldrak with eyes full of confusion.

It was as if he was saying, 'How do you know my name!?'

“Da, you… how do you know my name…?”

Isn't that what you said?

Well, that's strange. If you're going to make a formal statement with a 'witch', then you must have been in a deep relationship.

The 'witch' regarded Kaldrak as nothing more or less than a person with vested interests.

There was a moment when I thought that something had happened during the repetition process.

“Since you have the Bell of the Night, I guess the reason you went to the Holy Land wasn’t to escort Yulsis.”

The guy also knows that the 'Bell of the Night' is a sacred relic obtained from the Holy Land.

Well, is that obvious? Since you've been 'repeating' things, you should be able to understand this much.

“Then you’re saying you’re not one of Yulsis’s subordinates?”

Kaldrak began to stroke his chin.

“……It turns out my guess was wrong from the start.”

What are you trying to say?

Kaldrak turned his gaze to me. The composure he had shown until now was completely gone, but there was something firm in his eyes.

When I saw those eyes, I was convinced.

I may know more than him, but I may lack his 'experience'.

And the words he's about to spit out now are words that imply that 'experience'.

“Yulsis…….”

An unexpected name popped up.

“Watch out for him, Yurian.”

***

First iteration.

The memory stuck to my brain like melted sugar and didn't seem to want to fall off.

It was such a strong memory.

It was a memory of failing a coup on the northern front and suffering burns all over his body after being hit with the 'combustion magic' of the imperial magician, Flügel.

– 'How stupid. Why did you stage that damn coup? It was obvious this would happen.'

The one who nursed Kaldrak, who couldn't move a single finger, was none other than the witch of the Snowstorm Forest.

She treated the festering wound and changed the pus-soaked bandage several times.

Nursing a burn victim was hard work, but she grumbled a little and cared for him with utmost sincerity.

But the imperial pursuit continues.

If discovered, it is obvious that the witch will die as well.

– 'Run away.'

Although Kaldrak didn't really have any feelings for the witch, it's true that he was indebted to her.

– 'You're running away right now. Your brain is also burned… … Hmm?'

Knock knock, the witch smiled, hitting her head.

– 'Is your brain mature?'

No, just leave me and run away.

He tried to say that, but the witch retorted venomously and changed the bandage.

Looking at that sight, Kaldrak thought.

If I survive, I will compensate you somehow.