Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 16

Episode 16. Lind Rondbell (2)

The streets of the slums are dark because of the poor lighting and the old buildings here and there.

Linne looked at the man following her.

The squinty-eyed man was showing off his noble appearance without any unnecessary decoration.

But Linnaeus knew that it was a mask to hide his true nature.

The man's name is Yurian Kraiphart Frasson.

He is a traitor who abandoned the teachings of his master, Haydn Reich, and became the imperial dog.

Linne clicked her tongue inwardly when she saw that he was following her.

'Even though I said that, you still don't understand?'

A little while ago.

Linne signaled to Yurian that they should each do their own thing without blushing.

But he followed Linne as if he hadn't heard.

Of course, that clever human couldn't have missed the signal.

“Aren’t we serving the same teacher? Don’t be so rude.”

And again, saying things I don't mean.

Linne snorted inwardly.

He is a man with a strong desire for self-expression.

He absolutely hated the term 'disciple of Haydn Reich' that followed him like a shadow. At the same time, his desire for the title of 'Sword Star', the highest prosecutor, was stronger than anything else.

It was so bad that Haydn even spoke of a life-or-death decision when he excommunicated Yurian.

Yes, that's right.

He wanted to overcome the wall called 'Haydn Reich', his teacher. Even if it meant turning his teacher into an enemy.

But it's ridiculous for a person like that to talk about a priest-disciple relationship.

“Stop following me.”

Finally, Linne frowned and said.

“Miss Linne, if you say that, I’m in trouble too. Isn’t it a mission?”

Linne felt a chill down her spine when she saw that smile.

I couldn't figure out what was going on behind that creepy smile.

Don't worry about it.

Linne tried to ignore it and read the instructions again.

'There seems to be a demon infestation in the slums, so investigate.'

The location is section 034A.

In a section of the slums, arriving at the scene was the beginning of the mission.

Linne walked along the dirty slum road with cool steps.

Soon a jagged sign came into view.

Your current location is 031A.

If you go a little further, your destination, Area 034A, will appear.

"uh……?"

But the number written on the next sign that appeared was 011C.

If it were sequential, shouldn't area 032A have appeared?

Linnaeus was very embarrassed.

Immediately afterwards, a voice was heard from behind.

“Haha, I told you. Because of the illegal construction, the signs in this slum area are useless as landmarks.”

Yulian's voice.

His tone was no different than usual, but because of the situation, it felt more annoying than usual.

“Don’t meddle. And if you know so much, why don’t you go alone instead of following me?”

After speaking sharply, she tried to move on.

However, the signs that appeared one after another did not bring us closer to our destination, Road 034A, but rather gradually moved further away.

“Eeeeek……! What the heck!”

01A.

When they finally returned to where they started, Linne was stamping her feet and getting angry. Even then, Yurian was following behind her.

If we continue like this, we may not reach our destination before the end of today.

As that thought occurred to her, Linne glanced at Yurian, who was following her.

From the way he spoke, he seemed to know the geography of this place. If so, wouldn't it be okay to wait quietly and follow him until he reaches his destination?

'I don't want to die even if I die.'

But that doesn't mean I can stand up as the only disciple of the Master. Especially, I can't lose to that traitor even if I die.

Yurian, he is a man of such great talent that even the 'Black Saint' Haydn Reich acknowledged him.

As much as she hated to admit it, Linne knew it too.

You can tell just by looking at the way they walk.

A clean stride that is not used in vain, perfect breathing, and a ferocious murderous aura that is naturally evident to those who walk the path of the sword.

Something that is ‘innate’ rather than ‘acquired’.

'Even if I die.'

That is why Linne, the disciple of 'Black Sword', was always compared to Yurian.

If it had been him, he would have done it.

If that were the case, it would be natural.

If it had been him, if it had been him.

Ever since she started walking the path of the sword to seek revenge on the religious order, the words 'if it had been him' that she kept hearing would gnaw at her pride like a bug.

'I will do it alone. Even if I fail the mission, I will not ask you for help.'

Maybe that 'smiling executioner' is waiting.

To break down one's pride and reach out to oneself.

I thought it could be 'Yurien'.

Because he was a man of terrible character.

“Are you… lost?”

At that moment, a man with a shabby appearance who was lying on the street approached me and spoke to me.

Judging from his shabby attire and awkward posture, he was clearly a person under the ban.

“I’m not feeling well so I can’t give you directions, but if you turn left at the first alley you see as soon as you pass through that street, you’ll see a building. Ask the person there if they know the area well.”

“……Is there a guide in this neighborhood?”

“Because it’s such a complicated place.”

He pointed in the direction, barely supporting his body with his limping feet.

In this difficult world, there is no favor done without reward, no charity done without cause.

Linnaeus also knew that one should not easily trust the kindness of someone one meets for the first time.

However, the thought that she should not look down on 'Yurien' continued to urge her.

"thank you!"

Smiling faintly, Linne handed the beggar of the goldsmith 100 nar, the imperial currency.

For a moment, a flame of desire burned in the beggar's eyes, but Linne did not notice.

“You see? I can handle this mission without even asking for your help.”

“Miss Linne, you are amazing.”

Yulian shrugged his shoulders as he watched Linne speaking with pride.

Linne almost frowned, but she hid her expression as best she could as she could when she saw the place the old man had just described.

***

There are three huge criminal organizations in the Adratan Empire.

Among them, the name of the organization that mainly operates in slums not managed by the royal family is 'Six Fingers'.

Assassination, smuggling, theft and gambling, including human trafficking.

As expected from a criminal organization, it was a group of ruthless people who would do anything for money.

Baron, a member of the Six Fingers, chuckled to himself as he watched the two lambs visit his workplace.

'You idiots.'

The slums, where the empire's high public power did not reach, had poor public security.

Even when one or two people disappeared, people did not think it was strange, and in fact, there were even people who pointed fingers at them, saying that they had failed to protect themselves from danger.

It worked the same way for people coming from outside.

Those who first entered this labyrinthine place were likely to get lost, and many went missing as a result. Naturally, most of these were the work of criminal organizations.

'The men's side… … is average, and the women's side… … .'

Baden smiled inwardly as he looked at the blonde woman, Linne.

An appearance so beautiful that the phrase "beautiful to the nation" naturally comes to mind.

The desire to stroke that pure white skin with his hands seemed to boil inside Baden's stomach.

“So, you’re looking for a way?”

“Yes, I’m looking for area 034A.”

“Uh-huh…….”

At Linne's words, Baden let out a short sigh. Then, he naturally took out three cups and poured coffee.

Specially ordered cups, excluding Baden's of course.

It was a special cup that made the water in the water droplets underneath swell up when hot water touched it.

Baden took a sip of his coffee first to avoid suspicion. Then he continued speaking immediately. He didn't give him time to think nonsense.

“It’ll cost 300 naira for the guide fee to Road 034A. Do you have the money?”

Humans are extremely sensitive to goodwill without a clear purpose, but their reaction becomes somewhat dull to goodwill that seeks a clear reward.

Because you can see with your own eyes what the other person is aiming for.

That is, it is about figuring out what the other person is thinking and feeling reassured.

“300 nar……, I understand.”

Linne nodded and grabbed the cup of coffee.

The reason you act defenseless is because you think the other person wants 'money' as compensation for the 'contract'.

But Baden's goal wasn't 'money'.

It was her, 'Linne' herself.

Baden gulped as he watched Linne's face as she raised the cup to her lips.

BAM──!

In the midst of this, a hand suddenly intervened and snatched Linne's glass away, then roughly placed it down on the table.

At that moment, Baden frowned.

The squinty-eyed man walked slowly and grabbed the kettle's handle.

“Kuaaaaaaah!”

He just threw it at Baden.

“What, what are you doing, you fu*king dog!”

Baden, who had spilled the contents of the boiling kettle, cursed harshly.

His face was so murderous that it wouldn't have been strange if he had reached for the scabbard on his waist.

“This, this, this is crazy……!”

“Lord Yurian, what are you doing now!?”

Upon hearing the man's name, Baden froze like a corpse.

'Yurien? You're Yurien now?'

Cold sweat began to run down Baden's back.

The smiling executioner.

As the royal dog, he is an extremely vicious and evil spirit who kills both nobles and commoners without discrimination.

It is no exaggeration to say that there is no one in the empire who does not know its notoriety.

'No, but even so, would the man in front of me be that smiling executioner?'

Baden thought so.

“I said that because I thought there were impurities in the drink. I was just checking.”

“Huh huh,” Yurian said with a short laugh and turned his gaze to the two cups in front of him.

“It doesn’t look like you tampered with the drink, but rather the cup.”

“Th, what is that…….”

“If not, try drinking it from the cup you gave us.”

The squinty-eyed man lifted the cup and handed it to Baden.

"uh……?"

As he hesitated, doubt began to appear in Linne's eyes.

Baden cursed inwardly and decided to call the members of the organization stationed nearby. At that moment.

Clang──!

The squinty-eyed man took coins out of his wallet and placed them on the table without a care in the world.

“You clearly said the guide fee was 300 nares, right? If not…….”

Clang──!

That wasn't the end.

Yulian flipped the coin again.

The amount piled up on the table was 1200 naira.

“Should I also calculate the share of the three escorts stationed nearby?”

“……?!”

The tone of voice was calm, like a lake reflected in the moonlight.

The meaning implied in a short sentence is not limited to just one.

The intuition to instantly detect secretly placed members of an organization. And the courage to enter this house even though he knew they were there.

It is clear that he is someone who has great confidence in his abilities.

'That, that means… … .'

The man in front of you might be the notorious and terrifying person himself.

“What would you like to do?”

A soft voice.

At that moment he realized.

The money in front of you is not a simple 'request fee'.

This is pocket money.

These are the 'lives' of the four people who are here now.

“What…what should I do?”

Baden gave in.

In order to survive, there was no choice but to accept it.

“Location of Route 034A, information on recent incidents on Route 034A.”

It was impossible to find compassion in that gentle smile.

All you can see is a deep abyss.

A swamp from which one cannot escape.

Baden trembled.

I sincerely hope this situation ends.

“And, please embroider. Easy, right?”