Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 165

Episode 165. Lies from the North (1)

'As expected… … . It's as expected.'

Sneak.

I turned my gaze to the person approaching me.

A young man wearing a neatly tailored coat.

The spirit he exudes is similar to that of a 'knight', but he feels a bit lacking when compared to a strong person like 'Zahart'.

'Bishop Uberon Hynix.'

He is the second son of the Hynix family, one of the four great families of the Empire, commonly referred to as the 'Dragon's Bloodline'.

A guy who reached out to a dirty place called 'Yeongmyeonghoe' to escape the shackles of fate of being the 'second son' and obtain the position of head of the household.

It is said that Uberon always speaks sternly, perhaps because he feels he should not be looked down on because he is younger than other bishops.

“I never thought I’d see you in a place like this. You seem to be interested in photography too, huh?”

I don't really feel that way.

It's like the feeling of people in their 20s just starting out in society acting like old farts?

'That's funny.'

But I guess we should get along anyway.

He's one of the prime suspects.

“Yes, unlike paintings, photographs allow you to feel the emotions you felt at the time you took the photo. It is literally a refined hobby that contains sentiments.”

Now, I wonder if I've really gotten used to acting as 'Yurien', because I'm just saying things I don't mean.

As if satisfied with my words, Uberon smiled and took a step closer to me.

'hmm…….'

As I watched Uberon approach, I brought the glass I had just brought from the entrance to my lips.

Although it contained champagne, the alcohol content was not high enough to make you drunk.

It's not like I'll get drunk just by drinking.

I looked at him, taking a sip and swallowing it.

'Are you the one who spread the rumor?'

To find out, all we have to do is start talking now──.

“Are you looking for the person spreading the uncomfortable ‘rumor’?”

Likewise, Uberon took the glass and muttered quietly.

The reason I brought that up is because I know why I showed up here.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, since there are a lot of rumors that make me uncomfortable.”

At first, he pretended not to know, but he may have brought up that topic on purpose.

If I had noticed it just by visiting, it means that I might have known that the exchange meeting was a place to find out 'tumors'.

So it could be that he hit the player.

To get off the suspect list.

'For example… … .'

Glance.

I looked at Uberon's complexion.

He looks slightly pale, and you can even see a little cold sweat running down his face.

Well, I guess the 'color of negativity' doesn't really make you feel anything special since it's not visible yet?

“You don’t look well. Have you done something I shouldn’t know about?”

“……What, what?”

As he spoke with a smile worthy of 'Yurien', Uberon's face turned even paler.

'The more I look at it, the more suspicious it seems.'

Although it is a member of one of the four great families representing the nobility of the empire, the 'Hynix family' can be said to be fitting for the expression 'setting sun'.

The 'Dragon's Protection' that can no longer be found.

In the past, there was a time when they would display their family's unique aura, as if to truly show that they were of the 'dragon's blood', and their entire bodies would be covered in 'scales', showing off their overwhelming strength.

'However, it was explained at the beginning of the game that the dragon race was almost extinct during the time when the demons ruled.'

The dragon that protected the family disappeared, and furthermore, the 'dragon's blood' that was once pure became thinner with each generation.

Now, there are even people who say that the term 'dragon's bloodline' is an exaggeration.

'Still, since we are part of a noble family, it would be good to maintain a close relationship… … .'

What's important now is to find the person who is spreading false rumors and putting my safety at risk.

“If what I think is correct, please tell me.”

Let me ask you a little more directly.

“Sir Uberon. Are you by any chance the one spreading the ‘rumor’?”

“……I wonder if Sir Yurian would be in a difficult position if that ‘rumor’ spreads?”

Huh, this guy. Just trying to be useless.

'Yurien' has the power to intimidate opponents in any situation.

Because of that, Uberon, who lost the initiative of the story, is trying to bring about the flow while leaving me alone.

“I know that the Patriarch’s actions are not what they used to be, but it is too much to decide to do something because of that…….”

Swish.

Meet Uberon's gaze.

A man with 'crossed eyes' began to appear in his eyes.

“Surely I would doubt him? What I am trying to do is warn you not to create unnecessary suspicion in an already confusing situation.”

As you said.

I do not doubt 'Patriarch Tenelon'.

I don't believe it even though the premise was wrong in the first place.

I am just a person who pursues contentment and happiness.

“That’s great loyalty, considering you backed down at first.”

Take a step back.

From the beginning, my heart towards the 'Yeomyeonghoe' was flying far away like a swallow.

“I know this is an answer to that, but unfortunately I am not the one who started the rumor.”

what?

I was quite taken aback by his confession, but it didn't show on the outside.

Uberon once again moistened his lips with champagne. Afterwards, he pretended to share his 'photography hobby' and showed us some photos.

Because I have to keep the secret story secret from anyone.

“Actually, I’m also looking for the person who spread that rumor.”

“Are you talking about Uberon?”

"hmm."

Uberon let out a short sigh.

Why? Why would this guy do that… … .

“In two weeks, my brother will return. If there is an internal strife then, or even before then, wouldn’t the Dawn Society have no power or justification to help me?”

Ah, so you were planning to use the power of the Dawn Society to take the position of the head of the household.

If an uprising were to break out to overthrow the 'Patriarch' as he had said, all the efforts he had invested in the 'Dawn Society' so far could go down the drain.

“Why are you telling me that?”

Suddenly, a question arose.

It's so easy, it seems to say everything.

“It’s called a social gathering place. It’s a place where even just one person can come to build connections with other nobles. I’m just fulfilling that role.”

Oh, so… … .

Now I could clearly see Uberon's intentions.

He showed his intention to somehow include 'Yurien' within the realm of his 'network'.

“Who knows, even in the future, Yurian Kyung might need the power of the Hynix family?”

That's true.

No matter how much the sun sets, the Four Great Families will be of help in the future.

'And in the story, the Hynix family ended up going to this guy.'

As the 'Second Son's Rebellion' became successful.

Then, they aggressively took over the surrounding territories, and eventually… … .

'hmm?'

Is this how it continues?

“You overestimate me. That’s good. I like to overestimate myself.”

This is the moment when the ego that wants to be recognized by others clearly appears.

Uberon, who had been laughing at the useless joke, seemed to have finished what he wanted to say and just walked away, heading into the crowd.

It wasn't a lie when I said earlier that I wasn't the one who spread the rumors.

Since I can read the other person's emotions with the "color of negativity," I can tell to some extent whether it is a lie or not by 'feeling' it.

Well then, should we wait for the next guest to arrive?

As I stood there blankly, looking around, Dantes approached me as if he had been waiting for me.

“Haha, looks like we had a funny story! That fat Uberon is laughing out loud.”

As always, Dantes approached me with a friendly smile.

His actions, which showed no signs of distress, seemed to prove that he was a cheerful person.

“Do you know Lord Uberon?”

“I know, he is a member of the Four Great Clans and lives in the neighboring territory, how could I not know him?”

Sighing, Dantes smiled so brightly that his teeth were clearly visible.

“How did things go?”

Like Pintel, I had one task for Dantes.

It is to find out the whereabouts of the runaway 'Gerard'.

“Um… Unfortunately, it’s still too early to follow that tail. Haha.”

Dantes laughed heartily again.

What did you do well that made you smile?

“Even the information power of the Christo family is insufficient. It seems like they really are hiding it well.”

“Yes, Gerard was a very meticulous man, despite his apparent actions.”

"okay."

I was convinced by his words and asked him in a subtle way.

“Can I ask you one more question?”

“Hmm? You can say whatever you want. If it’s you, you can tell me anything.”

“Good.”

I put the glass down on the table and met Dantes' gaze.

“If you know the general situation, why are you spreading useless rumors to the Yeomyeonghoe?”

It's not just a guess. I was able to be certain of it after talking to Uberon.

I'm talking about the fact that Dantes Christo was the one who threatened me with the 'rumor'.

***

Dantes is not a fool.

I knew that the reason Yurian showed up at the 'Scenic Photography' exchange meeting was to find the 'person who spread the rumor'.

He had no connection to this exchange in the first place.

I know he collects art, but I've never heard of him having 'photography' as a hobby, so it must be an intentional approach.

Dantes approached Yulian with a clear understanding of his intentions.

Because you wouldn't know that you're the one involved.

All I had to do was to act like a fool and leisurely leave the meeting.

But──.

“I don’t understand, Sir Dantes. Even if there were a purpose for it, I don’t think I would understand it.”

Yulian knew.

That he was the one who spread that 'rumor'.

'What should I do?'

Dantes began to rack his brain as much as he could.

What you need to do now is to evade your claim. Since there is no clear evidence, it will work.

“What are you talking about, Yulian? What would I gain by spreading such rumors?”

“So you ask, what is the purpose?”

What I feel from Yulian is a strong conviction.

I could feel the pathological thinking of excluding one's own enemies without any consideration.

“……It’s difficult to say it like that. I really don’t know anything about it.”

Dantes decided to try to avoid it one more time.

The lack of solid evidence is what led to that choice.

As if he had sensed the intention, Yurian smiled and opened his mouth with a strong tone.

“Lord Uberon said that he wants to become the head of the household, beating out his eldest son, and that he wants to borrow the power of the Dawning Society.”

“What, what does that have to do with me?”

Huhu, Yurian's half-closed eyes, which had been smiling briefly, became more sinister.

“If Lord Uberon becomes the head of the household with the help of the Dawning Society, the promise with the ‘eldest son’ of the Hynix family will go down the drain.”

“…….”

“Isn’t that right? If the ‘eldest son’ continues the family line, you will be able to get your hands on the mine of ‘pyroxene,’ the material for the resonance stone.”

Dantes' movements stopped for a moment as if his thoughts had been discovered.

“So, by spreading rumors, you can block Lord Uberon’s request.”

Yulian's mouth approaches Dantes' ear.

“Furthermore, I think I can handle it too.”