Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 169

Episode 169. Admiral Lee Dok (3)

In fact, Pintel no longer has any interest in the current 'Dawn Society'.

The reason I initially joined there was simply to expand my 'network'.

Furthermore, it was to reach a slightly better level as a ‘wizard’.

In a way, that was only natural.

Magi and mana are different, but they have similar properties.

Perhaps because of that, among those who belong to the 'Dawn Society', there are quite a few who are proficient in 'magic', and furthermore, there are many who handle 'magic', so it is a group with a certain reputation.

In the first place, the roots of the 'Yeongmyeonghoe' were not something that went beyond the 'level' as it is now, but rather a group of those who handled 'magic' in order to study 'yin magic'.

It didn't matter to Pintel whether the group had defected or changed its direction.

Get what you want, give what you need.

The law of equivalent exchange is applicable not only in society, but also in magic.

– 'You have been demoted to the rank of Monsignor. You should know your place, you piece of trash.'

But Pintel watched as what he could gain disappeared and his efforts went down the drain.

'Is there any reason to be more loyal to the 'Dawn Society' than now?'

I began to wonder.

Even though the irregular entity known as the 'Black Knight' interfered and interfered with his work, the achievements he had made so far would not have been lost.

No, I knew from the beginning that wasn't the case.

That the 'merit' accumulated in such secret societies has no value.

'I wasted my time.'

I even quit 'Matap' to join the Yeomyeonghoe.

Because I stopped my research, I was no longer able to participate in any magic-related projects.

The Academy, and the declining House of Obradin.

Pintel, who had nowhere to lean on, was so driven that he would have no regrets even if he took his own life at any moment.

– 'Please lend me your strength, Sir Pintel.'

Then Yurian came to visit.

Yurian asks for a hand to overthrow Gerard.

Of course, Pintel, who did not know the plan, denied his words.

We weren't even close to each other in the first place.

Rather, his actions up to now were so contrary to his own life that they had no connection whatsoever.

That Yurian took the attack from 'Gerard' and asked him to lend him his strength.

– 'Now that you have regained your position as Bishop, I hope you won't act so miserably like before, since we have tacitly joined hands.'

It also helped me regain the position I had lost.

'The House of Obradin is completely loyal to those who give it a chance.'

This family motto was meant to express unwavering loyalty to the royal family, but Pintel interpreted it differently.

So I've been following him until now.

Even if his judgment is an oversight, it can be accepted.

“I will spare Fern. The Dantes he is chasing has escaped from the Exchange Hall and is currently on the run.”

No matter how wrong it was, his thoughts had a corner that an ordinary person like himself could not catch up to.

“……Well, if we deal with that guy for no reason, the imperial surveillance may become more intense.”

“Yes, if we kill him, it would be like confessing that it was our doing.”

'also…….'

It is clear that Yulian has thought this far.

As a member of the 'Imperial Agency', I was able to broaden my perspective by being fully aware of what was happening inside.

'still…….'

Would it be right to leave Fern alone?

Pintel continued to ponder.

Later on, if something happens to that kid, it might be too late to respond.

'At least until Sir Yurian gets his hands on the Dawn Society.'

The guy needs to keep quiet.

***

What happened at the exchange meeting spread like wildfire.

Pintel, who was the organizer there, was summoned to the secretary's office and forced to cooperate with the investigation into the incident.

Fortunately, the other nobles who had been addicted did not lose their lives.

Anna Lui's 'Puppet Poison' causes the target to lose consciousness and become controllable, but does not have a fatal effect on the body.

However, it is said that there are quite a few people who were seriously injured after being hit by attacks wielded by those controlled nobles.

'That's none of my concern.'

It wasn't my fault that this happened.

That's why I thought that nothing would happen until Annarui, who had fainted, came to her senses.

“Congratulations, Sir Yurian. With this, you may have been chosen by the Second Prince.”

If only it weren't for this.

“But is it right to say that I should congratulate you on this……”

Odwin glanced over the official documents handed down from the secretary's office and looked at them with a cold expression.

“What's going on?”

“It’s because of something that happened at the exchange meeting the other day. I’ll read it to you briefly. Ahem.”

Odwin cleared his throat and began reading the official document in his hand.

“Affiliated with the Imperial Family, Yurian with closed eyes.”

As my name came out of her mouth, I started to feel a little dizzy.

What on earth are you trying to say by starting off with such grandeur?

“In recognition of your contributions to the Imperial Family and your swift response to recent atrocities, the Secretariat hereby awards you the Order of Merit, Second Class, the Order of the Ten Swords of the Royal Guard.”

“……Are you talking about the Order of the Ten Swords of the Golden Guard?”

"yes."

Odwin nodded to my question.

Ten Swords of the Royal Guard

It is a second-class medal of the Adratan Empire, and only 10 people per century in the continental calendar can receive it.

It doesn't really give you any kind of enormous 'power'.

'After all, a medal is not something you want to give as an important position or award, but something to show off.'

But if you ask if it doesn't have much significance, that's also ambiguous.

Medal of Honor, 2nd class.

There is a tax exemption benefit attached to it for 'taxes', and the target is the 'art' item handled by the 'empire'.

That is, it was a benefit that the old 'Yurien' would have drooled over.

'As expected, this isn't much of a blessing for me.'

Were there any other benefits? I don't remember them, but it's obvious that they wouldn't mean anything.

Now, what's more important than that.

“Why is the name of the Second Prince mentioned?”

In order to bestow the 'Golden Ten Swords' medal, only a 'high-ranking person' in the imperial family can do so.

Of course, these 'high-ranking people' come from the 'royal family', so they are not talking about ordinary 'nobles'.

Literally, high bloodline.

It means 'royal family', the sun of the empire.

“I see that the one who initiated the award ceremony was His Highness Osborne d’Adratan, the Second Prince.”

"yes."

Odwin sighed deeply at my words.

“I’m screwed……”

After that, she looked at me with a distorted face.

“Of all times, why did you score a goal at this timing……”

Why is that! What's the problem?

“I think this will make others think we support the Second Prince.”

Ahh… … . I really worry about nothing.

What on earth is this 'maintaining neutrality' that makes you worry so much about useless things?

“If you’re so worried, why don’t you, as the captain, just decline the medal?”

“Oh, I see. And you, the one who will be hanged for disrespecting the imperial family, will be the one who will behead me.”

“Well then, I’ll be counting on you then, Sir Odwin. Haha.”

One thing that has come to light recently is that while 'Odwin' is usually calm, when it comes to 'royalty', that calm tends to disappear.

Of course, most nobles would have no choice but to do so.

Because the Adratan Empire can be said to be a country that exists for the royal family.

‘… … Shouldn’t we start a revolution at least once?’

Frankly, it seems like there is a need for that.

It's too imperial-centric.

I didn't feel that way in the game, but now that it's become reality, I feel like I have a lot more to think about.

But… …, when I looked at Odwin with my unseen eyes, his expression still showed no sign of loosening.

How can someone so sensitive keep his eyes closed?

“Sir Odwin, I think you think too much.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes, I think it’s because, unlike me, he’s stuck in the office and just fiddling with paperwork.”

Now that I think about it, it's a tone of speech that could be understood as meaning, 'Stop sucking the honey.'

Of course, if 'Yurian's' face said something like that, most likely it would be received that way.

Yeah, just now Odwin's expression changed to that. It was like, 'What on earth are you trying to say?'

I thought about the award ceremony as I gave her a refreshing smile.

'We didn't even meet in person, and they invited us overtly.'

If you are a noble, you cannot help but join in the ostentatious formalities of the royal family. That is the fate of a noble who holds a position in the 'Adratan Empire'.

… … I have to go anyway.

“When will the award ceremony be held?”

I held out my hand and gestured for the official document.

“They said it would be held in front of the second gate in three days.”

3 days later.

By then, I hope we can clearly figure out who is behind 'Six Fingers'.

Going further.

'Dants, you should definitely know this guy's location too.'

While I was at it, I decided to stop by the dungeon.

If Anna Louis had come to her senses, it might have been quicker to talk to her.

Because they are directly related parties.

And anyway, after having a few conversations, you will be able to resolve your curiosity.

'by the way.'

The Second Prince, Osborn, is awarded the Order of the Ten Swords of the Golden Guard.

Since he is also in a position to fight over the 'right to the throne', I also know that he has to show off his power to the world in many ways.

Even though he was a sacrificial lamb for that, he did receive a 'medal', so it's not that bad.

'But, in many ways, it seems like you're intertwined with the heirs.'

Even if Odwin didn't say anything, I don't want to get involved with anyone related to 'Succession'.

All I want is to survive safely in this world.

After stopping the progression of the scenario called 'The Resurrection of the Demon God', I just want to live a quiet and leisurely life.

'In that sense, getting involved with princes is like planting a tumor in my future.'

Yeah, that's right.

'Okay, then.'

Let's go check on Annarui's face. And while we're at it, let's give Zahat some food.

***

Lazrot knows.

If you were to choose who in the imperial family has the strongest 'influence' aside from the 'royal family', it would be 'Smiling Executioner' Yurian.

Although he is an apprentice of 'Closed Eyes', he frequently visits the secretary's office as a spy for the 'Yeomyeonghoe' and has recently realized that many people are paying attention to 'Yurian's' movements.

“Lazrot, I have some business to attend to. Would you please leave this official document on my desk?”

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

“And please water the plants on the windowsill. The appropriate amount is written on the watering can with the name of the plant, so you can refer to that.”

"All right."

As Lazrot nodded politely, Yurian adjusted his coat and left the building.

Looking at the back of his head, Lazrot expected it.

'Obviously, the Second Prince will also try to persuade Sir Yurian.'

He asked if I would join his cause under the pretext of receiving the 'Golden Ten Swords Medal'.

Even if Yurian refuses, it won't be a big blow to Osborne.

In the first place, the rumor that 'Yurian' was attracted to the 'medal award ceremony' alone could spread.

'But Sir Yurian will deny full support.'

Because they know that it increases their value.

'Closed eyes' must remain neutral.

That is why it is the position of Captain Odwin that no prince should be supported.

'Let me put it the other way around.'

It doesn't matter which prince you support.

Because 'neutral' actually means including all possibilities.

In other words, among those who support the 'right to the throne', no one has the most fluid position and can choose the 'camp' they want.

'It's Sir Yurian.'

That cross-eyed man must also know about this situation.

Looking at Yurian's back moving away, Lazrot felt fear.

Wherever he went, accidents and incidents occurred.