Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 197

Episode 197. Proof of Loyalty (1)

Late at night.

The place that Colparan had chosen as the meeting place for the secret meeting was the bridge where he had stabbed 'Fern' in the stomach with a sword and performed an unusual play.

“You must be having a hard time this late at night, Sir Yurian.”

Unlike the other days, there was no high full moon or pouring rain, so it was a bit dark and bleak.

Thanks to that, it was a place where no sign of life could be felt at all.

There, Colparan was waiting for me, his face hidden by his long-brimmed fedora pulled down low.

A man with a hood over his head was also seen next to him.

He had a scabbard slung around his waist, and judging by the aura he gave off, he seemed to be a monk named 'Al Hassar', whom I had seen before.

“Isn’t it my job to stay up all night and take care of the royal family’s ‘worries’?”

Colparan, who thought it was a lame joke, laughed at my answer and looked down at the water channel.

“By the way, why is it? You are already old, and I think my heart will hurt if I catch a cold in the cold wind of the system.”

“Saying things that are not in your heart.”

Colparan's brow furrowed as if he knew that he was being cursed at.

But there won't be much you can do about it.

I wasn't strong-hearted enough to pounce on 'Yurien' who was provoking me like this.

“…….”

There was a brief silence.

Could it be because I got hit by a tornado?

A chill-like energy that began to rise from the ground shimmered around our bodies.

As if the energy had penetrated his entire body, Colparan began to slowly open his mouth while buttoning up his clothes.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the news of the Black Sword’s return, Sir Yurian.”

also…….

Colparando also had a source of information, talking about the 'return of the swordsman'.

“As before, he is not entering the system as an Imperial citizen, but as a member of the Dawning Society, his return is not very welcome.”

Sweeping his beard, Colparan voiced his thoughts.

The white beard fluttered, shining softly in the moonlight.

But that appearance gave me a feeling of being immortal.

I know this old man is a raccoon who only cares about his own well-being.

'An opportunistic, sloppy job'.

That expression is probably quite accurate.

“Lady Eleanor, no, the Arch Bishop also knows this fact. And he dismissed it as difficult to bring down the ‘Patriarch’ before the Sword Saints return to the system.”

Eleanor knows too.

As she said, it might be difficult to finish the operation before the sword returns. No, it is difficult.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that there is only one day left until 'that day'.

With a very serious expression, Colparan glanced at me and opened his mouth.

“However, aside from the matter of the swordsman’s return, I have one concern.”

Colparan's worries.

“I see.”

I dismissed the guy's worries in one word.

whatever.

“……Aren’t you going to ask?”

“How could I interfere in your personal affairs? Just as Lord Colparan does not interfere in my and your Master’s affairs.”

“Ahem…….”

Colparan, who had been talking continuously, showed a look of discomfort.

“Then, from now on, think of it as me talking to myself.”

Did you call me to talk to yourself?

If I go that far, it might seem too immersive, so I decided to just leave it alone.

Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with me… … .

“Pintel O’Bradin, is he a trustworthy man?”

huh?

Hearing Colparan's soliloquy, I slowly turned my head towards him.

Pintel Obradin, is that guy trustworthy?

Tell me, what are you doing?

'He is a trustworthy guy.'

However, it doesn't mean that I 'trust' him.

What I believe in is the characters who have stood out at least once in <Ji-ma-juk>.

In some way, they are people with a clear ideology who have interacted with the 'main character' and thanks to that, have their own narrative and setting.

'Pintel.'

There is nothing that can be called a 'setting' for the guy.

Originally, he was a person who should have died at the hands of the 'Geomseong' a long time ago.

'Why is he so loyal to me?'

I had a question about that.

What if Pintel's loyalty was actually 'false'?

'……hmm.'

This will cause a major disruption to the work that has been piling up so far regarding the replacement of the 'Patriarch'.

“Wasn’t it ‘Pintel’ who originally opposed you the most within the Yeomyeonghoe, Yurian?”

Colparan's words make sense.

“I can’t understand Pintel’s change of heart like that.”

To me, those who did not die or disappear as 'planned' are 'unknown' in and of themselves.

What action to take.

What to think.

You won't know anything unless you experience it yourself.

“If by any chance Pintel has ‘bad’ intentions, it will cause a huge crack in our purpose…….”

“That goes for Kolparan as well.”

Even the speaking Colpard knows that he himself is included in the target of the words he speaks.

“That’s… um.”

Still, the quick-witted Colparan seemed to immediately understand what I was trying to say.

The old raccoon stroked his whiskers and watched the flowing river.

Looking at that appearance, I think the meaning that he is no exception was well conveyed.

“I guess I talked nonsense.”

“No, Sir Colparan. It is a natural suspicion.”

“No way. Don’t you think you can do it on your own? Okay. I’ll be going now.”

Colparan, who seemed uncomfortable with my words, left a greeting and disappeared.

Yeah, I guess that's okay.

I'll do well, but I'm not very good at it.

‘… … That makes sense.’

There's no harm in being careful, you know.

As the story progresses, who were the characters that should have died?

Pintel.

Yulsis.

And… … Angelica.

Grrrrr──.

As I thought to myself, 'Angelica', the guy tilted his head, as if he thought I was calling him.

It may not be visible to Colparan and Al Hassar, who are getting further and further away, but it would be troublesome if the demon's energy flowed out.

'I didn't call you, you punk.'

Kook.

When I gently pressed the guy with my finger, several of his eyes rolled around and then he came back into my arms.

'Angelica was an unknown being who didn't even have a name.'

Right now, it's a bit ambiguous to call him a trustworthy colleague…

Should I call it a trustworthy pet?

'I gave a name to a guy who didn't even have a name, and from then on, I felt like he was definitely following me.'

It's just a guess, but it's possible that giving a 'name' can help you become more connected to the object.

Don't they say that a 'name' is the place where you stand now and in the future?

'hmm.'

Your thoughts are getting deeper.

It probably doesn't mean anything.

***

“I'll say it again.”

The dungeon of House Obradin, where silence reigns.

There, Pintel's voice resonated clearly, with both hands on his magic wand.

“Don’t even think about coming out of there.”

The voice, though not loud, was clearly heard and reached Gerard's ears as he opened the prison door.

Gerard, hearing Pintel's voice, couldn't move his body easily.

'This kid… … .'

When he almost died by his own hands the other day, Pintel's sense of intimidation was not at this level.

I know that he was a promising wizard and was well-versed in his family's unique magic.

It was thanks to that power and the reputation he had built up that he was able to enter the Yeomyeonghoe.

However, Gerard, who had learned to sense 'magic' and handle 'sound magic' through Aiden's research, felt his body shrink without realizing it as he saw the 'mana' flowing out of Pintel.

Because I understood 'magic', even if it was through a shortcut.

You can now feel the extent to which Pintel has reached this level.

“Pintel, my friend. Why are you acting so stupid?”

Originally, I planned to sneak out at dawn when no one was around and deliver the 'recording' to the Patriarch.

In this way, he returns to the Dawn Society and continues his former life as a noble.

That was all I could think about.

“Yurien, what did that kid do for you to become such a loyal dog!!”

Gerard's lips trembled with anger.

Before that incident, Pintel's position and his own were clear enough to be seen at a glance.

Heaven and earth.

Unlike himself, who had influence in both the Dawn Society and the noble society, Pintel was just a magician who only studied magic.

“It’s ugly.”

As Pintel's cold gaze turned towards him, Gerard bit his lip.

“That means you’re still wagging your tongue, Gerard.”

Gerard, realizing that no matter what he said, he could not damage the faith that Pintel held, took a step forward with his characteristically playful tone.

“No, listen to me. Now, I am casting this spell on the Patriarch…….”

One step.

As he stepped out of the prison, a dagger filled with mana flew into Gerard's eyes.

Phew──!

A blade stuck in my right shoulder.

“Ugh!”

As the sharp knife was stuck in his body, Gerard fell to his buttocks with excruciating pain.

“This, this is profit……!”

Bright red blood flowed down my shoulder with a sharp pain like an active volcano erupting.

“This fu*king kid!”

Even though he was receiving all of Gerard's wrath, Pintel opened his mouth with an extremely emotionless attitude, brushing the dust off his shoulder with his right hand.

“Did I seem to be joking? This will be your final warning, Gerard.”

Buzz.

As Pintel breathed mana into the magic staffs he held in both hands, his specialty, 'dagger magic', began to sway in the sky.

'To this extent… … .'

It is impossible to avoid this magic entirely.

The moment he tries to leave the prison, those daggers will rain down like rain.

'Was this kid strong?'

It is impossible to avoid.

It won't be easy to block it with the 'sound magic' that he has learned, which is close to a shortcut.

'We have to shake it up somehow.'

Pintel, the keyword that can shake this guy's mind.

Fortunately, Gerard knew that.

“……Do you know the secret of Yurian that you believe in and follow so much?”

“You don’t need to know. Not until He tells you.”

“Then let me tell you something!”

This would certainly shake up Pintel's spirit.

“Yurien, that guy is the Black Knight.”

If so, there will be a loophole in the dagger magic, and it will be possible to surprise someone.

"……what?"

As expected.

At the mention of the name 'Black Knight', cracks appeared on Pintel's previously emotionless face.

“The black knight who once led you to ruin and ruined your plans! That black knight is none other than Yurian!”

It's a given.

Because it was the 'Black Knight' who ruined his plans to the point where he demoted Pintel from being a bishop to the level of a 'monsignor'.

Pintel could not accept the fact that the one he served was the one who led him to his own destruction──.

“So what do you want me to do?”

Pintel opened his mouth in a tone of indifference.