Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 28

Episode 28. Mixed Stone (1)

Soul stone.

This demon heart, which is extracted only from demons with a triangle or higher size, is a material for making horns for the 'Demonic Heart', a sacred relic of the demon Barbatos, and is also a vessel that collects the remaining thoughts of the demon god.

In addition, if you gather all those remnants of death into one, it could lead to the resurrection of the demon god, so it can be said that it is something that is very closely related to the current purpose of the Dawn Society.

'The moment I joined the Dawn Society, I was given the mission to subdue the Triangle Demon.'

I had expected that there would be a sect of the Dawn Society in the imperial family, but when that expectation became reality, a bitter taste lingered on the tip of my tongue.

An organization that is too large to be called a secret society, and possesses unparalleled power.

So, when I thought about how to deal with this influential organization in the future, my eyes started to go dark.

'But what can I do? Since I'm involved, I have to see it through to the end.'

With that thought in mind, I placed my arm on the windowsill and continued to follow the moving scenery with my eyes.

What I'm currently riding is the Adratan Empire's proud tourist high-speed train.

The destination is the border city of Verniden, the birthplace of the 'Triangle Demon' that was delivered through the secretary's office.

The train wasn't that crowded.

Trains were only a means of transportation for wealthy nobles, as they were powered by incredibly valuable 'resonance stones'.

Moreover, since the railroad is not laid across the entire empire, the number of customers who can use it will be even more limited.

***

“Oh, it’s nice and quiet. It’s truly a blessing to have a means of transportation connecting the big cities.”

So, while I was mulling over my evaluation of the train, Herand, sitting across from me, opened his mouth.

“Yes, Brother Herand.”

"ha ha ha……."

He was sweating coldly and had an uncomfortable laugh.

The face of Herand, whom I happened to meet on the reserved seat of the train, was truly something to behold. It was like seeing an evil spirit with my own two eyes.

“By the way, where is your destination, Brother Herand? Are you thinking of going to the border city of Bernidun like me?”

“That, that’s right. Isn’t the Ascension Day of the Sun God Cult coming up soon? I’m going as the representative of the Craiph family.”

It's Ascension Day, so I guess it's almost that time of year.

When I smiled and answered Herrand's question with, "Is that so?" Herrand swallowed hard.

“Is that because of your mission?”

“Yes, that’s right. To perform my duties as a ‘closed eye.’”

“I see. You’ve had a hard time.”

“Don’t mention it.”

As I glanced over Herand's head, the 'color of fear' continued to writhe above him.

Even without looking at the 'color', you could tell how uncomfortable this seat was, as if he wanted to leave as soon as possible, with his body leaning out of the seat.

“By the way, brother, are you taking good care of the orchid I gave you?”

To ease Herand's discomfort even a little, I brought up the topic of orchids.

“Yes, yes, I’m raising them very well. I treasure every single leaf… like it’s my life!”

“I am truly grateful that you raised me as if I were your own life.”

“Ha, haha…… hahaha!”

The 'color of fear' on Herand's face, which was laughing heartily, wriggled even more fiercely.

I just asked if you were growing your orchids well, but how much did you think about it?

***

As the train arrived at the border town of Bernadette, I left the station and headed into the city.

Unlike the Zulin Special Zone that was in the midst of development, Bernidan had a certain amount of people and was a city with a human scent here and there.

Thanks to that, I am the only one called up for this mission. We don't need a magician to repair the resonance stone, and we don't need an escort since we're using the train.

What this means is that when confronting a demon, I can go in and subdue it alone.

I know him, but it's better to do it with others than alone.

'How many 'closed eyes' members are there in Bernieden?'

***

“Then, I’ll go first.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”

“……Just in case, don’t do anything that would displease Lord Oronil, the Count of Change.”

When I looked at Herand's face at the unexpected sound, he continued speaking in a worried voice.

“Before… the Hyrans family that you ended with your own hands… you had a close relationship with that family.”

With those words, Herand dragged the case he had brought and headed into the city.

I'm the one who finished off the Hyrans family.

'I think the second son said he hated me a lot?'

For some unknown reason, the family was purged as traitors and the survivors fled to the Holy Nation of Perenand.

I didn't do it myself, but I felt uneasy. But now I've gotten to the point where I can accept it.

Anyway, I came here on a mission, not to talk to nobles.

“You, Sir Yulian. Thank you for your hard work coming all the way from the island.”

As if they had been watching my arrival closely, several members of the 'Closed Eyes' unit stationed at Bernidan approached me after Herand disappeared.

As the warm sunlight stung my eyes, I covered it with one hand and glanced at the agent who had greeted me.

“Where is the demon I reported to you now?”

According to the report, the demon that appeared around the border city of Bernidan is believed to be a triangle.

A level with one more horn than the previously subdued two-horned monster.

It wouldn't be an easy task, but now that I've completed <Moonlight Sword>, I feel somewhat confident.

Plus, there's the newly acquired <Open Eyes> trait.

“It appears that we are now in the Firun Forest, between the Holy Nation of Perenand and the border of the Empire. However…….”

When the agent, who seemed to be embarrassed somewhere, trailed off somewhere while speaking, I looked straight at his face.

The reputation Yurian has built up is enormous. If it were simply a matter of subduing demons, you would think that the matter would be resolved the moment he arrived.

However, the reason why the ending is so vague is because there are problems other than ‘demon subjugation’.

“The suppression schedule happened to coincide with Ascension Day, the anniversary of the Sun God Cult. That’s why His Majesty the Count asked that the suppression schedule be postponed until after Ascension Day.”

“Did you ask to postpone the schedule?”

"yes!"

Although there is no time limit for this mission, we must return to the system as soon as possible and monitor the Dawning Society's next moves.

'We also need to keep an eye on the movements of Black Star Haydn Reich.'

To do so, it is important to quickly return to the system that can be called the source of the incident.

“When does Ascension Day begin?”

“Well, it’s one week from now. And the festival is scheduled to last for two days.”

This is awkward.

If we were to be tied up here for ten days, it would be impossible to figure out the next move of the Dawn Society.

“My schedule is getting too long. I think I need to talk to the Count.”

“That means…….”

The family in charge of this border city of Bernidan is called the Oronil family, right? That's right, just as I was about to ask to be guided to Oronil's mansion.

– '… … Just in case, don't do anything that will displease Lord Oronil, the Count of Change.'

Suddenly, I remembered what Herand had said before we parted ways.

“……It’s become annoying.”

"yes?"

“No, it’s nothing.”

This situation was ultimately created by the person called 'Yurien'. I clicked my tongue inwardly at that fact and continued speaking.

“Please guide me to the Count’s mansion.”

***

“I’m sorry, Sir Yurian. Currently, the Pyrun Forest is closed to outsiders except for the Sun Cult due to preparations for Ascension Day.”

As expected, my suggestion to finish the work before the start of the Ascension Day holiday was rejected. I laughed inwardly at the truly easy decision, and replied,

“The demon currently appearing in the Pirun Forest is expected to be of the triangular rank. If this demon resumes its activities, it’s obvious that Ascension Day will be a mess.”

“But, isn’t there no movement now?”

Is that what you call talking now? The words almost spilled out of my mouth because they were so absurd, but I managed to keep them inside.

“It’s a demon that’s currently inactive. If you upset that demon and it starts to become active again, wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse?”

“Isn’t this an order from the imperial family?”

“It’s not that I refuse the order. I just want to postpone the schedule for a little while.”

As I stared at him, a small color of 'fear' began to appear above Oronil's head. But that was only for a moment, and soon the color disappeared.

“And, Ascension Day is one of the main tourist attractions here in Bern.”

It must be an import factor.

“If such an Ascension Day is ruined because of your subjugation mission… can you take responsibility for it?”

O'Ronil looked at me with a look of obvious hostility. It won't be solved with words. Thinking so, I stood up from my seat.

Oronil flinched. For a moment, he shifted his gaze to my waist. No, he thought, “Isn’t this why I would draw my sword?”

"dad!"

At that moment, a cheerful voice broke through the tense atmosphere.

The owner of the voice is a girl who looks to be around 7 or 8 years old. She has just had her baby teeth pulled, and she is missing one of her front teeth, so she is definitely a child of that age.

“Te, Terina!”

“Huh? Dad, who is this guy? He’s so handsome!”

“Don’t come near me, Terina! Come here, quickly!”

As soon as his daughter came in, Oronil's 'fear' that had disappeared began to rise again.

I wondered if there was anyone crazy enough to swing a sword at a child like this, but when I thought about the notoriety of 'Yurien', I realized that this was not something to be taken lightly.

“Well, we’ll talk again later, Lord Oronil.”

With nothing more to talk about, I politely said goodbye to Oronil and left the mansion.

As I passed the manicured garden and the entrance to the mansion, the waiting 'Closed Eyes' agents approached me.

“Oh, what happened, Sir Yulian?”

“It was impossible to bring forward the postponed schedule. He was quite single-minded.”

“Is that so……?”

The members have a clear look of regret. It seems like they want to return to the system as soon as possible.

“Then, let’s proceed with the subjugation schedule a week later as the Count instructed…….”

“No, don’t disarm. It probably won’t go according to plan.”

“Huh? What is that…….”

As I looked back at Oronil's mansion, the events that would unfold in the Pirun Forest came to mind.

Here, in the border city of Bernidun, is where players of <Let's Kill the Demon King Now> first encounter the Triangle Demon.

Then, as now, the Ascension was approaching, and I could guess that this was the time when the demons of the Pirun Forest would become active again.

“How many personnel are currently stationed in Bernieden?”

“There are less than five people.”

They alone are not enough to stop it.

Following Oronil's order to postpone the expedition, it would also be impossible to recruit soldiers from Bernidan.

Still, I didn't expect this expedition to be so long.