Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 5

Episode 5. Reaping the benefits (2)

I smiled and thought to myself as I looked at the prospective recruits gathered at the parade grounds.

'I did it. I did it!'

Let's be honest.

It was only when I came here that I realized that the entrance test for 'Closed Eyes' was a sparring match.

Although I brought a sword, I didn't think I would ever swing it, but only to show off my character as 'Yurien'.

In that situation, when I learned from the guide that the entrance test was a sparring match, my mind went blank.

Because he was just wearing the mask of 'Yurien', he wasn't really 'Yurien'.

At first, I thought about running away using my injury as an excuse.

But that couldn't be done.

There were many people here who knew Yulian.

There are already rumors going around that he has lost his memory and is not the same as before, so if he shows any signs of weakness here, he could end up in a desperate situation.

In particular, the person who was already targeting Yurian might move at any moment.

Then death is confirmed.

'And since there are already variables, I can't move rashly.'

The only character who feels 'disgust' rather than 'fear' towards Yurian.

'Ilene de Donatien'.

She was among the people watching the entrance test.

It's harder to show a gap when you don't know why they're feeling that way.

Because maybe this incident will change 'hatred' to 'hostility' and attack.

As I said before, the current me, 'Yurien', does not have any means of resistance.

The moment she moves, there's nothing I can do.

'It won't work out that way.'

So, I definitely needed to prove it in this entrance test.

'I, Yurian, am still alive and well.'

So I decided to be openly provocative.

Although he was nothing special, he completely transformed into a glass-eyed man and gave a perfect performance.

Fortunately, the mood froze over as if it had worked.

At that moment, only one hopeful opened his mouth.

“A, when a person dies… you mean? Sir Yurian?”

"yes."

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

I looked at him with a smiling face.

Then, naturally, I notice the azalea blooming on his head.

purple.

The 'horror' I was expecting appeared.

Okay, let's go with this.

“The ‘Closed Eyes’ you are hoping to join is a place that smells more bloody than any other place in the Empire.”

Gulp.

Everyone swallowed in unison and looked nervous.

There was no hint of suspicion at all.

Of course.

All the lines I've said so far are actually lines spoken by 'Jurien Kreifart Frasson' in the work.

“Looking at their faces, it seems like you don’t know them at all. With that kind of mindset, you’re trying to join with your eyes closed… Hehe.”

I continued to act without stopping.

“Then, as your senior, I will give you the opportunity to experience it.”

It may seem like just a scare ploy.

However, even if the words are completely meaningless, the listener cannot dismiss them as sophistry depending on the speaker.

Now I am Yulian.

There is no way they wouldn't know the meaning of this name.

Rather, those who have actually lived it would know better than I, who only encountered it through works.

So I use it.

“Then, I will begin the entrance exam. The condition for passing is that you kill me. The test will end when I die, or… when there are no more applicants left.”

I looked at the prospective recruits gathered at the parade ground with a bright smile.

“……Ugh.”

Purple Azirang

Their 'fear' gradually became more evident.

You realize what I mean.

I glanced at their faces one by one.

Not only the 'color of emotion' but also the color of fear clearly appeared on the face.

'Surrender through fear.'

This was the best move I could make to get through this situation right now.

An ultimatum with the image of 'Yurien', who is so infamous for his infamy.

If you don't want to die, give up on yourself.

How many people would confidently stand up to the empire's greatest villain?

“……F-Fine, I give up.”

The effects soon became clear.

One hopeful, overcome by fear, gave up.

And then after that… … .

“I, I give up too.”

“I give up…….”

“Me, me too.”

"……me too."

One by one, the 'Closed Eyes' hopefuls declared their withdrawal from the team.

'Phew, I guess this is it for now.'

I breathed a sigh of relief and opened my mouth to finish the test.

“How pathetic. There are no successful candidates. They just give up without even trying, haha.”

I sneered at the prospective recruits who I couldn't even make eye contact with.

Okay, it was Yurian-like until the end.

Even I, who hates Yurian, find it creepy, so I'm sure other people will see Yurian as Yurian himself.

I turned my gaze to the audience.

Alain Donatien.

She must have seen it clearly too.

At least the overwhelming brutality of Yurian that cannot be easily touched.

At least it was certain that I would not have any hostile feelings beyond 'disgust' like before.

'What do you think? Now just leave me alone… … … … Huh?'

Wait. What is it?

For a moment, I almost let my smile disappear without me realizing it.

That would be the case, as it had disappeared.

The color of 'disgust' that fiercely showed off its presence above Irene's head.

Of course, that in itself is welcome, but… … .

'No, if it was eaten properly, shouldn't it be normal to be terrified? Or at least be on guard… … .'

Is there something I don't know?

While being confused by the unexpected situation.

Eileen left the parade ground with a strange expression on her face.

“Good job, Yulian.”

“Your Majesty Yurian! Thank you for your hard work!”

A man who appeared to be a knight approached me along with Herand.

I absentmindedly placed my hand on Herand's shoulder.

Then a purple haze rose fiercely above his head.

“Yurien, why are you doing this…!?”

There is nothing wrong with the characteristic <color of negation>.

Isn't Herand proving that right now?

'So, does that mean Irene has no feelings for me?'

This is an incomprehensible situation.

I just can't understand it.

I shook my head and smiled at Herand.

“You must have worked hard. My brother must have worked harder.”

“That, that, that, I’m grateful that you say that, Yurian…….”

I smiled to reassure you… … .

You seem a bit scared.

***

After completing the entrance test, on the way out of the academy.

Herand, the third son of the Cryphat family, glanced next to him.

There, a devil in human skin was walking down the academy hallway with a smile.

'When on earth are you going to bring it up…?'

Herand felt cold sweat running down his back.

Yurian finished the test in an instant without even swinging his sword. That in itself isn't particularly strange considering Yurian's actions up to now.

The problem comes next.

'Thank you for your hard work… … .'

After completing the entrance exam, Yulian said to himself, "You worked harder than me."

What that meant… …Herand could not have not known.

‘Have you already figured out the scheme of the elders? … .’

Despite his injury, he was given the position of instructor for the entrance test thanks to the influence of the Council of Elders.

The second son of the Torso family, who was taking the test, wanted to test his authenticity by having him spar with him.

If the rumors that he had truly lost his memories were true, his former abilities would be exposed, and even if the rumors were false, that would still be a good thing for the Council of Elders.

During the duel, the second son of the Torso family was supposed to be injured, so they planned to use this as an excuse to send him to the northern front.

After all, this entrance test was merely a stage to catch Yurian.

But things did not go as the council of elders had intended.

Yulian took control of the stage, which was nothing but a trap.

'It must mean that he had a hard time trying to weaken the power of the council of elders' scheme.'

That's why Herand was afraid.

Yurian had noticed the council's plot. And of course he knew that he was caught up in it.

But he didn't ask anything.

When on earth are you going to bring it up?

Even though there was no questioning, Herand felt his throat tighten under the pressure.

My shoulders and steps gradually became heavier.

“The rumors about you losing your memory were all lies!”

Whether he knew his own feelings or not, the knight who had followed him from the training ground was busy supporting Yurian.

Normally, he would have dismissed it as being noisy, but Herand couldn't say anything.

I was so afraid that no matter what I said, I would be nitpicked that I couldn't even open my mouth.

“By the way, Sir Yurian. Did you know that the second son of the Torso family also took the exam this time?”

“The second son of the Torso family? That’s quite unexpected.”

But when the 'Torso family' came up in the conversation between the two, Herand couldn't stand it any longer.

“So, the second son of the Torso family can also take the ‘closed eyes’ test? Do you really want to bring dishonor to the second son of the Torso family by failing the test?”

“Hey, Mr. Herand. That’s not true…….”

“Don’t talk nonsense on the topic of apprenticeship! If you say something without considering the relationship between the Cryphat family and the Torso family, it wouldn’t be strange if you get your head cut off…….”

“Brother Herand, you seem to be reacting strangely.”

Herand flinched for a moment at Yurian's comment.

“Well, it’s not like he showed any strange reactions……!”

“That’s right. The strange thing is the Torso family. They are truly strange…….”

“What, what are you talking about?”

A smile with nothing in it.

He clearly smiled, but showed no emotion.

It's just something close to nothing.

“The ‘Closed Eyes’ are mostly made up of commoners, in order to maintain complete neutrality in the complex political relationships surrounding the imperial family. Even among the nobles, they are all fallen nobles without factions.”

“You, aren’t you a member of our Cryphat family!?”

“Do you really think so? I’ve heard the term ‘the Emperor’s Mad Dog’ more times than the surname Cryphat.”

Herand couldn't say anything.

Although Yurian has the surname 'Cryphat', he is not recognized as a member of the family because he is a collateral branch.

That is a well-known fact.

“Isn’t it because the imperial court judged that my condition would allow me to remain neutral in any situation that I was able to join the ‘Closed Eyes’?”

As Yulian continued speaking, a chill ran down Herand's spine.

“But what about the second son of the Torso family? According to my common sense, even if he passes the first test, he will definitely fail the second document screening. There is no way that the other party does not know this fact that I also know. So, isn’t it strange?”

“What, what are you… talking about?”

“The reason I took the entrance exam even though I knew I would fail is this.”

Herand bowed his head.

I was so scared that I couldn't look him in the face.

“Haha, of course I’m not suspecting anything. Surely…… there would be some kind of slander in this place where members of the imperial agency, ‘Closed Eyes’, are selected? I must have simply been mistaken or unaware.”

“Uh, yeah……?”

Knock, knock.

Herand looked up when Yurian suddenly tapped his shoulder.

“Otherwise it would be really difficult, haha……”

“…….”

Looking into his eyes, Herand had a gut feeling.

Yurian sees through everything.

And the words he spat out with his hand on my shoulder were also intended to intimidate me.

However, the thoughts of the person involved were completely different.

‘… … I’m so scared that I feel sorry for myself.’

I just said it out of sympathy, knowing Herand's circumstances.