Playing the Perfect Fox-Eyed Villain Chapter 74

Episode 74. Pruning (1)

After a brief moment of admiration for her appearance, Eileen began to think.

What is the purpose of the rumored 'Black Knight' appearing here?

“Are you curious?”

She flinched at the sight of him speaking as if he knew her true feelings, but soon regained her composure.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just say what I need to say and then go back.”

The black knight continued speaking in a dry tone, then took something out of his bosom.

A simple box that can hold small items.

It was a simple, unadorned, and unsophisticated form, but Irene was somehow curious about what was inside.

“It’s a mixed situation.”

'what?'

This time, his tone was dry, but more than that, she was quite taken aback by his words.

“……A mixed marriage?”

"okay."

A storm of questions raced through my head.

Why does the black knight have a soul stone?

Is there really a ghost in there?

Why are you giving this to me?

“……What is that?”

A question that contains all sorts of meanings.

That's why Irene felt sorry for herself.

That's such a stupid question!

“What are you talking about? Can’t you even recognize that you are doing your own research?”

“I, I know. I’m asking why you’re giving this to me!”

As Eileen became angry instead of holding back her embarrassment, the Black Knight opened the box and showed it its contents.

What's inside is definitely a mixed stone.

It looked a little different from what I had studied before, but it clearly had a splendid red glow and ominous aura.

“Harmony.”

“……Harmony?”

“I have no intention of opposing the royal family. I have harmed the honor of the nobles, but all of this is for the sake of the empire’s prestige.”

Eileen looked into the face of the black knight.

Although I couldn't see any emotions through the eyes, I felt like it was similar to 'someone' in the royal family.

"……lie."

"what?"

“You are lying.”

On the contrary, this person's inner thoughts could be read to some extent.

“Why do you think so?”

“If you really wanted reconciliation with the royal family, you should have talked to the secretariat directly.”

She spoke her mind.

If he wanted 'harmony' as the Black Knight said, he would have gone directly to the secretary's office.

He is just a magician who studies 'soul stones' and has no direct relationship with the royal family.

'Surely, that guy knows this too.'

To the extent that it comes to you with a ‘soul stone’ like this.

If so… … , why?

“You surprisingly have a smart side.”

Eileen's lips twisted slightly at the rude tone and subtle sarcasm, but she didn't show any sign of getting upset.

“As you said, the real purpose is different. However, it is not a lie that I want harmony.”

“Then the real purpose is…….”

“Do you need to know that?”

Eileen flinched at the strong attitude of the black knight.

“If there were just one more soul stone, the research would progress. It wouldn’t be a big loss for you, would it?”

“There is no need for one more. The research has already yielded some results…….”

“The first paper you just submitted, wasn’t it rejected?”

'Ugh.'

Irene had tried to hide her emotions as much as possible, but this time they showed on her face.

“How, how did you do that…….”

“There are many ways to know. So, will you accept this soul stone?”

There is no need to refuse.

However… … , I couldn’t help but feel a sense of rejection at the thought of being played into the hands of the ‘Black Knight’, even though he was a hero to the people, whose intentions I couldn’t read.

Nevertheless, Eileen took the jewel box that the black knight was holding.

“Good idea.”

Even if you feel bad, the means to prove yourself are right in front of you.

To refuse is to be a fool.

“Tell the secretary that the Black Knight has no intention of breaking the imperial code.”

As she watched the 'Black Knight' disappear into the darkness, Eileen felt her insides boiling.

Did you remember me mocking myself a little while ago for being smart? No.

‘… …Why do I like that mask so much?’

It is for complex reasons that cannot be explained in words.

***

“Lord Yurian, may I come in?”

I was doing some simple paperwork in the 'Closed Eyes' office when I heard a knock and Lazrot's voice, so I told him he could come in.

As he entered my office, he greeted me politely.

“It seems you have something to say.”

"yes."

Lazrot nodded at the simple question, looked at me for a moment, swallowed, and began to report.

“It looks like the Arch Bishop’s succession ceremony will be postponed to a later date.”

“Is that so?”

"yes."

“I guess it’s because of the black knight.”

Lazrot looked slightly embarrassed at my softly speaking.

“How did you know?”

“There was quite a fuss in the secretary’s office because of the news that he brought the soul stone. He’s also a member of ‘Closed Eyes’. How could he not know? Hehe.”

Of course, it would be wrong to say, "I brought it to you."

“Sir, I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn…….”

Although it was a meaningless remark, Lazrot apologized for his rudeness.

“However, this seems to bring forward the resolution of the ‘Nameless Group’. Since it has been confirmed that the ‘Black Knight’ is indeed a member of the ‘Nameless Group’, with that……”

Smart──!

As Lazrot continued speaking, a knock was heard again on the office door.

I blurted out, "Come in again."

“Excuse me, Yurian. I came here because I have something to say…….”

A man entered the office.

Lazrot's pupils grew dilated as he examined the familiar man's face.

“Yes, Sir Dantes.”

The one who entered my office was 'Dants Christo', one of the bishops of the 'Order of Dawn'.

With a friendly smile, he turned his gaze to Lazrot.

“Oh, Lazrot, it seems you were assigned here.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

At Dantes' words, a 'purple' haze swirled over Lazrot's head.

If Lazrot now finds out that I'm working as a puppet for him and not for the 'Dawning Society', he could be in trouble.

It seems like he was conscious of that.

“……Oh, I was wondering why Yurian was so well-informed about the internal affairs of the Yeomyeonghoe, but it seems it was thanks to you.”

Dantes, like the experienced nobleman he was, quickly discerned the subtle relationship between us.

I remained calm and composed at his words, but Lazrot seemed to be afraid of something, as the purple glow above his head began to shake violently.

“That’s right. We have a personal partnership, not just with the Yeomyeonghoe.”

When I confirmed that fact, Lazrot looked at me in surprise.

I guess he thought I would defend him.

“And so must you, Dantes Christo.”

As he spoke in a strong tone, Dantes hid his good-natured smile.

“The Christo family amassed their wealth through the transportation industry. I understand that they fought for the status of the empire, but…….”

I showed him one of the documents I was organizing. It clearly showed the corruption that the 'Christo family' had been hiding until now.

“It is a problem to be in collusion with the Holy Nation of Perenand.”

Dantes began to read the documents I had handed him with an indifferent expression. After reading them all, he gave a hollow smile and handed them back to me.

“……Haha, you know quite a bit. How did you know this?”

“There are many ways to find out.”

In my case, it wasn't that I 'figured it out', it was that I 'knew' it.

Dantes Christo, he is also a 'Bishop' of the Dawn Society, so he is one of the targets you must conquer as the story progresses.

However, I always had doubts.

The main character, 'Black Saint' Haydn Reich, is an unparalleled hero and a figure who is revered as the 'Black Saint', but why does he fight them head-on and not try to appease them?

'The information has already been accumulated.'

For example, the 'Christo Family' was originally a devout member of the Sun God Cult, which had close ties to the Holy Nation.

Or, perhaps the 'Nameless Guest Group' was actually a group created by Gerard.

Things like that.

“There is a church in the Empire that worships the sun god, Solalun. The Christo family doesn’t seem to know about it?”

In fact, the documents in front of you are 'fake', written just to fit the format.

However, Dantes would not have the capacity to verify this.

“Why is ‘closed eyes’ called ‘closed eyes’ for no reason? It’s because it means that if you keep to a certain level, you will ‘close your eyes’ even if you break the rules to some extent.”

Because the mere fact of 'knowing', rather than evidence, would be a problem for the interest.

“I knew a day like this would come someday.”

Dantes continued his ramblings with a detached look on his face.

“So, what do you want, Yulian? If it’s not that I appeared as ‘closed eyes,’ then isn’t there something you want from me?”

Despite realizing that he was holding onto his own weakness, Dantes was quite relaxed.

The imperial family, the pinnacle of power, tends to punish treason strongly.

Dantes, who could not have been unaware of this, was taking it easy because he sensed that there was a hole to live in.

“Yes, if it were to be governed by the rules, Madame Dantes would be on the gallows by now.”

“That’s right. Haha, that’s it. I guess I should thank you for saving my life.”

Dantes looked at Lazrot with a somewhat empty smile.

“I see why you’re playing with Yurian’s hand. You’re probably in a similar situation to me now, aren’t you?”

As Dantes said this, Lazrot began to watch me closely.

These guys always make me look like a bad guy… … Yeah, that's right.

Yes, because I am the squinty-eyed villain 'Yurien' from 'Let's Kill the Demon King Now'.

***

“Black Knight bastard, you’re doing something useless again…….”

Gerard, too, was extremely annoyed by the fact that the 'Black Knight' had delivered the soul stone to the royal family.

Tenelon had planned to take over as 'Patriarch' and the position of 'Arch Bishop' would become vacant before he could proceed with 'the work', but the succession schedule was pushed back.

'Well, in some ways, it could be a blessing.'

Yulian is a more cunning guy than I thought.

Although the 'Black Knight' is said to be a member of the 'Nameless Guest Group', he is an elusive guy.

Since you've decided to sort out the two, it would be a good idea to start by laying a solid foundation.

'Besides, this time Lord Tenelon has summoned me personally.'

Could it be that the fact that he called at the same time as the succession ceremony meant that Tenelon had secretly decided to be the 'Arch Bishop'?

Of course, I know it's a vain dream.

But he thought that there could be no other reason for him to be called at this time.

Meanwhile, he arrived at the interview location with Tenelon, checked his clothes, and went inside.

***

“They say the Black Knight delivered the soul stone to the imperial family.”

First, the words that came out of Tenelon's mouth had nothing to do with the 'succession ceremony'.

“Yes, I heard that too. How far will that damned bastard go to feed us…….”

“Gerard.”

Gerard looked at Tenelon, who was calling him in a quiet voice.

Normally, he would feel very uncomfortable with being interrupted, but he wasn't stupid enough to reveal that to someone like Tenelon.

“What would you do if there were mice running around in the garden you created?”

Gerard couldn't understand the unexpected question, but he decided to answer it sincerely.

“If it were me, I would kill him.”

“Why?”

“If you see one mouse, there may be many more in the garden that you cannot see.”

"hmm……."

“We have to show them an example. There are rats everywhere. I think it’s important to show them an example so they won’t even think about showing up.”

Watching him speak as if flowing water, Tenelon took off the mask he was wearing.

Then, the scars from the 'Black Sword' were clearly revealed on his face.

Gulp.

Gerard swallowed quietly, because it was the first time he had seen his face.

“Really? If that’s what you want, then there’s nothing I can do.”

His mouth twisted into a resigned voice.

It felt like a smile, but because of the scars, there was something eerie about it.

“Why did you betray us, Gerard?”