Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 305 : Side Story 5 - I Didn't Really Want to See This

Side Story 5 - I Didn't Really Want to See This

Azim ul Azim.

With that greeting, a familiar face appeared under the hood.

It was none other than Rim Hashar, who had belonged to the 'Twilight' division of the Dawn Society. He had appeared.

Yulian studied Rim Hashar's face, recalling memories from the past. He had been one of the most loyal subordinates in the Dawn Society. And even now, that loyalty seemed unchanged.

'Damn.'

Yulian sighed inwardly. He had intended to return to the Empire to quell the chaos, but he had absolutely no intention of making a big deal out of it.

Just quietly.

All he wanted was to say a word to Pintel, the main culprit behind the chaos.

Cut it out, you punk.

That was all he had planned to say.

He could have gotten someone else to deliver the message, but Yulian knew well that the chances of Pintel actually listening to it were slim.

So, he had decided to directly and quietly pass along his message.

'The fact that this guy showed up means Pintel is probably aware of the situation too, right?'

Yulian lifted his chin slightly and studied Rim Hashar's face.

"Rim Hashar."

When Yulian called his name, Rim Hashar stepped forward, eyes shining with emotion.

"Yes, your sword Rim Hashar is here."

Since there were eyes watching, Yulian approached Rim Hashar and spoke quietly.

"Did Sir Pintel send you here?"

Rim Hashar shook his head in response.

"This was our own initiative."

Yulian fell silent, pondering Rim Hashar's answer.

Then how did they know I was coming without Pintel's help? He was just opening his mouth to ask that when—

"There are plenty of our kin in the Suranun Desert."

Come to think of it, these guys were originally from the Suranun Desert. Yulian recalled inwardly.

If they acted independently, it would not reach the ears of Pintel or the Dawn Society.

But to assume that would be naïve. So thought Yulian.

'From the beginning—'

Yulian looked around. Soon, he sensed the presence of people hidden in the trees, one by one.

'Can they really call this number of people "independent"?'

The number of 'Twilight' that had arrived at the border was not only the three he saw now. Including the presences hidden in the trees, it was well over ten.

Surely the Dawn Society would hear of this.

Maybe even the Imperial Family, as well.

So much for slipping in quietly. Yulian sighed in resignation.

'I haven't even completed my bucket list yet...!'

* * *

The delegation from the Holy Kingdom, traveling with the caravan led by Conrad, guildmaster of the Golden Compass Guild, was crossing the border.

They could not hide their confusion.

"... Sir Orlan, it's an ambush!"

One guard, unable to hide his urgent tone, reported. Hearing this, Orlan was equally flustered.

'What in the world...'

For an ordinary delegation, this situation would surely be confusing, but not necessarily frightening. However, this delegation was headed to the Empire with a special 'purpose'.

'Is... our information leaking?'

Priest Orlan bit his nails as he gazed outside. The guards had told him that besides the three individuals who had appeared, many soldiers were hidden nearby.

Could this really be a coincidence?

One of the Empire's heroes, Yulian, had shown up before them, who were traveling as a delegation but carried hidden would-be assassins.

Furthermore, people who seemed like his subordinates were waiting at the border.

'Is it... really a coincidence?'

No, definitely not.

Orlan was convinced.

"Perhaps we should strike first."

As cold sweat trickled down Orlan's back, lirik addressed him in a calm tone. Orlan glanced at him. Even now, his eyes showed not a trace of fear of death.

That was the spirit of rivalry. A desire to test himself against Yulian. Orlan had no intention of getting swept up in such bravado and frowned.

"First, destroy the transmission artifacts."

At that, several guards and followers looked alarmed.

"T-the transmission artifacts!?"

"If we destroy them, we won't be able to receive orders from the Holy Kingdom!"

"You know why we're heading to the Adratan Empire, don't you?"

The true identity of this 'delegation' was assassins sent to execute their orders from the Holy Kingdom.

Therefore, destroying the transmission artifacts was a threat to the very purpose of this journey—something everyone understood.

"That is only possible if our purpose is not discovered."

Orlan answered with a grave expression.

"Destroy the artifacts so no one can trace where they were used."

In case they were discovered, so they could plausibly deny it, Orlan added.

The guards, following his instructions, began to quietly destroy the artifacts so the people outside wouldn't notice.

Orlan's eyes held determination—and deep anxiety—as he watched the artifacts being destroyed. If this mission failed, there would be no way back to the Holy Kingdom.

Clenching his jaw, Orlan turned his gaze outside. At the end of his gaze was Yulian.

Though he was acting friendly, he surely understood the situation. Yet he did nothing, likely because they were 'officially' a delegation from the Holy Kingdom.

"So... we've survived, just barely."

Grit.

Orlan ground his teeth. Wasn't he just a toy dancing in his opponent's hands?

"Yulian is approaching the carriage."

At the coachman's report, Orlan took a deep breath and forced his expression to return to normal.

He told himself it was to check what tricks Yulian was up to.

As the coachman said, Yulian drew close to the carriage, wearing a sly smile as he knocked on the window.

When their eyes met, Orlan felt an inexplicable sense of dread from Yulian.

"I apologize. I've delayed your departure."

Orlan had expected him to use soldiers to forcefully search the inside. But contrary to his expectations, Yulian merely apologized.

"Have you finished your conversation?"

"Yes, as old acquaintances, we had some unnecessary talk. Once again, I apologize."

Seeing Yulian bow his head, Orlan snorted.

'I've already destroyed the artifacts.'

Even if Yulian tried to dig up an excuse, how could he catch them with powerless artifacts?

Just show your true colors already. And force a search of the carriage interior.

If this storm passes, it will be his turn next. Orlan thought so.

"I'll ask Guildmaster Conrad to set off the carriage, then."

However, contrary to Orlan's expectations, Yulian briskly turned and returned to his own carriage.

"Th-they... don't seem to be searching the carriage?"

Why?

That question flickered in Orlan's mind, but his lips soon trembled with anger.

The artifacts were already destroyed. Even if the carriage was searched, it would lead nowhere.

So Orlan thought, that if the carriage was forcibly searched, he could use that as a pretext to put pressure on Yulian and, furthermore, buy time to look for a new way to contact the Holy Kingdom.

Yet, Yulian showed no intention of doing so.

As if he were reading his mind.

"That damned clown."

Orlan muttered a curse at Yulian's back as he left. His face flushed red, with fury obvious in the wrinkles around his eyes.

Meanwhile, Yulian—the target of Orlan's cursing—let out a long, silent sigh as he returned to Conrad's carriage.

'Adratan Empire.'

A darker shadow than usual hung over Yulian's slit-eye.

'I really don't want to go back.'

* * *

One of the current central figures in the Empire's turmoil—

Second Prince Osborne de Adratan was reviewing documents in the most remote office of the Imperial gardens.

His golden hair gleamed in the sunset streaming through the window, and the shadows only sharpened his solid cheekbones and sharp jawline.

'Night of the New Empire.'

He traced the name written atop a document with his finger.

It was a plan he had long prepared. An operation to wipe out the new Dawn Society, led by Pintel Obradin, in a single blow, thus escaping the Empire's control.

The reason was simple.

"The Emperor's authority can be infringed by no one."

Osborne muttered in a low voice. Since his father's death, the Empire had been slowly fracturing.

With the third prince relinquishing the right of succession, the throne was almost certain to go to him, but Pintel Obradin and the new Dawn Society were challenging his authority.

They were acting as if they were emperors above the emperor, using their 'savior' to seize control of the empire.

"But..."

Was what he was doing really right? Doubts had begun to creep in.

It was natural to crush those who challenged the authority of the imperial family, but the Empire had only just suffered a major upheaval.

In this situation, another fratricidal tragedy was something Osborne desperately wished to avoid.

But he knew: the longer he delayed making a decision, the deeper the wounds to the Empire would grow.

As Osborne deliberated, there came a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Then his confidant, Robert, entered in haste.

"Your Highness, urgent news."

Osborne put down the documents.

"Speak."

"H-he has returned."

Osborne's face twisted at those words. There was only one man Robert would speak so urgently about in this situation.

Yulian Cryphart Frason.

"Is the information certain?"

Robert hesitated briefly, then lowered his voice to answer.

"It's from a spy we had embedded within 'Twilight', the combat team of the new Dawn Society. Suspecting suspicious movements from 'Twilight', we investigated, and it seems Rim Hashar, Pintel's confidant, greeted Yulian."

Osborne slowly rose and walked to the window.

"Any other details?"

His voice was calm, but a peculiar tremor resonated in it.

"According to the report, Yulian is traveling with a caravan from the Briman Federation. What's even stranger is..."

Robert hesitated before continuing.

"There is also a delegation from the Holy Kingdom in the same party."

A grimace flickered across Osborne's face.

"What are you saying?"

His voice dropped dangerously.

"The Holy Kingdom and the Briman Federation? Together?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Of course, this information still needs confirmation, but..."

Osborne suddenly slammed his desk. An inkwell overturned, spilling black ink across the documents.

Robert stepped back in shock.

"Yulian... so you've been recruiting foreign powers for a year to swallow the Empire whole!"

Osborne clenched his fists as he gazed out at the empire awash in sunset.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Everyone expects the worst out of Yulian... Classic misunderstanding...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】