Chapter 27. Unintentionally (2)
In 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, a relic refers to the remnants left behind by saints, who made their mark on both the past and present.
These relics can also embody the desires or thoughts these saints harbored during their lifetimes.
The Holy Grail that appeared before us, known as Demon God's Chalice, was one of these relics.
"The ability of that Holy Grail lies in its capacity to materialize what remains of the demon god's residual thoughts, the source of the demons' power."
The power of this relic didn't need complicated explanations: the demon seen in the slums could be taken as an example.
The humanoid demon that was observed there was precisely a product created by this 'Demon God's Chalice'.
Though a mere human, it was a creation of the demon god which granted immense power equal to, if not surpassing, that of a demon.
But this power came with a hefty price.
...... The consequence was turning into a demon.
Receiving a horn meant forsaking one's humanity.
"For crafting just one horn, the blood of many demons and soul stones are needed. Much money and time were invested for this single horn."
"I see?"
"If you were to use this horn, I wonder just how powerful you could become?"
Why do you care about that?
That thought almost escaped my lips but I managed to hold it back.
"Even toppling the castle of a certain Sword Saint wouldn't be impossible."
Tenelon continued, holding the horn out towards me.
Seeing this, I thought to myself.
'I'm screwed.'
Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be offered so easily.
Yulian had joined the Dawn Society solely for the sake of power. Therefore, it was expected that faced with a 'horn', he would express a desire to possess it.
Although I was only acting as if I was Yulian, I had only mentioned it out of courtesy...
'Are they really giving it away this easily!?'
While keeping a calm facade, I began contemplating how to navigate the situation.
Just a moment ago, Tenelon had mentioned how much investment was needed to create a horn.
Naturally, refusing the offer would insult him.
But accepting it would mean going through with the horn implantation.
'...... Crazy.'
I subtly glanced at Tenelon's face.
Though it was difficult to read his expression, as Tenelon was wearing a mask, the arch of his eyes and corners of his mouth betrayed a bit of excitement.
Despite just testing the waters, Tenelon had almost immediately decided to welcome him.
Just how happy are you?
"Well... Archbishop, don't you think it's a bit too hasty?"
While being overwhelmed with such an excessive favor, Eleanor, standing nearby, finally spoke.
Hayden breathed an internal sigh of relief.
"Sir Yulian has yet to express his intentions clearly. Granting him the title of Bishop and further offering such privileges seems premature. Other Bishops would undoubtedly express discontent if they found out."
"Hrm... is that so?"
Well done, Eleanor!
Hayden clenched his fist in triumph.
"What do you think, Yulian?"
"Well, it can't be helped. I came here with no intention to cause destabilization within the organization."
"Is that so? How considerate of you."
Within the mask Tenelon wore, Hayden felt a sense of approval. It seems he was liked even more.
"In that case, as the Archbishop of the Dawn Society, I had one request for you, Yulian..."
***
After concluding her conversation with Tenelon, Eleanor looked over at Yulian's face.
A face that was perpetually smiling.
This made it impossible for her to predict his thoughts, but Eleanor knew the fundamental desire this man held.
'Obsession with power.'
From the first time she encountered him at the Royal Court, she could feel the intensity of his thirst for power on a visceral level.
'To think someone like that would refuse the Archbishop's favor.'
Eleanor at that moment recalled the radical proposal Tenelon had made to Yulian.
Offering not only the position of Bishop instantaneously but also a relic-crafted horn was so extravagant that Eleanor internally shook her head.
While the horn crafted from the Demon God's Chalice couldn't be considered perfect, it undeniably provided immense power to its user.
Crafting even one horn required an enormous investment of time and money.
'No matter how renowned Yulian was, to be welcomed to such a degree...'
Tenelon's treatment of Yulian was noticeably different compared to other members of the order.
This caused Eleanor a slight unease.
Surely, there would be members dissatisfied with the Archbishop's undue favor.
"Miss Eleanor."
Lost in contemplation, Eleanor plastered a smile on her face as Yulian's voice broke her thoughts.
"Yes, how can I help you?"
"You don't look well. Is there anything bothering you?"
Eleanor was taken aback for a moment.
It was as if her hidden anxieties, ignited by Yulian's recruitment, had been uncovered just from his gaze.
"Of course not. Now that the 'Devil' from the Northern Front has joined us, what could possibly trouble me?"
"Is that so?"
While saying this, Yulian turned his gaze toward the inside of the ordre's main hall.
A hint of observation.
When Eleanor followed his gaze, she saw familiar figures approaching.
"It's been a while, Yulian. I trust you remember who I am?"
The man who spoke with a sly smile was named Alphas Mayend.
Behind him stood the massive figure of Monsignor Felkhor.
Eleanor could reasonably guess why Alphas had sought them out.
Like Felkhor, he was a former member of the Knights of the Azure Lion.
Once having risen to the position of deputy-commander, he was a skilled knight.
'... As I thought, I expected something like this.'
Seeing Alphas's face, Eleanor clicked her tongue internally.
The reason his position as deputy-commander was stripped from him was his misdeeds.
And the one who reported and dealt with it was none other than Yulian before her.
By bringing Yulian into the Dawn Society, one of the anticipated risks was already making its appearance.
Alphas surely gathered the former knights out of a pettiness-driven desire for revenge.
'I assume a haughty person like him wouldn't forget Alphas's face.'
They had clashed frequently at the Royal Court, after all.
"Pardon me, but aren't we meeting for the first time?"
Hm? Doesn't he know?
Eleanor was quite taken aback by Yulian's scoffing response.
It wasn't a face he could forget.
And so, she had clearly witnessed their conflicts at the Royal Court.
Eleanor couldn't help but scrutinize Yulian's face. But, due to his masked smile, it was impossible to read his inner thoughts.
"You still have that damned tone, you bastard."
Alphas's swearing carried a slight tremor.
He was likely as taken aback as she was.
It was known he was exceedingly arrogant compared to ordinary folk, but the extent was astonishing.
'The basis of his arrogance is the trust he holds in his strength.'
In a confrontational situation like this, his expression was as unmoving as a still lake, vividly demonstrating Yulian's boldness.
"Ahem."
Indeed, the situation would surely escalate if left unattended.
Once Eleanor realized this, she cleared her throat with a cough.
As everyone's gaze focused on her, she finally spoke.
"If you're planning to cause a commotion, wouldn't it be better to refrain?"
"Bishop Eleanor, this is merely educational. An initiation for the newcomer to Dawn Society."
"Is that so? Then, I must insist you refrain.
Seeing Alphas nod in response, Eleanor smiled sweetly.
"Because Sir Yulian's rank is now higher than yours."
Upon Eleanor's statement, alphas narrowed his eyes to a slit.
"What do you mean by that?"
Ahem, clearing her throat once more, Eleanor continued speaking.
"The Archbishop recognized Sir Yulian as one of our own and simultaneously granted him the position of Bishop."
"... What do you mean by this, bishop Eleanor?"
Ignoring the shocked, murmuring members, Eleanor calmly scrutinized Alphas's face.
Appearing displeased, alphas cautiously opened his mouth to speak.
"Is this true?"
"There's nothing for me to gain, so wouldn't it be unnecessary for me to lie?"
Grrrrt!
The sound of Alphas grinding his teeth was unmistakably loud.
"Well, that's how it is."
Yulian chuckled slyly.
His grin seemed as if he was mocking the former Knights of the Azure Lion standing before him.
"Then, if there's nothing else we need to address, I'll be on my way."
With those words, Yulian turned to leave.
Alphas glared with wide eyes.
The intense killing intent radiating from him felt almost tangible, as if it could erupt at any moment.
Despite the ominous aura enveloping him, Yulian calmly walked past him without a care.
'He's not called the 'Devil of the Northern Front' for no reason.'
Thinking this, Eleanor followed behind Yulian.
***
As I walked through the corridor, seeing the color of anger rising above Alphas's head, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
'This damned fool really left a bunch of bad ties behind.'
Already, I was overwhelmed with annoyance at the fact that I had joined the Dawn Society unwillingly.
On top of that, individuals I was unfamiliar with were harboring hostility towards me, to the point that my head was pounding.
Alphas's feelings were obvious. He possessed a clear rage that promised to one day point a blade at me.
'I never imagined someone could hate another so vehemently... or if that fellow's just petty.'
Or perhaps Yulian was indeed incredibly remarkable for creating such animosity.
"I'd like to resume our earlier discussion."
While lamenting inwardly, Eleanor spoke up from behind.
"The Archbishop requested Yulian to secure soul stones."
Soul stones.
The heart of a demon, extracted only from tri-horned demons or higher. A vessel containing the residual thoughts of the demon god.
"In essence, they're asking me to hunt demons."
"Well, if you put it that way."
"Nevertheless, if it's a ridiculous request, I'll refuse. I am part of the 'Blind Eyes' after all."
Even though the Blind Eyes guaranteed solo operations, if I crossed the line, they'd surely catch on.
After all, I'm in a position where I should conceal my connection with the Dawn Society.
"Don't worry about that. It won't be difficult to coordinate with the Blind Eyes."
Her tone was one of confidence.
At first, I couldn't grasp where that confidence stemmed from.
However, not long after.
Upon entering the office to continue with duties as a member of the Blind Eyes, I received unexpected news which hinted at the source of her confidence.
"Sir Yulian! A mission has arrived from the Imperial Secretariat to subdue a tri-horned demon!"
Ignoring Lazlot's panicked tone, I glanced over the command letter he held.
A mission to hunt a tri-horned demon had arrived right after joining the Dawn Society.
This was the moment my suspicions, harbored in my mind, became reality.
'Seems like there are strings from the Dawn Society within the Imperial Secretariat too.'