Chapter 30. Soul Stone (3)
The intense scent of gunpowder filled the air so strongly that it made one's head throb.
The flames consumed the trees, and within them, the fearsome Hamelin began slowly dragging its massive body towards us.
Could this place be hell itself?
Such a terrible sight might have left one's tongue wagging, but surprisingly, it was easy to maintain calm.
Such situations had become familiar. In other words, experience had given a sense of composure.
"You all should step back. I will handle that demon alone."
"Pardon?"
The demon currently visible, dream Beast Hamelin, had three horns protruding from its head.
The number of horns denoted its strength.
Indeed, a tri-horned demon was undoubtedly the strongest demon they had ever encountered.
When I announced my intention to face such a demon alone, the members of 'Blind Eyes' and the soldiers turned to me, startled.
"Th-that... Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"Yes, after the subjugation, please be ready to extinguish the fires."
"But..."
"You would only be a hindrance."
With my cold and firm tone, the restless members nodded in agreement.
"Understood. If our presence will only be a hindrance... We will refrain from joining the battle, Yulian."
The expression of the 'Blind Eyes' member who answered was quite mixed.
He was both relieved at not having to face the tri-horned demon, yet felt complex emotions being denied the chance to prove his honed skills.
In truth, I also didn't want to face Dream Beast Hamelin alone.
Without a 'stronghold', after all, it was still a tri-horned demon.
It was definitely stronger than the bi-horned demons I had encountered before.
'Still, those who can't fully control their aura are just easy prey for Hamelin.'
Hamelin wasn't nicknamed the Dream Beast for no reason.
Its specialty was a mental assault using pollen as the medium.
Hypnosis, causing seizures, and rendering friend or foe indistinguishable to plunge enemies into chaos.
However, even such a powerful mental attack was ineffective in the face of 'Yulian's character.
▶ Resisted Hamelin's mental attack.
⇒ Overbearing
⇒ Duplicitous
⇒ Poker Face...
Because 'Yulian Cryphart Frason' was so incredibly arrogant that his belief in himself reached the level of unshakable faith.
In other words, a madman that has nothing further to lose.
***
An environment of incessant power struggles.
Amid such a setting, devoid of blood, tears, recognition, and consideration, lay the relationships among nobility.
Nevertheless, Oronil had lived in close association with the head of the Hyrans family, having shared their lives since childhood and studied at the same academy, cementing their bond.
Thus, when Yulian made an appearance at Oronil's residence, he could hardly conceal his displeasure.
The 'Smiling Executioner' of the Empire, who had purged his dear friend's Hyrans family.
Every time Oronil saw that ever-smiling face, unresolved abhorrence deepened within, prompting him to reject all of Yulian's propositions.
Of course, there were other reasons.
For a moment, however.
Upon hearing that his beloved daughter had lost consciousness due to the demon in the Firun Forest, Oronil had no choice but to set aside his displeasure towards Yulian and seek his help.
***
"Thank you for cooperating in the demon subjugation. The Imperial family will commend Sir Oronil's swift decision."
Leading a life fraught with all manner of infamy, yet the foundation of that notoriety lay in Yulian's overwhelming martial prowess.
However, Oronil did not expect the subjugation of a tri-horned demon within a single day.
"Has your daughter awoken?"
"Yes, thanks to your handling of the demon."
"No, it is all thanks to His Majesty's grace."
Glancing at Yulian while exchanging words, Oronil studied his face.
In dialogues, reading emotions through eye contact was an essential part of social interaction or negotiations.
However, discerning emotions from the slit-eyed Yulian was nearly impossible, leaving Oronil clueless about his intentions.
'He must know, even vaguely, about the relationship between the Hyrans family and me.'
Surely seeing me like this, he'd be sneering inside.
Taking gratitude for saving my daughter from the very person responsible for my friend's family's demise, instead of seeking revenge.
"Isn't your daughter's name Terina?"
Hm?
Amid efforts to suppress the burgeoning self-reproach, Oronil tilted his head at Yulian's ensuing question.
"Y-yes."
"Then, could you pass this on to Lady Terina?"
Yulian reached into his clothes and produced a small necklace.
It wasn't particularly ornate, but a gemstone embedded in it caught the eye.
"It's a necklace crafted from Hamelin's spore crystal. Her early reaction to the pollen suggests her mana vein is more developed than her peers'. She likely possesses greater ability as a mage compared to other children."
"... Then this is."
"I've heard mages often start extracting mana from gemstones in their youth, nurturing their dreams. This spore crystal will greatly help if Lady Terina ever wishes to pursue magic."
... So, is this a gift for Terina?
It was an utterly inscrutable act. Despite Yulian's poor reputation as 'Frason' within the Cryphart family, wasn't he still a noble?
What gain could he derive from an action so contrary to his vested interests?
'... Why on earth?'
Moreover, before Oronil stood none other than Yulian, infamous as the 'Smiling Executioner'.
A man capable of merciless brutality, willing to strike down even children if they stood in his path.
Such a man's gift surely bore ulterior motives.
"What's the reason?"
Unable to restrain himself, Oronil inquired about Yulian's intentions, but his chest tightened with a primordial fear at Yulian's insidious grin.
"Hoho. It's a gesture of my sincerity."
Once more, Oronil scrutinized Yulian's visage. Though the familiar shiver-inducing sensation persisted, he strangely seemed different.
"Sincerity...?"
"Yes, while it was for subjugating the demons, didn't half of the Firun Forest turn to ash in the end?"
At Yulian's words, Oronil emitted a small groan, releasing a slight sigh of exasperation.
"For the inevitable hardship you face, it's my small gesture of consideration."
Consideration.
Coming from such a person, it was utterly absurd to hear that word, leaving Oronil at a loss.
"... Is that truly all there is to it?"
"Indeed."
Overbearing
Knowing it wasn't a typical utterance for such an arrogant man, Oronil continued to gaze at Yulian with a dumbfounded expression.
Believing 'there must be more to it', Oronil, withholding his suspicion, persevered in staring at Yulian.
"Then, I shall take my leave, Sir Oronil. Thank you for your cooperation in the subjugation."
As if there was no further business, Yulian pressed his fedora down, wearing a subtle smile.
Though spine-chilling to Oronil, it bore no malice.
***
With Terina being treated, the demon subjugated, and half of the Firun Forest burned, peace returned to the estate.
Oronil watched the departing trail of Yulian. The gift given to Terina, regardless of its value, was not devoid of meaning.
"Dear."
"... Is Terina okay?"
"Yes, she's recovered enough to move around now."
At his wife's words, Oronil sighed deeply, reaching for her. She handed him a rolled-up scroll along with a quill.
"I must draft a letter to the right chairman of the Elder Council of Nobles."
"What will you do?"
Yulian Cryphart Frason.
News had reached the Elder Council of Nobles that he was coming to the border city Berniden for his subjugation mission.
Currently, the Elder Council's, or rather the Elder Chairman, oden Cryphart's objective was to excise the tumor known as Yulian from the family.
"Weren't they asking for even a slight delay in the subjugation schedule to obstruct Yulian somehow?"
"It was unavoidable. Terina's life was at risk."
Writing on the scroll, Oronil pressed his seal onto it, then began rolling the document once more.
Afterwards, he summoned an attendant waiting outside and entrusted it to him.
"Deliver this to Lord Herand in Berniden. Also, let him know cooperation will be difficult henceforth."
The attendant nodded and began moving away. Watching his retreating figure, Oronil sighed again.
'Forgive me for choosing family peace over my friend's vengeance.'
With that thought, Oronil recalled the words Yulian left before his departure.
Though they felt uncharacteristic, it sufficed to draw one conclusion.
That within the 'Smiling Executioner', the same red blood flowed as within himself.
***
Back on the journey to the capital.
Once again aboard the train, I reached out to the jewelry box I had procured before leaving.
Click──!
Inside the small box lay a soul stone, a rare find from demons of three horns or greater.
It was the heart of Dream Beast Hamelin, emitting a faint red glow.
"I'll say it again, but this is most unpleasant."
The most coveted item by the Dawn Society at present.
Simultaneously, it was the material required to awaken the 'Demon God', the source of all evil in 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉.
Upon opening the box, it immediately exuded an enormous aura, asserting its presence.
An ordinary person touching it would feel dizzy to the point of fainting from its intensity.
'It begins now.'
Delivering this soul stone would undoubtedly earn the Dawn Society's trust.
Many might argue it wasn't necessary, given Archbishop Tenelon's peculiar favoritism towards 'Yulian'.
'Still, gaining recognition from the other bishops is as crucial as winning Tenelon's trust.'
My objective was ultimately the annihilation of the Dawn Society or, at least, to neutralize it to a degree where I could control it.
Securing trust from the other bishops was as vital as gaining Tenelon's.
'However, handing this soul stone over would contribute to the Demon God's revival and bolster Tenelon's power...'
Then, how should this soul stone be handled? Rather than simply providing it to the Dawn Society, there might be another choice.
'What could that be? Perhaps... Deciding hastily might not be wise.'
Lost in deep thought, I felt the train gradually slow down.
【The train will be stopping at Rondrian Station.】
The announcement accompanied the deceleration, indicating a stopover before reaching the capital.
Typical of this era's inefficient trains, powered by resonance stones, they frequently stopped to replenish energy supplies.
This resulted in numerous stations, though passengers remained few.
'And what about Hayden Reich's side? Can I conceal my deepening involvement with the Dawn Society?'
Increasing involvement in the Dawn Society undoubtedly heightened the likelihood of clashing with the Sword Saint.
'Let's think about that later. For now, avoid revealing anything...'
Engrossed in these musings, I suddenly detected a presence and turned my head toward the compartment's door.
"Cabin 114... ah, here..."
Someone muttered softly, opening the door to the compartment I occupied.
An all too familiar face greeted me.
Rinne Rondvel.
As the girl, the Sword Saint Hayden Reich's disciple, appeared, I swiftly closed the jewel box containing the soul stone.
Clacky's Corner:
Hmm, is Oronil going to appear in the future?
Also, what does Rinne want with him now?