Chapter 33. Fake Coward (1)
I could feel the cold gaze of Tenelon directed towards me and a burning anger akin to a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
It made the air in the room uncomfortably oppressive.
"Could you say that again?"
Cutting through the tension, Tenelon spoke. Even though his expression was hidden behind a mask, he appeared deeply displeased.
The Tenelon's displeasure was evident as he couldn't conceal his emotions because instead of bringing back the anticipated 'Soul Stone', I had presented it to the secretariat.
"Yes, Archbishop. I handed over the Soul Stone obtained from killing the tri-horned Demon to the imperial secretariat."
"Y-you fool... Are you insane? The order from the Archbishop was to bring the Soul Stone..."
As one of the bishops, always at Tenelon's side, exploded in anger, Tenelon raised his hand to stop him.
"Could you tell me why?"
His tone was calm and collected.
It was a naturally flowing voice, yet above his head, a faint red light began to writhe.
Red, the color of anger.
An emotion perceived through the 〈Color of Negativity〉.
"Considering the shared interests between someone who desires power and us, I doubt you acted without any intention."
"Yes, that's correct."
"Then why did you hand over the Soul Stone to the Imperial Court? Depending on your answer..."
Before he even finished speaking, an enormous aura began emanating from Tenelon's body.
It was as if he wanted me to imagine what he might say next.
"Well, if I must define my actions..."
Facing Tenelon's dagger-like gaze, I opened my mouth with a nonchalant expression.
"I took one step back to take three steps forward."
As calmly as possible.
As quietly as possible.
But in a voice that could be clearly heard, the surroundings fell silent instantly.
"You call that an explanation...!"
The bishop who had initially hurled insults at me broke the silence. Glowering at me with a flushed face, the bishop raised his voice.
"We are at a point where we must secure as many Soul Stones as possible. You have not only failed, but delivering it to the Imperial Court is a clear betrayal!"
"Bishop Pintel."
The outbursting bishop flinched when I uttered his name.
Perhaps it was because I knew his name despite not having formally introduced myself.
"If I had intended to betray, I wouldn't have shown up here. Perhaps you should consider thinking a little?"
"W-what are...!"
"Exactly. So for now, why don't we hear what he has to say? Without a reasonable explanation, then you can hold him accountable."
As Pintel's expression contorted, about to say more unsavory things to me, Eleanor intervened with perfect timing and stopped him.
"... Hmph."
I cleared my throat to organize my thoughts.
It was important from here onward.
I felt a thirst rising from the pressure, but I tried not to let it affect me.
"The reason I handed over the Soul Stone to the Royal Court was to use their intelligence resources."
"Use... their intelligence?"
Tenelon's curiosity.
A few seconds ago, his voice was laced with displeasure, but upon hearing about exploiting the royal intelligence, it began to hint at intrigue.
"Yes, the Soul Stone I handed to the Royal Court is the 'officially' discovered first heart of the tri-horned Demon. If the Royal Court discovers the Soul Stone's potential and how to utilize it, wouldn't they aggressively move to secure more Soul Stones?"
"Indeed."
Tenelon's heightened emotions slowly faded.
So far, everything seemed fine.
"This way, we can obtain information on more Soul Stones."
"I see..."
Tenelon nodded.
"You're suggesting we also gather information on the Soul Stones through the Royal Court. It's not a bad idea..."
"Thank you."
"Moreover, we'll entrust that mission to 'Blind Eyes', which includes you, a 'Master of Demon Extermination'..."
"Yes. That will make it easier to acquire more Soul Stones."
Seeing Tenelon somewhat convinced by my persuasive argument, I let out a sigh of relief.
If he were willing to let it slide this easily, it was a relief.
"But, Archbishop! He must be punished for making unilateral decisions without saying anything!"
Seeing the atmosphere turning into me getting away with my unilateral actions, pintel, who had been voicing his dissatisfaction loudly, took a step forward and raised his voice once more.
I felt an itch to grab him by his mustache.
"This action of making a judgment without any directive from the diocese is a challenge to the Archbishop's authority! An example must be set!"
"Yes, it was indeed a unilateral decision on my part."
"See! He admits it himself...!"
"And it was because I believed it was in the best interest of the Dawn Society."
"W-what?"
Leaving a flustered Pintel behind, I continued speaking.
"I still don't understand the doctrine of the Dawn Society. No, I have no desire to understand it."
"Such nonsense...!"
"However, just because I don't desire to understand it doesn't mean there are no 'mutual interests'."
It was a bit of wordplay meant to project confidence, though, in retrospect, it seemed rather inadequate.
"The reason I had to make a unilateral decision is that the authoritative spotlight is focused on me."
I began to explain the 'superficial' reason why I handled this situation independently, without reporting to The Dawn Society.
"Because I single-handedly subdued the tri-horned Demon, various rumors are swirling around. 'The Pillar of Blind Eyes', a future Sword Saint, and... a hero!"
My tone was arrogant, self-referentially labeling myself as a 'hero'. Yet, surprisingly, the listeners' expressions didn't shift much.
'... How embarrassing.'
It seemed like I was the only one feeling a shade of embarrassment at such arrogance.
"And the rumors about me torching the Firun Forest, which is deeply connected to the Church of the Sun God, are also widespread."
In the midst of feeling shy about my choice of words, Eleanor added to my speech, which greatly aided me in continuing.
"That's correct."
"Does that justify it?"
"I don't want to stir anything up with so many eyes on me. It's not just the Royal Court that wishes for the Dawn Society's downfall."
"Who are you referring to?"
"No need to use my mouth."
I paused, my speech temporarily halted like a grand address, and shifted my gaze toward Tenelon.
"Archbishop, you might also know the name."
"Me?"
"Yes, and... he was once, no, still is someone intimately familiar to me."
As if I had resolved my past, I spoke in the past tense, and Tenelon lowered his head and began contemplating.
After a brief sigh, he lifted his head, and his eyes began to turn bloodshot red.
"... Of course, I cannot forget that name, no matter how many times I go over it."
Exasperated, as if dealing with severe pain, Tenelon wiped his mask with a trembling right hand.
Grinding his teeth, he spoke.
"The mastermind who disfigured my face... Sword Saint, Hayden Reich...!"
"Yes, my master is still tracking you."
"I know that."
"He's also questioning whether I'm truly a part of The Dawn Society or not."
Though it was just conjecture, I bragged as if it were the truth. Whether it was true or false didn't matter.
What mattered now, and what could be exploited, was the blazing hatred Tenelon harbored towards the 'Sword Saint'.
"Under such circumstances, if I claimed to have slain the tri-horned Demon but had no spoils to show for it, their suspicions would only grow. Hence, I handed the Soul Stone over to the Imperial Secretariat on my own accord."
Adding that if my cover got blown, the Dawn Society could also be at risk.
With that conclusion, I grinned.
"I see. That accursed Sword Saint seems to be questioning even his disciple, you, Yulian."
Having mulled over it, Tenelon spoke, as if to himself, before standing up from his seat.
Though his imposing figure suddenly approaching was momentarily startling, I managed to keep my composure.
"He's a sentimentless bastard. To think that such a person is hailed as a Sword Saint and called a hero by the masses is utterly ridiculous!"
Suppressing his boiling anger, emotions akin to a volcano, Tenelon offered me a handshake.
Grasping my hand, I could feel the energy pulsing in his right hand.
The force wasn't painful, but rather, a testament to robust trust.
Observing Tenelon's actions, I understood why he harbored such strong trust in 'Yulian'.
'... It's like a victims' support group for Sword Saint's victims.'
It seemed he thought of Yulian as someone who suffered under 'Hayden Reich', just like him.
Well, it's not entirely wrong, but... no need to correct him.
"Yulian, your reasons for joining The Dawn Society have finally become clear."
Having his doubts cleared, Tenelon shook my hand with a wide grin.
Looking at him, I chuckled inwardly.
You've got it all wrong, buddy.
***
By handing over the Soul Stone to the Royal Court, the Dawn Society's mission to resurrect the 'Demon God Barbatos' had been postponed.
However, it didn't mean all potential threats were gone.
The Dawn Society still desired the Soul Stone, and the Sword Saint and the Royal Court continued their pursuit of The Dawn Society.
'I am affiliated with The Dawn Society...'
While also being a part of 'Blind Eyes', an organization exclusively under the Royal Court's employ.
Which meant, handing over the Soul Stone didn't eliminate all threats.
Knock, knock──!
Rubbing my temples due to a throbbing headache, someone knocked on the office door.
"Yes, you may come in."
The door opened, and in walked an apprehensive-looking apprentice, Lazlot.
"This is an official correspondence from the secretariat."
"Could you place it there?"
"Yes, yes!"
With an overly cautious demeanor, Lazlot placed the document on the table.
Though he was silent, gazing at him made his expression even more rigid, as though he felt my stare.
"Is there anything you wish to say, Sir Yulian? Haha..."
Laughing awkwardly, Lazlot scratched his head.
"Is working here difficult for you? Is there anything specifically troubling you?"
"Nothing is troubling me. Even as an apprentice, working in the royal service is an honor."
"I see."
With my fingers interlocked, I propped up my chin and asked subtly.
"How about your tasks elsewhere? Any difficulties on that front?"
"Tasks elsewhere...? What do you mean?"
Sensing the conversation taking a strange turn, the 'color of fear' began to appear over Lazlot's head.
"It seems Apprentice Lazlot frequently visits the secretariat under the guise of 'Blind Eyes' apprenticeship."
"Yes... Captain Ordwin and the others are rather busy, so I handle most of the communications with the secretariat..."
"And coincidentally, you were also there when I handed over the Soul Stone to the secretariat."
"That... I was."
The ability to perceive others' negative emotions as colors is the trait of the 〈Color of Negativity〉.
Of course, the emotion manifested by Lazlot now was unicolor.
Such a display of emotion wasn't extraordinary, given my experiences thus far.
"But, do you know?"
"Yes?"
Even now, I couldn't forget the emotions swirling above Lazlot's head on the day I presented the Soul Stone to the secretariat.
They weren't the usual singular colors but a duo of 'confusion', represented by orange, and 'curiosity', symbolized by gray.
"I mentioned 'Soul Stone' for the first time in front of you."
Clacky's Corner:
So Lazlot is a spy. Hmmm.
Also, the moves Yulian made was well explained by integrating it with his conversation with Tenelon. We didn't have to read him monologuing about why he did this and that.
I am liking the story more and more.