Chapter 43. Misunderstanding at Night (2)
After completing my academy mission, I entered the mansion and felt puzzled by the sudden change in its atmosphere, yet I maintained a calm expression.
The mansion was filled with a menacing atmosphere.
There was something unnatural about the exterior.
There was unstable mana.
'The expected has arrived...'
Ever since I became Yulian, the villain from 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, I suspected this would happen eventually.
As numerous as the stars that dot the empire's night sky are those who harbor resentment against this slit-eyed villain.
It's only natural that there are those seeking vengeance.
'But I've amassed enough power.'
Unlike when I first arrived, I had now completed the 'Moonlit Sword'.
I was confident I could protect myself, so there was no need to be afraid.
My senses on high alert, I slowly opened the entrance to the mansion and stepped inside.
The mansion was in chaos.
Unknown debris scattered everywhere, and art pieces lay broken in shards.
The dark-red liquid smeared across the floor and walls, and corpses of unknown identities were strewn about.
They all evidenced a fierce battle that occurred in this place.
'What is this? Why here...?'
Though curious, I kept walking toward the drawing room where I sensed a presence.
The damaged and broken art pieces were everywhere.
Despite a fleeting surge of anger, I wasn't particularly upset since these items didn't hold personal significance for 'me'.
'If it were the real Yulian, a roar of fury might have erupted here.'
I felt a peculiar boundary between 'Yulian' and 'myself'.
Even though this was 'Yulian's' mansion, and I had lived here for quite some time, the chaos within the mansion did not stir any significant emotion in me.
'Could this life be altering my emotions? Wait... what?'
At that moment, an intense feeling surged from within, overshadowing the peculiar emotion I felt earlier.
'Angelica!!'
In the corner of the drawing room lay my cherished orchid pot, shattered.
-'How much did Yulian pay you? 5,000 nar? 10,000 nar? You bastard, you never thought that would be your life's worth, did you?'
-'Cough, cough... W-wait! I'm... I'm not hired by Yulian!'
Despite the heated voices and groans, I walked over to the broken pot.
It was the orchid pot I tended to first when I became 'Yulian'.
'Angelica'
Naming and nurturing them had become a habit since I started growing orchids in this world.
It made them feel more personal.
"This is..."
Upon seeing Angelica's final state, an indescribable emotion welled up inside me.
Inadvertently, 'aura' began to flow out from my entire body.
Although I felt a certain discomfort using mana, my anger overshadowed it.
"O-oh, aura... How..."
Ignoring Joshua's flustered mutter, I drew my sword.
Even without conscious thought, the blade shimmered a bluish-silver hue thanks to the 'Moonlit Sword' skill, and my head was filled only with rage towards the two uninvited guests before me.
Angelica's death had to be avenged.
To do that, these bastards... they had to die.
'H-huh? Wait a moment!'
The thought process flowed rapidly and naturally, yet I found myself startled by my own thoughts.
Though I felt nothing for the chaotic state of the house or the bodies strewn around, the mere sight of a single orchid incited such anger within me.
'No matter how I think about it, it seems odd.'
Is this a change brought about by becoming 'Yulian'?
Regardless, this was not a normal emotional trajectory.
Until now, I had tried my best to act as 'Yulian' without becoming influenced.
Yet, this abrupt shift...
'Urgh...'
Overwhelmed by confusion, I quickly averted my gaze from the broken pot.
Calm down.
I must not be swayed by emotions.
It's just a mere flower.
One that I watered daily, moved to the sunlit window, wiped its leaves before bed, and gave special nutrients occasionally...
Angelica, who I cherished...!!
F**king hell.
"As he said, I haven't hired anyone."
Feeling it was getting too difficult to control my emotions, I decided to change the subject of the conversation.
At my quiet words, the two who were still conscious flinched.
Joshua and William.
They exchanged bewildered glances.
The awkward tension between them indicated they weren't exactly allies.
Traces of a fight were evident between them too.
'Could it be that two groups, both planning to ambush me, ran into each other and ended up like this?'
It was hard to believe, but if not, it was impossible to explain this situation any other way.
Summarizing the situation, I was at a loss, but I kept my expression neutral as I looked at them.
"So, what will you do now?"
At my question, the pair stuck in a stalemate looked utterly lost.
"Your nighttime ambush failed. Do you have any further plans? Joshua."
"... Ugh."
When I addressed him by name, the one familiar name I knew, he flinched and stepped back.
Completely submissive.
Above his head, the color of 'Fear' was vividly visible. The other one lying on the ground wasn't any different.
So, should I start sorting things out now?
Just as I began to move with that thought in mind, a sudden concern flashed through my head.
'Still, if they thought they could ambush 'Yulian', that means they're somewhat confident in their skills, right?'
Joshua, who seemed to be a swordsman just like me, would probably be easy to overpower. The issue was...
'That mage...'
A mage standing beside Joshua, staff in hand.
I had not fought against a 'mage' in this world yet.
Although based on my game experience, I could guess what kind of magic they might use, that was merely speculation, not firsthand experience, making me cautious.
'If it's just the mage alone, I'd likely be able to defeat them easily, but...'
If I attempted to control the situation by dealing with both, they would likely band together against me, sharing the same goal.
'That might be troublesome.'
While I didn't sense defeat, it definitely seemed like it would be annoying.
What should I do?
Deep in thought, a good idea suddenly came to me.
First, I needed to demonstrate who held the position of predator in this place.
"You know, even if you two teamed up, you wouldn't be able to take me down, right? And you're aware that I don't leave those who bare their fangs at me be, aren't you?"
As I continued speaking, the color of 'Fear' deepened above their heads.
With this much fear instilled, they wouldn't oppose me unless explicitly threatened.
"But! Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll offer you both a chance."
Having concluded my thoughts there, I sat down and crossed my legs, adopting an arrogant posture.
"Fight between yourselves. Heh. I'll spare the one who wins."
I tried my best to give them a vile smile as I looked at them.
***
What?
Joshua, who had been silently listening, couldn't believe his ears at Yulian's words.
Yulian said Joshua and the mage should fight, and the winner would be spared?
The arrogant tone infuriated Joshua, causing him to grip his sword tightly.
'Does he think I'm a clown for his entertainment?'
What infuriated him more was that Yulian didn't even ask about the 'reason' behind the ambush they planned against him.
That Yulian couldn't care less about the schemes and machinations but simply viewed us as invaders of his mansion caused Joshua to tremble with rage.
'Damn... Does he really not even care!'
Feeling indignant about Yulian's indifferent facade, Joshua prepared to rush at him but was halted by his instinct, which told him that he couldn't defeat this monster alone.
Even in an environment where magic was difficult to cast, Yulian naturally utilized 'aura'.
'I don't know who this foolish mage is, but we must join forces. And then there's the horn...'
Joshua glanced towards the container he had brought along.
Recalling what was inside, he felt his fear slightly ease.
Subtly.
Joshua looked at the mage.
Their initial reason for coming to this mansion was the same; thus, they simply needed to cooperate now.
"D-don't be ridiculous...! You say that, but you're thinking about stabbing me in the back, aren't you?!"
Foolish fool!
Seeing the mage, William, completely believing in Yulian's words out of fear, Joshua gritted his teeth.
Sparing the winner?
The 'Smiling Executioner'?
Did he really believe that?
'He just wants to enjoy watching us struggle!'
Contrary to Joshua's thoughts, William, filled with fear, kept swinging his staff recklessly.
Exhausted, with all his mana drained, William was foaming at the mouth yet tenaciously clung to Joshua.
"You miserable idiot!"
Swish- Swish.
Enraged, Joshua swung his sword at William's torso, slicing his shoulder clean.
"Aaaaaah!"
With a horrific groan, William grabbed his bleeding shoulder and fell.
"Pant... Pant..."
Breathing heavily, Joshua glared at William. It wasn't a fatal wound, but it incapacitated the mage from wielding his staff.
Although he had just taken down the mage that stood against him, Joshua felt despair instead.
It was now his turn.
The 'Smiling Executioner' wouldn't leave someone alone who had shown hostility.
Death.
For Joshua, who had lived a privileged life favored by the elder of the Cryphart family, death had always seemed distant, but now it felt imminently close.
"Hmm... Is it over?"
That 'death' stood up leisurely with a sly smile from his chair.
"Oh dear... Bleeding so much... It must hurt."
His smiling face was unnervingly calm, but it didn't seem like a true reflection of his emotions.
What should I do now? Is there a way to get out of this situation?
'The horn!'
The demon's horn that Alphas had given him.
While he couldn't be certain of the side effects, it was an object that was said to grant a demon's inherent power.
If he used that horn, he could either kill Yulian or at least gain enough power to escape.
Joshua quickly turned his head towards the container he had brought.
'... It's gone?'
However, the container that held the horn had vanished from its original spot.
After hastily scanning the surroundings, Joshua finally spotted the container.
An empty container.
"Th-this is... a demon's horn?"
Ironically, the contents of the container had fallen in front of the mage he had defeated.
Grimacing, William held it with his injured hand, and as if possessed, brought it to his mouth.
Clacky's Corner:
Poor Angelica, dying so helpless and purposeless death.
It must be paid by blood.
P. S.
Also, Yulian didn't plan the ambush at all.