Chapter 51. The Cryphart Family (1)
Lazlot, the secret agent of the 'Dawn Society', found himself quite impressed with Yulian's calm demeanor.
'Even after such an incident, he's tending to orchids as if it's just a normal day.........'
Ordinarily, a person would have reacted in some way, at the very least.
Perhaps by praising oneself for surviving recent events or suddenly becoming irritable.
Despite everything, Yulian returned to his routine as if nothing had happened.
"Well, this concludes my brief report on Sir Aiden."
"Hmm...."
The only thing that piqued his interest was the bishop of the Dawn Society, "Aiden De Donatien," who had bared his fangs at him.
Lazlot, having provided a concise report on Aiden's current actions, swallowed hard at Yulian's short sigh.
The enmity he sometimes revealed amidst his tranquility was sharp enough to recall a dagger.
"There's nothing particularly noticeable in his movements. I thought he'd make a decisive move after killing Alphas."
In his softly spoken words, one could sense a certain boldness.
'To remain this calm, even knowing your life is being targeted.'
Understanding that his life was closely tied to death, Lazlot couldn't help but admire Yulian's manner of living, even as it left him speechless.
"Besides, bishop Pintel of the Dawn Society has decided to attack a convoy suspected of transporting Soul Stones."
"Bishop Pintel... Soul Stones... Hmm."
Yulian pondered for a moment, only to smile as serenely as usual shortly after.
"Oh, by the way, I'm curious to know if the recommendation letter was worth it?"
With that smile, Yulian skillfully changed the subject.
Of course, it didn't feel like his question arose from mere curiosity.
It was probably to remind Lazlot of his allegiance as a secret agent.
"Yes, thanks to you."
"Good to hear."
Saying that, Yulian gave another gentle smile.
His slit-eye revealed no shadow of emotion, and the serene smile resting on his lips was as peaceful as ever.
In that atmosphere, Lazlot thought there was likely nothing in this world Yulian feared.
***
'...... Why is it so quiet?'
I had finished my duties as an 'instructor' and filed my report, while the incident at the academy annex had been dismissed conclusively by Vice-Principal Allom.
Yet, what kept replaying in my mind was the conversation with Rinne at the infirmary.
- '...... Actually, I vaguely remember the conversation between you and Alphas.'
I thought she had lost consciousness...
However, she had been eavesdropping on my conversation with Alphas, one that could easily lead her to believe I was affiliated with the 'Dawn Society'.
'I expected someone to approach after all.'
The Sword Saint or the imperial side should have sent someone to verify the facts, and I had even prepared a script to defend myself.
The documents piled on the table were precisely for that purpose.
'Perhaps she didn't hear it clearly?'
There was also the chance that Rinne hadn't noticed.
'It's possible.'
Reflecting on it, Rinne had not been in a normal state back then.
Indeed. Given her deep-seated grudge against the 'Dawn Society', she wouldn't have overlooked it.
"That would certainly be a relief."
I exhaled a sigh of relief and leaned back in my chair.
I shouldn't fully relax yet, but given the lack of reaction over the past few days, it seemed there wasn't much to worry about.
'Aiden probably feels the same.'
Though I knew he was after my life and had sent Alphas, I didn't particularly feel the need to retaliate.
That's because Hayden Reich, known as the 'Black Knight', was set to cut off Bishop Aiden's escape.
"Our protagonist will take care of it, so there's no need for me to dirty my hands."
The grand tale of the 'Black Knight'.
As that thought crossed my mind, a serene smile spread across my face.
It was a hidden persona Hayden Reich used to conceal his identity as the Sword Saint when necessary.
Starting with dealing with 'Pintel', whom Lazlot had just mentioned, the name "Black Knight" would soon be known throughout the capital.
'Until then, I just have to prevent Aiden from causing any trouble.'
The thought of fewer tasks brought a continuous smile to my face.
"Huhu. Huhuhu......"
Yet that smile didn't last long.
The sticky sensation I felt when killing someone crept up my fingertips.
It wasn't enough to truly bother me, and yet... the moment the name "Black Knight" surfaced, this Yulian's senses began to feel increasingly unsettling.
'...... Must be due to the 'trailer' I saw before.'
In the dark alleys of the capital.
There, I discovered the truth that protagonist Hayden Reich was the 'Black Knight', and the moment when "Yulian" ruthlessly murdered him.
When I first embodied 'Yulian', I was confident such a thing wouldn't happen, but as I used the trait "Open Eyes" more, it felt as if "Yulian's" instincts incessantly gnawed at the latent consciousness I, as 'Yi Shihu', possessed.
'I need to train a bit more so as not to get devoured.'
When "Open Eyes" first manifested, I mercilessly wielded my sword before coming to my senses, but this time, I managed to control my sword until the end.
'A strong mind and body.'
It seems that notion is true indeed.
"While I'm at it, I should get moving."
Isn't there a saying about striking the iron while it's hot?
With that thought, I grabbed my sword and headed toward the training ground.
***
Among the various training grounds within the palace, I headed to Training Ground No. 3.
This place was filled with knights who were off duty or not assigned to missions, sweating and honing their swordsmanship to join higher-ranking knighthood orders.
As I entered the training ground, people's attention started to focus on me.
"...... It's Yulian."
"Gulp."
Even those sparring with each other.
And those blindly training.
Everyone halted their actions and glanced at me.
Among them, some openly exhibited fear above their heads.
'This isn't new at all.'
Leaving them behind, I walked toward the weapons display.
The weapon that currently fit my hands was the Moonstone Sword at my waist, but I had an urge to test a new weapon.
'Since I'm going to move anyway, I might as well explore new possibilities.'
What I picked up from the display was none other than a 'spear'.
A weapon that required both hands, unlike a sword.
Perhaps due to that, I felt somewhat awkward holding it.
"A spear......?"
"I thought Yulian's expertise was in swordsmanship."
"That's true; there's a reason he's called 'Yulian of the Moonlit Sword'."
The tension-filled atmosphere seemed to ease a little when I wielded a spear I hadn't used before.
"Sir Yulian, would you like to get a feel for the spear through a spar with me?"
This chap, who had previously expressed fear, proposed a spar with a smirk when he saw the spear in my hand.
Judging by the lack of any knightly insignia, he seemed to be a squire yet to join a knighthood order.
'How transparent.'
He was aiming to impress the surrounding knighthood order affiliates by taking advantage of my lack of proficiency with the spear.
Yet, I didn't particularly feel like declining the offer.
Despite the unfamiliarity of the spear, sparring was far more rewarding than aimlessly striking dummy targets.
'...... I used to avoid such sparring matches.'
Things really have changed a lot.
With a smile, I responded in a manner befitting 'Yulian'.
"Huhu. It seems I appear approachable. Shall we proceed lightly?"
As I accepted the spar, the stage was swiftly set. Numerous knights ceased their training and moved aside to spectate Yulian's match.
"A spear... what an odd choice."
"No matter how talented, his capability would be halved using a different weapon."
"His conceit reaches the sky."
Some of the knights around seemed to anticipate my defeat.
I'll admit, this spear was quite foreign and awkward to me.
A weapon much longer than the sword I usually wielded.
The axis for balancing its weight differed markedly from that of a 'sword', which was fairly displeasing.
'However.......'
I didn't get the feeling I'd lose.
"Hraaaaah!"
While I was gauging the spear's balance, the spar began.
With a loud shout, the knight charged toward me.
'Seems it's a sword.'
I could easily estimate its reach as it was a weapon I also used.
'The spear's combat style would utilize its long range to prevent an opponent from closing in and incapacitating them.'
Swoosh──!
As I lightly thrust the spear, a sharp, cutting sound filled the training hall.
Despite it being a sparring weapon with a blunt tip, it still managed to produce such a sound.
Startled by the attack, the knight stepped back and faltered, delaying his posture.
"Is that all you have? With such skill, no knight order will take you."
Even in a casual spar, my tongue naturally resorted to derision.
"You, you...!"
Fuming with rage, the knight charged at me again, his face flushed with anger.
Sensing his faint killing intent, I thrust the spear once more.
However, having been bested once already, he was no fool; he anticipated my attack and deflected the spear with his sword, pushing it aside.
It was basic combat knowledge that a shorter sword was more viable in close-range combat against a spear.
Allowing him to close in would mean the spear, without any means to counter the sword at close range, would be at a disadvantage.
'Though even if I allow him to close in, I don't feel like I'd lose...'
Allowing him to close in would mean having the esteemed reputation of 'Yulian' chipped away, even if I was using an unfamiliar weapon.
'I'll have to overpower him with strength.'
The veins in my arm holding the spear began to bulge with blue intensity.
Utilizing the centrifugal force of pushing back, I struck the spear down toward the knight's head.
Clang!
The knight, attempting a swing at me, was caught off guard by the spear aiming at his head and instinctively blocked it with his sword.
"What, what strength...!"
As his sword began to give under the pressure, the astonished knight muttered, trying to maintain his footing.
Despite his efforts to brace and withstand the pressure, he eventually faltered.
'It's useless.'
Crack──!
With a little more exertion, the spear, accompanied by an ominous sound, started to crack.
'No, wait.'
Simultaneously, the spear split in half.
"Ka, kaaaaaaah!"
As the spear broke with the force of the downward strike, it slashed the knight's torso from chest to abdomen.
"Kuh."
He groaned in pain, backing away while staring wide-eyed at his abdomen.
The fractured end had cut through his shirt, leaving a small yet visible wound beneath.
Though the injury was minor, droplets of blood began to trickle from the wound.
'Damn.......'
An unfortunate mishap during a sparring.
To address this in a manner befitting 'Yulian', I approached the knight.
"Is this the best you have in a spar with me?"
Hearing my flat-toned words, the knight looked from his bleeding abdomen back to my face.
"He, heeeeek......"
Trembling with fear, he stumbled backward, his head adorned with a vivid, deep purple aura.
Why had the cocky squire, who earlier charged with eyes ablaze, suddenly reacted this way?
Understanding the reason was no challenge at all.
"As expected....... It's Yulian."
"So even a spar with bared fangs ends with no leniency?"
"Someone, stop him....!"
"That monster can't be stopped."
People interpreted the collapse and subsequent injury from the spear as conscious malice, leading them to think I intentionally broke it to inflict harm.
'A bit overly suspicious, aren't they?'
The squire's intention to gain recognition when I wielded an unfamiliar 'spear' was vexing, but a spar was just a spar.
Yet, it appeared as if I was a crazed man, ready to kill anyone who bared their teeth at me.......
'...it's plausible.'
Caught in this realization, I reluctantly nodded, accepting the atmosphere myself.
"Yu, Yulian...!"
At that moment, an all-too-familiar face broke through the crowd in the training hall.
It was Herand Cryphart, the third son of the Cryphart family.
"Elder brother Herand."
"You needn't continue. It's clear you've won. Why not call it off now?"
He spoke with his characteristic tremor. Thankfully, his presence diffused the previously severe atmosphere of the training hall.
The trembling squire left the training ground at speeds that seemed impossible considering the fear gripping him.
"Huhu, elder brother Herand, even I wouldn't kill so easily."
With a smile, I casually joked to Herand as I watched the squire's retreating back.
"Th-that so...? B-but of course!"
Yet, as always, Herand failed to perceive it as a joke, underlined by the purple aura wafting over his head.