Chapter 64. On The Brink(1)
"Thank you for your hard work, Byron. Shall we go back inside now?"
"Thank you, Sir Yulian. But... considering what happened this time, perhaps you could reduce the sentence..."
After sending Byron back to his cell—despite his unnecessary words—I received salutes from the guards and exited the royal palace.
While leaving, I lifted the sleeve of my coat to my nose and sniffed.
The potent fragrance of 'Bright Moon Pavilion' was so strong it was giving me a headache, leaving me feeling quite unpleasant.
'I wish I could go back immediately and change clothes.'
My body was particularly resistant to this smell today.
Strong perfumes were never really my preference, and luckily, it seemed Yulian had a similar disposition.
'... Was it too hasty of a choice?'
Suddenly, I began to worry about the 'request' I had left with T'alle. The chances of her surveillance, using small animals, being discovered were slim, but there was always a 'just in case' scenario.
'The current Heiden Reich is so different from the original.'
Though I hadn't seen it myself, his actions were too erratic to consider him the 'protagonist'.
He hadn't done any of the 'Black Knight' duties he originally should have, abandoning both the royal family and the Soul Stones.
As if he wasn't the 'protagonist'.
'I need to learn his intentions.'
I couldn't let my guard down, or I might find the story I knew going off course.
"... Yulian."
Lost in thought, I heard a voice call my name. Turning my head, I saw a familiar face.
I hadn't expected to see him here.
"Sir Pintel, you look terrible."
It was Pintel Agrad, who had a rough encounter with the 'Black Knight' at the 'Twilight Flame' smithy.
He appeared worn out.
Under the flickering streetlight, his appearance exuded exhaustion.
Unlike before, I no longer sensed hostility.
It seemed he hadn't realized I was the 'Black Knight' yet.
"I heard things didn't go well for you when you got taken by the military police."
"Yeah, I just got released. That's why I look like a mess..."
"For someone caught red-handed, you got out quite quickly."
"Being a noble and all. There's no evidence tying me to the 'Dawn Society'."
Noble.
That single word carried a heavy implication. Though the 'Twilight Flame' was run by the empire's top artisan, it's ultimately a commoner's place.
'I suppose, just from what was seen, they couldn't suspect Pintel of being part of the Dawn Society.'
They'd simply think it was an overreach by nobility.
"By the way, 'that place'... Yulian, you speak as if you were there."
Oops, I misspoke.
I chose my words carefully.
"I had some business there. It was quite noisy because of Sir Pintel's matter. And, hehe. It seems you failed again."
"Tsk."
My taunting tone made Pintel let out a short sigh.
"Damn him, it was that guy again."
"That guy?"
"The one who took my 'Soul Stone' last time!"
"Who is that?"
Although I knew who it was, I feigned ignorance.
"The Black Knight, him!"
Ugh.
A sigh slipped from me.
'Hearing that name directly feels awkward.'
Like that Arthur guy, why do people emphasize the name 'Black Knight' so much?
They don't think about the person themselves.
I guess they wouldn't expect the person to be right next to them.
"Damn it, we know he's holding a grudge against us, but why is it just me! Why am I the only one embarrassed like this?"
Frustrated, Pintel's hands trembled.
'Hmm, understandable frustration, but I'm sorry.'
The current 'Black Knight' seems bent on obstructing Pintel's business.
And for a very good reason.
'He doesn't realize he's been openly talking about it in front of me.'
I couldn't help feeling a bit sympathetic.
But what can I do?
The guy survived when he was supposed to die, so he should overcome some challenges.
Not that he'll ever find out.
"I swear, if I see him again, I'll kill him for sure!"
Unable to suppress his boiling anger, Pintel muttered with bulging eyes.
Sorry.
I'm right here.
"Saying 'next time', now that's something a defeated loser would say."
A harsh voice cut into my conversation with Pintel, prompting me to turn my head.
When I saw the owner of that voice, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
'Gerard Oclean.'
In the Dawn Society, there are several individuals who pose a threat equivalent to the current Archbishop, 'Tenelon'.
And one of them is that person, 'Gerard Oclean'.
Later, after 'Tenelon' is killed by the 'Black Knight', he is considered as one of the potential candidates for the next leader of the Dawn Society.
'Originally, he should be in charge of the western branch of the Dawn Society in the Empire. Why is he here?'
Thinking briefly, I realized the reason. 'Holy Kingdom Fernand' exists in the west of the Empire of Adratan.
And recently, the 'Sword Saint' went to the Holy Kingdom for reasons unknown.
'Did he come to the capital to avoid direct conflict with the Sword Saint?'
Given his belligerent nature, Gerard would have likely considered directly confronting the Sword Saint.
Still, if he's appeared in the capital, it's possible 'Tenelon' summoned him directly.
"Well, it's indeed something a defeated loser would say, right? Hahaha!"
Gerard laughed loudly, showing his gold-plated molars to those who followed him.
"Sir Gerard, mind your words. Unlike before, I'm of the 'Bishop' rank, just like you."
"Bishop? You idiot, haven't you heard the news! Is having bad hearing going to be useful?"
At Gerard's venomous words, Pintel's face flushed with anger, his fists clenched tightly.
Gerard, for his part, paid no mind to Pintel's reaction.
Despite being of noble status himself, Gerard's demeanor was more akin to that of a street thug than a nobleman.
"Your bishop position has been stripped away."
"... What?"
"You failed to secure the Soul Stone, and after failing the task you undertook without reporting to Sir Tenelon, did you really think there'd be no consequences?"
Gerard chuckled briefly.
At Gerard's humiliating words, Pintel's fists quivered with anger. Watching him, Gerard casually shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention to me.
"You must be the Smiling Executioner! Sorry I'm late in introducing myself. Name's Gerard Oclean. I'm in charge of the western branch."
"Yes, I'm familiar. Sir Gerard, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Haha. Never thought you'd join us."
Gerard approached me with a cheerful demeanor—contrary to how he treated Pintel—and extended a hand for a handshake.
Naturally, I did not accept.
This fellow.
'Gerard Oclean' is a bishop who employs all sorts of underhanded methods and is notably one of the most troublesome characters in the Dawn Society.
There's even a storyline where 'Rinne' accepts a handshake only to be paralyzed by the drug hidden in his glove.
"Sorry, I don't particularly enjoy shaking hands with other men."
This perhaps unintentionally added a tone of displeasure to my voice.
"Quite cold as ever."
Gerard spoke as if we were acquainted, but I didn't recall any interaction between Yulian and Gerard in the game.
Except for the incident in the Holy Kingdom.
"Could it really be? From the mouth of the Archbishop...?"
While Gerard and I conversed, a bewildered Pintel interjected, disbelief clearly evident on his face.
His eyes, shadowed by dark circles, shook violently.
"No way! It can't be..."
Before Pintel's words finished, Gerard emanated a sharp murderous aura.
Instantly, he drew the dagger from his waist.
Clang─!
I blocked Gerard's dagger with my sword sheath.
Sparks flew, casting a dim light on Pintel's darkened face, revealing his expression slightly.
"H-Hik...!"
Pintel, caught off guard, couldn't maintain his stance and fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Gerard snorted with amusement before shifting his gaze to me.
"Unexpected?"
Indeed, I found it unexpected.
The reason for this reaction was likely the sudden aversion to 'Gerard' and my body's hypersensitivity to hostility.
"If it had been Eleanor or Dantes, maybe. But I thought you'd turn a blind eye."
"Though it may seem otherwise, I'm quite protective of my comrades. As lacking as Sir Pintel is, he's still a 'comrade', isn't he?"
"For that reason alone? Really, from the Smiling Executioner?"
"Haha. Did you forget I'm with 'Blind Eyes'? I can't just ignore 'murdering a noble by day' in the capital, can I?"
Thus, I improvised a reason for blocking Gerard's assault.
After all, it was indeed quite out of character for 'Yulian'.
"Crafty bastard."
With a parting comment, Gerard turned his attention back to Pintel.
Pintel, who until a moment ago wore a bewildered expression, bit his lip as their eyes met.
"You... you bastard, what are you...!"
"Why so riled up, Pintel? It was just a harmless joke, hahahaha!"
With hearty laughter, Gerard left with his subordinates.
Watching him leave, Pintel slowly rose to his feet and, staggering, walked feebly into a dark alley.
'... I somehow feel sorry for him.'
If what Gerard said about the bishop position being revoked is true, I'm likely the main cause.
***
"Sir Yulian, did you visit the slums by any chance?"
The next day, upon returning to the secretariat to handle miscellaneous paperwork from 'Blind Eyes', Lazlot cautiously asked.
"How did you know?"
I was momentarily taken aback.
Was this guy tailing me? No, I'm certain. After entering the slums yesterday, there were no followers on my tail.
So how did he know?
"E-Eren, a child told me. He stays at the Genmel Orphanage and occasionally provides me information."
Ah, it was that kid who guided me to 'Bright Moon Pavilion'.
"Yes, I did go there. I had personal business to attend to."
"What kind of personal business...?"
For reasons unknown, Lazlot seemed flustered as he spoke.
"Does it have something to do... with the rumors within the Dawn Society?"
Rumors within Dawn Society?
Though I didn't know the specifics, Lazlot's mention of 'rumors' made my eyelids flicker slightly.
There are several rumors the Dawn Society might take interest in currently, but the one most closely linked to me is none other than the 'Black Knight'.
'Are they suggesting... that there's a rumor within the Dawn Society linking me to the Black Knight?'
"Is it about the Black Knight?"
"Yes."
Lazlot nodded cautiously in response. I maintained composure and asked again.
"I'm curious about how my visit to the slums is connected to the Black Knight."
"That's..."
Lazlot hesitated slightly, and I felt my hands growing clammy.
"They've discovered the identity of the Black Knight."
Clacky's Corner:
Who?