Chapter 72. Complicated Emotions (1)
"What brings the famous noble person to a humble hut like this?"
Hearing the mocking voices of the soldiers, I stared at the dagger in my hand.
It's not the longsword I usually wield... but for a mere soldier of Gerard's, it shouldn't be too difficult.
"Hey, why aren't you responding? I asked what brought you here."
One of the soldiers I had seen before frowned and raised his voice, prompting the other two behind him to prepare to draw their swords at any moment.
'I should probably subdue them first...'
With that thought, I lifted my gaze and looked at the soldiers.
"If you leave now, I won't chase you."
I spoke with as little emotion as possible.
In reality, I didn't want a fight to break out.
Now, even though it might not be as prominent, I still have the influence of the 'Sword Saint' in my body...
My swordsmanship naturally reveals his colors.
If I go all out in such a situation, the true identity of the 'Black Knight' might be exposed.
'Perhaps even infusing aura...'
At that moment, the soldiers I was facing charged at me.
Damn, my clothes will get dirty again.
Who else but Yulian with a cleanliness obsession would think of such a thing first?
Slightly annoyed, I decided to first deal with the enemies before me.
They were running toward me quite fast, but compared to the mighty Monsignor, their speed was laughably slow.
'As expected.'
I adjusted my grip on the dagger.
Due to the short blade, I needed to jump into the fray to land a critical hit, but the gap left by the soldier swinging his sword was so wide that closing in wasn't difficult.
As I approached, a look of panic crossed his face.
"Ugh, ugh!"
When the dagger held in reverse grip pierced his body, a wheezing sound came from him as it seemed his legs lost strength.
He was about to collapse, but thinking he might counterattack, I quickly swung the dagger several more times.
Thud.
Soon after, the first soldier to rush at me lay collapsed, his body covered in blood.
Due to my characteristic obsession with cleanliness, the splattering blood made my hands tremble with annoyance, but with two left, I tried to ignore it as much as possible.
'Huh?'
However, the remaining two soldiers showed no intention of moving.
It was quiet. No, the air felt so still it seemed frozen.
The color of 'fear' was clearly visible above the heads of those who were just mocking a moment ago.
Suddenly? What did I do...?
"I told you, didn't I? If you leave now, I won't pursue you. This is the price for defying my words."
Yet, contrary to my thoughts, my mouth instantly spoke Yulian's intention.
"Will you also challenge...?"
I shook the blood off the dagger and took a step forward.
"Eek, aaaaaah!!!"
The remaining two soldiers started to flee.
Huh? Where are you going?
I was bewildered watching their figures running without looking back, leaving me momentarily standing in place.
"Um... Sir, Black Knight?"
Hearing a frightened voice from behind, I turned to find Maier with the same color of 'fear' apparent above her head.
"Gulp."
I could hear the sound of her swallowing saliva.
Why on earth?
At first, it didn't make sense.
Even after helping her, instead of gratitude...
However, the image of the 'Black Knight' reflected in Maier's eyes was truly terrifying.
'It's a face straight out of a horror movie.'
Considering I'd turned someone into near-death with just a dagger, and it was brutally and gruesomely done...
Oh, there's not a single spot on his body without stab marks.
It's only natural that Maier and the others were terrified.
"Keheuk, cough..."
While lost in thought, the soldier who had collapsed coughed up.
I had avoided vital spots to ensure he wasn't killed outright, though he was unable to move, his slight twitching was indeed impressive.
"Did Gerard order you to kill Baran?"
At my question, the eyes of the scared soldier flickered with bewilderment.
Though I had expected it, seeing that expression gave me certainty.
"It's only to be expected, a traitor against Sir Gerard received his just desserts!"
Gasping for breath as he tried to calm down, the soldier spat out his words.
'Traitor, huh...'
Given the current situation, it was natural for Gerard to sever ties with the Nameless Band, but it was faster than I anticipated.
The term 'traitor' gave me an idea of the reason.
'Was it because I mentioned Baran's name at the banquet?'
It seems Gerard misunderstood, thinking Baran betrayed him and conspired with Yulian, leaking information to him.
Apologies to the late Baran.
"Don't be ridiculous, you bastard!"
With her voice brimming with anger, Maier grabbed the soldier's collar.
Gagging, the coughing soldier lacked the strength to shake her off and offered no resistance.
"Big brother Baran was so devoted to Gerard! How dare you say he betrayed him, what is this nonsense!"
From her words, it seemed Maier was well aware that Baran had been placed by Gerard.
'With this, the Nameless Band and Gerard may commence an all-out war.'
Thinking as much, I...
"Do you wish for revenge?"
While it seemed like a good opportunity to use this situation, I simultaneously wondered, 'Should I really do this?'
Normally, I should empathize with her for losing a brother-like figure, yet I was only considering exploiting this situation.
My emotions and thoughts seemed disconnected... unpleasant at times, but what can I do?
I am Yulian, after all.
"Don't just speak empty words if you don't intend to help!"
With wide eyes, Maier glared at me. Before continuing, she kicked the fallen soldier, ensuring he'd faint completely, just in case he overheard us.
"I have a debt to settle with Gerard."
"A debt...?"
"Yes."
Nodding, Maier turned her gaze back to the soldier.
"What do I have to do to avenge Big brother Baran?"
To her question, I took out a box from my pocket and handed it to her.
"What is this?"
"A communicator."
Inside was the communicator received alongside a promise of support for Eleanor.
"For now, we can only wait for the right moment. And, when that time comes, show your resolve."
"Resolve...?"
Though she seemed momentarily perplexed by my words, it wasn't long before the doubt in her eyes vanished.
***
Though there's a saying that speaks of "the enemy of my enemy as my friend", I was slightly bewildered by having recruited a member of the Nameless Band.
'And not just anyone, but Maier, the Five-Colored One.'
In no time, Gerard's ambitions would undoubtedly reach this place.
With the upcoming 'High Pontiff Succession Ceremony', contributions would be needed to secure the vacated position of the Archbishop.
Moreover, he had been suspicious of a connection between Baran of the Nameless Band and the Black Knight, and with his subordinates confirming the Black Knight's presence at their headquarters, it was only a matter of time before Gerard acted.
He'd ignore the mistakes he made and thoroughly attempt to eradicate the connections.
This meant the dismantling of the Nameless Band was only a matter of time.
Though the timeline sped up, this wasn't too different from the original 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉 storyline.
Although Pintel survived, and the Sword Saint left the capital, the overall flow hadn't changed significantly.
Perhaps because the crucial figure in the story, the Black Knight...
'Well, I am playing that role, I suppose.'
And there was one more thing.
Even when someone who shouldn't be involved in such matters was unnecessarily tailing me...
...could this still be considered an unexpected factor?
"What kind of business does the noble lady of the prestigious Rondel family have in following me through the back alleys of this slum?"
Speaking coldly and quietly, I adjusted the mask made of 'Sombra'.
She was an opponent whom my identity should never be exposed to.
Before long, a familiar face appeared from my peripheral vision.
With her golden hair cascading down her back, she possessed the same green eyes as Maier, though hers exuded a calmness.
"When did you realize I was trailing you?"
"From the start."
... A lie.
In truth, I only realized it once I entered this alley, but my bluff seemed to work as Rinne's eyes wavered slightly.
"If you knew I was following you, you wouldn't have left yourself so exposed."
"Because I knew you wouldn't ambush me."
"Huh...?"
"If it's someone from the esteemed Rondel family, they wouldn't resort to such things."
Yes, that too was a lie.
"Ah, ahem."
However, Rinne seemed to like what I said, as she gave a small cough and turned her head slightly.
"So, what business does the lady of Rondel have in chasing me down to this slum?"
"I wanted to confirm your swordsmanship with my own eyes."
Expecting her to withdraw slightly, Rinne unexpectedly declared the reason for her pursuit boldly.
She wanted to see my swordsmanship?
'At least she doesn't seem curious about the identity of the Black Knight.'
I secretly let out a sigh of relief.
Due to an incident before, she must have felt slightly uncomfortable with me.
"So, did you manage to discover anything from my swordsmanship?"
"I did."
Seeing her speak without a moment's hesitation piqued my curiosity.
While I had complete confidence in my swordsmanship, this wasn't something I honed from scratch but was something 'crafted.'
For that reason, it intrigued me.
"What is it?"
"Contrary to what people say, your swordsmanship isn't as graceful."
True, one might think that. However, I couldn't help but feel slightly defensive at the moment.
"You're free to judge my swordsmanship, but hearing it from someone who's been merely following me around is a bit unpleasant."
"But it's true, isn't it? Your swordsmanship is crude. 'Swordsmanship bathed in moonlight'—that phrase doesn't suit a rogue like you."
To say it doesn't suit me...
The moment I heard that, I instantly understood who Rinne was thinking of.
It must be her mentor, the Sword Saint, Hayden Reich.
After all, Rinne's perception of the pinnacle of swordsmanship always led back to him.
"Can you make such assertions just by observing me with a dagger?"
"Because I've seen your mindset."
"Judging by your words, it seems you've personally witnessed someone using that 'Moonlit Swordmanship', haven't you?"
"Yes, of course."
As expected...
Seeing her nod naturally like that confirmed it was indeed the Sword Saint.
'... Why am I getting irritated?'
Despite being just a possession, I thought my current swordsmanship, as exhibited by 'Yulian', was quite graceful.
'The Sword Saint's techniques do live up to their reputation, but...'
I never expected to be looked down upon so openly.
Realizing this, I started to feel irritated.
The Sword Saint, who abruptly left the capital and his role as the 'Black Knight' to me.
I couldn't help but feel a bit resentful of him.
"You seem to admire him quite a lot."
Perhaps for that reason, I wanted to utter words filled with emotion, different from usual.
"'Admiration' is the emotion most remote from 'understanding'."
This was what the original storyline had 'Yulian' telling 'Rinne'.
To say, by merely admiring the 'Sword Saint', one could never surpass him. It was a venomous remark directed towards Rinne, who, always like a shadow, trailed behind the Sword Saint.
Those words had prompted a pivotal moment for her growth...
"... What?"
Rinne was visibly startled by my words, her lips slightly parted as she stared at me.
But sensing that she somewhat comprehended my words, Rinne firmly closed her lips, hesitant to say anything.
Leaving Rinne in that state, I moved my feet and left the slums.
Being with her caused an uneasy tension that made me uncomfortable.
And...
'I want to leave this filthy place as soon as possible!'
***
― Then, have you personally seen someone using such swordsmanship?"
Caught off guard by a question from the Black Knight, Rinne bit her lip in disbelief.
A graceful sword technique infused with moonlight.
When asked about the user of such swordsmanship, the first image that came to Rinne's mind was not her silent mentor, the Sword Saint Hayden Reich, who left the capital behind.
― You seem to admire him quite a lot.
It was, indeed, the detestable face of Yulian Cryphart Frason that appeared before even the Sword Saint.
― 'Admiration' is the emotion most remote from 'understanding'.
Surely, that man was impressive.
'I do know that his dedication to the sword is more genuine than I thought.'
The level of swordsmanship he wielded was of an excellent standard, nearly artistic.
'Nevertheless, admiration...'
Originally, it should have been directed towards the Sword Saint.
How did it end up like this?
Rinne struggled to make sense of the feelings, gently biting her lip.
Clacky's Corner:
You get a misunderstanding! You get a misunderstanding! And you get a misunderstanding! EVERYBODY! GETS! A! MISUNDERSTANDING!!!!