Chapter 80. Whim (2)
I had been contemplating internally.
Given the situation, I pondered whether accepting the position of 'Archbishop' to use it as a stepping stone to devour the 'Dawn Society' would be a good idea.
Becoming the 'Archbishop' would enable me to manipulate the nobles within the Dawn Society as easily as if they were my personal minions.
With the prestige of Tenelon behind me, they might not relish it, but they'd have no choice but to heed my words.
'Then, let's think about it.'
Initially, I could prevent my transfer to the 'Northern Front', and, spearheaded by the nobles within the 'Dawn Society', I could also somewhat block the influence of the 'Elder Council'.
'It might not be so bad.......'
......is a joke.
If I continue to expand my territory in such a manner, I'd be positioned at the very heart of the 'Dawn Society'.
Eventually, when the overly ambitious 'Dawn Society' gets sorted out by the Imperial family, I wouldn't be able to avoid the responsibility as 'Archbishop'.
People would undoubtedly say this as they watch me climb the guillotine.
- 'Haha, the Smiling Executioner has gotten caught in their own trap!'
Ugh. Damn it!
My imagination, spurred on uselessly, made my head throb.
In any case, to prevent myself from being appointed as 'Archbishop', I decided to seek out Tenelon.
Once the appointment ceremony takes place, it would be difficult to retract, so hastening to prevent such events was the best course of action.
- 'I refuse the appointment as Archbishop. Find someone else.'
I decided to confide this thought to Tenelon, but his reaction was unexpected.
"I had a vague notion."
He knew......?
What on earth did he mean?
Having completed his succession and become the 'High Pontiff', Tenelon was dressed in ornate attire, seemingly to flaunt his authority.
"Yulian, your unwillingness to deeply involve yourself with the Dawn Society."
He hit the nail on the head.
He said it himself.
Yulian prioritized something else over the Dawn Society,...my refusal to prioritize the 'Dawn Society'.
"Hoho, is that so?"
But that's not what matters.
Even before joining here, I had always exuded such nuances.
- 'What's important to me is Strength, and my desire is to defeat the Sword Saint.'
Hence, it wasn't novel to me.
The problem lies in the fact that Tenelon had already anticipated my refusal of the 'Archbishop' position.
"Yes, so I also knew you'd come to see me like this before any formal announcement. However, I cannot understand you."
While speaking, Tenelon stroked his chin.
"Even if you lack personal interest in the Dawn Society, I can't fathom why you would refuse power."
His unmasked eyes radiated 'skepticism'.
Shortly after, above Tenelon's head, I began to see the 〈Color of Negativity〉.
"Despite desiring Strength, you refuse the 'horn', and also refuse the power of the Dawn Society."
A deep gray, the Color of 'doubt'.
He felt perplexed by my actions.
Haaa, getting discovered here would be troublesome.......
Oblivious to my urgency, his words continued.
"If your entrance into the Dawn Society lacks purpose, I'm curious about your reasons for being with us."
His expression grew serious, and the gray above his head intensified.
"The only reason I can imagine is...... Yulian, I can only think that contrary to my belief, you've entered the Dawn Society as an imperial spy."
The grave atmosphere and his piercing eyes bore into my skin, making it evident his mood wasn't pleasant.
And I knew why.
All my constant refusals contributed considerably to his displeasure.
'It seems he's upset about the Gerard incident.'
The air, heavy with his bad mood, suggested he might take some action if my response was unsatisfactory.
No matter how favored Yulian was.
Yes, suspicion was natural.
I didn't come here without accounting for such possibilities.
The betrayal of the trusted Gerard and the dismay at the bishops who tattled on it.
When emotions are sharpened like that, after all.
"Sir Tenelon, I'm deeply disappointed."
It was the perfect timing to manage him.
"...... Disappointed?"
He tilted his head, conveying a 'why is that coming from you?' nuance.
"The reason I declined power aligns with my initial 'reason' for joining the Dawn Society."
"That reason......."
In response, Tenelon seemed to ponder for a moment, lowering his head.
I shouldn't give an easy answer here.
"Hmm."
Soon, as if realizing something, Tenelon sighed shortly.
"Sword Saint...... because he left the institution?"
He bit the bait.
Internally, I smiled at his question.
"Yes, now that he has exited the institution, what could I achieve even if you bestow me with the Archbishop's seat?"
"I see, that's why you refused the position of Archbishop."
Tenelon removed his mask and faintly grinned.
Time had left a horrifying scar across his face.
"Haha! So that's what it was!"
Tenelon, finally comprehending Yulian's demeanor, began laughing heartily.
"It's to put an end to that vile Sword Saint!"
My ostensible reason for joining the Dawn Society was to defeat the Sword Saint.
By invoking that 'overt reason' and rejecting the Archbishop position, he'd accept it, surely.
"Sir Tenelon already greatly favors me, and why would I not understand the other bishops' mindset? Simply put, if I remained in that 'position', my range of movement would be constrained."
"Indeed. I thought so as well."
The Archbishop role was crucial within the Dawn Society, so reckless movements were discouraged to maintain order.
This restriction is what kept Tenelon from leaving the institution.
As he nodded in agreement, I went for the final nail.
"Yes, exactly. Since there is no 'purpose' for me in the institution, leaving in search of that 'purpose' is......."
"Yes, that's the way of the world!"
What 'way of the world'? It's not like we're playing PoXmon.
Though I wanted to confront Tenelon, who was fussing over, I barely held back.
"When do you intend to depart for the Holy Kingdom? If you wish, you may take a few Monsignors...... no, bishops with you."
It was an incredible offer.
Tenelon, who loathed the idea of taking 'bishops' rather than himself to such an extent, now permitted me to bring one along.
"Hoho, I appreciate the consideration, but I have no such plans."
Of course, I declined his overly generous offer.
His abundant consideration would equate to surveillance for me.
Though I coated my words smoothly to convince Tenelon, I had no immediate plans to head to the Holy Kingdom.
I merely needed a justification to refuse the Archbishop position.
"I seem to have rubbed against Yulian, your pride. Achieving great deeds hardly requires others' help."
"No need to say that. I just dearly appreciate your consideration, Sir Tenelon."
If I keep performing several acts befitting 'Yulian', rejecting the Archbishop position would be naturally executed.
I laughed softly.
Seeing Tenelon react as I had envisioned was more than relieving.
"Yet, I really want to assist in some way."
Enough already! This persistent gentleman...
Tenelon's unexpected statement astounded me.
Listening to his triumphant voice, anxiety creeped in, yet I restrained myself from betraying emotions.
"I really don't need help."
"No, please allow me to assist somehow."
I said I didn't need any! Why cling to this notion so?
Unknowing of my heart, Tenelon, pondering various things, soon had his eyes light up with an idea.
"Then, I will intervene, ensuring you can head to the Holy Kingdom, fernand, without suspicion."
What? Why... why go that far!
Internally, I questioned Tenelon's words, but.
"Hoho, there's really no need to......."
"Do not refuse."
Suddenly.
Rising from his seat, Tenelon clasped my hand. His rough touch sent slight chills down my spine.
Simultaneously, a bit of 'demonic energy' leaked forth from him.
"Your quest to kill the Sword Saint align, Yulian, with not only your desire but also mine. Thus, do not refuse my assistance."
No, I told you I'm not thinking about that now!?
"I was actually considering appointing you, Yulian, as the Archbishop and then observing."
Relieved of his suspicion, Tenelon's speech gradually quickened as his mood brightened.
"To evaluate if you were suitable as my 'successor'."
What ridiculous nonsense was this?
I came here to refuse the position of archbishop and now hear about being thought of as a successor.
"Sir Tenelon, I'm sorry, but I have no intention of succeeding anyone."
"Yes, I thought you might say that. That's why you're fit to be my successor."
Words hovered at my throat, 'Are you crazy?'
"It's those without greed for power who can really guard this position."
"Do you not trust the other bishops?"
Deliberately infusing a slight chuckle, my words caught Tenelon's gaze.
"Of course, I trust my bishops. But more than that, I trust you."
There was a faint smile twinkling at what Tenelon said.
"...... Understood."
I nodded in agreement.
I deduced it wouldn't be good to outright decline Tenelon's proposal here.
Even if he spoke amicably, yet still...
'It has not eroded.'
Because the gray haze symbolizing 'doubt' hadn't dissipated from above Tenelon's head.
'If so, I guess I should play along.'
Thinking that he might still harbor suspicions about me, the tension that seemed to choke me began to ease.
"This time, I shall grant the request of Sir Tenelon."
For I could, in turn, use him to my advantage.
***
Currently, the relationship between the Holy Kingdom, fernand, and the Adratan is, even in jest, impossible to regard as 'good'.
Though an extended war ended in 'ceasefire', the residual animosity remains unresolved between them.
In such conditions, should Yulian of 'Blind Eyes' head for the Holy Kingdom, it would inevitably cause complex situations but,
'That's Tenelon's concern.'
He did assure me he'd sort things out.
'However......, he's beginning to harbor suspicions.'
More crucial was the 〈Color of Negativity〉 hovering over Tenelon's head.
The way he pretended to be friendly while feeding sweet words was unprecedented.
'Seems like it's about time.'
Time to start overturning the Dawn Society.
Contemplating this, I brushed the scabbard of the Moonstone Sword at my waist.
As if it served as a signal, dark silhouettes appeared both in front and behind my path.
"You fools, how dare you reveal yourselves."
The assailants trailing me since I left the Genmel Monastery.
I long knew these were associates of 'Gerard'.
Their involvement was blatant since a cleric, who had his arm broken by me, was with them.
"Amazing loyalty, stepping up for discarded trash, no less."
"It's not merely for Sir Gerard."
Click—!
The depleted clerics blocking the front and rear unsheathed their weapons in unison.
Though the dim night shrouded us, their weapons emanated a fierce, icy glow.
"Your existence threatens the very foundation of our Dawn Society."
"Merely two bishops losing their positions."
Aiden and Gerard.
Aiden's case was not outright losing his 'bishop' title, yet his influence within the Dawn Society indisputably waned.
No words necessary for Gerard.
"Unlike you, they wield considerable power within and beyond the Dawn Society. We won't stand to witness a sordid being like you defiling our ranks any longer."
Wow! Such devotion to preserving the disgustingly corrupt Dawn Society... it's worthy of applause, for real.
'Seems reasoning won't work here.'
While deducing, I almost drew the Moonstone Sword when—
Crack—!
"Argh, arrghhh!"
I sensed a ripple of mana in the air, and simultaneously, the clerics blocking behind crumbled like fallen leaves.
I had already anticipated someone was employing magic.
As I attempted to unsheath the Moonstone Sword to counteract it, indeed.
'...... It wasn't me?'
Perplexed, as I sensed unexpected mana flow, a figure descended from the void.
A familiar face greeted me.
Too familiar, to the extent that words eluded me.
"S-Sir Pintel......! Why are you obstructing us!?"
"Silence!!"
Directed at the whimpering tone of a clergy, Pintel's reprimand rent the air.
Never before had I seen such seething anger, leaving me utterly bewildered.
'You... Why are you like this?'