Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 303 : Side Story 3 - Growing Anxiety

Side Story 3 - Growing Anxiety

The Holy Kingdom's diplomatic delegation had originally planned to head to the Empire via the narrow mountain pass of the Yandes Mountains.

It was the shortest among the routes to the Empire and was the traditional path used by delegations from the Holy Kingdom.

However, right before departure, there was a request from Reinor.

― The inspection at the Empire's border beyond the Yandes Mountains is quite strict. That's probably because relations with the Holy Kingdom aren't good.

What Reinor was worried about was their 'magical devices' being detected at the inspection.

Devices for transmitting voices or for eavesdropping—if discovered, there would undoubtedly be countless complications.

― So, cross the eastern plains and use the border with the Federation instead. The inspections there are not as strict as at the Yandes Mountains, so you'll be able to get through more easily.

Lyrik thought Reinor's advice was reasonable. However, priest Orlan, who was leading the delegation, wore a face full of discontent.

"How dare a Chancel of Seven Seats not know his place..."

Priest Orlan grumbled as he smoked his pipe slowly. Blowing out a stream of smoke, he approached Lyrik.

"You're just a barely useful orphan. Do you know what kind of hierarchy rules the Holy Kingdom?"

"At the top are the High Priests, with the priests and clergy below them."

"That's right, the Chancel of Seven Seats are our sword, but they are not the decision-makers."

"That's correct, priest Orlan."

When Lyrik answered, Orlan brought the pipe close to his nape. The hot heat transferred to his skin, but Lyrik didn't flinch.

"Then why does your master act as if he can give me orders? Does he not know his place?"

Lyrik said nothing.

"I am the sole decision-maker for this delegation. Don't forget it."

Orlan pulled his pipe away and returned to his chair.

"We're taking the eastern plains. Not because Reinor's advice is sound, but because I have decided so."

At Priest Orlan's words, Lyrik nodded.

* * *

Conrad's carriage rumbled along the bumpy path.

On the second day of the journey to the Empire, he was sitting in his luxurious carriage, gazing at the passing scenery out the window.

The interior of the carriage was decorated with silk typical of the Suranun Desert, and at his side sat a half-emptied glass of wine.

On the opposite seat sat that man—the slit-eyed man with silver hair, Yulian. As usual, he quietly gazed out of the window.

'The events from half a year ago in the Suranun Desert are still vivid in my memory.'

The Suranun Desert is the production site of silver silk, coveted by nobles of both the Federation and Empire.

Conrad was supposed to assign someone from the merchant company there, but he harbored bigger plans.

He wanted to create a way to mass-produce the silk outside the desert—a feat only possible with materials from Suranun.

Because of this, Conrad found himself traveling to the Suranun Desert from time to time, to both procure silk and discover its secrets.

The problem arose then.

'A sandstorm overtook us, and as we barely escaped, a demon appeared.'

In his memory, black figures emerged through the swirling sandstorm. Demons with snakeshaped bodies and sharp claws.

They dealt with the guards in mere seconds, and the merchants scattered, screaming. Conrad still felt his knees weaken recalling that sight.

The terror from that moment was still palpable. He felt true despair then, as if his world were collapsing.

'But that was when he appeared.'

His gaze drifted to Yulian. The slit-eyed man was still gazing out the window, as if uninterested in Conrad's thoughts.

Bursting from the sandstorm, he swung a sword—imbued with a faint, moonlit glow.

Each swing felled a demon. The memory brought a shiver even now.

Having slain all the demons, Yulian wiped blood from his blade and looked at Conrad.

The scene was a veritable hellscape—demon corpses and the flesh and blood of merchants strewn everywhere—yet Yulian didn't bat an eye.

Conrad had thought,

Shouldn't I repay this life debt, somehow? But when he opened his mouth to speak, only the sound of the wind escaped his lungs.

'And then he vanished. Just as if he'd come with the storm, he disappeared into the swirling sands.'

He'd had the chance to see his lifesaver again just a week ago in the Federation's capital.

Yulian was looking for a carriage heading for the Empire. Upon hearing this, Conrad proactively insisted on giving him a ride.

"*Kuheum.*"

Conrad cleared his throat, trying to liven up the carriage.

"By the way, sir Yulian, what brings you to the Empire?"

It was a natural question. The Empire was in chaos. Anyone heading to Adratan Empire under such conditions was surely not an "ordinary person".

"I have personal reasons."

Yulian answered calmly.

His face betrayed no emotion. Each time his silver hair swayed under the sunlight, a mysterious air surrounded him.

"I suppose it's a pointless question, but..."

Conrad asked cautiously. His instincts as a merchant warned him.

This man was definitely not an average traveler.

His swordsmanship was nearly perfect, as if embracing death itself.

His spirit proved him to be a natural warrior.

Yet his poise was not of a mere warrior, but more like a noble—or even something more exalted.

"Is your reason for going to the Empire by any chance related to the current situation there...?"

Yulian was silent for a moment. Something calculating flickered in his slit eyes.

"You are a merchant, sir Conrad."

Yulian finally spoke.

"A good merchant listens much and speaks little. You are a good merchant, aren't you?"

Conrad flinched at those words—a subtle warning. A sign not to pry further.

"Ha, ha ha...!"

Conrad laughed despite himself.

"It was just simple curiosity! After all, everyone knows the current situation in the Adratan Empire... isn't the best, right?"

"It is chaotic."

Yulian turned his gaze to Conrad.

"It's the perfect time to seize opportunities. Don't they say? Opportunity lies in chaos."

Thinking about it, Yulian did have a point. Conrad decided to think simply.

Maybe Yulian, like himself, was aiming to profit from the chaos in the Empire.

"In that case, what do you say? Isn't this fate? Why not team up with this good merchant and seize an opportunity together?"

"A cut, you say?"

"Yes! The phonosite mine contract we're trying to secure is in a rather lawless area near..."

"Sir Conrad!"

Suddenly, a hurried voice rang from outside, and Conrad scowled.

He was just about to make a good offer. Clearly annoyed, he raised his voice.

"What is it?!"

"Demons! Demons have appeared on the far side of the plain!"

"What!?"

Conrad was startled by his escort's report.

Demons were hardly ever seen on the Eastern Plains. That was because the Federation and Empire had divided the area and placed phonosite stones there, creating an environment in which demons couldn't appear.

But for demons to show up—

"No matter how far gone the Empire may be, could they really have neglected maintenance of the phonosite stones?"

Those Empire bastards.

Conrad clicked his tongue internally.

"What shall we do?"

"What do you mean, what do we do?! We can't shake off beast-type demons with these carriages!"

Unable to move fast with all the loaded cargo, picking up speed was nearly impossible.

Even if the horses could flee, Conrad didn't want to risk his goods being damaged.

In the end, Conrad decided to fight the demons on the plain. The carriage guards drew their weapons and waited for the demons to charge.

"... Damn, they look vicious."

Climbing out of the carriage, Conrad clicked his tongue at the sight before him.

Huge, wolf-like demons covered in black fur were approaching the convoy.

They were twice the size of an ordinary wolf, with sharp spines on their backs, and crimson glowing eyes and long fangs proving that these were anything but normal beasts.

"E-eek..."

The wolf-demons began to surround the convoy. Overwhelmed by their aura, the inexperienced escorts were seized with terror.

"Don't any of you worry!"

Conrad shouted to the guards.

"We have Sir Yulian with us! The very Sir Yulian who slaughtered demons in the Suranun Desert!"

With enormous faith, Conrad looked to Yulian. The other merchants who had survived the Suranun Desert with him also let out a sigh of relief at his words.

Yet, hearing those words, Yulian inwardly frowned.

He knew full well that he was a demon-slaying expert. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it his vocation.

However,

'Just because I'm good at something doesn't mean I like it.'

No matter how many times he did it, it was a job he could never bring himself to enjoy.

It was a thought Yulian had always carried.

* * *

Traveling across the vast grasslands of the Eastern Plains, the Holy Kingdom's delegation had not let down their guard even on the second day. The journey to the Empire was peaceful, but Priest Orlan kept instructing Lyrik to strengthen surveillance.

"I see demons up ahead."

A scout reported in.

Lyrik raised his hand, halting the column. As the scout said, they could see demons gathered in the distance.

"Demons, huh."

"It seems those demons are encircling something."

The scout focused his gaze on the site where the demons gathered.

"It's the Briman Federation's merchant company. Looks like they've been attacked by demons."

"The Briman Federation, hmm..."

Priest Orlan smiled.

"They may have information about the Empire we wouldn't otherwise know. Merchants are known to have dark hearts but sharp ears, after all."

"What shall we do?"

"Save them. But if there's a risk of casualties on our side, withdraw immediately."

At his word, Lyrik nodded. He left only a minimum guard, then took three warriors and rode to where the Briman Federation caravan was under attack.

Wordlessly, Lyrik drew his sword from its sheath. The blade glinted blue as it reflected the sunlight.

― Kieeeek!

The demons sensed Lyrik's approach—but it was too late. Lyrik swung his blade.

The arc of his sword was perfect. The sharp blade cut across the demon's neck, and black smoke rose from where the sword had passed.

No sooner had one demon fallen than another, beside it, crouched for a counterattack.

'Five steps.'

Lyrik had many talents, but there was one that surprised even his master Reinor.

It was the ability to measure the distance between himself and his opponent.

Not merely physical distance, but:

The opponent's attack range,

Their leap speed,

And even the level of danger.

He measured everything in "steps"—and five steps, to him, was not a threat.

It was not something his master Reinor had taught him. It was a survival instinct developed from facing death countless times.

In this way, Lyrik joined forces with the Holy Kingdom warriors and defeated the demons.

'The closest anyone got was just four steps.'

There was no danger in this fight.

"Ah, glory to the Sun God!"

With the demons defeated, a merchant who seemed to be the caravan leader rushed out. The brown-skinned merchant introduced himself as 'Conrad'.

"If not for your help, we'd have been nothing but a meal for the demons! Glory to the Sun God!"

Priest Orlan finally descended from the hill, approaching the caravan. The rest of the Holy Kingdom delegation followed behind him.

"It was by the Sun God's will that we were here, so this was fate," he replied.

"Ahh..."

While Orlan chatted, Lyrik began scanning the area.

If things went badly and it became necessary to silence witnesses, he might have to kill the members of the caravan.

Thus, estimating their fighting power was essential.

'Four steps, five steps.'

All the caravan guards were rabble—none could stand against him.

The strongest among them, at most, was of the "four steps," on par with the demons—should he need to kill them, it would be easy.

"Hm?"

Just then, Lyrik noticed something odd.

Just as he could measure an enemy's attack with 'steps', he could also sense whether his own attack would succeed.

All the people gathered here were within one step—

At most, two steps. All easily beatable.

But over there.

Leaning against the entrance of the largest carriage, a single slit-eyed man was looking in their direction.

He stood out.

'... Five steps.'

Beyond reach of attack.

Driven by curiosity, Lyrik started walking towards the slit-eyed man.

One step, another.

The closer he got, the more his face was etched with shock.

'The gap isn't closing.'

Despite physically approaching, the "steps" were not decreasing.

His intuition was warning him.

This man was dangerous.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Will Lyrik die, or will he be one of Yulian's fanatics?

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】