Act 46

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⇒ The unique trait “Opened Eyes” has manifested.

“I am speaking right now, am I not?”

Crack. Crash!

Always walking with his eyes closed, when Julian opened his eyes, the aura emanating from his body cracked the floor of the audience chamber, and stone fragments scattered around.

A murderous intent mixed into each and every word.

An aura reminiscent of the harsh winter.

Up until now, Julian had shown arrogance or overwhelming power through his aura at the ‘Dawn Society,’ but he had never flaunted such raw murderous intent like this.

Even more, his sword began to be dyed with moonlight as if he had no intention of hiding his hostility.

Julian’s specialty, the ‘Moonlight Sword.’

As that beautiful blade was revealed to the world, moonlight seeped into the dark audience chamber,

“Hi, hiiiiiek…!”

‘Bishop’ Felkor, who had traumatic memories associated with that moonlight, shrank with a pale expression.

“Cough… cough.”

The one feeling the greatest pressure was Aiden. It seemed his breathing became difficult due to Julian’s murderous intent, and he began to cough violently.

‘Indeed… a monster is a monster.’

Elenoa, watching Julian’s form, clicked her tongue.

An overwhelming martial force that refuses to be followed.

Just facing the unfiltered fragments of power was enough to make Aiden’s breathing difficult.

“Oh, my, I seem to have gotten excited.”

Julian, thinking he had gone too far, began to retract his pervasive murderous intent with an awkward laugh.

It probably wasn’t out of concern for Aiden. While he does not uphold the authority of Tenellon, pretending for the sake of his objectives is a fact even she has noticed.

“Impressive.”

Tenellon, not minding the pretense, opened his mouth with a smile that could be sensed even behind a mask.

“With just the spirit from your aura, you have effortlessly overwhelmed the bishops and order members gathered here.”

Tenellon, who cherishes all bishops, showed particular trust in Julian.

‘…A Sword Saint despised, equal martial prowess of Hayden Reich .’

Similarly, having faced humiliation from the ‘Sword Saint’ and being a disciple who possesses his power.

It was an undeniably desirable situation.

To have him by his side, learning and using the keen sword of that great Sword Saint.

“Bishop Aiden.”

“Yes, Archbishop.”

“Is it true that you are producing imitations of the ‘Horn’ I created, as Bishop Julian mentioned?”

Somewhat intimidated by Tenellon’s gentle tone, Aiden briefly lowered his head.

Showing signs of nervousness, he soon lifted his head again after moistening his lips with his tongue.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Not good. To act unilaterally without even informing me.”

As expected.

Elenoa felt her suspicions were confirmed by Aiden’s anxious demeanor as he spoke.

“But I particularly don’t mind.”

Tenellon said in an indifferent tone, looking at Aiden.

“After all, what are they but inferior replicas compared to the horns I create? If such imitations can become a power against the imperial authority, then I see no issue.”

Tenellon’s willingness to tolerate the creation of replica horns by members of the order made Elenoa nod.

‘Would you also tolerate human experiments on civilians?’

Elenoa wanted to bring this up but felt it was futile. Proposing conventional ethics would likely only be ignored.

“He is conducting human experiments on civilians to perfect these imitations. Will you still turn a blind eye?”

Elenoa looked at Julian with slight surprise. Once again, he had voiced the concern she was supposed to raise.

“Subjects of the empire who follow its laws can also be seen as accomplices to the royal ideology. If utilizing them can strengthen the Dawn Society, what’s the problem?”

A sophistry, paradox, extreme selfishness.

Elenoa was quite startled by Tenellon’s values, which were different from the goals of the Dawn Society she had considered.

At the same time, she felt doubtful about Julian, who had brought up the topic of civilians.

He, who had joined the Dawn Society in pursuit of power.

He, who desired the ‘Horn’ more than anyone.

Was he really concerned about the civilians?

“I’m just worried that experiments with the imitations might backfire on our society.”

Of course, Elenoa knew that Julian’s concern likely stemmed more from self-preservation than compassion for civilians.

“As the number of artificial demons created with the horn increases, even if they are unaware of our involvement, attention towards the groups using them will also increase. No matter how skillfully Bishop Aiden operates, it’s impossible to completely avoid their information networks.”

“Um… That’s a valid point.”

“So, it might be best to refrain from experimenting on civilians. Bishop Aiden, huhu.”

Julian let out a brief laugh.

Initially, Aiden had been jesting and conversing with Julian, but that ease was no longer present.

“Bishop Julian, called ‘the laughing executioner,’ seems to be feeling sorrow for the death of a mere commoner.”

Sensing that the conversation could end unfavorably for him, Aiden, trying to turn the tables, provoked Julian with a scornful look.

“I’ve heard you cultivate orchids. From your perspective, are ordinary civilians worth less than those orchids?”

“Huhu, would that really be the case?”

“If that were not the case, you wouldn’t have blindly killed the citizens under the imperial command.”

Aiden mocked Julian with a spiteful tone, but Julian, unconcerned, briskly turned his head away. It was a clear stance of not responding to pointless provocations, but Elenoa noticed something definite.

Her hand trembled slightly as she answered.

Was it anger at Aiden’s provocation?

Or was it guilt over the massacre of civilians?

‘Surely… he wouldn’t be like that.’

Her speculation was off the mark for both possibilities.

The reason Julian’s fist trembled slightly was…

…Angelica.

The mention of ‘orchids’ by Aiden inadvertently brought back memories of ‘Angelica.’

***

“Damn it…”

Having escaped from the Gennel Monastery, Aiden boarded a carriage.

As the monastery grew smaller in the distance, Aiden’s heart, which had been pounding, settled down, but he was enveloped in discomfort.

Julian.

The relief of moving away from that monstrous person.

And the humiliation of having his experiments interfered with by him.

As these two incompatible emotions surged, Aiden could not hide his discomfort and cursed.

‘Tenellon’s mercy is appreciated, but it will make the experiments with the replica horns difficult going forward.’

The reason he risked joining the Dawn Society, which was under imperial scrutiny, was solely for his family’s long-cherished wish.

Being unable to proceed with the experiments needed to fulfill that wish for the time being, it was natural for him to feel anxious.

‘No. Creating an elixir using the demon’s horn is something that can wait for later.’

Haste tends to ruin tasks.

Aiden had to conduct human experiments no matter what, but considering today’s events, if Julian was watching, it seemed impossible.

‘Should I take a drastic measure?…’

Though I’m reluctant, it seems necessary.

With that thought, Aiden spoke to the coachman.

“Alphas Mayfield.”

At his call, the coachman pulled back his hood and looked at Aiden’s face.

“Can you withstand the pursuit of the Crypart family?”

“Yes, it’s manageable. It’s not the entire family, and those Joshua can mobilize are knights like myself, but there’s a difference in class.”

The coachman’s face, wearing a bitter smile, was smeared with blood.

“Then let me ask you one more thing. Do you still owe me a debt?”

Alphas nodded.

“This life was originally destined to be dew on the scaffold, but Sir Aiden saved me. This debt will not disappear.”

“Then that’s good.”

Satisfied with Alphas’s unhesitant response, Aiden smiled contentedly.

“Then bring me Julian’s head. By any means necessary.”

***

Thanks to the warning sent to Aiden at the Gennel Monastery, the mass production of the replica horns will be delayed.

It also means that the Sword Saint’s side and the ‘Empire’ catching the tail of the Dawn Society is a matter for the future, giving them some time.

‘The problem is not knowing what Aiden, who harbors resentment against me, might do.’

What could he possibly do?

The ‘mansion raid incident’ that occurred this time did not seem to be led by Aiden.

Though he is someone who wouldn’t hesitate to commit anti-human acts to fulfill his family’s ambitions.

‘He wouldn’t move recklessly after all that talk.’

But he’s a magician to the core.

It was unpredictable how he might act, but at least if he values his own life, he wouldn’t do anything to make an enemy of Julian.

***

Knock, knock.

“Did you call for me, Sir Julian?”

The next morning, as Razlot entered the office, I shifted my gaze to him.

“Come in.”

Greeting him with a light smile made a thin violet hue squirm above Razlot’s head.

In the past, I made efforts to alleviate such emotions, but now, instilling a degree of fear makes it easier to manage him, so I hardly cared.

“Your report on the Dawn Society member’s ambush was quite helpful. Please report immediately if anything happens in the future.”

“I understand, Sir Julian.”

Of course, constantly ‘whipping’ doesn’t help with efficiency. Sometimes, a ‘carrot’ is necessary too.

“Ah, Razlot, before you go, take this with you.”

“…Yes?”

Razlot, who was looking at me with a visibly tense expression, swallowed hard and reached for the document.

“What’s this?”

As he read, his gaze stopped at the bottom of the document, where the seal of Bayer Academy was prominently stamped.

“Isn’t this a recommendation letter for admission to Bayer Academy…?”

“Yes, it’s the admission recommendation letter I promised before.”

“…Promise?”

“Didn’t I say if you worked under me as a spy for the Dawn Society, I would help even the children from a lowly orphanage get admitted to Bayer Academy?”

It was a bit difficult for me to say the word ‘lowly,’ but in this case, ‘Julian’ would likely use such a tone.

Razlot began to examine the admission recommendation letter again.

‘”It’s not a forgery, right?” 

As befitting one of the continental hegemonic powers, the Adratan Empire, known for its wealth and military strength, is also a place with a fervent passion for education. 

In such an empire, the Bayer Academy, boasting the highest standard of education, always sees a flood of applicants at its gates. 

Even more so, since the students eligible to take the entrance exam are randomly selected, it’s common for even high nobility to fail to gain admission. 

Hence, Razlot’s doubt is natural. 

After all, even the four great families struggle to obtain a recommendation letter for admission to Bayer Academy. 

“How dare you suggest that I, Julian, would forge such a document?” 

I can say with certainty that this is not a forgery. 

It was obtained recently during a special lecture, a “Closed Eyes mission,” from Vice Principal Allom Chornie. 

“Ah, no…! How could I dare…” 

“Then it’s a relief. With this recommendation letter, the children from the orphanage you attended can also take the entrance exam.” 

Razlot, who had been quietly listening to me, raised his head to meet my gaze. 

The sly-looking Julian reflected in his anxious eyes seemed far from a good person, even if it all started from a place of good intentions. 

“It’s a face that I can’t seem to get used to, no matter how many times I see it.” 

“…Excuse me?” 

“No, just talking to myself.” 

With that, I got up from my seat and picked up my coat. 

The topic of our conversation, the Bayer Academy, had a practical exam scheduled for today, and I had to act as an instructor there. 

“Still, it ends today.” 

I headed towards the academy with a light feeling, yet my steps felt inexplicably heavy.

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