Act 65

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“It is said that the identity of the Black Knight has been discovered,” Razlot said cautiously, causing cold sweat to trickle down my back.

‘What?’

Flustered, I found myself unable to utter a word, simply staring blankly at Razlot.

Was it an illusion that my usual poker face as ‘Julian’ was crumbling?

No, it couldn’t be.

I had only acted as the ‘Black Knight’ twice! There shouldn’t have been any slip-ups during those times.

‘I know this game inside out, but unexpected things can happen.’

‘The story has changed because of me.’

Razlot, a double agent, wouldn’t report unconfirmed information to me without a reason. Besides, I knew his weakness, and each time we met, the purple haze around him was distinctly visible.

‘He wouldn’t report mere rumors to me.’

Seeing Razlot’s firm gaze made me think, ‘Is it true? Damn.’

Razlot’s report was like a bombshell.

I swallowed my saliva to calm my burning gut, but it didn’t help at all. In fact, the sound was so loud, I worried Razlot might have heard it.

“Hehe, is that so? I’m curious too about who the ‘Black Knight’ causing all this stir really is.”

It was tough maintaining an expressionless face and speaking without revealing any emotions as I subtly questioned him.

Above Razlot’s head, the purple haze was still prevalent.

“I don’t know for sure, but the Arch Bishop who heard the rumor wants to discuss this directly with Sir Julian. A messenger will be coming soon.”

Damn, it’s bad.

I turned my head slightly to hide my reaction and bit my lip.

Hmm? Something still feels off.

I interfered with Pintel’s acquisition of the Soul Stone and his recruitment of Ruger.

I’ve tricked Bishop Pintel…

Thinking about it, I feel sorry for Pintel. Ahem.

Anyway, if they knew it was me, the Dawn Society wouldn’t just let it slide so peacefully.

They would have mobilized Monsignor and their combat-ready bishops…

‘They would have killed me by now.’

If it’s the Dawn Society I know, they definitely would have.

‘Then why?’

I don’t know.

Maybe there’s a misunderstanding.

That would be fortunate.

“What will you do?”

Razlot asked with evident tension. I slowly shifted my gaze to him.

“I will meet with Sir Tenellon alone…”

I trailed off, examining his face for any signs of change, but there seemed to be none—he didn’t know more than what he had mentioned.

‘Is it a trap?’

Either way, running away while under suspicion would only inflate the doubts into certainties.

“When is this messenger supposed to arrive?”

***

Soon after getting into a carriage sent by the Dawn Society, we arrived at a glass greenhouse located on the outskirts of the city.

“Sir Tenellon is waiting inside,” said the guards who came out to greet me politely as I stepped out of the carriage.

Although their attire and atmosphere were no different from ordinary people, I was certain of their identity. They were ‘Monsignors.’

‘Why are they here…?’

Normally, I would have dismissed it as natural for the Archbishops to have guards, but now, I was suspicious about why they were guarding this place.

It couldn’t be, surely not.

As my suspicions grew, everything that seemed normal now appeared strange.

Trying to hide my unease, I walked past them into the greenhouse.

‘It’s quite well-maintained.’

The interior was vibrant with life.

Due to the optimal temperature and humidity, the plants arranged throughout the greenhouse looked fresh, and there seemed to be no neglected areas or rough edges.

However, there was one out-of-place figure disrupting the harmony of the greenhouse, sitting at the central table.

“Have you arrived? It’s our first time meeting alone like this.”

Somewhat pleased, Tenellon greeted me awkwardly. Of course, I didn’t show it, but…

“How is it?”

With a gesture, Tenellon indicated for me to look around.

Around him were well-maintained pots and orchids, brimming with freshness.

‘What does he want to say?’

What was the intention behind his question?

Why had he called me here?

Did he know everything when he summoned me?

A storm of thoughts brewed in my mind.

“I heard you have a hobby of growing orchids. How are they? Did I do a good job with these orchids?”

Caught off guard by his somewhat odd question, I managed to keep my emotions from showing on my face.

With a smile not reaching my eyes, and a face otherwise expressionless, I hid my feelings behind the character of the ‘stern villain.’

“It appears you’ve tended them yourself.”

“Yes, indeed. It was quite troublesome. I’d like to hear an expert’s opinion from you.”

After briefly inspecting the orchids that Tenellon claimed to have cultivated, I muttered,

“I’m no expert, but even a layman can see this is terrible. How can one ruin orchids to this extent? Even just watering them on time and providing some sunlight wouldn’t have led to this. You really have no knack for orchids.”

It was a harsh assessment but true.

The tips of the leaves were brown from frequent sun exposure, and there were signs of mold in spots.

If the visible parts were this bad, the roots must be rotting unseen.

There might be a nicer way to put it, but…

My love for orchids and Julian’s blunt speaking style naturally made harsh words spill out of my mouth.

“Ha-ha, is that so?”

Despite the discourteous tone, Tenellon accepted the comment with a pleasant demeanor.

“Julian, I really like your personality. You don’t sweet-talk to please me like other bishops.”

While Tenellon’s mouth smiled, his eyes shone with a sharp intensity.

“Considering your character, I was quite surprised by this incident.”

‘What, what?’

I flinched internally.

“Black Knight…. I never expected you would act…”

As the name ‘Black Knight’ escaped his lips, it felt as if something heavy had dropped onto my chest.

It seemed that Tenellon was saying something, but my ears only caught the words “Black Knight.”

Swallowing nervously, I looked at Tenellon, who spoke so naturally.

‘Does he know…?’

I tried to control my entire body to not react to his words, but a slight, almost imperceptible tremor was inevitable.

The possibility that he might know every action I had taken so far loomed over me.

In the worst-case scenario, I would have to cross swords with Tenellon here and desperately escape, only to be pursued by the members of the Dawn Society outside.

No, perhaps even escaping this place could be problematic.

The members of the Dawn Society, including the ‘Monsignors,’ were stationed around the greenhouse.

And with Tenellon, the strongest force of the Dawn Society present, it complicated things further.

‘Did I come here for nothing…’

Trying to calm my pounding heart, I looked at Tenellon without betraying any emotion.

“Whether the damage caused by the ‘Black Knight’ is great or small, he is an unforgivable enemy for interfering with our affairs at the Dawn Society.”

“Of course, Sir Tenellon. We cannot allow ‘him’ to continue causing trouble.”

Tenellon’s eyes, which briefly sparkled at my answer, then returned to inspecting the terrible orchid.

While watching his words and actions closely, I pretended to agree with him.

At the same time, I subtly moved my right hand to the side, ready to draw my sword at a moment’s notice.

‘Ugh.’

I must have touched a wound on my side, a lingering injury from my encounter with Pintel at ‘Dusk Flame.’ It hadn’t fully healed yet.

While I might be able to escape from ordinary Monsignors or bishops without trouble, a battle with Tenellon was a different matter altogether. What if it came to that…?

I calculated the shortest and best route for escape in my head, but…

It’s going to be tough.

‘Damn, this is going to be really hard.’

Impatience began to rise within me.

‘Should I strike first?’

While I was entangled in various thoughts, Tenellon leisurely continued looking at me and spoke.

“But I never would have guessed that you would have investigated the Black Knight first…”

Uh, what?

“Indeed, there would be no other reason for someone as fastidious as you to venture into those filthy slums.”

A series of incredulous statements.

‘…Really?’

Confusion showed in my reaction, causing Tenellon to tilt his head in puzzlement.

Missing this moment could be deadly.

A voice echoed faintly in the back of my mind.

“Hehe, I was careful not to be caught, but the information capabilities of the Dawn Society are indeed impressive.”

“Indeed, who else could have known?”

Chuckling briefly, Tenellon continued.

“Would you have imagined that the ‘Black Knight’ who stirred up the system belongs to one of the gangs ruling the slums, the ‘Nameless Gang’?”

What? What kind of nonsensical talk is this?

Despite the confusion filling my mind due to Tenellon’s words,

“Hehe, indeed, your capabilities are beyond estimation, Sir Tenellon.”

My tongue was already fueling this misunderstanding.

“The fact that you went to the slums to investigate personally means you knew this before I did… When did you find out?”

Now! Just now! 

I only knew because you told me.

“I too only found out recently. It was not long ago that I had the members of ‘Closed Eyes’ secretly investigate the ‘Black Knight.'”

“Really? Indeed, the imperial intelligence is impressive! Hahaha!”

Tenellon laughed loudly. Seeing him like this, I almost wanted to laugh as well.

Are you… foolish?

***

The Nameless Gang from the slums, claiming to be the ‘Black Knight.’

I can somewhat guess why.

Though they claim to divide the slums, they are a weaker force compared to other organizations.

Unlike ‘Six Fingers,’ which profits from human trafficking, drugs, gambling, or ‘Blood Fiend Clan’ that capitalize on connections with high nobility, they barely make ends meet.

Just an awkward organization relying solely on minor force.

It seems they spread the rumor to gain some fame as the ‘Black Knight.’

Certainly… the fact that they cover their faces does give them something in common with the ‘Black Knight.’

The masked noble who fought against the aristocrats’ tyranny at ‘Dusk Flame’ claims to be the ‘Black Knight.’

‘Not a bad choice.’

They use their identity, ‘anyone can be a member of the Nameless Gang,’ to absorb rumors and protect themselves.

Being the weakest, it’s a quite reasonable strategy.

The problem is that the noble causing trouble at ‘Dusk Flame’ is no ordinary noble.

‘They’re entangled with the Dawn Society.’

Thus, the position of the Nameless Gang has become quite precarious.

No, it will become precarious.

—

‘The Nameless Gang, those trash, will need to be dealt with soon.’

Since Tenellon wishes for the extermination of the Nameless Gang.

‘Really, they should have been more cautious before getting involved.’

Such unlucky fellows.

‘In my case, is it actually a good thing?’

Even if they die bearing the name ‘Black Knight,’ the name won’t disappear.

Instead, the focus on the ‘Black Knight’ will consolidate, making it easier for me to operate.

After all, I must disrupt the Dawn Society’s activities to prevent the resurrection of the demon.

“Sir Julian.”

Returning to the duties of ‘Closed Eyes’ after meeting Tenellon in the greenhouse, I noticed Odwin standing at the entrance.

A woman of small stature for an adult.

One might doubt her ability to lead ‘Closed Eyes’ effectively, but her fearlessness in the face of ‘Julian’ qualifies her for the role of ‘leader.’

“Perfect timing. Though it will likely be ignored as usual, I still need to ask for your opinion.”

Speaking formally, she pulled a small scroll from her pocket.

The unusual atmosphere and the luxurious surface of the scroll piqued my curiosity.

“Please take it.”

As she handed me the scroll with elaborate patterns, I took it and untied the string to check the contents.

“An invitation.”

“Yes, and it’s an invitation to the birthday of Arba Godric, the eldest son. The Godric family has requested that Julian, as the representative of ‘Closed Eyes,’ attend.”

The Godric family.

As the name popped up, my mind flashed back to a woman I had seen at the ‘Dusk Flame.’ She was the epitome of an aristocrat, filled with authoritative demeanor and a belief in her superior status—a rude woman.

“Why would they invite me to the eldest son’s coming of age ceremony?”

It didn’t make sense. A child’s birthday, especially the ‘eldest son’s’, would not generally include someone like ‘Julian’ in the guest list for the sake of maintaining a certain atmosphere.

It felt like a setup for trouble.

“It’s odd, isn’t it? If it’s about representing ‘Closed Eyes,’ it should be you, Leader Odwin.”

Frankly, attending was a hassle, and I didn’t want to get tangled up in any incidents. Moreover, not fully understanding the intent behind the ‘invitation,’ I subtly probed Odwin.

“It’s brazen, really. You, who loves to boast, surely wouldn’t think so. I am well aware that I am just a figurehead leader.”

She looked at me with half-open eyes.

“Moreover, the Godric family is the only one among the four major families that thinks favorably of you, right?”

Strange. Why would ‘Julian’ be viewed favorably by them? There must be a reason.

“Thanks to your purge of the Hyranse family, they were able to monopolize the Hundred Points Shop, which had been intricately involved with that family.”

That would explain it.

“But does it matter? You wouldn’t attend such social parties anyway.”

As if expecting ‘Julian’s refusal, she looked at me.

It seemed ‘Julian’ had never participated in such invitations through ‘Closed Eyes’ before.

“That’s been the case so far. However, considering my position, which requires keeping an eye on the royal and noble preferences, it would be helpful if you could attend…”

“Understood. I’ll go.”

“See, it’s always like this…”

Caught off guard by my immediate response, Odwin seemed to sense something unusual and looked at me.

“Really?”

“If it’s a heartfelt request from Leader Odwin, I suppose I should attend at least once.”

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