Act 81

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The quiet dawn erupted into a tumult as if stirred by a volcanic eruption, but soon quieted down. The cause was none other than Pintel. I had never had deep interactions with him, but this was the first time I saw him explode in such rage.

“He never even did this in Tenellon’s audience chamber.”

I was very confused. I didn’t know why he was so angry.

However, it didn’t take long to figure out the reason.

“How dare you draw a sword on Sir Julian, what disrespectful act is this!”

…Why are you suddenly acting like this? The disrespectful act seems to be yours.

Since the last time I saw you, there has been a strange tension building up… and now it’s reaching a peak.

“But he is… corrupting the very essence of our order, Sir Pintel! If we leave him be, greater disasters will occur!”

The tone of the monsignor, different from how he spoke to me, was polite.

Hmm. I’m a bishop too, but the difference in treatment is too severe.

“What disaster are you talking about?”

“…What?”

“What disaster is it! The one you mentioned!”

“It… it poses a threat to the existence of other bishops.”

“That’s absurd!”

Snorting in derision, Pintel glared at him with piercing eyes.

“A monsignor like you worries about the bishops?”

“That… Let’s see if you can still do that in this situation.”

Saying so, Pintel’s body began to surge with mana.

Having a high sensitivity to mana, I quickly realized that Pintel was about to use magic.

With a swift motion, Pintel raised his hand and manifested his specialty, ‘Dagger Magic’.

“…Ugh.”

The magic, charged with formidable energy, was not used to subdue the opponent.

Flick.

The magic brushed past the monsignor’s cheek.

As a result, drops of blood trickled down his face.

“Did you feel this magic aiming for your breath?”

“…No.”

“Then, did you see it?”

The monsignor shut his mouth at Pintel’s rebuke.

If one cannot sense the ‘flow of mana’, Pintel’s ‘Dagger Magic’ is too fast, precise, and silent to be followed by the eye.

Most have not yet reached that level.

“You could neither feel, see, nor dodge this magic, which Sir Julian had already anticipated!”

Saying so, Pintel turned to look at me, his eyes filled with infinite trust.

…Though that’s true.

To say it with his own mouth…

Admitting that his magic was seen through by someone else is like confessing it’s ‘trash’.

“Not only that, Sir Julian holds a social status not inferior to other bishops. He is the de facto master of ‘Closed Eyes’ and of the Crypart family lineage…”

“He is from a collateral branch! Sir Pintel! Therefore, the ‘Frason’ label is attached to him…”

Crack!

Once again, the sharp ‘Dagger Magic’ passed beside the neck of the monsignor who was speaking.

“Say it again, I dare you.”

“……I’m sorry.”

Pintel glared at him with even sharper eyes than before, causing the monsignor to swallow hard and then bow his head.

“Get lost. Along with those trashed people over there.”

Pintel spoke venomously, pointing to the people who had collapsed when he first used the ‘Dagger Magic’.

The monsignor, looking displeased but polite towards Pintel and me, took the fallen people and left.

…

A brief silence fell, but it was broken by my fake cough.

…

To think I would receive help in such a manner.

“Thank you, Sir Pintel.”

I bowed my head slightly, causing Pintel to flinch a bit.

“It’s not appropriate at all! Sir Julian is to become an Archbishop, there’s absolutely no reason for him to mingle with such low-level people.”

“Hmm.”

I sighed briefly at Pintel’s agitated words.

This guy… trying to impress me like this because he wants to ride on my ‘line’…

He’s scheming to stand by my side as I’m about to become an ‘ArchBishop’ to suck up the benefits.

…Sorry, but I’m not interested in becoming an ArchBishop.

“It seems you misunderstand, Sir Pintel.”

“Am I wrong?”

“Yes.”

Pintel looked puzzled as I nodded.

“What exactly…?”

“I have declined the position of ‘Archbishop.'”

…

Pintel’s face, which had been drooping, crumpled completely.

Now he must understand.

All the flattery he’s offered me up to now has been meaningless.

“Why would you do that, Sir Julian!?”

Pintel’s face was filled with bewilderment at my statement about refusing the Archbishop position.

“There wasn’t a particular reason.”

“I don’t think that’s a reason to decline! If you become an Archbishop…”

He seemed very flustered.

He rambled about the benefits and power of becoming an Archbishop.

But it was unlikely that his words would reach my ears.

Just seconds ago, his voice, which felt so full of conviction, was now wavering like a reed in the wind.

“If Sir Julian takes power, such unfortunate events won’t happen!”

“Didn’t I tell you? I have no interest.”

“Still, things could change if you take the position!”

I had predicted that Pintel would show his usual irritable demeanor if I mentioned declining the ‘Archbishop’ position.

Instead, he started trying to persuade me.

Honestly, I can’t tell him everything.

I don’t want to get more involved with the Dawn Society.

‘I came here to dismantle the Dawn Society, not to revive it.’

How could I say such a thing to a bishop of the ‘Dawn Society’?

“My aspirations lie higher, Sir Pintel.”

Given that I had no reason to persuade him, I decided to dodge the issue as usual.

“A place higher than an Archbishop…”

“Yes, so I would appreciate it if you refrain from unnecessary interference.”

At times like these, the face of ‘Julian’ really comes in handy. Even vague statements can seem significant when delivered by the ‘villain with the narrow eyes.’

“Is it even appropriate for you to say such things to me?”

Pintel asked, his nervousness evident in his demeanor.

Why not?

“Then, what reason is there not to say it?”

I smiled lightly.

Seeing my smile, Pintel squinted his eyes tightly, then responded quickly.

“I understand! I, Pintel Obradin, will take Sir Julian’s words to my grave!”

Huh? Wait, did he misunderstand something…

Oh well, let it be.

I’m not sure what meaning he attached to my words, but Pintel clenched his fist and bowed respectfully.

Watching his retreating figure, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘He’s incomprehensible.’

Given that he is likely a minor character who disappears early in the story, it’s hard to pin down his personality.

‘And such a personality is dangerous.’

Who knows what he might think or do on his own, especially since he’s ‘Pintel,’ who has no significant impact on the story.

‘What can you do?’

I’ll just have to try not to create more cases like Pintel.

***

“Hello, I am Fern Cranish, newly joined to ‘Closed Eyes.’ I look forward to working with you.”

During the welcoming ceremony for new members at the ‘Closed Eyes’ barracks, a familiar face caught my eye, leaving me dumbfounded.

The reason was simple.

It was because Fern, a member of the Azure Lion Knights with whom I had previously worked on a mission to repair a resonance stone, was now standing as a member of ‘Closed Eyes.’

“Fern was a member of the esteemed Azure Lion Knights.”

Commander Odwin also touched upon this detail.

As the name ‘Azure Lion’ was mentioned, other ‘Closed Eyes’ members began to murmur.

And it’s understandable, as knightly groups typically dislike the royal direct agency ‘Closed Eyes.’

Moreover, the most expressive among them was Fern’s Azure Lion Knights.

“Everyone seems puzzled about why a former Azure Lion Knight would join ‘Closed Eyes.'”

Just then, as if to clear up everyone’s questions, Odwin spoke up.

“The truth is… I’m not quite sure either.”

Odwin smiled innocently. Wasn’t she going to explain?

“Why would someone leave the knightly order to choose ‘Closed Eyes’?”

Instead of explaining, Odwin directly questioned Fern.

“Yes! I thought this place would be better for honing my skills than the knightly order!”

True to his former knightly origins, Fern’s voice carried a forceful tone.

“I don’t understand that reasoning. It seems like staying with the knights would have been much better.”

Right. I think so too.

Why did you come here?

Odwin echoed my thoughts, but instead of responding, Fern just offered an awkward smile.

“It feels like I’ve been saddled with an annoying burden.”

As I muttered to myself, the usual formal speech came.

“I will take it, Sir Julian!”

I had just picked up some documents from the commander’s office and was in the middle of transferring them to my office.

Fern swiftly approached me, reached out with both hands, and asked to take what I was carrying.

Seeing no reason to refuse, I handed over the stack of documents to him.

“After you finish that, could you water the orchids in the office? There’s a suitable amount of water in the watering can; just divide it among them.”

I added another menial task.

‘The Azure Lion Knights’ are a group with a definite name value within the knights.

In contrast, ‘Closed Eyes,’ despite its grandiose name as a royal exclusive agency, is essentially a fruitless group.

It’s effectively an agency solely for ‘Julian’… well, for a single executioner.

Other members do have some skills, but honestly, compared to the knights, it’s night and day.

That’s why I was suspicious of Fern’s actions.

What’s the reason for him coming here…

“Yes, I understand!”

Fern, still spirited in his response, headed towards my office.

I checked his aura for any signs of ‘Corruption’s Color’ as he walked away, but I could not discern any emotion. 

He was literally focused on the tasks assigned.

“Why would a member of the Azure Lion Knights…”

Likewise, Razlot, who had just come from the commander’s office, voiced a similar question.

And he murmured very quietly, so that no one else could hear.

“I’m still just an apprentice myself… When will my successor come?” Razlot was muttering to himself.

***

After meeting with Tenellon, one of the persistent questions I had was about the method he mentioned for allowing us to enter the Holy Nation of Fernand.

The Holy See of the Holy Nation is not foolish.

They would strictly prohibit the entry of those closely associated with the Imperial Royal Family.

‘What exactly are they planning?’

As I looked over the documents Fern had moved, a sigh escaped my lips.

[Selection list for the captain of the diplomatic corps for Prince Ulysses Lenno Adrattan.]

…So it was this.

Seeing words like ‘4th Prince, Ulysses, diplomatic corps’ reminded me of an episode.

The long-standing grievances between the Empire and the Holy Nation, the first step by the 4th Prince Ulysses to resolve them — because ‘Humanity’ must unite against a common enemy, ‘Demons’.

Yeah right.

In reality, it’s nothing more than a political show by Ulysses, who is far from the throne, to ensure his own safety.

Though there are grievances, there’s periodic talk within the royal family about improving relations with the Holy Nation.

It’s all a performance to pull those factions under his command.

‘So, when the 4th Prince departs for the Holy Nation for peace, I’ll be tagging along as part of the escort?’

As expected, my name was on the ‘captain of the guard’ list.

I didn’t apply myself, but seeing my name listed, it seems ‘Dawn Society’ has had a hand in this.

The final list showed three names, including mine.

‘Closed Eyes’s Julian.’

Commander of the ‘Azure Lion Knights,’ Schwartz.

Royal Court Magician, ‘Disciple of Purity,’ Agnes.

‘If Tenellon’s influence is involved, it’s obvious that my name would end up on the final list.’

Because of that, I sighed.

‘Damn, I got worked up for nothing.’

I regretted what I had said to him.

I should have just given a non-committal answer, instead of unnecessarily bringing up the Holy Nation…

Since the cost-benefit analysis doesn’t add up, I might as well take the opportunity to gather some other things.

For example, something like ‘holy relics.’  

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