Chapter 287
Chapter 287. Demon King (2)
"Whew."
After having an extensive conversation with the 'Twilight' members, I let out a sigh.
'... I figured out through our dialogue that they aren't the type to betray me.'
Their words and actions were unusual.
'Why would they suddenly kneel and start praying?'
It was unbelievable.
One of them even smeared fruit on his face.
Another drew a curved sword, claiming they would prove their loyalty with their own blood.
There was even one who stripped off all their clothes.
"Haaa."
My head ached.
It's clear they were powerful and skilled enough to rival knights. In that regard, I wanted to applaud Pintel for his ability.
But.
'I requested people stronger than demons.'
They brought ones more terrifying than demons.
Somehow regaining my composure, I took another look around the greenhouse.
After killing Tenelon, this was my second visit, yet it felt as nostalgic as being home.
'Plants truly are the best.'
As I thought so, I noticed a small owl peeking out from between the leaves.
Unlike ordinary birds, this owl had a bluish aura. It wasn't hard to recognize that this little creature was a familiar sent by T'alle.
'Are they finally starting to move?'
Understanding this, I enveloped my hand with 'mana' and showed it to the owl.
The creature scratched its head with its wing once, then took flight in a different direction.
"Ha."
The fact that T'alle had sent a 'familiar' meant that a storm was on the rise within the capital.
I could handle it.
However, the fact that I had to put in so much effort for something that could be easily resolved was exhausting.
'I need to start moving too.'
I stood up. As I slowly walked, I felt the scent of the plants in the greenhouse gradually fade away.
***
As I exited the greenhouse, I saw Pintel waiting for me.
"I have someone I want to introduce to you. Thank you for waiting."
"Someone you want to introduce...you say?"
Pintel tilted his head at the mention of an introduction.
"Ah, here they come now."
The person I pointed to was T'alle, escorted by attendants and shielding herself as much as possible with a parasol.
"I expected you here after you sent the familiar."
"... Who is that woman?"
"The mistress of Bright Moon Pavilion, T'alle."
T'alle looked this way as she entered the shade. The 'Color of Fear' was clearly visible above her head, but it didn't show on her face.
"As you can see, she is a vampire."
"... A vampire?"
Pintel looked puzzled.
"Haven't vampires already gone extinct...?"
While Pintel watched in disbelief, T'alle adjusted her clothes and lifted the fabric to expose her arm to the sunlight outside the parasol.
Sizzle—!
Her arm burned in the sunlight. Seeing this, Pintel, startled, looked at her with wide eyes.
"A vampire, really?"
Quickly, T'alle wrapped her burning arm in her clothes.
"Do you believe now?"
With a haughty tone, she continued speaking. Yet, the 'Color of Fear' above her head wavered violently, becoming clear and then fading repeatedly.
'... She must be in a lot of pain.'
So why did she choose to demonstrate rather than just further explain?
Whip.
While I was having these thoughts, T'alle turned her head and met my gaze.
'It's urgent.'
I understood why she used such a blunt method to prove she was a 'vampire'.
She seemed eager to say something quickly.
***
"What?"
Eleanor asked reflexively, caught off guard. She had heard an outlandish statement.
Thus, such a reaction was natural.
Her voice trailed off.
"Kuheum."
Eleanor cleared her throat. Then, she looked at Yulian with a curious gaze.
"... That startled me."
Not only did Eleanor give such a look, but others did as well.
The interior of the monastery used by the Dawn Society's 'Archbishops' for meetings.
This place, once used by 'Tenelon', was now completely in the hands of the Archbishops.
Yulian had summoned the Archbishops to that location. Hence, along with Eleanor, all the Archbishops were gathered there.
The one showing the most reaction was Kolparan.
"Yulian, I never expected such words from you."
Kolparan groomed his beard and glanced at Yulian.
"If the words you uttered here were to reach the ears of the Imperial family, you'd end up on the execution platform in no time."
"What is there to worry about, Kolparan? Those words shouldn't even reach them."
"It's always better to be cautious, isn't it? There's a possibility this place might be bugged."
"It is I, Pintel, speaking!"
Pintel proudly declared his name before looking at Eleanor.
"And as long as Archbishop Eleanor is here, such a thing won't happen."
"Now then, let's go over this again, Sir Yulian."
Though displeased, Kolparan spoke once more.
"So you're saying that according to you, the Emperor Adratan has already passed away?"
As soon as Kolparan's words ended, all eyes turned to Yulian. Yulian, who was sitting with crossed arms and legs, slowly raised his head.
"Yes."
Despite his affiliation with an Imperial institution, Yulian uttered seemingly blasphemous words.
"What makes you think that?"
"I have informants personally planted."
"... Personally planted informants, you say."
Towards Yulian, Kolparan still displayed discomfort.
"If the Emperor's death is such a significant affair, it should inevitably cause an uproar."
"Are you asking why it's so quiet? Is that your question?"
Hmm. Kolparan nodded.
"Obviously. Someone is concealing the information."
"Does that mean His Highness Eulsis is the one hiding it?"
Yulian shrugged his shoulders.
"And you're saying that despite Prince Eulsis's efforts to hide it, you've uncovered the truth?"
"That's right. As expected, Sir Kolparan is quite astute."
"Frightening."
Kolparan clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
"Knowing the veracity of your words is terrifying. As is knowing you hold that knowledge, and what further claims you might make after declaring the Emperor's death."
"Sir Kolparan, you are quite the coward."
"Hmm."
Kolparan stroked his beard.
"Of course, it's terrifying. You uncovered something the imperial family, those wielding real imperial power, tried to hide."
His point was valid. How much informational power must Yulian possess to uncover something hidden by the 'royalty'?
Eleanor glanced at Kolparan. It was true Yulian possessed formidable strength and information.
Moreover, he had earned the alias 'Smiling Executioner' for being ruthless with killing.
However.
'I'm not afraid.'
They were allies and belonged to the same Dawn Society. Eleanor knew Yulian wasn't someone who would do something foolish.
"So, aren't you afraid of what you might say leveraging this information?"
"No, Sir Kolparan isn't afraid of that, is he?"
Yulian unfolded his arms and extended his fingers. Then, pointing his index finger at Kolparan, he smirked.
"You're afraid my informant will come to you, aren't you?"
Yulian's words made Kolparan flinch.
"It was commendable how you used Al Hashar to bring the Rahman tribe into the empire. But it seems you intended to use them as your private soldiers instead of incorporating them into the Dawn Society?"
"... Hmm, I don't know what you mean."
"If Sir Pintel hadn't composed the Twilight, the assassins from the Rahman tribe would have been under your command, Sir Kolparan."
Speaking as if disappointed, Yulian smiled. However, unlike usual, he revealed his emotions.
Of course, it didn't show on his face. The air surrounding him quivered intensely.
"Sir Kolparan, I am quite timid. If you continue showing such behavior...what will a fearful person like me do?"
Even without drawing his sword, his murderous intent was evident.
At that moment, it would have seemed to Kolparan that Yulian's 'Moonlit Sword' was slicing his neck.
"K-hem...."
"Of course, I understand you didn't mean any harm, Sir Kolparan. You're a coward like me, just preparing for 'what ifs', right?"
It's okay. I can understand that. Yulian added such words.
"Given how well Sir Kolparan manages the followers, I'll overlook this transgression."
Afterwards, Yulian grinned softly.
***
Yulian's reason for bringing up the topic of 'the Emperor's death' was straightforward.
"Soon, prince Kaldrach will start taking action. If he easily ascends to the throne, his next move would likely be to uproot the Dawn Society."
As Yulian continued, both Eleanor and Kolparan's faces grew darker.
"In other words...it seems you're suggesting that we need to prevent Prince Kaldrach from succeeding to the throne to ensure our safety."
"Well, that's not untrue."
When Yulian confirmed, there was a brief silence.
To prevent a succession to the throne — while simple in words, it implied actions that might require the demise of 'royalty'.
"Sir Yulian."
Eleanor spoke.
"The statement regarding the Emperor's death. Is it true?"
Yulian nodded.
"And your evidence?"
Eleanor had no issue with Yulian leveraging the Dawn Society. However, she wanted to understand how he had obtained the information.
"I'm not completely privy to insider details."
"... You're not?"
"Yes."
Eleanor was taken aback by his cunning smile.
"However, the actions of Prince Kaldrach — I am entirely aware of them."
"How?"
Interrupting Eleanor's question, it was none other than T'alle who entered the room.
As she stepped inside, a seductive fragrance permeated the room.
Taking in the scent, Kolparan furrowed his brow, clearly annoyed by an outsider's presence.
Nevertheless, Eleanor remained unfazed and spoke.
"Is it you?"
"Indeed, you contemptible creatures."
With a haughty gaze, her scornful words pierced the Archbishops' ears.
Pintel seemed to have expected this, keeping his eyes closed and remaining indifferent, but Kolparan remained displeased.
As T'alle sneered at the 'Archbishops', they felt looked down upon.
Naturally, her true feelings were quite different.
'Why am I in this predicament...?'
She had merely stopped by Yulian's to report a discovered anomaly through her familiar planted with 'Kaldrach'.
'The nobles before me...'
They weren't ordinary; they were the so-called 'high-ranking' gentlemen.
Though lacking the same public authority as the Imperial family's direct institutions, they held considerable influence.
'I want to go home!'
Clacky's Corner:
A timid Ancient Vampire. It's the first time I read such a thing.
P. S.
13 chapters left.