Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 3. The Disliked One (2)

Yulian Cryphart Frason.

This deranged character, who always spoke in honorifics, was never humble.

On the contrary, he was a strange egoist who loved to flaunt himself.

Even a glance at the inside of his mansion revealed an abundance of opulent artworks, frames, and jewels.

Even the clothes he wore were ostentatious enough to prove his tastes.

When the wardrobe was opened, it was filled with clothes in eye-popping colors.

"Is he insane? You are......."

Putting aside my own taste, it was hard to find any ordinary clothes.

"...... At least this one is less conspicuous."

I began to put on the least gaudy outfit I could find.

A cobalt blue coat, a gray shirt, and black gloves.

Even a combination of colors that might seem over the top was pulled off stylishly by 'Yulian'.

'Is he about eight heads tall...... No, maybe nine?'

Honestly, I had to acknowledge what needed to be acknowledged.

This guy was handsome.

So much so that it was annoying.

Even though the 'slit eyes' felt sinister.

Well, maybe I was the only one who felt that way.

In any case, though I didn't want to admit it, he was 'a bit' better than the original me.

"Shall we get going then...... Shall we, shall we! Damn it......."

I grumbled a slew of curses, finding myself stepping outside.

Near the entrance.

A sword hanging on the wall caught my eye.

The sword sheath, befitting the character of 'Yulian', was lavishly decorated with intricate patterns, yet the handle was startlingly simple.

To my recollection, 'Yulian' was a despicable villain, but his dedication to swordsmanship was genuine.

"If it were Yulian, he wouldn't do something foolish like leaving the sword behind, would he......? Would he......? Truly damn it."

Slap.

I slapped my mouth, instinctively switching to honorifics, and strapped the sword from the wall to my waist.

***

Herand Cryphart, the third son of the Cryphart family, rode in the carriage laden with worry and anxiety.

That was no surprise since the person sharing the carriage was the infamous 'Yulian'.

He belonged to the Imperial Intelligence Group known as the 'Blind Eyes'.

An organization tasked with covert missions by the Royal Court, it also served the role of the imperial guard.

Therefore, one had to possess considerable martial prowess to join.

Of course, this prowess wasn't anything ordinary.

If desired, one could easily cut down demons or knights with such skill.

Naturally, it wasn't this alone that instilled fear to this degree.

The Adratan Empire boasted numerous individuals of formidable strength.

Herand had seen and met many of such people himself.

However, there was one reason he feared Yulian.

'...... That sword could be aimed at me.'

Yulian wielded his blade without hesitation if it was a command from the imperial family.

There was no interest in personal gain.

Human emotions, personal beliefs held no sway.

Simply executing the imperial order was cause enough to kill.

Consequently, the number of bloodstains on the end of Yulian's sword wasn't a mere handful.

The empire's esteemed nobles were often victims too.

'The mad dog of the Royal Court......!'

Because of this, some nobles would shudder at the mere mention of the name 'Yulian'.

There were many who cursed him, wishing for his death.

Sharing a carriage alone with someone like that?

It was something he could not help but be fearful of.

"Elder Brother Herand."

Amidst the uncomfortable silence between them, Yulian suddenly spoke up.

"Uh, yes?"

"Where is the destination?"

"What, what do you mean?"

"The place where the 'Blind Eyes' induction test is being held."

"Oh...... Ah, ah!"

Herand, whose thoughts were consumed with why Yulian was speaking to him, finally came to his senses.

He replied with a twitch of his lip.

"It's to be held at the Bayer Academy training ground."

"Bayer Academy......."

"Come to think of it, aren't you a graduate of Bayer Academy?"

"I suppose so. It's been so long, it hardly matters......."

Creak, whiiiinng!

As Yulian continued speaking, the carriage halted abruptly and swayed violently.

"...... What's the matter?"

"I'm sorry, Sir! It's just that...... children suddenly jumped out!"

The coachman responded with a distressed look under Herand's chastisement.

"Children jumped out? The horse isn't injured?"

"Yes, yes......."

"Tsk...... Are they uneducated rascals who would suddenly dart in front of a carriage?"

Herand clicked his tongue.

Like other noblemen caught up in a sense of superiority, he didn't much like commoners.

"What, what should we do, my lord?"

"What do you think? Tell them to get out of the way......."

Just then, the carriage door opened.

"Yulian?"

Herand saw Yulian stepping out of the carriage.

With a still eerie smile, Yulian moved in front of the carriage, where the commotion had erupted.

"Why, why do you do that, Yulian?"

Herand's query was met with Yulian merely leaving the carriage silently.

Watching him, Herand noticed the sword sheath tied around Yulian's waist.

The ornate sheath echoed Yulian's character.

Herand's mind flashed with myriad thoughts.

Yulian Cryphart Frason.

There was a reason the Empire's citizens called him the 'Smiling Executioner'.

He was an executioner devoid of emotion.

A madman and murderer who could kill his own family if the imperial order required it.

Who knew what would happen if he was rubbed the wrong way over something insignificant?

Perhaps he'd harm the commoners, even the children, just because they halted the carriage.

'Yet...... surely not.'

The thought fleetingly crossed his mind, but Herand hastily disembarked from the carriage.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't think of another reason for Yulian to leave the carriage in this situation.

He had to stop him at any cost.

Even if one were a noble, killing a commoner, especially a child, would lead to social repercussions.

Moreover, it would invite scandal beyond Yulian to the entire 'Cryphart family'.

Naturally, Herand, who was present at the scene, would also bear responsibility.

He was dispatched to oversee Yulian and prevent any unforeseen accidents.

"Yulian......!"

Herand's shout was cut off as his jaw dropped.

The scene he had dreaded was unfolding before his eyes.

Two children, a boy and a girl of about seven years old, were clutching each other, trembling in fear.

Yulian, looking down at them with a smile impossible to decipher, loomed over them.

This alone wasn't the real issue.

The real problem was Yulian's hand resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist.

If this continued, there would undoubtedly be bloodshed.

'Ah......!'

A sudden idea struck Herand, and he shouted in desperation.

"You damned brats! How dare you block a noble's carriage!"

"I, I'm sorry......!"

"Do you think a mere apology is enough! Such uneducated commoners......! You must have a death wish!"

Before Yulian could act, Herand chose to manage the situation himself.

He reprimanded and pressured the frightened children harshly.

If he eliminated the justification to draw his sword, even Yulian couldn't easily swing his blade.

A quick glance.

Herand peered at Yulian out of the corner of his eye.

A smile remained plastered on Yulian's face.

He simply watched in silence.

'...... Does he want me to do more?!'

Was it not enough......?

As Herand hesitated, Yulian moved.

His hand still rested on the sword sheath at his waist, with that eerie smile on his face.

In that case, he'd have to forcefully break up the situation!

Sure, it could mean Yulian's wrath would turn on him, but the honor of the family was more important.

"Get out of here! You wretched commoners!"

Waving his cane wildly, the frightened children fled in a hurry.

For now, the situation was resolved.

However, Herand's concern about Yulian's wrath towards him surfaced, making a cold sweat run down his back.

At that moment, Yulian spoke.

"There wasn't a need to be so harsh in chasing them off."

"...... I, I'm sorry. I'm not fond of children."

"There's no need to apologize, is there? Huhut."

A chilling smile.

"What a shame. If you didn't dislike them so much, I might have treated them kindly."

Don't lie, you monster!

Herand clicked his tongue, but felt a sense of relief at the same time.

Fortunately, it seemed he wouldn't have to endure Yulian's wrath after all.

As the two of them boarded the carriage again, the coachman set it in motion.

Once again, an uncomfortable silence hung over the carriage.

Reflecting on the earlier situation, Herand thought.

'There were rumors about him losing his memory, but...... Judging by his recent actions, it doesn't seem to be the case at all.......'

Though the worst didn't come to pass.

Herand was certain that if he'd done nothing, those children would have died.

Judging by the hand on the hilt, it seemed Yulian was ready to draw any moment.

'Perhaps, the rumors about losing his memory...... Have been strategically spread by him?'

He might have used this opportunity to eliminate hidden political rivals.

Considering Yulian's history, anyone would be suspicious.

Thinking this far, Herand felt a shiver run down his spine.

He might unknowingly have been used as bait himself.

'A-ah, you monster of a man.......'

He wished to escape this place as soon as possible.

***

This is cumbersome.

Adjusting the position of the sword sheath strapped to my waist, I reached my hand to adjust it.

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't get used to the hard metal feel of it.

Every time I adjusted the sword, I could feel Herand's uncomfortable gaze.

'He's scared, it seems.'

In some ways, it's understandable.

He was sharing a carriage with 'Yulian', widely known in the game as a madman.

It was akin to traveling with an unbound murderer, making even minor movements sensitive triggers.

'Nonetheless, to act so coldly towards the children. I suppose even a fearful noble is still a noble.'

I thought of the children who had almost collided with the carriage just moments ago.

The sight of them retreating hastily after being yelled at by Herand evoked a sense of sympathy.

I was worried if they were injured in any way.

'...... Hmm?'

It was then.

In the midst of thinking about Herand, immersed in my thoughts, I noticed a faint mirage rising above his head.

"What is that?"

"What, what do you mean......?"

Responding to my question, Herand did so with a look of shock.

Judging by his reaction, it seemed he hadn't done anything.

'Is it visible only to me?'

While pondering this, color began to tinge the haze.

A deep purple.

Observing keenly, I felt the emotions from the color directly transmitting to me.

It was intense 'fear'.

▶ Trait, "Color of Negativity"

Rank: Special

▷ You are sensitive to negative emotions directed toward you.
▷ When negative emotions are directed your way, you can discern them through colors.

So, this is the one.

Come to think of it, in the narrative, 'Yulian' was particularly adept at reading the emotions of others.

Especially utilizing the emotions of others to create an advantageous environment for himself.

He often paralyzed his adversaries without fighting by leveraging their 'fear'.

Or devised schemes whereby opponents would rashly charge at him by inciting their 'anger'.

This trait likely made those feats possible.

'Not bad.'

This could be useful.

"Yulian, we've arrived at Bayer Academy."

"Already?"

I disembarked as the carriage came to a stop.

Before me lay expansive grounds with grand edifices erected upon them.

This was the Bayer Academy, an educational institution established to cultivate talent within the empire.

Although the reason for coming here was not for an academy tour but for the 'Blind Eyes' induction test, it still felt novel.

"Seeing it in person, it's astounding."

"What, what did you say?"

"Oh, nothing at all, elder brother. Hoohoo......."

Seeing the magnificent sight, previously only viewed within the game, with my own eyes prompted a smile to creep up.

For some reason, Herand's 'purple haze' above his head quivered fiercely.

Clacky's Corner:
Hmm, pretty neat ability...