Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 7. Adaptation (2)

I hadn't completely mastered the 'Moonlit Sword' last night, but I did manage to implement it to some extent.

As soon as morning broke, I got up and headed to the training ground. Drawing my sword from my waist, I aimed it at the wooden dummy in place.

When I invoked the incomplete 'Moonlit Sword', I saw moonlight beginning to gather at the tip of the blade and swung my sword.

Whoosh─.

The sound of the air being sliced quietly resonated in the training ground.

Soon there was a thudding sound as the dummy's head fell to the ground.

The 〈Innate Swordsman〉 trait and the 〈Moonlit Sword〉.

With this combination, I had acquired enough skill within a day to perform adequately as a knight.

Still, I felt it wasn't enough.

'The top priority would be to perfect the 'Moonlit Sword'.'

I realized I needed more than just pre-existing game knowledge.

Perhaps by reading books in this world or seeking advice from others.

Of course, seeking advice from others was not an option for someone like 'Yulian'.

Then there's only one choice left.

"Master, a guest has arrived."

The servant's call brought me back to reality.

A guest? For me?

Could Yulian possibly have a friend?

Considering his personality, if he had a friend, they surely wouldn't be normal either.

I relayed a message to wait for a moment, then entered the room to change my clothes, fastening the sword I had been swinging earlier to my waist.

I didn't want to carry it around, as it was cumbersome, but to fully act as Yulian, it was necessary.

"Sir, Yulian!"

The visitor the servant mentioned was a young man with brown hair, still giving off boyish vibes.

He wasn't a 'named character'.

I had no recollection of him.

But he wasn't unfamiliar either.

'Ah, he was the one I saw yesterday.'

I recalled.

This guy had followed me along with Herand after the 'Blind Eyes' induction test yesterday.

Naturally, I didn't know his name.

"S-sorry! I forgot to introduce myself!"

As I stood staring blankly, he nervously introduced himself, sweating profusely.

"I-I'm Lazlot. As an apprentice of 'Blind Eyes', I'm in charge of miscellaneous tasks. N-nice to meet you."

Ah, he's the guy from before.

He must have passed the induction test if he's an apprentice, though it wasn't yesterday's test but another day's.

"Are you an apprentice?"

"Yes, yes... I haven't been officially promoted for half a year... Ah, it's nothing!"

He seemed on the verge of saying something, but anyway.

I looked at Lazlot and opened my mouth.

"What brings you here?"

"Ah! I came to check on the results of the induction test conducted at Bayer Academy yesterday!"

"If it's the results, you should have seen them yesterday."

"Well... it's a procedure to hear it directly. Haha."

What a pointless procedure.

Internally clicking my tongue at 'Blind Eyes'' inefficient administration, but since it was a procedure, I decided to comply.

"Entrance test, no successful candidates. Report it that way."

"Yes! T-then have a good day, Sir Yulian!"

This way, I won't have to visit the imperial palace myself.

I felt relieved to have one less bothersome task when Lazlot's retreating figure reminded me of yesterday's events.

When I decided to adjust the regulations to prevent the Cryphart family from interfering in the induction test.

"Wait a moment."

"Y-yes!?"

Lazlot jumped like a startled animal and stopped in his tracks.

"I'll report it myself."

"Huh? Ah, yes."

"We'll take my carriage. I'll take you there."

I decided to extend a rare kindness.

Because I couldn't help but feel sympathetic for someone who had come all this way from the imperial palace, likely quite a distance, on foot without a horse or carriage.

"...... What?"

But what I saw was a purple mirage rising above Lazlot's head.

Then I realized something.

Someone's transparent kindness can be a source of fear for others.

This guy really has issues with everything.

***

On the Rozen continent, there were three universally acknowledged great powers.

The Holy Kingdom of Fernand, where the largest continent religion, worship of the Sun God, is the state religion.

The Adratan Empire, a hegemonic power that consolidated weakened nations through force after the Demon God Barbatos was sealed.

And the Briman Federation, formed by kingdoms neighboring these two great nations to counterbalance them.

Among these three vying powers, the strongest would unquestionably be the Adratan Empire.

With a mighty monarchy absorbing other nations, it evolved into a formidable empire under a robust system.

As evidence, the imperial palace, the empire's core, boasted a monstrous scale.

Compared to the vast Bayer Academy, the imperial palace was staggering in size, with operating costs alone reaching billions of nara annually, showcasing the empire's immense national power.

Of course, the grandeur extended beyond the imperial palace alone.

Meticulously maintained roads radiated from the central palace, home to magnificently constructed buildings that completed the capital of the empire, achieving exceptional aesthetic perfection.

It was known that expert landscape artists and architects had been employed, making the capital as beautiful as the imperial palace, a wonder of the empire.

Yet for Lazlot, walking through one of the grand palatial avenues, nothing registered in his eyes.

He was too preoccupied, sweating profusely and distracted by a fog of anxiety.

The cause was the imposing figure of Yulian Cryphart Prasone, the man he accompanied.

A man notorious as the 'Smiling Executioner of the Empire'.

This was no quaint sightseeing stroll.

'Terrifying...!'

From the moment they left the house, Yulian smiled with eyes like slits, wearing a mask of zen.

That consistent expression emanated a foreboding presence, perplexing Lazlot deeply, especially as he couldn't fathom why Yulian suddenly chose to accompany him to the imperial palace.

Typically, Yulian would entirely delegate reporting duties, making this occasion peculiar.

"Hey, look, it's Yulian."

"...... I heard he lost his memory after being injured?"

"He looks fine; maybe it was just a rumor."

The reactions Yulian garnered from bystanders were stark.

Caution intermingled with fear, and some passersby went as far as stealthily assailing him with hostility.

The glaring disparity between the looks of disdain he encountered as a lowly apprentice and those directed at Yulian was stark.

Naturally, Lazlot shrank back.

The 'Yulian' walking beside him was the apex, a figure far beyond reach.

A peripheral noble feared by even the imperial aristocracy, and an indiscriminate sword wielded by the imperial family.

'Ugh.......'

Besides the commander Ordwin, Yulian held the highest stature in 'Blind Eyes'.

With sudden realization, Lazlot felt faint at heart and dizzy-eyed.

Strolling the imperial palace with such a man was a great honor yet an almost suffocating ordeal.

"The scenery of the imperial palace is still a spectacle."

It was then, as Lazlot was struggling internally, Yulian spoke.

"Yes, ah... yes!"

"Most likely, our destination will be visible once we pass through the second gate, the Gate of Respect. The first gate, the Gate of Heavenly Reverence, is open to all citizens of the empire, hence unsuitable for viewing internal administration of the palace."

"Yes, you are correct."

Watching Yulian effortlessly converse, Lazlot paused for a moment of contemplation.

Of course, Yulian visited the palace as if it were his haunt, unlike half a year barely getting acquainted with it himself.

Yet why did he voice such common knowledge aloud?

'Could it be...... is he testing me?'

Yulian had rejected all candidates without endorsing a single one in yesterday's induction test.

Yet, it wasn't because the hopefuls lacked competence.

Some among them clearly displayed greater prowess than he, who hadn't advanced from apprentice status in half a year.

The fact all were rejected meant none met Yulian's standards.

Perhaps, this small talk was Yulian's subtle way of questioning whether he, Lazlot, who 'luckily' passed, really fit within the ranks of 'Blind Eyes'.

By bringing up something everyone should know.

The notion of being ousted drove Lazlot to careful measure in his manners and speech.

But he fell into a grave misconception.

Yulian's inquiry was not intended as a test.

Rather, it was...

'...... It's far bigger than I saw in the game. And I can't quite grasp where 'Blind Eyes' is situated within the palace.'

He was genuinely confirming directions out of disorientation.

***

Beyond the three grand gates partitioning the imperial palace precincts, upon passing the first and second gates, the Gate of Heaven and the Gate of Respect, resplendently white buildings appeared before us.

Lush, evenly planted trees and the cascading sunlight harmonized to create a vista beyond words-able to describe it.

Looking upon this beautiful landscape brought me immense satisfaction. Not because it fulfilled a sense of artistic appreciation.

It was simply witness first hand a vision previously confined only to the gaming screen.

"S-sir Yulian! I have another place to visit, so I'll take my leave now."

"Yes, take care."

"I-I apologize!"

Lazlot, who had guided me thus far, excused himself with another task, seemingly fleeing.

Though, what he was apologizing for was beyond me.

Regardless, I shifted my destination towards the headquarters of 'Blind Eyes'.

The purpose was, of course, the commander's office.

"Sir Yulian, commander Ordwin has granted permission for you to enter."

I proceeded directly to the commander's office at the secretary's word.

Being an organization within the imperial service, 'Blind Eyes' maintained a fundamentally horizontal structure among its members.

However, there was one sole individual overseeing the members as the person-in-charge.

That individual was Ordinwin Valadir, the commander I was about to meet.

'The Young Lady from the Fallen Valadir Household.'

As previously noted, 'Blind Eyes' necessitated political neutrality for its members.

Therefore, candidates from noble backgrounds faced challenges in joining 'Blind Eyes'.

Special cases included those estranged from their families, like Yulian, or those of deposed nobility with little more than title left to their names.

Current 'Blind Eyes' commander Ordwin was among such fallen nobles.

Standing before the commander's office, I knocked twice.

"I'll be coming in."

"Come in."

Upon receiving approval, I straightened my attire and entered the room.

The first sight that caught my eye was a woman sitting on a chair.

"Yulian, welcome. It's been a while."

With composure, the silver-haired woman welcomed me, rising from her seat, approaching me slowly.

Step by step, as she drew closer, my gaze inevitably lowered.

The reason was that 'Blind Eyes' commander, Ordwin Valadir, was extraordinarily short.

"I heard you got injured. Are you alright?"

I paused briefly, contemplating my response.

As was with Aileen, I lacked knowledge of how Yulian had previously interacted with each character.

This situation was particularly challenging to predict.

She wasn't a mere adversary or someone to instill fear into.

Thus, the implications of my words were unclear.

There was a risk of exposing my identity.

'...... Responding logically should suffice, right?'

'Ordwin Valadir' was Yulian's superior.

Even someone like Yulian would show some courtesy and respect when addressing his commander, I suppose?

"Thank you for your concern. Although the injury wasn't minor, it wasn't enough to hinder my loyalty to the empire."

I replied with more gravitas than usual, adding just a slight degree of formality.

This should suffice as a courteous response to a superior.

"...... That's odd."

Huh?

"Did this sound common for you? Or is it that......."

Bringing her hand to her chin, she emitted a short hum, gazing at me through nearly closed eyes.

Those were absolutely suspicious eyes.

Damn it!...... This approach isn't right.