Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 10. Ill-fated Relationship (2)

"Even thinking about it again, it was indeed a good decision."

Yes, I believed it was a wise decision.

Guarding a mage working on the maintenance of the Resonance Stone.

Deciding to take on this task was truly an extraordinary decision.

It was the optimal task I could take on in the current situation.

The task was to be carried out within a safe area.

Unless something unusual happened, there likely wouldn't be any significant risk.

'Moreover, there's also backup in case of unforeseen circumstances.'

I turned my head slightly to observe the personnel busily preparing for departure.

Among them were two sturdy men who exuded an aura distinctly different from the regular soldiers.

The Azure Lion Knights, part of the Empire's regular army.

For this escort mission, it wasn't just me; members of the knight order were also dispatched.

Though officially presented as support, their real purpose would be different, but that was none of my concern.

When our eyes met, the two knights talked among themselves before slowly walking towards me.

"Sir Yulian, thank you for your efforts. I'm Fern Tellund, a member of the Azure Lion Knights."

"I am Heinrich, also a member of the Knight Order."

The two knights greeted me politely.

However, despite their polite words and actions, there was a clear sign of wariness in their eyes.

The emotion visible through the 'Color of Negativity' was also purple.

They were feeling fear towards me.

Though they were trained knights and didn't express it as overtly as a regular person might.

Troublesome, very troublesome indeed.

I inwardly lamented Yulian's usual behavior and responded to their greeting.

"Though the Julin Special District isn't too far, we can't predict what might happen on the way. Let's stay vigilant. White Lions. Hehe."

When I spoke as Yulian would, the two swallowed nervously and replied that they understood.

"Um, but Sir Yulian, how about using a carriage to reach Julin District?"

"A carriage, you say?"

"Yes," the knight Fern nodded.

"Wouldn't a carriage be more comfortable than a horse?"

"Is there a carriage?"

"There is a carriage prepared for the mage's escort. It will be a long journey, and I think it would be more comfortable for you to ride in it."

"Hmm."

I gave a brief sigh and looked at Fern.

No matter how I thought about it, it didn't seem like he was saying it for my convenience.

I knew better than anyone that Yulian wasn't a decent fellow deserving of such consideration.

'Besides, I sense some other peculiar intention.'

Could it be a power struggle between factions?

It seemed they weren't pleased with having a member of the Imperial Intelligence 'Blind Eyes' at the forefront.

Perhaps they aimed to take command and manipulate the escort forces for themselves.

'A shallow pride.'

Most of the regular knights were composed of nobles. In contrast, 'Yulian', though from a prestigious family, was from a branch family.

It wouldn't sit well with them to follow the command of such a person.

Moreover, taking the initiative over that 'Yulian' would be a story to boast about later, further fueling their pride.

"Well, let's do that."

I understood their intention, but I readily accepted.

There was no need to oppose it needlessly.

There was no point in getting involved in such a petty conflict. Besides, there was no reason to choose a horse over a comfortable carriage.

"Thank you, Sir Yulian!"

Upon my reply, Fern's face brightened.

"Then I'll inform the mage once they arrive..."

"What are you informing me about upon my arrival?"

"Ah, have you arrived?"

It seemed the mage assigned to the Resonance Stone's maintenance had arrived.

I turned my head to at least greet and confirm the person's face.

"Oh."

A short gasp from the mage upon seeing my face.

And I, too, had a similar reaction in thought.

Why on earth is she here?

Aileen de Donatien.

Known simply as Aileen.

The 5th hierarchy level mage who had shown vehement hostility towards me stood there.

"Sir Fern."

"Yes, Sir Yulian."

"I apologize for changing my mind, but wasn't my reason for coming here for escort duty?"

"... Yes? Ah, yes."

"Therefore, I'll travel on horseback. We must be able to respond immediately if anything happens."

"Y-You're saying the opposite of what you said a moment ago, Sir Yulian."

Fern's face momentarily twisted in confusion.

In truth, I also wanted to travel by carriage, but doing so meant staying in the same space as Aileen.

That was something I had to avoid at all costs.

'It's dangerous to stay with someone whose intentions are unknown.'

Since I couldn't openly explain this situation, I decided to handle it like Yulian would.

"It's just a whim. Do you have any complaints?"

Rudely.

***

Adratan Empire's 'Smiling Executioner'.

Yulian Cryphart Frason.

With overwhelming martial prowess and cruelty, he was a man even Ordwin, the commander of the Imperial Intelligence 'Blind Eyes', was powerless against.

Despite not having a substantial difference in rank or status, he was an extraordinary force no ordinary knight could challenge within the Azure Lion Knights, who had just recently admitted Fern.

Yet, Fern could plainly and simply state:
I disliked this slit-eye man.

'A whim? Just a mere whim?'

The struggles with the infamy surrounding the name 'Yulian' were part of it, but more importantly, it was his bullheaded, reckless nature.

His belief and utterances that whatever he did, he would be forgiven, or that it was genuinely the will of the Imperial family.

To Fern, who just recently earned the knight's title, such madness was intolerable.

The reason for trying to push him into the carriage was partly due to that. They couldn't stand the sight of that unpleasant face.

At the same time, it was with the intent of reclaiming control over this mission for the Azure Lion Knights.

Though it was a 'consideration' with intent, Fern felt quite annoyed after being ludicrously refused.

Especially for a mere whim.

'Wait, hold on.'

Amid thinking, Fern suddenly thought of something.

What if Yulian understood his intent and acted accordingly?

'It's possible... That monster-like man survived the chaotic Imperial politics without any faction.'

It might have been a kind of provocation masked as a 'whim.'

To catch on to his intent to take control of the mission.

Indeed, otherwise, it wouldn't make sense.

Why would he choose a horse over a comfortable carriage?

In short, rejecting the proposal was its own declaration of war.

'... So, is his message, let's give it a try?'

Unconsciously, Fern's lips twitched.

***

'... To think the mage assigned was Aileen.'

I should have properly read through the orders.

In my excitement, I failed to check important aspects.

'A grave mistake.'

I glanced at the carriage moving at a similar speed beside me.

Inside it was Aileen.

The woman who had shown hostility when I took the 'Blind Eyes' induction test.

The small comfort was that 'repulsion' wasn't visible this time.

But if asked if it wasn't uncomfortable, of course, it was not.

Emotions can be unpredictable.

Without understanding the cause beyond fear, I wouldn't know how the opponent might act.

In the worst case, hostility could manifest as killing intent, threatening my life at any moment.

Thus, my actions here should be?

'Avoid as much as possible.'

Avoid engaging in conversation or any encounter, as much as I can.

I had zero knowledge about the past interactions between Aileen and Yulian or what transpired.

In such circumstances, rash involvement could spark unnecessary trouble.

'Let's finish the mission and return as soon as possible.'

The longer it takes, the more likely I might cross paths with Aileen.

That would be a disaster!

"The Julin District doesn't seem to have a mage assigned."

While lost in thought, Fern from the Azure Lion Knights approached to chat.

Though he wore a friendly smile, the 'Color of Negativity' subtly displayed fear.

"Sending someone from the capital indicates that, despite being called a district, it might be smaller in scale."

"It's not a city enormous enough to be called a district from the start. Nobles and officials from rural areas attempted to make it lively by marketing it as a tourism district, leveraging the name of Karun Forest."

"Oh..."

When I spouted some trivial knowledge, Fern let out a short sigh.

"You seem well-informed about the conditions outside the capital. Have you been to Julin District before?"

"Well, as a member of the 'Blind Eyes', my duties have me visiting various places."

"Various places..."

Though actually viewed through monitors, it was from the perspective of 'Hayden Reich', the protagonist of 'Let's Kill the Demon King Now', rather than 'Yulian'.

Thus, I regarded it as trivial knowledge.

Ultimately, knowledge couldn't replace experience.

Though it's better than having none.

Now that I think of it.

'... Did I know how to ride a horse?'

Deep in thought, I hadn't realized it, but I rode the horse skillfully. Given it was my first time riding one.

Perhaps Yulian's body remembered how.

"Sir Yulian, we plan to take a short rest up ahead. What do you think?"

Fern proposed a rest.

Certainly, it's been quite some time since leaving the capital. Regular soldiers who weren't on horseback might feel fatigue by now.

"No, let's proceed."

I declined, nevertheless.

There wasn't any break to take when I needed to end this mission quickly.

To my response, Fern spoke again.

"It's been three hours since we departed. The soldiers are quite fatigued. Taking a rest might be better, don't you think?"

"Soon, we'll see the Julin District. Resting here would have us hitting dusk by the time we head back to the capital."

"Then we can camp."

Fern answered without hesitation.

He's right, but no can do.

I want to complete the mission quickly!

"What's the point of camping needlessly? The soldiers would want to return to the capital as soon as possible."

"But, if we encounter demons without proper rest, we'd face a significant risk, Sir Yulian!"

Such persistence.

Sure, I doubt it'll even happen, the over-cautious knight.

While struggling to understand Fern's intention, a realization hit me.

'Part of the motive behind attempting to put me in the carriage?'

Historically, imperial knight orders weren't fond of the 'Blind Eyes'.

While 'Blind Eyes' members were quite skilled, practically all of them were of commoner origin.

Fern probably ignites a bit of defiance from that inferiority complex.

Normally, I might've gone along with it.

Despite loathing camps, such situations were perfect for gaining hands-on experience.

And I didn't feel like wasting energy on futile disputes.

But now things were different.

To avert any problematic situations, I must complete this mission quickly.

"Lacking confidence, are you, Sir Fern?"

To hasten the resolution of the task, I decided to push like Yulian would, even though I didn't intend to.

"... Lack of confidence?"

"Yes, be it demons, barbarians, or rebels. Why think of them as threatening if not lacking confidence in one's abilities, huhut."

A slight chuckle accompanied the end.

I outdid myself, truly the picture of a stellar human nuisance!

"Are you... implying a Azure Lion Knight like me is scared?"

The sharpness in his eyes intensified with hostility.

However, unlike with Aileen, it wasn't a concern.

Knowing the root of that hostility was provoked, I could predict his actions.

"Would you care to prove me wrong?"

Provoking him further.

"That my words are erroneous."

Because, following that cue, he'd act as I anticipated.

Clacky's Corner:
I like that it's not a story where the MC knows everything about the world he was transported into, he has some knowledge, but only enough to get by.
I like that he's trying to figure things out slowly instead of just powering through everything.
This novel is probably a slow burn.
I'm definitely digging it though.

Here's a summary of the first 10 chapters:
1. Yulian is not looked upon favorably by anyone(aside from Aileen for some reason).
2. His family's elder council doesn't like him and wants him gone.
3. From my understanding, he's not yet a disciple of of Hayden Reich.
4. I'm sensing the MC is on the cautious side.
5. MC is still trying to grasp his abilities.

I'm looking forward to the progress of the story.