Chapter 105. Killing Two Birds with One Stone (1)

Eleanor D'Micelle.

She concealed her unpleasant feelings as she made her way to a Martial Arena, a place usually frequented by commoners.

"Of all places, why here?"

Though not as meticulous as Yulian, to someone who walked a noble path, a place that lacked cleanliness and smelled terrible was torment.

Nevertheless, she came here because of the "management of the Bishops" that Yulian emphasized so much.

It was easy to predict that Aiden, who had a conflict with Yulian, would make a move.

Honestly, she had no intention of getting involved in their clash of pride, but the Dawn Society had not yet fully revealed itself.

Moreover, both Yulian and Aiden held significant positions of power within the Dawn Society.

"A loss of power is unacceptable."

For the survival of the Dawn Society and for managing the Bishops, she needed to prevent their clash.

Coincidentally, she had discovered through eavesdropping magic that Aiden was plotting with Bishop Corund.

She learned through various routes that they would meet at the Martial Arena.

Fortunately, there was a VIP lounge that only VIPs could enter for nobles with secretive hobbies.

Eleanor entered and waited for their conversation.

To understand their plan.

― Haha, it's been a while, Aiden. Your face doesn't look bright. I guess something bad happened?"

The voice belonged to Bishop Corund.

A man who once studied under the same school as Aiden.

Thanks to this, she anticipated Aiden would approach Corund first and set the eavesdropping magic as a priority.

"If only it worked on Yulian..."

If it had, it would have been easier to manage the Bishops and mediate the situation.

Anyway, she was here today to thwart Aiden's scheming.

― I'd have never imagined you'd come here in person, Aiden.

Corund's words, delivered through a magical tool.

Even when they were together, speaking in message magic to avoid being overheard was a boon for Eleanor.

The eavesdropping magic would only activate under such spells.

But she tilted her head, puzzled.

She already knew Corund's vulgar nature, but Aiden's actions were unexpected.

"Why would a gentleman so obsessed with pureblood come to a place like this?"

While she pondered, the atmosphere of the Martial Arena threatened to explode.

Waaaah!!!

In the arena at the center of the Martial Arena, several people were mingled, wielding weapons at each other.

Boos filled the air whenever a weapon cut through the emptiness.

And when a strike hit, a series of fervent cheers erupted.

An explosive wave of emotions resounded throughout.

For some, it was a prime spot for entertainment.

"Utterly distasteful."

While she wasn't one to ridicule lowbrow hobbies, Eleanor found it hard to adjust to the crowds packed in this place.

Thankfully, she wore a mask to avoid recognition. If she had encountered someone she knew, her discomfort would have pierced the sky.

― I might have a hobby here, but didn't you once label the Martial Arena a vulgar place, Aiden?"

Corund's sly, subtly irritating words resonated from the magical tool.

Though she hadn't exchanged many words with him before or after he became bishop, this time, she couldn't help but agree.

Uwaaaaaah!!

【Great job, Garin! You've just proven why I bet on you!】【Drop dead! You foolish bastard!】

Just as the Martial Arena threatened to burst with loud cheers, Eleanor winced.

― So, I chose this place as the meeting location.

Aiden's subdued voice pierced her ears.

― No one would expect me to come to a place like this.

― Hmm, that might be the case.

― Let's get to the point.

The crucial moment was about to unfold.

Eleanor strained to listen to their conversation.

― Wait a minute. Aiden, let me guess what you're about to say.

Corund's voice seemed mocking, as if he was sneering.

― The pureblood obsession among mages has gone too far, and you know it too. But since your foundation relies on them, you had no choice but to act on this situation.

Corund, yet to experience Yulian firsthand, seemed to savor the current scenario.

He was delighted that the overbearing Aiden turned to him for help.

― The time has come to put an end to Yulian, that half-blood's life.

It was as expected.

― I don't like him either. He's a half-blood who, basking in Sir Tennellon's favor, knows no fear of the heavens. As a Bishop and a mage, there's no fate by which I could like him.

Pureblood mages have a deep-seated hatred for 'collaterals' mixed with common blood.

Eleanor, being a mage, was well aware of these prevailing sentiments.

― But I've been thinking. Could it be that you intend to use Yulian to eliminate other 'pureblood' schools?

The conversation began to take an odd turn.

― That's a stretch.

― A stretch? I'm merely entertaining a natural question."

"Keuk."

A faint chuckle could be heard.

Sounding slightly frivolous, it was undoubtedly Corund's.

"I'm sure Corund understands that Aiden hasn't allied with Yulian."

So why bring up this topic?

"To gain a favorable position in upcoming negotiations..."

As Eleanor pieced her thoughts together, she realized the audience had fallen into an unusual silence.

【An unexpected turn of events! The new face of the arena has defeated the favorite, Kagum!】

Though she heard the reason for this quietness, Eleanor paid no mind.

Her sole purpose here was to manage the Bishops. Beyond that...

"Huh?"

Though uninterested in the arena, she couldn't help but focus on a silhouette rising from the audience.

【Who is that guy?】【Get lost already?!】【Stop interrupting the flow and get the hell out, you bastard!】

As the silhouette, appearing to be an adult male, landed in the arena, curses were hurled at him.

"... Causing such a commotion."

Amidst the chaotic atmosphere, it was just one person who had intruded.

As she grumbled and tried to refocus on the eavesdropping magic, the intruding man threw off his mask.

Unveiling a face that should not be in this place.

It was none other than Yulian.

***

I had become acutely aware during my time in this body.

That 'Yulian' liked dueling.

He was narcissistic.

And took immense pride in his duties as a part of 'Blind Eyes'.

"What a crazy bastard."

In an instant, my view had changed, so I began by surveying my surroundings.

Just before, I had been in the audience, looking 'down,' but now, I was in the arena, looking 'up.'

This meant that somehow my body had moved on its own, invading the arena.

"I'm going to die young."

Perhaps it was because I 'knew' the person who defeated the favorite, Kagum.

In the narrative, Yulian was unaware that the 'blind warrior' and the 'Sword Saint' were disciples of the same teacher.

However, having played the game, I knew they were 'from the same school', which is probably why my body reacted so intensely.

Furthering this—

The blind warrior, Zahard, was a criminal.

More precisely, a criminal who violated 'martial law.'

Due to this, as a member of the Imperial Intelligence Agency 'Blind Eyes', with pride, 'Yulian' had no choice but to act.

【What's going on!? Someone has intruded from the audience... wait, that face, could it be!?】

Whether he was a commentator or a host, the flustered man's voice echoed, amplified by the magical device.

As the crowd's gaze fixed upon my face, the once-silent audience stirred to life.

【"I-It's Yulian."】【"The Smiling Executioner?"】【"Why is he here...?"】

Ignoring the murmurs, I rested my hand on the sword sheath at my waist.

Jingle––.

Though I had stumbled into this situation, the 'blind warrior' was a fitting character for my reason for coming to the Martial Arena.

True to his moniker, he couldn't see with his eyes. Thus, he solely depended on his five senses and an additional sense, the 'aura', for movement and battle.

"... Funny running into you in a place like this."

===

⇒〈Remarkable Intuition〉

⇒〈Foresight〉 detects the opponent's aura.

===

An aura, invisible to the eye, roiled around Zahard.

His aura was of a vastly different nature than his fellow disciple, the 'Sword Saint'.

Instead of a finely honed elegance, it was a stormy, continuously shifting aura.

The players of

Essentially an 'aura detector'.

By perpetually scattering aura to replace his unseeing eyes, it allowed him to sense his opponents.

===

⇒ 〈True Stroke〉 mastery level has increased.

===

This was a different utilization entirely from the 'Sword Saint's' method I was familiar with.

Observing it through my eyes alone, I had realized a new way to employ 'aura'.

"Y-Yulian, Sir... why the sudden action?"

Beyrun raced down to the front of the arena abruptly, following my spontaneous move.

'What should I say...'

I had no intention of making things difficult for Beyrun or T'alle.

Yet it seemed both I and 'Yulian's' instincts didn't want to undo this situation.

'It's not about some trivial self-affirmation.'

To progress further.

To correct the misaligned flow, I need to become stronger.

"Yulian, I believe this is our first meeting since the Northern Front."

While I was lost in thought, Zahard, standing in the center of the arena, casually kicked Kagum's sizeable form aside and spoke.

"I mentioned this earlier, but it's unexpected to find you with such a hobby."

"Hehe. Isn't it my duty to be tirelessly on the move to capture criminals as part of the Imperial Intelligence Agency 'Blind Eyes'?"

"Kek."

Zahard snorted.

"You've grown 'thoughtful' since I last saw you at the Northern Front."

Of this, of course.

I'm a completely different person.

***

"What brings him here?"

Watching Yulian, who had intruded into the Martial Arena's arena, Eleanor clicked her tongue.

He was one of the individuals she considered least suited for a 'Martial Arena.'

This is because, contrary to the ominous rumors, Yulian adored refined tastes and fine art.

"Why would someone like him...?"

Yulian had a peculiar obsession with cleanliness and a disdain for crowded areas; what compelled him to the Martial Arena was...

― Huh? Isn't that Yulian?"

Bishop Corund's voice, filled with confusion, echoed via the magical device.

― There's no reason for him to be here... wait, Aiden. You!

His voice began to shift.

From surprise to anger.

Observing the situation for a moment, Eleanor realized why he was enraged.

― As expected, you're planning with Yulian to sort out the other factions in the Dawn Society...!

― Calm down, corund. I'm honestly not plotting that!

The state of the VIP lounge, as conveyed by the eavesdropping magic, was sheer chaos.

Sounds of physical altercations and Corund's vivid profanities repeatedly assaulted Eleanor's ears.

"He must've been quite shocked."

Seeing Yulian at this place.

Corund's reaction was understandable.

As stated, Yulian was not suited for such an arena, and yet he had deliberately revealed himself here.

Thinking there was another reason was natural.

"But that's it."

Just showing up, Yulian in the arena couldn't affect them at all.

If he intended to send a warning, he would have taken other actions beyond mere appearance.

― He's merely appeared! Had I intended, as you say, to deal with other factions, I would have shown up in this VIP lounge and not the arena!

Aiden's passionate voice, seemingly resonating with her thoughts, was heard.

― Oh... right. I only just adopted such a view.

― Yes, calm down.

― Well, I suppose he couldn't have known our conversations here unless you placed recording or eavesdropping magic on him. Huh?

Bzzz —!

A weak current flowed through the magic earring set with eavesdropping magic.

Eleanor recognized what this meant.

It was the signal indicating that her 'Shadow magic' was detected by the target.

In simple terms.

'... I've been detected.'

Eleanor clicked her tongue internally. If the 'eavesdropping magic' was discovered, the situation would become troublesome...

― Aiden, you bastard!

However, contrary to her predictions, a torrent of abuse burst from Corund's mouth.

― There's an eavesdropping magic! What's going on?

― What...?

― Bloody hell! You really were plotting with Yulian!

"What direction is this conversation taking?"

As the subject of their discussion returned to 'Yulian' instead of the actual caster of the 'eavesdropping magic', Eleanor was left dumbfounded.

"No way."

Yet, after collecting her thoughts briefly, she understood.

― Hold on! Our conversation isn't over yet. Corund!

― Shut up! I have nothing more to discuss with you!

Sizzle.

The sound of flickering embers was transmitted via the magical device. He had dispelled the 'eavesdropping magic' she had set.

No further messages could be heard.

Eleanor removed the earring and slowly lowered her gaze to observe the figure standing in the arena.

Yulian Cryphart Frason.

'I'm aware of the eavesdropping magic set on the Bishops.'

Her violet eyes stirred with subtle ripples.

"No way... Did he foresee all this and came here on purpose?"

His eyes, resembling slit eyes with no visible pupils.

His smile, gradually forming on his lips.

Seeing these, it seemed like Eleanor could hear a phantom voice whispering to her.

"If that wasn't the case, why else would he have appeared here?"

Clacky's Corner:This is kinda funny. The bishops aren't underestimating Yulian, but overestimating him too much. And him appearing randomly to where they were just further worsens their misunderstanding.

This novel reminds me of jp writing with its hilarious misunderstandings sometimes.

And their misunderstanding isn't too far-fetched either, since they are still thinking Yulian is the same notorious Yulian. And because of his notoriety, people even thought that his amnesia was a trap.

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