Chapter 158: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (22)
Chapter 158: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (22)
When I came to, I was already being hauled to my feet, my body staggering.
A dull throb of pain pulsed through me. Though I had regained consciousness, the effects of the anesthetic lingered, leaving my thoughts spinning in place.
Memories were pouring in.
Fragmented words rushed toward me like the tide. Memories of death, memories of parting—the man always stood in the center of them.
Of course, they weren't my memories.
However, within those faint and blurry boundaries of memory, I managed to seize a single clue.
"…Neris Findleston."
I didn't know whose name it was.
It was the first I’d ever heard of Senior Neris having a surname. Yet, my voice as I called out that unfamiliar name was powerful and brimming with conviction.
As if to prove the truth of that information, Senior Neris’s body shook violently.
Because the lingering haze of the anesthetic was so potent, everything that followed happened in snatches.
The moment Senior Neris lunged, my pupils split vertically. It was a somewhat familiar sensation.
It was the same feeling I had when I mapped out the curvatures of space.
Only then did I understand how to use the Dragon Blood Runes. Within the shackles of the world I had previously perceived only as 'space,' there existed far more complex elements.
Space does not exist in isolation.
Time and mana were also intimately connected to it. The Dragon Blood Runes were a sort of license that allowed one to access that world of mana.
It happened just before Senior Neris’s dagger could reach me.
For the first time, I traced a Dragon Blood Rune in the air. My use of mana was restricted anyway, and I had no means of overpowering Senior Neris through physical ability alone.
The Dragon Blood Runes were the best—and only—response I could choose.
Magic that activated instantaneously without even needing mana was generally useful. If its power was also formidable, it was beyond perfect.
Flames and a thunderous roar engulfed the surroundings.
Among the objects being scattered, destroyed, and blown away in the chaos, I was the only exception. Even then, while I was immune to the flames, I still felt the brunt of the shockwave.
Once again, I staggered backward. The anesthetic hadn't fully worn off, so my physical control was still clumsy.
Of course, it was nothing compared to Senior Neris, who had taken a direct hit from the Dragon Blood Rune.
She flew through the air like a small animal that had been kicked, slammed into the wall, and then rolled across the floorboards. Flames began to spread over her.
"Aaaah! H-Help me!"
It was an awkward situation. My mind was still foggy, and I couldn't think of a proper way to save her.
Then, my thoughts drifted to the canteen hanging at my waist.
Right, water should do it.
It was a very simple judgment. There was no way that amount of water could extinguish those flames. However, my cognitive circuits had long since turned to mush.
And so, I had forgotten.
I had forgotten that the liquid in the canteen wasn't water, but alcohol. As the flames flared up even more fiercely, Senior Neris’s eyes filled with an even more intense terror.
She looked at me as if I were a total lunatic.
It was a misunderstanding I’d been facing quite often lately. But even if I tried to explain that it wasn't my intention, I doubted she would listen.
A sigh escaped me involuntarily. One way or another, I couldn't let Senior Neris die, so I sought an alternative.
Thwack! As soon as I kicked Senior Neris, she was sent tumbling out the door.
I couldn't exactly move a woman on fire with my hands, so it was the logical choice. Senior Neris didn't even seem to notice the pain from the kick.
That was a relief. Now I just had to pour water on her.
I immediately doused her with the water from the bucket used for the mops.
What followed was even more awkward.
"…W-Where did you come from?"
I remained silent for a moment at the question Senior Neris asked while bowing her head.
How could I maintain my disguise for as long as possible?
The Dragon Blood Runes were essentially a symbol of authority granted by the Emperor. Naturally, the Emperor would know exactly who the users of the Dragon Blood Runes were.
What if information about me was reported to the Emperor?
It was highly likely that the true power players of the Imperial Intelligence Agency would pay me a visit before long. As I agonized over this with my sluggish brain, my mouth moved on its own.
As if this was exactly what I was supposed to do.
"Neris Findleston, let me tell you one thing you should be careful of when dealing with me from now on."
Then, my hand axe sliced through the air.
It happened in an instant. It was the first time I realized that a strike tracing such a smooth trajectory could be so lethal. Even though I was the one who moved, I was surprised by myself.
It was too fast.
Even without using mana, it was incredibly swift. A fast, precise trajectory—a clean strike without a single point of waste embedded itself into Senior Neris’s shoulder.
A scream erupted along with a spray of blood.
Regardless, my hand grabbed Senior Neris’s wet brown hair. Her eyes, soaked with terror, were stained with tears.
A chilling voice flowed from my lips.
"…Do not question me."
At that, Senior Neris nodded frantically while weeping, and watching her, I thought to myself:
It seems clearing up this misunderstanding will be impossible for a while.
*
My mind finally cleared completely right after I was injected with a drug that neutralized the anesthetic.
Whoosh. My consciousness surged back to the forefront.
My physical sensations, which had been hazy and dull, returned to normal. Only then did I have to frown slightly at the pain in my limbs.
An unpleasant headache, like a chisel chipping away at stone, throbbed in my temples. It was likely the lingering aftereffect of the anesthetic.
I was in what looked like a conference room.
Surprisingly, the Newspaper Club building wasn't just two stories. They were secretly using a vast underground space for their exclusive use.
The lighting was ample.
The high-intensity mana lamps seemed to symbolize the capital of the Imperial Household. They were luxury items that would cost at least several hundred gold each.
The table was large enough to seat at least dozens of people. There was a head seat in the center, with seats for attendants on either side, followed by a long row of chairs.
Naturally, I was sitting in the seat of highest honor.
The person who had given me the neutralizer was Senior Neris. With trembling hands, she slowly withdrew the syringe from my arm.
Senior Neris still looked pitiful.
She smelled musty, likely from being doused in mop water. Her uniform was covered in burn marks from the lingering heat of the flames.
In several places, the fabric was torn, revealing glimpses of her pale skin.
It must have been humiliating for her as a woman, but I decided not to care.
For now, it was better to be feared.
After all, they were the ones who had messed with my people first.
Aside from Senior Neris, few of the familiar Newspaper Club members looked unscathed. Only the rest of the staff, who had rushed in after the sudden summons, were gulping nervously.
I was the one who had single-handedly wrecked the Academy branch of the Imperial Intelligence Agency.
Even their strongest, Senior Neris, was helpless before me. The eyes of the men stealing glances at her were fixed on her exposed white skin.
Their desire was obvious—the hope that if they looked just right, they might see something more private.
Senior Neris looked even more humiliated because of it, but I found another aspect of this more bothersome.
How could Imperial intelligence agents be so incapable of hiding their emotions?
One gets hit with an axe and screams, another neutralizes an opponent and then blabs about their deeds, however vaguely.
It was serious. It didn't matter if they weren't official agents.
I didn't know why I felt so annoyed when I had never even belonged to the Imperial Intelligence Agency. Naturally, a cold voice flowed from my lips.
"Eyes down."
Startled, several of them immediately lowered their gaze. Watching them, I clicked my tongue.
Senior Neris looked even more restless.
The quality of the members was entirely the responsibility of the branch manager. The more uncomfortable I became, the more Senior Neris was the one who had to tremble in fear.
I wanted to say a few words, but I held back. It would just be meddling for someone with no intelligence experience to step in.
Instead, I sighed and got to the point.
"…You’ve all had quite a bit of fun lately, poking and prodding the people around me."
Terror flashed in the eyes of the Newspaper Club members. It was the same for Senior Neris.
She stammered as she tried to make an excuse.
"T-That, well… because Her Highness the Princess made a request…"
"And that's why I came to find you."
My eyes flicked toward Senior Neris. She didn't even dare to meet my gaze and immediately bowed her head.
There was nothing more to say. I drove the point home in a flat voice.
"…Don't touch them again, unless you want me to come back. I’m stopping here today only because there’s something you need to do."
At my words, the faces of the Newspaper Club members who had faced me turned pale. Senior Neris was no exception.
They must have heard the rumors of my notoriety several times already.
And in truth, I was prepared to act in a way that lived up to that notoriety.
If they repeated the same mistake after being warned, I had plenty of reason to retaliate.
Just then, a voice reached my ears.
"T-Then, what about Her Highness the Princess…?"
The Newspaper Club member who had tried to question me immediately shut his mouth the moment my eyes turned toward him.
It was because he realized how nonsensical his question was.
The owner of the Dragon Blood Runes was the Emperor's proxy. No matter if it was a Princess, or even the First Prince or Second Princess vying for the throne, they could not take precedence over my orders.
My word was the Emperor's will.
That was how absurd the authority of the Dragon Blood Runes was. That was also why I was inwardly breaking into a cold sweat even now.
Impersonating the Emperor's proxy?
This wouldn't end with just me.
At first, I only intended to test the waters, but since I had impulsively committed to this while in a groggy state, there was no taking it back.
I was still puzzled.
The things I had done while the anesthetic was still in effect were actions I wouldn't normally take.
Above all, that axe strike that had bitten into Senior Neris’s shoulder.
It was qualitatively different from the trajectories I usually drew.
Of course, it wasn't a mystery I could solve just by thinking about it.
For now, I could only speculate that every time memories flowed in, I was also absorbing the experiences of the 'me' from the future.
Having organized my thoughts, I turned my gaze back to Senior Neris.
"And Neris, investigate the 'Procession,' the 'Cave,' and the 'Dragon's Eye.'"
"…P-Pardon?"
At the sudden request, Senior Neris gave me a bewildered look.
The 'Procession,' the 'Cave,' and the 'Dragon's Eye.'
All of them were things written in the love letter from the future. To be precise, I suspected the last one was a memo left by the future 'me.'
None of them meant anything to me right now.
If so, there was only one answer.
Leave the information gathering to the experts. Since an information organization had just fallen into my lap, there was no reason not to use it.
Senior Neris stared at me blankly for a moment, but when I stared back in silence, she jumped and bowed her head.
Her trembling eyes and her hands clasped anxiously together spoke volumes of her state of mind.
By now, the words I had left her with were likely playing on a loop in her head.
'Do not question me.'
Senior Neris immediately lowered her head.
"I-I will do as you say… Um, by any chance, your name is…?"
She stole glances at me, her eyes full of uncertainty.
She seemed half-convinced that the identity of 'Ian Percus' was a cover. After all, it would be natural for a close confidant trusted enough to receive the Dragon Blood Runes.
The probability of the second son of a rural viscount becoming the Emperor's closest confidant was virtually zero.
Since I had expected the question, my answer was simple.
"…Just call me Ian."
To Senior Neris, it might sound like I was drawing a line, but it couldn't be helped.
It would be ridiculous to use a pseudonym at this point.
Senior Neris bowed her head without another word.
"Y-Yes! Lord Ian. Um, then, to whom should I report today's events…?"
It was an important question.
At the top of the Imperial Intelligence Agency's reporting hierarchy was the Emperor. Something as significant as the appearance of the Dragon Blood Runes would naturally reach his ears.
Therefore, it was crucial to keep that reporting system inactive for at least a while.
I spoke with a deliberately cold expression.
"Doesn't a subordinate report to a superior?"
In other words, I was telling her not to report to anyone who wasn't my superior.
The clever Senior Neris seemed to grasp my meaning immediately and gave a loyal response.
"…Yes, I will do as you say."
Of course, it probably wasn't a response coming from the heart.
Senior Neris’s body was still stiff with tension, and the beads of sweat rolling down her forehead testified to her fear.
Still, for now, this was enough.
I stood up in silence, intending to leave the conference room.
Then, something occurred to me, and I left one final warning.
"I’ll say it again: don't touch the people around me… Handle this properly, understood?"
At my firm tone, the Newspaper Club members who had been sitting scrambled to their feet.
They bowed deeply and replied in unison.
"Yes, sir!"
Only then could I walk away with a sense of satisfaction.
By this point, no one would be bold enough to mess with Reto or Emma for a while.
* * *
The next day, I picked up the daily newspaper published by the Newspaper Club.
[The Truth of That Day That 98% of Academy Students Didn't Know! Does Ian Percus Actually Have No Weaknesses?! The Yurdina Family is Shocked, and the Imperial Household is Stunned! "If you mess with little Ian Percus, you're absolutely fucked."]
I stared at it in silence.
A long while later, the only comment I could muster was this:
"…What the hell is this godawful headline?"
I seriously considered paying the Newspaper Club another visit.