Chapter 261

Chapter 261

<Yozen Vardikta>

Current grade: S-grade

Maximum Awakening Grade: S-grade

Position: Assassin

Wearing equipment: Dagger of Darkness (S)

Favorability and loyalty: 39/100

For a guy who should be easy to get to join, his favorability rating was quite low.

Since he had already been betrayed by the low favorability once, he couldnt feel safe unless he raised it to a certain degree. He needed to make sure he knew what Yozen wanted and what he had to do to earn his favor.

Eventually, Cadel decided to put his break on hold and check on Yozen. A quick chat would be fine.

Yozen, are you in there?

After knocking lightly and concentrating on the sounds beyond, he heard Yozens voice telling him to come in. The door wasnt locked. Cadel smiled as kindly as possible and entered the room.

But inside, where he thought Yozen was alone, there was a presence that made him forget his purpose for coming here.

This, this is.

Reflexively stopping, Cadel shifted his trembling gaze. Before him was the dark energy in the form of a human being. A vast amount of dark energy had molded the human form like black clay.

Its existence alone was already bizarre enough. It smiled as if it had a real self, opened its mouth as if talking to someone, and even walked in place towards somewhere.

Yozen turned to Cadel, who was in shock at what he was seeing.

Whats up?

He was sitting upright in front of the shadow man he had created. He was speaking to Cadel, but his head was fixed on the shadow man.

Cadel, coming to his senses, turned as far away as he could from the crackling mass of dark energy and stepped in front of Yozen.

Im just here to talk. What the hell is that? Is that an imaginary friend or something?

Its a shadow clone.

Shadow clone?

Any human exposed to my dark energy, even once, can be monitored no matter where they are or what theyre doing. By using dark energy to outline them in this way, I can feel them even if I cant see them.

Cadel didnt understand how it worked in the slightest. He nodded stiffly and carefully took the seat next to Yozen. The clone showed no sign of stopping its frenetic movements.

So whose clone is that?

The next target.

You mean a target for assassination?

Yeah.

Cadels expression turned puzzled at the simple answer. Even though he couldnt see that expression on his face, Yozen naturally blocked out Cadels concerns.

I havent forgotten our agreement. My priority target is the demon, and this guy is next.

I see. Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

There was no condition for joining the Knight Order that prohibited Yozen from assassination. As long as Yozen kept his word, everything else was up to him. Hed been living that way long before Cadel met him, and Cadel couldnt force him to change his ways just because it was unpleasant to watch.

His stomach fluttered with warmth at the affectionate and cute confession. Cadel looked down at the blond in his arms with a dumbfounded expression on his face and shook his head in disbelief. Lydon, who always did ridiculous things, was just being Lydon, but Cadel was also to blame for falling for his cuteness every time.

I dont think its even lunch yet. What is everyone doing that youre here alone?

They went to sweat.

Sweat?

Training.

Was he saying that they were training as a group this morning? Even Lumen? Cadel thought Garuel would have stopped it since he said Lumen needed a break, but Cadel couldnt fully believe him. Wasnt he the person who went out to buy alcohol right before his own funeral? He sometimes showed unreasonable behavior in unexpected places, so Cadel couldnt rest assured.

Did Yozen come along?

No. I went to see him to see if he could fight, but I couldnt see him. I cant feel him or smell him. What a strange human being.

Hes just a little special.

Hes only human, after all.

As Cadel gently stroked Lydons grumpy head, his puffy face turned to look at him.

Am I better than Yozen?

Huh?

Dont Huh me. Cadel, of course Im better, right?

Cadel had no desire to individually measure affection for his subordinates. But if he hesitated to answer here, the next few days would be bothersome. Cadel patted Lydons cheek and replied calmly.

You ask for the obvious, of course youre the best.

I know it!

Lydons mood quickly softened, and he smirked, placing his fingers on the back of Cadels hand. It was an honest change of emotion, indeed, and Cadel smiled a little, as if it were cute, and shook his grasped hand lightly.

Why didnt you follow the training?

There are a lot of people nearby. If Im there, well be immediately recognized as the Scarlet Scales Knight Order, right? I didnt go because I thought it would be a hassle.

Was it?

The Emperor had been informed of the Knight Orders stay in Yingchen Village, but no one but him knew their current whereabouts. Lumens critical condition, Garuels identity. There was much that was better kept secret.

Most people didnt recognize knights from their faces, so they didnt have many restrictions on their behavior, but Lydon was a different story. Unless he was using the [Wings of Illusion] or an illusion technique, his presence as a fairy was unmistakable. The Scarlet Scales Knight Order had once made a name for themselves as a knightly order with a fairy, so his presence was a testament to the Order.

I didnt know Lydon cared about that.

Now that he thought about it, even when they were staying at the inn, Lydon would always move around in the form of a little fairy unless he was in the room, and even then he would only appear through windows that were not easily seen by people or only late at night. Cadel never thought there was a reason for this behavior.

Cadel gently rubbed Lydons forehead with his free hand, his voice soothing.

Then come with me to see the sights. While were there, lets eat at the restaurant.

Is that okay?

Just put on the Wings of Illusion and go. All you have to do is get rid of your wings. Ill release it as soon as we get back.

Okay, great.

A small part of Cadels chest tickled at the innocent smile on Lydons face, the one that said anything was okay if it was with him. Cadel cleared his throat, coughing unnecessarily, and climbed off the bed with Lydon.

T/N: Happy Lunar New Year!!! May the Year of the Dragon be filled with confidence and courage. Wishing you all prosperity and joy.