Chapter 429 The Wyrope Assassins ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Right this way, Lord Harvest,” Muse said.
”Ah, thank you, Muse,” I replied.
Led by Muse, the maid in service to Her Majesty the Queen, I was taken deep into the palace’s subterranean level – the dungeons where the kingdom’s most dangerous criminals were kept. Since the palace served as the nation’s political and judicial heart, such a facility was necessary, yet I felt a strange, restless chill as we navigated the cold, stone-hewn corridors.
These were the men believed to be assassins from the Wyrope Empire¹, the ones who had struck during the victory ceremony. Regarding the treatment of these tight-lipped killers, I had made a specific proposal to Her Majesty. She had looked grim at the suggestion, but in the end, I was granted permission to speak with them.
To be honest, I had my own doubts, but the idea came from none other than my elven companion, Tania. If she suggested it, I had no reason to distrust her. For the sake of my home and the peace of this kingdom, I intended to do whatever was in my power.
”Are you ready? I’ve warned you several times, but please, stay well away from the bars,” Muse cautioned.
”I know. Their magic and movements are sealed, but they aren’t the kind of people you can ever truly call ‘safe,’ right?” I asked.
”Precisely,” Muse said.
In a world where single individuals can be a match for a thousand soldiers, containing a prisoner is a monumental task. A flimsy cell would be shattered with a flick of a finger; one has to account for magic as well. Because of that, these weren’t mere iron bars, but a Mythic Alloy Lattice² etched with Magic Circuits³. The walls, floors, and ceilings were equally thick and reinforced with similar arcane barriers.
Usually, it’s easier to simply execute an opponent who requires this level of containment than it is to keep them alive, so these cells were rarely occupied. It was a grim reality of this world’s power scale.
The last time this cell had been used was after the passing of the late King and Queen, when the younger brother of the Duke of Badcage – the great-uncle of my dear Lady Tina – had tried to seize the throne.
It was depressing work, and I wasn’t exactly thrilled to be there. Listening to the sharp click-clack of our footsteps echoing against the rigid walls, I relied on the light produced by my magic to navigate the corridor, which seemed to grow colder with every step.
Eventually, we passed through several heavy doors and reached the very back of the dungeon. This was the “VIP suite” for special guests. I certainly never wanted to spend a night here.
”What’s the status?” Muse asked the guard.
”Ma’am! No change. He shows no signs of resistance, nor any intent to take his own life. It’s… eerily quiet, to be honest,” the guard replied.
”I’m not surprised. I’d do the same if I were him. When he moves, it will be in a heartbeat – only after he’s calculated every possible path to victory. Stay sharp,” Muse warned.
”Understood. I’ll keep that in mind,” the guard muttered.
It seemed they had several guards assigned to each assassin. I’d seen a number of security soldiers on the way in. The fact that I was cleared on sight was likely because I was walking with Muse.
”Are you awake? You have a visitor,” Muse said, her voice dropping to a cold, professional edge.
”Well, now. This is a surprise. Don’t tell me you’re the leader of the ‘Shadows’ from back then? I never imagined such a gorgeous maid would be the one…”
The man behind the bars spoke in a casual, mocking tone. His arms were bound behind his back, wrapped tightly in heavy cloth, and his legs were secured the same way. Handcuffs and leg irons finished the job, chaining him directly to the wall. The cloth and the irons both appeared to be etched with Magic Circuits; they were likely suppressing his mana flow and physical strength simultaneously.
”Quiet. Do you have any idea what your position is?” Muse asked.
”Oh, scary, scary…” the man taunted.
The air turned razor-sharp. It was the aura Muse was radiating – what people call “bloodlust.” I couldn’t perceive the details, but her expression was cold and detached, a far cry from the Muse I knew.
”Still, a ‘visitor’ is a strange turn of events. I don’t know a soul in this country. I figured I was in for an interrogation – the kind involving pliers – or a date with the executioner,” the assassin said.
”I believe I told you to shut your mouth,” Muse snapped.
”Right, right. So, is your friend there the one who wanted the meeting?” the man asked, looking at me.
He scanned me from the tips of my boots to the top of my head, as if taking my measure. I wondered why they didn’t have him blindfolded or gagged; I’d heard these men could use elven incantations.
The real reason I felt uneasy was the man’s eyes. They were startlingly inorganic. To put it bluntly, I was terrified. You couldn’t tell what he was thinking or what he might do. He carried a primal sense of dread.
”This is Viscount Kento Harvest,” Muse said. “He has a proposal regarding your fate.”
”Heh, a nobleman, eh? You don’t look the part. And is it really okay to just hand over your identity like that?” the man asked.
”That’s three times now. I told you to shut it!” Muse stepped forward.
”It’s okay, Muse. Can you let me take it from here?” I asked.
”Understood,” Muse stepped back.
I knew what he was doing – it was a veiled threat. “Now that I know who you are, I can hurt you.” I stepped in to calm Muse and turned to face the man. Honestly, it wasn’t a great feeling, but my name had been getting around lately anyway. It was a bit late to worry about anonymity.
”Nice to meet you. I assume you’re one of the assassins from Wyrope?” I asked.
”Well, you’re a stranger man than I expected,” the man replied.
”Yeah, I get that a lot,” I said, putting on a brave face.
I stood before him, making sure not to get too close as I’d been warned, but I tried to stand tall so he wouldn’t look down on me – or realize I was shaking. He watched me with a bored yet intensely focused expression. I couldn’t be sure, but a man like this could probably memorize my every feature without me even noticing.
”I heard you guys use elven magic, right?” I asked.
The man remained silent.
”You don’t have to answer. Experts in the field have already confirmed it,” I added.
Again, silence.
He went quiet the moment the topic turned to anything that might disadvantage his employers. I expected that, so I didn’t rush.
”One of my wives is an elf, you see. She’s certain it’s elven magic…” I said.
”Huh?” the man blurted out.
”I said, my wife told me it’s likely elven magic.”
”Wait, wait… ‘One’ of your… wives? An elf…?” the assassin stammered.
”That’s right. She’s a beautiful, kind-hearted woman – way out of my league,” I said.
”What?”
This time, the confusion was plain on his face. Between the direction of the conversation and the sheer absurdity of the claim, he looked like he was thinking, ‘What is this guy even talking about?’ Seeing that bewildered expression helped my own tension bleed away.
I suppose it made sense. While there are a fair number of elves living in human settlements, those who actually mingle with humans are rare. Moreover, they are known for being incredibly prideful; the idea of an elf settling for a polygamous marriage was unheard of.
”You’ve got an elf in your life too, don’t you? My wife said you’re in a relationship that’s… closer than family,” I said.
”Wha-!?”
—
Summary:
Kento visits the royal dungeons with Muse to interrogate a captured assassin from the Wyrope Empire. Using an intuition shared by his elf wife Tania, Kento reveals his knowledge of the assassin’s elven magic and hints at the assassin’s own secret elven connections. This psychological tactic successfully breaks the prisoner’s stoic composure.
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Trivia:
- The bars are made of Rare Ore Alloy, not just iron.
- The prisoner is bound in cloth that also suppresses Mana Circuits.
- The last person in this cell was Tina’s great-uncle.
- Elves in this world are known for being high-handed and monogamous, making Kento’s marriage a shock
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Character Insight:
Kento shows growth in his ability to handle high-tension negotiations by masking his fear and using his ‘outsider’ status to his advantage. Muse reveals a darker, more lethal side of her personality that contrasts with her domestic duties.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘elf’ trope to highlight the cultural divide between humans and elves, setting up a deeper mystery regarding the ‘Wyrope’ empire’s military assets.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Kento – Lord Harvest—the unassuming owner of the Harvest magic tool shop (with a discreet adult goods side). An isekai’d Japanese salaryman resembling Kazuma Satou, with dark hair and basic magic for crafting. Recently triumphed over a Great Dragon; now juggles his harem, tinkering, and ties to Amelia and the Queen at Ddo-Buddy Manor.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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