Volume 2 Chapter 61 The One Behind The Assassins I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Wow, that’s quite curious.”
The guard looked at Kian with a strange gaze.
They probably don’t understand her situation at all.
It couldn’t be helped.
”So, Your Excellency, what do you need from me this morning?”
”About that assassin group, we found out the organization that funded them. It’s the eastern merchant guild ‘Mao Yue’.”
”‘Mao Yue’──the merchant guild that had the slaughtered easterners among them?”
”Yes. And it was also the merchant guild I dealt with just before I was attacked.”
Maribel tightly clenched her gloved hands.
”The shopkeeper there must have been found out for selling me ‘information.’ There were certainly people from Shin Nation among the street performers, right?”
”Yes.”
Kian recalled the Shin man who was hosting next to the fat man who was spraying fire on his curved sword.
Among the confirmed members of the crime group, the only ones whose bodies have not been found are that Shin man, the fat man swinging the fiery curved sword, and the Azraelian who was handling insects.
”What were you purchasing at ‘Mao Yue’s’ tent, Your Excellency?”
”As I said earlier, ‘information.’ …I can’t go into details here, but I was looking for the buyer list of the poison from 8 years ago.”
”Poison?”
”Yes. It’s not uncommon in the world.”
”────”
”Nobles don’t send assassins to kill troublesome people. Assassins require high costs and time for training, and they are basically disposable. They can be traced back to you. But with poison, for example, if you bribe a cook and a taster, you might be able to make your target drink poison.”
”Aren’t there healers nearby for nobles?”
”As long as the one poisoned is physically weakened enough, it doesn’t matter if the detoxification is too late. Or perhaps, administering small doses of poison daily to make it look like a natural death. Of course, if there are powerful users like ‘Azrael’s apostle’ who can’t be contained, it would be more effective to send them for various reasons.”
Maribel paused for a moment before continuing her words.
”My life was targeted because there was a leak of unfavorable information for ‘Mao Yue.’ If the lord seizes the list of poison customers, ‘Mao Yue’ can’t complain even if the noble clients are crushed.”
”…The customer list likely contained many noble names from Izerland, huh? There’s no way they would sell powerful pre-made poisons to common thugs.”
”It was encrypted, but generally. Of course, I can’t tell the purpose. But it might serve as evidence to convict in court when combined with the circumstances of the time.”
”……”
(The list of poison buyers from 8 years ago… Eight years ago, that was when Maribel’s father, Godfrey, fell ill. He passed away 3 years later.)
Kian suddenly glanced at Maribel’s hands.
Her hands were──trembling.
As if resisting fear.
As if summoning courage.
”On the day of the ceremony, I will protect Your Excellency. Even at the cost of my life.”
”Hehe… Thank you, my knight.”
”Have the ‘Mao Yue’ related shops in the Eastern town been dealt with?”
”Yes, I ordered Waterman to evacuate them.”
”I see… This territory exists because of Your Excellency. Please do not act recklessly.”
”Thank you. But I can’t remain a caged bird forever. On the day of the ceremony, please ensure I can fly freely. Is that alright? We must be cautious of both Azraelian and Shin people.”
”Understood.”
”Lastly, a message from Waterman. ‘Adventurers on duty that day must gather by 9 this morning at the special reception desk in the Izerland fortress Adventurers Guild.’ You understand the location, right?”
”Yes.”
”That’s all I have to say. Kian, please leave early to avoid being late.”
Maribel said that and turned back with the guards she came with.
Looking closely, the number of guards had increased from before.
They must be on high alert since the day of the ceremony is approaching.
If they could wish for anything, they would want a magician there.
(I need to return Christy to Maribel soon. A magician skilled in elixirs would surely be a threat to assassins.
That steward who put her under house arrest──)
”Kian, it’s 7-30 now, so we should probably leave the house soon.”
”…Yeah.”
”Should I wake Ms. Christy?”
”I’ve got Kitsune on standby. After meeting Baron Waterman, we’ll head to the arena, but she can go straight there. I’ll let her sleep until the last minute. The lack of sleep is partly my fault.”
”If you knew that, why did you have s*x yesterday…?”
Kian’s ‘glasses’ sparkled.
”Because there was a woman’s body there, Serena.”
”I guess I was foolish to expect a decent reason from you.”
Serena sighed and picked up her backpack and longsword from the chair.
”Let’s go. Please guide me to the Adventurers Guild.”
* * *
At the gathering place of the Adventurers Guild, mainly warriors affiliated with the Izerland fortress Guild had gathered.
Besides Kian and Serena, there were 8 others.
They all looked wealthy, with magic language engraved on their equipment.
They were likely intermediate-rank upper to advanced-rank adventurers.
As they waited until 9, a knight from Waterman’s subordinates arrived to take attendance.
After it was done, they moved in a line to the arena.
During that time, Kian exchanged simple greetings with the adventurers.
All 8 were part of a Rank 4 party──adventurers belonging to the advanced-rank party.
There are five individuals with a personal rank of Rank 4 and three individuals with a personal rank of Rank 5.
The group seems to be a mix of 2 parties.
There are 2 magicians, 2 shield warriors, 2 scouts, and the rest are healers and former Church knights.
’That old steward sure knows how to play his cards… Is he hiring around ten of the advanced-ranked adventurers?’
(The advanced-ranked adventurers, like those in ‘Lion’s Companion’ with Rean, are rare and often unavailable due to their busy schedules. Rank 3 adventurers are the next best, just lacking in experience. They’re also hard to come by.)
’Hmm…’
(Rank 4 adventurers are still formidable, though. They’re a welcome addition to our team, but they could also be tough competition if they decide to turn on me.)
Kian followed the knights, observing the relaxed expressions of the adventurers walking alongside them.
(Aside from the ‘rare find’ among the assassins, these guys seem capable of handling themselves.)
Together, they might even stand a chance against the powerful apostles of Azrael.
There are even a couple who could take on Serena in a head-on fight and possibly win.
”Captain Waterman! We’ve arrived!”
”Yes, good work.”
After a 20-minute walk, they reached the arena within the fortress.
Unbeknownst to them, the ground had transformed from stone slabs to a yellowish-brown soil.
Green grass swayed gently on either side of the path, caressed by the wind.
The path, resembling a sloping farm road, led them to the arena’s entrance.
”Is everyone here?”
The bald knight scanned the group, and Kian raised his hand.
”Baron Waterman.”
”Yes?”
”This is Serena, an adventurer I hired personally.”
”I’m Serena. Belongs to East End’s adventurer Guild. Kian is a party member.”
”I’ve heard the story. I’ve also contacted Lord Friedrich. From the documents, you seem to be a capable person, even as a lower-rank adventurer. However, I can’t use a last-minute participant for patrolling inside the venue. If you really want to join the security, I have no objections to you patrolling around the arena voluntarily. Of course, we won’t pay you for that.”
”That’s what they say, Serena.”
”Then, you’ll pay me, Kian.”
”Of course. I’ll pay the full 3 pieces as promised.”
”That’s fine. In fact, I think I’ve received too much. ──So, whose instructions should I follow for patrolling outside on that day?”
”Ms. Serena, as long as you don’t interfere with the knights guarding each entrance, you can patrol freely. For example, around this road or the space where the carriages are parked.”
”Understood. I’ll leave the surrounding patrol to this Serena. Her ears and nose won’t be deceived by anyone. Today, may I investigate the surroundings while you all look around the venue?”
”That’s fine. Just remember that if you get close to the building, you’ll be questioned by the guards.”
”I’m sorry, Serena.”
”It’s fine. If you’re going to pay me, I’ll do my best. Can I have one familiar assigned to me?”
”Sure.”
Kian nodded and handed the Tengu mask to Serena.
Serena took it and looked up at Kian, saying.
”If anything comes up, contact me. Even if it’s just guiding you around the venue today, don’t mess around and take it seriously.”
”Of course.”
”──Okay then, let’s get going!”
Waterman gave the order.
The group left Serena behind and headed toward the entrance of the arena.
Through the familiar, Serena felt herself start to move right away.
No matter what kind of situation it is, she’ll find out what she can do on my own and execute it──
Kian thought it was indeed the right choice to call her.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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