Volume 2 Chapter 62 The One Behind The Assassins II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The colosseum building stood 3 stories above ground, with an additional 2 levels underground, resembling the training grounds of the ‘Knights of the Sun’ in its structure.
The ground level had a narrow passage behind the spectator stands.
The third-floor corridor offered a clear view of the audience area.
The passage was carpeted, but the sand and pebbles from the arena made it gritty underfoot.
The carpet would be replaced by a professional team after today’s rehearsal, it seemed.
Kian and his team, consisting of 9 adventurers and 3 of Waterman’s subordinates, were assigned to patrol the western quadrant of the circular colosseum.
The knights in their finery would patrol the spectator stands, while Kian’s team focused on the hidden passages and underground areas, unseen by the audience.
The underground level was particularly dark, with plenty of hiding spots in the slave quarters and beast enclosures.
Patrolling the underground on the day of the event would be a challenging task.
The most likely way for a terrorist to infiltrate, as Waterman explained, would be through the sewers, emerging from below.
After Waterman’s briefing, the team was given free rein to explore the building’s layout.
It seemed that Kian was the only one without professional experience in escort and security duties.
His role, as they understood, was to provide a fresh perspective and notice details that the knights might overlook, drawing from his unique knowledge and experiences.
”We’re in the same group, nice to meet you.”
Wolf said, a member of the ‘Hungry Wolf Pack,’ one of the hired mixed parties.
He was a towering figure in full armor, carrying a shield and mace.
According to Wolf, he had once been a knight of the Western Church.
”About ten years ago, the Church received a request from the Adventurer’s Guild to lend some Church knights. I was sent to the ‘Hungry Wolf Pack,’ but I found adventuring more enjoyable. I realized that the life of wearing the same armor every day and guarding the church didn’t suit me.”
He said he was originally a church knight at Western Church.
”Two years later, I quit being a Church knight and started working as a vanguard warrior for the ‘Hungry Wolf Pack.’ But 6 months later, the leader at that time died. On his deathbed, he asked me to take care of the party, and before I knew it, I was leading the party.”
”That’s quite an unusual background. A knight guarding the church is elite among elites, yet here you are, a curious one.”
When Kian said that, Wolf smiled wryly.
”As I said earlier, I wanted freedom. Even with money and status, if my heart isn’t happy, I can’t go on. I just wanted to have an adventure in this one life.”
”Being an adventurer suited you perfectly. If you’ve climbed to Rank 4 in this industry, you should have no complaints.”
”Well, yeah. I’ll count on you that day, Kian.”
”Yeah.”
When they shook hands, Wolf felt the cold metal touch.
As he waved his hand, the joints of the armor made a faint clinking sound.
”Hey, Dude Wolf. Want to check out the basement?”
”Hmm? Oh, yeah. If they’re going to invade, it’ll be from the basement.”
Wolf nodded at the scout’s suggestion.
He turned his gaze back to Kian.
”How about you? Want to explore the western section together?”
”I’ll just follow from behind. If I want to investigate alone, I’ll excuse myself.”
”You’re quite the uncooperative one.”
The scout said with exasperation, but Wolf shook his head lightly.
”As an adventurer, they have their own style. If you want to investigate alone, you should do it without hesitation. We’re not an army.”
”……”
Kian silently followed behind the ‘Hungry Wolf Pack.’
However, honestly, with his superior scouting skills and knowledge of architecture, he had no intention of seriously discussing things while doing the same as them.
He kept silent about the building’s structure and expected invasion routes.
If an incident occurs, these guys would just be a hindrance.
For a while, he thoroughly examined the building’s interior with the ‘Hungry Wolf Pack’ from the third floor down.
He had already visualized the building’s layout in his mind when he toured with Waterman earlier, but now he’s adding more detailed notes.
He’ll inspect every inch for any signs of explosive traps and ensure everything is secure.
As they ventured from the West Block to the first-floor entrance, the group noticed a significant increase in the crowd compared to their earlier journey.
The place was filled with noble guests, each adorned in vibrant red and blue attire.
”Is there some kind of event going on?”
Wolf furrowed his brows in confusion
Even the scout, usually calm, mirrored his expression, scanning the colorful crowd.
”Well, Baron Waterman didn’t mention anything specific.”
’They’re pouring in!’
(They must be guests invited to a ceremony, finally arriving at the fortress after a long journey.)
But when they checked the basement earlier, the cages for animals and slaves were empty.
What could have drawn them here?
Kian’s question was soon answered.
Cheers erupted from the entrance, and 5 figures emerged──2 couples and a lone man.
One couple was Oswald and Aisha, and the other was Guillaume and his companions.
Oswald wore golden armor and carried the ‘Holy Sword of the Sun,’ with Aisha by his side, holding his helmet.
Guillaume and his group were dressed in expensive armor adorned with thorny decorations, predominantly green, visually reminiscent of thorns.
”Is this some kind of rehearsal?”
Wolf muttered, only to be interrupted by a voice from behind.
”You there!”
They turned to see one of Waterman’s knights, part of the trio assigned to guard the West Block alongside them.
He approached swiftly and addressed them.
”We have a larger crowd than expected. We need to conduct an emergency security rehearsal right now.”
”Ah, I see. So that’s the plan.”
”What do you mean, Bro Wolf?”
”‘Today is the day to try them out,’ Baron said. It’s not like we could have ended up introducing the ceremony venue like this. …Were they expected this to happen today? “
Wolf looks at the knight with his face.
The knight nodded honestly.
”They are guests scheduled to attend the succession ceremony. Almost all participants arrived by yesterday. Initially, they were supposed to freely tour Izerland until the day of the ceremony, but given the situation, we have completely banned sightseeing beyond the central area of the fortress.”
”I see, so that’s why the nobles, starved for entertainment, are coming here.”
”Yes, the ceremony will be held earlier than planned. Today is the rehearsal day for Lord Oswald and Sir Guillaume, aimed at the main event. They will use wooden swords, but we should be able to see a fierce battle just like the real thing.”
Among the guests, there are also bards.
In the audience area, there is a platform for the bards, and on the day of the event, they will recite the stories of ‘Knights of the Sun’ and ‘Thorn Demon,’ explaining the background of the event and energizing the crowd.
Since some poets have magic tools for amplification, it seems they plan to do at least a voice rehearsal today.
The knight looked around at Wolf and the others in turn.
”First, for half the day today, you must successfully secure the venue. If you hold us back, I will assign replacements, so stay sharp.”
”Are we checking their belongings? If the number of people increases any more, we won’t be able to distinguish if there are terrorists among them.”
”Sir McCutchen and the others are greeting the guests. Baron Waterman is with them. If there are any suspicious individuals, they will be found immediately. ──You all should return to the western area. The number of people is still small, but once Lord Oswald and the others enter the coliseum, everyone will start moving to the audience seats.”
Kian tried to leave the entrance following Wolf and the others.
However, before that, a cheerful voice from a blond young man with a shaved head, who seemed to have spotted them, echoed through the hall.
”Kian! You’re here too, right! Hey!”
”…Do you know the Sword Saint of the Sun?”
”Ah… well, we have some connections.”
Kian replied to the puzzled faces of Wolf and the others, quickly heading over to Oswald.
The young man with blond hair was as usual.
He wore golden armor and looked dignified, but he gave Kian a beaming smile.
”Hey, Kian! Good morning!”
”Good morning, Sir Oswald, Ms. Aisha.”
”Today is a rehearsal for the security drill, right?”
”Yes, Sir Oswald, are you also participating in the trial run today?”
”Yeah. We will spar with wooden swords, but it’s supposed to be like the real thing. Right, Lord Guillaume?”
Oswald turned to the brown-haired young man in thorny knight armor with a smile.
Kian also looked at the young Guillaume.
(Hmm… brown hair?)
He tilted his head.
The helmeted young Guillaume seemed to have changed quite a bit in atmosphere, somehow…
It’s like… something feels missing.
”…Good morning, Kian.”
”Good morning, Guillaume. Is something wrong? You look a bit off today…”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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