Ch.77. Assassination Attempt (2)

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“Huh, this is less impressive than I thought.”

“Y-yeah…”

No, that’s because you two are way beyond student level.

Elia looked around at the armed assailants sprawled on the floor, who were only emitting groans.

Judging by their skills, they were clearly experienced fighters, but it made no sense that academy students could subdue such people.

‘Of course, there are people who are on a completely different level…’

With a bitter smile, she turned her gaze sideways to see someone quietly retrieving their sword after single-handedly taking down twice as many opponents as the rest combined.

Even the other students who had easily handled the assassins looked at this person with almost fearful reverence.

A fitting reaction to someone who had subdued this many people without even drawing their sword.

The continent’s greatest swordsmanship family. And within it, the ducal daughter praised as the greatest talent in history.

The swordsmanship she displayed was in a realm of artistry that impressed even Elia, who had experienced all manner of battles.

‘How many people on the continent could even imitate that?’

Tristan-style swordsmanship is known as a high-level technique where even being able to imitate it puts one in the realm of genius. If mastered properly, it can exert devastating power regardless of weapon.

It’s said that one could kill a person with just a stick.

“…?”

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Elia’s eyes suddenly caught something.

Elnore’s trembling hands.

She looked like she was desperately holding something back.

From the perspective of an experienced swordsman, it seemed like she was desperate because she couldn’t “kill” her opponents.

Her whole body seemed to be screaming that she wanted to draw her sword and kill something, anything.

“…”

As she remained silent with goosebumps rising on her skin, Elnore noticed her gaze and quickly hid her hands behind her back before speaking.

“…Looks like we’ve subdued them all.”

It was clearly a signal not to mention what she had just seen, and Elia decided to agree for now.

She felt that if she pressed the issue, a sword might really come flying at her with deadly intent.

“Yes. We should hand all these people over to the academy—”

Her voice cut off abruptly.

She had spotted a blue gem glinting on the body of a fallen assassin.

A short-range magical communication device. She had seen such items a few times during monster subjugation missions.

This meant that besides these people, there was someone else in the building who could send this “communication.”

“—or maybe not.”

With a bitter smile, she approached one of the assassins.

“Excuse me, are there more of you deployed here besides the ones present?”

“…”

When the assassin just glared at her silently, Elia inwardly gave a bitter smile.

Right, he wouldn’t answer so easily—

—!

Before she could finish that thought.

With a crack, the assassin’s arm broke.

“…!”

The silent scream made it clear how much pain he was feeling.

Dumbfounded, Elia turned to see Elnore exhaling through her nose as she returned her scabbard to her belt.

“If you don’t speak, I’ll break your neck next.”

“…”

“Hmm. No, that wasn’t appropriate.”

When Elnore said this, even Elia, who had been looking at her with disbelief, chuckled.

Right. No matter what, saying something so brutal out of nowhere is a bit…

“If no one speaks, I’ll break all of your necks.”

“…”

A heavy silence descended around them.

She spoke as if calmly stating a fact, but everyone clearly got the impression that she would really do it.

The fact that someone spoke up stutteringly on behalf of the assassin with the broken arm proved this.

After listening to the sentences that came out with obvious tension, Elnore nodded expressionlessly.

“I see. <Crescent Moon> Hasmed. An assassin who kills people and steals their appearance.”

After hearing this, Elnore, who had been keeping silent, opened her mouth after a brief pause.

“Is that assassin here with you right now?”

“What?”

“Answer the question. Is he in this building with you right now?”

“…I can’t tell you that—”

The assassin stopped mid-sentence.

Anyone would if they realized one of their arms had just been severed by a sword.

It was done by Elnore, who had drawn her sword in an instant.

“Ah, aaaargh-!”

As the assassin screamed and sprayed blood everywhere, Elnore grabbed him by the collar without even bothering to wipe the blood from her face.

Her red eyes glowed ominously in the dim surroundings.

“Is that assassin here?”

“Ah, aaaagh-!”

“If you don’t answer, I’ll cut off another limb.”

“Y-yes! He came with us!”

As soon as she heard this, Elnore threw the screaming assassin to the floor.

Then she ran out, leaving behind all the stunned students.

“Wait! What kind of madness is this!”

Breaking an arm for “intimidation” was one thing, but drawing a real sword and cutting off a limb was a completely different matter.

Elnore’s current behavior was as if…

Her personality had completely changed the moment she heard about Hasmed.

Elia hurriedly followed her and questioned her, to which Elnore sighed and responded.

“I needed an answer quickly. He’ll live. There’s first aid equipment nearby.”

“…”

Still, it’s hard to believe someone would so readily do such a thing.

“Why would you do such…!”

“He said the assassin kills people and steals their appearance. Who would be the easiest target in this building right now?”

Elia’s words caught in her throat.

Come to think of it, there was one person.

Someone who had separated from the group alone, saying it was for “necessary business.”

“…I hate to think it, but…”

Elia said with a stiff voice.

“Did that person use himself as bait to lure the strongest opponent away?”

Logically speaking, it was clearly speculation.

He couldn’t have known such an assassin was coming, and even if he did, there’s no reason to risk his life for such a dangerous act—

—I quite like that person, you know.

“…”

—Unless there was a reason.

This assassination attempt was clearly targeting the Tristan ducal daughter.

And Elnore’s silence and tight-lipped expression showed she clearly agreed with Elia’s opinion.

“We need to go check on him.”

“Why go to such lengths? What kind of relationship do you two have…?”

“…I told you we’re not in any relationship.”

Elnore replied.

“At least, not that I know of.”

But unlike before,

Now her voice suggested she wasn’t so sure herself.

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Actually, Elphante Academy can hardly be considered a normal educational institution by any stretch of the imagination.

The fact that it’s filled with things that would never exist in an ordinary school is already widely known even to outsiders.

Because it’s such an old and mysterious place, the school itself is said to be home to all sorts of “anomalies.”

Secret rooms hidden throughout, ghosts that appear at certain times, specific buildings said to house legendary beasts…

And Hasmed was already well aware of all these things.

He had heard of thousands of such phenomena, but had long since memorized every single one of them.

After all, he’s a professional assassin with quite a reputation in the industry. He wouldn’t deserve such fame if he couldn’t put in this much effort.

So.

When he saw the translucent blue “barrier” that caught his extended dagger, he couldn’t help but be shocked.

‘Guardian’s Soul…!’

A defensive barrier designed for invulnerability. It has the effect of greatly reducing the power of weapons wielded by attackers within a designated area.

It’s known to appear suddenly in certain buildings, but both its timing and location are famously random.

So why on earth did it appear here?

While he was thinking this, the student in front of him approached with a stick.

‘How foolish!’

Hasmed snorted and immediately dropped his dagger.

Even if there’s a barrier that neutralizes weapons, a sufficiently trained assassin can be a weapon in themselves. Moreover, Hasmed is among the top-tier assassins with such skills.

What could they possibly do with just a stick? Especially with a frail body that clearly hasn’t trained in any combat techniques?

That’s what he was thinking.

Until he took the first hit.

-!

-!!

A storm of consecutive strikes in the blink of an eye.

Hasmed let out a scream he couldn’t suppress as his vital points were struck all over his body in an instant.

But beyond the physical pain, mental shock was hitting him harder.

‘I can’t even track the trajectory…!’

There are few sword techniques on the continent that even an accomplished assassin like him cannot comprehend.

And if it’s a technique that can exert this much power with something that’s not even a real sword!

‘Tristan-style swordsmanship!’

Why couldn’t he read the skill level of someone who could use such techniques?

‘…!’

Suddenly, a realization struck his mind like lightning.

This person, if his thinking was correct.

‘Was someone I should never have provoked from the beginning…!’

As he collapsed helplessly, Hasmed could only manage to think that much.

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[You have successfully executed the sword technique!]

[Trait: Tristan-style Swordsmanship proficiency increases.]

“…”

What is this?

Why is it so strong?

I look at the fallen Hasmed with bewildered eyes.

Honestly, even though it’s Tristan-style swordsmanship, I only know the basics, so I didn’t expect much. I didn’t think I could take down someone like Hasmed with just a few swings.

This guy is supposed to have enough skill to serve as a mid-boss during the main quest progression, you know?

He’s an assassin whose name carries some weight in the underworld.

‘…How powerful would this be if fully developed?’

I thought it would be strong since it’s the swordsmanship used by the final boss, but I didn’t know it would be this powerful.

My original plan was just to stall for time and then run for help.

“…Ha. I see. You were bait from the beginning.”

So when the guy collapsed in front of me starts saying this, I can’t help but be confused.

What is he talking about?

“I don’t know how, but you clearly knew the Guardian’s Soul would activate in this place. That’s why you chose a stick as your weapon from the start.”

That’s because of the game system.

Combat with weapons is impossible at “save points” that exist in all buildings. That’s why I brought this guy here.

“And to use such a method, you hid your skills to lure me in from the beginning. That’s also why you deliberately separated from the group. To draw me away from the Tristan ducal daughter.”

“…”

That’s not it.

I was actually planning to stall for time and then run to her for help.

[Skill: Fatal Charm activates!]

[The villain is in awe of your meticulous plan!]

[A reward has been added to your Gift tab!]

“…”

What meticulous plan?

Is stalling for time and then running away to beg for help considered meticulous?

Is the world’s definition of meticulous dead?

“Who are you? Someone the Tristan Dukedom has been grooming in advance? Or an agent of the Imperial Central Intelligence Agency?”

“…”

I’m just someone who raised cows and farmed in a barony.

“You don’t seem inclined to answer. Fine. Kill me.”

“…I don’t want to kill you.”

“You won’t kill me? Why not?”

My words must have been quite shocking, as Hasmed widened his eyes and questioned me.

Well, I simply don’t want to commit murder.

‘Besides…’

This guy is a member of the criminal organization “Vagabond,” a key axis of the third chapter in the scenario.

Messing with him carelessly could have unknown effects on the main scenario, and it’s obvious that the Vagabond would come for revenge.

But.

‘I can’t just tell him the truth.’

So I need to come up with a suitable excuse.

What would be the best option to present…

Ah, right.

“Spread the word. Stay away from the Tristan ducal daughter. Tell them even an assassin of your caliber nearly died when trying to approach her.”

I don’t know who hired this guy, but judging by the fact that he’s causing such an incident during an academy event, he’s probably working for someone quite insane.

Even if he failed this time, there’s a high chance he’ll try again somehow.

And that would probably…

Continue to accumulate Elnore’s “corruption” stack.

The probability of the Grey Demon being released keeps increasing.

So I’m trying to block such attempts at the source.

Someone of Hasmed’s caliber is a well-known assassin. If he spreads such a message, wouldn’t other assassins be reluctant to accept similar contracts?

“…”

Hasmed’s expression became strange at my words.

“What if I don’t keep that promise? I could target the Tristan ducal daughter again after leaving here?”

Actually, I don’t think he would.

Considering what the “Vagabond” was like in the original work, that’s definitely true. They’re not the type to refuse a request from someone who spared their life.

They’re criminals who strangely value honor with their lives.

But let me push a bit more here.

“Then try again.”

I continue with a smirk.

“I’ll be there protecting her then too.”

“…Is the Tristan ducal daughter that important to you?”

“Let’s say she is.”

Since it’s troublesome to explain in detail, I’ll just be vague.

For some reason he seems to be in awe of me, so if I say this, he should understand…

[Skill: Fatal Charm activates!]

[The skill’s activation efficiency is extremely high!]

[The villain’s affection increases dramatically!]

[The villain’s affection increases dramatically!]

[The villain’s affection increases insanely!]

[The villain’s affection…]

“…”

What is this?

Cold sweat trickles down as windows crazily fill my vision after I finish speaking.

Uh.

No way.

“…”

I turn my head slightly to see Elnore standing at the end of the corridor with wide eyes.

She clearly heard everything I just said.

“…”

“…”

This is bad.

I don’t know why, but I have that feeling.

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