Ch.7878. The Ring

Quadruple Wings’ Veil is a proud assassin belonging to the Vagabond.

His specialty is swift swordsmanship that erupts from four swords—two in his hands plus two more floating around him using telekinesis.

The dazzling slashes bursting from attack routes four times that of an ordinary swordsman were renowned for instantly reducing opponents to minced flesh, regardless of who they faced.

“…”

And now, all four of those swords were completely broken.

Veil stared blankly at his beloved blades.

They had been faithful companions, steadfastly protecting him through countless battlefields—enough that he could call himself a warrior of reversals. They were renowned blades that would be respected anywhere.

And standing before him was a human who had shattered those swords with “bare hands” as if breaking twigs.

“Hmm.”

Elnore nodded, looking down at her hand as she flexed it.

She had just caught and crushed the sword that Veil had swung with all his might, pouring every bit of his magical power into it, while wearing just a single gauntlet.

“…”

How could this be possible?

He’d heard that the Tristan Duchess possessed remarkable skills for her age, but this was beyond that level of explanation.

The difference in ability wasn’t just one level—it had to be at least two or three levels higher for this to be possible.

“…This is absurd.”

He let out those words like a groan.

“I’ve often heard that you display almost supernatural martial prowess for your age, but it seems your reputation as a genius isn’t unwarranted.”

Around them lay the remains of his colleagues who had been mobilized for this “ambush.”

Bodies with parts burst open, torn off, and grotesquely twisted.

All this carnage had been created by this woman alone, without even drawing a sword, using only her bare hands.

“How did you find this place, Duchess?”

They had surely controlled information about themselves thoroughly, so how did she track them down and do this?

“Just noticed some people who seemed to be targeting the same person as me.”

Elnore wiped blood from her cheek as she answered Veil’s question.

“The same target?”

“Recently, I felt like Darwood was avoiding me. So I decided to follow him.”

“…”

“And I found quite a few people doing exactly the same thing I was.”

Well.

If he’s avoiding her, there must be a good reason.

Normally, one would at least pretend to understand the other person’s feelings, but how did she immediately jump to the option of stalking him?

As Veil remained silent in disbelief, Elnore shrugged and continued.

“So I decided to investigate like this.”

The next moment.

Before Veil could react, Elnore approached within arm’s reach and twisted his arm.

“…!”

Before he could even scream in pain, his body was lifted into the air. Swung to the opposite side, he was slammed into the ground.

His arm was mangled as if it had gone through a grinder, his internal organs were severely damaged from the impact, several ribs were broken, his spine was paralyzed, and he even suffered a concussion.

In less than a second, such a powerful warrior had sustained multiple critical injuries.

At that point, Veil truly reflected on the thought he’d had earlier.

Age-inappropriate genius, my ass.

‘…This is just a monster…!’

Her power far exceeded the capabilities he’d heard about. It was as if she had explosively strengthened in a short period due to some incident.

Only someone like the Margrave Krat Bellium La Kendrid, who was practically a living tank, could match such specs.

Moreover, the Duchess was the heir to a “swordsmanship family,” not someone who specialized in martial arts using their body!

“When I do this first and then ask questions, I usually get most answers.”

“…”

Right.

He completely understood how she had discovered their information.

With such a monster as an opponent, no matter how much one resisted, the only outcome would be death.

Though called assassins, they were ultimately in a business relationship. Most valued their own lives above all else.

But.

“…Are all the others dead?”

“Would you not kill someone who tried to kill Darwood?”

Her tone was as flat as saying the sun rises in the morning.

There was even a hint of incredulity, as if she couldn’t believe he would even ask such an obvious question.

“…”

Of course.

The atmosphere emanating from this woman suggested that no negotiation would work.

She was someone thoroughly twisted. It felt as though she had centered her entire world around that man.

Given that, Veil’s fate was clear.

“…I never thought I’d meet such a meaningless end when I have a wife and child.”

He muttered bitterly and quietly closed his eyes.

Due to the nature of his profession, he was always prepared to put his life on the line. He had always been ready for this.

So.

“…?”

When no impact came for a long while, even Veil himself was confused.

Slightly opening his eyes, he saw Elnore stroking her chin, seemingly contemplating something.

“…”

“…”

“…What is it?”

Unable to bear the prolonged silence, Veil finally spoke, and Elnore nodded in response.

“Are you married?”

“…”

What kind of question was this?

As Veil remained speechless, staring at her quietly, Elnore tilted her head.

“No? Then never mind.”

Her leg rose smoothly. It was clearly a motion intended to stomp on Veil’s head.

“…Yes, I am married. I am.”

Though unsure why, Veil quickly moved his lips, realizing that this fact was crucial to his survival.

Indeed, upon hearing those words, Elnore made a contemplative sound and lowered her leg again.

“Then let me ask you something. Who proposed first?”

“…”

She was clearly no ordinary madwoman.

As Veil genuinely thought this, Elnore tilted her head again and raised her leg.

“If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine.”

“…My wife proposed first.”

The leg smoothly lowered again.

“Good. Tell me more details.”

“Details?”

“Tell me more about how it progressed. Did you accept immediately when you heard it?”

“…”

Veil took a deep breath.

Not only was he dealing with the pain surging through his entire body, but he also needed to somehow calm the dizzying sensation from this conversation itself.

For now, he decided to answer.

“No, I refused.”

“Why?”

“Because being an assassin is an inherently dangerous profession. I couldn’t turn a woman who loved me into a widow. I thought that’s what it meant to cherish someone.”

Elnore stroked her chin for a moment.

Indeed, could that be it?

‘That man might think the same way.’

She had always felt that he was taking on burdens without telling her.

Just look at how he’s constantly getting entangled in new threats somewhere. Just look at how assassins are popping up everywhere targeting him.

It’s not that he dislikes her and is avoiding her now, but rather that he’s being considerate of her.

Rather than knowing what she’s preparing, he’s avoiding her simply because it’s that time.

“…”

No, more precisely.

She couldn’t bear to think otherwise.

It wasn’t just that she was killing these assassins to vent her anger.

If that man were to reject the “ring” she now carried in her bosom…

“…Huh.”

Veil inhaled sharply as he looked up at Elnore.

He saw killing intent emanating from around her body, enough to make the entire space seem to contract.

Enough to make him feel it would be better to return to the insane topic they were discussing earlier.

“…But why are you curious about such things?”

“…”

Elnore snapped back to reality and looked down at Veil.

“I wanted some advice.”

“Advice?”

“About the situation, the dialogue, the overall atmosphere. What moved your heart?”

“…”

Veil desperately pondered.

Somehow, he felt he needed to answer this very well.

“…Primal? Raw and unfiltered? At least that’s how my wife was.”

“What do you mean?”

“She proposed with the attitude that whether we died afterward or not, if I didn’t marry her right then, one of us would die right there.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Elnore nodded.

She seemed quite pleased with this.

“Thank you for the advice. I’ll try that approach.”

“…”

Seeing her draw her sword rather than raise her leg, Veil’s expression turned pale.

“…Wait. I answered all your questions well, didn’t I?”

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to kill you in return for that.”

“…”

Then what was this?

“I’m threatening you. No matter what, I can’t just let someone who tried to kill Darwood go free.”

“…”

“I’m going to make you some offers you can’t refuse. Listen and decide whether you’ll die or comply.”

Elnore continued in a flat voice.

“First, start by spitting out who your client is and all related information. Understand?”

“…”

Suddenly, Veil realized something.

Perhaps it would have been better to just die.

“Ah, but I’ll make one promise.”

Elnore sighed as she fingered the ring in her possession.

“If I ‘succeed,’ I’ll reward you in my own way.”

“…Succeed? When are you planning to try?”

Elnore stroked her chin for a moment, lost in thought.

Having received good advice, there was no reason to delay.

So.

“Today.”

After all, important matters should be dealt with quickly.