Chapter 9

### Chapter 5: Assassination

"Assassinate the vampire queen??" More than one person drew in a sharp breath.

Everyone here probably had a good idea of the power vampires possessed. Attempting to assassinate the queen of the vampires with just a few people was nothing short of a pipe dream.

"I will first explain to everyone that the vampire queen, Qin Xin, does not possess the same exceptional combat abilities as her subordinates."

"How do you know? Have you fought with her?"

"There's no need to fight. A normal person can deduce this. First, wherever Queen Qin Xin goes, she is always accompanied by her personal guard, the vampire Marquess Motu. No other vampire has the habit of carrying a guard in their daily activities. Second, according to reliable evidence, the queen does not have the habit of carrying weapons, except for a symbolic long dagger. She is unarmed, and even that dagger she has never drawn, often forgetting to carry it. Third, we have learned from multiple sources that there are no records of Queen Qin Xin using weapons, let alone directly engaging in combat with anyone. Finally, information gathered from the queen's maids indicates that her daily life heavily relies on magic and servants, and she rarely acts on her own. Based on the above, I can conclude that although the queen possesses powerful magical abilities, in close combat, as long as she is not given the opportunity to use magic, she should be easily defeated."

"But didn't you mention the bodyguard? With the personal guard around, does it matter how strong she is?"

"That's why I've gathered everyone today. The vampires suffered heavy losses in the previous war. In the past few days, Marquess Motu has left the queen to take command on the front lines. He is indeed powerful, but I must say, Qin Xin's decision was a bit late. Now, nothing can reverse the defeat of Kalaen. However, if Qin Xin dies sooner, it will reduce the casualties of the allied forces."

"Perhaps this is indeed an opportunity for assassination, but how do we leave the academy?"

"There's no need to leave the academy. Remember the VIP seats in the arena? Those are actually the queen's dedicated seats. Moreover, Qin Xin has the habit of watching gladiatorial performances at regular intervals."

"But there is magical protection there. And you said that even though the queen is not skilled in close combat, she can still use magic."

"That's why I'm getting to the point. I have a magic-breaking scroll."

This answer was shocking. A magic-breaking scroll is the nemesis of magic, a powerful tool in war. Using this on the battlefield can render any magic ineffective, leaving those arrogant mages temporarily helpless. However, the price of this item is exorbitant. The cost of a single magic-breaking scroll is enough to recruit and train five teams of militia or pay the annual commission of an entire team of knights. The worst part is that the magic-breaking scroll is a one-time use item.

"As for the other matters, I have made thorough preparations. Our escape route is already set, allowing us to exit the city in time and join the main force. As for everyone's reward, the allied forces' command will not be stingy. The Kingdom of Ryan will offer substantial rewards. I can represent the king and promise that all of you will become lords of the Kingdom of Ryan, receiving corresponding territories and hereditary privileges..."

"I won't participate, thank you." Scar pushed back his chair and stood up.

"Is the risk too high? This is indeed dangerous, but please remember, even if we do nothing, we will eventually die. It's better to take a risk to survive!"

"It's not about the risk." Scar walked out the door. "I just don't want to go."

Rex watched Scar's back, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

A few days later, at dawn, Rex knocked on Scar's door.

Scar was there, bare-chested, performing upper body exercises. Sweat seeped from his body, making his skin glisten. Rex realized that this man's body seemed to be entirely composed of muscles, tendons, and bones. Although his body did not look particularly muscular, the strength contained within was undeniable. This was the result of long-term, excellent training and a disciplined life. It was enough to make a woman admire and a man envy.

"Three days from now, Queen Qin Xin will visit the arena again. Since there is no second desert leopard, they have decided to organize a high-level group battle. All of us will participate, including you."

Scar stopped, looking at Rex with some confusion.

"I know you don't want to participate in the plan I've devised, but I still want to tell you. After all, you are still a human. From a human perspective, I hope you will cooperate. This is a war between humans and vampires."

"On that day, we will be divided into two teams to fight. However, I have already reached a consensus with all the gladiators who will participate. So that day will be our best opportunity to act. This opportunity will not come again."

"What do you want to say?!"

"I have said everything I wanted to say." Rex turned and left Scar's room, closing the door behind him. As he passed another room, the person inside gave him a nod.

"How did it go?"

"That guy must have eaten something wrong. But he won't betray us. After all, he is a human."

Rex entered his room. After confirming that no one was around, he gently picked up a small, unremarkable box from the corner. The box was small and flat, capable of holding only a few sheets of paper.

He opened the box, took out the few pieces of parchment inside, and carefully examined them again, as if a miser checking his gold coins. There were three scrolls: one was a magic-breaking scroll, used to destroy magical defenses and disrupt enemy mages' spells; one was a communication scroll, used to convey information over a short period; and the last was a teleportation scroll, capable of instantly transporting a person over a considerable distance.

Each scroll was extremely valuable and would play a crucial, irreplaceable role. Now, these precious scrolls could no longer be left here and must be hidden on his person, just in case.

Rex had thought it through clearly. Before entering the arena, he would use the communication scroll in the rest room to inform the allied forces outside of his actions. This information would be received and provide irrefutable evidence for his mission. At that time, no one would contest his claim to the great achievement. In the arena, he would use the magic-breaking scroll to dispel all the obstructive magic and temporarily deprive the mages of Kalaen, including Queen Qin Xin, of their spellcasting abilities. It was said that black magic was affected by the scroll for a very short time, but he didn't need much. A group of gladiators would swarm in, and in the brief moment when Qin Xin was defenseless, they would kill her.

After completing this, he would lead the gladiators to retreat along the predetermined route. This route was very safe, and they would smoothly retreat to the streets before the vampires could react and tear the assassins apart. At that time, the teleportation scroll would play its most critical role, transporting him outside the city to the allied forces' camp.

Of course, the gladiators would likely have to face a group of enraged, frenzied vampires. But this sacrifice was worth it. Without Queen Qin Xin, the vampires would be leaderless, and the fall of Kalaen would be imminent.

"Sorry, guys." Rex slowly hid the three scrolls and muttered to himself. He wasn't intentionally lying; the situation forced his hand, leaving him with no choice. The Kingdom of Ryan had never given Rex such great power, allowing him to promise territories and noble titles. The allied forces outside the city were the same. But to gain the support of others and get them to participate in this dangerous assassination, he needed to offer substantial benefits.

Rex suddenly noticed a small surprise: there was a fourth scroll in the box, and it was also a teleportation scroll. This was likely a mistake by the responsible parties or intended for the person delivering the supplies, but it was never used.

Rex thought for a moment and decided not to touch the fourth scroll. He closed the box and put it back in its place.

The operation was about to begin, and the long-term planning was finally about to bear fruit. Once Rex completed this task, he would no longer be just a knight. He would be promoted to a baron, given a fertile territory, and own a castle, with a bright future ahead. Of course, baron was just the beginning. He, Rex, was undoubtedly not an ordinary person. He would gain more status and wealth. He would entertain guests in his magnificent castle and, for many years to come, tell them the story of how he risked his life to assassinate the vampire queen, receiving their admiring gazes and praise.

This beautiful vision of the future temporarily dispelled his current discomfort. The matter was settled, and only the final step remained: killing Queen Qin Xin, and everything would be done.

Of course, in the eyes of a strategist, the final step was not the most difficult but a natural consequence.

Rex lay down on the soft, comfortable cushion, and this fantasy filled his heart with inexplicable excitement. He had to pour himself a cup of delicious plum wine to calm his nerves.

"To the Duke of Rex." Rex raised his glass, toasting to his imagined scene, and drank it in one gulp.

However, this excitement and tension quickly dissipated. Rex remembered an unsettling factor: the man called Scar.

Although Rex confidently told others that Scar was not a problem, this unsettling factor still drummed in his heart. What if Scar reported to the academy... No, that was unlikely. But why did he refuse such a good offer? If it were due to cowardice, it wouldn't make sense. From a rational perspective, the gladiators knew they would eventually die in the arena. So why not take a desperate chance? That would be logical.

But... there were only three days left, and in three days, it would be impossible to resolve this uncertainty.

Assassination? Entrapment? These were foolish actions. If they drew attention, it could ruin everything.

After much thought, Rex finally gave up. He looked at the empty cup in his hand and sighed.

"After all, nothing is perfect. There are always some risks."