Chapter 99: The Assassin of Chenarus (6)

It was a night with a bright moon. Under the moonlight, Chenarus looked more like a silver city than a white one.

Kalin, who had secretly left the palace, changed into the clothes he had prepared in advance and ran across the rooftops.

The sensation of the wind. He could sense the presence of quite a few people near his target location.

After a moment, Kalin realized that there was also an Imperial Intelligence Agency in addition to the demon followers and the Haixen Intelligence Bureau.

They were a few agents monitoring Hepate. They had noticed something strange and were going to request reinforcements.

He didn’t have the luxury to deal with them.

As time passed, the Imperial agents who received the call would also come to support.

In other words, it meant that tonight, three organizations would enjoy the night in the imperial capital of Chenarus.

'This might be harder than I thought.'

While the Haixen Intelligence Bureau was unaware, the demon followers had already surrounded them.

It was clear that the information had leaked.

Kalin, who was outside the encirclement, observed all movements through the wind.

The demon followers. Their numbers were more than expected, and it was unclear where they had gathered from.

-Three-pronged attack. Encircled. Dangerous.

The wind tapped Phiri’s neck. A prearranged signal. Phiri responded by scratching her left cheek.

Even so, she couldn’t abandon the mission. Haixen moved as planned.

The rendezvous point was an empty alley. Hepate appeared calm on the outside, but not on the inside.

This was a matter of life and death. He had even killed his subordinates, with whom he had worked for years, on his way here.

Even spies have feelings. The fear for one’s life is even stronger.

Suicide in an emergency is usually less painful than being captured.

Seeing the figure of the person walking from the other end of the alley, Hepate wondered if it was an ally or an enemy.

He placed one hand on the hilt of his sword. In the silence, his heart pounded.

"At the dawn of Chenarus."

When the agreed-upon password came from the other side, Hepate sighed with relief.

"Two flowers bloom."

"Nice to meet you. I’m from Haixen."

"Prince Brusek has terrible taste. It’s not by choice, but to defect with such a password."

Hepate grumbled to hide his tension, but Phiri replied without changing her expression.

"Time is short, so I’ll take you first."

It was then that the demon followers began to move.

The night in the capital seemed calm and peaceful, but Kalin felt the tension in the air gradually rising.

He separated a part of his magic and prepared a wind near Phiri, ready to respond immediately in case of an emergency.

At the same time, he quickly moved into the space created by the moving demon followers.

Not all the demon followers were moving. Some were maintaining the encirclement and external perimeter.

Since they had been caught, he needed to deal with the ones he could in advance.

'It’s clear that the priority is to keep the target alive.'

Kalin didn’t know what information Hepate had, but it was clearly important.

Otherwise, the demon followers wouldn’t have moved. The fact that the leader had taken action was proof.

He had to obtain the information. Haixen would retreat after assessing the situation, but...

Kalin reaffirmed that he would save Phiri and the target and obtain the information tonight.

Under the moonlight, Kalin leaped across the rooftops. His shadow darted between the alleys as swiftly as a bird.

Approaching had to be done cautiously.

'Quite organized.'

Their movements were similar to those of well-trained intelligence agents. After all, they were raised by the Imperial Intelligence Agency from the start.

However, Kalin wasn’t someone who couldn’t penetrate their defenses.

He silently climbed the rooftops. The wind silenced his presence. There was no sound at all.

The demon follower didn’t detect Kalin. The price was death.

"Hisss!"

A dagger sliced the demon follower’s neck. The short scream was cut off by the wind.

It was a silent assassination.

Before the enemy could notice, Kalin leaped over the roof again. In an instant, he crossed three buildings.

It was a tricky but not difficult task.

'Ordinarily, they don’t use their best men for the encirclement.'

Two, three, four... the number of fallen bodies increased. Kalin mapped out the escape route in his mind.

By dealing with the ones he was handling now, he was creating the escape route for later.

After dealing with six, Kalin stopped. He judged that going further would be too risky.

Just then, the demon followers had completed their preparations and were about to make their move.

'Traitors.'

Among the Haixen agents deployed in all directions, some were clearly in a position to detect the enemy’s movements.

But there was no word or signal. Kalin gritted his teeth.

It meant that the leader had planted or brainwashed them. He couldn’t confirm their faces through the wind.

He only remembered their positions. This was information he needed to pass on to Phiri.

With the help of the traitors, the demon followers could approach even deeper.

Haixen finally noticed. It was impossible not to.

* * *

Silent signals were exchanged in the white city past midnight. Phiri also confirmed the signals on the rooftops.

As they quickened their pace, Hepate sensed that something was amiss.

"...The atmosphere is strange."

"It’s an ambush."

"Damn it."

"It seems you were being watched."

Hepate couldn’t argue. Both the Empire and the demon followers were watching him.

He had hidden himself after dealing with his subordinates that evening, but he hadn’t shaken off the surveillance.

On the path that Hepate and Phiri were walking, faint metallic sounds could be heard from the surroundings. It meant that the battle had begun.

However, from this point on, Kalin’s direct involvement would be limited.

'Haixen might recognize me.'

If Phiri called for allies, there was no one in the imperial capital except Kalin.

Intervention was only necessary in the worst-case scenario. His role was primarily supportive.

The agreement was to deal with the external demon followers and assist Phiri.

Kalin guided Phiri with the wind, leading her through the encirclement he had already broken.

"Escape route?"

"This way."

Phiri answered Hepate’s question immediately. There was no doubt. In her opinion, Kalin was the most perfect person for tactical command on this continent.

Because he could observe the battlefield through the wind. Hepate was skeptical but didn’t argue.

Hepate and Phiri were skilled intelligence agents. Their running speed was faster than the pursuers.

Behind them, Haixen agents were fighting the demon followers while protecting them.

Since it was a highly confidential mission, regular agents had withdrawn, and those who were seriously injured had taken poison.

At that moment, Kalin sensed the movement of the Imperial Intelligence Agency at the edge of his wind perception.

'Already?'

He thought it would take a bit longer, but it was faster than expected. It was a bad situation for Kalin.

The demon followers were within his expectations, but the Imperial Intelligence Agency was a different story.

When the Empire arrived, Haixen would withdraw. This was the prearranged agreement.

Anything more would endanger the path to making the princess the emperor.

The direction of the escape was toward the west gate. Kalin dealt with a few more demon followers at the front of the escape route.

Soon, the Imperial Intelligence Agency appeared. Kalin signaled to Phiri.

-Imperial involvement.

From the Empire’s perspective, both Haixen and the demon followers were enemies. They chose to break through one side of the ongoing battle.

Signal flares shot into the sky in the middle of the night. It was the signal for Haixen to retreat.

Originally a signal flare used by the Imperial Army, but used to create confusion.

At the signal, Haixen agents began to withdraw from the battlefield in an orderly manner.

Only Phiri remained with Hepate.

"That’s an Imperial signal flare..."

"It’s our escape signal."

"What?"

This is messed up, thought Hepate. After all, it was a risky move for Haixen.

No matter how much they owed him, this level of effort was enough. Hepate observed Phiri’s reaction.

"Keep running. I’m not backing down."

The conversation was brief due to the running, but Hepate didn’t have time to dwell on it.

The metallic sounds were already decreasing. He could see the agents who had been protecting them from the rooftops and alleys withdrawing.

"Why? Isn’t that insubordination?"

"Talkative, aren’t you? Is it because you’re a spy?"

Hepate chuckled while running. Phiri continued.

"I think there are demon followers in our ranks too."

"You need my help, then."

"Mutual benefit. We’ll talk later."

They silently increased their speed. Skilled intelligence agents, they still had reserves of energy.

Haixen agents signaled to Phiri, who was not retreating.

"Where is Miss Phiri?"

"She’s not withdrawing despite the signal. It’s insubordination."

"What should we do?"

"Follow the plan. It’s the Duke’s order. Miss Phiri might be fine, but we’re not."

"Still, we can’t leave the Deputy Leader. I’ll bring her."

"It’s dangerous alone. Go together."

Overhearing the conversation, Kalin confirmed that three Haixen agents were approaching Phiri.

He had been continuously tracking the positions of his allies.

'Those traitors from earlier.'

Kalin thought that even if Phiri had retreated, the traitors would have followed.

Dealing with the Deputy Leader would make it easier for the leader to move.

As Haixen agents withdrew, demon followers were swarming into their positions. Unfortunately, the Imperial Intelligence Agency was still too far away.

Could Phiri and the target hold out until the Imperial Intelligence Agency joined?

Even if he had broken the encirclement, it would be meaningless if it came to this. This was the worst-case scenario Kalin had anticipated.

If the Imperial Intelligence Agency had arrived a bit later or approached faster, it would have been better...

'Damn it.'

Kalin realized it was time for him to move. It was risky, but he had to take the risk.

He was some distance from Phiri, having been breaking the path. He needed to move quickly.

Just a little longer. This was the imperial capital of Chenarus, the headquarters of the Imperial Intelligence Agency.

The demon followers couldn’t win against the Empire.

'The leader probably intended to deal with Phiri and the target during this gap.'

Kalin had no intention of letting that plan go. It was natural for a spy to anticipate the worst.

He had a contingency plan for this situation.

The best option was to hold out until the Empire arrived. The demon followers would retreat then.

He needed to take advantage of the chaos to escape with Phiri and the target.

-Enemies approaching. Three.

Kalin sent a signal with the wind. He was a bit worried. The enemies were faster than Kalin.

If only Haixen agents were approaching, Phiri would have noticed the signal.

But with the demon followers, it could be misunderstood as the same group.

It would have been better if he could communicate through the wind. It was a regret for Kalin.

Hearing and sending sounds were surprisingly different, and he was still inexperienced in this area.

Especially since he was already observing the battlefield with the wind, his brain was almost overloaded.

-Enemies approaching. Three.

When a Haixen agent approached, he sent the signal again, but it didn’t seem like Phiri understood.

"We need to retreat!"

"Go ahead. The enemies are coming!"

"We need to go together!"

But Phiri already knew the signal. She just didn’t want to believe it. They were people she knew.

She pointed her sword at the approaching agents.

"Back off. Or I’ll cut you down."

She gauged her opponents. They were skilled swordsmen in the Imperial Intelligence Agency.

The demon followers were already close. It was a difficult situation.

All Haixen agents had withdrawn. The traitors grinned.

"Our young Deputy Leader, you’re quick to notice."

The three, who had been gauging the situation, attacked simultaneously. The demon followers who had closed the distance also joined.

Nine. They were elite forces prepared for this moment.

In two breaths, Kalin leaped over five buildings and released his focus on the wind.

It was time to concentrate his power. The movements of the nine attackers were instantly suppressed.

Kalin leaped from the rooftop, spinning his body. In the process, he held three daggers between his fingers.

As he descended under the moonlight, Kalin threw the daggers.