Chapter 14

8. The Principality of Felicity.

The surroundings were completely enveloped in silence amidst the silent bombardment...

Crack!

The man, who didn't even know why he was dying, split in half and fell, scattering blood.

Squish!!

Blood, unable to withstand the pressure, splattered in all directions, but I easily ignored it and casually shook off a branch.

They say, "If you don't have teeth, use your gums."

Since I don't have a proper sword at hand, I have no choice but to use a branch.

My second sword master, Dukgo Jun of the Heavenly Horse, used to say:

-Any object in your hand can become a weapon. Don't forget, there are no rules in a fight. A weapon is ultimately an extension of physical attacks. Depending on how you think, a piece of cloth can become a legendary sword.

Perhaps due to my unexpected ambush, the black-clad men, who had been moving while completely concealing their presence, couldn't withstand the shockwave I created and staggered.

Even if all they had in their hands was a branch, these assassins, who were at this level, were far inferior to Helsia, who taught me the art of assassination.

A light downward strike.

But when mixed with the thousand-pound hammer and the tyrannical destructive power of Hare's sword techniques, which I learned from Dukgo Jun, even a branch can become a mountain.

Would a mere assassin be able to withstand my deliberate downward strike?

No matter how skilled and cooperative they were, they were no exception.

“Whenever there's a chance, they just attack; such boring guys.”

They should have dispersed immediately, but perhaps their bodies wouldn't listen.

The assassins, with tense eyes, glared at me as if they were playing a game of "When the hibiscus blooms," without saying a word.

“Just checking, did the Queen Liness send you?”

I asked, but there was no response.

Not that I expected an answer, so there was no particular regret.

The fact that my tension had risen a bit after finally getting to stretch my body was an undeniable reality.

“To wait for an opportunity and then crawl in, not even knowing if it's a trap.”

I clicked my tongue and casually swung the branch in my hand.

“Cough!!”

Some of the assassins gasped for breath and collapsed on the spot.

“Still, what does she plan to do about the aftermath of this?”

Honestly, I was a bit puzzled.

Not just anyone, but three members of the royal family.

If they are assassinated while traveling to another country, the entire royal family will be shaken.

The repercussions would be too much for even Queen Liness to handle easily.

There are two possible factors.

Either she is confident she won't leave any traces, or she has a plan to pin the blame on someone else.

Either way, it's a method with sufficient value for her. Given her past experience of shaking up the country and holding the real power, she has likely done similar things before.

“Hmm? You haven't run yet?”

My words brought confusion to their eyes.

They couldn't help but be confused.

According to the information they received, the target in front of them, that is, I, was nothing more or less than a sickly prince who could barely move.

And such a person had infiltrated so secretly that even they didn't notice?

Or found them while they were waiting for an opportunity hundreds of meters away from the camp?

Neither scenario made sense.

What probably shocked them the most was the insignificant branch in my hand.

Not a sturdy and sharp sword, but a thin branch that could be found anywhere in the mountains.

With a single downward strike, it split the body of the targeted assassin in half, leaving a trail of white light mixed with black flames.

Anyone but a fool would have realized that this was beyond the realm of physical strength.

“Assassination is about patience, remember that.”

I could feel the assassins' invisible expressions turn sour at my words.

What sensitive assassins.

As I stopped pressing them and withdrew the mysterious aura, they began to look at each other.

The emotions in their eyes were clear even without mind reading.

-It's different from the information, the mission is a complete failure.

“Go and report, I'll take my time dismantling it, no need to beg.”

As I remained still, the ones who were looking around tried to gauge my intentions.

Are you really going to let us go?

They would ponder that.

Go ahead, then.

Realizing it wasn't a trap, they slowly backed away and quickly turned to escape.

It's a fake, you fools.

Pierce!!

In an instant, a black flash of light pierced through the bodies of five or six of them. It wasn't just a penetration; it was as if something thick had completely pierced through their bodies.

Despite the lack of a restraining aura, everyone froze in shock at the unbelievable sight.

“Gasp... Gasp.”

One of the assassins, whose body had been pierced, began to tremble and convulse, glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.

The thoughts in his eyes were roughly...

‘You said you'd let us go, you bastard!’

If you send such a look, I can't help but respond.

“Do you really believe that? Stupid kid. I just said assassination is about patience, and you already forgot?”

“This... what kind of assassination...”

How absurd it must have been, the one who had been silent until now spat out blood and shot back, though his voice was hoarse and barely audible.

“An assassination as long as no one sees it. Remember this as a lasting saying.”

Saying that, I took a step forward.

The remaining ones, sensing danger instinctively, scattered to flee.

A few of them, having lost their judgment, charged at me.

Even if they attacked me by surprise, it was questionable whether they could win, let alone charging head-on?

Their speed was indeed fast and their attacks sharp.

A threatening attack, different from the initial one.

But all I could do was swing the branch in my hand.

Swish! Slash!!

The blunt and thin branch flashed, and a white light mixed with black flames followed its path.

In an instant, the bodies of those who charged at me were cleanly split in two.

Their durability was beyond what could be considered human.

As the ones who charged at me instantly turned into chunks of meat and fell, I planted my free hand on the ground and drew up commanding mana.

For tracking, stopping, and destroying the enemy, black magic and commanding magic are the most efficient.

Even in the Hall of Heroes, it was the same.

The one who found me best, despite my aversion to training, was [Ro Ias], known as the Deathlord in the Fesrisa continent.

With a teary face, she would repeatedly say, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," while completely blocking off any escape routes.

Her tracking skills were so excellent that even great heroes would raise both hands in surrender.

Too kind? Not really, considering the first saint, Daphne, loved drinking and could strip a person's soul with a single curse.

[Ro Ias] was a quirky black mage who spent her life trying to bring black mages into the light and live with people.

What happened after I was caught? I don't want to recall those memories.

Rumble!

From the tips of my fingers, black whip-like things began to flow out.

It was a 1st Circle curse black magic that took away the enemy's vision. A curse that could be easily resisted, but it was effective on the terrified assassins.

“Gah!”

“Choke!”

The lock-on was already completed when I met the assassins.

There would be no escape unless they left the continent.

As the effects of the magic began to show, the presence of the assassins became strongly felt from all directions. The ones whose vision was blocked forgot their usual stealth and struggled to escape.

Is this why you tracked?

I suddenly felt a strange thrill, understanding the expression of Ro Ias, who seemed to feel both apologetic and excited.

Exposed to extreme fear, they struggled to escape, but I had no intention of letting them live once they were in my grasp.

I decide who to show mercy to. Whether to kill or spare is my decision.

If you intended to kill others, you should have been prepared to die yourself.

I lightly pulled the black commanding mana threads connected to the assassins who had fled and connected them to the bodies of those already fallen.

Then, I let the overflowing black commanding mana spread like an explosion through the threads.

Confusion, reduced resistance.

Finally, soul explosion.

Though a bit harsh, a clean finish was the stance of everyone who taught me.

Boom!!

The intangible, odorless, and colorless souls exploded, spreading a faint wave and dissipating into the surroundings.

With more than half of their souls burst, they died instantly and fell silent.

The peaceful forest instantly turned into a gruesome scene of carnage.

“A clean assassination.”

I briefly wondered if it was necessary to create such a large scene and act so leisurely, but I shook my head.

Then, I turned and left without a trace.

No matter what, if no one discovers it, it's a perfect assassination.

* * *

“Your Highness.”

A black figure slowly revealed itself in the quiet room, as if smoke was spreading.

“What happened?”

“It failed.”

Crack!!!

Before the words were even finished, the cheek of the maid, Shari, who had reported, was slapped.

The slap was so strong that her pale cheek turned bright red, and her lips bled.

“How will you take responsibility!!”

It was a hysterical scream.

The hysterical nature of Queen Liness was nothing new to the servants who had always seen it.

“The mana stones designed to turn off when the hearts of my subordinates stopped all went out.”

“Failure... What exactly happened?”

“I haven't found out yet, but it seems there was an accomplice.”

Crack!!!

Shari's cheek was slapped again. But Liness, still unsatisfied, threw whatever she could reach at her.

Clang!!!

Finally, a small flower pot in her hand cut the maid's forehead.

Breathing heavily, she glared at Shari and said,

“Hmph! So this is the level of the Black Moon Guild!”

“...”

“Unable to handle just four knights and three youngsters, leading to total annihilation?! Twenty people couldn't handle just five knights?!”

Despite the anger in her voice, Shari remained silent, only bowing her head.

“Find out who the accomplice is! Show them thoroughly what happens to obstacles that stand in my way!”

“I will remember that.”

“Good. Don't forget, I didn't ally with your Black Moon to see you fail. You must cut the thread of life. If you fail again...”

She glared at Shari with a cold gaze and continued, as if spitting out the words.

“The contract ends there. I will bury the Black Moon Guild using all the power of the Barretta Dukedom and this country.”

“I will remember that.”

As if there was nothing more to say, she roughly drank her tea, and Shari, who had been bowing, slowly closed her eyes and then opened them, smiling faintly.

In her eyes, a strange, blood-red light faintly glowed.