Chapter 40

"Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother."

---

"The revolutionary army's target is Viscount Rairie Logan, the chief of the guard. Although his title is that of a low-ranking noble, his influence is immeasurable. He is a villain who controls all the guards in the capital and often covers up the crimes committed by the children of nobles with money."

"That's a big catch right from the start."

"I told you. We only take assassination requests for targets above the rank of nobility."

Reinwald cast a glance at Riel, who was sitting beside him. Riel then took out a large bag from the one he had placed on the floor.

When placed on the table, it made a heavy thud.

"This bag contains two hundred gold coins. One hundred as an advance, and one hundred as a success fee."

"You're being generous."

"It was a struggle to prepare it."

One gold coin could sustain an adult for a month. The total reward was enough for Shu and Iris to live modestly for over eight years.

In other words, assassinating Viscount Logan was that difficult.

Shu asked about it.

"Preparing this much money means the security is tight, right?"

"Of course. He has personally trained mercenary magicians and uses them for his own security, investing the money he obtained through illegal means."

"What's the rank of these mercenary magicians?"

"I don't know the details, but assume at least C rank. It wouldn't be surprising if he has A-rank magicians for his personal protection."

That wouldn't be a problem for Shu, who was classified as a catastrophic-level monster. It wouldn't be an issue unless there were multiple S-rank magicians.

"It's fine. I'll complete the mission."

"…Are you really sure about that?"

"Yes, and do you have any specific requests for the assassination? For example, a quiet kill, destroying the entire mansion, or displaying the body in the square?"

Reinwald's eyes widened for a moment at the thought that such requests would be entertained, but he quickly regained his composure and answered.

"No, not really. Just do what's easiest for you."

"Understood. What's the deadline?"

"Is it possible within a month?"

"That's plenty of time. Oh, and could you tell me where Viscount Logan's mansion is located?"

"That's fine. I expected you to ask, so I prepared a note."

Reinwald took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Shu, who confirmed its contents and memorized them.

While Shu was checking, Reinwald continued.

"The success fee will be paid after confirming the assassination. It might take up to five days, but I have no intention of breaking the contract, so please rest assured."

"That's fine. Besides, if you can't pay the reward, it will be the revolutionary army that suffers."

"I understand."

Contracts with dark organizations must be strictly adhered to.

If a contract is betrayed, the information will spread quickly in the underworld, and no organization will accept requests from them again. In severe cases, there might even be retaliation from dark organizations. Caution is necessary.

In a dirty world, such matters are handled meticulously.

Reinwald was not unaware of this.

"So, is the target just that?"

"Assassinating Viscount Logan is enough. The people around him can be alive or dead, it doesn't matter."

"Understood. Then, I'll take the advance payment now."

Reinwald silently handed over the bag of gold coins, which Iris took and began counting. Once she finished, she put the coins into her own bag.

Shu stood up and addressed Reinwald, Riel, and Lilia.

"Just so you know, I'm the 'Reaper.'"

"What?"

Ignoring their question, Shu and Iris left the room. Behind them, the three were left with stunned expressions.

◆◆◆

After leaving the Black Cat tavern, Shu and Iris used the gold coins to secure a good inn. It wasn't the highest quality, but it was a high-quality place with good security.

Dinner was brought to their room, and they ate together.

"Still, Shu?"

"What is it?"

"Are you siding with the revolutionary army?"

Iris's question had multiple layers of meaning.

First, while the revolutionary army calls itself an army, it doesn't have the strength to be called one yet. They are more like resistance fighters, operating in small groups across various regions. The first layer of her question was whether it was worth helping such a small organization.

"I'm not exactly siding with them. I'll kill anyone for money."

"Is that so?"

"I'm not interested in human conflicts. It might be fun to meddle, though."

"You have bad taste."

"I'm a monster; it's difficult to apply human sensibilities to me."

Shu has a human form and memories of being human.

However, he doesn't have any particular attachment to humans. For now, it's only Iris. He doesn't care about other humans. Whether they get along or go to war, they are just humans.

"But, if that's the case, I don't think it's necessary to help the revolutionary army. You could easily get more money by siding with the stronger empire."

"Join the imperial army, then?"

"I think that would be fine. The soldiers of the Great Subarokia Empire are well-off."

"You know a lot about that."

"It's common knowledge among paladins."

That was a significant reason.

The Great Subarokia Empire accepts and favors excellent magicians and magicians. They provide a luxurious life for magicians with a salary and ample research funds for magicians based on their achievements.

Shu is a magician, and Iris is a magician. They could benefit from joining the military and reign as overwhelming power within the empire.

To this, Shu responded.

"Well, it's a viable option. I'm not trying to help the poor. I can accept the benefits. But, it's not that easy."

"I'm not sure about that. I think it would be fine if we go to the capital."

"Is that so?"

"Why did you decide to live in this country for a while?"

If they wanted to live comfortably in the empire's territory, it would be best to go to the mainland or the capital. However, Shu said he would spend some time in a poor vassal state.

Iris was curious about this.

To her, Shu answered quietly.

"Hmm... The main reason is to establish a name."

"Establish a name?"

"Yes, the Black Cat's main activities are in the empire. I want to firmly engrave the fear of the 'Reaper' in the Great Subarokia Empire and its vassal states."

"Oh, that's why you're siding with the revolutionary army?"

"Exactly. The goal is for the 'Reaper' to be known in the Great Empire."

It's not that he wants to stand out.

However, if the name 'Reaper' spreads in the Great Empire, it will make Shu's activities easier. Shu, who wants to move freely rather than be bound by the military, aims to raise the name 'Reaper' and excel in the underworld.

Additionally, there's a more childish reason.

"Also, it seems more interesting to lend strength to the weaker side."

"Is it just for fun?"

"Pretty much, it's just for fun."

"Wow, really."

"What's the surprise? I'm a monster. I don't need to hold back for humans."

Otherwise, he wouldn't destroy cities, operate as an assassin, or kill all the paladins. He has no intention of hiding his power to fit in with humans. If necessary, he would destroy a country to get what he wants.

This was Shu's true feelings as a monster.

"So, are you going to challenge the Great Subarokia Empire as the 'Reaper'?"

"Hmm... For now, I'll enjoy watching the Great Empire and the revolutionary army fight. So, I'll start working tonight."

"That Viscount someone?"

"Viscount Logan. I'll get a hundred gold coins for assassinating him, so I'll do my best."

"I'll keep the bed warm for you!"

"I told you, we sleep separately."

After that, they enjoyed a leisurely dinner and conversation.

◆◆◆

In the dead of night, illuminated only by the moon and stars, Shu visited Viscount Logan's mansion based on the information he received from Reinwald.

More precisely, he arrived at a noble's residence from which he could see Viscount Logan's mansion. He observed the target mansion from the roof of an unrelated noble's residence.

(That's the target mansion...)

He had already confirmed that Rairie Logan was inside, using vibration magic to eavesdrop and determine that he was in the mansion.

It seemed he was about to go to bed. The lights in the mansion were gradually turning off, and it would soon be completely quiet. However, the guards and mercenary magicians who were protecting him were on watch.

(Now, how to take care of this...)

He had no plan for how to eliminate the target. He had intended to handle it casually, but now he was a bit at a loss.

(If I use a large-scale magic, the magical array's light will give me away. If I infiltrate and kill him, I don't know what he looks like... and the guards are a hassle.)

Shu knew Viscount Logan was in the mansion, but only through auditory information from vibration magic, not his appearance.

(The lives of the people around him don't matter.)

He could torture the mansion's inhabitants, but it would be troublesome. Moreover, it would be better for Reinwald if it was clear that Logan was killed.

A magic that was too flashy to call an assassination, but appropriate for the name.

Shu chose this.

"Let's do it."

Extending his right hand, Shu first fixed the coordinates. He defined the range of the magic, grasping the heat and magical energy in the area.

The range was vast, covering the entire Viscount Logan's mansion.

It was a domain-type magic derived from death magic, bringing death to everything in the area.

"Activate, 'Breath of the Underworld.'"

Instantly, Viscount Logan's mansion froze. The life energy, magical energy, and heat energy were drained, causing the moisture in the area to freeze.

In this case, all life and magical energy were drained.

However, only a moderate amount of heat energy was taken.

Specifically, the air temperature was reduced to minus 100 degrees. While it was extremely cold, Shu could completely drain the heat to minus 273 degrees, but he was holding back. Of course, there was a reason for this.

If all the heat energy was drained to absolute zero, the air would liquefy. This would cause a dramatic reduction in air volume, leading to a massive influx of air from the surroundings and creating a terrifying gale. This would be too flashy to call an assassination.

(That's why I'm stopping at minus 100 degrees...)

At this temperature, only the moisture would freeze. In other words, the living beings in the area would become ice statues as the water in their bodies froze, and they would die from the death magic that drained their life energy.

They would meet a quiet death.

It was a perfect assassination.

The scale was different, but...

The sudden freezing caused the material to expand and crack, which was a minor issue. This was likely due to Shu's inexperience with 'Breath of the Underworld.' If he could control the energy extraction speed, this problem would be resolved.

For this mission, the activation and effect testing of 'Breath of the Underworld' were sufficient.

"Alright, the rare art of ice statues is complete."

Shu said this and left the scene.

It was the middle of the night, and no one would know that Viscount Logan's mansion had frozen. The ice statues should remain intact until the next morning.

In other words, Viscount Logan's frozen body would be discovered the next day.

And the next day, the sight of Viscount Logan's mansion caused a great commotion.