Chapter 41

Three days after assassinating Viscount Logan by turning his entire mansion into an ice statue, Shu and Iris were called back to the revolutionary army. They headed to the tavern where the Black Cat was based, and as soon as they showed the coin of the "Reaper," they were led to a room.

There, the revolutionary army leader Reinwald, along with Riel and Lilia, were seated.

"It's been three days, Reinwald."

"Yes, I'm glad you completed the mission, Reaper. I was surprised it was so much earlier than expected."

"I thought it was within a month. But, isn't it better to be early?"

"No, the day you were hired was too early. We couldn't have reacted in time."

Reinwald sighed and said this. The reason the revolutionary army assassinated Viscount Logan wasn't just because he was in the way. They wanted to bring down the viscount, who was corrupt within the guard, and replace him with someone under the influence of the revolutionary army's ally, Duke Bold.

Such a quick action left them struggling to respond.

"You have no right to complain."

"Indeed, you're right. I wanted to say 'reward,' but I have a question first."

"…What is it?"

Shu directed a troubled gaze, but Reinwald asked without changing his expression.

"What was that ice statue? It caused quite a commotion."

"That's my style of assassination. Isn't it fitting for the 'Reaper'? It's like the dead were fetched from the underworld, isn't it?"

"Yes, indeed."

Reinwald nodded vigorously. However, he slammed his hand on the table and retorted.

"Indeed, it is. There were no magical traces, and the target was killed without anyone noticing. It's undoubtedly classified as an assassination by anyone who sees it. However…"

Reinwald felt like shouting for no particular reason. The target had died in a completely incomprehensible way. Moreover, all the mercenary mages and guards employed by Viscount Logan were turned into ice statues as well.

It was truly incomprehensible.

"Was it magic? Or a magical device? After discussing with Riel and Lilia, I think it was a magical device."

"No, I'm not going to tell you."

"That's understandable, but…"

He must be worried. The 'Reaper' is a member of the underground organization, the Black Cat. If paid, their fangs could turn on him. The revolutionary army could turn into ice statues tomorrow.

This was very worrying.

"Hmm… Foolish."

"What did you say? Don't get cocky just because you're the 'Reaper.'"

"Cut it out, Lilia. What's foolish?"

Reinwald, who had stopped Lilia from standing up and shouting, asked calmly. It was indeed a foolish question, but Reinwald had his pride. He looked at Shu with a stern expression.

"Of course, it's natural to be afraid of my power. I believe I am the best in the world at giving death. Whether they are slaves, commoners, nobles, or royalty… I can easily kill anyone. As long as I know their location, even guards are useless. But, so what?"

"For me, that's not enough."

"Then, keep hiring me. To prevent me from being hired by your enemies, give me work and payment. If you can't, pray to the gods that I don't become your enemy."

The revolutionary army is indeed on the side of the citizens. However, Shu has no obligation to be on their side. That's the official stance.

(Well, basically, I've decided to be on the side of the revolutionary army.)

The reason is that it seems more interesting. And to impress the power of the 'Reaper' on the Subarokia Empire. However, there's no need to tell the revolutionary army.

"Hand over the reward quickly. The 'Reaper' has no intention of being bound to any organization."

"…Alright."

When Reinwald nodded, Riel, who was sitting next to him, took out a bag of gold coins. After Iris confirmed that the promised gold coins were inside, she nodded, and Shu nodded as well.

"Good to see it was as per the contract. See you. If you have another job, let me know."

"Bye-bye."

The two stood up and left the room.

◆◆◆

"Was it good, Leader? I mean, Lord Ray?"

"Sure."

Reinwald covered his eyes and answered Riel's question. Honestly, it wasn't good. He couldn't help but think how much stronger the revolutionary army would be if they could make the 'Reaper' their exclusive agent.

"However, Lord Ray's life is our treasure. If he's mistakenly killed…"

"There's nothing we can do but try to prevent it. Just remember that there are assassins like the 'Reaper' in this world. It's true that there's nothing we can do if we meet them."

"That's meaningless!"

Neither Riel nor Lilia were convinced. The revolutionary army is a very small organization. Even in the kingdom of Eldorado, where the organization is the largest, they can't act strongly due to the presence of the imperial army.

The Subarokia Empire dispatches garrison troops to its vassal states to demonstrate its control. Moreover, these troops protect the people from the threat of monsters, so the vassal states have no reason to openly reject them. As a result, the uneducated people admire the imperial garrison troops that protect them from monsters, and talented mages aspire to join the Subarokia Empire's army.

The revolutionary army struggles to gather support and secure fighting power. In other words, they also struggle to secure funds. They don't have the means to continue hiring the 'Reaper.'

"Can we get support from Duke Bold…?"

"We can't keep burdening the duke."

Duke Bold is a precious good noble in the kingdom of Eldorado and secretly supports the revolutionary army's activities. His entire faction can be considered an ally. However, it's a very small faction.

They can't support the revolutionary army indefinitely.

"But, Lord Ray? Duke Bold is your grandfather, and I've heard he dotes on you…"

"That's why, Lilia. I can't keep relying on the duke… my grandfather."

"That's not an option, Lord Ray. We've already spent a considerable amount of funds on the 'Reaper's' mission. Duke Bold will take care of the guard, but we need new funds for new activities."

"I understand Riel's point, but…"

"Use what you can. You are our future king… and now the third prince of Eldorado, Reinwald Cain Rihart."

Reinwald fell silent.

The revolutionary army can call itself an army because the third prince of Eldorado is its leader. Riel and Lilia are Reinwald's childhood friends and close aides. Moreover, their fathers are nobles in Duke Bold's faction.

Duke Bold, despite being a small faction, can exert significant influence because his daughter married into the royal family.

"Rihart is a name I've abandoned."

"However, to correct the corruption in this country, we must execute the other royal family members. The first prince Lotus, the second prince Rinvold, the fourth prince Medline, the first princess Rushana, the second princess Virus, and the current king Yanbar Kiel Rihart."

"That's why I can't let you abandon Rihart. You are our king."

"Lilia, and Riel…"

Reinwald was smart even as a child. He felt doubts about the education that his brothers, sisters, and even his father, the king, accepted as normal.

The people are the property of the royal family.

They exist to be exploited to enrich the royal family and nobles.

That's what he was taught.

However, Reinwald challenged this. As a child, he knew nothing else. But his brothers, sisters, educators, and even his father, the king, treated him as a heretic.

(Indeed, the other royal family members… and their noble allies are beyond redemption. I understand that it's not a matter of persuasion or changing their hearts.)

They think only of the present, not the future of Eldorado. Even if the farmers in the countryside have reached their limits, they won't consider taking action. The empire will also adhere to non-interference in internal affairs and do nothing.

No, rather, that's the empire's goal.

To make the upper echelons of the vassal states foolish, to let the country fall into ruin, to incite civil war, and then to seize everything under the pretense of quelling the civil war. Already, three countries have been annexed by the Subarokia Empire using this method.

Of course, the Subarokia Empire hides this history from its vassal states.

"Riel, Lilia. I've abandoned the royal family of Rihart. I'm just Reinwald."

"Lord Ray…"

"But, if that's the case…"

"I understand. But I haven't forgotten the duty I inherited from this bloodline."

Reinwald stood up from his chair and declared to the two.

"I will definitely overthrow the Rihart royal family. I will even repel the oppression of the empire and save our homeland. I have that responsibility."

His eyes were filled with determination.

◆◆◆

The capital of the kingdom of Eldorado, Dren, has a castle at its center. This castle is both the residence of the king and the place of governance. However, the governance is conducted in the building on the front of the castle. The royal family's living quarters are at the back.

"Hmph, I'm getting bored."

In one of the rooms in the royal family's living quarters, a voice echoed.

"Ugh…"

A dull sound and a groan were heard, and a battered woman fell to the floor. The floor was covered with a luxurious carpet, so she probably didn't feel much pain from falling. However, her body was covered with painful wounds.

The man who caused these wounds sighed on the bed.

"Damn… I need to find a new woman. Hey, get rid of that one."

"Yes, Your Highness. You can do as you please, right?"

"If you like battered women, sure."

"Then I won't hold back."

Two men who had been standing by approached the fallen woman and carried her away. They opened the large door and left the room.

As he watched them, the man spoke.

"So, Your Highness… no, Prince Rinvold."

"What is it?"

"There are no more beautiful women left."

"I know. That's why I need to find new ones… Ah, the usual permit, right?"

"Yes, please. Even we, the royal guards, can be charged with kidnapping without the prince's permit. Please give us the right to capture beautiful women as a form of taxation."

"I'll prepare it right away."

The second prince, Rinvold, got out of bed and put on a robe. He then took a pen and started writing the permit.

Rinvold is known among the princes for his love of women. This is well-known in the capital, Dren, and it's a fact that everyone knows he kidnaps women from the city and makes them his. Unless they are recent foreigners to the capital.

"Bring about ten this time."

"Yes… It's difficult to find women who meet the prince's standards."

"Shut up and do as I say. I am a prince."

"…I understand. If there are ten women who meet the prince's standards, we, the royal guards, will search the entire capital and bring them. But if they don't exist, it's impossible."

"Then bring them from other cities."

It was an unreasonable demand. The thinking of a scum who doesn't even consider the people as people.

However, the royal guards didn't try to advise him. Because after the prince was done with the women, they could do as they pleased with them. Rinvold is violent and beats and kicks the women while raping them. So, the women quickly lose their strength, and he has to find new ones.

"Here, I've written it. Bring them quickly."

"Yes, Your Highness. I'll go with the usual four."

"Get going, Donpa."

The royal guard named Donpa bowed and left the room. His lecherous smile was as usual.