Chapter 48

The royal castle, attacked by bandits!

The news spread through the town below in an instant. Not only the first-class district, which could sense the commotion in the castle the earliest, but also the second, third, and fourth-class districts were quickly informed.

In the fourth-class district, the news sometimes transformed into baseless rumors, but the fact that the royal castle was attacked by bandits was still conveyed.

"Hey, 'Reaper,' have you heard the rumors?"

"You mean about the attack on the royal castle?"

"Yeah, that's it."

In the tavern that serves as the base for the dark organization Black Cat, Shu and Iris were getting information from the master while holding weak drinks. If the 'Hawk Eye' were here as before, they could gather more precise information, but he moves around various places and is rarely caught.

It was just a stroke of luck before.

"The attackers were the revolutionaries. As you might have heard, the revolution failed. The information leaked, and they were defeated by reinforcements from the Great Empire."

"Information... Did Black Cat sell it?"

"That's a secret."

The master answered with a manly smile, but it was clear that it was the work of Black Cat. After all, Black Cat is based in the Great Empire. If a revolution breaks out in the vassal state of Eldorado Kingdom and the Great Empire's influence wanes, it would be troublesome.

Moreover, the ideal situation is for the Eldorado Kingdom and the revolutionaries to continue their conflict.

This way, they can take on covert jobs from both sides, earn money, and expand their influence.

"Who are the reinforcements from the Great Empire?"

"Good question, miss. The reinforcements are from the Inferno Legion of the Great Empire. This time, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th battalions have been selected."

"Inferno Legion? What's that?"

"Don't you know, 'Reaper'?"

"Is it famous?"

"Of course."

The master showed a sighing attitude.

Shu and Iris had just arrived in the Eldorado Kingdom and did not know the internal affairs of the Great Empire. It seemed to be a famous legion, but unfortunately, they had never heard of it.

So, the master began to explain.

"The Great Empire of Subarokia has several legions. Each legion is led by an S-rank magic knight. Their nicknames become the names of the legions."

"So, the Inferno Legion is led by someone with the nickname 'Inferno'?"

"Exactly. 'Inferno' General Schmidt Aliur. You didn't know the highest-ranked magic knight in the Great Empire, who is allowed to bear the golden dragon emblem?"

The golden emblem is only allowed for generals and grand generals. The dragon represents grand generals, and the lion represents generals.

This rank is given based on personal strength, so it can be inferred that Schmidt Aliur is considered the strongest in the Great Empire.

"Iris, do you think Schmidt is an awakened magic knight?"

"Hmm... I don't know. I didn't even know about awakening until recently. I think it's probably a state secret, so it's hard to get information."

"I see."

Shu and Iris whispered to each other.

An awakened magic knight is a being that has surpassed human limits. In the Holy Grinia, Celstar Altrain, an awakened magic knight, attacked Shu. Even using death magic to steal energy and magic power, he couldn't kill her, and he barely won with death magic.

Since the Great Empire of Subarokia is a large country on the same scale as the Holy Grinia, it wouldn't be strange for it to have an awakened magic knight.

"So, Master, are those reinforcements still in the royal castle?"

"Yes, but they are about to return to the Great Empire. The dispatched guards are coming back."

The revolutionaries moved because the first princess, Rushana, ordered the guards to leave the capital, Drain.

The pretext was to destroy villages that were assisting the revolutionaries and enslave the people for agricultural work. The return of the guards means that the operation was successful.

"Were the people really enslaved?"

"Of course. I've heard that four villages were attacked, and nearly 500 slaves were created. The revolutionaries have lost significant strength with the loss of their support villages. There are rumors that they have fled to bases outside the country."

"What about the leader, Reinvald?"

"Who knows? He might still be in the country. The revolutionaries' activities haven't completely died out, and there are good reasons to believe he might still be here."

Iris held out her empty glass, and the master refilled it with a fluid motion. Shu paid three times the price for the drink.

In return, the master provided information.

"The attack on the royal castle by the revolutionaries failed, but it wasn't a complete failure."

"What do you mean?"

"They had four attack routes. The first was to target the first and fourth princes, the second to target the king, the third to target the first princess Rushana and the second princess Virus, and the fourth to target the royal treasury."

"I see. So only the fourth route succeeded?"

The reinforcements from the Great Empire were the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th battalions. This means that three of the routes were defended, likely protecting the royal family.

Therefore, it was easy to deduce that the royal treasury was stolen. The master nodded with a smile, confirming the deduction.

"Your intuition is helpful. As 'Reaper' said, the royal treasures were stolen. This means the revolutionaries have a chance to recover. To recover, the leader must remain in the country."

It was a reasonable argument.

However, stealing the treasures amidst the chaos was bold. Shu and Iris were both impressed and amazed.

"So, do we have any jobs? The situation has changed so much. There must be one or two jobs, right?"

"We're running out of funds."

"Wasn't it a month ago that you did a job and received a large reward?"

"We're staying in a decent inn and have bought a lot of necessary items. We also pay for the inn to manage our belongings. Plus, we've been spending money on dining out."

"True. We've been eating a lot of delicious food."

The master muttered, "You're carefree."

The 'Reaper,' who plays with death freely, seemed even more free than imagined. The master realized this.

Meeting a high-ranking member of Black Cat is a rare experience. He often hears rumors that 'Coin Holders' have unstable personalities. The master was impressed that they could enjoy themselves so much with the money earned from killing.

"Alright, we have a job. A high-paying one, too."

"Then we'll take it."

"Wait... Don't you want to know the details?"

"It's fine. We'll definitely succeed. If it's an assassination, we just need to know the target's location and appearance."

"Quite the confidence. You live up to the name 'Reaper.' Well, let me explain—"

Shu secretly activated a soundproofing spell. The information to follow must be kept absolutely confidential. Even though they were already speaking in whispers, it was important to be clear.

Shu and Iris left the tavern a while later.

◆◆◆

In the royal castle, which had successfully repelled the bandits, the first princess, Rushana, looked unhappy. She was reclining on a dedicated sofa, surrounded by a large number of cushions. The room was filled with incense, and a strong floral scent wafted through the air. While some might find it unpleasant, Rushana seemed to enjoy it.

"Hey... What do you mean the stolen treasures can't be recovered?"

"I apologize, princess. Our Inferno Legion was dispatched to protect the royal castle. Recovering the stolen treasures is the job of the Eldorado Kingdom's guards. Even if the royal family of Eldorado requests it, we cannot accept it easily as we are the property of the emperor."

Rushana's complaint was answered by Ricardo Empardo, the 4th battalion commander of the Inferno Legion. He guarded the princesses' quarters during the revolutionary attack and was responsible for protecting them until the dispatched guards returned.

Because of his role, he could not commit to recovering the treasures.

However, Rushana was not backing down.

"At least make an exception."

"If that's the case, please send a letter to the emperor. However, by the time the letter arrives, our unit will be on its way back. A new unit to recover the treasures will be dispatched, but by then, the trail will likely be cold. It would be wiser to entrust the returning guards with the task."

"You're useless."

Ricardo suppressed the urge to punch the princess in front of him. She might be a foolish princess of a vassal state, but she is still royalty. He couldn't cause any problems.

He couldn't bring shame to the empire, which he had pledged to with the silver wolf emblem on his chest.

"Hey, Duke Aulie."

"What is it, princess?"

Duke Aulie, who leads Rushana's faction, always serves by her side. If there was something to be done behind the scenes, it was usually Duke Aulie who carried it out.

"By the way, didn't you say you would do something about it? Have you found a solution?"

"Of course, your highness. I've hired the best."

"If you say so, I can expect something. A freelance magic knight, perhaps? There aren't many famous ones in this country, though..."

"Not a public figure, your highness. Have you heard of 'Reaper'?"

"Reaper? I've never heard of that name."

Rushana tilted her head, but Ricardo reacted.

"Reaper! You can't mean the Reaper of Black Cat?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Empardo. It seems they are hiding in this country."

For the Great Empire of Subarokia, Black Cat is a troublesome but necessary existence. They not only engage in illegal magic, magic tools, and drug research, but also take on jobs like guarding and information gathering.

While it can't be said publicly and there is no evidence, nobles and royals also use the dark organization Black Cat.

Therefore, Ricardo couldn't strongly criticize it.

Of course, it wasn't a commendable act.

On the other hand, Rushana was intrigued by the 'Reaper.'

"What kind of person is the Reaper?"

"Unfortunately, their appearance is unknown. Those targeted by the Reaper invariably meet their end. I have gone through several intermediaries to hire the Reaper. There are rumors that it is a man, but I don't know their appearance."

"Ha~. Useless."

"I apologize, your highness."

Duke Aulie apologized with a practiced attitude.

He had served Rushana for a long time and was used to her arrogance. While it was annoying to flatter a girl who thought she was the supreme beauty, he had to admit that he benefited from Rushana's favor. Therefore, Duke Aulie didn't show any displeasure.

"That's right. Bring the Reaper here. I'll see them myself."

"What? What did you say?"

"Didn't you hear? Bring them here."

Even Duke Aulie was taken aback.

He thought the princess was easy to manipulate because she was foolish, but this was beyond foolish. The Reaper is a title given to the best assassins, and bringing such a killer before a princess of a country was unthinkable.

However, explaining this would not change Rushana's mind.

Duke Aulie warned her to maintain some semblance of propriety.

"Your highness, the Reaper is an assassin. Assassins gather information to kill their targets. I hoped to use their information-gathering skills to find the stolen treasures. However, bringing an assassin before you..."

"You're foolish, Duke Aulie. I, the world's greatest treasure, won't be killed. I will meet them personally. They will be overjoyed."

...

Duke Aulie, Ricardo, and all the servants in the room were speechless.

While Rushana might be beautiful, it was only due to makeup and accessories. A common girl could achieve the same level of beauty with effort. She was just that.

If Rushana were to dress modestly, she would be mistaken for a common girl.

At least, no one would be so infatuated with her beauty as to become a fanatic.

This was certain.

"Understood? I'm counting on you, Duke Aulie."

"...Understood. I will do my best."

By not giving a firm commitment, he was making a final stand.

Even Ricardo, who was usually stern, sent a sympathetic glance to Duke Aulie.