Chapter 51

The city of Irista in the eastern region. This place serves as the base of the revolutionary army, and the residents are brimming with vitality. In cities that have come under the control of the revolutionary army, such scenes are often seen.

Liberated from the heavy taxes imposed by the Kingdom of Eldorado, the people feel protected by fair taxation. They also believe that their hard work will improve the corrupt kingdom, which serves as a driving force.

Now, the revolutionary army has overcome its near destruction and is at its peak.

"It's time to attack the capital and bring the revolution to success," Rainvald declared at the revolutionary army headquarters. Currently, the headquarters has a map of the surrounding area spread out on the table, and a strategy meeting is taking place. The revolutionary army's officers gathered around the same table and nodded in agreement with Rainvald's words.

Lilia, Rainvald's close aide, placed a red piece on the capital and explained.

"Currently, the fourth prince Medline is forming a guard and organizing a counter-attack force. They haven't moved from the capital and don't seem to have any intention of attacking. Perhaps they also feel the situation is unfavorable, and many nobles are cooperating."

"Even if they are nobles, they are just a mob, right?"

"That seems to be the case. They lack proper command."

The remaining royal family members include the king, the first prince Lotus, and the fourth prince Medline. The nobles who were behind the deceased Linvold, Rushana, and Virus have now switched sides, making the forces of Lotus and Medline quite significant.

However, they are nobles from different factions.

It's difficult to say that they are well-organized.

The officers were rather optimistic. However, Lilia warned them.

"Don't be too optimistic. The kingdom's nobles are not much, but if the Great Empire intervenes, it will be troublesome."

Hearing these words, the officers became more serious.

In fact, the current revolutionary army would not find it difficult to defeat the kingdom alone. The revolutionary army's efforts have reduced the royal family's influence, the nobles are divided, and the guard has few capable members. Attacking the capital in one go would likely lead to the success of the revolution.

However, the problem is the interference of the Svarogia Great Empire.

The Kingdom of Eldorado is a vassal state of the Svarogia Great Empire. If the revolution succeeds, it will break away from the vassal state. However, as soon as it breaks away, the Great Empire will send an army.

Rainvald asked Lilia.

"Which legion of the Great Empire is stationed here?"

"The Shadow Legion, led by S-rank magic knight Kruger Pierre."

"A magic knight known for manipulating shadows. We don't have anyone in the revolutionary army who can handle an S-rank. Moreover, it's difficult for the revolutionary army alone to defeat the Great Empire's army."

"Unfortunately, that's true, sir."

To be honest, the power of the Great Empire is overwhelming.

They have several S-rank magic knights, each leading a legion. Kruger Pierre of the Shadow Legion is one of them. Since S-rank magic knights are well-known, Rainvald and his team were aware of them.

And they knew they couldn't defeat them.

"Challenging the empire is premature. And we don't have the luxury to choose our methods. Therefore, we have decided to use the underground organization, Black Cat."

Rainvald looked around and continued.

"No complaints. We will request 'Death' to eliminate the fourth prince Medline and his faction of nobles. We will prepare for the revolution. We will focus all our efforts on capturing the first prince and the king. Since we can't use extra forces, we will at least reduce the kingdom's strength with our financial power."

No one opposed the leader's instructions.

While there are those in the revolutionary army who are passionate about justice, the officers have the capacity to accept both good and bad.

For the future, they accepted the use of the underground organization's power.

◆◆◆

Shu Arclight, known as 'Death' and the King of the Underworld, was in the capital Drane, with Iris by his side. They stayed in a slightly upscale inn, and most of their days were spent learning the eastern language, Cybil. Iris was also studying to speak the language, and otherwise, they spent their days leisurely.

Occasionally, they would go to the Black Cat bar to check for work.

Most of the requests came from the revolutionary army, and Shu earned money by completing them.

"By the way, Iris."

"What is it, Shu?"

"I have a job tonight. I'll be away, so stay here and be good."

"Okay!"

Lately, Iris has gotten used to it, seeing Shu off as if he's going for a walk. Shu, having become accustomed to the assassination business, can easily kill anyone, whether they are royalty or nobility.

Being a primordial spirit, a spirit-type monster, he can pass through even the most secure walls and break through security with advanced magic and death magic.

Death magic, in particular, can take a life in an instant, making it perfect for assassinations.

"Who's next?"

"The fourth prince and some nobles. I've already received a substantial advance, and I plan to finish it quickly."

"Is the revolutionary army rich?"

"They might be more powerful than the current kingdom."

Since the revolutionary army has been taking the Eldorado royal family's wealth, they have been enjoying good times. They are taxing the cities they control, but not excessively, and they have considerable financial power.

With the third prince Rainvald being publicly recognized as the leader of the revolutionary army, the people are rallying to the just prince. Supporting the revolutionary army, which fights for them, is a natural flow compared to the oppressive kingdom.

"Will you support the revolutionary army, Shu?"

"Basically, yes. It will likely bring more work. They are already regular clients. I'm willing to take on requests even if I'm short on money, but I'll make sure to get paid while the good times last."

"Assassination is profitable."

"Thanks to that, we can stay in upscale inns. Maybe we can buy a house in the capital of the Great Empire."

"A love nest with Shu! Please buy one!"

"No, that's not happening."

Ignoring the slightly, or rather, quite disappointed Iris, Shu closed the book. He detected a magical presence approaching the room.

The non-elemental magic of detecting magical presence can be used on all beings with magic. Since everyone has some level of magic, it's a useful way to detect people.

The detected magical presence was small, indicating a servant.

There was a knock, and Iris stood up to open the door.

"Excuse me. Is this Mr. Shu and Miss Iris's room?"

"Yes."

"I have a letter for you."

The servant handed over an envelope on a tray. It was sealed with wax and had a magical seal. It was sealed tightly, but there was no name of the sender.

However, Iris took it without hesitation.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'll take my leave."

The servant closed the door and left.

Iris brought the letter to the back of the room and handed it to Shu.

"Shu, a letter from Black Cat!"

"It seems so."

The letter, sealed with a magical seal and with no sender, was from Black Cat. Both Shu and Iris knew this.

Shu used death magic to break the magical seal and took out the letter.

"…They seem to have gathered the information properly."

"Is it about the assassination target?"

"Yes, I asked Black Cat to gather information. It's just the location and family structure, so it wasn't expensive."

It was the information needed for the assassination of the fourth prince Medline and his faction of nobles, as requested by the revolutionary army.

"I expected it to come soon, but the timing is good."

"Ah… So that's why you said you have a job tonight?"

"Exactly."

The power of the underground organization, Black Cat, is formidable. Not only the officers but the organization itself is powerful. If you request information, they will gather it by the deadline. Of course, even as a member, you have to pay.

Shu spread out the map of the capital Drane he bought from Black Cat. Based on the information, he marked the mansions of the assassination targets. The fourth prince Medline is in the castle, so there was no need to mark his location.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight… ten?"

"There are twelve nobles to assassinate. Including Medline, that's thirteen."

"Quite a few."

"I know the locations, so I can use magic to eliminate them all at once, but it would waste too much magic. I'll use death magic."

As a monster, Shu would cease to exist if he used too much magic. He can recover magic by killing or eating, but the most efficient way is to use death magic to steal magic.

A wide-area magic to kill thirteen people at once would consume a lot of magic. To save magic, he decided to use a different method.

"To save time, I'll use 'Netherworld's Frost Breath' to freeze the mansions of the nobles, except for the fourth prince. I might display the prince's head somewhere."

"Freezing the mansions… quite lazy."

"The families and servants will just have to consider themselves unlucky. Well, I'm a monster, so I don't really care about such things."

Although he looks human, Shu is a monster. He doesn't trust humans much. He interacts with humans as a contract partner, but he doesn't show affection to anyone except Iris. At most, he might feel some sympathy.

Even if he involves innocent people in the assassination, it doesn't pain him.

"When it gets dark… I'll mark the mansions of the nobles with magic. Then, I'll use 'Netherworld's Frost Breath' to kill them all at once… and then the prince."

"Are all the nobles in their mansions?"

"It's fine. According to the information, they will all be in their mansions tonight and four days later. The nobles sometimes stay at the castle or relatives' mansions, so it's a stroke of luck."

"Ah, I see."

It's easier to finish the job all at once. Plus, it spreads fear.

Ordinary assassins complete their tasks one by one, but Shu finishes them all in one night. This contributes to the myth of 'Death' as a feared figure.

People, especially the upper class with dark secrets, fear 'Death'.

"Until it gets dark, I'll just pass the time…"

Shu drew a small magic circle and burned the information gathered by Black Cat.