Chapter 59

"Huh? You’re back?"

Shuu received the mission information from the shadow spirit that had returned. The spirit spat out the documents and a bag of gold coins that were in the envelope, then disappeared into the shadows.

Shuu started reading the document that contained the mission details.

Iris came in with a cup of tea.

"Shuu-san, I’ve brought you some tea."

"Leave it there."

"Today’s dessert is a fruit pie."

"Got it."

Shuu continued reading the mission details.

Meanwhile, Iris steadily set up the tea set. Finally, she sat down opposite him.

"Is that a mission?"

"Yeah, a request to the 'Reaper.' They want me to assassinate a Grand General."

"Wow, that’s a big request."

"Yeah, the Grand General of the Hellfire Legion, 'Hellfire' Schmidt Aliur. He’s the highest-ranking officer tasked with crushing the revolutionaries. They want him dead."

"So it’s a request from the revolutionary army?"

"Exactly."

The activities of the revolutionary army were spreading. In response, the suppression by the Subarokia Empire had intensified. The increased oppression was causing suffering in the vassal states, and support for the revolutionary army was growing.

In some regions, the country was divided, and the revolutionary army was gaining strength amid the chaos.

In such a situation, 'Hellfire' Grand General Schmidt Aliur was chosen as the highest-ranking officer for suppression.

Schmidt, who had been given the golden dragon crest by the emperor, was personally suppressing rebellions in various regions. His methods were so brutal that the land he and his legion passed through was left as scorched earth, and many feared him.

However, that was precisely Schmidt’s goal.

He deliberately caused significant damage to suppress through fear.

"For the revolutionary army, he’s a symbol of terror. They want him eliminated."

"Will you take it?"

"Of course. It’s a good opportunity to earn money. The advance is six hundred gold coins, and the success fee is two hundred gold coins. It’s a rare request where the advance is much higher. I might as well do a favor for the revolutionary army."

Originally, Shuu did favors for the revolutionary army because they paid well. They were growing in strength and were said to have economic power comparable to a major country. Naturally, assassination requests from them paid well, so he even took on unreasonable requests.

If he continued to do favors, they would likely give him good jobs.

Shuu needed money for his daily life, and this was a valuable source of income, especially since he had almost depleted his funds after buying a house.

"What’s Schmidt like?"

"…It’s all written in this document. There’s a lot of information. First, as his nickname 'Hellfire' suggests, he uses fire-type magical equipment. The heat from his flames can even vaporize water. Even a skilled water-type magical equipment user would be charred black in an instant."

"That’s scary."

"In my case, I can drain energy with death magic, so it’s no problem. Also, it seems he hasn’t awakened yet, though he’s said to be close."

Schmidt Aliur.

His magical equipment is a combination of weapon and armor types, capable of controlling explosive flames. There are even tales of a fortress exploding when he pointed his sword at it.

His combat style is geared towards fighting multiple opponents, and he’s not good at one-on-one battles.

Given that he was given the golden dragon crest, he has the emperor’s trust. He’s been granted a noble title, though it’s only for his lifetime.

He has a son who is currently a candidate for a magical equipment user and attends school.

This was the content of the document.

"What will you do? Take his son as a hostage?"

"If I’m going to do something that troublesome, I might as well destroy the house with the son inside…"

"…When I made a joke, you gave me an even more extreme response."

"Killing the target along with the house is a useful assassination method."

Shuu responded as if to say, "What are you talking about?" Though he had human memories, he was now dominated by the emotions of a monster. He didn’t particularly care.

For Shuu, the only important things were himself and Iris.

"When will you go?"

"I’ll finish it tonight. Fortunately, the location of the mansion is included. I’ll go in, do the job, and come back. I’ll bring back his head as proof. He’s a famous person, after all."

An unawakened magical equipment user is no match for Shuu.

After all, Shuu is a monster of the 'King.' The monsters of the King, said to surpass awakened magical equipment users, use powers that transcend the laws of magic. The King is an existence that transcends everything.

Even an S-rank magical equipment user who has aged can be easily killed.

Especially if they’re not specialized in combat against individuals, it would be over in an instant.

"So, I’ll be out tonight. I’ll be back soon, so go to sleep."

"Okay, I’ll warm up the bed for you!"

"My room is separate."

"You’re so cold."

It had been a long time since the 'Reaper' had moved.

◆◆◆

The imperial city at night was bright.

Even in the middle of the night, the lights never went out, and the sounds of the entertainment district were constant. However, Shuu moved through the shadows.

(This much noise, and I won’t be noticed even if I spiritize.)

Shuu usually appeared in human form, but his true form was a spirit, a Primal Magic Spirit, a powerful being capable of commanding spirit-type monsters.

His appearance in the city center would normally be a disaster.

(I’m sure it’s this way.)

The map’s contents were in his head.

He took the route least likely to be seen, passed through the gaps between buildings, and phased through walls to reach the Aliur mansion. The mansion was large, and the roof was visible even from here.

(That’s it.)

From this position, he could use the 'Netherworld’s Freezing Breath,' making the kill easy. However, since he planned to take the head as a trophy, he would have to enter the mansion directly.

He decided to enter the mansion, thinking he might as well do so.

(I’ll kill Schmidt as Iris expects, and if there’s anything interesting, I’ll take it as a bonus.)

He was a heretic.

But that was just a human-defined path. As a monster, Shuu had no need to follow it. Therefore, he wasn’t a heretic. Shuu followed the path of dominance that defined him, something unshakable and unaffected by human standards.

Shuu floated silently, phased through the wall, and entered the Aliur mansion. He looked around.

(This is…)

A completely dark room.

It was probably a guest room. The owner of the house usually placed their bedroom on the top floor of the mansion. Since this mansion was three stories, he assumed Schmidt was there.

He checked for magical energy just in case.

(A massive magical energy source upstairs. It’s Schmidt, who doesn’t even try to hide it. There’s another large magical energy source… probably his son Ike, the candidate said to be a sure S-rank.)

Schmidt was still awake and seemed to be on the second floor. Shuu floated up to the ceiling and phased through it, moving between the first and second floors to the room where Schmidt was.

This way, he wouldn’t be detected by anyone.

Of course, he was hiding his magical energy, so it couldn’t be sensed.

"…I think I’ll stop here for today. I promised to train Ike tomorrow, so I’ll go to bed early."

A voice could be heard.

It seemed Schmidt was completely relaxed. From the tone, it didn’t seem like he was aware of Shuu hiding under the floor.

Shuu floated up silently and appeared in the room.

"―What! Who are you―"

Naturally, Schmidt noticed. As a Grand General, his reaction was quick. However, it was already too late. Shuu wasn’t just an assassin. He was someone who should be fled from at first sight.

The moment he showed any intention to counterattack, death was certain.

"Concentrate―"

(Die)

The room’s temperature rose, and a deep crimson armor began to cover Schmidt. However, before it could fully form, Shuu extended his right hand and crushed it.

The strongest and most terrible magic, which drained all energy as magical power.

The death magic drained Schmidt’s life force.

(That’s it.)

The magical equipment disappeared, and the heartbeat ceased.

Shuu approached the fallen Schmidt and materialized. He activated the 'Void Cutting Domain' and severed Schmidt’s head. Blood spurted from the neck and splattered the room.

"Shadow spirit, come here."

A black snake appeared at Shuu’s feet and swallowed the severed head. The evidence collection was complete.

Shuu looked around the room.

A large desk, a lot of blood-stained documents, and four bookshelves filled with books. Checking the books would take time.

(Anything interesting?)

He thought the documents might contain confidential information, but it seemed Schmidt wasn’t the type to bring such documents home. Most were about the revolutionary army, but they weren’t highly classified.

There was nothing worth taking.

He started searching the room for anything else to take.

"This is a ring? I don’t need it. An unfinished book… difficult philosophy? I don’t need it."

Shuu was being quite rude as he searched.

However, he was complacent because he had eliminated the target.

"Father! What happened?"

A young boy burst into the room, calling out to his father. It was probably Schmidt’s only son, Ike.

(Damn. I hid my magical energy, but I couldn’t hide Schmidt’s.)

It made sense.

There was no need to hide magical energy in one’s own home. Plus, Schmidt’s magical equipment was partially activated. As a magical equipment user, Ike must have sensed it, thinking his father was in trouble.

When Ike entered the room, he saw his father’s decapitated body.

"Ah…"

(Ah, shit.)

Shuu hid his face with his hood while Ike was distracted by his father’s body. He quickly turned around, opened the window, and leaned out.

Ike, realizing what was happening, hastily began to cast a spell.

A magic circle formed.

(That’s…)

Shuu recognized it as the second-tier fire spell, 'Flame Lance.' It was more like a heat beam than a lance, so avoiding it in a straight line would be fine.

However, Shuu chose a different method to avoid it.

(Vanish.)

He absorbed the spell with death magic.

The sudden disappearance of the spell startled Ike.

"Why!? No way!"

There was no magic that could nullify spells.

Even the excellent candidate Ike, with his lack of combat experience, was thrown off. This could be a fatal mistake in battle.

Fortunately, Shuu prioritized escape over killing.

Since the target, Schmidt, was dead, he had no more interest.

"Damn!"

Ike tried to use 'Flame Lance' again, but Shuu was already gone. The wind blew in through the open window, and the curtains fluttered.

The fresh air began to dissipate the stench of blood.

"Ugh… ugh… ugh!"

Ike, realizing the body, vomited the contents of his dinner.

Servants rushed in at the commotion.

"What happened, master! Ike-sama!? What’s that smell…?"

The butler, seeing Schmidt’s body, was speechless.

For a moment, he thought Ike might have killed him, but since their relationship was good, that was impossible. The only possibility was an assassin.

However, there were few people who could assassinate Grand General Schmidt.

The butler had a suspect in mind.

"The 'Reaper'…"

"Ugh… what’s a 'Reaper'?"

"The world’s best assassin… No way, that’s ridiculous…"

His voice trembled.

If anyone could kill Schmidt, it had to be the 'Reaper' of the dark organization, Black Cat. The 'Reaper' was rumored to have killed General Kruger Pier.

The Aliur mansion was enveloped in chaos that day.