Episode 167. Assassination Order (3)
The banquet was approaching day by day. Rubin’s plan was gradually coming into effect.
Rubin freely went back and forth between the dormitory and the outside world, day and night. During the day, he used the bookstore as an excuse to be legitimate, and at night, he would leave Tina alone and wander around secretly.
Thanks to the ‘Shadow Curtain’, the Imperial Army’s tight security was easily broken down. Rubin’s stealth, which left no sound, dug into the Imperial Army’s weak points.
‘Let’s check on Chloe this time.’
Rubin was hiding in the wall of Chloe’s living room. As always, there was a solid soundproof wall, but he was helpless in front of it.
Chloe happened to be receiving a new report from the captain of the Imperial Guard.
“What’s going on, Captain? I hope we hear that the murderer has been caught.”
The captain of the guard smiled awkwardly.
“I am sorry that I cannot give you the news you have been waiting for, but I have some good news for you.”
“Please tell me.”
“It is said that the Royal Family of Nice troops currently stationed in Capotini are withdrawing sequentially.”
“Cheolsu? You said the murderer wasn’t caught.”
“According to what the Royal Army has discovered, this crime was not aimed at the Capotini School of Magic. It was a personal grudge against the deceased Professor Kaizen. The professor was involved in gladiatorial gambling in the commercial city of Avern, and the five-star warrior is also said to be from there.”
“Really?”
Chloe and Celesne’s eyes meet. It’s unexpected. I thought Gaizen’s death was related to Perga, but it’s just a personal grudge. Then there’s no need for the Imperial Army to be stationed in Capotini anymore.
“Anyway, that’s good. Then is it okay if I attend the banquet on Saturday?”
“You’ve spoken for two days in a row, so I guess this is a banquet you really want to attend.”
“Yes, it’s a celebration for close friends.”
“It will be a truly glorious celebration to be treated as a ‘close friend’ by the young lady of the Imperial Nobility.”
In fact, Chloe had brought up the subject of the banquet to the captain of the guard more than once. From the captain’s perspective, he couldn’t understand why the imperial nobility was so obsessed with the banquet of the Samhwi wizard family.
Anyway, as the situation had changed, I couldn’t keep her staying at the villa.
“Just in case, we will have a minimal security force on standby around the banquet hall.”
“Thank you as always, Captain. You may leave now.”
At the euphemism for him to step aside, the captain of the guard quickly saluted and left the room.
Then Celesne came closer to her. Rubin’s darkness, sensing the conversation between the two, became more delicate.
“I’ll prepare the dress, miss.”
“Yeah. I think the dress you wore to the entrance ceremony dance would be nice.”
“There is also a more ornate dress that was sent to me from the Royal Palace of Nice a while ago.”
Chloe shook her head, her lips still pressed together. It’s not the dress you wear to the banquet that matters. Celesne, who understood what he meant, quickly agreed.
“… Will Perga really appear?”
“They say that the secret letter you received had Enzo Lorenzini’s unique pattern. We have no choice but to believe it.”
Chloe lifted the glass to her lips, feeling nervous. She took a sip of her Caponiglia and looked out the window.
Originally, Chloe had planned not to attend the banquet held by the Eric-Dahlia family. She didn’t know what the atmosphere of the celebration would be like if an imperial nobleman attended. Furthermore, it was difficult to attend because of the imperial army guarding her.
However, due to communication with Americmana a few days ago, I was unable to attend the banquet.
McEwan Witherspoon instructed her daughter to attend the banquet and meet Per. A meeting at the banquet. That was the request in Enzo’s secret letter.
“It’s fortunate that Perga came to see me in person… but I feel uneasy for some reason.”
“Don’t worry about the Imperial Army. While you and Per are talking, I’ll make sure they don’t get near.”
Still, Chloe’s face didn’t brighten at all. In fact, Celesne knew there was another reason.
Now Chloe didn’t have much time left to stay in Capotini. The real reason she came here was to safely bring Per to Americmana, and if Per really showed up at the banquet hall, then all that was left was to go back.
“Luden, Oscar, Dahlia… I didn’t even get to say goodbye to them properly.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll see them all at the banquet hall.”
“That would be great, but… Did Dahlia invite Oscar too? I’m not worried about Luden, but I’m a little worried about him.”
Celesne hesitated to answer, then thought about the chatty cadet for a moment. Then she shook her head.
“… I don’t think I would have invited you.”
“I see. Huh? What should I do? She’s a bit noisy, but she’s fun! And she’s great at magic too! I really wanted to have a magic duel with Oscar!”
“But you never know. Lord Luden and Lord Oscar. One of them might be Per.”
Chloe burst out laughing at Celesne’s joking guess. No matter how much I thought about it, it was still funny. Is one of Luden and Oscar a fernando?
“It sounds ridiculous, but if that’s really the case, I think I’d feel betrayed.”
“Betrayal, huh? That means I was hiding so safely.”
“Is that so?”
Chloe chuckles again. Thinking back, it was a funny fantasy. Except that it couldn’t possibly happen.
“Whoever it is, Per Lorenzini must be prepared. Magic training awaits him in Americmana.”
“Celestine! Stop acting like a teacher already.”
Gaju McEwan Witherspoon was determined to not only protect Per, but also help him develop the power to defend himself. There were plenty of magic lessons waiting for him to take with Chloe.
‘Hmm, is that so?’
It was a satisfying part for Rubin, who had been listening to the entire conversation. Contrary to his worries, it seemed like Oscar would be able to walk the path to becoming a great wizard.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up on Enzo. I don’t doubt Chloe, but that family is still an imperial noble family.
‘I guess I should go.’
Leaving Chloe, who was already excited at the thought of meeting Per, Rubin finished the shadow curtain. This time, their destination was Kuze’s bookstore.
* * *
‘When do you plan on showing up, Rosenthaler?’
As he headed to the bookstore, Rubin thought, I’ll probably run into Rosenthaler sometime today or tomorrow.
Groan, groan.
The atmosphere in the floating city was much more lively than it had been a few days ago. As the captain of the guard had told Chloe, the royal army’s security posture on the streets had been greatly relaxed.
In the changed atmosphere of the city, Rosenthaler was sure to move again. He would believe that the head of the Imperial Office had forgiven him for his mistakes, and from now on, he would only focus on making up for his mistakes.
but.
‘You don’t know that all this is my plan.’
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Also, there is a five-star assassin waiting in the basement of the bookstore to take his life.
“master.”
At the bookstore, Kuze was waiting for him. He had done the work Rubin had instructed him to do and was waiting for him to check the results.
Thump.
A stack of about a thousand pieces of paper that Kuze places on the bookstore shelf.
“It’s finished.”
“Yes, it’s really perfect.”
This bundle of papers was an invitation to a banquet held on Saturday. Contrary to its appearance, it was not an ordinary piece of paper. It was a special paper imbued with a small amount of mana.
“Thanks to Enzo’s help, we were able to produce it ahead of schedule.”
In fact, Ielos and Delinga had planned to welcome only select attendees to this banquet.
A banquet is an event that shows the pride of the host family. The Ielos family is considered to be the standard-bearer of the Three Whispers, and the Delin family is also a representative family that any Three Whispering wizard cannot help but know.
It was a celebratory banquet that the two families had ambitiously prepared. From the beginning, the number of attendees was not important to them.
Because the point of pride was not how many came, but how great they were.
That is why the banquet was planned to be held quietly despite the tumultuous interest. That is why the invitations were made in small quantities using special paper imbued with mana.
‘I’m sorry, but that won’t happen.’
An invitation that only a very small number of nobles and celebrities could receive. Rubin was one of those very few.
Even though he was only a third-class noble and not from a wizarding family, Dahlia couldn’t leave out Rubin, who had scored higher than her, because of her pride.
Rubin used the invitation he received in a unique way. He had Kuze and Enzo copy the invitations, and the number of copies was a whopping thousand.
“Now send out all the invitations without fail.”
This invitation will be sent to all students of the Magic School. It will not stop there, but it will also be sent to all professors of the Magic School and high-ranking officials of the Capotini administration.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a noble or commoner. Anyone who’s related to the magic school is invited.
‘Dahlia might be a little embarrassed.’
But I couldn’t help it. It was necessary.
The banquet had to be of unimaginable scale. Only then could Rubin fight Rosenthaler with confidence. This was also part of his plan.
“… … !”
Rubin was checking the status of the invitation. For a moment, his eyes darkened.
The problem wasn’t found in the invitation. Something was detected in the dark smoke that had been spread out for security. Perhaps Naeph, who was hiding underground, felt the same.
‘He’s finally here.’
A familiar figure approaches the bookstore. Rosenthaler, who had been hiding like a mouse for a while, has finally appeared.
As planned, he didn’t make it past today. And he’s coming to the bookstore to meet Rubin before anyone else.
Thud thud.
The approaching footsteps were brisk and powerful, so he must have been delusional. He probably thought Rulfo had forgiven him.
As expected, he flung open the door to the bookstore, recognized Rubin, and smiled.
“Hey, long time no see?”
Rubin looked at the man who would be dead in a few days and smiled.
Rosenthaler seemed relaxed. Heh heh heh, the annoying laughter filled the bookstore. It was the kind of laughter that made your expression distort for no reason when you listened to it.
“I thought you were dead. I wasn’t.”
“What, me? Can’t you even make that judgment call yet?”
“It must be you.”
Rosenthaler whistled awkwardly, as if scraping iron.
“Anyway, I’m resting comfortably thanks to you. I already thought school was a bit hectic, but now we’re off for two weeks. I’m so grateful.”
“Stop being sarcastic, kid. Whether school is closed or not, you’re going to be dozing off during class anyway. You don’t have the energy to do anything but imitate it, right? You just follow the other kids around.”
“Just like you follow the Assassin’s sword around?”
“Ha! Anyway, I have to say that you Assassin Swordsmen are at least good at arguing.”
Rosenthaler walked around the bookstore with his footsteps thumping. He took books off the shelves, looked through them, and then just put them back where they belonged. He seemed very nervous.
In the basement, Naif, who has been spreading out his dark smoke, is listening to every word Rosenthaler says. He must be gnashing his teeth at the words of a man who clearly has no respect for the assassination swordsman.
And so was Rubin. Rubin had no intention of being swayed by Rosenthaler’s seemingly inconsistent approach to crossing the line.
Rosenthaler changed the subject.
“Let’s stop talking nonsense and get to the point. I think it’s time to give you a mission. How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?”
“Why are you worrying about me? I guess you still have some time on your hands. You must be busy worrying about your own body.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I thought Rulfo’s feet would be wet by now. Because of your tears.”
“Watch what you say, kid.”
“You are the one who is the loser.”
The two stared at each other for a moment. Rosenthaler soon tilted his head. Something suddenly occurred to him.
“… Even without that, your voice. For some reason, I often think of it.”
“Oh, you mean the advice I gave you before the cave? Why, do you regret it? I wish I had listened to you back then.”
“No regrets.”
“After that, when I heard that you killed Kaizen, I was so dumbfounded.”
“… Even if I could go back in time, I would have done the same thing. I’m the type of person who never forgives those who hit me in the back of the head.”
“The back of the head.”
At those words, Rubin snickered. Then he walked over to the bookshelf, took out the books that Rosenthaler had haphazardly placed, and put them back in their correct places. Rosenthaler, who lacked the power of observation, didn’t know that the books would return to their original places.
Knock, knock, knock.
Putting the book away, Rubin spoke in a low voice.
“I suddenly wonder. What if Rulfo, whom you think of as heaven, were to hit you on the back of the head? Would you be able to endure it then?”
“what?”
“If I were you, I think I would be kicked out without mercy if I made that kind of mistake.”
Finally, Rosenthaler rolled his eyes, but Rubin persisted and added one last word.
“Oh, you’ve already been demoted, so you have nowhere else to go?”
When I looked up, the guy’s face was already twisted with anger. If the child in front of me wasn’t the son of the main family of the Assassin’s Blade, I would have attacked him right away. Rosenthaler clenched his teeth and answered.
“Well, I’m a pretty useful body. Do I look like someone who would be thrown around? You must have seen me in the cave.”
“Oh, you mean your Auror? It was great. Except for the Witherspoon maid who was holding you back.”
“… … .”
The bastard seemed to have reached his limit. At Rubin’s provocation, Rosenthaler exhaled, “Huh, huh,” and controlled his anger.
Then he walked past Rubin and deliberately tried to bump his shoulders. Of course, Rubin dodged.
Swish.
“Have you had any drinks? Why are you staggering like this?”
“… Hey, Rubin.”
“why?”
“Then, be thankful I didn’t kill you in that cave.”
“It’s not like you couldn’t kill him?”
“… I feel like I should revive Kaizen and ask him to try that ridiculous strategy again. Do you know why?”
“Well, do I need to know that?”
“… Next time, I think I can pretend not to know and just kill him.”
Rosenthaler, who had said everything he wanted to say, seemed still angry as he picked up a book in front of him and opened it. Then he spat out the book.
Anyway, he has a bad temper.
“Just wait quietly. As soon as the magic school is closed, I’ll give you some work to do.”
“Or so you say.”
Then, he opened the door as if he had come in and went out.
Rubin, who was watching her back as she walked away, also became serious. Today, he had been openly provocative, but when they met three days later on Saturday, Rubin would also have to risk his life.
