Episode 172. Where the Sound of Firecrackers Barely Reaches (4)
‘Huh! You cheeky bastard, following me like you don’t know.’
Enzo riding a fast horse.
In fact, it wasn’t Enzo, but Tina who had transformed into him.
Twenty minutes after leaving the banquet hall, Rosenthaler was following her at a reasonable distance. He thought he was being followed, but in reality, he was being lured in.
Until then, Tina had to show her face at the banquet hall to provoke him.
‘Anyway, Rubin, this guy is unnecessarily delicate.’
Before transforming into Enzo, the first thing Rosenthaler saw was the dead form of Kaizen. It was Rubin’s idea to transform into a man who resembled Kaizen first. It would be more effective in that order to provoke the guy or something.
‘I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I succeeded in luring him, so that’s okay!’
It wasn’t difficult. The only one who knew Enzo’s face was Oscar, and he arrived at the banquet hall late.
Moreover, the atmosphere of the territory was so chaotic that it would not seem strange if an outsider were to ride around on horseback.
There were also some banquet attendees who crossed the territory, and the servants and managers also showed little interest as they were focused only on the banquet.
‘Is it time to start a chase now?’
Tina decided when to increase her speed by discovering the markers Rubin had prepared one by one. After the red marker, yellow, after the yellow marker, green.
And from now on.
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo.
“… … !”
Tina suddenly picked up the pace of her horse. The horse began to neigh excitedly and gained distance from Rosenthaler. Doo doo doo doo doo doo!
I glanced back and saw that Rosenthaler had also picked up his horse’s pace and was following along.
Now he must have thought that Enzo had sensed something fishy and started running away.
‘I can see it!’
An abandoned warehouse appeared.
Tina quickly stopped her horse and jumped down. She could have just gone, but she pulled the horse’s head to one side and slammed its hindquarters hard.
Rosenthaler was a very dirty person. If he got in the way of someone who was going to do something, he could lose his life.
‘Run away quickly before that piece of trash catches you!’
Doo doo doo doo doo.
The horse carrying Rosenthaler was approaching quickly. Tina turned her head here and there, looking for the entrance Rubin had made.
Fortunately, just before Rosenthaler dismounted, she discovered the entrance. She quickly squeezed herself into the crevice.
Once you get inside, it gets easier from there.
‘Hmm, what do you turn into? A rat… is not allowed. That Rosenthaler guy seems to hate rats.’
At the Gaizen house, the scene where Rosenthaler was killing rats indiscriminately came to mind. In the end, Tina chose monkeys instead of rats.
Phew.
Ukkikki! Ukkikki!
Tina, who had turned into a monkey, jumped down to the depths where Rubin was waiting.
Looking up, I saw Rosenthaler coming in too. He didn’t hesitate.
Enzo was out of sight, but I followed him, certain that he had gone down. As expected, he was a 5-star unmanned unit, so there was nothing to fear.
Boom! Boom!
A dull leap followed, far removed from the assassin’s graceful movements.
At that moment, Rubin, whom Tina had longed to see so much, appears in Tina’s sight.
‘I can see it…!’
Tina was so desperate that she ended up rolling around on the ground, unable to land properly.
Bang!
“Ouch, it hurts… … .”
“Thank you for your hard work, Tina.”
Rubin stepped out of the darkness. As this little boy grew stronger, it was inevitable that he would become more trustworthy. The two exchanged brief glances to give a detailed explanation.
“Get out of here now. Get to the safest place possible.”
yet.
bang!
Rosenthaler landed on the floor with a dull thud. Not yet recognizing Rubin, he looked around with an incomprehensible expression.
In the darkness, the first thing that caught my eye were the numerous oak barrels containing wine.
Phagejijit.
At that moment, a spark that illuminated the darkness began to rise. At the same time, a presence that had been hidden so perfectly was belatedly detected.
Rosenthaler’s eyes turned towards the flames, where Rubin stood with a stoic face.
“What is this?”
Now is the beginning.
Rosenthaler’s voice was low.
“Why are you here? I am sure… … .”
I couldn’t help but trail off when I remembered that the person I was chasing was Enzo.
At that moment, several facts suddenly flashed through his mind.
This absurd situation is not unfamiliar. His mistake that killed Kaizen. There was a similar encounter in that cave.
‘Then it was Per, this time it was Enzo… … .’
But then and this time, the person I ended up facing was none other than Rubin.
A guy who completely shatters the expectations of catching the rich Lorenzini. It’s an extremely annoying coincidence. No, how can such a coincidence exist…?
Rosenthaler felt his body seething with rage, sensing that there was something he did not know. He opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Didn’t we meet at the banquet hall?”
Then, as was his nature, he checked the weapon in Rubin’s hand.
Even at a glance, I could tell that it was a different dagger than the one used in the last fight.
Moreover, it was not ordinary. Even the ‘Robson’s Sword’ attached to his back reacted.
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A Noble Phantasm of the size of a Sword will naturally react to hostile killing intent, but it will also detect unusual weapons.
That meant that it was a weapon that was comparable to Robson’s sword, or perhaps even superior to it.
“Hey, you’re so lively, Rubin.”
“Of course. Because I’m going to kill you.”
“Put aside the jokes. You assassin seed.”
But Rubin, who no longer had to act or wear a mask, quickly made it clear that he was not joking.
Wheeeeeeee.
In keeping with the thick, floating murderous intent, the blood-red frost creates a blizzard. Rosenthaler’s eyes begin to tremble as the fierce cold engulfs him.
“Did you have a weapon like that?”
Maybe that thing is a soulless thing.
It was different from the information I had. Of course, since he was the eldest son of the assassination sword family, he couldn’t have known everything in detail, but even so, this was a serious omission of information.
As the thought crossed his mind, Rosenthaler’s hand went behind his back. He had no choice but to grab the dagger.
“Rosenthaler.”
Rubin’s voice floated through the frigid air.
“The order to assassinate Rulfo has been given.”
“Is that target me?”
“If not, would I be standing here like this?”
It’s a remark that makes you laugh out loud.
It’s entirely possible that Rulfo gave the order to assassinate her. But even if that were true, why would he send that young kid who was still in assassination training?
“Are you trying to make me laugh today? It’s a joke that even your guardian wouldn’t believe.”
“okay?”
At that moment, Rosenthaler felt the intense darkness radiating from Rubin. Rubin would no longer delay his mission. After leaving his last words, he immediately began his attack.
“Then you have to make them believe it!”
visor!
Bloody Frost and the sword clashed. Rosenthaler, who drew his sword to block the attack, realized that Rubin’s attack was really aimed at his life. If he had let his guard down even a little longer, he would have lost his life in an absurd way.
“You little shit, you’ve really gone crazy… … .”
Rubin’s attack continued as he cut off the words. The Assassin’s swordsmanship continued to surge forward. The more he blocked the attacks, the more shock filled Rosenthaler’s mind.
‘Isn’t it so different from back then?’
The fight in the cave. It was so different from the level of Rubin I had estimated back then.
There were flashy attacks back then, but the attacks that followed now were simply not that bad.
If there is a difference, it will be difficult to stop it… … .
Push!
In an instant, Rubin’s sword sliced through his thigh.
Rosenthaler quickly backed away, his face crumpled. Oh, shit! He looked down at his legs and saw that his pants were soaked in blood.
“You’re going to have to be more serious from now on, Rosenthaler.”
It was unnecessary advice, as Rosenthaler was already in a serious state.
Wheeing.
A bright yellow aura was added to the sword’s blade. The aura changed the flow of air again. The air pressure in the space where they were standing was rising.
“Rubin. Just now… I have this very strange, yet very clear premonition.”
Rosenthaler revealed five layers of aura at once, a warning that there would be no more letting down of guard.
“What I have a feeling about is that day in the cave… It’s not like Kaizen brought you here because he was mistaken. Maybe you really did make Kaizen mistaken. Well, it’s a bad feeling.”
“Rosenthaler.”
“… … ?”
“If you say that, do you think I’ll compliment you on how smart you are?”
“…what?”
“That’s why people call you stupid. You realize it too late.”
This time it was Rubin’s turn.
Wheww.
Blood Frost caused another blizzard, and in the midst of the blizzard, the aura of the swordsman appeared.
Black lacquer auror. Even though he was looking at it clearly, it was a moment when Rosenthaler couldn’t help but doubt his own eyes.
“You, you really did that?”
The ‘Valley Prison’ escape incident that led to the loss of Enzo and the killing of Hitan. Traces of Aura remaining there!
All the puzzle pieces started to fit together. The more the puzzle pieces fit together, the more the damn picture was revealed. It was saying that everything that happened was the work of the youngest son of the assassination master right before his eyes.
Except for one thing.
“… You guys can’t manifest auras, right?”
Naturally, there is no follow-up answer.
Pfft!
Rubin’s attack continues. From now on, it wasn’t just a simple clash of swords. It was a clash of swords that held aura.
Kwakwakwang! Bang!
The ground shook. The wine oak barrels shook together. The sword trails lengthened, and there was a flash of light. The space was dark, but the constant clash of swords made it all the brighter.
The oak barrels containing the wine burst one by one with a loud bang. The wine spilled and the floor turned red.
However, the sound of their footsteps on the wet floor was barely audible. The state of their movements was such that all sounds were suppressed.
Kwakwakwang! Bang!
But occasionally, the sound of footsteps would be heard. This clearly meant that the tide of battle was turning to one side.
Every time that happened, instead of wine, a handful of someone’s blood would spill out.
* * *
Meanwhile, at that time in the banquet hall.
No one knew that somewhere not too far away, a life-threatening fight was taking place. In contrast to this fierce atmosphere, a festival was in full swing here.
Wow!
Clap clap clap clap!
Although it started an hour and a half later than scheduled and the venue was changed from indoors to an outdoor garden, the public opinion was very positive.
Attendees stood on the grass, drinking with smiling faces. They gave a warm round of applause to Dahlia and Eric, who went up on the makeshift stage and were publicly congratulated.
Even the guests who had been angry were cheering actively. This was thanks to Chloe personally stepping up for Dahlia.
“It’s like a hastily organized festival in the field, but it’s not too bad.”
“Egeler, you old bastard. How long has it been since you were discharged and you’re talking about the military?”
Keegan and Eggler spoke as they looked around the expansive garden.
Even Keegan, who was not on good terms with the Ielos family, looked satisfied. The dazzling lights, the people with smiles that never left their faces.
The number of attendees, far exceeding expectations, had an unexpected effect. It felt more like a city-wide festival than just a banquet for a noble family.
“Principal, you are here.”
Benitez approached them. Judging by his slightly flushed face, he had probably had a few glasses of wine already.
“What, you’re already getting angry, which is not typical of you.”
“Because it’s a wonderful banquet. A festival enjoyed by everyone from the imperial nobility to the common people. To be honest, I thought the banquet was going to fall apart earlier.”
“Who are these people here? In any case, they are all directly or indirectly related to magic. With so many magicians, it won’t be long before they put together a glittering festival!”
As the saying goes, the banquet scene was much more colorful with the wizards gathered. It was a scene that once again confirmed that magic isn’t just for fighting someone.
Magical displays that captivated the eyes and ears were unfolding throughout the banquet hall.
Then Keegan continued speaking.
“Benitez. Your class will probably change in a few days.”
“Huh? What all of a sudden?”
“Dahlia and Eric, those two kids. Their affiliations have changed.”
Affiliation changed? As I recited those words, I began to understand what they meant.
The decision was made by the Magic Brigade. The two men who were prospective candidates for officer cadets were officially drafted.
“I got a call just before I got here. Those two don’t know yet.”
“It seems like the Magic Brigade has sorted out the situation internally. Now, we’ll have a high-ranking officer from Capotini as well.”
“It’s not all good to be an Imperial Army officer. Well, their family would be happy, but anyway, I don’t know how that boy Luden could avoid being drafted. He didn’t have the right to refuse.”
“Oh, right. Since Luden was the actual winner… … .”
Benitez decided to look for Rubin while he was at it. The festival was taking place under the night sky, but the garden was incredibly bright due to the magic.
The faces of the magic cadets were visible, but Rubin was nowhere to be found.
‘Pedro is alone today.’
Down there, there was Oscar, shaking his shoulders diligently by himself.
Benitez is the only person here, other than Chloe and Selesne, who knows Oscar’s true identity, because he brought Oscar to Capotini under Keegan’s instructions.
Rubin was almost always by Oscar’s side, but not today.
“I didn’t get to see the Imperial Aristocracy dance at the entrance ceremony, but I wonder if I’ll be able to see it today.”
Then another professor appeared. It was Professor Solana.
“Professor Solana, welcome. Your words remind me of something. I haven’t seen Chloe dancing either.
“We all missed it because we were busy deciding on the students to take over.”
“Haven’t you forgotten? At that time, only Professor Benitez knew that Luden was a madman. That’s why he took the initiative.”
“Haha, that’s a misunderstanding. Seriously.”
“I wonder if you even knew that Chloe Witherspoon was going to ask him to dance?”
“… No way. Seriously, I didn’t know anything. Trust me, Professor Solana.”
That’s when they were talking about the entrance ceremony prom.
At that moment, the banquet moved on to dancing. Everyone began to look around at the people around them with expectant eyes.
The makeshift stage made with magic was large enough for all these people to stand on in pairs.
Again, again, again.
“Huh? Chloe is being unreserved again today. It looks like she’s got someone on her side once again.”
Professor Solana’s eyes sparkled.
It was just as she said. Chloe was going to approach first and ask to dance, just like she did at the entrance ceremony. It seemed like she had already decided who she wanted to dance with from the beginning.
“Oscar, dance with me.”
“… Huh? Me, me?”
Oscar wasn’t the only one who was surprised. The nobles, students, and professors watching were busy covering their gaping mouths.
“Why? You don’t like it?”
“Oh, no.”
Oscar couldn’t hide his blushing face. Today at least, it didn’t seem funny. He answered with difficulty.
“… Chloe. It’s a scarier word than “let’s do magic training.”
Oscar hiccuped without realizing it. He thought it was a dream, but it wasn’t. He rubbed his eyes and pinched his cheek, but Chloe was really smiling softly right in front of him.
“Don’t worry. After dancing with you, I’ll dance with other friends too. Then you won’t be the only one getting attention or anything, right?”
“… That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Hmm? Oh, if you’re worried about dancing, I’ll teach you how to do it, so don’t worry about that either. And-”
Then Chloe whispered softly in Oscar’s ear.
“I have something serious to talk about with you while we dance.”
Seriously?
Oscar held Chloe’s outstretched hand still. Then he headed toward the stage, looking around intently.
“Are you looking for Luden?”
“Yeah, where did it go?”
“Don’t bother looking around. He’s not here anyway.”
“…What does that mean?”
“After today, we might not see him again.”
“What does that mean?”
At that moment, Chloe’s voice gained strength.
“Oscar! That’s not important right now. Just look me in the eye and put your hands on your hips. The music’s about to start.”
