Episode 176. Punishment (2)
A funeral? Rubin doubted his ears.
‘There is no ceremony in the Assassination Swordsmanship that can be called a ‘funeral’.’
At least by Rubin’s standards, he had never experienced anything like a funeral before his regression.
“I didn’t know that our Roinen family had such a ritual.”
“That’s right. The Assassin Swordsman doesn’t remember death. But in this case, there are some circumstances that are somewhat unavoidable.”
“Force majeure? What a peculiar expression. A funeral without a force majeure.”
“Because an order has been given to hold a funeral.”
“The order has been given? Are you talking about the imperial decree?”
Damon nodded.
“Yes. It is His Majesty the Emperor’s order.”
Imperial order. Then the expression ‘force majeure’ is not wrong.
Rubin quickly searched his mind. Even if he looked back at his memories before his return, there had never been a funeral during this time. Not only that, but no one had died during this time.
Is this another incident that didn’t happen in my past life?
“When did you die?”
Then Damon looked interested.
“Your Majesty. You don’t seem to be curious about whose death it is.”
“I can guess that.”
“Who did you guess?”
“Brother Dorian or Brother Mafis. Either one, or both.”
Judging from the reaction they showed the moment their names were mentioned earlier, it seemed like that might be the case.
‘It doesn’t matter who it is.’
The last time I saw Maphis was four years ago. It was on a field trip to the Tower of Light and Rebellion. In terms of timing, it was a few days before I met Tina.
At that time, Rubin’s level had already surpassed that of Maphis. So, he turned around and suppressed his brother who had tried to educate him.
Other than that, I don’t have any other memories. We were just meaningless brothers in both my past and present life.
As expected, Damon’s answer continued.
“Master Mafis died in the line of duty. His Majesty the Emperor has instructed that we honor him.”
Rubin’s prediction was right. At that moment, Grokal Lang, who had been quiet, stepped forward.
“Daemon, how about we just speak frankly to the master? He’ll know everything when he returns home anyway.”
As expected, it’s not a simple funeral.
If it is a funeral by imperial order, there cannot be no hidden meaning. Telmah is trying to convey a message to the Assassins through the funeral.
“Speak, Damon.”
“Understood, my lord. My lord Mafis made a grave mistake during his mission, and it incurred the wrath of His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Anger? Then, what is the other meaning of this funeral… …”
“You could say it’s a punishment for the assassination attempt.”
As soon as the word punishment was pronounced, Rubin’s dark smoke naturally grew sharp. The vassals flinched momentarily at the aggressive dark smoke that spread out.
“How does His Majesty the Emperor want us to come out? How is the punishment going to proceed?”
“The method of punishment has not been decided. For now, His Majesty will hold a funeral and have all the heads of the ‘Eight Great Houses’ of the Assassin Sword Family gather together. In the presence of all of them, the head of the Imperial Decree will likely reveal His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”
The two remaining sons of the main family, Rubin and Dorian, also had to attend the funeral and punishment ceremony.
“… I’ll tell you what my incompetent brother did on my way back home.”
“Understood. As soon as Kuze returns, we will begin our journey home.”
It’s punishment.
What is Telmah planning to do?
* * *
Swaaaaaaaaaah.
A dark, windy night.
Rubin and his party began their return journey. They could have left after daybreak, but Rubin didn’t want to do that.
At about midnight, seven assassins wearing black robes rode through the wind and rain.
‘By now, Oscar must have met Enzo with Chloe.’
Rubin, who had been running for quite some time after leaving Capotini, suddenly looked back. The wizard city was getting further away. The city lights were getting dimmer.
As I watched the mana ring quickly fade away, I realized that I was moving further away from the giant mana stone.
Now that everything is tied up with Oscar, all we can do is hope that he will grow into the ‘chosen wizard’ under the protection of the Witherspoon family.
“Your Majesty, for now, we will move to Bayanegro.”
Damon approached Rubin, his words trailing off.
On this journey, Naif only goes as far as Bayanegro, because as the head of the Greas family, he has work to do.
Since it was he, not Rubin, who had nominally completed the elimination of Rosenthaler, he had to report it afterward. He also had to eliminate all traces of Rubin, one by one.
However, all records within the magic school under the name ‘Luden’ will be maintained. This includes all records of classes and professors.
Because it was difficult for a magic student and an assassin to coexist, I decided it would be better to leave records related to them behind.
In addition, the entity known as Ruden will disappear, and from now on, Rubin’s disguise identity will be created anew.
‘So we’re back to being Rubin Roinen again.’
The party arrived at Bayanegro and rested for a few hours in the Greas’s annex. At daybreak they set out again.
“If it’s this direction… you’re going up Pamuk Avenue.”
“Yes, my lord. It is the fastest and easiest route. Once you get on the main road, you will be able to catch the imperial carriage.”
The safest road in the empire is the Pamuk Highway. By using this road managed by the Pamuk Kingdom, you can cross the continent and reach the Roinen Mansion as quickly as possible.
But at that time.
-Rubin! Rubin! I’m in the sky!
Just as they entered the ‘gateway city’ where Pamuk Avenue begins, Tina’s voice suddenly called out to Rubin.
Rubin looked up at the sky. There, Tina, transformed into Roinekrow, was gliding and drawing circles.
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The other assassins’ Roinecrows had already entered the sky above Pamuk Avenue.
-Tina, you should be with the other Royne Crows too.
-That happened!
Tina’s voice was full of power. It seemed as if something had happened to excite her.
-Can you shake off those vassals?
Rubin quirked an eyebrow. The group was now about to undergo the final procedure of leaving the gateway city.
No matter how stubborn Tina was, she couldn’t have been unaware of the seriousness of the situation. It seemed like there was a reason for it.
-I’m not saying to completely ignore them, but just get out of here for a bit. Maybe an hour?
-What’s going on?
Tina’s answer continued. As soon as he heard that answer, Rubin stopped walking. Damon, who was walking ahead, looked back.
-I met a talking griffon! From the sky. I knew you. No… I came looking for you!
‘Celllock?’
If there’s a talking griffon, it’s none other than Sellock. We haven’t seen Sellock since he entered Oscar’s subspace pocket.
What happened? Protecting Oscar was the reason for Sellock’s existence. If something happened that even Sellock couldn’t do anything about…
But Rubin couldn’t help but chuckle at Tina’s subsequent words.
-I said if you don’t show up by noon, I won’t give you the ‘information’ you want! What was that blacksmith thing you were talking about?
Information about the blacksmith. It was something Rubin had wanted to put off until later. As long as Oscar was in Americmana, it wouldn’t be difficult to find him.
‘The fact that he came looking for me in public means that Oscar has finally learned of Sellock’s existence.’
The progress was unexpectedly fast.
-Just tell me to go?
-No. This is absolutely necessary information. I was planning to hear it later, but this is a good opportunity.
In that case, I had to stay away from my vassals for a while. I couldn’t reveal Cellok’s existence to them already.
“Damon.”
“Yes, your highness.”
There was no need to shake off the thieves like Tina said. If I were to engage in a sudden chase with them, it would be a form of training, but it was unnecessary.
“Just give me an hour. I have a place I need to go.”
“Are you saying you’re going to go alone without us?”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
He said this without giving the whole story.
Damon’s gaze upon him contained not a shred of doubt or anxiety.
“Let’s do that. If it seems like it’ll take any longer, please send Tina.”
Damon had watched the fight with Rosenthaler. He knew better than anyone that Rubin was in no danger right now.
“Okay, thanks.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to tell the other vassals.”
After that, Rubin left the group and followed Tina. In the forest a few kilometers away from the gateway city. Tina draws a circle in the sky.
Below, a blue-feathered griffon was waiting.
Not only that. Oscar was standing next to him. He had erased the dyeing magic and regained his original blue hair.
What kind of personality would Oscar have become if he had learned the whole truth, including that he was the ‘chosen wizard’?
Rubin walked towards him, recalling the cold-blooded look he had seen on Per in his past life.
but-
“Hey, Luden! What should I call you now! The Apostle of Justice? Or the Black-Haired Savior? Which one do you prefer?”
Oscar was still Oscar.
Why did the chatter go on like this? There wasn’t enough time to hear the blacksmith’s information from Selok.
“Okay, buddy. Let’s get this sorted out.”
Rubin and Oscar face each other in the forest. One with black hair and the other with blue hair. Behind each of them stands Roinecro Tina and the blue-feathered griffon Selok, making the composition strangely symmetrical.
“organize?”
“You put yourself in my shoes! If your life was turned upside down overnight, wouldn’t you need to sort things out? Of course, I admit that it was turned around for the better!”
Oscar raised his arm and started to clean up.
“I met my father again after running away. Thanks to whom? Thanks to my friends! I ended up living on the island of Americmana. As a bonus, I even received magical education there. Thanks to whom? Thanks to my friends! Following in the footsteps of the great wizard Glayton, whose name even shines, I learned that I was the ‘chosen great wizard.’ Thanks to whom? Thanks to my friends!”
“If you organize it, it seems like that’s what happens.”
“Luden, if you act so indifferently, what will become of me? How can I repay your kindness? The information that Selok promised to give me is not enough.”
Rubin laughed lightly. But the answer that came out of his mouth was by no means light.
“Oscar. You must become a Grand Wizard as soon as possible.”
“Great Wizard…? What are you talking about all of a sudden? You’re talking about reaching the 7th star as if you were telling me to go to the back mountain.”
“You can definitely do it.”
“Sudden praise? Hmm, I appreciate that. Anyway, let’s say that, but why?”
“Because soon you’ll have to fight on my side.”
“Fighting? With who?”
Instead of answering, Rubin just grinned. Then he gave an odd answer.
“I hope to reach the 7th star before I turn 20. By then, I will have become a 7th star warrior myself. Maybe even sooner.”
“You want me to reach the 7-star level within 7 years?”
“okay.”
I’m not saying you should dedicate your whole life to becoming a great wizard. There just isn’t enough time for that. For now, that’s probably a realistic goal.
“No, who on earth are you trying to fight? Please tell me!”
Oscar put both hands on my head in an exaggerated gesture. His face looked as if he was dying of curiosity.
Yet, it seemed as if he had never thought that he couldn’t do it. If you think about whether there had ever been a warrior or magician who had reached the 7th star before turning 20, it was an absurd request.
Oscar even seemed to be in awe. He probably believed in my talent. Looking at Oscar’s attitude now, it really seemed like it was a realistic possibility.
So Rubin was confident that Oscar could do it.
‘It’s almost 10 years ahead of schedule.’
I knew that it was a concept that went beyond easy or difficult. The idea of challenging the impossible seemed more plausible. However, in order to fight Telmah together, they had to be strong enough.
“You’re not telling me, are you? Phew, I see. Is this the first or second time?”
“Don’t be too disappointed.”
“Okay. You’re telling me to just die and practice magic in Americmana?”
“Chloe will help you too.”
“Thank you very much.”
Oscar pouts. Looking at him in disappointment, Rubin thinks that he can give him just a little hint. Yes, it would be okay to know just a little bit.
“The person you hate right now.”
“…what?”
“I owe that guy a little bit too.”
Who do I hate?
Oscar thought quietly.
The person who killed my mother and made my father and myself into fugitives. A person whose face I don’t even know, whose name I shouldn’t pronounce carelessly. A person came to mind.
“Huh, Emperor… Je?”
Unlike Rubin, Oscar did not know Telmah’s true power. If he knew that he had the power of a demigod, he would have thought that he was not good enough for a 7-star power.
However, the unique title of ‘Emperor’ gave off a considerable sense of intimidation. It naturally occurred to me that I would need to become a great wizard or a 7-star warrior to stand up to the Emperor.
“Oscar. While you’re in Americmana, you mustn’t let your plan be discovered.”
“Yes, of course it should be like that.”
In fact, the two magic students were literally ‘plotting treason’. Although the atmosphere was far from solemn or tragic.
“Well, let’s see after you become a 7-star. But let me tell you in advance that I won’t do something like Emperor even if you ask me to do it! I’m more attracted to the ‘chosen wizard’ side. Do you know what I mean?”
Rubin shrugged. He had no intention of doing that even if he had to throw a tantrum to get it done.
Rubin’s goal was not to reform the empire, but simply revenge. He didn’t even wonder what would happen to the world after his revenge was successful.
“Well, then, shall I unpack my baggage a bit? About the banquet you missed for some reason.”
As if that was the original intention, Oscar grabbed Rubin and rambled on about the banquet the previous day.
At first glance, it seemed like a tale of bravery. Naturally, he had no idea that somewhere in the midst of the banquet, Rubin was fighting for his life.
… after a long time.
“I’ll talk to Selok now. I have to go soon.”
“Oh, right. That was it.”
Oscar turned his head and gestured to Selok. Selok spread his blue feathered wings wide and then closed them and came toward him. Oscar stepped back for a moment so that the two could talk comfortably.
Selok moved his beak.
“I asked you, Roynecro, to give me an hour because I thought Oscar would have a lot to say. I guess it wasn’t enough.”
“Ten hours won’t be enough. By the way, it seems like you’ve already adapted.”
“Huh. That’s a funny joke.”
Soon, Cellok’s past story continued.
He said he had followed Roinekrow’s trail. Just as he had smelled Roinekrow on Rubin when they first met in the cave, Selok was sensitive to Roinekrow.
“I had a feeling that you were not ordinary since you even had a soul weapon… I guess you were an important young master in the clan?”
It seems that the presence of Damon and the Slaughter Squad was also detected.
“Hmm, ‘clan’. Based on the old days when you were active, that might be true. It’s much larger now, though.”
“That’s what it looked like. I was flying to catch up with you, because I felt the Roinecrows in other cities as well.”
Now it was time to get information. The blacksmith who would create a first-class magic stone detection tool and upgrade the ‘Rosenthaler’s Sword’ into a dagger. Rubin requested information about him.
“It’s going to be a bit complicated. Let’s go to the grasslands in the north… … .”
The information Selok provided was long and complex. It was not an easy journey.
It was a path to meet a hermit blacksmith who had been around for hundreds of years. It was obvious that it wouldn’t be easy, and even if it was more difficult, I could accept it.
“… You know that I didn’t see that blacksmith in person when I woke up this time, right? I can’t guarantee that he’s alive. But unless someone kills him, he’s probably alive, so look for him diligently.”
“Okay.”
Rubin once again memorized Cellok’s information in his head.
The problem was that they had to be found in the northern grasslands. That was the grasslands of the nomadic Tuhun tribe. They were rough people who lived with the wild. It could have been a headache.
‘Now that we have the information, we should focus on the funeral and the Emperor’s punishment.’
