Episode 41. The Winner’s Choice (3)
After Rubin’s decision to go to Capotini was revealed, others shook their heads, saying that the eldest son of the family was once again making an incomprehensible choice.
‘What a waste of talent.’
‘Tsk tsk, there’s a limit to how unpredictable it is.’
‘Did the Roinen family have an order? To raise their son more harshly?’
The dark thoughts of the heads of households who did not understand the decision spread. And it was Rubin who guessed it accurately.
‘You’ll think it’s a stupid decision. To them, I’ll just be a kid who’s just starting to blossom.’
On average, the age at which the children of the Assassin Swordsman begin to blossom is around the age of eleven. Most begin to feel the dark side that has taken root in their hearts around the age of eleven, and gradually begin to grow from there.
The age at which he leaves the mansion and begins full-fledged assassin training is set at eleven, so that he can aim for maximum results in operating his secret skills.
This is a very important time. At this time, you need to raise Amyeon delicately, like a newborn baby.
By the way, Capotini? Everyone was surprised.
‘Because it is a place where a giant mana stone, the polar opposite of darkness, is buried.’
Giant mana stone.
Places that can be called cities of wizards, like Capotini, are usually built on land filled with giant mana stones.
And the massive amount of mana it emits has a fatal negative effect on the growth of the dark smoke.
In order to freely move around the city of wizards, you had to have at least two stars of Darkness. Even that was difficult unless you were skilled enough. The dense mana constantly interfered with Darkness.
Even in the Imperial Order, only top-level assassins were given the task of eliminating targets in the wizard city.
‘Well, my mother and the other contestants might look at me a little differently.’
The other lords could not have guessed that Rubin’s fortune had already surpassed two stars. Common sense would have made it so.
But Siren was different.
The ‘Foggy Tree’ incident that occurred two years ago at Gilfield’s Arboretum. The person who solved it was Rubin.
It was because of that incident where the old tree in the fog was purified by pure darkness that we were able to guess Rubin’s realm.
It was a task that was entrusted to Rubin out of curiosity, but the fact that he was able to accomplish something like that meant that Rubin’s dark side was at least two stars or higher.
The same goes for Hamil, Blaine, and Kun, who had fought Rubin directly. They also knew firsthand that Rubin’s level far exceeded the imagination of the heads of the households.
But despite that, Rubin’s choice was reckless.
Why on earth?
What is there to gain from it?
“I’ll ask again, Rubin. This is a magical city where the Empire’s most prestigious magic school stretches out. Are you sure that’s okay?”
Rulfo confirmed Rubin’s intentions once again. It was the first time Rulfo’s seriousness, which had not been seen throughout the banquet, was revealed. The intoxication had long since disappeared. Rulfo stood up from his chair and even set his glass aside.
“Okay, I decided on Capotini.”
Rubin was unwavering.
Magic school? Giant mana stones? Hinderers of growth? These are all minor problems that can be dealt with.
But if you don’t go there, things will soon become unmanageable.
‘You have to go no matter what.’
In Rubin’s mind, only the image of one man remained.
Telmach is not. Revenge on him is the ultimate goal of the life gained through regression, but before that can be achieved, there are things that must be done first.
Rescue your comrades, obtain weapons, and reach new heights.
And this time.
‘Removing risk factors.’
Later, there was someone there who would become a fatal threat to the Assassins. That was why Rubin chose Capotini.
* * *
“Okay, let’s see.”
Rulfo marked the children’s choices with different colored markers on a large map of the empire.
He laughed heartily and raised his glass with alcohol in his mouth.
“I’m satisfied that we’re spreading out to various cities this year.”
Rubin, who chose the city of magicians, seemed like an oddball, but it didn’t matter to Rulfo. It didn’t matter whether Rubin became a mana addict and became a wreck, or whether he failed to blossom into a dark person.
The Imperial intelligence network around Capotini had been weakening in recent years, so this was a good thing for the Imperial Commission.
As an individual, Rulfo was also annoyed by Siren’s power, so he was delighted to see his son display such audacity.
“Okay, now you can enjoy yourself to your heart’s content.”
After that, the banquet continued until the noisy Rulfo fell asleep.
The Assassins, who were scheduled to disperse to their respective mansions as soon as the sun set, enjoyed the remaining time with light hearts.
And it was getting dark outside the window.
The banquet hall was now empty, with the head of the Imperial Guard having left, and only the Assassins were preparing to leave.
As Rubin was listening to Kuze’s chatter in a corner, Blaine Krieger approached him. He wanted to say goodbye.
“Master Rubin.”
“Blane.”
Rubin observed Blaine’s changed appearance.
After finishing the exam, in those few short days, Blane had become an assassin with a mastery of theft.
The cowering appearance disappeared, and instead, a soldier-like spirit was seen. As Rulfo said, the spirit was felt to the point where the burn scars looked like a medal of honor.
“I will look into what the master said in more detail.”
“What did I say?”
“Didn’t you give me advice in the dream world? There was a person who became the best at long-distance assassination by forming long, straight lines of dark smoke. I’m going to try that method too.”
“Do you mean you want to practice your long-range attack skills?”
Blane nodded with a look of determination on his face.
“yes.”
This determined look of Blane was the fighting stance she had always maintained during her life. It was the stance of an assassin who would hide for hours, kilometers away, to eliminate a single target.
Due to the changed future, she has suffered burn scars and lost self-esteem. However, having overcome her fears, she will be able to grow much higher than in her previous life.
Rubin smiled faintly.
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“Sorry for eavesdropping. So it sounds like you’re going to try using a bow. Is that right?”
It was Hamilton who approached me and asked this question.
Hamil made a playful and friendly gesture of drawing the bowstring in front of Blane. It was a lively and friendly gesture, but Blane only nodded briefly.
“Well then, that’s it. I’ll be going.”
Blane left first, leaving a dry greeting. Soon, the sound of Blane and the Krieger family’s carriage leaving the banquet hall could be heard.
“Master Rubin, I have a question… … .”
As Hamil was about to ask Rubin, Kuhn came between them. Kuhn cut Hamil off and called Rubin.
“Rubin.”
After the exam, Kun didn’t say a word to Rubin, let alone argue with him. The defeat he had suffered in the dream world had left such an impact.
‘It’s okay. It won’t be long before that cruel and arrogant personality returns.’
The expectation was wrong. Kun spoke softly, with a serious attitude I had never seen before.
“I didn’t know you’d choose Capotini. Are you planning on learning magic?”
“So you want to defeat pirates and gain the favor of the empire?”
“If I could become stronger, of course I would. Rubin, I will become stronger. Much stronger than I am now.”
Rubin nodded at her persistent words. However, you must be careful not to block my path.
Rubin decided to keep an eye on Kun, placing him in a gray zone, neither friend nor foe.
“I will repay you for this humiliating defeat next time. Definitely.”
Then Hamilton’s playful laughter broke in again.
“Pfft! Do you like it? It’s because I feel bad for you when you behave so well. But, before that, you have to beat me first, right?”
“…Tease me as much as you can while you can. I will definitely repay you for the humiliation you have caused me just now. After I have cut off my bones, I will carve those ridiculous words you just said into them.”
“Yeah. It’s Kun who has to say such vulgar things. Of course, that’s true.”
Kuhn did not respond.
With that, Kun turned around as if to say goodbye and left the banquet hall. Soon, the sound of the Croquis family’s carriage pulling away was heard.
As if he had been waiting for them to be left alone, Hamil leaned toward Rubin and whispered.
“Your Majesty. What on earth were you thinking when you chose Capotini? Yes?”
Hamil knew that he would not be able to find out Rubin’s hidden intentions even if he kept questioning him. As expected, Rubin’s answer was completely different.
“Leureta is a dangerous place, Hamil.”
“The more dangerous it is, the faster you will grow. You too, Master, are going to the middle of the wizards. I too will climb up the steps one by one while defeating monsters.”
Yeah. Go up, Hamilton.
Hamil from her previous life, who had been broken too early. If she had not died and remained a member of the Assassin’s Blade, she would have certainly caused trouble for the Imperial Army.
Maybe, just a little bit, I could change the future.
“Okay, take this.”
Rubin handed Hamil a small box. Inside was a rock and a piece of paper with some kind of recipe written on it.
“Isn’t this the ‘Frozen Stone’?”
Frozen Stone was a stone used as a main ingredient in various potions. It could be made artificially or obtained naturally.
“Make the potion according to the recipe and drink it.”
“Is it a potion?”
“You’ll need it in Leureta. It’ll help you grow too.”
Of course, the last words were improvised. Hamilton stared at him, as if he felt something was suspicious.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t poison you.”
“No, what. That’s not what I meant… …!”
The recipe Rubin gave was a recipe for a potion that would be released to the world 10 years later. An elixir that would increase overall resistance to poison.
Poison was Hamill’s weakness. And it was what took her life before her return.
‘This time it’ll be different.’
This frozen stone was something that Rubin had asked for from Gilfield and Pyunick, and it was located in the upper part of the misty tree, in the moss.
In other words, it is a frozen stone that was raised by toxic fog. Since it was raised directly by the misty tree, its effect is bound to be even more special for those who possess darkness.
“Why would I doubt you, Master? I just… … .”
Rubin silently patted Hamil’s shoulder as he blushed in embarrassment. There was faith in him that Hamil would eventually follow Rubin’s words, even though it might not be appealing at the moment.
“Thank you, Hamilton. See you next time.”
“… Thank you, Young Master!”
Hamil smiled brightly as she received the gift. Roynenser Trikang approached her.
“Mr. Hamilton, it’s time to leave.”
“Mr. Rubin, we must leave now.”
Kuze had finally arrived. Now it was time for them all to move on to the next step.
Rubin followed Kuze, and Hamil followed Trikang.
They each boarded the carriage that had been prepared, and before leaving, they exchanged brief greetings wishing each other good luck.
Rattle rattle.
So the carriages set off for their respective destinations.
Inside the slowly moving carriage, Rubin closed his eyes and took stock of what he had learned from this test.
He brought Blane back to the path of the strong and showed Hamil how to escape death.
You have obtained the one and only best Roinekrow in this world, and you have obtained Kuze, the creator of the original dark smoke technique.
In addition, the third ring contains the manifestation of aura.
An aura that first appeared in the dream world. Since it has its roots in the Brion sword, it should be called the Brion aura.
The journey to Capotini, on the western side of the continent, would take quite some time. If you start from the Roinen Mansion, it would probably take about four weeks.
‘About a month.’
It was enough time to hone my skills.