Chapter 334

(334)

In the early days of his operations, Rudi had emphasized his role as the proxy of Duke Valenciaunos by riding in his black carriage; now that he’d established his own presence, he rode a custom-ordered green carriage.

Sayah Yan was well aware of the hidden devices within that carriage.

SCREECH!

A bone-chilling tearing sound came from outside the window, followed by the impact of a stout ballista bolt against the glass.

CLANG!

An ordinary window would have shattered, but the glass imbued with the “Fortification” spell by the Royal Magic Guild’s magicians merely developed a few cracks.

Sayah Yan glanced at the window, confident it would hold long enough for her to identify the enemies.

On rooftops to both sides, more than a dozen archers and ballista operators were lying in wait, and from the narrow alley between the storeroom buildings, dozens of thugs burst forth.

“Whoo-hoo!”

“First, let’s seize the horses!”

“Come out! You bastards!”

She calmly secured the door handles.

The door panels, crafted of an alloy as light as wood yet as hard as steel, refused to budge.

BANG! BANG!

Clubs and hatchets from the thugs repeatedly struck against the carriage.

“Why won’t this thing break?!”

Right as the exasperated shouts erupted, Sayah Yan leaped into the rear of the carriage.

Assassinations often involved a feint to distract and disrupt the guard while the real infiltration took place elsewhere—and Sayah Yan excelled at both.

“Step aside if you want to live, boys.”

Her technique extended beyond physical prowess; manipulating the voice to strike precisely where intended and naturally draw attention was another of her specialties.

The goons frowningly turned towards her.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Is that a man or a woman?”

“Eastern eunuchs are supposed to be missing that part, right?”

The thugs brandished their hatchets and clubs, grinning lewdly.

Unfazed, Sayah Yan strolled while slipping her hand into her vest, pretending not to notice the ballista operators lurking atop the roofs.

“You’ll know soon enough. I’ll cut it loose for you.”

With a flick of her wrist, she hurled her throwing dagger.

WHOOSH!

A sound like a slicing breeze cut through the air.

The long diamond-shaped throwing dagger with a loop at its end pierced effortlessly through the thug’s clothing, sinking deep until the loop was no longer visible.

Directly between his legs.

“AAAAARRRGGHHH!”

The thug emitted a dying pig-like scream and writhed on the ground as Sayah Yan simultaneously drew two daggers and leapt forward.

BANG!

At the very instant where she stood, a ballista bolt plunged into the spot.

THWACK!

She dashed towards the wooden storeroom on the street’s right side, hurling daggers at the thugs as she ran.

With the speed of a volley of arrows shot simultaneously by ten archers…

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Several of the goons were downed instantly. The ballista operators on top of the storeroom let out cries of astonishment.

BANG!

Sayah Yan leaped onto the roof of the wooden storeroom in a single bound.

“Too late.”

A ballista operator aimed at her with his loaded weapon.

The bone-crafted arrowhead gleamed menacingly.

“Yeah. Too late.”

Her voice resonated deep and low.

Shadow Step, Darkness Kick.

SWOOSH!

In the next moment, she already stood behind the ballista operator.

The technique of controlling her internal mana to its utmost, erasing her very presence, had been perfected.

“Wha-!”

SPLAT!

The moment the operator realized she had vanished right in front of him, his head already soared high above, separated from his body.

“Impossible!”

“GAAH!”

KRAK! KRAK! KRAK!

The ballista operators targeted her now instead of the carriage.

Sayah Yan, realizing there was one behind her and two in front, leaped backwards into a somersault.

BOOM!

Her silhouette spun gracefully in the air as three ballista bolts sliced through the void.

SNAP! And then THUD!

She had a dagger plunged into the chin of the operator directly behind her after grabbing his nape, swiftly ending his life.

BANG!

“There was only supposed to be one crazy maid!”

“I didn’t hear any story like this!”

Trembling hands frantically reloaded the remaining two operators.

Sayah Yan crouched low and charged straight.

Iron Weapon Useless.

TINK!

Two bolts ricocheted off with metallic clangs.

WHOOSH!

Another head flew high into the sky.

Exactly then, the last operator turned and bolted.

“Hyaaaah!”

But he fell to the ground before taking even three steps.

His clothes had hardened like stone, binding his body.

Shadow Binding, Darkness Grasp.

The technique that manipulates fibers to entangle the enemy.

“Because you were told to die, you know.”

PLUNK.

After ensuring the last operator’s death, Sayah Yan returned to the carriage.

“It took too long.”

Rudi had already incapacitated all the archers and bandits on the left warehouse and was attending to the injured horse with the coachman.

“I apologize.”

Her strength was not designed for frontal confrontation but for infiltration and surprise attacks, so it was understandable.

But Sayah Yan made no excuses.

“Great.”

Rudi smiled, clearly pleased.

“If there are any magic tools, let’s take them. The place we’re going to would like them.”

“Yes, your excellency.”

“I’ll also prepare for Sayah’s equipment. We’ll need to act even faster in the future.”

That was the correct response.

* * *

Rudi had arrived at the Valenciaunos Comprehensive Guild.

This massive facility, stationed between the Street of Learning, the Magic Street, and the Royal Magic Guild, symbolized the power of the Bandit Duke.

“Battle magic tool development, ancient research, mechanical knights and magic gun recruits—it’s all work that should only be done by the proper estate owner of that land, isn’t it?”

Sayah Yan had learned that Rudi’s talkative nature surfaced when the subject turned to Valenciaunos.

She also understood that his earlier statements were leading towards an anticipated response.

Thus, she carefully chose her words.

“But it also symbolizes something else.”

“What is it?”

Rudi raised an eyebrow, and Sayah Yan replied thoughtfully.

“Isn’t it the implication that His Imperial Majesty would not bat an eyelid even if thousands of mechanical knights were to arrive?”

Rudi laughed brightly.

“I like how smart you are.”

That, too, was the correct response.

Sayah Yan had learned that Emperor Valenciaunos’ twin possessed enough might to deserve the title of Holy Emperor.

‘He’s not human.’

Rudi smiled kindly and indicated them forward.

“Let’s go in. Last time you stayed in the carriage, so this’ll be your first time inside. It’s truly amazing in there.”

She followed Rudi into the comprehensive guild.

‘What in the world…’

The interior of the tower was literally another realm.

“Bring dragon scales and thunderbird feathers!”

“I spent a whole week sleepless deciphering this grimoire.”

“This is Ivory Tower data, this is Imperial Court data, this is church data. Compile it into one book.”

Every light on the ceiling was a magic tool, with curiously shaped biological or mineral fragments scattered everywhere, and somewhere an explosion could be heard.

The robed magicians adorned with tall hats raced down the corridors, some wearing mechanical prosthetic arms, legs, and eyes, while carts laden with peculiarly esoteric books and documents were wheeled around.

SQUEAL!

BANG! BANG!

Far in the distance, massive suits of armor over two meters tall were swinging great swords in a training ground, while soldiers armed with what appeared to be blunderbusses fired weapons resembling those of countesses. Meanwhile, witches on brooms and flying carpets repeatedly departed and returned from an ‘H’ marked space.

* * *

After climbing several flights of stairs, Rudi stopped in front of a laboratory.

The lab’s steel door was etched with silver circuits inscribed with the “Fortification” spell.

“Your Highness Sorelazie, may we enter?”

The door slid open shortly afterward.

Inside a spacious room, magic tomes that would drive any ordinary person mad at first sight lined the shelves.

A broad and substantial mahogany desk commanded the center, and three cats strolled around the room.

Sayah Yan noticed these cats had one, two, and three horns respectively.

Though deeply shocked, she remained silent.

From her observation over the past month, it seemed that Duke Valenciaunos and his inner circle wielded an influence that exceeded their designated roles within the empire.

After all, she’d seen reagents with valves connected to Valenciaunos’ horns and scales earlier, so a few horned cats were nothing unusual.

“Rudi, is that you?”

A figure slowly emerged from deep within the study.

Sayah Yan gasped upon seeing her.

“Sshhhh!”

If Valenciaunos was a raging inferno, this woman was the lightning that traversed the night sky.

A blue robe and wide-brimmed tall hat denoted the regal demeanor of a true mage, long flowing hair suggested an ethereal mystique disconnected from mundane life, and an elegant smile revealed her fundamental humanity.

Yet, her nature was most apparent in her eyes.

Despite their differing colors, her irises told the same story.

‘A person who lives in fleeting moments.’

It seemed she dwelled daily within that state of extreme focus where seconds stretched to infinity at the precise moment of an assassin’s strike.

“This is Sayah Yan. Introduce yourself.”

Sayah Yan bowed deeply.

“I am Sayah Yan. I aim to support Count Rudi’s activities in various ways.”

Sorelazie appeared pleased with this introduction.

Her blue eyes sparkled, and her pale lips curled upward in an expression of intrigue.

CHIME!

At that moment, Sayah Yan experienced a chill down her spine, as if her essence had been pierced.

‘What was that just-.’

“Rudi, you’ve found yourself a capable subordinate.”

“Heheh, all thanks to Valenciaunos.”

“Truly. Your modesty is remarkable. How can you keep diminishing yourself like this?”

“Because not everyone in the world possesses the same self-regard as Your Highness does.”

“Exactly. Where’s the fun in that?”

Rudi looked bewildered, while Sorelazie pinched her cheeks playfully.

‘For someone to toy with Count Rudi like that, her intelligence truly surpasses madness.’

Sayah Yan internally noted this with awe.

Sorelazie redirected her gaze to Sayah.

Meeting those multi-hued eyes, she felt her breath catch.

“Yan, why such a haircut? Wouldn’t you look better with long flowing hair?”

Her instincts whispered that this wasn’t merely about appearance.

‘The understanding of physical aberrations and the insights into the soul and matter, spirit and strength—are they reminiscent of the old monks back home?’

“……It’s been cut.”

“Such a pity. Have this then.”

Sorelazie extracted a blue magic potion from within her garments and offered it.

“……”

She had no idea what horrific concoction it might be.

It could even be an experimental potion with serious side effects.

But Sayah Yan knew full well that in this situation, she ought to gratefully consume whatever concoction they handed her, be it toilet water or soy sauce.

Still, she turned her face slightly as she drank it down in one gulp.

SHURR!

In an instant, the forgotten weight of her hair came back.

“Eh?”

Her confusion was enough to make her voice involuntarily escape.

Sayah’s hair rapidly grew until it reached down past her waist within seconds.

Sorelazie smiled satisfied.

“The hair growth potion seems successful. Your limbs might develop a bit of fur as a side effect for a few days, but it will soon subside.”

While gazing into a nearby large mirror, Sayah mumbled in a daze.

“Thank you…”

Rudi offered her two magic tools.

“This is the ‘Face Mirror’ and this is the Blink Dagger. They’re for spirit mask use and instant teleportation daggers, so use them wisely.”

Sorelazie withdrew yet another vial from her desk.

Inside the glass bottle, a metallic liquid swirled.

“This is called ‘Aquateg.’ Please take it. Oh, by the way, the ballista you brought, Marcus will soon modify it for wrist use.”

Sayah Yan’s eyes darted in confusion.

‘Why all the magic tools?’

Rudi smiled as if reading her thoughts.

“They’re likely to be useful to Sayah, right?”

“!”

“Lord Valenciaunos is not a corrupt noble. The empire has no time to intentionally torment its penal battalion members. Take and leave. Even I find it wasteful.”

The gentle countess turned assassin’s face red.

* * *

Sayah Yan received the Aquateg filled wrist guard, two Blink Daggers, and the Face Mirror.

Dressed in a black night outfit, she felt like she’d returned to her homeland.

Sorelazie presented her with a document.

“There’s a peculiar novice among the students. I wish to know their background.”

It was everyday business to her.

“Consider it done.”

Here was a chance to demonstrate her skills.

Showcasing her abilities would earn her trust, and such trust might lead to further opportunities.

And she possessed the ability to seize them when they came.

Even across the seas, this land still embraced the concept of “protection” and patronage.

“Tarti, I’ve good news for you.”

Annoying though it may be that everything depended on that blasted Bandit Duke’s mood…

Perhaps she could rise again in this new land.