Interlude 3: The First Princess and the Assassin
Several years ago, a carriage came to a halt in front of the manor belonging to the Margrave of Grace, a territory neighboring the Ardren lands.
The carriage was a masterpiece of opulence, surrounded by a tight formation of elite knights. One didn’t need a vivid imagination to realize a person of high standing was inside, but any lingering doubt was erased by the prominent flag fluttering in the wind.
It was the Imperial Standard. It bore the image of a dragon—known as the world’s strongest living creature—boldly proclaiming that the owner of this carriage belonged to the clan of conquerors who ruled the world. In this nation, only one family was permitted such a display.
“We have been expecting you, Your Imperial Highness.”
“It’s been a while, Margrave Grace. I’ve come for the inspection, just as scheduled.”
“We are profoundly honored that you would travel so far to such a remote region.”
“Yes, yes. Save the flattery and show me inside. I’m exhausted from the long journey.”
“As you wish. This way, please.”
Under the Margrave’s guidance, the First Princess vanished into the depths of the massive manor. The knights of Grace, who had been holding their breath since Elina first appeared, let out a collective, heavy sigh of relief.
“Wh-what incredible beauty… So that is the blood of Astoria…”
“The name ‘Princess of Beauty’ isn’t just for show. Hey, I get how you feel, but focus on the perimeter. The current members of the Imperial Family are especially high-profile targets.”
She—First Princess Elina Astoria—was a woman of immeasurable value.
The current Empress had only two children. One was the First Prince, slated to become the Crown Prince. The other was her.
By tradition, princes and princesses who waived their succession rights or dropped out of the race held a sacred duty: to marry into the Empire’s prominent noble houses or the royal families of allied nations to further solidify the Imperial Family’s standing. In this generation, Elina was the only one who could fulfill that role.
The Empress could not afford to misstep with her daughter’s future, and Elina was well aware of this. Sending her to the frontier was a significant decision. If she were to be lost to monsters or bandits along the way, it would be a catastrophic blow to the Empire. Yet, even with those risks, the Grace Margravate was a territory so vital that Elina’s presence was deemed necessary.
‘The Empire’s Granary,’ as they called it. Now, it was clear why Ryuu had been so attentive to this region in the past.
As a side note, the Empress’s consort had already passed away, and rumors whispered through the streets that there would be no more princes or princesses. That was how deeply the Empress had loved her late husband.
Starting tomorrow, a week-long inspection of the Margravate by the Imperial Family would begin.
At the same time, in the Monster Forest that stretched into the Ardren territory. Inside a certain cave, a suspicious group was lurking.
A man who appeared to be the boss sat on a wooden chair, grumpily puffing on a cigar.
“Where the hell is he? Dylan should have been back by now…”
From the entrance, a man with the unmistakable air of an assassin appeared. This was Dylan. He walked with a sluggish, lethargic gait.
“You called for me, Boss?”
“You’re late. You’ve got a lot of nerve making me wait, you low-level grunt.”
“Ah—sorry about that. I’ll run next time, I swear.”
Despite Dylan having brains and combat prowess that were leagues ahead of the rest, the boss’s obsession with seniority meant he was treated like a bottom-tier lackey. Forced to work twice as hard as anyone else for a pittance, his motivation was non-existent. Still, a job was a job, and it paid better than most honest work, so he dragged himself through the daily grind.
Even in this current operation, Dylan was the one doing all the heavy lifting.
“Well? What’s the status of the plan? Keep it brief.”
“Well, I finished sowing all the seeds before the Imperial carriage arrived, so things are moving along well enough, I guess. Though, those Imperial Knights are pretty sharp. I’d say the success rate is fifty-fifty at best.”
(You should know this already. Calling me here when I’m the busiest person in the room…)
“Isn’t it your job to raise those odds?”
“Ah, well, yeah. I guess. I’ll… do my best.”
“Hmph. See that you do. If this plan succeeds, our organization’s reputation will skyrocket, and we’ll start getting contracts with even higher bounties. You understand that, don’t you?”
“I get it. But that just means we’ll have more dangerous work, right? With the current roster, I think that might be a bit of a stretch…”
(I’m not doing even scarier jobs for the same pay. And what’s more dangerous than this? Assassinating royalty or the Empress herself? No way in hell. What is this moron thinking?)
“You’ve developed quite the mouth lately, Dylan.”
“Sorry. I got a bit ahead of myself. I’ll get back to work.”
Dylan let out an internal sigh and turned to head back to the entrance, but then he paused, scratched his head awkwardly, and turned back.
“Um, Boss. This might be bad timing, but shouldn't we just pass on this request? We’re a bottom-tier organization from the Holy Kingdom, and we’re going up against the Imperial Knights—the Empire’s greatest military force. The odds aren’t just bad; they’re suicidal. Even if we succeed, I don’t know if we’ll make it back across the border alive. The Holy Kingdom’s top brass are probably just treating us like a gamble. Even if we make it back, they’ll probably stiff us on the reward and have us killed in the dark anyway…”
“Stop whining about useless crap! Get out of here, you brat!”
The boss hurled his cigar at Dylan’s face. Dylan dodged it effortlessly and vanished from the spot in an instant—a true assassin’s exit.
Haaaaah. Once this job is over, maybe I should just quit this outfit…
With heavy steps, Dylan headed toward the Grace Margravate.
The news that the First Princess had traveled all the way to the neighboring Margravate naturally reached Ryuu’s ears.
Since there was a non-zero chance that the Princess might suddenly decide to visit the Ardren territory on a whim, Ryuu had given specific instructions to the servants. In the absolute worst-case scenario, they were to be ready to slip a sleeping draught to their alcoholic lord at a moment’s notice. If that happened, they would claim the Baron was bedridden with a contagious fever, allowing Ryuu, as the heir, to handle the diplomatic duties as his proxy.
“For the Empress, even sending her only daughter to the Grace Margravate is a huge risk. I’m sure she’s warned the Princess not to set foot in a shithole like Ardren, but we can’t be too careful.”
Sebas couldn't help but offer a wry smile at Ryuu’s self-deprecating comment.
“Lord Ryuu. ‘Shithole’ is a bit much. Please, at least call it a 'backwater'.”
“If they’re touring the Margravate by carriage, it’ll probably take about a week. I hope nothing happens in the meantime… but let’s stay sharp. Also, send two or three people to the Margravate’s capital. I want real-time updates.”
“Understood. I shall select servants who specialize in intelligence gathering.”
“I’m counting on you. Speaking of which, I’d like to have a proper intelligence unit for Ardren in the future. Nobility feuds aren’t exactly forbidden in this country, after all.”
“I agree. Once Lady Airisu is fully recovered, perhaps we should see to that as well.”
In this era, the difference between a noble family with its own information network and one without was overwhelming. Ardren, having been largely disconnected from war, had never prioritized an intelligence department. They were paying the price for that negligence now.
Still, if Ryuu could form a squad to his own liking, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The next day, the First Princess began her inspection. While the Margrave of Grace accompanied her on the first day, she would be on her own from the second day onward. Of course, she was protected by a combined force of the Imperial Knights and the Knights of Grace, ensuring an airtight security detail.
“Today, I shall show you our pride and joy: the golden wheat fields of our territory.”
The fields stretched across the southwest side of the Margravate—the side bordering the Ardren territory.
Two carriages passed through the gates of the capital city and headed straight for the fields, cruising leisurely down a highway that split the sea of grain in two. A gentle breeze swayed the stalks, creating ripples that looked exactly like a golden ocean.
From a distance, it looked as though they were traveling down a path carved through the sea, much like the legend of Moses.
As they stepped out of the carriage, the faint, sweet scent of grain drifted past their noses. The scenery only served to enhance the First Princess’s beauty.
“So this is the greatest wheat field in the Empire… no, in the entire continent…”
“Yes. These fields are the Grace Margravate. Currently, we only export to the Empire, but once the global situation stabilizes, I hope to spread Grace-grown wheat across the entire continent.”
(She really is breathtaking. Truly the blood of Astoria. She is the pride of our nation.)
Margrave Grace was utterly captivated by Elina. Meanwhile, Elina’s gaze drifted past the Margrave and toward the checkpoint in the distance.
“Which noble’s land is on the other side of that checkpoint?”
“The Barony of Ardren, Your Highness.”
“Ah, Baron Ardren’s land…”
(That’s the backwater Mother told me to stay away from. I didn't realize it was this close.)
“Does it pique your interest? I can tell you what I know of it.”
“This will likely be the last time in my life I’m this close to Ardren, so please, do tell. I am a member of the Imperial Family; it won't hurt to know.”
“As you wish. The current Lord of Ardren is Gray. He is, quite frankly, the worst head in the history of the Ardren family. After his marriage, his wife managed the territory in his stead, but I hear that two or three years ago, she fell ill.”
“I see. Then Ardren might be finished. A pity.”
“Actually, that is the strange part. In the years since the Baroness fell ill, Ardren’s economy has somehow been steadily recovering.”
“Wait, what? Are you saying that ‘worst head’ turned out to be a hidden genius?”
“No, far from it. He is reportedly still drowning himself in wine and women… It is currently unknown who is actually running the estate. My guess is that the talented servants trained by the Baroness are managing things in her place.”
“So the servants are keeping Ardren’s head above water. Though I’m sure the Baroness is still offering advice from her sickbed.”
“Indeed… Honestly, as the Lord of Grace, it is somewhat disappointing.”
“I suppose so. From your perspective, you’d rather buy up the whole territory, clear the forests, and expand your wheat fields. In fact, for the nation, that would probably be the optimal solution.”
“There is no guarantee Ardren’s prosperity will last. We intend to wait quietly for their decline. Eventually, under the guise of offering a helping hand, we plan to propose a buyout of the Barony.”
In that scenario, Baron Ardren’s debts would be erased, but they would lose their land. According to Imperial Law, a noble who loses their territory is stripped of their title. The entire Ardren family would have to start over as commoners.
“Hmph. Well, as long as you avoid open conflict, I don’t care what you do.”
Under Imperial Law, feuds between noble houses were not prohibited.
“Hahaha! Rest assured. I have no intention of engaging in such brutish bullying. This territory is, after all, the Empire’s Granary.”
The Margrave’s confident stance was that of a true titan. The Astoria Empire was a terrifying place, filled with great noble houses that could likely topple a small nation on their own.
“Where are you taking me next?”
“I shall show you the grain fields stretching across the southeast of the Grace territory.”
The Princess and the Margrave boarded their respective carriages and set off toward the east.
Meanwhile, on a wooded road located on the western side of the Margravate.
“Hey, Dylan. Is the Princess’s party really coming this way?”
“They’ll definitely pass through here, so don’t worry. I don’t know exactly which day, though, so we might be waiting until the very end of their trip…”
Supplying water consistently to a farm the size of the Grace Margravate—one of the largest on the continent—was a monumental task. To achieve this, a massive magical facility existed on the western side of the territory.
Dylan couldn't imagine a tour that didn't include a visit to such a facility, so he had decided to lie in wait along the road leading from the capital to the water works.
“Yaaaawn. Wake me up when you see the target carriage, Dylan.”
“Could you at least try to act like you care? Our opponents are the Imperial Knights.”
“Tch, shut up. It’s not like we’re fighting them head-on, right? You’re just a grunt, so keep your mouth shut. I’m sleeping.”
Nobody listened to a low-level guy like Dylan. In fact, seeing one person start to nap, the rest of the members started snoring as well. They had no idea how terrifying the Imperial Knights—the ancestral protectors of Astoria—truly were.
(Well, more than half of these guys are going to die in this operation anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter.)
This was one of the reasons he had urged the boss to cancel the mission. The boss, blinded by the gold, had forced the operation forward. No one except Dylan knew the truth of what they were getting into; naturally, they all expected to make it home alive.
It felt ridiculous to even worry about them, given how poorly Dylan had been treated lately.
…And yet, somewhere in his heart, a faint sense of guilt remained. His attempt to talk the boss out of it was proof enough of that.
Sigh… What am I even doing?
Dylan let out a small sigh and leaned his back against the trunk of a tree.
On the second day, the Princess’s party toured the commercial facilities of the major cities.
When it came to agricultural products, the Margravate was unrivaled. It went without saying that the size of their merchant companies and guilds was staggering. The Adventurers’ Guild was also bustling, as they were responsible for protecting the fields from herbivorous monsters and guarding the transport of harvests. Furthermore, there was an abundance of eateries serving bread, noodles, and sweets made from their wheat.
For the Princess, who had a notorious sweet tooth, it was likely anything but boring.
The inspection quickly entered its third day. As scheduled, there was only one carriage today. The Princess, accompanied by the elite of the Imperial Knights and the Knights of Grace, departed from the main gate of the capital. The extravagant carriage, the powerful knights, and the massive warhorses were a sight to behold.
Normally, no one would even dream of attacking them. Normally.
Elina pulled the carriage curtain aside slightly to look at the scenery.
“It really is a wonderful view. The frontier isn’t half bad.”
(I hated the idea of this inspection at first, but now I’m glad I came.)
“I don’t want to go back. Even if I return to the capital, I’ll just have to listen to noble sons bragging and noble daughters who call themselves my ‘friends’ boasting endlessly…”
Building relationships with the upper class was part of a princess’s job. Meetings with promising sons of great noble houses, tea parties with ladies who wanted to get close to the Imperial Family—she had been doing this since she was a child.
Perhaps the Empress had ordered this inspection as a way to give her a break.
(Ah, I see the woods. If we pass through there, we’ll reach the state-of-the-art water supply facility that supports all of Grace’s agriculture. I’m actually looking forward to it.)
Feeling the tranquil breeze unique to farmland, the Princess’s carriage entered the woods.
Dylan was pointing his binoculars toward the east, in the direction of the capital.
(Man, I’m tired. Why won't anyone else take a turn on watch?)
He glanced to the side and saw his comrades chatting idly.
(Sigh… how many times a day do I have to sigh?)
He raised his binoculars again—and then.
“An expensive-looking carriage, a ton of escort knights, and the Imperial Standard with the dragon… That’s it. That’s the Princess’s carriage. Hey, everyone! The target is here!”
“The Princess is here! Get to your positions!”
“W-wait a sec, I’m still eating my lunch…”
“Drop it! The carriage isn't going to wait for you!”
At Dylan’s shout, everyone scrambled to their positions.
The Princess’s party, oblivious to the danger, traveled down the road as usual. It had been a little over a month since the Imperial Knights had begun this escort mission, and it was exactly the time when one’s guard might start to slip. While unacceptable for a knight, both they and the Grace elites likely believed in their hearts that no one would be foolish enough to attack them.
Unfortunately, there were fools who would dare. And of all people, they were an organization from the Eldorado Empire—the Astoria Empire’s rival superpower.
As the carriage reached the middle of the woods, it happened.
The massive trees lining both sides of the road came crashing down toward the highway.
With an impact that sent the carriage bouncing, the party was split from their vanguard and rearguard. Some knights were crushed under the falling timber. The Princess’s immediate escort was reduced to just a few Imperial Knights riding alongside the carriage.
“Wh-what happened?! Is this an ambush?!”
Inside the sudden halt, Elina panicked. But she couldn't step outside.
Smoke bombs were thrown in from somewhere, obscuring the area. A suspicious group emerged from the woods, moving along the fallen trees to approach the carriage. The Imperial Knights finally grasped the situation.
(They’re using the trees to wall us off from the rest of the unit!)
There were currently only six Imperial Knights near the carriage. In contrast, the enemy group numbered about forty. The smoke made visibility poor, making it incredibly difficult to fight. Still, they had no choice but to use their own bodies as shields to protect the Princess inside.
“Your Highness, do not come out! We will protect you with our lives!”
However, the enemy had momentum.
“Wooooooooh!”
“Push through with numbers!”
The Imperial Knights grit their teeth.
(Damn it, they’re only at the level of common soldiers individually, but there are too many of them! If only we had clear vision and enough space to swing our swords!)
At that moment, a black shadow darted between the knights with blinding speed.
“Yeah, yeah. Nice try with the escort, but we’re taking the Princess now~”
“Damn it! A professional?!”
It was Dylan. He forced open the carriage door, pressed a cloth over the Princess’s mouth to knock her out, slammed a flashbang onto the ground, and vanished into the blinding light.
The rest of the organization vanished into the woods simultaneously, mounting pre-positioned horses.
“The Princess has been kidnapped! Anyone with a horse, give chase!”
“Alright, I’m counting on you guys to draw them off.”
“Leave it to us! Just make sure you get the Princess back to the cave, okay? If you mess up, I’ll kill you.”
The bandits split into two groups. Dylan, carrying the Princess, raced toward Ardren, while the others slowed down slightly to ensure the knights spotted them before bolting toward the neighboring Manester Barony to the west. Naturally, the knights pursued the decoy group, heading west.
(So far, so good. The question is whether those idiots can actually get away.)
Dylan looked at the profile of the soundly sleeping Princess.
(She’s every bit the beauty they say. I can’t leave her to the boss. I’ll keep an eye on her myself for a bit.)
A few hours later, Dylan arrived back at the Ardren base with the Princess slung over his right shoulder.
“Boss, mission accomplished. I’ve secured the Princess. She’s out cold for now.”
“Ooh! Just as expected! Where are the others?”
“They won’t be back for a while. They’re supposed to shake the tail and then return without being seen. If they managed to outrun the Imperial and Grace elites, they might be back by tomorrow morning…”
“They’ll make it back. And if they don't, we can just replenish our numbers back in the Holy Kingdom.”
After that cold-blooded comment, the boss looked at the sleeping Princess’s face.
“She really is something… A face that exceeds the rumors. And her body is well-developed for her age. Hey, Dylan. Bring her to my room tonight. I’ll give her some ‘education.’ Hehehe…”
“Can’t do that, Boss. The top brass told us to bring her back in pristine condition, didn't they?”
“Shut up! As long as she’s alive, it doesn't matter! This beautiful Princess is destined for a filthy dungeon anyway. A little taste won’t hurt anyone.”
“If you get caught, we won’t get any more work. We’re finally about to pull this off. Besides, His Holiness back in the Holy Kingdom is notoriously disgusted by that kind of thing. You really shouldn't do anything stupid.”
“Tch… You’ve gotten arrogant! Since when did you become so high and mighty?!”
The boss struck Dylan hard across the cheek. But there was no reaction. Dylan acted as though nothing had happened and spoke immediately.
“Now, now, calm down. I’m saying this for the sake of the organization—and you. Just give up on this one. We can buy some foreign hookers on the way back. It’ll be way more worth your while.”
“Hmph… You’re fired when we get back. I’ll have the whole crew beat the hell out of you as a send-off, so be ready.”
The boss spat out the threat as if it were a joke. But the man he was threatening didn't seem bothered at all.
“Hahaha. I look forward to it.”
The boss, fuming, retreated into the back of the cave.
Haaaaah. You’re supposed to be the boss; control your urges, you moron.
Dylan then set the Princess down in the prisoner’s room and sat down nearby.
(He… protected me, didn't he?)
The Princess was actually awake and had heard the entire exchange.
(What do I do now? Am I really going to be taken to the Holy Kingdom…?)
Driven by anxiety and a sense of crisis, the Princess closed her eyes again to think of a way out.
Around noon the next day, the battered survivors returned. Only about a third of them were left. Some had been taken out by the Imperial Knights in the initial clash, and others had been lanced in the back during the pursuit. It was a miracle they weren't wiped out entirely.
“B-Boss… we managed to get away…”
“Good work. Have Dylan patch you up. We leave tomorrow.”
“What… T-tomorrow…? Boss, that’s a bit much…”
“Huh? You got a problem with my orders?!”
“N-no! Tomorrow it is!”
Dylan treated his injured comrades. This, too, was a grunt’s job.
(There’s no way we can take on even more dangerous jobs. Are we going to lose two-thirds of our people every time and just replace them?)
Some were beyond his help. It was a shame, but they would likely be left behind. Even though he disliked his superiors, Dylan felt a twinge of pity.
◇ ◇ ◇
“Hey, Axel. We’re going to the forest to play again today~”
“Neeigh.”
Ryuu headed into the woods with Axel to forage for the day. Usually, it took several hours on foot to reach the deep forest, but on Axel, it took less than thirty minutes.
Monsters grew quickly. Axel, who had been smaller than a warhorse not long ago, was now larger than one.
One reason was that everyone at the manor adored him and fed him constantly. Since Senrimas were omnivores, he ate more than just plants—meat, bread, even sweets were all fair game.
As a result, Axel’s palate had been thoroughly corrupted by human culinary culture; he wouldn't even touch raw meat anymore. Wild grass was his staple, so that wasn't a problem. He even helped with weeding the garden, which made him a favorite among the servants.
Ryuu and Axel were strolling through the forest as usual. Having registered him as a familiar, they could share basic thoughts. Even without words, they could roughly understand each other. Furthermore, as if connected by an invisible thread, they could sense each other’s location within a certain distance.
The familiar contract was more convenient than Ryuu had ever imagined, and he was thoroughly satisfied.
Ryuu scanned the surroundings while mounted on Axel.
(Something feels… different today.)
Agreement flashed from Axel’s mind.
(So it’s not just my imagination. …Hm? I hear fighting over there. Let’s check it out. I am technically the lord around here, after all.)
He urged Axel toward the sound and peered out from behind a large tree.
“I thought it might be Fyodor and the others, but I guess not.”
In front of an unfamiliar cave, a skilled warrior was fighting off several orcs.
(Judging by his gear and style, he’s an assassin from some organization.)
The orcs sprayed blood and collapsed onto their backs with heavy thuds. The man let out a sigh.
“Did they catch the scent of the wounded? Don't come bothering me when I’m this busy…”
The man, who appeared to be the assassin, scratched his head sluggishly and disappeared into the cave.
“Building a base in a forest cave without the lord’s permission… you’ve got guts. Let’s go teach them a lesson, Axel.”
Axel nodded firmly, and the two approached the cave. Suddenly, a roar came from inside.
“Hey! Pack the bags already! I said we’re leaving today!! You hear me?!”
“S-sorry! We’re doing our best!”
(They’re making wounded people pack bags? He’s just like my idiot father. To put it mildly, he should just die.)
“I’ll go in alone from here. Axel, if any idiot tries to escape, kick them into the stratosphere. I’m counting on you, partner.”
“Snort.”
Ryuu drew Kurikara and entered the cave.
(It’s surprisingly spacious inside. I didn't know Ardren had a cave like this… I should tell the village head later. It’d make a great shelter for hunters.)
Since there were no signs of long-term living on the floors or walls, they had likely arrived recently.
(Given the timing, maybe it’s a foreign organization trying to kidnap the Princess. Nah, that’s impossible.)
Information about the kidnapping was being suppressed by the Margrave, so it hadn't leaked out yet. Ryuu was still in the dark.
As he moved deeper into the dark cave, light became visible. There, he saw the injured men frantically packing, the man from before carrying a woman on his back, and a large, intimidating man who seemed to be the leader. They looked about twenty minutes away from departure.
By now, they had noticed Ryuu’s presence.
“Hah?! Who the hell are you?! Get lost or I’ll kill you!”
“The ones getting killed are you lot. You’ve got a lot of nerve squatting in this cave.”
“…! …!”
The girl on the assassin’s back looked up and tried to shout something, but she was gagged, and her words didn't come through. However, she was lucky. The person she was seeking help from happened to be Ryuu.
(Long pink hair, incredibly refined features. About my age. Probably…)
“…So you really are First Princess Elina Astoria. I’ll get you out of this.”
“Hey, Dylan. Kill this kid instantly.”
The man named Dylan set the Princess down and drew a dagger.
“He’s as tall as an adult, but with that baby face, he’s probably only in his early teens. Sorry, kid, but you’re dead. I’m in a hurry.”
Dylan closed the distance with invisible speed, aiming to slit Ryuu’s throat with the tip of his blade… but.
“You’re fast. Faster than an arrow from a hunter. But your power is lacking.”
Ryuu caught the strike on the blade of Kurikara. Sparks flew in the resulting clash, but Ryuu found the contest of strength underwhelming. He had enough leeway to calmly analyze his opponent’s skill.
“…It’s been a while since someone actually blocked my attack. You’ve got good eyes, kid.”
“Thanks. You’re a pretty good assassin yourself. Dylan, was it?”
The next instant, Dylan unleashed a spinning back kick. His heels were fitted with blades, multiplying their lethality. However, Ryuu caught the leg with one hand and threw him back with brute force.
“Ugh…!”
Dylan bounced off the ground and landed right in front of the boss.
“What are you doing, Dylan! Kill him already, you useless hack!!”
Ignoring the boss’s roar, Dylan charged again. His eyes were no longer lethargic; they were the blood-drenched eyes of a true assassin. This was the real Dylan.
(His eyes changed. I guess the real fight starts now. …Interesting.)
Ryuu also kicked off the ground, and the two clashed in the middle of the cave.
The high-pitched ring of metal echoed as sparks flew again and again.
To the Princess’s eyes, only their afterimages were visible. Elina watched, stunned.
(I thought the Imperial Knights were the strongest in the world, but these two are on a different level entirely…)
This was Ryuu’s first fight against an assassin since the incident at the villa. His first battle against a professional killer in a long time.
There was no way he wouldn't enjoy it.
(An assassin’s specific, efficient techniques aimed at vital points. This is fun.)
(Strong. Too strong. No openings. His center of gravity is rock solid. He’s faster and stronger than me. But this isn't the sword of a genius. It’s a sword of effort, of someone who has overcome something. And at this age? It’s more than just terrifying. What the hell does this kid fight on a daily basis? His eyes are full of wisdom. He must be incredibly bright. Given how relaxed he is, the sword isn't his only weapon. Is he holding back? Is he playing with me like a toy? …I love it.)
Dylan was completely captivated by Ryuu. He let his lips curl into a grin.
“Haha… I’m no match for you…”
“What, giving up already? I’m not satisfied yet.”
“‘Satisfied’? So you were playing with me…”
Dylan intentionally forced a lock and whispered.
“Hey, uh… you wouldn't happen to be in need of an assassin, would you? I’m actually scheduled to be fired after this, and I’m currently looking for a new job.”
It was a sales pitch that would only work on the son of a noble or a wealthy merchant, but Dylan felt a strange conviction. The boy before him was no ordinary person.
“What a coincidence. I actually was in the market for an intelligence agent. …But unfortunately, I can’t trust you. Especially a foreign assassin trying to kidnap the Princess.”
“Yeah, I figured. I’d be shocked if you just said yes. Long story short, how can I earn your trust? I’m serious about this, so just say the word.”
“Bring the Princess over there to me. We’ll talk after that.”
“Got it. In that case, blast me back toward the boss.”
Ryuu used his strength to shove Dylan back. Dylan flew over the boss’s head and rolled, intentionally kicking up a cloud of dust. In the confusion, he scooped up the Princess and sprinted back to Ryuu.
The boss was dumbfounded.
“Wh-what the hell are you doing…?! Did you betray me?! Dylan!!”
Dylan ignored him.
“I’ve brought the Princess. What now?”
“Let’s kill the lot of them. Can you handle the boss? If you do that, I’ll trust you completely.”
“Understood. But are you sure? Normally, you’d capture them for interrogation.”
“The Princess hasn't seen my face yet, so I plan to just handle this quietly. It’s better for you too, right?”
If it became public that the eldest son of the Ardren family had made a subordinate out of a foreign enemy who kidnapped the Princess, it would cause all sorts of problems. Considering the future, it was better to wipe them out now and quietly return the Princess to the Grace Margravate. It was a win-win.
“I hate complications. …I’d rather not be involved in this incident at all.”
“Ah, I get it. The reason I became an assassin was because I didn't want to stand out, after all.”
The First Princess, lying tied up on the ground, was in a state of total confusion.
(What is happening?! Did that ‘kind’ assassin just change sides? And what are those two whispering about so casually?)
“Alright, let’s wrap this up. Go, Dylan.”
Dylan appeared in front of the boss as if he had teleported.
“Wait, just a sec—”
The boss’s head was severed from his torso, rolling across the cave floor.
(That felt good. I’m glad I switched sides. Oh, wait, what about the rest of them?)
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a purple wolf sprinted past Dylan.
“…Huh? A monster in a place like this?”
The wolf slammed into the remaining members who were finally scrambling for their weapons, incinerating them instantly.
“Gyaaaaaaaa!”
As the death screams rang out, the smell of charred meat filled Dylan’s nostrils.
“…So you can use magic. As expected of my master.”
“Yeah. Magic theory is just too interesting. You want to try?”
“I’ll… pass, thanks.”
While Dylan was impressed, Elina was horrified.
(At that age, he can use magic that powerful?! And it’s lightning magic, which is supposed to be the hardest element to master! Who on earth is he?!)
“…………!!”
“Ah, Dylan. The Princess seems quite excited. Proceed as planned.”
“Got it. Leave it to me.”
Dylan pressed the cloth over the Princess’s mouth again, knocking her out once more.
(Why…?!)
“Alright. Let’s drop the Princess off back in the Grace Margravate and then destroy the evidence here.”
“But carrying her all the way back to the capital is going to be a pain, isn't it?”
“Don't worry. I’ve got a reliable partner outside. We’ll be there in a flash through the forest.”
“‘Partner’…? Just how many weapons do you have hidden…?”
“I just picked up a powerful assassin weapon, didn't I?”
“Who told you that you could be witty…? Oh, by the way, I still haven't heard your name.”
“Wait until the very end. If the Princess hears it, we’re finished.”
They left the cave, and Axel was there to greet them.
“Axel. I need you for a job. It’s something only you can do.”
“Neeigh.”
“Whoa… that’s a huge horse. He looks like a king’s mount. Master, are you secretly the king of some nation…?”
“Stop talking nonsense and get on, Dylan.”
Axel was a C-rank Senrima. Carrying three people was a walk in the park.
Afterward, the two managed to deliver the Princess to a safe location while avoiding any witnesses. They then returned to the cave to destroy the evidence and organize any useful supplies or valuables.
“Man, how much money was the boss carrying? He was hoarding almost all of it for himself…”
They stuffed the gold into bags. Once they buried the bodies, they were done.
“I’d really like to know your name now…”
“Ah, right, I haven't said it. My name is Ryuu Ardren. Nice to meet you.”
“Ryuu Ardren… That’s a good name. Glad to be working with you.”
Dylan rubbed his chin and thought for a few seconds.
“Wait, Ardren? You have a family name, and it’s the same as this place…? Are you perhaps the son of the local lord?”
“I’m technically the eldest son of the Ardren Barony. Right, Axel?”
“Snort.”
“No way…! I’ve always dreamed of being in a noble’s intelligence department! I can’t wait to meet the Lord! Man, this is great. I’m so glad I switched sides.”
“By the way, my father is a piece of trash who deserves to die just as much as that boss you killed earlier.”
“Wait, what…?”
On that day, Ryuu acquired a powerful assassin for free.
Meanwhile, in the Grace Margravate.
“My Lord! Her Imperial Highness the First Princess has been found!”
“Wh-what?! I’m going there now! Lead the way!”
Margrave Grace met up with the Imperial Knights who had secured the Princess.
“Where was she?!”
“While we were moving along the forest road, an empty carriage appeared from ahead. Upon investigating, we found the Princess inside, bound and asleep…”
“Then let’s get her back to the manor and have a doctor see her. Quickly!”
“Yes, sir! Immediately!”
A few minutes later, as he watched Elina sleeping peacefully in her bed, Margrave Grace let out a massive sigh of relief.
(Who on earth rescued her…? I suppose I owe them one.)
The next day, the Princess’s plans were changed, and she was ordered back to the capital immediately.
Inside the carriage on the way home, the Princess was unusually dazed, lost in thought.
(The person who saved me then. He was about my age but tall, with black hair, a slightly deep voice, a strange sword, and he used lightning magic. I wonder where he is and what he’s doing now. I wish I’d at least learned his name…)
“Haaaaah…”
As she let out a cute sigh, her cheeks flushed a shade of pink that matched her hair.
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