Read Novel Full Chapter 39, The Second Attack, And Then…
Chapter 39, The Second Attack, And Then…
Translator: Lizz
The assassins crossed the bridge and entered one after another through the back gate that had been left open.
Jan tilted his head slightly at the state of the back gate, which was different from last time, but assumed they were planning renovations for security and simply watched over his gathering companions without thinking much of it.
Once everyone had entered without incident, Jan spoke.
“The target is the pretty priest, but everyone inside is to be killed. And let’s make this our base. …We’re leaving the underground of the rundown back alleys and taking over the castle.”
Everyone nodded with gleaming eyes.
They were known as the ‘Cleaners’, and they were constantly taking jobs from shady nobles. However, they were respected by no one, and instead looked down upon by all. Even genuine bandits mocked them as ‘Tamed dogs who can only sneak around and slit throats in the dark’. The desire to look down on those who had once looked down on them from the castle had always smoldered deep in their hearts.
When Jan was about to give the signal,
“Wait.”
A voice called out.
Everyone turned to look at Calogero, standing quietly in front of the door.
He had always been beautiful, but the weariness from preparing himself for death made his beauty breathtaking.
“I’m right here. I’m not running or hiding. Hurry up and finish me off, then get out of here. –Taking over the fortress will start a war. Do you seriously intend to go up against this country and the Ducal house? With your numbers, the nation or the Duke could send a single platoon and wipe you out easily. …Do you really think the nobles of your country would help assassins like you?”
Everyone fell silent at Calogero’s calm words.
Jan’s words had stirred them, but in truth, he was right. Even though they were hired, it was obvious they’d be blamed and left to die just to silence them.
At that moment, as hesitation crept in,
*Rumble rumble rumble*… came the sound, and when they all turned toward it, the back gate was moving, beginning to close.
Everyone was stunned.
But some had already rushed toward the back gate.
They must have thought their escape route would be cut off and they’d be trapped. In reality, there were several other entrances and exits, but once that bridge was raised, they’d be sealed inside the town.
But that decision was a mistake.
Some managed to get through the gate before it closed, but a few tried to push it back open…
“What is this door!?”
“It’s no good, it’s closing!”
“I’m getting crushed – Gyaaah!!”
The door sliced through their bodies.
The back gate was shut.
Those who ran out without caring if their comrades were trapped might have seemed to make the right choice, but all they did was live a little longer.
The bridge rotated, flinging those crossing it over the cliff.
Screams echoed from beyond the gate as they plummeted, freezing every assassin in place.
Even Calogero had no idea what was happening.
“Wh-what the hell is–”
“Look! The wall!”
Someone shouted, and when they all turned to look, they saw spears lined up neatly along the wall, their tips aimed straight at the assassins.
A chill ran down their spines.
The spears were embedded directly into the wall, as if ready to attack, without a single person in sight.
Calogero realized the source of the strangeness.
The wall was taller.
Its shape was subtly different.
Previously, it had looked more weathered – ‘charming’, one might say, but really just an old, neglected structure.
Now, under the moonlight, it appeared pristine and thick, exactly what you’d expect of a fortress wall.
And atop that wall, spears gleamed in the moonlight, their tips catching the silver light.
It was obvious to both Carogero and the assassins what those spears were for, and what would come next.
“…Uwaaaaah!!”
Someone screamed and charged toward the wall.
They must have thought the blind spot would be directly beneath it.
But spears were aligned on all four sides…
Just as everyone had expected, the spears launched automatically, aimed at the assassins.
Carogero stared at the scene in a daze.
Was this a dream?, he wondered.
But the stench of blood was far too real for that.
Most of the assassins were dead. Those who had rushed toward the wall seemed to have all perished, likely trapped by the very proximity they sought.
On the other hand, a few had survived.
Relying on the heightened instincts typical of assassins, along with their own skills and magic, they had managed to withstand the attack.
Jan was one of them.
His arm had been pierced, but considering the outcome, that was a small price to pay.
The others had been crushed in the head, skewered through the torso by multiple spears, or pinned by the legs.
“…What is this…?”
Carogero muttered involuntarily, only to be met with a glare from Jan.
“…At the very least, I’ve gotta take you with me. My rage won’t settle otherwise!”
With that, he brandished a hidden weapon and lunged at Calogero.
But Calogero, overwhelmed by the carnage, couldn’t process anything. He just stood there, frozen, staring at Jan as if it were all happening in some far-off world.
*Clang!*
“–You really do make it your mission to get in the way, don’t you!”
It was Edward who leapt in, blocking the hidden weapon between the two.
“You’re the one from before…!”
Jan glared at Edward with a burning intensity. And in that instant, he instinctively knew – this man was the reason everything had fallen apart.
“Because of youuu…!”
“That’s my line, you worthless scum!! Die!!”
As Jan charged in a rage, Edward, who was even more furious, counterattacked in blind fury, cutting Jan down in a single stroke.
Seeing Edward’s terrifying, demon-like expression, Jan couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
That was his final thought.
Calogero, still in shock, watched blankly as Edward, wearing a fearsome scowl, cleaned up the aftermath.
Edward asked the survivors, ‘Does anyone here know the details of this whole affair?’ Those who didn’t were cut down without mercy.
To those who did, he demanded, ‘If you’re willing to testify, you live. If not, say so, and you die.’ Terrified by Edward’s intensity, every survivor answered that they would testify.
He tied up the ones who agreed to testify with chains and tossed them aside.
Mutterring ‘Guess I’ll have the livestock keep watch’, he then entered the castle and returned with actual livestock, casually saying to them like he was speaking to humans, ‘I’ll ask Lady Sylvia to get you something tasty. If any of these guys try to escape, you can smash their heads or gouge out their eyes, alright?’
The animals, sleepy-eyed, let out soft cries in reply.
Edward, who had handled everything on his own up to this point, let out a breath, then shot a fierce glare at Calogero.
“…Honestly, I don’t even want to speak to you. But as Lady Sylvia’s knight, I have a duty to fulfill. Listen closely: the one who caused this attack was you. You will meet with Lady Sylvia and tell her everything. If you refuse, leave the fortress immediately. Anyone who can’t trust her has no place here!”
With that, he turned on his heel and walked back into the castle.