Kalia, the greatest assassins' guild in the Baluar Empire, had been engaged in a life-or-death debate for days.
Kalia, who had never failed a mission before, recently recorded their first painful failure. But even if it was their first failure, things had turned out very differently.
Kalia was completely toyed with by Erzenes, the monster of House Targayel. She spared Kalia. Of course, Erzenes had only spared them for one reason.
Because she is confident.
But Kalia could tell how skilled she was. And she knew that as much as Kalia knew how skilled she was, they would tremble in fear and keep their mouth shut.
Rapier and Mangosh. Using these two together was a swordsmanship with limitations from the beginning. This was because those who used two swords were bound to be vulnerable to defense.
However, Erzenes covered up that weak defense with a mad dash. She left no room to break in from the start. It was simple, but anyone who wielded a sword could not help but know that it was a miracle, not just a surprise.
"Ha..."
Guildmaster Epen banged his head on the conference table. The wooden table made a loud thud as he hit his head, but no one asked Epen if he was okay.
The other Kalias also wanted to bang their heads like Epen, but no less.
“How about telling the client right now that we are withdrawing the request?”
One of the Kalias spoke with difficulty. But Epen shook his head heavily. There was something the Kalias did not know.
This time, the client was Duke Enoch Seraph. He was not a man who could tolerate failure. That is why, from the time he first received the request, Epen had only two things in mind: death or success.
But now the situation was turning out completely strangely. Kalia muttered heavily.
“I never thought I’d get beaten up by the Countess...”
Another Kalia took up the conversation.
“But she was kind..."
Then everyone nodded. As he said, Erzenes was kind. She struck them with her sword sheath without causing any serious injuries, and even let them go alive. Of course, they all broke an arm or a leg when she dropped them from the window.
Anyway, thanks to coming back alive, they're in a lot of trouble. If they go back to Targayel, Erzenes will really kill them this time, and if they give up the mission, they'll be killed by Duke Seraph.
It was time to seriously consider disbanding the guild and fleeing overseas to find their own way of living. When he came to the conclusion that he had to get rid of the guild he had grown attached to, Epen clenched his fists. He wanted to stop that. What hardships and adversities had he and Kalia gone through to get to this position? However, no matter how much he racked his brain, no solution came to mind.
“...”
In the heavy atmosphere, a thought flashed through Epen's mind. He suddenly raised his head. And he muttered to himself as if he had lost his mind.
“Elijah...”
At Epen's muttering, all the other Kalia looked at him. Epen asked with his eyes sparkling.
“Isn’t the Elijah Mercenary Corps inside Baluar right now?”
“Yes.”
This is it! Epen got up from his seat with a loud noise. Then, he said urgently as he prepared to leave.
“Bring that.”
"Yes?"
“A blank check I received as a deposit!”
The Kalias were confused and murmured. Epen said, admiring his own clever mind.
“This request...”
He declared solemnly.
“I should hand it over to Elijah.”
“...”
Epen swallowed hard. A shabby building appeared before his eyes. An old wooden sign with a picture of a bed and a glass swayed in the wind, making a creaking sound.
Epen mobilized all of the guild's informants to find out where Elijah and the others were staying. He pretended to be crazy and went to find them, but he was afraid when he actually went in.
He knew Elijah's reputation and ability that they were nothing compared to money, but this was his first time meeting them in person. As he carefully pushed open the door, a loud noise poured in through the open crack. He heard the voice of a new child along with a thick man's voice.
“You ignorant bastard! Anyway, you’re so ignorant that I don’t want to talk to you.”
“This little brat... !”
“What, kid? You got beat up today.”
“Ugh! This witch!!”
A loud crash followed, followed by a calm man's voice.
“Ivanna, Tarkun! We have guests.”
"Guest?"
“Yes.”
Epen, who had been listening blankly, realized belatedly that the guest they were talking about was himself. Epen opened the door belatedly and entered the building. And he could see three people staring at him.
A large, muscular man, a slender, handsome man, and lastly a young girl who still looks like a girl.
Epen, who had expected something so great that it would make his stomach churn the moment he saw it, felt a bit disappointed. It was because they looked more shabby than he had thought for the famous Elijah. Among the three, the thin man with long hair asked Epen.
“What's going on?”
Epen asked hesitantly.
“That... Elijah...?”
He smiled and said in response to his half-hearted question.
“It must have been difficult to find us. You’re amazing.”
“Yes, to make a request...”
But before Epen could finish speaking, a large man standing next to him blurted out something.
“What kind of request is this? Do assassins place requests on mercenaries these days?”
“...”
Epen flinched. It was a perfectly accurate remark. Right now, Epen looked extremely ordinary. On top of that, he was deliberately hiding his skills by making noises and making useless movements. It would have been difficult to figure out that Epen was an assassin. Epen spoke slowly.
“It looks like I came to the right place.”
A little girl pouted at Epen's words.
“Then I guess you thought you came to the wrong place just now.”
“Ivanna.”
The slender man called the child's name softly and scolded her. He stepped forward and said.
“I am Rapine from Elijah.”
“Ah, I....”
Epen hesitated for a moment, but now that it had come to this, he thought it would be best, to be honest.
“I am Epen, the guildmaster of Kalia.”
“Kalia... !”
Rapine looked surprised at the word Kalia. Epen continued speaking with a miserable face.
“I’m embarrassed to say this, but... I failed a recent request.”
“Oh no, Kalia failed. Who on earth is the target…...”
Epen clenched his fists in front of the puzzled Raphine.
“But this is a mission that must be successful. It is a matter of life or death for the guild.”
Epen took out a blank check from his bosom and held it out. The eyes of Elijah and his men who saw the blank check lit up. Ivanna was the first to quickly take the check and take it. She used a simple medicine to check the authenticity of the check and then said with satisfaction.
“What... Assassination, it’s easy, right? I can send Rapine alone.”
“Ugh, let’s eat meat for dinner tonight.”
Ivanna and Tarkun were already discussing how much to write on the blank check. Leaving the two of them chattering away, Rapine asked a question.
“Who is the target?”
Epen took a deep breath and then said.
“Shan Cirxus Targayel. However, at the time of the assassination, only Countess Targayel was present, and her swordsmanship...”
Epen, who had been mumbling, shut his mouth when he felt something strange. The inside of the bar had become cold and the Elijahs were all glaring at Epen. Their gazes were filled with murderous intent.
“...!”
No, why on earth? Cold sweat began to form on Epen's forehead, he was greatly embarrassed. He thought hard about what mistake he had made. But he couldn't understand.
If it was Elijah, there was no reason to fear Shan Cirxus. Even if they felt awkward dealing with him, they could have simply declined the request. There was no need to show off their murderous intent like he had attacked someone precious to them.
As Epen was urgently reflecting on his actions, a thought suddenly occurred to him. The Elijah mercenary group consisted of four mercenaries. However, there were three people standing in front of him now.
The remaining one, Elze, the leader of the Elijah mercenary group, was famous for using rapiers and mangosh. As Elze became famous, the rapier and mangosh combination became popular. Thanks to this, nowadays, everyone is using rapiers and mangoshes, but most people only use them superficially and no one uses them properly.
However, Erzenes of Targayel, who had been brutally broken by Kalia, not only used the rapier and the mangosh properly but was also like Elijah's Elze...
The moment Epen's thoughts reached that point, Tarkun spoke, stirring things up.
“What the heck? You went to Targayel to assassinate someone? Are you crazy?”
Then Ivanna answered cheerfully.
“He managed to survive. But judging by his expression, he must have noticed. Let’s kill him.”
And Rapine accepted it with a bright smile.
“That’s right. I guess there’s nothing I can do.”
It was the moment when Epen’s face, which had been absentminded, turned pale. Suddenly, Rapine turned his head and looked toward the door. He said with distorted eyes, “Someone is coming. It’s a familiar sound.”
Tarkun moved quickly at Rapine's words. He lifted an old blanket that had been thrown in a corner of the bar. Then, a huge two-handed sword was revealed. Tarkun picked it up and spoke in a low voice.
“It’s him.”
In an instant, the atmosphere changed. A strong aura that was incomparable to the murderous intent that had just been shown to Epen began to surge. It was the image of Elijah that Epen had imagined. Amid his confusion, Ivanna nodded to Epen and spoke.
“You hide for a moment. Are you good at hiding?”
Epen hid himself in the shadows of a corner of the bar. As soon as he hid, a ghostly knock was heard. Rapine opened the door without hesitation. Then, after checking the man standing outside the door, he frowned and said.
“Shan Cirxus.”
Copper-colored skin, black hair, and clear purple eyes amidst cool features. He was Shan Cirxus. Epen was so surprised by Shan's appearance that he almost broke his cover, but barely managed to hide again.
“It’s been a while.”
He replied briefly and stepped inside. The moment Shan entered, he felt as if the space was being filled up. Although it was laid back and relaxed, without any intention of subduing, the sense of oppression was considerable.
Epen briefly imagined himself assassinating Shan from his hiding position. The space was tight, and Shan had no visible weapons. No matter how fast he reacted, Epen would be faster than Shan pulling out his hidden weapon. Besides, Shan was distracted by the Elijahs.
The situation was perfect. But...he wasn't sure he could kill him.
Epen searched several times to find an opening to attack him, but it was as if he was standing in front of a huge wall. It seemed like nothing, defenseless, but when he tried to attack, there was no corner to dig into.
He tried to deal with someone like that. Epen felt a chill inside. What if Shan had been in the bedroom that day instead of Erzenes? How could Kalia have been annihilated without even being able to swing their sword?
However, unlike Epen, who was frozen with tension, Elijah and the others were calm. Tarkun stepped forward and started talking to Shan.
“You still have that unlucky face?”
Shan raised an eyebrow. But surprisingly, Ivanna smiled brightly and welcomed him.
“Come in!”
She didn't even care that Tarkun was muttering about what she had eaten wrong. Ivanna quickly ran to the bar table in the corner and poured a large glass of wine. Then she held it out to Shan, pretending to be friendly.
“Here, here, have a drink. It’s like a welcome drink. Drink it all up!”
Rapine sighed and snatched the cup from Ivanna. Then he poured the contents on the floor. The wooden floor of the bar crackled and turned black. Raphine covered her face with her hands as if embarrassed and said to Shan.
"I'm sorry."
“I had no intention of drinking anyway.”
Ivanna was gritting her teeth beside him, but Rapine and Shan lightly ignored her. After a moment of silence, Rapine asked Shan first.
“What is it, Cirxus?”
Shan slowly scanned the Elijahs. After his gaze landed on each Elijah, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Let me get to the point.”
The Elijahs looked at Shan with tense eyes. And Shan said.
“Would you like to join House Targayel as a private soldier?”
Shan Cirxus was a battlefield demon.
In the uncertainty of war, where one does not even know what will happen when one wakes up the next morning, his strength is an absolute certainty. People were fascinated by him as if they were possessed by a demon.
Liv thought that meeting Shan was his destiny. When he first met Shan, he was in the same situation as Liv. A knight in name only, a nobleman whose family was not even know where he was.
However, Shan broke the fate of disappearing into a mere number on the battlefield with his skills. The overwhelming power he displayed was beyond anyone's reach. Perhaps, throughout the history of the continent that spanned nearly a thousand years, no one has ever reached the same level as Shan.
Liv, who briefly recalled the past when he had been on the battlefield with Shan, soon smiled broadly and looked at Shan sitting across from him. Amid the clanking sound of the carriage wheels, Shan was buried in his chair, lost in thought.
Shoulders that were firmly spread out enough to make shirts and jackets feel a little small, a body made up of graceful muscles, and purple eyes set above them. Those eyes hidden between slightly lowered eyelids were feared and submitted to by many.
An ordinary person would never have dared to speak to Shan. However, Liv, who was an extraordinary person, spoke to him without any hesitation.
“Have you heard that the priests of Ines have been roaming the streets lately? Rumor has it that they are looking for a demon who will bring about the destruction of the continent in the millennium.”
“...I see.”
“Of course, the numberof a thousand years is special, but isn’t that nonsense?”
"...Hmm."
But Liv was the only one talking, and Shan didn't respond at all. Liv suddenly thrust his face in front of him and asked him a question.
“Cirxus, what makes you think that way?”
"...Ah."
“Did you have a fight with your spouse?”
“...”
It was just a random remark, but for some reason, there was no answer from Shan. Normally, he would have frowned and told him not to talk nonsense. But today, he just remained silent. While Liv was thinking that something was strange, Shan, who was deep in thought, asked a question out of the blue.
“What do women like?”
"Yes?"
Liv blinked in disbelief at what he was hearing. Then he asked again.
“Women?”
Liv stammered, trying to control his expression.
“No, what... A jewel or a flower...?”
Shan's brow furrowed. Liv remembered that Shan had been separated from Erzenes for several days and that they had never met outside of official business. Liv asked, no way, no way.
“Are you referring to... Madam?”
Shan nodded. Liv stuck out his tongue inwardly. The world-class Shan Cirxus is worried about a woman!
Liv had been following Shan for years, ever since the battlefield. He had seen the countless women who had passed by him, and he had seen how he treated them.
Once women fell for Shan, they couldn't control their minds. They put their lives on the line for Shan, and they clung to him so obsessively that it was tiresome to watch.
Although he hadn't seen it properly yet, Liv thought that Erzenes Targayel would be similar. However, since they were tied together by political marriage, he just hoped that their relationship would continue quietly somehow.
But somehow, the way things are going around is interesting. It's like Shan's last meeting with women after Lady Cecilla, and he's never even picked a single weed from the roadside for a woman, but he's so absorbed in thinking about what he can do for Erzenes.
At first glance, it seemed like Shan was desperate.
What on earth could Erzenes Targayel be doing, taming this demon so obediently? Liv was dying of curiosity. Praying earnestly that he would be able to enter Targayel's mansion soon, Liv offered Shan some advice.
“If that’s the case, then it’s time to attack her parents’ house. I heard that she has a younger brother, right? His name is Master Astin.”
Shan muttered quietly after hearing Liv's words.
“Astin....”
Liv recalled what he had heard from Marle about Astin Targayel. The young master of Targayel was a brilliant student at the University of Aquis.
“By the way, I heard that Aquis University holds an academic festival twice a year. During the academic festival, outsiders are allowed to enter the school. I heard that the academic festival period is coming up soon...”
“I guess I should go to Aquis University.”
Shan concluded before Liv could finish speaking. Liv had to try hard not to laugh at Shan’s appearance. Fortunately, the carriage stopped just in time. The coachman shouted from outside.
“Lord Cirxus! From here on out, the road is too narrow for carriages to fit. The destination is somewhere around here.”
Shan answered without hesitation.
“Let me go alone.”
As Shan got off the carriage, Liv was about to ask if he was okay alone, but he just kept his mouth shut. Even if it was Elijah, they couldn't deal with Shan. Those who didn't know anything were discussing who would win if Elijah and Shan Cirxus fought, but Liv was sure of it.
Shan will definitely win.
“Have a nice trip.”
Therefore, Liv decided to wait quietly in the carriage until Shan returned.
Shan got out of the carriage and entered a narrow alley. As he walked along the winding alley, he came across a building where the Elijah mercenary group was staying.
Before opening the door, Shan thought for a moment. What would happen if Elze was there when he opened the door? If it wasn't Erzenes if it wasn't Elze...
But Shan soon realized that his thoughts were meaningless. Elze was Elze, and Erzenes was Erzenes. To Shan, the two were important in different ways.
But when he actually opened the door and saw that Elze wasn't inside, he felt relieved for some reason. Anyway, he had a strange feeling that Elze and Erzenes would get involved. Shan smiled and went inside.
Elijah was no different than before, except that they were a little bit more shabby. He was secretly glad to see them unchanged. Of course, he didn't like Ivanna's welcome drink.
Today, they had to be persuaded somehow. They were not close enough to be polite to each other, so Shan asked directly.
“Would you like to join House Targayel as a private soldier?”
The expressions on the faces of the Elijahs who heard Shan's words were quite remarkable. They looked at Shan as if he was crazy. Rapine, at least, answered calmly.
“I believe you wouldn’t say something like that without meaning to.”
Shan crossed his arms. Then he spoke softly.
“His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to eliminate Elijah.”
“...!”
Silence fell for a moment. Tarkun gripped the two-handed sword he was holding tightly as if the handle would break, and Ivanna bit her lips. Rapine muttered with a bitter look on his face, lowering his eyes.
“So this is what happens in the end.”
Rapine brushed back his disheveled hair. Ivanna and Tarkun looked at Rapine. While Elze was gone, Elijah was being dragged by Rapine. Rapine, who had been lost in thought for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.
“...I guess I’ll have to give up on the bar. However, Lord Cirxus, I appreciate your concern, but Elijah cannot enter Targayel.”
He knew it would turn out like this. Shan had to finally bring up the words he had been saving as a last resort.
“Then let me ask you one last question.”
Shan asked the puzzled Elijahs.
“What is the relationship between Erzenes Targayel and Elze?”
“...”
Elijah and the others' faces hardened. Now that they knew that Shan was suspicious of the relationship between Elze and Erzenes, they could not easily reject Shan's proposal.
“If you answer my questions, I will stop interfering with you. But if you don’t answer them...”
Shan nodded slightly. It was enough to know his intentions without having to listen to his words. Rapine said coldly.
“Are you threatening me now?”
“No way.”
In fact, Shan's actions were a bit fatal. Shan knew what kind of existence Elze was to Elijah, and he was using that as a weakness to shake them. However, it was a situation where he had to persuade them somehow. Shan continued to speak calmly.
“The imperial family is paying great attention to you right now anyway, so it will be difficult to escape the country. I’m not saying you should stay here forever. It might be a good idea to hide in Targayel for a while and bide your time.”
Shan met the eyes of each of the Elijahs one by one and spoke in a low, forceful voice.
“The choice is yours. There is no coercion.”
A heavy air settled down. None of the Elijahs could say anything. Shan knew it was a difficult decision. He had no intention of hearing the answer right away. It would take time. Shan finished lightly.
“I will wait for your contact.”
And before leaving the bar, Shan looked into the shadows of the corner of the bar and asked.
“But it looks like one more member has been added?”
Then, a rustling movement appeared in the dark shadows. Shan smirked, turned around, closed the door, and left.
“...”
Shan went out of the bar, but no one spoke. Only the dull silence descended, and Ivanna muttered.
“The choice is ours... We must enter Targayel without fail.”
"I know."
Tarkun nodded, and Epen, who had been hiding diligently until now, suddenly stood up. All of the Elijahs looked at him at his sudden action. Epen immediately shouted loudly.
“Please allow Kalia to enter Targayel!”
Ivanna, who had a serious expression on her face, looked at Epen and said with a look of bewilderment.
“Are you crazy? How?”
Epen said, scratching the back of his head.
“...Pretending to be Elijah?”
Rapine let out a sigh as if the ground was falling apart.
Kalia, who had never failed a mission before, recently recorded their first painful failure. But even if it was their first failure, things had turned out very differently.
Kalia was completely toyed with by Erzenes, the monster of House Targayel. She spared Kalia. Of course, Erzenes had only spared them for one reason.
Because she is confident.
She spared him because she knew that if he said the wrong thing, she'd shut him down. Any other lesser assassin would have killed her right then and there.
Rapier and Mangosh. Using these two together was a swordsmanship with limitations from the beginning. This was because those who used two swords were bound to be vulnerable to defense.
However, Erzenes covered up that weak defense with a mad dash. She left no room to break in from the start. It was simple, but anyone who wielded a sword could not help but know that it was a miracle, not just a surprise.
"Ha..."
Guildmaster Epen banged his head on the conference table. The wooden table made a loud thud as he hit his head, but no one asked Epen if he was okay.
The other Kalias also wanted to bang their heads like Epen, but no less.
“How about telling the client right now that we are withdrawing the request?”
One of the Kalias spoke with difficulty. But Epen shook his head heavily. There was something the Kalias did not know.
This time, the client was Duke Enoch Seraph. He was not a man who could tolerate failure. That is why, from the time he first received the request, Epen had only two things in mind: death or success.
But now the situation was turning out completely strangely. Kalia muttered heavily.
“I never thought I’d get beaten up by the Countess...”
Another Kalia took up the conversation.
“But she was kind..."
Then everyone nodded. As he said, Erzenes was kind. She struck them with her sword sheath without causing any serious injuries, and even let them go alive. Of course, they all broke an arm or a leg when she dropped them from the window.
Anyway, thanks to coming back alive, they're in a lot of trouble. If they go back to Targayel, Erzenes will really kill them this time, and if they give up the mission, they'll be killed by Duke Seraph.
It was time to seriously consider disbanding the guild and fleeing overseas to find their own way of living. When he came to the conclusion that he had to get rid of the guild he had grown attached to, Epen clenched his fists. He wanted to stop that. What hardships and adversities had he and Kalia gone through to get to this position? However, no matter how much he racked his brain, no solution came to mind.
“...”
In the heavy atmosphere, a thought flashed through Epen's mind. He suddenly raised his head. And he muttered to himself as if he had lost his mind.
“Elijah...”
At Epen's muttering, all the other Kalia looked at him. Epen asked with his eyes sparkling.
“Isn’t the Elijah Mercenary Corps inside Baluar right now?”
“Yes.”
This is it! Epen got up from his seat with a loud noise. Then, he said urgently as he prepared to leave.
“Bring that.”
"Yes?"
“A blank check I received as a deposit!”
The Kalias were confused and murmured. Epen said, admiring his own clever mind.
“This request...”
He declared solemnly.
“I should hand it over to Elijah.”
***
“...”
Epen swallowed hard. A shabby building appeared before his eyes. An old wooden sign with a picture of a bed and a glass swayed in the wind, making a creaking sound.
Epen mobilized all of the guild's informants to find out where Elijah and the others were staying. He pretended to be crazy and went to find them, but he was afraid when he actually went in.
He knew Elijah's reputation and ability that they were nothing compared to money, but this was his first time meeting them in person. As he carefully pushed open the door, a loud noise poured in through the open crack. He heard the voice of a new child along with a thick man's voice.
“You ignorant bastard! Anyway, you’re so ignorant that I don’t want to talk to you.”
“This little brat... !”
“What, kid? You got beat up today.”
“Ugh! This witch!!”
A loud crash followed, followed by a calm man's voice.
“Ivanna, Tarkun! We have guests.”
"Guest?"
“Yes.”
Epen, who had been listening blankly, realized belatedly that the guest they were talking about was himself. Epen opened the door belatedly and entered the building. And he could see three people staring at him.
A large, muscular man, a slender, handsome man, and lastly a young girl who still looks like a girl.
Epen, who had expected something so great that it would make his stomach churn the moment he saw it, felt a bit disappointed. It was because they looked more shabby than he had thought for the famous Elijah. Among the three, the thin man with long hair asked Epen.
“What's going on?”
Epen asked hesitantly.
“That... Elijah...?”
He smiled and said in response to his half-hearted question.
“It must have been difficult to find us. You’re amazing.”
“Yes, to make a request...”
But before Epen could finish speaking, a large man standing next to him blurted out something.
“What kind of request is this? Do assassins place requests on mercenaries these days?”
“...”
Epen flinched. It was a perfectly accurate remark. Right now, Epen looked extremely ordinary. On top of that, he was deliberately hiding his skills by making noises and making useless movements. It would have been difficult to figure out that Epen was an assassin. Epen spoke slowly.
“It looks like I came to the right place.”
A little girl pouted at Epen's words.
“Then I guess you thought you came to the wrong place just now.”
“Ivanna.”
The slender man called the child's name softly and scolded her. He stepped forward and said.
“I am Rapine from Elijah.”
“Ah, I....”
Epen hesitated for a moment, but now that it had come to this, he thought it would be best, to be honest.
“I am Epen, the guildmaster of Kalia.”
“Kalia... !”
Rapine looked surprised at the word Kalia. Epen continued speaking with a miserable face.
“I’m embarrassed to say this, but... I failed a recent request.”
“Oh no, Kalia failed. Who on earth is the target…...”
Epen clenched his fists in front of the puzzled Raphine.
“But this is a mission that must be successful. It is a matter of life or death for the guild.”
Epen took out a blank check from his bosom and held it out. The eyes of Elijah and his men who saw the blank check lit up. Ivanna was the first to quickly take the check and take it. She used a simple medicine to check the authenticity of the check and then said with satisfaction.
“What... Assassination, it’s easy, right? I can send Rapine alone.”
“Ugh, let’s eat meat for dinner tonight.”
Ivanna and Tarkun were already discussing how much to write on the blank check. Leaving the two of them chattering away, Rapine asked a question.
“Who is the target?”
Epen took a deep breath and then said.
“Shan Cirxus Targayel. However, at the time of the assassination, only Countess Targayel was present, and her swordsmanship...”
Epen, who had been mumbling, shut his mouth when he felt something strange. The inside of the bar had become cold and the Elijahs were all glaring at Epen. Their gazes were filled with murderous intent.
“...!”
No, why on earth? Cold sweat began to form on Epen's forehead, he was greatly embarrassed. He thought hard about what mistake he had made. But he couldn't understand.
If it was Elijah, there was no reason to fear Shan Cirxus. Even if they felt awkward dealing with him, they could have simply declined the request. There was no need to show off their murderous intent like he had attacked someone precious to them.
As Epen was urgently reflecting on his actions, a thought suddenly occurred to him. The Elijah mercenary group consisted of four mercenaries. However, there were three people standing in front of him now.
The remaining one, Elze, the leader of the Elijah mercenary group, was famous for using rapiers and mangosh. As Elze became famous, the rapier and mangosh combination became popular. Thanks to this, nowadays, everyone is using rapiers and mangoshes, but most people only use them superficially and no one uses them properly.
However, Erzenes of Targayel, who had been brutally broken by Kalia, not only used the rapier and the mangosh properly but was also like Elijah's Elze...
The moment Epen's thoughts reached that point, Tarkun spoke, stirring things up.
“What the heck? You went to Targayel to assassinate someone? Are you crazy?”
Then Ivanna answered cheerfully.
“He managed to survive. But judging by his expression, he must have noticed. Let’s kill him.”
And Rapine accepted it with a bright smile.
“That’s right. I guess there’s nothing I can do.”
It was the moment when Epen’s face, which had been absentminded, turned pale. Suddenly, Rapine turned his head and looked toward the door. He said with distorted eyes, “Someone is coming. It’s a familiar sound.”
Tarkun moved quickly at Rapine's words. He lifted an old blanket that had been thrown in a corner of the bar. Then, a huge two-handed sword was revealed. Tarkun picked it up and spoke in a low voice.
“It’s him.”
In an instant, the atmosphere changed. A strong aura that was incomparable to the murderous intent that had just been shown to Epen began to surge. It was the image of Elijah that Epen had imagined. Amid his confusion, Ivanna nodded to Epen and spoke.
“You hide for a moment. Are you good at hiding?”
Epen hid himself in the shadows of a corner of the bar. As soon as he hid, a ghostly knock was heard. Rapine opened the door without hesitation. Then, after checking the man standing outside the door, he frowned and said.
“Shan Cirxus.”
Copper-colored skin, black hair, and clear purple eyes amidst cool features. He was Shan Cirxus. Epen was so surprised by Shan's appearance that he almost broke his cover, but barely managed to hide again.
“It’s been a while.”
He replied briefly and stepped inside. The moment Shan entered, he felt as if the space was being filled up. Although it was laid back and relaxed, without any intention of subduing, the sense of oppression was considerable.
Epen briefly imagined himself assassinating Shan from his hiding position. The space was tight, and Shan had no visible weapons. No matter how fast he reacted, Epen would be faster than Shan pulling out his hidden weapon. Besides, Shan was distracted by the Elijahs.
The situation was perfect. But...he wasn't sure he could kill him.
Epen searched several times to find an opening to attack him, but it was as if he was standing in front of a huge wall. It seemed like nothing, defenseless, but when he tried to attack, there was no corner to dig into.
He tried to deal with someone like that. Epen felt a chill inside. What if Shan had been in the bedroom that day instead of Erzenes? How could Kalia have been annihilated without even being able to swing their sword?
However, unlike Epen, who was frozen with tension, Elijah and the others were calm. Tarkun stepped forward and started talking to Shan.
“You still have that unlucky face?”
Shan raised an eyebrow. But surprisingly, Ivanna smiled brightly and welcomed him.
“Come in!”
She didn't even care that Tarkun was muttering about what she had eaten wrong. Ivanna quickly ran to the bar table in the corner and poured a large glass of wine. Then she held it out to Shan, pretending to be friendly.
“Here, here, have a drink. It’s like a welcome drink. Drink it all up!”
Rapine sighed and snatched the cup from Ivanna. Then he poured the contents on the floor. The wooden floor of the bar crackled and turned black. Raphine covered her face with her hands as if embarrassed and said to Shan.
"I'm sorry."
“I had no intention of drinking anyway.”
Ivanna was gritting her teeth beside him, but Rapine and Shan lightly ignored her. After a moment of silence, Rapine asked Shan first.
“What is it, Cirxus?”
Shan slowly scanned the Elijahs. After his gaze landed on each Elijah, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Let me get to the point.”
The Elijahs looked at Shan with tense eyes. And Shan said.
“Would you like to join House Targayel as a private soldier?”
***
Shan Cirxus was a battlefield demon.
In the uncertainty of war, where one does not even know what will happen when one wakes up the next morning, his strength is an absolute certainty. People were fascinated by him as if they were possessed by a demon.
Liv Cullens was also one of those who were fascinated by Shan. He was the son of a noble family that ruled a small fiefdom in the province, and he was loved by many families for his brilliant achievements in the Hundred Years' War.
However, Liv chose Shan, who had not even received a title at the time, without hesitation, because he was certain that Shan Cirxus was the only lord he could serve.
However, Liv chose Shan, who had not even received a title at the time, without hesitation, because he was certain that Shan Cirxus was the only lord he could serve.
Liv thought that meeting Shan was his destiny. When he first met Shan, he was in the same situation as Liv. A knight in name only, a nobleman whose family was not even know where he was.
However, Shan broke the fate of disappearing into a mere number on the battlefield with his skills. The overwhelming power he displayed was beyond anyone's reach. Perhaps, throughout the history of the continent that spanned nearly a thousand years, no one has ever reached the same level as Shan.
Liv, who briefly recalled the past when he had been on the battlefield with Shan, soon smiled broadly and looked at Shan sitting across from him. Amid the clanking sound of the carriage wheels, Shan was buried in his chair, lost in thought.
Shoulders that were firmly spread out enough to make shirts and jackets feel a little small, a body made up of graceful muscles, and purple eyes set above them. Those eyes hidden between slightly lowered eyelids were feared and submitted to by many.
An ordinary person would never have dared to speak to Shan. However, Liv, who was an extraordinary person, spoke to him without any hesitation.
“Have you heard that the priests of Ines have been roaming the streets lately? Rumor has it that they are looking for a demon who will bring about the destruction of the continent in the millennium.”
“...I see.”
“Of course, the numberof a thousand years is special, but isn’t that nonsense?”
"...Hmm."
But Liv was the only one talking, and Shan didn't respond at all. Liv suddenly thrust his face in front of him and asked him a question.
“Cirxus, what makes you think that way?”
"...Ah."
“Did you have a fight with your spouse?”
“...”
It was just a random remark, but for some reason, there was no answer from Shan. Normally, he would have frowned and told him not to talk nonsense. But today, he just remained silent. While Liv was thinking that something was strange, Shan, who was deep in thought, asked a question out of the blue.
“What do women like?”
"Yes?"
Liv blinked in disbelief at what he was hearing. Then he asked again.
“Women?”
Liv stammered, trying to control his expression.
“No, what... A jewel or a flower...?”
Shan's brow furrowed. Liv remembered that Shan had been separated from Erzenes for several days and that they had never met outside of official business. Liv asked, no way, no way.
“Are you referring to... Madam?”
Shan nodded. Liv stuck out his tongue inwardly. The world-class Shan Cirxus is worried about a woman!
Liv had been following Shan for years, ever since the battlefield. He had seen the countless women who had passed by him, and he had seen how he treated them.
Once women fell for Shan, they couldn't control their minds. They put their lives on the line for Shan, and they clung to him so obsessively that it was tiresome to watch.
Although he hadn't seen it properly yet, Liv thought that Erzenes Targayel would be similar. However, since they were tied together by political marriage, he just hoped that their relationship would continue quietly somehow.
But somehow, the way things are going around is interesting. It's like Shan's last meeting with women after Lady Cecilla, and he's never even picked a single weed from the roadside for a woman, but he's so absorbed in thinking about what he can do for Erzenes.
At first glance, it seemed like Shan was desperate.
What on earth could Erzenes Targayel be doing, taming this demon so obediently? Liv was dying of curiosity. Praying earnestly that he would be able to enter Targayel's mansion soon, Liv offered Shan some advice.
“If that’s the case, then it’s time to attack her parents’ house. I heard that she has a younger brother, right? His name is Master Astin.”
Shan muttered quietly after hearing Liv's words.
“Astin....”
Liv recalled what he had heard from Marle about Astin Targayel. The young master of Targayel was a brilliant student at the University of Aquis.
“By the way, I heard that Aquis University holds an academic festival twice a year. During the academic festival, outsiders are allowed to enter the school. I heard that the academic festival period is coming up soon...”
“I guess I should go to Aquis University.”
Shan concluded before Liv could finish speaking. Liv had to try hard not to laugh at Shan’s appearance. Fortunately, the carriage stopped just in time. The coachman shouted from outside.
“Lord Cirxus! From here on out, the road is too narrow for carriages to fit. The destination is somewhere around here.”
Shan answered without hesitation.
“Let me go alone.”
As Shan got off the carriage, Liv was about to ask if he was okay alone, but he just kept his mouth shut. Even if it was Elijah, they couldn't deal with Shan. Those who didn't know anything were discussing who would win if Elijah and Shan Cirxus fought, but Liv was sure of it.
Shan will definitely win.
“Have a nice trip.”
Therefore, Liv decided to wait quietly in the carriage until Shan returned.
***
Shan got out of the carriage and entered a narrow alley. As he walked along the winding alley, he came across a building where the Elijah mercenary group was staying.
Before opening the door, Shan thought for a moment. What would happen if Elze was there when he opened the door? If it wasn't Erzenes if it wasn't Elze...
But Shan soon realized that his thoughts were meaningless. Elze was Elze, and Erzenes was Erzenes. To Shan, the two were important in different ways.
But when he actually opened the door and saw that Elze wasn't inside, he felt relieved for some reason. Anyway, he had a strange feeling that Elze and Erzenes would get involved. Shan smiled and went inside.
Elijah was no different than before, except that they were a little bit more shabby. He was secretly glad to see them unchanged. Of course, he didn't like Ivanna's welcome drink.
Today, they had to be persuaded somehow. They were not close enough to be polite to each other, so Shan asked directly.
“Would you like to join House Targayel as a private soldier?”
The expressions on the faces of the Elijahs who heard Shan's words were quite remarkable. They looked at Shan as if he was crazy. Rapine, at least, answered calmly.
“I believe you wouldn’t say something like that without meaning to.”
Shan crossed his arms. Then he spoke softly.
“His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to eliminate Elijah.”
“...!”
Silence fell for a moment. Tarkun gripped the two-handed sword he was holding tightly as if the handle would break, and Ivanna bit her lips. Rapine muttered with a bitter look on his face, lowering his eyes.
“So this is what happens in the end.”
Rapine brushed back his disheveled hair. Ivanna and Tarkun looked at Rapine. While Elze was gone, Elijah was being dragged by Rapine. Rapine, who had been lost in thought for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.
“...I guess I’ll have to give up on the bar. However, Lord Cirxus, I appreciate your concern, but Elijah cannot enter Targayel.”
He knew it would turn out like this. Shan had to finally bring up the words he had been saving as a last resort.
“Then let me ask you one last question.”
Shan asked the puzzled Elijahs.
“What is the relationship between Erzenes Targayel and Elze?”
“...”
Elijah and the others' faces hardened. Now that they knew that Shan was suspicious of the relationship between Elze and Erzenes, they could not easily reject Shan's proposal.
“If you answer my questions, I will stop interfering with you. But if you don’t answer them...”
Shan nodded slightly. It was enough to know his intentions without having to listen to his words. Rapine said coldly.
“Are you threatening me now?”
“No way.”
In fact, Shan's actions were a bit fatal. Shan knew what kind of existence Elze was to Elijah, and he was using that as a weakness to shake them. However, it was a situation where he had to persuade them somehow. Shan continued to speak calmly.
“The imperial family is paying great attention to you right now anyway, so it will be difficult to escape the country. I’m not saying you should stay here forever. It might be a good idea to hide in Targayel for a while and bide your time.”
Shan met the eyes of each of the Elijahs one by one and spoke in a low, forceful voice.
“The choice is yours. There is no coercion.”
A heavy air settled down. None of the Elijahs could say anything. Shan knew it was a difficult decision. He had no intention of hearing the answer right away. It would take time. Shan finished lightly.
“I will wait for your contact.”
And before leaving the bar, Shan looked into the shadows of the corner of the bar and asked.
“But it looks like one more member has been added?”
Then, a rustling movement appeared in the dark shadows. Shan smirked, turned around, closed the door, and left.
“...”
Shan went out of the bar, but no one spoke. Only the dull silence descended, and Ivanna muttered.
“The choice is ours... We must enter Targayel without fail.”
"I know."
Tarkun nodded, and Epen, who had been hiding diligently until now, suddenly stood up. All of the Elijahs looked at him at his sudden action. Epen immediately shouted loudly.
“Please allow Kalia to enter Targayel!”
Ivanna, who had a serious expression on her face, looked at Epen and said with a look of bewilderment.
“Are you crazy? How?”
Epen said, scratching the back of his head.
“...Pretending to be Elijah?”
Rapine let out a sigh as if the ground was falling apart.
.
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