Chapter 130
Chapter 130
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Nice to Meet You (2)
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The route into Elpante was far simpler than expected.
All it took was blending in with the group of transfer students joining mid-semester, even outside the regular term.
Unlike typical educational institutions, the Imperial Academy accepts students year-round, thanks to its massive scale. That was the loophole they were exploiting.
Of course, the security procedures were thorough to match, but if she set her mind to it, she could forge an identity solid enough to infiltrate parts of the imperial palace. This was child's play by comparison.
‘...It’s ridiculously easy.’
Inside the train car heading into Elpante, Seras let out a deep sigh as the thought crossed her mind.
She hadn’t even needed the fake student ID. She could just handle the job in a day trip and head back to the Holy Kingdom.
-Alliance Leader, you’ll still need a forged identity. I’ll have it ready within a day.
If Vizla hadn’t insisted so strongly, she would have skipped it entirely.
The conversation from yesterday flashed through Seras’s mind.
-Do we really need a student ID? Are you doubting my skills?
-No. I know your abilities better than anyone.
-Then why bother with this hassle for a one-day job?
Vizla had fallen silent for a moment before giving a wry smile.
-...Just in case. Think of it as an old woman’s precaution.
That was what she’d said.
But it felt like she was implying something inevitable would come up.
As if Seras couldn’t take him down in one go.
As if she was certain a long-term stay at the academy would be necessary.
‘...I’ll make Vizla pay for this when I get back.’
At the very least, for doubting her. The mission was as good as complete now that she was this far in.
The empire’s fools couldn’t do anything right.
Especially when the ‘imperial palace’ was involved.
She flashed a cold smile at the imperial crests fluttering on the flags lining the approach to Elpante.
Trash.
That was the only judgment she could pass on them.
Before meeting the Pope and starting her new life, how deeply they had made her suffer.
The night when heaven and earth were dyed ‘red.’
What the imperial family had done to her that day was still vividly etched in her memory.
‘...It won’t be long, Seras.’
She murmured to herself, calming her heart surging with hatred.
‘Soon.’
The descent of the savior who would eradicate that trash and bring peace to the entire continent was at hand.
It was a profoundly true faith.
On this rotten earth, the only one who could bring equality and happiness was the Pope—no one else.
‘Paradise will come to this world.’
The Pope’s ‘plan’ was about to enter its final phase.
So for now, her priority was removing the obstacle on his orders.
And as always, that started with ‘preparing for the task.’
“Haa-”
She closed her eyes, exhaled deeply, and slowly circulated mana from her dantian. Her consciousness sank.
Fundamentally, an assassin’s combat style prioritized a single, guaranteed kill—no retreats, no follow-ups.
The foundation of that style began with purging ‘emotions’ to remain unshaken by anything.
A meditation that erected mental barriers, ensuring no pity or mercy toward the ‘target.’
Once that was done, her already lethal strikes gained mechanical precision and terrifying focus.
How much time passed in that state?
[The train is stopping. The train is stopping. All students, please remain seated.]
With that announcement, the train eased into the station.
As it came to a gentle halt, Seras checked the position of the hidden weapons in her bosom.
[Welcome to Elpante.]
Blending into the crowd pouring out onto the platform with the broadcast.
As expected of the continent’s largest educational facility, the sheer number of people was absurd.
“...”
But even in that throng.
Her sharply honed senses spotted the target in an instant.
A man stepping off the train with a dazed expression.
Dawood Campbell.
He matched the description perfectly.
“...”
Seras took a deep breath and began weaving through the packed crowd.
Shadow Step.
Even in this massive flow of people, her precise footwork parted the human tide like water.
A basic assassin’s movement technique for slipping through crowds unnoticed—but her execution bordered on the divine.
In a mass all moving one way, she alone went another, yet no one truly ‘perceived’ her.
As if she were a ghost. Floating alone in this space.
That confidence was why she’d chosen such an unlikely spot for an assassination.
Sun high in the sky, target in the middle of the plaza—she could kill without being seen. That was a Grand Assassin.
So.
The fact that the man was already looking around in bewilderment was astonishing.
As if he sensed someone targeting him.
“...!”
And then.
Dawood Campbell, sensing something, scanned his surroundings with a tense expression. An incredible crisis detection ability.
But it was too late. He was in range.
Seras slipped her hand into her bosom.
She readied the blade. A split second was all she needed.
And as she moved to strike.
The target’s face entered her view.
“...”
In that instant.
The blade stopped.
Before she could even process it consciously.
‘...?’
Seras stared blankly at her own hand.
‘...Why?’
It made no sense.
No reason to stop.
It was as if, before her mind could register, her ‘body’ instinctively refused.
As if she absolutely, absolutely must not harm this man.
As if she would regret it forever.
And then.
“...!”
Seras’s eyes widened.
She felt a sensation surging fiercely from beneath her consciousness.
With all other emotions purged, it hit even harder.
In her consciousness, calm as a still pond, a drop of ‘emotion’ spread like ink.
Even in a state where she’d poured immense mana to leave only ‘reason.’
The Grand Assassin.
Whose mental acuity no one on the continent could rival.
Her mind went blank white for a moment.
Just from seeing the man’s face.
An uncontrollable ‘throb’ pulsed from her heart.
“...Huh?”
The word slipped out aloud.
Involuntary, from sheer bewilderment.
“...”
And perhaps because of that.
Dawood Campbell whipped his head toward her.
“...Uh, uh...”
The moment their eyes met.
Seras’s face flushed crimson as she stumbled back without thinking.
Her body trembled. Heat flooded her face. Her heart raced wildly.
Just from eye contact.
She wanted to flee right there. She couldn’t face him any longer.
The throbbing from her heart grew unbearably loud.
“...!”
Then, missing a protruding stone, Seras tripped and fell.
Dropping the dagger she’d been gripping.
Amateur hour.
A blunder unbelievable for one of the world’s two Grand Assassins.
The metallic clang of the dagger hitting the ground drew every eye around her.
“...A weapon?”
“Personal weapons are banned, right?”
“She was holding it and dropped it?”
“...Why was she holding it? Trying to stab someone? That guy over there?”
“Yeah, what? For real? She was gonna kill him?”
Murmurs rose. Then attention from those noticing the commotion focused in.
Standing out in a place like this was a death sentence for an assassin.
“...”
Crisis.
The textbook move was to slip away fast, but that might leave evidence of an attempt on Dawood Campbell.
Leaving a ‘trail for pursuit’ was something she absolutely couldn’t allow.
Checkmated. Seras bit her lip until it bled.
But.
Help came from an unexpected source.
“Are you alright?”
Dawood Campbell, approaching her, extended a hand.
“...”
As she stared wide-eyed, he bent down fully, grabbed her hand, and pulled her up.
The height difference made her slip right into his arms, like being embraced.
“...E- Eek-!”
With her cheek against his chest, Seras let out a shrill squeak she’d never made before.
Firm. Solid. She even wanted to bury her nose and savor the sensation.
Professionally, she’d felt trained bodies countless times while carving them up.
But just brushing this man made her whole body twitch.
“No injuries, I hope.”
Dawood casually brushed the dust off her trembling form with an indifferent tone.
“N-No...”
Her voice was like a mouse squeaking into a hole.
Uncontrollable, even shocking herself.
“Sorry for bumping into you. You even dropped your belongings.”
He picked up the fallen dagger and handed it to her.
“Personal weapons are banned, so you’ll need to turn it in at the academy entrance.”
“...”
“I know some noble heirs always carry weapons, but rules are rules.”
Seras realized his intent in a flash.
He was passing it off as her simply bumping into him and dropping a ‘personal item.’
Indeed, as he spoke, the gathered crowd’s interest waned sharply.
Just a nothing incident; attention scattered.
“Anyway, I’ll be off. See you inside the academy.”
He turned with a slight smile.
“Nice to meet you. Let’s meet again.”
A smile so devastating it stiffened Seras’s entire body.
“...”
She stood frozen, trembling sweetly in place.
That smile alone had her heart nearly exploding. Her body radiated heat like a furnace. She couldn’t stop shaking.
But even in that state, one thing didn’t make sense.
‘...He covered for me.’
Why? Why on earth?
That man knew someone was targeting him.
The moment she lost focus and revealed herself, he’d glared sharply.
Anyone but a fool would realize she’d meant to harm him.
“...”
Seras watched him walk away with complicated eyes.
One thing was certain.
She was glad she’d listened to Vizla.
“...”
Face still burning red, she fiddled with the student ID in her bosom.
Really.
She had a feeling her stay at this academy might drag on.
For various reasons.
‘...Nice to meet you.’
Seras murmured it inwardly.
That’s what he’d said.
Nice to meet you. Let’s meet again.
“...”
Undeniably.
It pierced her heart with strange intensity.
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“...Fuck.”
The moment Seras vanished from sight, he spat curses and caught his breath.
No, why the hell did she show up here?
At this timing, she should be glued to the Pope, quietly doing his bidding. Sending her after just me is overkill manpower!
‘...If I hadn’t covered... what would’ve happened...!’
Cold sweat dripped as the thought hit.
As mentioned before.
She was the vessel definitively holding a fragment of the ‘Purple Devil’ in the scenario.
No telling what might happen if cornered.
“...”
Please.
He was the guy praying every night that she’d stay the hell out of his plans.
Surely it could go his way once in a while.
He was human too. Let him take the easy path.
[System Message]
[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ has activated! ]
[ Target ‘Seras’’s favorability surges to ‘Curiosity Stage 5’! ]
[ Collectible rewards have been granted! ]
[ The dormant ‘Purple Devil’ fragment in the target awakens under your influence! ]
[ An event related to target ‘Seras’ will generate soon! ]
So.
Stop this shit.
Let me live...!
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