Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Capturing the Black Cat Assassin
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"…Master? Why are you glaring at that cute little kitty?"
Philip ignored Neria's voice echoing in his head as he waited for the perfect opening. He planned to pounce the moment that cat fully let its guard down.
"Meeeooow."
The black cat twisted its body this way and that, loosening its joints. Then, in a voice dripping with murderous intent and annoyance, it muttered,
"Damn bitch. Of all places, she had to go throw herself on the Dean's mercy?"
Neria jumped at the raspy, scraping voice like rusted metal and called out to Philip.
…Master? Was that your voice just now?
Philip shook his head in the tiniest motion.
Th-then, is there someone else here?
This time, instead of shaking his head again, he nodded toward the cat with his chin.
The true nature of that black cat was a member of the Black Cat Tribe.
The Black Cat Tribe were born with the ability to hide in darkness and shadows. Their flexibility and agility surpassed even elves, and most of the race worked as assassins.
Unfortunately, Neria's childlike wonder shattered the instant the cat opened its mouth again.
"I won't let you die easy. I'll make you taste eternal agony until you regret ever being born…."
It was the kind of line you'd expect from a demon crawling up from the depths of hell.
Impossible…! That's a beast from hell. Master, kill it now!
With Neria's incredulous scream ringing in his mind, Philip launched himself forward.
Now!
He'd enhanced his physical abilities with aura and timed it for the exact moment the cat's attention wavered.
Philip shot forward like an arrow, slamming into the cat.
No matter how seasoned an assassin, a surprise attack from an unexpected angle was impossible to counter. In an instant, the cat was snared by the scruff in Philip's grip.
"Kyaaaaooong!"
A shrill feline screech echoed through the clock tower. Philip immediately pressed a finger to his lips.
"Make a sound, and you're dead."
"M-meeow… meeeeooow."
The cat's terrified eyes widened as it stared at Philip, its expression hardening.
'Shit. It knows who I am. Where'd the intel leak?'
"Kane of the Black Cat Tribe. You think I came here without knowing you? Forget transforming. The second I see your body start to grow, I'll snap your neck."
At Philip's warning, the cat—Kane of the Black Cat Tribe—bared its fangs and hissed.
"You delinquent bastard, have you lost your mind? I don't know how you figured me out and caught me, but our target isn't you. If you don't want trouble with Crescent, let go and scram."
"You still don't get your situation."
Philip hoisted the cat up by the scruff and slammed it to the ground with all his strength.
"Meeeoooow!"
Not even in human form could it have withstood that impact, let alone as a cat. Kane groaned in pain and glared up at Philip.
"…What do you want? I can't spill on the target or client. Anything else, I'll give freely—so let go first."
Unlike his murderous glare, he was surprisingly compliant.
True to their feline nature, the Black Cat Tribe had little concept of loyalty. Without the magical contract binding him to Crescent, he'd have sold out the mission details in a heartbeat.
He had no intention of recklessly defying someone who'd uncovered his identity and hideout and subdued him.
Philip didn't hesitate, pulling out the rope he'd tied to his waist beforehand and binding him tight.
He pinned the front paws to the belly to prevent claws from emerging—Kane completely gave up resisting at the expert technique. Philip clearly knew the Black Cat Tribe's weaknesses.
"I'm not resisting, so spit it out already!"
"What I want?"
Philip looked down at the bound cat with a cold expression.
"Crescent's base and its security level. And the leader's location. Not sure if you can deliver, though."
"What? You're totally insane… Kyaooong!"
Philip slammed him into the floor again and spoke.
"If you don't know, then you die. What choice do I have? Your assassination target, Branch Manager Lizriel Yusuf, is one of mine. I don't let anyone touch my people and walk away. I'll ask again. Do you know Crescent's base? Its security and the leader Nephen's location?"
'…It knows the leader's name?'
If Kane were in human form right now, his face would've gone pale.
He realized he'd tangled with the wrong guy.
"I-I don't know. But our great mother Stella does. I'll guide you to her."
Philip nodded, stuffing the securely bound cat into the sack he'd prepared.
Master… Neria is… Neria….
Neria, who'd watched it all, called out to him in a voice thick with shock and fear.
"Remember this well. The world isn't always what it seems."
Philip soothed her, then picked up the sack with the Black Cat assassin and descended the clock tower.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Philip's next stop was the staff dormitory.
Did you forget something?
Neria asked, somewhat recovered from the shock. Philip shook his head.
"Meeting someone. To take down Crescent before dawn, I need powerful allies."
Powerful… allies? You mean that Archmage grandpa and the funny uncle?
The funny uncle Neria meant was Chief Professor Emil Panoy.
"Not close enough to the Dean for that ask. If this person refuses, maybe the Chief Professor next."
…?
Philip climbed the stairs to the floor for female staff and stopped at a door, knocking lightly.
Fortunately, the occupant wasn't asleep yet.
"Yaaawn… Who's there?"
"It's me. Philip. Mind if we talk?"
"Huh? Oh, hold on—be right out!"
The door opened to reveal Priscilla, the Magic Department instructor. She'd come out in pajamas and slippers.
"Wh-what brings you here so late? What's that on your back?"
He couldn't read her mind, but her cheeks were flushed.
Philip leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"Got something to say."
"S-something to… say?"
"Truth is, I'm heading out alone to deal with an old assassination group. Might get badly hurt—or die. You're my friend, so I wanted to let you know… Mmph."
Priscilla's hand clamped over his mouth.
"…Cheeky bastard, dragging me out here with that ploy. Want me to kill you myself?"
Philip realized Priscilla had lent her body to the academy's guardian dragon.
He could tell from that utterly fed-up expression alone.
"Fascinating every time. How's it work exactly? Possession?"
"Why would I tell you? You ignore me when I say leave me alone—now what do you want?"
Dragon Previa narrowed her eyes at Philip. She seemed quite displeased, but he pressed on.
He wouldn't have bothered her for anything else, but against Crescent, her help could make all the difference.
"Just like I told Priscilla. I'm moving to dismantle the assassination group Crescent."
"…So, you don't want to die—you want my help?"
As she suppressed her anger, Philip waved his hands frantically.
"No, that's not it. Do you know who leads Crescent?"
"Why would I?"
Philip nodded at Previa's question.
"Yes. Because Crescent's leader, Nephen, is a demon."
The moment he finished, Previa grabbed his collar and opened a portal.
"…Huh?"
Philip barely reacted before being pulled through with her.
The scenery shifted in an instant. He realized with shock that they were now in the academy's back mountains.
"Can you take responsibility for that claim? If it's a lie, Moonlight Sword heir or not, you'll pay for deceiving me."
Dragon Previa pressed him coldly. Regaining his composure, Philip smiled softly.
"You already know I didn't lie."
As he'd said, Previa knew he spoke the truth. But her pride wouldn't let her fall for his shallow trick so easily.
"Be grateful for your talent. If you weren't the Moonlight Sword's heir, I'd have cursed you horribly."
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Philip asked,
"What kind of curse?"
"Impotence."
Short and blunt. Philip felt a chill down his spine and patted his chest.
'What kind of deal did she make with Master Otem, Moonlight Sword's creator?'
He felt the need to dig into that too.
"…If their leader is a demon as you say, then yes, I should step in. This violates the demon-dragon accords outright."
'Yes!'
Philip cheered inwardly. But in the next instant, Previa's draconic gaze pinned him in place, unable to move a muscle.
It felt like her stare alone held physical force binding his body.
"But… how insolent. A mere human trying to manipulate a dragon? How do you plan to pay for that?"
M-Master…? That lady's really a dragon?
Neria's frightened voice echoed in his head.
Then Previa's gaze shifted to Neria at Philip's waist.
"…What's that?"
She reached out, and Neria unsheathed herself from Philip's waist into Previa's hand.
"Don't bully her!"
Philip shouted sharply in alarm. But Previa ignored him and muttered something.
Probably talking to Neria.
"Fine, stop crying. I said stop—ugh, how did this even…."
She rubbed her temple like her head ached and returned Neria to Philip.
The moment his body was free, Philip grabbed Neria.
Puuueeeng! Hueeeeng!
Neria's terrified wails rattled his skull. Philip soothed her by stroking the blood groove and pommel.
Previa let out a deep sigh and waved her hand.
"…Damn it. Fine, I'll play along this once."
"Pardon?"
"I'll fall for your trick once. This bitter aftertaste will nag me for centuries."
Stunned by her sudden shift, Philip whispered to Neria.
"What'd you say to her?"
Sniff… Just that you shouldn't bully Master… sniff… okay?
Neria, calming under his touch, replied.
'…What?'
He had no idea what happened, but the result was good. Philip bowed at the waist in thanks.
"Truly grateful."
It was probably a one-time thing, but now he'd solve this riding on a dragon's back. He prayed in advance for the Crescent assassins he'd face.
They'd probably die—or end up dead, high chance either way.