Chapter 31
Chapter 31
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Fall of Crescent
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lizriel Yusuf was tormented, bored, and terrified.
In a situation where the unparalleled assassin group, renowned for its traditions and history, was targeting her, there were scarcely any people in the world who could remain unfazed.
She had spent her days killing time in the dean's office and her nights catching brief naps in the corner of the dormitory where Chief Professor Emil Panoy was staying, enduring like this for several days.
Chief Professor Emil Panoy was a pretty decent guy.
But the bachelor stench and cigarette smell wafting from his room were a bit hard to bear.
'Who the hell is after me?'
Fortunately, thanks to the connections she'd built in Crescent, she'd gotten a warning in advance. Otherwise, she would've obviously been ambushed and killed while bathing, sleeping, or even in the bathroom.
'The Golden Seal came my way... well, not exactly in my hands, but close enough. I can't die without even getting to use it. Did the info leak?'
If word about the Golden Seal had leaked, it wouldn't be strange for her to become an assassination target.
But she knew better than anyone that the odds of a leak were astronomically low. The only ones who knew of the Golden Seal's existence were the direct descendants of the Yusuf bloodline and Philip.
If Philip were behind it, he wouldn't have outsourced to assassins. He had far easier methods at his disposal.
'Not my siblings either. They wouldn't attack me in a way that leaves evidence like hiring assassins.'
Her rivals in the Yusuf family were extremely cautious types who wouldn't move like this.
The past few days had mostly been like that.
A cycle of piecing together uncertain information in her head without evidence, only to tear it apart again.
Her childhood habit of nail-biting had resurfaced, and lack of proper sleep had left dark circles under her eyes.
"This can't go on."
Hiding like this wouldn't change anything. She'd sent a letter detailing her situation to the Yusuf Merchant Guild, but it would take them at least a few months to sort things out.
"Miss, having a good time?"
At that moment, Chief Professor Emil Panoy entered the dean's office.
"Ah, Professor."
Lizriel bowed her head in greeting, and the chief professor skipped the preamble, jumping straight to his question.
"One of the junior instructors didn't come back after class yesterday. I heard he's close to you. Anything to do with you, Miss?"
"...You mean Philip Oswald, by junior instructor?"
"Your reaction tells me you don't know either. Damn it all."
The chief professor grumbled about some idiot stirring up a hornet's nest unnecessarily and pulled a well-sealed letter from his pocket, handing it to Lizriel.
"Anyway, someone from the Yusuf Merchant Guild asked me to pass this along. Take a look. They said it's important."
"Thank you, Professor."
It wasn't easy for even a chief professor to run errands like this.
A bit touched, Lizriel unfolded the letter sealed with the Yusuf Merchant Guild's stamp.
The contents were very straightforward.
'While mobilizing all information networks to investigate the client, confirmed Crescent's collapse. Remaining members three or fewer; organization unsustainable. Return to duties as instructed.'
Lizriel's hands trembled as she refolded the letter.
"Something wrong? No, if it's confidential, no need to tell me."
To the chief professor's question, Lizriel blinked for a moment before replying.
"They say Crescent is done for..."
"...Why?"
"Guess I'll have to find out starting now."
The letter wasn't speculation.
If an official document stamped by the guild was fake, heads would roll—more than one or two.
That meant the ancient assassin organization known as Crescent was truly gone.
"...Philip? No way?"
She thought of Philip for a moment, then shook her head, furrowing her brow.
It was true he wasn't your average guy, but linking him to Crescent's downfall seemed unlikely.
'...Probably just coincidence?'
She could look into the details once she returned to work.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Thank you so much. I don't know how to repay this kindness..."
Stella, the Black Cat Tribe chief, had finally woken up after hours of unconsciousness. The first thing she did upon regaining consciousness was express her gratitude to Philip.
Her face was deathly pale now that the bleeding had finally slowed, and her lips were blue.
"No big deal... Don't mention it. I didn't start this to help you guys anyway. I benefited too. So, what do we do with this one?"
Philip held up his right hand. In it dangled a tiny kitten.
It was Tania, the next Black Cat Tribe chief, in her cat form.
She'd passed out as if asleep from Philip's chokehold, but the moment she opened her eyes, she went berserk.
But upon seeing Philip's face, she cowered in fear, tucking her tail between her legs and trembling. It seemed she'd acknowledged him as higher in the pecking order.
Likely due to the terror of death she'd felt under his choke.
"Hiss! Hiss!"
When Tania faced Stella, she bared her fangs and swiped with her front paws, ready to claw.
Stella averted her gaze with a heartbroken expression at her inexplicable hostility.
"You're getting scolded."
"Meeeooow..."
At Philip's displeased look, Tania tucked her tail again and let out a pitiful mewl.
"As you probably know, I need to head back to the academy. A day's already passed, so if I don't hustle, I'll get fired. What about you from here on?"
To Philip's question, Stella squeezed her eyes shut.
Truth be told, her future looked bleak. Ten out of their scant few dozen members were dead or injured. Stepping out into the world like this would just invite a second Crescent to target the Black Cat Tribe.
To her, Philip suddenly made a proposal.
"You must have a lot on your mind. Mind if I offer one option?"
"Pardon?"
"If you don't have plans, how about I hire you all? No need to kill anyone or take big risks. There's a job that makes perfect use of your shadow-traversing abilities."
"...Which is?"
To Stella's question, Philip grinned and answered.
"Information gathering. Just bring me the intel I want. Maybe deliver some letters otherwise? Refuse if it's too risky, no problem. Do that, and I'll help your tribe settle into human society."
Over several minutes, Philip explained his ideas to Stella. She pondered briefly, then nodded.
"If you do that much for us, I'll serve you for life."
She lacked both the courage and reason to refuse an offer from someone backed by a dragon.
With the chief injured like this, Philip could single-handedly wipe out the remaining Black Cat Tribe.
She entrusted her tribe's fate to Philip's mercy.
Stella struggled to her feet despite her wounds and knelt before Philip. Startled, he made her sit back down. Even that brief movement caused blood to seep through her bandages.
'A single healing spell from Previa would fix that right up. Man, is she really not coming?'
Philip grumbled as he picked up Tania.
"So, what about this one? You keeping her?"
"I'll... take responsibility somehow."
"How? Can you even handle her if I let go? Not in that condition..."
Mid-sentence, Philip sensed a familiar presence. This unforgettable, immense aura belonged to Previa.
"Well handled. As expected of the Moonlight Sword's successor."
She entered the room where Stella was resting and praised Philip.
"...Why'd you take so long?"
Philip shot Previa a resentful glare. She didn't so much as snort in response.
"I tortured that vermin demon, then reported to the Lord. Depending on the outcome, we might demand something from the demons, so you've earned credit."
Previa's expression was brighter, as if torturing Nephen had vented some pent-up stress. That must be why she was sharing such info.
'This might be enough to ask for a favor.'
Having steeled himself, Philip spoke up.
"Then, could you grant me a request?"
"Go ahead. If it's not excessive."
Previa nodded readily. She'd gained much from resolving this incident, and appreciated how neatly Philip had tied up the loose ends.
Philip held Tania up before Previa's eyes.
"Please restore this Black Cat Tribe member's mind to normal."
"N-No need for that."
Stella flinched in surprise and tried to rise urgently.
Philip pressed her shoulder down with one hand to keep her seated, then continued.
"And while you're at it, heal this one's wounds too."
Previa silently pointed a finger at Stella.
"Heal."
Suddenly, Stella felt an itch all over her body. Her wounds began regenerating on their own.
"Ah... Aaaah!"
She passed out on the spot. Philip was once again awed by Previa's word magic.
It was straight-up broken.
"That Black Cat woman will be fully recovered in three days, good as new. But this little kitten... hand her over for a sec."
Previa trailed off, taking Tania from Philip. After examining the cat for a while, she shook her head.
"Mental damage shattering reason can't be fixed with magic. Same principle as not being able to make a madman sane."
"...So what do I do?"
"What else? Nurse her until her mind returns. If you're lucky, maybe a few years. Anyway, you heading back or what? The academy's in an uproar over your absence."
"Pardon?"
Philip was baffled. Surely one missing instructor wouldn't cause such a fuss.
"Your sister barged in and turned the whole place upside down."
"Oh no."
That sounded just like Felicia. If she thought her reformed little brother had clashed with Professor Haslan and gone astray again, she'd do exactly that.
"Let's head back. Quick."
"Right. What about the cat?"
Previa opened a portal. Philip hesitated, then used his sword to scribble a few lines on the floor.
"I'll take her for now. Leaving her here would be irresponsible."
There was no one left in the Black Cat Tribe village to control Tania's rampages. Philip clicked his tongue in regret and stepped through the portal.