An Unexpected Resolution
Just as I expected.
Edgar studied his opponent, who kept a careful distance in their standoff, proving that his hypothesis had been correct. The distinctive surge of magical power that should radiate from anyone with real skill was almost entirely absent from this man. He likely possessed a similar constitution to Edgar’s own, or perhaps some form of magic was forcibly suppressing his abilities. The former seemed far more probable. It would also explain how he had managed to pierce the barrier and slip into Ariel’s bedchamber. Edgar had anticipated that someone like himself might exist, yet he had never imagined anyone would actually attempt it. Had he not sensed that faint unease when they crossed paths in the village, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
“!”
A sharp ting rang out as Edgar deflected the dagger that flew from the darkness, quickly resetting his stance. No matter how spacious the room, in such confined quarters he was at a disadvantage with his longer weapon. Moreover, he had to stay close to Ariel at all times in case the intruder tried to take her hostage and flee. Even under these adverse conditions he had managed to land a few cuts, but it was frustrating that he could not deliver a decisive strike.
This is dangerous.
The man facing Edgar felt the same unease. If he showed even the slightest opening, the boy would seize it. Despite his youthful appearance, the child responded with surprising skill. He moved constantly between the balcony and the bed, blocking any escape through the window while preventing the use of the hostage as leverage.
If I charge in recklessly, I’ll be the one who suffers. What now?
The only gamble available was to open the door, create chaos, and slip away in the confusion. But that would only work against a lesser opponent. The moment Edgar turned his back, this boy would drive a blade into it without hesitation. Yet causing a commotion inside the room would only summon reinforcements.
All I have is one dagger and whatever is hidden in my sleeve. Not exactly promising.
Still, there was a way. The man’s goal was to kidnap the Robeheim family’s young lady, but the boy did not yet know whether the intent was assassination or capture. That uncertainty was why the intruder had been so aggressive in keeping him away from her. The small gap in information could become an opening.
“……”
“!?”
The instant the man cautiously reached into his coat, Edgar charged without giving him a breath. Unlike Edgar, who held only a single sword, an assassin might have any number of hidden weapons. Allowing him to draw another could shift the situation beyond recovery.
Clang!
Like a perfect iaijutsu draw, Edgar’s form arrived in front of the man the moment his foot touched the floor. The intruder barely blocked with his prized weapon, but with one hand occupied his strength fell short. Watching the man’s wrist tremble, Edgar smiled coldly and thrust his blade straight at the intruder’s right eye.
Whoosh.
“Ugh!”
The man twisted his head at the last second, but the sword still grazed his temple, drawing blood.
Damn it.
He felt less like an assassin and more like a mage facing a swordsman. The strongest swordsmen were said to give mages no time to cast, and this boy’s fighting style was eerily similar.
But this is perfect.
Though now backed against the wall, the increased distance between the boy and the bed was exactly what he needed. A blessing in disguise. It seemed the gods had finally smiled on him.
When his left hand closed around the dagger hidden in his coat, the man’s lips curved into a vicious smile. His target was the decorative ornament displayed on the ceiling directly above Ariel’s bed. It was clearly no ordinary glass, and its sharp point would inflict serious injury if it fell. If he threw the dagger to bring it down, the boy would surely throw himself forward to shield the young lady. The moment his back was exposed, the man would strike from behind.
Two choices: ignore the woman’s injury and attack him, or ignore the attack and try to carry her to safety. The man was certain the boy would never choose the first. He would embrace the girl, retreat, and only then resume the fight. Against an overwhelming difference in skill that might work, but in a battle this close, even the smallest opening would become an assassin’s feast.
Step. Step.
Now!
As the boy closed the distance, the man—who had waited until the final moment—hurled the dagger at the cord holding the ornament.
Swoosh.
“……!”
Only then did Edgar realize what the intruder was truly aiming for. The moment he turned his back and dashed toward the bed, the man closed in swiftly, targeting Edgar from behind.
The boy’s back was now directly in front of him, and the ornament had reached the space above the young lady’s head. There was no time to grab her and flee. Convinced of victory, the man smiled and drove his blade forward.
Thud!
“Gah?!”
What met him was not yielding flesh but Edgar’s iron grip. An instant later, the massive ornament crashed down onto Edgar with a deafening crash.
No one could sleep through that much noise, no matter how deeply they slumbered. Ariel’s eyelids fluttered open. Life returned to her crimson eyes, and her expression twisted with confusion at the hazy scene before her.
“Ed… gar?”
“…Sorry. Did I wake you?”
Blood dripped steadily from the hand gripping the stranger’s throat, spattering across Ariel’s face.
I wanted to finish this quietly.
Despite all his training, it seemed he still lacked real combat experience. The crucial realization had come at the very end: the enemy’s goal was not to kill Ariel but to capture her alive. Without that knowledge, such a counter would have been impossible.
“You crazy… bastard…”
The man was equally stunned. To think the boy would endure such an impact and immediately counterattack. The damage to his body should have made maintaining consciousness difficult, yet the hand around his throat only tightened with increasing strength.
Damn it. I can’t die here.
Edgar felt the same urgency. Even if it meant severing a limb, he needed the man alive for interrogation. He had to learn why this had happened and who stood behind it. Too many unknowns remained; killing him now would only bring loss.
Besides… Even though I resolved myself to do it, actually taking a life is still difficult.
Though he had fought with lethal intent, Edgar was still a boy who had never killed. Even against an assassin, the act of ending a life without hesitation was no simple matter. It only underscored how heavy a first kill truly was.
“Ariel, do we have any rope… or something to tie him with?”
“Y-yes! Just a moment…!”
Still gripping the man’s throat, Edgar slowly moved toward the wardrobe. All the hidden weapons the intruder had used were now scattered across the floor, so there was no immediate danger. Using the rope Ariel brought, he bound the man’s wrists and hung him inside the wardrobe. No matter how strong his grip, he would not break free from this.
Thump.
Whether from blood loss or exhaustion, Edgar’s mind grew hazy. After securing the prisoner, he collapsed to the floor. He needed to explain everything to Ariel, but his heavy body refused to obey and his lips would barely move.
For now he should call the others. They could not simply conceal the incident when they needed to hand the man over.
At least it’s over.
The wave of relief washed over him, and Edgar’s consciousness began to fade.
“…gar!”
Panic filled Ariel’s eyes as she stood across from him. She shouted his name with desperate urgency. Just before his body hit the floor, a small explosion sounded from behind him.
Boom!
Startled, Edgar turned his head. There stood the enemy he had bound only moments ago. In the man’s right hand was a thin, palm-sized saw-like tool he must have kept hidden in his sleeve. He had apparently cut through the rope.
But that was not what mattered now.
The man’s head had been completely blown away, reduced to an unrecognizable pulp of flesh that could no longer be called human or monster. The relatively intact lower half of his neck crumpled powerlessly and flopped onto the cold floor.
“Ariel, you…”
In this room, only one person could have done such a thing. Edgar called his childhood friend’s name in a low, stunned voice.
No matter how much of an enemy the man had been, a fourteen-year-old girl had taken a life without the slightest hesitation. Yet Ariel’s crimson eyes showed no fear, no shock, no horror at the act of murder.
She approached slowly, gently touched Edgar’s face, and asked in a perfectly calm voice whether he was hurt anywhere.
“I’m fine. More importantly, what about him?”
“He was about to ambush you, so I killed him first. You seemed to want him alive.”
That was not what Edgar had meant. This had to be Ariel’s first kill. How could she remain so composed?
Even Edgar had needed considerable resolve before he could decide to kill an opponent he had clearly identified as an enemy.
“Are you really okay? It was your first time killing someone.”
“How could someone who tried to kill you be considered a person? He was a bug. Why would I feel guilty about exterminating a pest?”
She spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world, then immediately cast a recovery spell on him. Her mastery of other magic was still limited, so the healing was incomplete, but it would at least stabilize the worst of his wounds.
Afterward, Ariel rose and gently laid his head on her lap.
Blood will tell.
Only when he met her crimson eyes looking down at him did Edgar truly understand. No matter how pure and innocent she appeared on the surface, the cold blood of a ruler flowed within her—a ruler who could mercilessly cut down anyone who stood in her path.
Yet it was precisely that cold judgment that had saved his life.
He had come to help her, only to be the one who needed saving in the end. Still, the knowledge that she was safe brought him profound relief.
Before long, people began rushing toward the room, drawn by the two loud noises that had echoed at the battle’s climax.
One problem had been resolved, but many more remained. With that thought, Edgar gave a faint, bitter smile and surrendered to the pull of sleep.
It seemed his body was more exhausted than he had realized.