Leaking Like a Sieve
I let out a hollow laugh at the sight of Berick lounging in my room, looking entirely at home as if he owned the place.
"Did you toss out your manners and breeding along with the Stanasila name? Barging into someone's room when they're not even there—what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Who says I'm not a Stanasila? Say what they will, I am a Stanasila through and through."
"Bullshit. You don't even believe that yourself, so drop the act."
"......"
Watching his face freeze into a deadpan grimace, I snickered, took a swig of alcohol, and strode straight toward him.
"Move. That's my spot."
I flicked my fingers dismissively, and a dry chuckle escaped his lips.
"You really have changed since I last saw you, Aljen. Grown arrogant, haven't you?"
"Muriel. Cut him down."
There was no verbal response.
The instant the command left my mouth, a dagger slashed through the air—heavily coated in pitch-black aura.
"What—?! Gah!"
Clang!
Drawing a miniature blade from his sleeve, Berick barely parried the strike before springing backward.
"See? Ask nicely, and people never listen."
I collapsed onto the sofa, sprawling out comfortably. Berick stood locked in a standoff against Muriel, grinding his teeth so hard they clicked as he glared at me with pure venom. Now that his perpetually irritating slit eyes were wide open, his mug was at least somewhat tolerable to look at.
"Aljen, you bastard...! Just what the hell are you planning?!"
"Why don't you sit down instead of barking? Muriel, put the dagger away."
As Muriel sheathed her weapon and took her post at my side, Berick exhaled a ragged breath of fury. He raked a hand through his hair, then forced a bright, plastic smile.
"Right... there's no need for a pointless brawl. I've known my pathetic little brother had a rotten temper for a long time now."
Taking the seat across from me, he casually crossed his legs with deliberate composure.
"Is that woman a Shadow Knight?"
"Can't you tell by looking? Cut the bullshit and get to the point."
"Heh, heheh. Look at how relaxed you are. You truly have changed. Are you really the Aljen I used to know?"
"The point."
"...Fine. I'll be blunt, Aljen. Where did you get your information? Exactly how much do you know?"
"Hah..."
I honestly lost count of how many times people had asked me that exact question.
"Does it matter?"
"It matters. Very much so. The length of your lifespan hinges on your answer."
"Oho. Coming on strong, are we?"
Smirking, I sparked up a cigarette.
"Phew... What happens if I say I know nothing?"
"Well. I'll leave that to your imagination."
"Khehe. What imagination? You're obviously planning to kidnap me and squeeze me dry until you get what you want, so why play coy?"
Even under my blatant sneer, his expression didn't waver. He probably really intended to do just that.
"Fine, then. What if I say I know everything? What will you do then?"
"In that case, you'll have to come with me."
"To Greenjack?"
"...How do you know that name?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Berick's slit eyes narrowed once more, revealing pupils dark and hollow as open graves.
"Oops. Hadn't I mentioned that yet? I've got so much on my mind, I figured I already spilled it. My bad~ Just pretend you didn't hear that."
"...Do you think this is a joke, Stanasila Aljen?"
"Pfft. Trying to act menacing? With a face like yours, it's not intimidating in the slightest, so don't strain yourself."
Waving a dismissive hand, I chugged another gulp of liquor.
"Khaaah...! Anyway, no matter what I say, the outcome is getting dragged off to Greenjack to be wrung dry. So I'm not answering either way. You understand, right?"
"You..."
"Now, it's my turn to state my business. Berick, could you introduce me to a decent assassin guild?"
"What...?"
He stared at me, thoroughly bewildered.
"An assassin guild...? You know I belong to Greenjack, yet you're asking me to recommend an assassin guild?"
"Yeah. That's right."
Greenjack could technically deliver what I wanted, but quite frankly, the thought of trusting my body to such a filthy outfit turned my stomach.
"Ha, haha... What could you possibly need an assassin guild for?"
"Well, you see..." After a moment's thought, I gave a sly shrug. "There's someone I don't like. Figured I'd quietly do away with them."
It was the exact same excuse I gave Urtega. That monstrous duke had seen through the lie in a heartbeat, but what about Berick?
"...Are you telling me you manipulated Father himself just to drag Greenjack into the open—all for something like that?"
"Is that how it looks to you?"
"Heh, heheh... Hahaha...! Right. I understand now. What you're thinking. What you know, and how much."
"Huh?"
"I have no choice but to admit it, Stanasila Aljen. Whatever the origin, the power dwelling inside you must be genuine."
Abandoning all pretense of composure, his face twisted like a demon's, radiating thick tendrils of murderous intent.
"You got me good. Had I known, I should have finished you off in the Wyrm Mountains. It was my mistake not anticipating that a worthless wretch like you could gain such tremendous power."
"Hmm...?"
A piece of intel I couldn't afford to ignore had just slipped from his mouth. Feigning calm, I curled the corner of my mouth into a provocative smirk.
"Yes. Just as you know, it was Greenjack who provided the assassin guild to Zeb. No, it was Greenjack who manipulated Zeb into blackmailing you, and Greenjack who supplied the leverage and evidence. Stanasila Aljen, ever since those unbelievable rumors about you began circulating, we've had our eyes on you. It was all our design."
"......"
It took everything I had to keep my smirk from twitching.
Wait, seriously? I never saw that coming.
Holy shit... I figured there might be a mastermind pulling the strings, but Greenjack?
And back when Zeb tried to blackmail me, it was only a few days after the post-war reconstruction began. Greenjack was watching me that early? Why? Did they even have a reason to?
"...Aha."
My instincts clicked into place. Berick was the ringleader.
This bastard, who had always looked down on Alzen as scum meant to rot at the absolute bottom of the barrel, couldn't stomach the rumors that Alzen had achieved exploits and possessed unbelievable power—so he mobilized Greenjack to investigate!
And right now, he assumed I was paying him back in kind for what he had done to me, jumping to the conclusion that I had known everything from the start.
"Aljen. Do you realize the gravity of what you've done in your bid for revenge against Greenjack—and against me?"
I probably know better than you do, genius.
Far from seeking revenge, I hadn't even known Berick was behind it until ten seconds ago, but whatever.
"...Khehe."
Plastering on a deliberately cheap, provocative grin, I dug into the original Alzen's memories and began channeling his mannerisms and speech. The pathetic, inferiority-ridden little brother Berick was so intimately familiar with.
"...I don't know, do I? Khehe... You think you can kill me? Sorry to disappoint, but Father already promised to protect me. 'Mere' Greenjack can't touch me."
"Kh, khehe... Right. So that's where your knowledge ends. You've exposed the limits of your ability, you foolish, pathetic little brother."
Because I had played the role of 'Stanasila Aljen' to perfection, Berick seized upon some newfound conviction and regained his smug composure.
...Sorry to burst your bubble, but I actually know the Third Princess is backing Greenjack, too.
"What are you talking about? My power has no limits."
Without letting on what I knew, I feigned slight panic and glared at him.
Seeing that, Berick began looking down on me with even greater arrogance.
"Little brother. My deficient little brother. I shall grant you one final act of mercy. You had best seize this chance."
"...Tch."
The way he sneered down his nose the second he thought he had the upper hand was so pathetic it took effort not to burst out laughing. What a petty, insidious bastard. For the first time, I felt a pang of genuine sympathy for Stanasila Aljen, who had grown up tormented by a guy like this.
"A proposal, you say...?"
"Indeed. Stanasila Aljen, join Greenjack. Walk alongside us. Do so, and you will attain power and honor far greater than idling as the duke's third son. Moreover, I assure you, you will obtain the very talent and strength you have always yearned for."
"Phew..."
Watching him put on this entire one-man show, I blew out a cloud of cigarette smoke, took another sip of alcohol, and wore the most sour smile I could muster.
"Cut the crap. Just introduce me to an assassin guild."
"...Right. So that is your choice. I knew it, and yet you truly are a fool of a brother."
As if he had expected nothing else, Berick rose to his feet with a smirk laced with pity and contempt, fixing me with cold, detached eyes.
"From this moment forth, you are Greenjack's top assassination target. I suggest you write your will in advance."
With that, Berick turned on his heel and walked out without looking back.
"...Hey, I told you to introduce me to an assassin guild!"
I actually need one, damn it.
I wasn't trying to get revenge or pull one over on him; I legitimately needed an assassin!
"Lord Hangil. It seems you will have to give up on the assassin guild."
"Ah, dammit... Nothing ever goes smoothly."
At this rate, I'd have to ask Urtega again. Though the far more pressing issue was that I had just made an enemy of Greenjack.
"What do we do now..."
A faint sense of dread washed over me, and I couldn't hold back a groan.
Greenjack was no joke. If they mobilized in full force, I was practically a dead man. They had a Sword Master-tier assassin in their ranks. By nature of the trade, an assassin could kill targets far above their own tier if the conditions were right—which meant they possessed enough lethal force to assassinate even Urtega given an opening.
"...Muriel. Looks like you'll have a rough time starting today. Sorry about this."
"That was my duty from the very beginning. Please pay it no mind."
"I'll say this in advance: even if I die, it's not your fault, so don't beat yourself up over it."
"Lord Hangil."
Muriel grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close, locking eyes with me at point-blank range.
"Did I not tell you? Put yourself first. Treasure your own life."
"...I heard you. But didn't I tell you, too? Dying isn't really dying for me."
"That is no excuse to treat your life so cheaply. Or must I restrain you by force, Lord Hangil?"
"Restrain me by force? How?"
"You already know. I am foolish, so I know only one way."
Muriel stroked my shoulder with gentle, deliberate fingers.
"I will ravish you. All night long. Until you regret losing the present me and returning to the past."
"......"
A violent shiver ran straight down my spine.
"...Muriel. You really are consistent, aren't you? How does your brain always loop back to that?"
"That consistency is my point of pride."
"Honestly, isn't that just what you want to do anyway?"
"About ninety percent of it, yes."
"That's basically all of it!"
I sighed and tried to push her away, but she was as unyielding as an iron wall. Cold sweat trickled down my neck.
"A-Alright! I get it! I'll treasure my life, okay? Happy now?"
"No. I cannot put my mind at ease. I would rather, right now..."
"Hey. Hey! Don't take off my clothes! Let go!"
I resisted desperately, but my strength was like a dandelion seed in a gale—completely useless. Sensing the crazed intensity in Muriel's eyes and knowing things were about to cross the point of no return, I embraced the mindset that those who seek death shall live, shut my eyes tight, and pressed my lips firmly against hers.
"Mmph?"
The best defense really was a good offense. Her eyes went wide in shock at the unexpected preemptive strike.
"Mmh... slurpp..."
However, the tables turned in an instant as her arms gently wrapped around me, pulling me in and aggressively taking charge.
"Haa... mmph... nh..."
The deep kiss went on and on, our tongues tangling repeatedly, parting only after we had thoroughly mapped every corner of each other's mouths.
As the dizzying pleasure receded, a pang of reluctance hit me alongside a sudden surge of raw desire, but I clenched my fists and reined it in.
"Phew... Calm down a bit now?"
"No. I believe the fire has only burned hotter."
"Give me a break..."
"Hmm. Since this was the first time you showed initiative, Lord Hangil, I shall let you off with this much today. However, there will not be a second time."
"...You're terrifying."
After an exchange where it was impossible to tell who was master and who was servant, Muriel straightened her clothes and met my gaze.
"Lord Hangil."
"What?"
"Why not issue a second commission to Rebecca? For escort duty."
"A commission?... Why? Lack confidence?"
I had already planned to do just that, but I provoked her anyway just to tease. She let out a scoff full of disdain.
"Of course I have confidence, but that is beside the point. I do not consider myself infallible."
"Meaning gaps are bound to happen."
"Yes. The more escort personnel, the better."
"...Fair enough. Go fetch Rebecca."
"Understood."
Muriel returned quickly with Rebecca in tow.
Though for some reason, Cacciola was right beside her.