Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Manor
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Manor.
A spacious garden surrounded several buildings. Including the walls encircling its perimeter, all of it was called the manor.
I passed through several gates, scanning the interior as I went.
It was spotless. Not a speck of trash in sight, as if the cleaning had just been finished.
The discipline must be strict around here. A worker passed by my side. His steps were incredibly quick.
More hurried than merely diligent, perhaps. He carried water in his hands. Water that had clearly been fetched from far away.
"You're late!"
"Hurry up and move it!"
"Yes!"
I glanced up at one of the buildings. Smoke continued to rise steadily from it. A delicious aroma brushed past my nose.
They're cooking. The important thing was that the smell permeated the entire area.
Normally, a scent like this wouldn't spread this far. They'd probably been at it for quite a while.
The faces of the passing workers were drenched in sweat. Some even muttered curses under their breath.
"Pig bastard... Is he possessed or something..."
"How much does that guy even eat...?"
We grabbed one of the workers and mentioned we had meat to deliver. He gestured for us to follow.
We helped him hang the hefty cuts of meat in the warehouse. The worker let out a heavy sigh and plopped down right there on the spot.
"You've got some real strength. Lifting this stuff like it's nothing. I need a breather. My legs feel like they're about to fall off..."
"Is there some kind of feast going on inside?"
"Feast? No way. This is all food for the sect leader's eldest son, Maeng So-un. Every bit of it."
"That's an awful lot you're preparing..."
"He's devouring it like a pig. Don't know why, but lately his appetite's shot through the roof. Eating like he's possessed. They say a son doesn't follow in his father's footsteps... Total nonsense. If he even took after our sect leader half as much, that'd be something. He's been nothing but trouble since he was a kid, and now he's got some weird illness... Tsk."
Sudden spike in appetite, huh.
The worker waved us off, signaling it was time to go. We bowed lightly in thanks and left the warehouse.
Number 20 rolled her eyes.
"Tight security. No gaps to slip through. We'll have to go over the walls."
"But they can't guard every inch of this massive place perfectly."
"Let's come back a few more times and time the patrols. We'll vary our arrival times each visit. That way, we can map out the patrol schedules and guard shift changes roughly."
We slipped in and out of the estate several more times after that. By now, our faces were familiar enough that the gatekeepers would clear a path without question once we flashed the meat.
We even got chummy with the servants who guided us each time. We picked up some high-grade intel too.
"When did Maeng So-un's appetite start ramping up? Let's see... About two months ago, I'd say. In my opinion, anyway. The Black Heaven Axe Sect won't die in battle-it'll starve. How's there gonna be money left with him eating like this?"
"The sect leader? Ah, well... Yeah, he dotes on his eldest son terribly. But that Maeng So-un punk's always been a wastrel. Sixteen workers lost limbs because of him. Doesn't take after the sect leader's personality at all. Brutal to the core. And greedy beyond belief, too..."
"Maeng So-un's trash. Still is. With that vicious temper, and now this monstrous appetite on top... I say, I wish the bastard would just drop dead. Freeloading pig... Our sect leader's such a good man..."
The servant spat on the ground.
Sect leader, huh.
From the looks of it, the Black Heaven Axe Sect Leader, Maeng Cheon, commanded quite the respect. Not a single soul in the manor badmouthed him.
Unlike other factions, he actually took good care of those beneath him.
Six days left until the deadline. We returned to our lodging and sat facing each other.
"......"
Number 20 was lost in thought. So was I. I fiddled idly with my sword.
Orders had come down. If it was time to cut, I'd cut.
That's how you survive in this world, at least.
Personal feelings crept in, but I shoved them down. Right now, I was the Heavenly Demon's dog. Once you've chosen to be a dog, you can't afford emotions.
Cut him down.
Orders first.
"Number 30."
"Yes."
"I've got a rough read on the patrol timings and gaps in the guard rotations. The key is making sure no one hears a thing."
"......"
"But at your level of Ghost Spirit Step, it's impossible. You know that, right?"
"I do."
"I'll handle this one alone. You stand by outside."
Her consideration left me no choice but to nod.
I was dead weight for this job, plain and simple. Until I built up more skill, silently scaling those walls was out of the question.
"...But."
Still, pride wouldn't let me leave it at that, so I made a request.
"I might be able to gather more intel useful for the assassination. Number 20, I'll handle the internal scouting alone until the deadline. Why don't you rest up or prepare for the kill in the meantime?"
"...Hmph."
Number 20 smirked.
"You're a sweet talker."
"Pardon?"
"I like it. Do what you want. I'll prep here at the lodging."
"Understood."
Leaving Number 20 at the inn, I headed to the butcher shop. Posing as a bumbling hunter meant I didn't bring in game every day.
I was just mimicking some desperate soul scraping by on odd jobs. The butcher grinned when he spotted me.
"Good haul today, eh?"
"You're too kind."
"No sweat. Days like your first aren't exactly common. But you need the coin, right? Got a big batch of meat to move-help me out again today."
"Thank you. I'll work hard."
"I like a diligent fellow like you. Come on, let's move."
I hauled the meat as usual. I gave a quick bow to the now-friendly servant, then hung the butchered cuts on the hooks in the warehouse.
"No matter how I look at it, you're strong as an ox. You... You're not some martial artist, are you?"
"Me? No way..."
"Hmm."
I flinched. Turning around, I saw a man accompanied by warriors, staring right at me.
Neat hair. His piercing gaze radiated intensity. An axe hung at his waist. His upright yet relaxed bearing gave away exactly who he was.
"Looks like you've had some training, at least."
"S-Sect leader!"
The servant dropped to his knees. I followed suit in a flash.
Disaster. Who could've guessed he'd show up in a place like this warehouse?
Was I made? Or not? I swallowed hard under his scrutinizing gaze.
The Black Heaven Axe Sect Leader, Maeng Cheon, stood before me.
"Have you ever trained in martial arts?"
Lying wouldn't fly.
"...I have."
"Who from?"
"A wandering warrior."
"What did you learn?"
I sure as hell couldn't say Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art. Luckily, I knew one other sword style.
"Three Disasters Swordsmanship."
"...Three Disasters Swordsmanship? You're no martial clan brat, then?"
"Hunter's son. I once dreamed of becoming a warrior, but it didn't pan out."
A sword dropped at my feet with a clunk.
"Show me."
I'd set Three Disasters Swordsmanship aside for a while, but I remembered the forms. I demonstrated it to the best of my ability. Maeng Cheon stroked his chin as he watched the blade tip.
"Sloppy. It looks flawless at a glance, but it's such a common style... The execution feels generic. The inner strength is lackluster too... My mistake."
"......"
"That said, the blade doesn't carry the shallowness of a novice either... You're telling the truth. How long have you practiced Three Disasters Swordsmanship?"
"...Over ten years."
"I was wrong."
Maeng Cheon extended his hand. I respectfully returned the sword I'd borrowed.
"I mistook your sturdy frame and developed muscles for something else. Why train in Three Disasters Swordsmanship for over a decade?"
"...I wanted to achieve greatness as a warrior. But I couldn't. I gave up the sword midway."
"Wouldn't being a warrior beat being a hunter?"
"I fell in love. I figured eating beast meat was better than sword fodder."
"S-Sect leader... He's telling the truth... He comes here with his wife sometimes... Real dutiful kid..."
Maeng Cheon sheathed the sword.
"Sorry for suspecting you. I've been on edge lately and was rude."
"I'm just grateful you saw through to the truth."
He bought it.
I breathed a silent sigh of relief inside. But Maeng Cheon's words weren't over.
"Since I was in the wrong, I'd like to make it up to you properly."
"...Pardon?"
"Come by here tomorrow at the same time. I'll set up a little drinking party for you. Treat you to some rare dishes. No need to refuse."
"......"
Did he see through me? Or not?
All I could do was bow my head.
"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader."
I couldn't afford to raise any suspicions.
Otherwise...
The security we'd mapped out could get tightened up.
...
"...What? Drinking with Maeng Cheon? Are you insane?"
"I had no choice."
Number 20 scratched her head irritably. Getting closer to her lately, I'd realized she was surprisingly honest with her emotions.
"He didn't figure out you're from the Blood Demon Squad, did he?"
"No. I showed him Three Disasters Swordsmanship."
"Demonstrate it for me."
I performed Three Disasters Swordsmanship in front of her. Watching, Number 20 prodded gently.
"How long did you say you trained this?"
"A bit over ten years, as I recall..."
"Fooled him good."
"......"
Her words stung a little.
"Don't take it personally. It's convincing. The blade carries years of polish, with clear signs of repeated refinement. The forms are smooth. But is the depth profound? No. You can see the experience infused, but it doesn't translate to real power at a glance."
"Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"Just facts. It's mediocre."
Three Disasters Swordsmanship.
Three Disasters Swordsmanship.
Don't listen. You did nothing wrong...
I hugged my sword. Number 20 burst into giggles.
"Ah, shouldn't laugh. You're hilarious. That face just now was gold."
"...Let's talk business."
"I said don't sulk. Anyway, lucky break. Seeing that swordplay, anyone'd peg you for a genuine washout swordsman. So... why invite you for drinks? No real need. He could've brushed off suspecting some lowly hauler. A sect leader like him doesn't sweat the small stuff."
I had no idea either. Why did the sect leader invite me to drink?
"...Guess I'll have to go and see. You know backing out now isn't an option."
"Yeah. Me ghosting might pique his suspicions."
"Go on. Number 30. I'll hide nearby. Signal if anything goes wrong."
"...What's your plan?"
"I'll handle whatever comes. You just enjoy the drinks. As long as you don't get caught or exposed, it's all part of the assassination."
With her words steeling my resolve, I went to meet Maeng Cheon.
True to his word, he'd prepared a drinking setup and beckoned me over.
"Come here. What's your name?"
Name.
A suitable fake one.
I gave him the alias I'd prepared.
"Wang So-hong, Sect Leader."
"At ease. You know I didn't call you here just to apologize, right?"
"......"
Was I made?
"Then why...?"
"First things first."
Maeng Cheon raised his cup.
"Have a drink."