The Unexpected Encounter
It was a development that had never been part of the original plan.
The Nocturne assassins—specifically their upper ranks—had been the last variable Arteon wanted to eliminate.
But knowing that someone was still dogging his steps from behind, he could not simply leave them be.
*Eliminate them as much as possible… it is best to remove all variables.*
He was no longer chasing the old life’s direction. What he had set his sights on now was different.
While confronting the Kar Tribe, Arteon’s ultimate goal was, in the end… the factions stirring chaos within the Empire’s northern regions.
Precisely so.
*Those who… killed my comrades.*
He intended to capture and kill the one responsible.
Yet, the more he learned through Lisiven, the more it seemed they had stepped into a far more dangerous situation than anticipated.
“The first prince and the second prince… battling for the imperial succession…”
He had still believed the current emperor was alive.
Upon reflection, he could not even recall from his previous life how and when that emperor had fallen.
This northern border moved too slowly for news to reach him, and survival had demanded absolute focus—such matters had simply been unknowable.
*If only I had known who and when… the emperor would change… things might have been better.*
Already, a succession war would have begun.
If conflicts within the northern regions had persisted throughout his previous life…
*Perhaps the second prince… has inherited the throne?*
He could have predicted it.
But Arteon dismissed the thought at once.
It no longer mattered.
One by one… he would seize their tails and discover what lay at the heart of each.
“I expect to achieve a major result before heading to Iryakle.”
Moreover, Lisiven’s swift processing had ensured little delay.
After wrapping up this matter, he would immediately reach Ether’s Heart.
At the inn, Arteon waited calmly for Lisiven’s contact.
Then night fell.
*Scrutch.*
From afar, the faint aura of someone approaching reached him.
He no longer needed to concentrate mana; his senses had sharpened to the point where nearby presences were easily detectable.
His awareness had risen almost to the level of his previous life.
“Enter.”
“Master Arteon, preparations are complete.”
“Where exactly?”
“The same square in the back alleys where you wiped out Pormanker’s lackeys.”
A fairly spacious plaza tucked in the rear of the alleys.
Few feet trod here, and the site offered ideal privacy for clean-up—perfect within Almers.
Arteon rose from his seat.
His posture now bore the refined bearing of formal uniform, lending him an air quite unlike his usual one.
Though unarmed, the strange flow of energy radiating from his body made his frame stiffen.
*Just… what realm has he reached?*
The information he had received suggested four-star status.
Yet, upon examining his memories, Lisiven shook her head.
She had witnessed knights at four-star before; this aura was different.
“Lisiven.”
“Eh? Ah, yes. Master Arteon.”
At his call, Lisiven startled and rose.
“I will guide you.”
She had already lured the targets to the site.
Several had sustained injuries during the process, but none endangered their lives—a minor detail.
Thus, Lisiven led Arteon straight to the location.
“…It’s been a while since I last stood here.”
Even though not so long ago, the plaza felt strangely unfamiliar.
Arteon stood motionless, eyes closed, mana surging within.
His senses sharpened like blades; his body hardened further.
Using mana to enhance both senses and physique was basic, yet…
*…Impressive.*
The level was clearly superior to ordinary people’s.
Lisiven, watching from the side, swallowed hard, hiding her astonishment.
“Lisiven, have every guild member here withdraw.”
“Eh?”
“I can manage alone.”
“…?”
Lisiven bit her lip.
She wanted to assist, but the pressure Arteon exuded made them feel like obstacles.
Still…
“…I will stay. After it concludes, I must handle the aftermath immediately.”
“If discovered, that will be dangerous.”
“I have the confidence that stealth will prevent detection.”
“…Very well.”
Lisiven raised her hand and waved it left and right.
The guild members hidden nearby hesitated for a moment, then withdrew swiftly.
Now the plaza held only Arteon and Lisiven.
Lisiven, too, hurried to conceal herself from sight.
From the darkness, figures masked in shadows gradually emerged toward the lone figure standing in the plaza.
“…You’re serious?”
“Not one of them…?”
Arteon faced the six assassins before him.
Clearly, the group gathered here numbered more than a dozen, yet only five had appeared.
“…Why not simply have all of you come out. There’s no one here but me.”
A faint tremor ran through the assassins already concealed around him.
At last, a group stepped from the darkness beside the alley wall. The foremost one addressed Arteon.
“Did you follow our trail?”
“Since we both know what we seek… it would be simpler to speak. Were you sent by Iryakle?”
“…I do not know how much you know, but you are hastening your own death.”
The man glanced at his companion.
The nod that followed came with the drawing of a sword.
“Alone… your confidence borders on arrogance.”
Everyone in the vicinity had already been checked.
Fortunately, Lisiven’s position far enough away had kept her undetected.
Or perhaps her stealth ability was simply exceptional.
Yet Arteon regarded him steadily.
“You were told to come out. Or are you reduced to sneaking like vermin and ambushing?”
He turned toward the rear alley.
The assassins with him.
“Quite formidable.”
One assassin of exceptional perception emerged from the darkness.
It was Bashnel, the upper-rank assassin of Nocturne.
The eyes of the assassin who had conversed with Arteon earlier widened in shock.
*How… did he see through Bashnel’s stealth?*
Lower, mid, and upper ranks had been divided for convenience, yet the gaps were vast.
Even if all assassins apart from Bashnel attacked, victory was no guarantee.
Moreover, Bashnel ranked among Nocturne’s elite in stealth.
To notice Bashnel’s stealth so casually…
But the real issue was not that.
Bashnel, gazing at Arteon, asked softly.
“Did you lure us here?”
“…?”
What did he mean?
The mid-rank assassin furrowed his brow.
He had not understood Bashnel’s words.
Yet at the question, Arteon nodded.
“Following me from behind is far from enjoyable.”
“…?”
Only then did the mid-rank assassin realize the entire affair had been orchestrated by this man.
Could the target have pulled them in on purpose?
“Have you learned our identities?”
“Yes, a fellow who once aimed at me kindly informed me.”
“…?”
The level when first seen had matched a mid-rank assassin… yet…
*He has changed far more than before.*
Bashnel narrowed his eyes at Arteon.
Yet Arteon spoke.
“If it had not been you, I would never have needed to create such trouble.”
“…?”
“When I was captured, the assassin who killed me was you.”
“…?”
At the words, Bashnel calmly regarded him.
His face betrayed nothing outwardly, yet inwardly he was astonished.
Despite the long interval and brief encounter, the man remembered him.
Bashnel drew his sword.
Further conversation served no purpose.
*This is a dangerous opponent.*
Whether the fight stemmed from Arteon’s design or not was irrelevant.
What mattered was the resolve to finish the mission he had failed to complete then.
“Combined assault.”
*Pabang!*
At Bashnel’s command, the surrounding assassins surged forward.
They swarmed close, creating a whirlwind of blades.
The assassins blocking Arteon’s path with eyes and movements.
*Ping! Chachang! Ching!*
The flying blades struck without rhythm, fierce and relentless.
Normally, a single strike from such ordinary knights would have left a victim wounded.
Yet…
“…?”
Arteon casually deflected the blades, his calm gaze fixed on the enemies.
*Uuuung!*
The mana concentrated in his gaze strengthened his sight and pursued every motion.
The targets became clearer.
The assassins who had just seen Arteon’s defense act showed subtle signs of shock.
Dodging blades from every angle was one matter, but deflecting them this way was impossible for them.
*He is different from before.*
From the previous strike, Arteon recalled the fight against the mid-rank assassin.
Then he had prevailed against one; now he faced more than a dozen with no sign of retreat.
Had they grown complacent?
No—their formation pressed forward with full force.
Against such opponents…
*Leisure has… appeared.*
A surge of confidence accompanied his dramatically accelerated growth.
Perhaps the incident he had once deemed too perilous now seemed effortless.
*Hoo.*
Observing the assassins spinning in place, Arteon exhaled softly.
The only thing he had accomplished upon arriving here was stabilizing the unstable four-star realm.
Now aura usage and maintenance were perfectly optimized to his physique.
Then…
“It is time… to confirm.”
*Uuuuung!*
Iglis, held in Arteon’s hand, vibrated faintly and prepared to activate.
The assassins’ pupils trembled slightly at the sudden shift in Arteon’s aura.
It was impossible to dismiss it casually.
*…What is he?*
The pressure radiating from his body was simply overwhelming.
But curiosity faded quickly.
Then the assassin swung his spear sideways.
*Kwakwakwakwakwakwakwa-bang!*
Unbelievable events unfolded before his eyes.