Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: EP.52 One for Me, One for You - 1
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It's nothing new for a high-ranking noble to live under the constant threat of assassination.
Especially for Cecil Claudia, head of the Claudia family and the current Archduke. If she were to die, plenty of other families would be lining up to take her place.
As such, there are no shortage of people who wish for her death—particularly outside the duchy.
After entering this world, I'd made full use of my game knowledge, but I was well aware that it wasn't a game entirely.
Most events from the game did play out, but unscripted ones happened too.
Take, for instance, the assassination attempt on Cecil during the Raidnin raid.
That said, I couldn't just sit on my hands. There might not have been an attempt during the Raidnin raid, but attempts did happen, and Cecil could die at any moment.
No, it wasn't just Cecil.
Once the main story ended and you entered adventure mode, no character was exempt from death.
"...Hah."
Her only guard was Leventia.
Over ten beastkin were targeting Cecil right now.
Leventia was a member of the hero party, one of the strongest on the continent by any measure.
If even she was drawing her weapon, it meant the attackers were confident enough.
But was she in danger right now?
I could say with certainty:
No.
And that was because...
"How dare you...!!"
-Clang!!
"Who are you!!"
This was Raidnin, the place Bermund Raidnin—leader of the avian tribe—cherished like his own life.
-Swoosh!!
The moment Bermund swung his wings, dozens of feathers shot out like blades. No, with his shamanic spells infused, they were deadlier than any blade.
The assassins, realizing who he was and what they'd done, turned pale and swung their weapons.
-Clang! Claaang! Clang!
Sparks flew as their swords clashed with the drifting feathers. At the sharp sounds, Cecil and Leventia's eyes turned this way.
"Do you know what animal cats hate the most?!"
"Wha?! Th-that's..."
Gotcha, you bastards.
As the assassins' gazes shifted to me, Leventia swung her sword wide, decapitating one charging at her.
The moment the distracted assassins tried to look away, I micro-transformed Moonlight to draw even more attention.
"Meerkats!! Ahahahahaha! Oh man, my sides! Next joke loading! What do you call a building made with a cellphone?!"
"D-don't listen!"
No use!!
"The Colosseum! Oh man! Isn't that hilarious?! Next one..."
High-class dad jokes are magnetic even if you don't want to hear them! I unleashed a barrage of premium clown jokes, and the pissed-off bastards turned their fury on me as they charged.
"Graaah!!"
"My ears are rotting! You little shit!!"
With my powerful taunt pulling their focus, I immediately transformed Moonlight into a greatsword. Then, sword wind.
The attackers hit by the crescent blast grew even angrier.
"Wind! Bind them with the feathers of shadow!!"
Bermund's spell activated. Shadow blades formed on the dozens of feathers he launched, sweeping through the room like wind-whipped leaves.
And they began shredding the thrashing assassins like whirling blades of fury.
"Ooh... impressive."
This was the Barrier of Wind Feathers, an ultimate technique usable only by the strongest avian shamans.
As the trapped foes exploded into chunks of meat, I switched Moonlight to a staff and unleashed a volley of spells.
"Get down!"
I cast ice magic toward Leventia and Cecil.
"Urk!"
Leventia immediately grabbed Cecil and flattened herself. At the same time, a trembling servant cowering behind them suddenly stood and unleashed a flame spell.
-Kaboom!!
"Hngh!"
The ice and flames collided, canceling each other out.
Steam clouded visibility. But that was fine. I'd been through this plenty.
I burst through the steam and jammed Moonlight—now a dagger—into the head of the next beastkin mage prepping a spell.
-Stab!
Nice sound! Critical hit?!
As the one-shot victim crumpled, Bermund and Leventia mopped up the rest.
Good job!
But getting lost in rage and killing them all was no good!
"Easy there!!! We need to interrogate survivors!!"
"Th-thank you."
Stunned, Cecil murmured her gratitude at my shout.
No need.
I just couldn't forgive anyone interrupting me.
A few died, but we captured plenty. Some survivors had lost an arm or leg, but their lives weren't in danger—and they weren't getting off easy anyway.
The beastkin guards who rushed up at the commotion grimaced at the bloodied assassin beastkin.
"What the hell is this?!"
"My question exactly. Security chief!"
"Yes!"
At Bermund's sharp bark, one avian beastkin hurried forward. His fellow eagle beastkin's eyes shook wide. No wonder. Assassins infiltrating Raidnin was security's failure.
He trembled, no doubt fearing he'd be booted from Raidnin in the worst case.
"Find out exactly how these scum got in here."
"Y-yes, sir."
"Maybe some of Raidnin's staff were bribed? They're wearing staff uniforms. Those guys..."
"These aren't Raidnin employees."
"Huh? They're beastkin? They look just like the ones I saw earlier..."
I spotted some staff darkening their expressions and cut her off.
"Hey, Archduke. That's speciesism."
"Huh? No, I didn't mean it that way. As Archduke, I advocate for equality between species..."
"Anyway, things are tense right now."
"Ahem. Regardless. Hey, President Bermund. How do you plan to take responsibility for this?"
"I have no excuses to offer the guests. This is my failure as president. I'll provide any compensation you desire."
"Oh? Then let's start with VIP suite passes."
"Yes."
After an incident like this, Bermund had no ground to argue, even with ten mouths.
Settling for VIP passes was hardly a bad deal.
"And..."
Cecil nonchalantly demanded more: top-shelf wine, extra supplies for her birthday party.
Bermund accepted without complaint.
"That should do it."
"Thank you for your generosity."
"It's nothing. Assassination attempts are routine for me. Just let me know if you uncover the culprits."
"Understood. Thank you for trusting me with it."
Bermund bowed, then directed his staff. VIP suite, huh.
"Not next to where I'm staying, I hope?"
"No other rooms available right now."
Top floor of the main building next to the annex top floor.
Meaning, while Cecil used the VIP suite, Lucille and Veronica's vacations could overlap.
Especially for VIP-exclusive spots like the sky pool or bar.
"...Hyunwoo."
With Cecil and Leventia together here, they'd be staying together. Meaning Leventia was VIP too.
I glanced at Cecil, but she just gave me a bored look.
"I saved your ass, so I'd like some compensation."
"What?"
"During my vacation, let's just ignore each other."
"You're... right. The Wise Man."
Whether she just remembered or was playing dumb from the start.
Didn't matter, so I brushed it off. Cecil eyed me with interest before asking.
"Not even a simple chat between travelers?"
"Simple chat's fine, but no getting tangled up. The people I came with..."
"Who?"
"The kingdom's princess and the church's cardinal."
Getting politically entangled would just give me a headache. So I drew a firm line. Cecil pondered, then smirked.
"So as long as I avoid those two?"
"Yeah."
"You?"
I don't mind. I can handle it, and Cecil doesn't cross lines anyway.
I glanced at Leventia fidgeting behind Cecil.
Our eyes met; she sent a desperate look before dropping her head. I turned back to Cecil.
"She's fine."
"Alright. Deal."
I offered my hand to Cecil, who accepted my proposal. Leventia gasped softly at the sight, but handshakes seal deals.
Cecil smiled as she gripped it, then said softly—but loud enough for Leventia—in a small voice.
"If you're free tonight, join me at the VIP-only bar for a drink and honest talk."
I smiled back at Cecil.
Say that to tonight's stars.
After wrapping up, I returned to my room where Lucille and Veronica waited. Curious where I'd been, they grew serious when I explained.
"The assassins are no worry. Impressive as it was, Bermund's no slouch..."
"Leventia's there, huh..."
"And Archduke Cecil in the VIP suite? Staying over there?"
I nodded at where she pointed. Yeah.
"Right next door!"
"Close, but no coming and going, probably."
"With Archduke Cecil or Leventia's physical prowess, can't they just jump it?"
True enough. The buildings were apart, but they had the ability. Still, I trusted Cecil somewhat.
"She doesn't cross lines. Besides, nobles don't hop buildings casually."
"...But what about Leventia?"
"Her?"
I recalled Leventia, who couldn't even meet my eyes earlier.
As if she'd hop over.
"Let's just relax and enjoy the vacation. Oh, dinnertime already. Anything you want? Let's eat on the terrace. Princess, anything sound good, just say."
Pretty much anything's available here.
At my okay, Lucille's eyes sparkled as she listed dishes, Veronica naming some too. I nodded to the listening avian staff, and soon...
A lavish dinner spread across the terrace. All dazzling, mouthwatering fare.
"Wow! Looks delicious!"
"Right? Hyunwoo, wanna compare to your cooking and see which is better?"
"...I'd lose to pros!"
I'm no chef!
Though I bet my grilling's better.
I laid spiced meat on the prepared brazier. Time to show the difference between pro chef and me!
Grilling with tongs, savory aromas rose. As the two beamed at me over their food, I turned at a felt gaze.
There,
Leventia stood silently, gazing sadly our way.
What're you staring at?
After grilling heaps onto plates to feed Lucille and Veronica,
They both approached with small plates, no need to say who first.
"Here. Ahh."
"M-Master. Ahhh, say ahh."
Huh?
Just eat yourselves?
"But you only grilled, didn't taste any?"
"Can't let only Master work hard..."
I unwittingly glanced at Leventia. Her face stiff and gloomier.
I knew why, but nothing changed.
Author's Note
Hello! It's Malmulmalmul!
I planned consecutive updates for Plus milestone, but no stockpile now... Will do soon!
Have a great night~!
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