Chapter 26
Chapter 26
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Demonic Soul
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The large pupil, wreathed in ashen flames, vanished in an instant.
Like the two dragons that had symbolized the Wheel and Konntraeger arts, it was merely a fleeting illusion.
As I observed the aura flowing with stately grace, I felt a sense of familiarity.
This was despite its alien current.
'They did merge into one, so I guess it worked?'
In the end, the fusion of the Wheel and Konntraeger Energy Arts was a resounding success.
In their alliance to resist my will, they had inadvertently fused on their own.
They no longer showed any signs of the fierce repulsion they once had for each other.
I tentatively tried to operate the new energy art.
I adjusted its path bit by bit, following the principles of the Wheel Energy Arts.
But the result was completely different from what I had expected.
"What is this...? Did it just refuse?"
To my surprise, the aura rotation maintained its own independent flow, irrespective of my will.
However, it didn't completely ignore my commands.
When I tried to execute a sword technique, it would draw out the necessary amount of aura.
It felt as if the energy art itself possessed a will of its own.
'What's more, it continues its rotation on its own, without me even thinking about it.'
An energy art was defined by its aura rotation, the process of taking in external energy and converting it into internal energy.
It was a delicate process, usually practiced in a static state, such as sitting or lying down.
But this new energy art was active even when I wasn't consciously focusing on it.
Perhaps that was why its flow felt so alien.
"In a way, couldn't this be a good thing?"
Others had to set aside time specifically for aura rotation.
But if the Demonic Soul moved on its own, my training would become automatic.
The aura rotation would continue even while I was doing other things.
'Let's try one more time.'
*Zzzzzzt!*
Summoning my will, I tried to manifest my aura.
Just the amount of power I wanted poured out and settled in my right hand.
It was a pale, ashen color.
"With this, I won't have to hide the Riverune family's secret arts."
Until now, I had hidden my true abilities because of my unique aura—a deep blue enveloped in a white glow.
But the colorless aura I now manifested didn't stand out at all.
Moreover, it bore a strong resemblance to the latter stages of the Konntraeger art.
It seemed that as the energy arts fused, they had adopted each other's characteristics.
With a small nod, I quietly observed my inner state.
'I've finally reached the 3rd Tier.'
The moment the new energy art was complete, my abilities had advanced to the next level.
I could tell just by looking at the ashen form that surged into my palm.
The ability to handle aura as freely as breathing was a hallmark of the 3rd Tier.
"By the way, what should I name it?"
This energy art was completely different from any I had learned before.
Where in the world was there an internal art that possessed a will and moved on its own?
It seemed it needed a new name, something other than Wheel or Konntraeger.
Just then, the ashen aura in my palm vanished completely.
As my will subsided, the energy art retracted the power on its own.
I stared at my hand with a blank expression.
It felt as if I had made a pact with a demon.
"Right. It would be strange to even call you an energy art."
On the last day of my access to the special training hall.
I had finally completed the Demonic Soul and was able to leave the training room.
*Creeak!*
When I opened the door and stepped outside, bright sunlight poured in.
The scene inside the training room then came into sharp focus.
The sturdy stone walls and ceiling were covered in what looked like claw marks.
As if a dragon from a legend had swung its talons.
And this was after I had only sat and practiced my energy art, without even touching a sword.
The sheer force of the energy waves released upon the completion of the Demonic Soul had laid waste to the training room.
***
After leaving the special training hall, I headed straight for the Liaison Office.
This was the communication agency connecting the assassination guild and Black Scale Island.
Family policies, orders, and reports all had to pass through the Liaison Office.
In addition, personal letters arriving at Black Scale Island were also routed through here.
It was a way to provide a service while naturally enabling internal surveillance.
'The Acting Head summoned me as soon as I arrived, so I didn't have a chance. Anyway, I should be hearing from them soon...'
Black Scale Island had been quite bustling recently with personnel who had arrived in response to the summons.
However, since most received their correspondence at their branch offices, few had a reason to come to the Liaison Office.
That was why this place was bound to be quiet.
I immediately went to the window on the left and knocked.
*Tap, tap. Screech!*
A young agent with green hair slid the window open.
"How may I help... Lord Ray?"
He recognized me instantly and greeted me with a bright smile.
"Hey, long time no see, Hermann."
"You too. This is the first time since you left for your disciplinary assignment. How was Railhash?"
"Nothing special. Just a mission that took a lot of time."
Hermann, a Level 2 agent at the Liaison Office, was a fairly close acquaintance of mine.
I had saved his life during the ten-year ordeal, and our connection had lasted ever since.
I cocked my head roguishly and stated the purpose of my visit.
"Got any letters for me? I'm sure some pretty ladies have sent a ton, saying how much they miss me."
"Oh, you haven't changed a bit."
"I was a huge hit in the Ruberick Autonomous Region. Don't believe me?"
"No letters from those 'pretty ladies' have arrived, but let's just say I believe you."
"What? Has their love cooled just because I transferred branches?"
"No, I mean, who in their right mind would send a letter to Black Scale Island? They don't even know who you really are."
"Oh! So you do believe they existed? Well, talent will out. A face like mine is bound to be popular."
"Yeah, yeah, sure it is."
Hermann made a comical face, the corners of his mouth turned down.
I let out a small smile at his reaction and leaned an arm on the counter.
My voice had suddenly dropped low, and my gaze turned serious.
"You have it, don't you?"
"Yes, here you go."
Hermann, who handed me a letter he had prepared in advance, instantly changed his expression and laughed cheerfully.
"You did get a few, though. But these aren't from the Ruberick Autonomous Region; they're from the Eastern Imperial Branch."
"Why would they send me anything?"
"They're quite old. They probably came to the Liaison Office as undeliverable."
"Ah, they must have arrived when I was missing. Thanks for holding onto them."
"Don't mention it."
"Let's grab a meal next time. Or drinks."
"You don't mean that, do you? A Level 2 agent's salary is peanuts."
"Of course I'll pay. Well, I'm off."
Taking the three letters, I gave a small wave and left the Liaison Office.
His exaggerated reaction was a form of camouflage.
The letters were just a smokescreen; the real message was a small note passed in a fleeting moment.
It was a coded message from my nanny, Abigail.
On my way to my quarters, I deliberately tore open the three letters.
Two were forgeries created by Hermann.
The last was a letter from a former colleague, Lorena, asking how I was doing.
'I should reply to this one. I'll have to play along and pretend to be fooled to put her at ease.'
Lorena was a talented intelligence agent in the Ruberick Autonomous Region.
We had gotten along, but I already knew her true identity.
She was a monitor for the Council of Elders, assigned to watch the movements of key figures.
To avoid suspicion, I had to maintain the pretense of a close relationship with Lorena.
For now, I still needed to keep the Council of Elders in the dark.
I immediately unfolded Abigail's note.
A concise message was written on it in the assassination guild's code.
'Two investment opportunities secured.'
The moment I read the short sentence, my eyes widened.
It seemed like a trivial message, but I couldn't help but be shocked.
The "investment opportunities" mentioned here were code for the descendants of Riverune.
'Two of them...'
I was curious who the people Abigail had found were, but there was no way to know for now.
Surveillance was tight due to the recent desertion incident, and we were in the middle of the Head's summons.
All I could do was lie low and wait until I had more freedom.
*Fwoosh!*
I summoned my Demonic Soul and instantly incinerated the note from my nanny.
Then, as if nothing had happened, I began to compose a reply to Lorena.
I was playing the part of a hedonistic womanizer; ignoring a letter from a hot-bodied woman like her would be out of character.
'No, this is purely for the sake of my disguise.'
Just because the opponent was beautiful didn't mean I would walk into an obvious trap.
No matter how carelessly I had lived in my past life, I wasn't so lacking in self-control as to forget my objective.
Of course, that didn't mean I would reveal my cold, true self in the reply.
I started the first line with, 'To my dear colleague, Lorena, whom I've missed.'
On second thought, I should probably erase 'colleague.'
It sounded too professional.
It needed to be softer, more romantic, as if I'd completely fallen for the one watching me, right?
That would make the disguise more effective.
I enjoyed the feeling of a budding romance and gleefully moved my quill pen.
But just as I finished writing the letter.
*Knock, knock.*
Someone was knocking on my door.
When I opened it, an agent from the Liaison Office was waiting respectfully.
"A message has arrived. You are to report immediately for the summons. Please proceed to the Grand Hall."
"So suddenly?"
"Yes, sir. That is all."
The agent, who had appeared out of nowhere to deliver the order, bowed and promptly departed.
He seemed incredibly busy with his duties as a messenger.
I couldn't hold up someone who was clearly in a rush.
As for the reason for the summons, I would find out when I got there.
I quickly straightened my attire and headed for the Grand Hall, where the Head would be.
For some reason, every step I took felt weighed down by a pressure of a thousand pounds.
It had been a staggering nineteen years and six months.
All leading up to this first meeting with my nemesis.
'Let's see that high and mighty face of yours.'