Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Assassination on the Magictech Train
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Clack! Clack!
Venderford's Third Student Corps was traveling by train.
Perhaps finding this new mode of transportation fascinating, Camil was awake for a change.
He seemed to be enjoying the view outside the window.
"What do you think? This is the first magictech train ever introduced. It's a masterpiece created through a partnership between the Richter family and the Blue Tower."
"Aside from a few drawbacks, it's quite impressive. It can move a lot of goods at once, which should reduce shipping costs."
"Right?"
"I should tell my father to get out of the business quickly."
"It's still just in the trial phase. And there's only one track, heading east."
Just as she said, the introduction of the magictech train wouldn't immediately put merchants out of business.
But it was clear their footing would gradually shrink.
The cost of transport was simply no match.
'It's not my real identity anyway, so there's no need to worry.'
All I had to do was enjoy this new marvel to my heart's content.
At least I won't have to worry about my butt going numb on the way to the eastern part of the Empire anymore.
Honestly, nothing could beat the magictech train for ride comfort.
It was just loud; there was no jostling or bumping.
"Anyway, tell me more."
"About what?"
"The drawbacks. You stopped mid-sentence."
"Ah, I'm sure you've already figured them out. It's hard to react to sudden changes, the tickets are more expensive than you'd think, and… there's a risk of being robbed."
"A precise analysis."
"See?"
The magictech train was an incredible invention, but its biggest problem was the cost.
Not just the manufacturing cost, but the maintenance was exorbitant too.
The continent of Livius wasn't the kind of place where you could just leave refined steel tracks lying around unguarded.
"We had to spend a significant amount to protect the tracks."
"Which is why you chose the Pennant Marquisate."
"Wow! You deduced that much? You're much sharper than I thought."
"Isn't this much obvious?"
I spread my hands as if it were nothing, feeling smug.
The reason for the trial run to the east was because the Pennant Marquisate was a famous resort destination.
With its exotic natural scenery and various attractions, it was bound to draw in nobles.
Just look at today—the train's VIP seats are packed with them.
"Zzz..."
Perhaps having grown numb to the scenery whizzing by the window, Camil quickly dozed off.
Adell and I shrugged and continued our conversation.
How could I be bored while chatting with such a beautiful woman?
"By the way, who will you choose?"
"Choose what?"
"The rumors are rampant that the princes are constantly courting you."
"Ah, those troublemakers? I haven't really thought about it."
"They might become the future emperor of this great empire, and you call them troublemakers."
"They're men. Imagine if you and Sophia were the ones courting me. I'd welcome it with open arms."
"I'm sorry, but I'm rather particular about looks."
"..."
Adell's honest reply left me speechless.
'Wow! What is she saying? If I just undid my Seven-Joint Face-Changing Technique, huh? I'm freaking gorgeous, me!'
I screamed desperately in my head, but I couldn't make such a reckless move right now.
My disguised identity would be blown, and the mission given directly by the Head would be completely ruined.
I couldn't cause such a disaster over a moment of frustration.
Barely suppressing the desire to reveal my true face, I sneered and spoke bluntly.
"They're low in the line of succession anyway. If the Crown Prince were to return, wouldn't it be over for them?"
When I brought up the Empire's political landscape, she gave a gentle smile.
It felt as if she were watching a child's cute tantrum.
Hey! That's a dangerous look.
"That probably won't happen. This is confidential, but even the Divine Healer visited him, and they say there was no improvement."
The Divine Healer was a renowned figure, comparable to the Four Celestial Stars.
The only person capable of treating not only incurable diseases impervious to magic or divine power, but also some congenital disabilities.
It was widely known that any illness the Divine Healer gave up on was impossible to cure by any means.
'So, in the end, either Frantz or Ellington will become the Crown Prince.'
I nodded readily and suddenly shifted my gaze to the right.
Just then, I heard the sound of wheels rolling from the corridor.
Rattle! Rattle!
At that, Adell Richter gracefully extended her left hand.
"It's the snack cart. They sell cookies, bread, and drinks. I personally inspected them, so they're guaranteed to taste good."
Just then, the attendant pushing the snack cart stopped.
Click!
"May I take your order?"
The cabin door opened, revealing a cart with appetizing food neatly arranged.
He gestured for us to choose whatever we wanted, but my eyes were fixed on Adell.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I have a question."
"Yes, please ask."
"Have you ever made any enemies?"
"...Excuse me?"
She blinked rapidly at the sudden question.
No matter how sharp she was, it wouldn't be easy to understand that question.
But Adell Richter was about to understand my meaning very quickly.
Because a blade suddenly shot out from the sleeve of the attendant who was placing a drink on the table.
Shing!
"Aah!"
The gleaming dagger shot straight for Adell's throat.
However, the surprise assassination attempt failed.
Thwack!
Because I had naturally reached out and grabbed the attendant's arm.
Although she had learned the Velgart Energy Arts and the Imperial Sound Lock Sword, Adell Richter had no talent for the sword to begin with.
She had only learned the basics as a formality.
It was only natural that she couldn't properly react to a sharp, sudden attack.
"How unlucky for you. To attempt an assassination right in front of me."
I scoffed lightly, tightened my grip, and looked up at the attendant.
For the brief moment our eyes met, his were like a vacant darkness.
'One of my kind.'
An assassin knows an assassin.
I felt a terrible sense of kinship in his gaze.
Of course, that didn't mean I had any intention of letting him go.
Another attack was already on its way.
Crack!
I brutally twisted his arm, then stabbed the headrest next to Adell's temple with the dagger I'd taken.
To my surprise, a sharp metallic sound rang out.
Clang!
A sword strike that came through the open door had been perfectly caught by the tip of the dagger.
In this situation, Adell Richter's face had gone completely pale.
Who would dare try to assassinate the only daughter of one of the Empire's two great ducal families?
And inside the Richter family's own magictech train, no less.
"You lot must have some serious nerve."
Klang!
Unleashing the Imperial Sound Lock Sword, I shattered the sword that came from outside the cabin in a single blow.
Then I grabbed the attendant by the scruff of his neck and hurled him out the window.
"Aaaaaah!"
Even for an assassin hardened to killing, it seemed being thrown from a train was frightening.
I turned to look at the one who had thrust the sword at Adell.
The eyes of the assassin, who had been disguised as a passenger, were trembling violently.
'He must have thought it was a perfect plan. Who would ever suspect an attendant?'
If I hadn't been sitting across from her, today would have been Adell Richter's last.
Even a highly trained knight would have found it difficult to anticipate such a meticulous assassination.
Besides, these guys hadn't just brought blades.
Swoooosh!
With a strange sound, white smoke began to pour from the snack cart.
It seemed they had also prepared for poisoning, just in case.
It was a poison mist so potent it was difficult to even approach, but I walked forward calmly.
Thump!
As I kicked the snack cart hard, the smoke enveloped my body.
"Ugh!"
At the same time, the panicked voice of the assassin could be heard.
Because the snack cart, spewing poison mist, was now rolling straight down the corridor toward him.
"A-Are you okay?"
Adell's flustered voice came from inside the cabin.
She too had realized the smoke was a deadly poison.
But I emerged with an unfazed expression and shut the cabin door.
"Open the window."
"Ah..."
Ignoring Adell Richter's complicated expression, I coolly left her with that one line and turned away.
'Hah! That was a damn cool line.'
The tough-guy style that doesn't give a damn about poison mist.
The kind that no woman could resist falling for...
Or does it not work because of my face?
See, following the mission directive just gets me into trouble.
I should have chosen a moderately handsome appearance instead of something so plain.
'Damn those bastards from the Owl Strike Division.'
I cursed the innocent intelligence agents of the assassination guild as I walked forward.
I was continuously inhaling the poison mist, but it had no effect on me.
Because the Goddess's Tear was protecting my body from poison.
Of course, I could have overcome it even without such an item.
"It seems helping the third prince was a good idea. I'll have to get something bigger next time."
The corners of my mouth wouldn't stay down at the thought of fleecing Frantz or Ellington.
As I approached with a bright smile, the assassin's face turned deathly pale.
He seems to think I'm some kind of lunatic.
"You're right, I'm a madman. So take a beating."
Swoosh!
I immediately leaped over the overturned snack cart and rushed toward my opponent.
But just then.
Clank!
The door of the cabin ahead swung wide open, and someone burst out.
Startled, I hastily adjusted my steps to slow down.
"You scoundrels! How dare you cause such a ruckus!"
Short and fat.
The person who had stormed into the corridor was a middle-aged man whose high-end suit looked ready to burst.
"What's with this short stack?"
I snapped at him bluntly.
This damn guy had interrupted my attack.
An extreme reaction followed immediately.
"What? Do you have any idea who I am to spew such nonsense? I am the loyal confidant of Count Railton, a man who has even been granted the title of Viscount by His Majesty the Emperor... Viscount Milo..."
"Alright, I get it. Now get back inside."
Thwack!
I kicked the needlessly chattering Milo-whatever-his-name-was back into his cabin.
"Gack!"
Then I resumed my pursuit of the assassin.
"Th-The poison doesn't work?"
Without a second thought, the man chose to flee.
He seemed flustered by the fact that I was perfectly fine after taking a direct hit from the smoke.
But on a moving magictech train, there was nowhere to run.
So, the place the assassin chose was...
Click!
"Hey, are you serious?"