Chapitre 23: Assassination and Betrayal
"What is the matter with that assassin!"
An unmistakable aura of disbelief emanated from Seraphina, trailing behind Ansel, "How did he emerge from the shadows of that Baron?"
"Shadow leaping, quite a peculiar spell, isn't it?" Ansel responded without turning his head, "He probably took the opportunity to infiltrate after the safe house was opened."
"I... I've seen that kind of spell too," Seraphina retorted obstinately, maintaining her usual stubborn demeanor. "I've seen plenty of them at school! But how could he possibly deceive—"
"How could he possibly deceive your intuition and perception, right?"
The youthful Ansel paused in his stride, slightly turning his head and casting a semi-smiling glance at Seraphina.
"Because he's a genuine, professional assassin, Seraphina."
"To erase his presence, conceal his murderous intent, and retreat into nothingness — this, indeed, is the demeanor of a true assassin."
He glanced at the distressed young girl, his words carrying a certain implication: "An assassin who can't even control his own murderous intent is merely second-rate."
"... "
Seraphina was a moron, it's true.
But her intuition would always unexpectedly grant her insights and wisdom, especially when it touched upon her "power" and "dignity". Our young wolf would always be particularly sensitive in these instances.
On the other hand, she also thought that those assassins were indeed second-rate, which prevented the rage that had already surged to her throat from bursting forth.
"...You, you were targeted by that kind of assassin," Seraphina retorted after a long thought, "It just shows that even they look down on you!"
Then, Seraphina saw a smile on Ansel's face that irritated her beyond measure.
Pity, tolerance, kindness... as if forgiving a disobedient child.
"Perhaps," he said profoundly, "The mastermind behind this thought that you, being my bodyguard, indeed deserved such an assassin."
"Hydra —— ughhhhh!"
Before Seraphina could shriek out her resentment, she was struck by an electric shock, something Ansel had become quite used to.
"Don't forget, Seraphina, you've already wasted one opportunity."
Guided by the security team, Ansel, who had quickly arrived at the room where The Baron of Iceberg's body was kept, glanced back at Seraphina and chuckled lightly, "If you're not careful, I might think you're looking forward to the 'reward' after failure."
Before Seraphina could reply, Ansel held up his hand, "Alright, wait for me outside — don't worry, they're not targeting me. If anything happens, it won't count."
With that, he entered the room alone, leaving Seraphina, who hadn't had a chance to say anything, to swallow her indignation.
.
The captain of the guard team who first encountered Ansel scrutinized Seraphina for a while, then hesitated for a long time before cautiously asking: "Miss Seraphina, may I ask you a question?"
"Spit it out!" Seraphina, in a foul mood, didn't give anyone a friendly look.
"Is it true... that Lord Hydral was the victim of an assassination?"
When the captain asked this question, his tone was filled with incredulity, and his eyes, visible from beneath the helmet, were filled with unmistakable rage.
"...So what if it is?" Seraphina glanced at the guard, "What does his assassination have to do with you?"
"Lord Hydral is on our side!"
The captain of the guard's voice suddenly rose: "He's done so much... I heard he was assassinated by the nobles because he was fighting for our rights!"
Seraphina thought to herself, 'what nonsense is this guy talking about, he has no idea how happily Ansel was chatting with the nobles at that banquet.'
But on second thought, she realized that after the banquet that night, at least in the Red Frost City, Ansel's reputation had risen to an inconceivable level and the rumors... seemed to align with what this guy was saying.
These idiots were all ecstatic about someone who hadn't done anything.
Assassination... Assassination... Baron...
Seraphina furrowed her brows, feeling that some idea was brewing in her mind... but she couldn't quite grasp it.
—And then she gave up.
.
Within the confines of the room, Ansel, oblivious to the fleeting moment when Seraphina nearly unmasked the truth, was engrossed in the scrutiny of the Baron of Iceberg's lifeless form.
The Baron was no extraordinary being, merely a mortal. With his scepter, Ansel swept aside his attire, revealing a dark bruise spreading across his entire chest from a wound at his heart.
"What a gruesome way to meet your end, my dear Baron," Ansel murmured, a smirk playing on his lips. "Let me ponder... is there any method to ascertain that this remains are indeed yours?"
The young lord, caressing his scepter, fell into deep thought. "I should have brought some of my father's alchemic potions... I was unprepared... Nevertheless, it's not all bad." He glanced at the entrance, "At least our dear Miss Seraphina has a task at hand."
"Now... what would be an appropriate response to make you, the Baron, believe it to be 'reasonable'?"
In fact, Ansel was indifferent to these aristocrats' crude tricks, regardless of their actions, he could only see a clown in the mirror. He merely viewed this incident as an opportunity for Seraphina's growth, it also occurred to him that this was an excellent chance to groom Seraphina.
Of course, Ansel was not completely apathetic — for he abhorred treachery.
"Young lord," Saville emerged like a ghost behind Ansel. "As per your instructions, the Crystal of Reflection has been set up."
"Have the surroundings been surveyed?"
"Excluding those you've eliminated, six assassins remain, three Thrones, three Crystal Stairs, all seasoned. One among them... warrants your attention," Saville cautioned, "He's from the Passage of Time."
"It seems they are keen to have me witness the demise of these two Barons — an utterly genuine, unfeigned death. As for the Passage of Time... ha, I know what they want to do, let's wait a bit longer, Saville."
Casting a glance at the lifeless form of the Baron of Iceberg, Ansel couldn't help but smirk, "Compared to my jocular attempt at assassination, this is indeed quite serious. Saville, do you think this is the Baron of Iceberg?"
"Whether it is or isn't, makes little difference," Saville responded impassively. "There are countless spells to maintain a body in a state of death. The Duke of Gray Tower is, after all, the Headmaster of the Tower of Frost. For him, this task is as simple as drinking water."
"Hmm... what if I were to obliterate the body of the Baron of Iceberg now?"
"Even so, the Grand Duke would certainly not intervene."
"Hahaha! I wouldn't do that," Ansel laughed heartily. "Such a crude and reckless move, it would be too easy on our dear Barons, Saville."
"Death is mercy."
He sighed lightly, "But our Baron friend, he betrayed my mercy, he must pay a price, Saville."
"As you say."
"Continue with your tasks," Ansel dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "As for this... Ah!"
His eyes lit up, "I could have the Baron of Howling Wind bring a necromancer, that would certainly be entertaining!"
As for desecrating the body of a noble... even if it is defiled, what's the harm?
Ansel of Hydral, do you think he came here to share fine wine with you, to admire beautiful women, Baron of Howling Wind?
He came to bestow his mercy upon you. He came here to grant you a merciful death.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone