Chương 22: Sabrat the Teacher
"Princess, who on earth would want you dead so badly that they sent 35 assassins after you?" Rasoul asked casually, munching on a mouthful of salad.
The genuinely confused princess replied, "What are you talking about? I don't have any enemies; nobody wants me dead." Unbeknownst to her, the old man had already taken care of the assassins before they could pose a threat a few weeks back.
"Are you certain about that? Some days back, we encountered a gang of bandits known as the Blood Brothers. As far as I'm aware, they've been wreaking havoc and causing harm to your orphanages. Additionally, they seem to have connections with an assassin organization known as Dark Minions. The alignment of these two occurrences appears too intentional. Therefore, I'll ask again: who wants you dead, Princess?
"Blood Brothers! Dark Minions!" Princess Vina and Vira exclaimed simultaneously. Vira pressed, "Is what you're saying true?"
"Yes. The 35 assassins heading here are from the Dark Minions. We've dealt with the Blood Brothers, but encountering the Dark Minions would be first for us," Lara replied casually, sipping her orange juice.
"Princess, I'll ask once more: who wants you dead, and why?" Rasoul inquired with a serious tone.
"That scoundrel! I'll kill him myself," Vira retorted, her fist involuntarily clenched.
"Vira, calm yourself. We can't jump to conclusions. We don't know for sure if it's him," Princess Vina said, holding Vira's hand to pacify her. "Let's investigate before making any assumptions. We can't make any mistake on this, and if it's true, then I will behead him myself."
Interrupting the emotional moment, Rasoul interjected, "I hate to break up the bonding, but who exactly are we talking about here? I'm a bit lost. Care to fill me in?"
"My brother, Prince Solomon," Princess Vina explained. "He's after the Crown, and Vira suspects him after my first Orphanage was destroyed. Honestly, I do too. He even refused to send reinforcements when the monster tide threatened the city," she added with frustration and concern in her tone.
"So, it's a family affair. No need for us to meddle in your royal drama. Good luck, but we won't be dragging ourselves into your family matters," Rasoul asserted, clarifying he wanted no part in the complexities of royal politics.
"You say that, but you're already neck-deep in it," a voice remarked, accompanied by the entrance of an old monk, hands casually tucked behind his back.
"It's you..." Rasoul muttered, caught off guard and choking on his food.
"I did ask you to look for me. Clearly, your stomach takes precedence over my words," the old man quipped, a hint of sarcasm evident on his face.
********
"Okay, that will be all but remember, the Princess must die today because a lot is riding on this, and I don't have to tell you what the higher-ups will do to your families if anything goes wrong...
"Yes, sir."
As the assassins approached the city, their leader assigned each person a specific role. He wanted to make sure everyone knew how serious the mission was. He decided to wait outside the city for them. If the information from their scouts was correct, killing the princess would be a piece of cake. But Just as they were about to begin, a voice interrupted.
"Guess what? A little birdy told me some troublemakers are heading our way today. Imagine my surprise when I found out you guys were planning to harm someone under my protection. Are you all out of your minds? Couldn't you have waited a few more days for me to rest a little before coming?
"Also, what kind of Assassin makes plans in the open? You're the reason people think assassins are bad news. You call yourselves assassins, yet here you are plotting against a mere princess in the open instead of carrying out a proper assassination. Whoever taught you clearly did a terrible job.
"I can't believe I abandoned a fine dinner to pursue you fools. This is no enjoyment whatsoever. I even sprinted all the way here just to have a decent showdown with you expendable pawns."
"Tell me, what do you wish to accomplish planning an ambush instead of a clean assassination? You could have easily done it during the monster tide, yet you waited till it was over to come after her. Are you guys Assassins? Maybe I should impart some knowledge to you all before I dispatch you all.
Sabrat gracefully descended from the branch and approached the assassins.
"Before we dive into our lesson, how about I share a little tale about the father of all assassins? His name is Bayek, a skilled warrior who dedicated himself to his kingdom. He fought for his people, risking his life for their well-being.
But as Bayek fought valiantly, the kingdom's officials decided to rob the little the poor had. This deeply saddened him, so he sought out fellow warriors to share his grief with them Fortunately, they, too, felt the injustice and joined him. Together, they resolved to sharpen their skills in stealth and precision.
"They trained tirelessly, day in and day out, with one clear goal in mind. They aimed to eliminate those responsible for the kingdom's hardships without leaving any trace. This group of assassins dedicated their lives to uniquely purging the kingdom of corrupt individuals. They hide and strike when you least expect it. It doesn't matter how many armed guards you have, they'll infiltrate and kill you.
"When I caught wind of your plan to ambush the princess, as an assassin, it truly saddened me. You idiots want to kill someone helping orphans all over the kingdom and for what, a few gold coins. You're all a disgrace to the Assassin Profession.
"I had hoped for better, but all I got was a bunch of letdowns. But don't worry, I'll share some wisdom with you before I send you on your way.
The leader of the assassins was clearly upset by the unfolding situation, yet he felt powerless to act. It wasn't that he couldn't fight back; it was more about lacking the confidence to make a move with daggers pointed at their necks. As soon as Sabrat descended, he activated 'Dagger Slinger.' With the comprehension of this ability now 40%, he could conjure up to 50 daggers."
*[Dagger Slinger: 40%]
-- As an assassin, swift reflexes and agility are crucial. With Dagger Slinger, the victim won't even comprehend how they met their end.
>> For a moment, the Subordinate has a 70% chance of landing a lethal strike.
>> The Subordinate can now discern the weak points of its target.
>> The subordinate can now project 30 copies of his dagger, each containing full strength while visible or invincible to the naked eye within a 100-meter radius.
[This is an inherited technique seamlessly integrated into an ability. To unlock all abilities, the subordinate must achieve full mastery.]*
Each assassin felt the cold edge of a dagger against their necks. Sabrat meant business, and it was evident he had everything under control. He then started with his lecture
"Welcome to your first lesson as assassins," Sabrat declared with a sly grin. "Lesson number one: Never assume a target is vulnerable until the job is done. I bet you only considered the guy who took down the Great Beast, forgetting the other two with him. If you looked closely, you'd see that the other two with the white hair are on a whole different level. You planned without factoring in all the variables. Seriously, who trained you guys? It's like he set you up for failure."
"Now, for lesson number two," Sabrat continued. "Never travel in packs. Move as individuals, not as a pack of wolves. Anyone who saw you would know you're assassins. Remember, assassins are supposed to stay in the shadows."
"Furthermore, refrain from harming the innocent. As an assassin, your focus should be on eliminating the wrongdoers, not the unfortunate innocents."
"Lastly, when going on a mission, wear black clothes. What's with the white armor? Are you attending a wedding or going on a mission? In your next life, aim to be a better assassin."
Without uttering another word, the daggers swiftly pierced the necks of the 34 individuals, ending their lives instantly. Only the leader remained standing. However, just as he was about to make a run for it, something struck him, and he lost consciousness completely.
Sabrat swiftly looted the fallen, stashing their bodies in his space ring. He hoisted the unconscious one onto his shoulders and began making his way back to the city.
******
A secret meeting was unfolding in the heart of the rain-soaked capital of the Rainy Kingdom. Representatives from the seven great families, typically at odds with each other, gathered under one roof. This rare sight occurred as their longstanding conflicts were set aside. Recent news of a threat to the Deity of war legacy had prompted them to unite. They understood the need to set aside differences and discuss teaming up to confront this impending danger.
The room was filled with tension as the leaders tried to navigate this tricky diplomatic dance. Each family had its own goals, but the outside threat forced them to think about the bigger picture. They realized that if they stayed divided, they might lose the chance to get the Deity's power. So, they started making a shaky agreement. Everyone understood without saying it: if one family succeeded, they would share the rewards with everyone else. This way, they could all benefit and stand united against the looming danger that went beyond their usual rivalries.
"I have no idea who spilled the beans, but now we're in a tough spot," said the head of the Tettah Family.
"So, what's the plan then? I don't have to trust any of you given how conveniently this news got out without anyone else catching on. It makes me wonder, can we really trust each other for this alliance and hope one of our heirs comes out on top?" said the Pity Family's head, skepticism in their tone.
"Someone's clearly onto us, and now the other kingdoms will know there's something super valuable in that tomb. It's going to be chaos in there, and we need the seven heirs to cooperate. But can we also trust each other to work together without any betrayal in the end?"
The head of the Micah Family chimed in with a suggestion, "Why don't we all sign a blood contract? That way, we're bound not to stab each other in the back."
"I second that. Knowing you all, there's no way I'll believe any promises from your mouths. Let's form a blood contract. That way, we'll have a clear and open relationship when it comes to sharing the treasure, should any of our heirs obtain it," commented the head of the Teye family.
A lingering sense of mutual distrust hung in the air despite the appearance of unity, pushing the leaders to explore an unconventional solution. Desperate to strengthen their fragile alliance, they opted for a blood contract, intertwining their fates. Eyeing the others warily, each leader reluctantly contributed a drop of their blood to the ancient ritual, sealing their commitment with an eerie solemnity. The crimson pact symbolized their shared destiny, even as the possibility of betrayal cast its shadow.
Little did they realize that their impending downfall was drawing near in the form of a mysterious, handsome, white-haired youth. Unseen and unheard, this enigmatic figure held powers that would one day elevate him to the status of The Supreme One, capable of reshaping the very fabric of the universe. As the unsuspecting leaders schemed and conspired, oblivious to the approaching storm, the seeds of their doom had already been sown by the cosmic hand of destiny, set to unravel in unforeseen ways.
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