The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation-Chapter 63 - 61 — Reaver

Squelch!

As the sound of a blade piercing through flesh echoed through the cavern, Garrick’s fists slowly curled.

’This guy.’

Though it was Fiona who had just killed the man, his eyes remained fixed on Zephyrion, who stood calmly amid the lifeless corpse of the Sanguine.

Garrick had been watching the duo from the start. He had placed Fiona with Zephyrion in the hope that his presence and actions would somehow help her overcome her problem.

However, everything had unfolded in a way he had never imagined.

’He planned everything.’

Earlier, when he had given her the task of killing a Sanguine despite knowing the problem she faced, Garrick had brushed it off as an error on Zephyrion’s part.

Yet, it was only after they entered the caves that he realized it had all been deliberate.

Because of that failure, Fiona had opened up to him about what troubled her. And his advice...

Garrick felt his heart pound as he replayed Zephyrion’s words in his head. For a child like him to possess such insight...

’Is he really seventeen?’

He had trained many youths in his life, most of whom still hadn’t come to understand the way of the world or form any solid ideals.

But Zephyrion appeared more like a seasoned warrior in that regard. It was as though he was looking at someone who had lived through far more than anyone his age should have.

’Heh...’

Garrick shook his head faintly, staring at Zephyrion’s still, purple eyes.

’I was right.’

In all his life, Garrick had never seen anyone more suited to Calderalth’s throne than this boy. His blood stirred as he thought of that future.

’I should return.’

There was no reason for him to remain here any longer. Holding back the urge to laugh, Garrick turned and left the scene.

...

’Hm?’

Zephyrion narrowed his gaze at the entrance of the cave. The heavy gaze he had been feeling on himself had suddenly vanished.

’I see.’

It was probably Garrick, who had left after witnessing the death of the Sanguine. Though he could still sense another gaze nearby, it must be the actual instructor assigned to their team.

"I-I killed him... I killed him..."

A moment later, he approached Fiona, who was mumbling under her breath as she stared at her arms in disbelief.

"You attacked."

Fiona flinched, then lifted her gaze. The moment her eyes met his, she lowered them again.

"I... I did."

She turned toward the corpse of the Sanguine, her gaze lingering on it.

"I-I attacked..."

"How do you feel?"

"...I feel... okay?"

"So, you didn’t lose control."

Her eyes widened slightly, as though something had just clicked. She looked down at her arms again, slowly clenching her fists.

"...I didn’t..."

"So there’s nothing to be afraid of."

"...there’s nothing..."

Zephyrion stepped closer, his gaze steady as it met hers.

"If you lose control... I’ll stop you."

"...you would do that for me?"

"Yes."

"W-why?"

Zephyrion suddenly stepped back and turned away. He spoke without turning back.

"Because I can."

Fiona clenched her fists as he walked away.

’I was right.’

Zephyrion was just too great of a guy. To think he would help someone like her just like that... without asking for anything in return.

And after everything he had just shown her, she had no doubt in his capabilities.

Suddenly, Fiona bowed deeply.

"Thank you, young lord!"

Zephyrion responded with a calm nod. As she straightened, loose strands of hair fell across her face, but even through them, he could see the clarity in her gaze.

’That should do it.’

He had just cemented the ideal in her mind. Now, Fiona should stop hesitating in any fights. More importantly, as the one who had shaped that change, he had also bound her to him.

With that settled, Zephyrion let his gaze roam around the cavern. With the Redmaws dead, only the bound and trembling villagers remained.

’Odd.’

He had found it strange from the start. From his dealings with the Redmaw while he was in the Order, he had never known them to take prisoners unless they served a purpose.

As he approached, the villagers trembled and flinched, doing their best to remain silent.

"I’m from Calderalth. The Sanguines are dealt with. You’re safe."

"C-Calderalth...?"

"W-we’re saved...?"

"Thank the Iron Father... thank the Iron Father..."

The moment they heard the name Calderalth, they gasped and released shaky breaths. Many of them began to weep and sob uncontrollably.

"We’ll remove your restraints now."

Unfazed, he and Fiona loosened the ropes binding them and removing their blindfolds. The moment their eyes fell on the gruesome scene around the cavern, they all gasped.

"You’re okay... you’re safe now... it’s over..." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As Fiona quickly moved to attend to them, an aged, hunched man stepped forward toward Zephyrion.

"T-thank you... thank you so much, young warrior..."

"It’s fine."

"No..." The man shook his head firmly before bowing. "...it’s not just ’fine.’ We had already given up... we thought we were all going to die. Please... accept our gratitude."

"...Alright."

Zephyrion allowed a brief moment of silence to pass.

"Is this..." he cast a heavy look over the villagers "...all that’s left of you?"

The aged man’s face darkened, as though years had suddenly weighed down on him. He nodded slowly.

"...yes... it would seem so..." he said. "They came out of nowhere... from every side... those blood bastards. We didn’t even have a chance... may the Iron Father have mercy on our lost souls..."

"Do you know why you were being transported?"

"...no..." He shook his head, then frowned slightly. "...but I heard them talking... more than once. They were waiting to meet someone..."

Zephyrion’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Someone?"

"...I don’t know who... but they called him... a Reaver..."

Zephyrion felt his thoughts still.

’A Reaver.’

They were lethal enforcers within the Redmaw, usually dispatched to carry out important operations. Higher ranked than the ones he had just killed, and far stronger.

That one coming to meet them meant this operation had been significant.

Zephyrion frowned faintly.

’He’s coming here.’

The forest was entirely surrounded by Calderalth warriors, yet something about this unsettled him.

’The instructor is still—’

Zephyrion’s thoughts froze.

’Where?’

The presence of the instructor attached to their team had... vanished.