The north wing of the Duke’s Mansion.
Originally used as the residence of the Duchess Lagrind, it was currently a place with little maintenance other than basic cleaning.
And now, a group of people had gathered there.
The number was at least thirty.
Each one was cloaked in dark robes, their faces obscured by masks and thick hoods.
“The number of guards is more than expected. What on earth is going on?”
The number of guards affiliated with the Duke’s House and their patrol routes had been monitored in advance.
However, once they infiltrated the Duke’s House, all the gathered information turned out to be useless.
The number of guards was more than double what they had estimated, and the patrol frequency had increased significantly.
Thanks to that, what should have been nearly fifty siblings had dwindled to mere thirty.
“Could it be that our plan has been exposed?”
“It shouldn’t be the case. If it had been exposed, we wouldn’t be here like this.”
If the information about the assassins’ intrusion had been leaked, by now, they would all no longer be part of this world.
The very fact that they were in this place denied that possibility.
“What shall we do? The risk of proceeding this way is too great.”
“Perhaps we should wait for the next opportunity…”
The Duke Lagrind was not a feeble opponent.
The target, Duke Lagrind, was one of the top five strongest figures in the kingdom, and his daughter, the Duchess, had long surpassed the realm of humans.
Against such duo, no matter how many they were, they could not be certain of victory.
“No, the plan proceeds as is.”
However, the man who seemed to be their leader spoke in a firm voice.
Upon hearing this, all the followers gathered around him looked at the man.
“What is our first doctrine?”
“Death is not the end but a new beginning.”
At the man’s question, the followers answered in unison.
The first doctrine of the cult.
Death is not the end but a new beginning.
“Even if we all die here, if we do not kill the Duke, it does not mean we have failed our mission.”
Their ultimate goal was to become one with the God of Death through death itself.
Killing the Duke was merely a part of the process leading to death.
“Everything is according to the will of the Great Death.”
“Everything is according to the will of the Great Death.”
The man led the chant, and the surrounding followers slowly recited the words.
And in the next moment.
The man lifted his head, his eyes blazing like flames, and spoke.
“We will martyr ourselves here.”
*
In the annex of the Duke’s Mansion, a grand banquet was underway.
“It’s already dark…”
Looking at the clock in a corner of the banquet hall, Rudell muttered to himself.
The time had already passed six-thirty.
If his predictions were right, the assassins would strike in about thirty minutes…
“I’m still feeling anxious…”
It was good that they had alerted the guards to the presence of intruders, but Rudell was not satisfied with the subsequent measures taken.
Reinforcement of guards and a decrease in patrol cycles.
That alone would surely not be enough.
Not to mention that in the original novel, the cult’s actions were nothing short of unimaginable.
Indiscriminate slaughter, threats, kidnapping, terrorism, and so on…
To be blunt, it was no different from what the 21st-century Middle Eastern terrorists did on Earth.
The one difference was that in this world, magic existed, making the scale quite large…
Thus, if by any chance the situation evolved differently than he knew, it would be a colossal failure for Rudell.
“Umm…”
As Rudell felt his head getting complex, he let out a low groan.
“What’s wrong? You look slightly troubled.”
“Does it show?”
“Yep.”
Without a hint of hesitation, Leje nodded.
Did it look that serious…?
Rudell glanced at his reflection in a window but saw nothing different from his usual self.
‘It looks just like me…’
He thought this, but then shook his head.
The way others viewed him and how he perceived himself could differ.
Moreover, Leje was quite observant, so it was possible she saw something he couldn’t.
“Want to have a piece of cake?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
While looking at him, Leje took a slice of cake from the table and handed it to Rudell, who nodded and accepted the plate.
As the bite-sized cake entered his mouth…
The sweet flavor spread in his mouth, and gradually, Rudell felt his anxiety fade away.
“I heard from Alma that eating something sweet can instantly relieve stress.”
“Hmm…”
Rudell had heard such things before.
It had something to do with hormones, he believed…
“Can you share what’s bothering you with me?”
“Sorry… it’s a personal issue.”
Just then, when Leje who had been observing him asked, Rudell shook his head at her.
No way he could tell her he was going to be attacked.
Regardless of the truth, if she asked for the source of information, Rudell had nothing to say.
“I read it in a novel.”
An explanation that could easily mark him as insane.
“Hmm… then let me give you one piece of advice instead.”
“Advice?”
Leje squinted her eyes and looked at him, prompting Rudell to voice his confusion.
“Worrying more and more is just a loss. If something can be resolved by worrying, then there’s no need to worry in the first place, and if it can’t, then again, there’s no point in worrying.”
“What’s that about?”
“It’s a line from a book I read some time ago. I think the title was… [101 Ways to Live Positively]?”
“No way. I can’t believe you are talking about reading a book!”
Ugh! As Leje recalled the book’s title, Rudell teased her with a playful grin.
“Hey! I’m technically a Duchess, you know!”
“Then how about fixing that habit of throwing punches before talking?”
“This is ridiculous!!”
In response to Rudell’s playful comment, Leje took a stance as if ready to charge, but soon turned her head, clicking her tongue in discontent.
It was only natural, considering how many eyes were watching around them.
If it became known that the daughter of the Duke’s House was a punch-first kind of person, it would only trouble Leje, not Rudell.
‘In a way, that’s not entirely wrong.’
Meanwhile, looking at Leje giggling, Rudell thought back to what Leje had just said.
At a glance, it might sound like a joke, but Leje’s words had merit.
He had already taken the necessary precautions, and the assassins would be somewhat constrained in their actions.
If something unforeseen happened, he could always explain later without needing to take the lead himself.
Whether Leje would believe his words or not was uncertain, but judging by her past behavior, the likelihood that Leje would not listen to him was rather low.
“By the way, how are you feeling now? You seem a bit more relaxed than before.”
“Maybe so. Thanks.”
Rudell replied with a smile to Leje, who inquired with a gentle smile.
Meanwhile, the clock hands were already moving towards seven.
Only about five minutes remained.
“Leje, I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”
“Huh? Sure. Do you know where it is? Should I take you there?”
“Do I look like a child?”
With a playful grin, Rudell retorted and headed towards the banquet hall exit.
As the sounds from the banquet receded, Rudell’s expression changed and he pulled out a small pocket watch from his pocket.
“About three minutes left…”
Only three minutes remained.
It was right on top of him now.
“Phew…”
To think this moment would really come…
This situation was significant to both Rudell and Leje.
How this would end might bring monumental changes to the story ahead.
“I should be tense.”
And yet, he was not afraid.
He had the ability to protect both Leje and the Duke.
Wasn’t that the power he had been cultivating all along?
“Hoo…”
With a sigh, Rudell focused his mind, and as his mana responded, shadows began to envelop his body.
A moment later, as the shadows covering him dissipated, there stood a boy cloaked in black with a concealed face.
“Then, let’s begin.”
The boy murmured as if speaking to himself, disappearing into the shadows…
Leaving only a profound silence in the spot he occupied moments before.
