Does the Assassin Girl Dream of the Mana Doll?

The silence in the room was overwhelmingly heavy, far too oppressive.

At this point, they had practically no options left.

“Well, we could always assassinate Dian, but…”

“No way, even you wouldn’t be able to do that. Besides, this is still just speculation.. Even if it comes to it, it would be a last resort. Otherwise, we’d be sending you to your death.”

To Thomas, who wasn’t aware of Egret’s abilities, assassination was truly the last resort. Even if they managed to pull it off, unless the First Knights’ Order plunged into chaos, it would be meaningless. Even after all that if the vice commander took over, it would just give them an excuse to invade.

So, they needed something to stop the expansionists faction at their source. Or at least divide their attention.

“Perhaps we should contact the Third Knight Order? We could ask them to put us in touch with Prince Riohart.”

“If only it were that easy. unfortunately we don’t have any connections like that.”

Ellie, who had been pondering with her chin in her hand, offered this suggestion, but Thomas responded with a weary voice.

However, Letty, who had lifted her head at Ellie’s suggestion, looked at her, then lowered her head again before turning her eyes toward Thomas.

“Thomas, what if we could get in touch with them?”

“Well, that would be valuable information for Prince Riohart. If he found out that the expansionist faction is trying to start an unauthorized invasion, he could denounce the expansionists. At least, if he stationed the Third Knight Order in Augsburg to prevent this, it wouldn’t be easy for the expansionists to outmaneuver the third order.

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

Nodding in agreement with Thomas’s opinion, Letty turned to Ellie, who looked a bit troubled but didn’t object.

Seeing her expression, Letty felt a little uneasy as well.

Nevertheless, she turned back to Thomas.

“Then… let’s contact the Third Knight Order. It’s a gamble, but we don’t have any other options right now.”

“I know, but how?”

“Leave that part to me.”

“I don’t doubt you, but… hey, Ellie, can you stop her?”

“I’m sorry, Thomas. But I can’t go against Miss Letty.”

Ellie smiled sweetly as she refused his plea for help. Thomas slumped his shoulders in defeat and muttered under his breath for a while, before eventually giving a tired nod.

“”No choice… this is all we’ve got left. I’m counting on you, Egret… can you do it?”

“I was the one who brought it up, so yes.”

Her calm response left Thomas even more deflated.

“Hey, do you really understand what you’re getting into?”

“This is the only option we have, so I guess I just have to do it.”

“Yeah, but… sigh…”

Thomas let out a deep sigh and, after some thought, finally gave a slow nod.

“Alright. Just promise me you won’t push yourself too hard. If it gets dangerous, come back immediately.”

“Got it.”

Egret then stood up soundlessly, and Ellie followed suit.

“…Sorry, Ellie, but you’ll have to stay behind for this one.”

“Yeah, I’d probably just get in the way.”

With a smile still on her face, Ellie nodded without showing any signs of frustration, though she was silently clenching her hands behind her back.

After giving a small, apologetic nod, Egret headed for the door.

“I’ll be going then, Thomas.”

“Alright, but please don’t overdo it.”

Egret nodded and left the room.

Thomas watched her go, then slumped back onto the sofa.

“Damn… I never thought things would turn out like this. Please, come back safely…”

He could only pray.

Meanwhile, in Augsburg, a city that had once belonged to the Marquis of Uris, was now a bustling city like Azal. But by midnight, it, too, fell quiet.

Even the Third Knights’ Order’s garrison, stationed there, was silent. They had taken over an old count’s barracks, and except for the night patrols, the place was still. This included the room of the knight commander, Georg von Luenbeld. Two sentries stood outside his door, while he lay sound asleep.

With short-cropped brown hair and a similarly trimmed beard, his face bore several scars that gave him a rugged look. He appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties. A seasoned warrior, even in his sleep, he was trained to immediately wake at any sign of danger.

Or at least, he seemed to be.

A figure clad in black tapped him on the shoulder.

But before he could rise, a hand clamped over his mouth, holding him down.

The fact that someone could get so close to him without him noticing even if he was asleep sent a chill down his spine. His eyes darted toward his assailant.

Her glossy black hair shimmered in the moonlight, and her pale skin seemed to glow. Her gaze was calm, unreadable, and bottomless. She held a finger to her lips, gesturing for silence.

Georg considered calling for the guards but decided against it.

This woman could have already killed him if she wanted him dead. He didn’t want to admit it, but the fact that she had approached him without anyone noticing, even tapping his shoulder, meant she could have easily killed him.

He glanced at the window, where the curtains gently swayed in the night breeze. She must have entered through there without him realizing.

Satisfied that he wouldn’t shout, the woman finally spoke.

“Good evening. I have some information for you. Are you interested?”

“What? Some stranger coming into my room and offering me information? That’s a new one.”

He forced a grin, though inwardly he was sweating. His mind raced, trying to figure out who this woman was and what she wanted.

“Yes, it is. And it’s urgent. Are you interested in information about supplies being smuggled to the First Knight Order?”

“Wait, to the First Knight Order? From where?”

“You’ll have to pay for that.”

Georg’s eyebrows shot up. He was intrigued but cautious, his instincts were screaming at him to remain cautious. And he couldn’t let this woman see how interested he was in that information.

“Fine. How much?”

“Not money. I want you to arrange a meeting with Prince Riohart.”

“…How much do you know?”

“Well… Who can say?”

When she mentioned the prince, his expression changed.

His eyes narrowed, but he remained calm.

He studied her for a moment, then sighed.

“Alright, I give up. I guess we don’t have time for games. I’ll put you in touch with the prince. You’re lucky.”

He gave her a wry smile, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

“After all, His Highness is currently staying in this very barracks.”

He smiled, but it was a cold, predatory smile.

**Next: Beyond the Grasped Hand**