NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5
Thud.
As I slackened my grip, the massive figure crashed to the floor.
I stretched my sore wrists from pounding on the solid object when the fallen masked figure began to stir.
Perhaps “masked figure” was too generous; “pastry” would better describe him.
The poor man, struck in the abdomen, coughed up blood dramatically.
My punch could shatter even stone effortlessly.
Considering he hadn’t been prepared for it, the man appeared to have suffered quite a shock, only twitching on the ground.
No matter how tough a mana awakened individual may be, they can’t escape internal injuries.
I dragged the unconscious masked man deeper into the woods, tossing him to the ground before climbing atop him and raining down more punches.
The reason I continued to pummel this half-conscious masked man was simple.
It was back when I’d ended up in a duel with the knight captain of the Hassen Viscount’s guard.
Mana awakened individuals possessed remarkable toughness. Knights, even more so, due to their tolerance developed from beatings endured during their novice period. Subduing them was no easy task.
There was no hesitation as I continued to pummel the masked man.
When the mask was shredded and his face was halfway pressed into the ground like an engraving, the man gave up after attempting a violent resistance.
I yanked his head from the ground and, confirming his compliance, asked some questions regarding Lord Bradden. I then delivered a final punch to his gasping form, concluding the matter.
“…Is that all?”
Weak and without pulse, I confirmed his breathing had stopped before rising.
While killing a noble’s knight could potentially cause complications, that would only be on formal occasions. These masked men, who concealed their identities to attempt assassination, were exceptions.
Even if Viscount Bradden were enraged by the loss of his mana-awakened knight, he wouldn’t dare to make a scene in front of me.
Still, nobles don’t simply acquiesce. One so thoroughly angered would undoubtedly scheme behind my back.
“Let him scheme—it makes no difference.”
Due to long neglect, the Imperial Palace of Altain Empire was dusty. If dust appears, it’s the cleaner’s duty to clear it away, isn’t it?
“Ah, that’s right. My sword.”
On my way to rejoin the upper quarters, I instinctively touched my waist, feeling an uncomfortable emptiness. The left side of my waist, where my long-used sword should have been, was left vacant after the battle with the knights.
“Hmph.”
That mana-infused sword that I had received when I became an adult finally broke after withstanding several strikes.
The viscount of Hassen had gifted it to me on that occasion, so it had been around five years; it was a sword to which I had grown attached.
All of the knights’ swords had snapped in half, so there was nothing salvageable. With no armorer among the merchants, I had nowhere to procure a new one immediately.
When I reached the capital, I would have to get a new blade, unfortunately.
Though I had one that could cut through iron, it was these minor inconveniences that were bothersome.
*
The capital’s appearance remained vivid in my memory from a youthful visit when I was around seven years old. Now, thirteen years later, it was my second visit.
Thirteen years had passed, yet the sight of Palamtiar remained largely the same as I remembered.
“Ah.”
Seeing it with my own eyes filled a corner of my heart with excitement. It was a far cry from the backwater rural life. From what I could roughly estimate, even the eastern metropolis would seem insignificant compared to this.
Carrying that excitement, I casually glanced around when among the many rooftops, a grand and ornate roof stood prominently.
At the heart of the capital Palamtiar, inside the inner defenses, lay the resplendent roof of the Imperial Palace.
“Tch.”
That fleeting sense of excitement was quickly replaced by stress.
I breathed a silent sigh and turned my head, noticing Rani frantically looking around. It seemed she was gleefully munching on some dried meat.
It was Rani’s first visit to the capital.
“I want to enjoy it too…”
After wiping the seasoning off the corner of Rani’s mouth, I turned back.
We had arrived at the capital smoothly. The only incident was a wild animal, but thankfully, there were no abnormal monster attacks.
After parting ways with the representative of the merchant guild, who had requested a visit when the time came, Rani and I were crossing the road toward the inner defenses.
We had arrived slightly earlier than planned, allowing us some leeway.
‘Leisurely though.’
If all the attacks so far were orchestrated by Viscount Bradden and his intent was mainly to target me before I reached the Imperial Palace, perhaps there wouldn’t be much more trouble in the capital.
Even if the viscount learned that his knights had been annihilated, by then I would already be inside the capital.
Despite his ability to predict my movements, it was likely he would still end up making mistakes.
‘The problem is that the viscount isn’t the only one causing chaos.’
While traveling here, I had heard from merchants and escorts that the Brienne Mercenary Guild, a group with whom Bradden had dealings, no longer counted him among their noble clientele. In fact, the viscount was reported to be working with other mercenaries instead.
This suggested somebody other than the viscount had requested Brienne’s assistance. Meaning, there weren’t just one or two attempts to get rid of me.
“Swish.”
“Master. Master.”
When Rani tugged on my arm and caught my attention, her eyes were fixated on a street stall.
A bulky man was turning something vigorously. The sizzling sound and the aroma of the spices wafted invitingly. It was skewered meat—grilled skewers.
Rani stood wide-eyed, unable to look away from the stall despite the dried meat she had been eating.
“Would you like some skewers?”
“…”
Rani’s head whipped around.
Initially ready to nod vigorously, she paused, furrowing her brows in deep thought before eventually shaking her head.
“No, I’m full.”
Despite her words, her eyes remained glued to the stall.
As I lingered there, the smell made my mouth water too. Perhaps I should grab one.
After parking the carriage in a convenient spot, I purchased a skewer from the stall.
Although merely chunks of meat on a stick, they were beautifully grilled with a soy-like sauce and were visibly appetizing.
The skewer, unexpectedly expensive, in hand, I returned to the carriage to find Rani eyeing it with sparkling eyes.
After giving Rani one of the skewers, we continued toward the inner defenses. Carefully steering the wagon, I savored a piece of the perfectly grilled meat.
“It’s delicious.”
It tasted much like pork ribs marinated in spices, perfectly roasted over direct heat. Everything about it—the seasoning, the level of doneness, everything—was flawless.
‘Delicious, but why the grimace?’
The face of the skewer vendor was not one of joy but rather one of fatigue and anxiety. While it could be due to a lack of customers, there was a different kind of tension evident.
‘And it’s not just him.’
Though bustling with people, there was a palpable heaviness in the air. Even the exorbitant price of the skewers hinted at something amiss.
“I’ve got a mountain of work ahead. A mountain.”
“?
After wiping the spices off Rani’s mouth corner once more, I took another bite.
There’s a saying that even a large sheet of paper is easier to handle when held by two. But I didn’t need to burden myself alone, right?
Ah, no. I didn’t need to do anything at all. There were plenty of people below me for that.
The carriage had quietly made its way past the grand plaza heading toward the inner defenses. Unlike the broad, main road leading from the city gates, the route from the plaza to the inner defenses was significantly narrower.
Perhaps wide enough for two carriages abreast.
I briefly noted an approaching carriage in the opposite direction before speaking.
“Rani, grab your bag.”
Rani, reaching for the dried meat bag in the cargo section, turned around upon hearing my words.
Though her expression held confusion, she silently grabbed the large bag from the cargo hold and slung it over her shoulder before retaking her seat.
The faint hum of activity that had been present while leaving the main plaza had all but disappeared.
Even though the sunset was casting a gentle light over Palamtiar, it wasn’t yet nightfall, a time when people would still be out and about.
Despite this, the sounds of life had faded one by one while we were still in a populated area.
‘As I expected.’
The approaching carriage gradually slowed down until it was about a foot away from mine.
Just then, someone darted between the two carriages.
The sharp sound of the reins yanking the horse’s bridle echoed as I quickly pulled to a halt.
As I calmed the agitated horse, people from the other carriage got off and approached a figure lying on the ground.
“Hey, are you alright?”
“You shouldn’t leap out like that.”
Drd-drd.
A faint sound of stone scraping.
A subtle noise coming from directly beneath the carriage, followed by a faint movement.
“Troublesome, and without my sword.”
I signaled for silence with a raised finger at Rani, then leapt into the air with the large bag clenched tightly.
Bang!
As I jumped, a steel spike pierced through where I had been sitting. Breaking through the wooden fragments, a man with a raised sword emerged, possessing an almost unnoticeable, minimal aura—quite the professional assassin.
I tossed the skewer, still in my other hand, towards the man’s eyes and landed lightly on the roof.
“Aaaaaaah!”
A dreadful scream echoed eerily through the quietened streets.
Does it hurt a lot? I imagine being impaled in the buttocks would be far worse.
As his scream ended, numerous movements could be sensed from the surroundings.
“Huh. Where are they coming from?”
I had expected only four or five to appear, but this was far more serious.
This setup seemed excessive for taking me down.
“Don’t bite your tongue, keep quiet.”
Holding onto Rani, who was clutching onto the bag with both hands covering her mouth, I leapt toward the assassins.