The female assassin could actually still smile despite the grave situation. The guy who looked back at her was also smiling with a look as if he was evaluating her. With his hand on his chin, he praised..
[Un. This is good. You can still follow me despite me running away. Lord Randall tends to get angry at Riru and Mina as soon as they lose sight of me.]
He actually talked like that. To his enemy, no less.
The silver haired girl raised her eyebrows. She was amazed that the guy actually said that. Then, whilst ignoring her cold gaze, Maruto looked around and laughed.
[Fufuā¦..moreover, not only capable of chasing after me, you actually had the flair to lead me to a dead end.]
[ā¦..shut up. You will die here. Iāll make it painless if you keep silent.]
[For real?! It wonāt hurt?!]
The girl nodded in suspicion.
[Ehh thatās interesting. Look, no matter how sharp a blade is, when someone is stabbed or cut, theyāll feel pain, wonāt they? As long as there is pain, people will never stop fearing pain.]
[ā¦ā¦]
Maruto then touched his chest with his left hand, continuing to talk with a sad face.
[Sometimes, that thought crosses my head. When I was fighting, every time my opponent received a fatal blowā¦ā¦I got really scared just from the image of them writhing in pain floating in my headā¦.]
So thatās why heās mostly standing behind the soldiers, the silver haired girl interpreted from his words. She was quite amazed. She looked at her adversary with squinted eyes.
[Beside myself, Iām also thinking about others. How can I cut them down without inflicting any pain?]
[The coward of cowardsā¦.]
She threw that insult out of disgust but his face didnāt even flinch. That made her wonder. Normal people wouldāve denied that insult heavily. But he didnāt. Rather, he was smiling after hearing it.
[Hahaha. Thatās something Ortashia had also said. But anyways, what you said earlier has piqued my interest. We should speak some more.].
The situation wasnāt good. Even though she seriously went in for the kill, the opponent did not even show fear. The silver haired girl had had enough and readied her daggers across her chest. The blades reflecting the moonlight. Although she tried, Maruto looked like an unscalable wall which does not show any sign of wearing out. Itās as if heās inviting her in, which made her cautious.
Suddenly, Maruto tossed the sword in his right hand to his left.
[!]
Then, while raising his now empty right hand, he beckoned the wide-eyed, silver haired girl.
[How about it? Why donāt you join my Order?]
[!?]
Her eyes widened to those words. She backed off quite a distance away due to the surprise; her eyes swimming. Itās the first time her opponent had shaken her feelings this strongly. With fluttery lips, she said the things that had been floating in her head.
[A, are youā¦.stupid? No. Stupid is an understatement. I donāt get itā¦.what are you trying to doā¦?]
[Nmm, Iām recruiting you into my knight orderā¦.is it a no go?]
[Of course itās a no! Are you kidding me?! Iām your enemy! I tried to take your life away! How can you easily do something like that! Are you stupid?! No, youāre an idiot!]
The girl quickly shut her mouth once she calmed down. Without changing his expression, Maruto gave a quick answer.
[Un. Iām an idiot.]
She wasnāt that convinced since he easily replied like that, thus she asked for another confirmation.
[The-then, why did you invite me even after knowing who I am?]
Of course, there must be a reason for that and she wanted to see why.
[Nn.. My gut feeling.]
[Wha?]
[I can tell. Just from seeing. In roughly three seconds, I can tell what kind of experiences youāve went through, as if you told me about it yourself. Sometimes itās inaccurate butā¦ā¦ with you, Iām sure of it. I know at this point, you are very wary of me. In many waysā¦.right?]
Marutoās line of sight lowered to her breast. Something felt amiss, itās as if there is something missing.
[āāāāāāāumu. As a swordsman, you have a pretty face augmented with beautiful silver hair and eyes and also dazzling white skin. Thatās extraordinary. However, what Iām worried about is your breastsā¦ā¦.if itās possible, I wish it remains tinyā¦.then itāll be the best.] (ED note: must be a fan of pettan.)
The still-mumbling Marutoās eyes darted past the girl. He had a rather disgusting expression on his face. The girl turned around to follow where heās looking at.
There were lots of people there. Each riding a magnificent horse. They didnāt wear armor but those white uniforms are obviously military uniforms. All of them had swords. Itās clear who they are from the emblem on their chest. The emblem of the howling white wolf. They are of the White Wolf Knight order. All of them were selected warriors. Sheās unable to proceed, yet itās impossible to retreat.
At this point, her chance of survival is nil.
The knights were staring at her as if she was some kind of a demon. Of course itās because she was targeting their master. Voices mixed with anger resounded.
[Leader! Stay right there! Iāll assist you right now!]
[This coward! Iāll tear you apart!]
[Thatās no good. Letās capture her alive! Iāll give her a torture even worse than death!]
[Yeah, thatās right. Letās make her regret ever trying to take leaderās head!]
More and more white knights arrived, crowding the alley and attracting the city patrol who came in to check the situation with torches.
[Kill!]
Said a knight with bloodshot eyes. Unexpectedly, even the assassin girl felt scared. Her hands trembled. There was no other choice but to go for the unprotected target in front of her. She turned back and gazed at Maruto.
[ā¦ā¦one way or another. Complete the missionā¦.]
She couldnāt move her legs. It wasnāt her first murder. She had seen countless deaths. Sometimes, the client even asked to dispose of the corpse too. This wasnāt the first. It should be easy. She shouldāve been able to deal a confusing yet devastating blow.
Even so, there is no use in regretting now. She has neither a place to go back to nor does she have any family left. She no longer cares for her own life. The teachings taught her to prioritize her mission regardless of anything. Even if she has to die to succeed.