Starting a new chapter! (^_^)
When Sebastian and Sieg caught Rebecca's information and started to move, various factions in the capital were also beginning to stir.
"Your Highness Zandra, we need your cooperation."
The pursuers sent by the kidnapping organization arrived in the capital and sought out Zandra. There were five of them, all skilled assassins in the organization. Besides them, a considerable number of other pursuers had also entered the capital. The organization was using all its resources to chase Rebecca. The letter Rebecca possessed was so critical to the organization, and it was equally fatal to the southern nobles and Zandra, who had the southern nobles as her support base.
"Of course. If the relationship between the southern nobles and the organization were to come to light, it would be troublesome for me. Gunter."
Gunter, the assassin who once targeted Al, bowed slightly beside Zandra. Behind him stood a group of assassins Zandra had gathered from various places, numbering no less than twenty.
"Use everything at your disposal. You must get the letter."
"Understood. However, there is one concern."
"About Leonard and the others? If that's the case, it's not a problem. Leonard and his group don't have many assassins. The only one to be cautious of is Sebastian, Al's butler."
"That's correct. However, what concerns me is Prince Gordon's forces."
"What about Gordon? I don't think that musclehead is a strong opponent in this situation?"
Zandra's words were reasonable. Based on the information available, Gordon did not have many people suited for the kind of battle assassins excel in. However, the information Gunter had recently obtained changed this perception.
"Actually, we have received information that a secret covert unit has been secretly trained and mobilized."
"Can Gordon really do something like that?"
"Because it's an unofficial unit, it was possible. They brought in the unit's commander and used training as a pretext to summon them to the capital."
"Their target is... naturally, the letter."
Zandra, sitting in her chair, crossed her legs. Leaning on her elbow, she looked out at the setting sun. The capital was about to be enveloped in darkness, and a battle would be waged under that darkness. If she lost this battle, Zandra would suffer the most fatal blow—losing her support base in the south. The mages scattered throughout the land would still support her, but they were individuals. The struggle for the throne was not only a battle between the candidates themselves but also a struggle of power. A weak faction could never claim the throne. Just as Leo and the others had secured the cooperation of Duke Kleinert, the presence or absence of a powerful duke behind them made a significant difference in the strength of their faction.
"Gordon intends to bring me down here."
"Prince Eric will likely remain a spectator this time."
"Eric is that kind of man. He will never dirty his hands until the very end. He is waiting for us to fight and weaken each other. But that is also an opportunity. If we can get the letter here, we won't have to worry about our support base."
And there was also the concern about the test subjects. Zandra muttered to herself. Personally, that was more important. In Zandra's mind, the forbidden magic she was researching was essential for winning the throne, not the power base. If the forbidden magic she was developing became complete, a power base would be unnecessary. No one could defy Zandra. Everyone would kneel naturally. That was the world Zandra aspired to create.
"Gunter, find the woman with the letter. But don't take any action."
"Yes. Let Leonard and Gordon's subordinates fight each other. We'll take the weakened ones."
Currently, the capital was filled with a considerable number of assassins and similar individuals, including the organization's pursuers. Mobilizing them could win the battle by force, but Zandra did not want to lose any more assassins. This was the reason for her instructions, and Gunter had no objections. Besides, he did not think Rebecca, who had entered the capital by evading the organization's pursuers, would be so easily found.
"Go then. If it comes to a fight, you can kill anyone."
With that, Gunter left the room, followed by the assassins behind him. The organization's pursuers had also disappeared. In the empty room, Zandra smiled faintly.
"If I can't get the letter... I'll have to abandon Uncle, but it can't be helped. It's for me to become the emperor."
Saying this, Zandra showed a mad smile and whispered.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Sieg, who had ventured into the dark capital with Sebastian, crouched on a rooftop and muttered, sensing the presence of people all around. It was already late at night, and the movement of so many people was clearly unusual.
"These are the assassins of Princess Zandra."
"Her personal assassins and those who originally pursued Rebecca. They have a common connection in the south, so it's not strange that they are cooperating."
"Don't be so matter-of-fact. We're two against a group."
"It's not a war. The advantage of numbers doesn't matter much. Sieg and I can handle it."
"You say that so easily..."
Sieg sighed and looked around. Searching for Rebecca without being detected by the numerous enemy pursuers would be a challenging task.
"Still... it's amazing she made it to the capital safely with so many pursuers."
"There might be a helper. If that's the case, we need to be cautious."
"We can't afford to be seen as enemies. We need to find her location first."
Saying this, Sieg stood up and took a step forward. However, a strong wind blew at that moment. While it wouldn't affect a normal person, the light Sieg lost his balance.
He let out a small cry and slid down the roof.
Letting out a silent scream, Sieg managed to grab a protruding part of the house to avoid falling.
"Phew... that was close."
"Yeah, I'm fine... no, I'm not!"
Next to Sieg, a pot on the protruding part was wobbling. It soon fell and shattered with a loud noise.
Sebastian and Sieg fell silent, looking at the broken pot. Meanwhile, people's presence began to gather from all around.
"It's the wind. The wind."
Saying this, the two of them regained their composure and readied their weapons. Sebastian drew his dagger, and Sieg shifted Ruin into a spear and climbed onto the roof. As they prepared for battle, three men leaped onto the roof. However, Sebastian's thrown daggers pierced their foreheads, and they fell.
More men climbed onto the roof, but this time Sieg swung Ruin, thrusting one man off and slicing another's neck. He then hopped around the roof, approaching the last man.
Saying this, Sieg thrust the man's face. The man died instantly and fell off the roof.
"Sorry. Night bears are scary."
"Your spear handling is impressive. To use it so skillfully in that form."
"You thought I was old, but I'm still active."
"Thank you. However, there are too many of them."
"Agreed. Let's go to Plan B."
Sebastian, who hadn't heard about it, muttered in confusion. Sieg climbed onto Sebastian's back and, without any shame, declared:
"You're rough with an old man."
"Don't say that. I'll give you a shoulder massage."
Laughing, Sebastian fled the scene with all his might. After that, there was no significant movement in the capital. The day's skirmish did not yield any valuable information for any faction. This made all factions more cautious. Whether Rebecca was exceptionally skilled or had skilled helpers, it was clear that the person with the letter was not easy to deal with.