Chapter 67: The Intruder Above the Skies
“Who might this be~ Old Fitzmetz, what is it this time?”
[Why did it take so long to answer the call?! No, more importantly, you did call in ‘White Moon’ for reinforcement just like I said, right!?]
Before Yellow Moon could even respond, an agitated voice erupted from the other end like rapid gunfire.
[Aajen Clover and the unidentified group aiding him! They’re no pushovers. They must be eliminated at all costs! This is our final chance!!]
That senile old man had been incessantly calling every day since the appointment of his granddaughter’s successor had fallen through, insisting on summoning White Moon.
Because he believed that if anyone could be trusted, it was the youngest assassin to receive the title of ‘Moon.’
“Hmph.”
The implication that he didn’t trust Yellow Moon’s own ability was deeply irritating, but not incomprehensible.
He, too, regretted the collapse of the successor arrangement.
For the sake of our grand plan, the Clover Trade Company had to fall into our hands.
As Fitzmetz Magpie had said—this was the final chance. The last chance to devour Clover.
If Aajen Clover made it out alive, and, worse yet, happened to discover the legendary Red Clover—
‘That would be troublesome.’
Troublesome enough to jeopardize the great plan that had taken decades to construct.
So in that sense, Fitzmetz Magpie wasn’t entirely wrong.
Aajen Clover had to die—today.
But the thing is—
“Old Fitzmetz. Sorry to interrupt your little rant, but I have one question.”
[...What is it?]
“It’s true that Depicio and the Magpie Merchant Group have formed a joint operation framework. Our objectives and ideals are perfectly aligned. We’ve even tolerated a certain degree of overreach for mutual convenience. But still…”
This old man had gone too far.
“Fitzmetz Magpie, since when did you become my superior?”
Yellow Moon’s eyes gleamed like glass marbles.
“I asked, since when did you earn the right to issue orders to a ‘Moon’? I haven’t heard any news about our Master being replaced.”
[Th-that’s...!]
His voice might’ve sounded playful at first, but Yellow Moon was truly angry.
“Don’t you dare give orders.”
Within Depicio, the Shadow Clan was special.
But even among them, only a select few earned the title of ‘Moon.’
It was a prestigious position—directly serving as the Master’s guard.
The only one who could give orders to Yellow Moon, or to White Moon, was that one individual.
“Old man, if you keep barking orders like that... I’ll kill you.”
The murderous aura that radiated around him was no joke.
Even from across the communication orb, Fitzmetz must’ve sensed it, as his voice trembled like an earthquake.
[M-my apologies. I got carried away…]
But strangely enough, he didn’t back down. Normally, he would have tried to save face and quietly stepped away.
[But th-this is a matter of utmost importance, and you know it too! So, wh-what happened with White Moon?!]
He pressed on with a desperate, crawling voice—oddly uncharacteristic.
‘It’s almost like he’s being threatened by someone... though that’s impossible.’
But Yellow Moon dismissed the thought before it could fully form.
There was no way someone could have bypassed the tight surveillance Depicio had placed on Fitzmetz.
Naturally, elite assassins were stationed around him at fixed intervals, guarding him closely.
‘The hourly reports I receive from the guards placed on the old man still say “no unusual activity.”’
Who could possibly slip past Depicio’s watch and coerce Fitzmetz Magpie?
‘There’s no way.’
Blinded by his unwavering trust, Yellow Moon was the closest to the truth—yet failed to grasp it.
“Looks like you’re worn out, old man.”
Yellow Moon concluded with a narrow, sarcastic smile.
The murderous intent flickering around him seemed ready to tear through the orb and shred the frail old man on the other end.
“Well, fine. I’ll let it slide this time. But next time, don’t expect even a crumb of mercy.”
[…Thank you.]
He didn’t follow through on the threat.
Even though he could’ve easily given the kill order to one of his men stationed near the Magpie Merchant Group and had Fitzmetz Magpie assassinated on the spot.
Fitzmetz Magpie is the cornerstone for “this operation.” A stepping stone for the greater cause. You must not kill him. You understand what I mean, Yellow Moon?
Those words from the Master of Depicio, the Mountain Elder, were seared into Yellow Moon’s mind.
The blind loyalty to his master’s commands—there was no reason to disobey.
“I’ve done as you asked and brought in White Moon. She’s here with me aboard the airship, so stop pestering and wait. Our plan will proceed without a hitch.”
No matter how unpleasant it was—even if he wanted to stab that conniving old brain with a knife... he endured it.
His personal grudge wasn’t worth more than the organization’s grand vision.
[I-I see! Alright. I’ll trust you and wait.]
Clicking his tongue briefly, Yellow Moon crushed the communication orb in his grip and flung it aside like trash.
“Yellow Moon, sir!”
Just then, an assassin rushed up to him and dropped to his knees.
“What is it?”
“Reporting! Multiple lifeforms have been detected southwest below us!”
“So the ambush squads have begun their assault. Zoom in for a closer look.”
Internally, Yellow Moon was certain of Depicio’s overwhelming advantage.
Their assassination target, Aajen Clover, was an incompetent fool with no talent for combat, and he was only being guarded by four others.
‘And since they’re all LAMPAS natives, they won’t be familiar with aerial or cliffside combat. So if we just overwhelm them with numbers...’
It would be an easy win. Once the guards were dealt with, killing Aajen Clover would be simpler than eating soup.
But the footage that appeared on the orb’s display showed the exact opposite of what he expected.
“What the hell?!”
The well-trained assassins of Depicio... were being toyed with.
By just two people—a man and a woman!
They were being engulfed by raging flames, skewered by flying spears, and killed before they could react.
They had wings and more allies, yet—
“What is this...”
For the first time in his life, Yellow Moon experienced something utterly unbelievable. The kind of shock that left one speechless—it was true after all.
After several dumbfounded chuckles—
“Ha, haha... Hahaha! Ahahahaha!”
He burst out into maniacal laughter.
Of course, no one believed he was laughing out of joy.
“How?! How could our Depicio... lose to brats like that?! AHAHAHAHA!”
The black shadows seeping from Yellow Moon devoured the nearby furniture, writhing with violent rage.
Assassins, fearing he might lash out, quietly bowed their heads, trembling.
Normally, Yellow Moon was a model superior—rational, logical, composed. But when caught off-guard by unexpected developments, he sometimes snapped in the strangest of ways.
He would slaughter every living thing within his radius until his anger subsided.
Unfortunately, the victims of his rampages were usually his most loyal subordinates.
His unpredictable cruelty was a source of terror even among fellow assassins.
“......”
Only White Moon retained her usual blank expression.
“You, there.”
Suddenly, Yellow Moon manipulated a shadow to grab the nearest subordinate by the back of the neck.
The crazed gleam in his eyes sent a chill down the assassin’s spine.
“Answer me. Do you think this situation makes any sense? Hm?”
“Ggggh... I-I’m sor—”
The subordinate’s face turned pale as he struggled to breathe.
“Please...!”
But before he could finish—
“Does this make sense?!”
BANG!
With a deafening crash, the subordinate was hurled into the wall. Though it was made of sturdy material, the impact left a massive crater.
His neck bent grotesquely. He was likely dead instantly.
That, at least, was fortunate. Dying in one blow was better than suffering long.
“......”
White Moon calmly watched the scene, then approached Yellow Moon and spoke.
“So what now, Yellow Moon? Stop indulging in madness and issue your orders. You’re the one in charge of this mission, aren’t you?”
“...Ah, right. I can’t allow the mission handpicked by the Master to fail. Thank you, White Moon.”
Yellow Moon’s shadows still writhed ferociously, but he responded properly to the voice of his kin and fellow ‘Moon.’
A bowing assassin let out a small sigh of relief and thought to himself:
‘Something about White Moon seems... different from before.’
In the past, she would sit expressionless like a doll no matter who died, only reacting when directly ordered.
But now, after witnessing a subordinate’s death, she had urged Yellow Moon to give orders—as if trying to prevent more needless casualties.
‘Could the long-term mission she recently completed have changed her, even slightly…?’
But that thought never left his lips.
It was a thought unbefitting his station—and far too presumptuous toward a ‘Moon.’
“Prepare the mana cannon.”
Just then, Yellow Moon barked a command. A cruel smile curled his lips.
“No matter how strong they are, how easily they outnumber us with so few—no one survives a direct hit from a mana cannon. Not even ash will remain. Begin!”
“At your command—!”
The assassins responded in unison, preparing to fire the mana cannon.
A magical weapon powered by an immense amount of mana—enough to obliterate a mountain with a single shot.
“The target area includes Aajen Clover himself.”
Killing the target in the process was just a bonus.
“There’ll be leftover mana traces and destruction to clean up later, but...”
For the sake of Depicio’s reputation, and for the grand vision ahead, no cost was too great.
“Cannon is ready to fire!”
Yellow Moon raised his voice with a twisted grin.
“Fire!”
At that moment, the sound of the mana engine roaring filled everyone’s ears.
Soon, the overwhelming blast from the cannon would erase the enemy without a trace.
Forever!
Woooooooooooom──!
So, no one predicted it.
That someone—some madman—would dare to attack them, up here in the sky!
“Gasp! E-emergency report!”
“Someone... someone is approaching the airship!”
“What?!”
As they swiftly activated the viewing orb, they saw a blond-haired boy flying toward them with terrifying force!