Chapter 23: Assassination and Betrayal
“What was with that assassin?!”
Chasing Anselm, Hitana looked incredulous. “How’d he pop out of Xiaofeng’s shadow?”
“Shadow leap. Rare magic, is it?” Anselm replied without turning.
“I-I’ve seen it before,” Hitana insisted, ever stubborn “Plenty at school! But how’d he hide—”
“Hide from your intuition and senses, right?”
Anselm paused, glancing back with a half-smile “Because he was a true, professional assassin, Hitana.”
"Erase your presence, conceal your killing intent, and return to nothingness—that is the true essence of an assassin."
He glanced at the grim-faced girl, his words pointed: "An assassin who cannot even control their killing intent is nothing but a third-rate amateur."
"..."
Hitana was a fool.
But her instincts always granted her inspiration and wisdom in the most unexpected moments, especially when it came to her "strength" and "dignity."
Our young wolf was particularly sensitive in those matters.
On the other hand, she also felt that those assassins were indeed amateurs, which made the flames of anger that had surged to her throat fizzle out before they could erupt.
"...You, you were targeted by such assassins," Hitana retorted, her voice laced with defiance after a long pause "That means they look down on you too!"
Then, Hitana saw that infuriating smile on Anselm's face.
Pity, leniency, mercy... as if he were forgiving a disobedient child.
"Perhaps," he said meaningfully "The mastermind behind this believes that someone like me, with you as my guard, is only worthy of such assassins."
"Hy—guh!"
Before Hitana could scream, the electric shock came—an action Anselm had grown quite adept at.
"Don't forget, Hitana, you've already wasted one chance."
Guided by the guard team, Anselm soon arrived at the room where Viscount Longbing's body was kept.
He glanced back at Hitana and chuckled lightly: "If you don't take this seriously, I might assume you're looking forward to the 'reward' that comes with failure."
Before Hitana could respond, Anselm raised a hand and said: "Alright, wait for me outside—don't worry, their target isn't me. If something happens, it won't count against your chances."
With that, he entered the room alone. Hitana, left speechless, opened her mouth but ultimately swallowed her frustration with great reluctance.
The guard captain who had first encountered Anselm cautiously observed Hitana for a while.
After a long hesitation, he spoke carefully:
"Miss Hitana, may I ask you a question?"
"Speak plainly!" Hitana, in a foul mood, spared no one her sharp tongue.
"Is it true that Lord Hydra was targeted for assassination?"
The captain's tone carried disbelief, and his eyes, visible through the slits of his helmet, burned with unmistakable anger.
"...So what if it is?" Hitana shot a glance at the guard. "What does his assassination attempt have to do with you?"
"Lord Hydra is on our side!"
The captain's voice suddenly rose: "He's done so much... I heard he was targeted by nobles because he fought for our rights!"
Hitana thought to herself, what nonsense is this guy spouting?
You have no idea how much he enjoyed chatting with those nobles at the banquet.
But then it hit her.
After that banquet, at least in Chishuang City, Anselm's reputation had soared to an almost unbelievable height and the rumors... seemed to align closely with what this guard was saying.
He did nothing, so why are these idiots so worked up?
Assassination... assassination... viscount...
Hitana frowned, feeling a thought brewing in her mind... but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't quite grasp it.
—And then she gave up.
Inside the room, unaware that Hitana had briefly come close to the truth, Anselm was examining Viscount Longbing's body.
Viscount Longbing was not an extraordinary being, just an ordinary man.
Anselm used his cane to lift the man's collar, revealing purple-black marks spreading from a stab wound at the heart across the entire chest.
"What a gruesome way to die, Viscount."
Anselm chuckled softly: "Let me think... what method could confirm this body is truly yours?"
The young man rubbed his cane, lost in thought: "I should have brought some of Father's alchemical potions. I didn't prepare enough... but this works too."
He glanced toward the door: "At least it gives our Miss Hitana something to do."
"So... how should I respond to make you think it's 'reasonable'?"
In truth, Anselm didn't take these crude schemes seriously.
No matter what the other party did, all he saw in the mirror was a clown.
He merely saw this incident as an opportunity for Hitana to grow, and along the way, he realized it was a perfect chance to train her.
Of course, Anselm wasn't entirely indifferent—he despised betrayal.
"Young Master."
Saville appeared behind Anselm like a phantom: "As per your instructions, the shadow crystal has been placed."
"Have you surveyed the surroundings?"
"Aside from the ones you dealt with, six assassins remain—three Thrones, three Crystal Ladders, all seasoned. One of them... you should be cautious of," Saville said. "He's from the Order of Time."
"It seems they really want me to witness the deaths of these two viscounts—vivid, undeniable deaths. As for the Order of Time... heh, I know what he's up to. Let's wait, Saville."
Anselm glanced at Viscount Longbing's body, unable to suppress a smirk: "Compared to that farce of an assassination attempt on me, this is quite serious. Saville, do you think the body lying here is Viscount Longbing?"
"Whether it is or isn't makes little difference," Saville replied calmly. "There are countless spells to maintain a body in a state of death. For the Grand Duke of Gray Tower, the headmaster of Tianlu Tower, such a task is as simple as drinking water."
"Hm... what do you think would happen if I obliterated Viscount Longbing's body right now?"
"Even then, the Grand Duke would likely not show himself."
"Hahaha, I wouldn't do that either," Anselm laughed gleefully. "That would be too crude and reckless, and far too lenient for our viscount friends, Saville."
"Death is mercy."
He sighed lightly: "But our viscount friend betrayed my mercy. He must pay a price, Saville."
"As you say."
"Go tend to your tasks." Anselm waved a hand. "As for this... ah!"
His eyes lit up: "I could have Viscount Xiaofeng find a necromancer. That would be quite the spectacle!"
As for desecrating a noble's corpse? So what if he did?
Anselm Hydra—was he here to sip fine wine and admire beauties with you, Viscount Xiaofeng?
He came to offer you his mercy, to bring you the mercy of death.