The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 14: Chapter 13 — Journey

After leaving the bastion, they began their journey back to Calderalth.

Though the escorts had brought a carriage, Zephyrion had chosen to ride a horse instead, efficiently multiplying their speed manyfold.

The southern expanse of the Ferran territory seemed endless beneath the open skies. Jagged mountain ridges split the horizon, forests so dense their canopies swallowed the light, and rivers carved silver paths through the land.

The cities, towns, and villages they passed rose behind towering stone walls, each bearing black banners marked with a silver hammer crossed with a long sword, snapping sharply in the wind.

It had been a long time since Zephyrion last saw Calderalth’s banners.

To save time, they ignored the main roads and trade routes. Instead, they cut through the dense forest, heading straight toward Caldrath Mountain in the northern reaches of the southern territory.

Though Zephyrion sensed numerous threats ranging from dangerous beasts to bandits, the heavy pressure Seris constantly emitted served as a deterrent, preventing them from approaching.

Because of this, they were able to cover an astronomical distance. But eventually, as night fell and visibility became near zero, they were forced to stop and set up camp.

’It’s getting weaker.’

Zephyrion fixed his eyes on the thinning fog around his metal rune within his mind space. Though small, he could feel that the fog had weakened.

’It’s the distance.’

After breaking that man’s Relic, he had noticed that the farther he was from him, the weaker the seal became.

Zephyrion was thrilled.

’This is good.’

He had earlier anticipated that it would take at least six months to clear the fog enough to ascend to the third Mark of the Vessel rank. But if it continued weakening at this rate, it would take at most three.

’That should do it.’

Emerging from his mental space, Zephyrion instantly frowned.

Though he had been in his mental space, part of his focus had remained on the real world around him in case of threats. To appear natural, he had been carving a wooden sculpture with a knife.

However, Tobias, his ward, was eagerly gathering the wood shavings from the ground and storing them carefully as though they were some priceless treasure.

”What are you doing?”

”Hm? Ah—my lord, I’m gathering the wood shavings. That way you won’t have to bother with cleaning. You can leave it to me!”

He said with a proud look, already bending down to pick up more.

Zephyrion glanced at the forest floor littered with dried leaves and broken branches, then at Tobias carefully gathering the tiny shavings.

”Stop.”

”...huh?”

”Stop doing that.”

”Ah! O-okay!”

Tobias hastily straightened, staring at Zephyrion with worried eyes.

”D-did I do something wrong, my lord?”

”You’re standing too close.”

”Y-yes!”

He quickly took several steps back and stood at attention.

”I-is this far enough, my lord?”

”Yes. Stay there.”

”...yes.”

Zephyrion exhaled, feeling the dampness clinging to his body.

’It’s draining.’

He had spent the past hour trying to clear the fog. Now his mind felt exhausted, and his body was drenched in sweat.

”A towel, my lord!”

Tobias, who had noticed the sweat on his face, said eagerly as he pulled a towel from his backpack and hurried forward to wipe Zephyrion’s head.

”Ah!”

Before he could reach him, Zephyrion seized his wrist with an iron grip, staring at him with narrowed eyes.

”Don’t touch me.”

Tobias’ eyes widened as he nodded frantically.

”Y-yes! I’m sorry, my lord! I won’t!”

As Zephyrion released his arm, Tobias immediately stepped back, clutching his wrist as though afraid to even breathe too loudly.

A few seconds passed, and Zephyrion frowned. Tobias kept stealing glances at him before quickly looking away the moment Zephyrion turned in his direction.

’What is he doing?’

Tobias appeared to be trying to get on his good side, but Zephyrion couldn’t determine the reason.

’Everyone always has an agenda.’

The most obvious explanation was that he was trying to curry favor with his master, but Zephyrion knew better than to jump to conclusions before gathering enough information.

Zephyrion decided to ignore him for now when he suddenly caught sight of Denmar’s subordinate, Noss, quietly making his way out of the campsite.

Seris had chosen to guard an entire section of the camp, leaving the rest to the other warriors.

’Hmm...’

”I’m going to sleep.”

”Huh? Ah—yes, my lord.”

Zephyrion stood and retreated to his tent without another word.

...

The silver moon bathed the forest as Noss hurried back toward the campsite.

”Hey.”

’!!?’

Noss’ eyes widened, and he instinctively shot to the side, creating distance from the voice.

Under the ethereal silver light, a pair of purple eyes gazed down at him.

”Y-young lord...?”

Noss was shocked. Zephyrion was calmly leaning against a tree while staring at him. It seemed as though he had been waiting for him.

’I didn’t sense him...’

Noss clenched his fists. Zephyrion was merely a child, yet he hadn’t sensed his presence until the moment he spoke.

Seeing Zephyrion’s quiet stare, Noss quickly realized the situation and bowed.

”I greet the young lord.”

”....”

Zephyrion regarded him in silence for several moments.

’What does he want?’

The tea incident was still fresh in Noss’ mind. He wasn’t going to lower his guard around this child ever again.

”You may raise your head.”

Noss straightened.

”I heard from Denmar that your name is Noss. Is that correct?”

”...Yes, young lord.”

”Then, Noss... I owe you an apology.”

”...?”

”The tea I gave you at the bastion. I acted rashly. Being constantly watched made me... uneasy.”

Noss blinked, clearly caught off guard.

Zephyrion shook his head faintly.

”The infusion was only meant to induce light sleep. I didn’t expect it to affect you so strongly. It seems your body couldn’t handle it very well.”

He pushed himself off the tree, then gave a faint smile.

”In any case, thank you for accompanying us on this journey to ensure my safety. Let us put the matter behind us.”

”...of course, young lord.”

With that, Zephyrion nodded and simply left the area.

Noss remained rooted in place, staring at his retreating back.

His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.

’Those eyes...’

Zephyrion had been looking down at him with pity.

As though he were nothing but trash.

He had fought and clawed his way to his current position through sheer hardship and determination. To be looked down upon with such contempt by a mere child...

’I’ll show you... tomorrow...’

In the dark of the night, Noss’ eyes glowed with a savage light.