The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 234: Chapter 230 — Relevance

Vaelor’s voice had been louder than necessary, carrying across most of the exhausted cadets. Zephyrion saw many eyes turn toward them, ears subtly perked, each wondering why he’d chosen to lead them west when the obvious direction lay elsewhere.

Zephyrion answered without looking at him.

”It’s the right way.”

”Based on what?” Vaelor shot back. ”We’ve been running for over seven hours without a single sign things are improving. In case you haven’t noticed, the enemy is getting closer. This is obviously the wrong choice.”

”...”

”I’m inclined to agree... huff... huff...” Lucien Donvaire echoed a few steps behind him. His body was completely slick with sweat, his chubby frame wobbling with every movement, weary and exhausted. The Donvaire house were not a physical bunch, and Lucien’s current state only proved that fact.

Lucien’s cold eyes lingered on Fiona for a moment, still salty about their fight, before shifting to Zephyrion.

This whole thing’s unreasonable, my good man. Had we gone north from the start, we’d already be free of this accursed sun and blistering heat, basking beneath the forest’s delightful shade. Why insist on marching us through this torture?”

When Zephyrion didn’t respond, Vaelor scoffed.

”It’s pride. He made a terrible decision, and now he’s too stubborn to admit it. As expected, he’s selfish. The only difference is that he’s dragging the rest of us down with him.”

”If that’s truly the case, then it’s unacceptable!” Lucien exclaimed. ”This test is far too important to be ruined by one person’s ego. We should change direction immediately.”

From behind, Nedra, Draven, and Kaelith watched the exchange in silence. The cadets were no different. Zephyrion didn’t need to read their minds to understand they felt the same way. They all believed they should be heading north.

However, the fact that they were still silently following him was a testament to the trust he’d earned during the pressure test. Yet every belief had its limits. It could be broken. One only had to apply the right pressure.

Like now.

Zephyrion did not answer, even after several seconds.

They wanted him to explain his reason for choosing this direction, yet such a reason would mean little to starving, exhausted cadets, especially when a more enticing option existed. Vaelor knew this. Lucien did too. Which was precisely why they were doing this.

The entire purpose was to fish for a reaction, to provoke an argument, to have his authority challenged before the cadets and divide them in opinion.

Allowing that to happen would be his downfall as a leader.

Zephyrion’s voice came without emotion.

”We keep moving.”

From the corner of his eye, he caught Vaelor and Lucien exchanging a look before the former scoffed.

”Yo—”

”Hey.”

Kaiden suddenly stepped between them, his eyes like twin daggers.

”Piss off.”

Vaelor’s eyes narrowed, and he was about to speak when Kaelion stepped up beside Kaiden, his gaze equally cold.

”Tch, fucking dogs.”

Vaelor clicked his tongue, shot them one last glare, then retreated with Lucien.

So the Ocren and Donvaire had formed some sort of alliance, Zephyrion silently noted.

He turned toward Kaiden and Kaelion, giving them a small nod.

”Thank you.”

Both boys cleared their throats and looked away.

”Those idiots were starting to piss me off.” Kaiden grunted.

”It’s fine.” Kaelion scoffed.

”Ah, what a cliché.” Tobias sighed dramatically. He was drenched in sweat, yet still moving at the front. Zephyrion commended his stamina. ”The less amazing young masters get jealous of the better one and come over to make trouble. How painfully predictable.”

Many laughed at the remark, including Fiona, who nearly choked.

”It’s so true!” Fiona laughed before dropping into a terrible, yet somehow spot-on, imitation of Vaelor. ”Ha! I’m Vaelor Ocren! I’m smarter than everyone here! The rest of you dumb fuckers should be kissing my boots!”

”Haha! Do the other one!” Tobias urged. Then, without waiting, he puffed out his cheeks. ”Ha! I’m Lucien Donvaire! Manual labor? Surely you jest. Can’t you see this body is crafted from premium royal-grade plump meat?”

Pfft!

The group burst into laughter.

Beside him, Zephyrion saw Lumi clutching her stomach, laughing silently. He smiled, finding the whole exchange amusing.

Their laughter drew curious glances from the other cadets, while Vaelor and Lucien’s expressions darkened, having clearly overheard the conversation. Their glares only grew colder.

As the laughter gradually died down, Horus spoke up hesitantly.

”Em... I don’t mean to question you, Prime, but... why west?”

The others also fell silent, their eyes turning toward him.

Zephyrion remained quiet for a moment before asking,

”Do you remember the instructions we received?”

”...Yes?”

”Recite them. Word for word.”

Horus thought for a moment before answering.

”Current time: 10:15. You have entered enemy territory. Reach Fortress Blackstone before 18:30 on the fourth day. Arrival after the deadline will be considered mission failure. Everything between your current position and the fortress belongs to the enemy. Survive.”

Zephyrion nodded.

”Do you know the principle of relevance?”

Horus blinked, drawing a complete blank.

”Relevance?”

”Wait, I think I know this one!” Tobias cut in. ”The principle of relevance. Every piece of information is given for a reason. Basically, if someone bothers telling you something, there’s probably a reason they bothered telling you.”

Tobias beamed when Zephyrion nodded.

”They gave us the time, even though we don’t actually need it for the mission. Which means it wasn’t there just for decoration. The current time was 10:15. Morning. The sun was rising in the east. We also have to reach the fortress before 18:30 on the fourth day, which is dusk.”

”Ah! I get it!” Tobias exclaimed, earning puzzled looks from the others.

He cleared his throat, looking rather pleased with himself.

”The sun rises in the east... so where does it set?”

Many eyes lit up.

”West,” Fiona answered.

”Exactly.” Tobias nodded as though the conclusion had been his all along. ”They’re practically screaming that the fortress is somewhere to the west.”

”...Wow.” Horus stared at Zephyrion with wide eyes. ”You figured all that out the moment you heard the instructions? That’s amazing.”

The others nodded instantly. Even Kaiden and Kaelion stared at Zephyrion with slightly widened eyes. He’d made the decision to head west the moment they’d read the instructions, which meant he’d reached that conclusion in mere seconds.

Such deduction...

Kaiden and Kaelion clenched their fists.

’It’s still not enough.’ Kaiden thought.

’I have to work harder.’ Kaelion thought.

Both seemed to realize they’d been staring at Zephyrion and instinctively looked at each other.

Cough.

They immediately looked away again, clearing their throats.

’Weird.’ Kaelion thought.

’Don’t be cringe, don’t be cringe.’ Kaiden grimaced, repeating the words in his mind.

’He’s amazing.’

Fiona’s eyes, meanwhile, shone like twin suns as she stared at Zephyrion. She suddenly remembered her mistake earlier, when she’d thought she was dreaming and had tried to kiss him, and her face instantly turned beet red. How could she be so foolish?

Well, in her defense, waking up in the middle of the desert with Zephyrion standing before her... anyone would’ve thought it was a dream.

’Maybe this is good!’

At the very least, she’d planted the idea in his head. Now she just had to wait and see how he reacted. She clenched both fists in anticipation.

’You can do this!’