The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 380: Chapter 375 — Valley

”That’s what we feared, my lords.” The town head nodded grimly. ”But so far, we’ve only been sighting them in ones and twos. We’ve sent men out to search for the horde several times, but they’ve found nothing. Meanwhile, the attacks are getting worse. Just a few days ago, three attacked at once, and we nearly lost the town. We still have soldiers keeping watch over the valley, my lords. We’d hoped to find their lair before you arrived, but... well, we haven’t had much luck.”

Gravemaws were Herald-rank beasts, and judging by the fact that the town hadn’t been wiped out yet, the ones responsible for the attacks were probably only mark one. Like most Herald-rank beasts, they possessed considerable intelligence and rarely acted on blind instinct. More importantly, they were subterranean creatures, spending most of their lives beneath the earth, where they built their lairs, hunted, and rarely ventured to the surface unless necessary. That they were attacking the town was very odd.

”Tch. Clearly.” Possum gave a dismissive snort. ”Just take us there. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

The town head instinctively glanced at Zephyrion for permission, a gesture Possum did not miss. The veteran apprentice clenched his jaw, his expression darkening as he looked away with a scoff.

A moment later, Zephyrion nodded.

”It’s already late. We’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

...

The next morning, the trio left the settlement.

After about half an hour of continuous riding, Zephyrion finally caught sight of the valley in the distance.

It stretched between two towering mountains, with a winding river cutting through its center and lush greenery carpeting the valley floor. As they drew closer, Zephyrion began to make out several craters and shattered rocks scattered across the landscape, clear signs that a battle had taken place.

’My eyesight has really improved.’

He was still more than a kilometer away, yet he could make out the battlefield as clearly as though he were standing right there. However, as he studied the area more closely, Zephyrion couldn’t help but frown.

’Those look fresh...’

The last skirmish should’ve happened days ago, long enough for the signs of battle to have faded somewhat. Glancing at the town head, his frown deepened when he noticed the man looking around with a puzzled expression of his own.

”I thought you said you had soldiers keeping watch here?” Zephyrion asked.

The town head’s expression darkened.

”They should be here, my lord... I don’t understand. Where could they have gone...?”

Zephyrion narrowed his eyes, then urged his horse into a gallop down the hillside. The moment he reached the valley floor, he dismounted and began examining the area more closely.

Possum and the town head arrived shortly after and dismounted as well, watching Zephyrion with puzzled expressions. Eventually, Possum seemed to lose his patience and spoke up.

”What the hell are you doing?”

Zephyrion ignored him. Several seconds passed, and Possum’s jaw tightened as he raised his voice.

”I’m talking to you!”

Zephyrion ignored him again. Possum clenched his fists, his face reddening with anger, but Zephyrion didn’t so much as spare him a glance.

’Haha! Look at the little bastard! Red as a ripe tomato!’ Demorian burst into laughter. ’Reminds me of the good old days. Sometimes, the husbands of my lovely conquests would walk in while I was busy pleasuring their wives. Their faces would turn just as red! But did I stop? Ha! Of course not! I kept going!’

Despite himself, Zephyrion felt a flicker of curiosity.

’...and the wives just carried on while their husbands stood there watching?’

’Ha!! That’s the best part! They had no idea! With my superior senses, I could detect those fools coming from a mile away and simply put up a camouflage.’ Demorian laughed. ’Those poor bastards would be standing right there, screaming their lungs out, while their wives were too busy rolling their eyes to the back of their heads!’

Zephyrion shook his head in disgust.

’You really should’ve been castrated.’

’Ha! Protégé, the heavens themselves couldn’t forge a blade sharp enough to sever this ancestor’s mighty rod!’

Zephyrion’s mouth twisted in distaste. Ignoring the shameless ancestor, he returned his attention to the surroundings, examining the shattered rocks and cracked ground more closely. Soon, he discovered several paw prints that appeared to be only a few minutes old, and... blood.

Crouching down, Zephyrion touched the blood, feeling its lingering warmth before speaking.

”They fought here... just a few minutes ago.”

”Wait, you don’t mean...! Those soldiers...?” The town head went pale as he realized the implication. Meanwhile, Possum, still visibly irritated, narrowed his eyes and began surveying the surroundings more cautiously.

”They’re probably dead.”

Rising to his feet, Zephyrion swept his gaze across the silent valley. The sun was just beginning to rise, bathing the landscape in a golden hue, while a thin layer of morning fog hung over the valley floor. Yet, despite the peaceful scenery, Zephyrion could almost smell death lingering in the air.

It was quiet. Too quiet.

”Keep your guard up,” he said, slowly making his way deeper into the valley.

The town head stiffened, casting a nervous glance around him.

”G-guard? My lord lightning prince, are you saying those things are still here?”

Possum scoffed, muttering something along the lines of What else would it mean, you fool? before moving off to examine another part of the valley.

Glancing hesitantly between the two, the town head eventually let out a resigned sigh and hurried after Zephyrion.

’Hey, protégé! Are you going to answer my question or keep pretending I don’t exist?’

’What question?’

’Oh, so you can hear me! Tell me, do you get some perverse pleasure out of ignoring your wise master? Because that would explain quite a few things, especially your complete lack of interest in women. Wait... don’t tell me you’re—’

’Shut up. I’m trying to think.’ Then, after a brief pause, Zephyrion added, ’And who told you I’m not interested in women?’

’You certainly don’t act like it! If you were, you’d be hanging on to my every word, begging me to share my centuries of wisdom and divine experience! Instead, you treat my teachings like worthless nonsense. It’s almost as if... as if there’s something wrong with you!’

’What the hell are you talking about? You expect me to go chasing women with everything I have going on? Does that sound remotely sensible to you?’

’Who said anything about chasing them? At least admire a few plump asses when they walk past! You haven’t gotten any action in ages, and I haven’t even caught you pleasuring yourself! Protégé, be honest with me. Does that thing of yours actually work?’