The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 401: Chapter 396 — Nourald

”Whoever’s hiding out there, come out.”

”...”

His eyes grew colder.

”I won’t ask twice.”

”Whoa, whoa, whoa! Easy, brother! I’m coming out! No need to get worked up!”

Through the cascading water, Zephyrion caught sight of a figure slowly emerging from the shadows. He suppressed a frown. The battle and the constant howling winds had completely masked this person’s presence, preventing him from noticing them until now.

Had they just arrived? How long had they been watching? More importantly, had they noticed anything suspicious?

Zephyrion kept his expression carefully composed as the figure stepped through the waterfall and landed before him.

It was a tall, slender young man with snow-white hair and emerald-green eyes. He had thick brows and an angular face with well-defined cheekbones. But what stood out most was his attire: long, flowing white robes with black stripes along the collar.

Clearly, he was also on his Unbound Journey.

’Definitely a Herald. Can’t tell which mark, but it shouldn’t be anything too high.’

The young man wore a faint smile as he regarded Zephyrion with undisguised curiosity.

”Easy there, brother. I’m not looking for trouble. I—”

”Why were you spying on me?”

”Haa, by the Endless Breath, I wasn’t!” The young man hurriedly raised his hands before glancing around the cave. ”I was just coming back to my little hideout for some rest when I heard all that fighting. Figured I’d stay out of the way until you were done. Didn’t want to interrupt, you know?”

’So he’s the one staying here.’

Such rotten luck. Of all the times the man could have returned, it had to be right when he decided to fight. Zephyrion pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter. What mattered was how much this stranger had seen, and more importantly, what he knew.

”Anyway, since I’ve answered your question, I get to ask one too, right?” The Aerelith rubbed his chin, his expression turning slightly serious. ”See, I caught the last part of that fight, and by the Endless Breath, brother, that was something else! That clap of yours nearly blew me away, and those fangs couldn’t even scratch you! I mean, look at you! That strength, that body... If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you weren’t even an Aerelith...”

Zephyrion silently formed a blade behind his back, his heart turning cold.

He might have to kill this Aerelith. A quick dash and a clean strike to the neck would be his best option. He couldn’t afford to give the man a chance to escape, not after he’d seen his face.

”I’ve got it!” The Aerelith suddenly exclaimed, his face lighting up. ”You’re from the east, aren’t you? The Gular colony! Hah, I knew it! Heard you people start lifting rocks before you can even walk!” He broke into a wide grin, looking Zephyrion up and down with renewed fascination. ”No wonder you’re built like that! Endless Breath, I thought half the stories were nonsense. Guess I owe someone an apology. Amazing...”

’A Gular?’

Zephyrion wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about the different houses and colonies of the Aerelith Empire, but if there was one that conveniently explained his abnormal strength and hardened body, he’d be a fool not to take advantage of it.

”I’m Azereal.”

”Nourald! Pleasure to meet you, brother!”

As he approached, Zephyrion extended his hand for a handshake, but Nourald merely chuckled and pulled him into a hug instead. Zephyrion stiffened, instinctively wanting to shove the man away, but barely managed to restrain himself. Soon, they separated.

”Honestly, I’ve never met a Gular before. Tell me, are all those stories about you people actually true?”

”...What stories?”

”You know, throwing yourselves off cliffs to toughen up your bodies, punching rocks for fun, that sort of thing. Surely that’s all exaggerated, right?”

”...Most of it is true.”

”Amazing... absolutely amazing.”

Nourald’s eyes practically sparkled with fascination. But a moment later, he seemed to realize he was staring a little too intently.

”Ah, Endless Breath, look at me staring like an idiot. Forgive me, brother!” Nourald laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. ”Anyway, I see you’re on your Unbound Journey too. May the Endless Breath grant you peace in this moment of freedom.”

He suddenly glanced at the Galeprowler’s corpse lying nearby, a puzzled frown crossing his face.

”Speaking of which, what happened with that Galeprowler? They’re usually pretty friendly with us Aerelith. Now, Ferrans? Hah, that’s a different story. Those things would tear a Ferran apart the moment they smelled one.”

”...I wanted the meat.”

’Pfft! You lying little shit!’ Demorian burst into laughter.

’Shut up.’

”Ah, say no more, brother! You must be starving!” Nourald nodded sympathetically. ”Well, lucky for you, cooking happens to be one of my many talents. Not to brag, but I make a pretty damn good meat soup. You’re in for a treat!”

”No, wai—”

Before Zephyrion could even finish, Nourald had already rushed over to the corpse and begun carving it up with sharp blades of wind. He then carried the meat over to the waterfall to wash it before enthusiastically setting up a cooking fire.

Zephyrion watched him with a deepening frown.

’Oh, look on the bright side, protégé. The fellow seems gullible enough. Might actually come in handy.’

’Absolutely not.’

The last thing he needed was a companion whose every move he’d have to watch. Besides, he couldn’t just turn around and leave now without raising suspicion. Once they finished eating, he would simply excuse himself and continue his journey.

Alone.

But several minutes later, Zephyrion found himself seated beside a crackling campfire, a steaming bowl of soup in his hands. Nourald had been talking almost nonstop about his Unbound Journey, sharing one ridiculous experience after another until Zephyrion had practically stopped listening.

He was already considering how best to excuse himself when Nourald had finally mentioned the reason he’d chosen to return to his hideout today.

”...What did you just say?”

”Huh? About the journey?” Nourald blinked, looking genuinely surprised. ”Wait, you seriously didn’t know, brother? The Unbound Journey ends today. We’re all supposed to report to our respective bastions by dawn tomorrow.”

”...”