Chapter 9 | The Assassin Returns to the Academy
Naoise disappeared after the festival. Reflecting upon his behavior, I saw it was clear he intended to vanish. I should have stopped him… Although I doubt he would’ve listened.
My information network picked up a sign of Naoise a few days after the ceremony, and House Romalung gave the royal family an order to convey to the Tuatha Dé clan. Dad accepted the order and went after my wayward friend. Once Dad corners Naoise, I can take action, I thought. I couldn’t do anything until then.
I returned to the academy feeling depressed. My new sainthood was the talk of the campus, and I stood out even more than I already did. I often shut myself away in my room to avoid the attention, and today was no different.
“You have a lot of letters, my lord,” Tarte announced.
“Great. Don’t people know we’re not supposed to bring family matters to the academy?”
Students were supposed to leave behind their aristocratic ranks and obligations, but no one cut themselves off completely. It was more common for students to use our equality here as an excuse to approach others. Most of the letters were party invitations sent with the blatant intention of forming a connection with me. Some even talked directly of marriage.
“These people are shameless. We already announced our engagement.” Dia puffed her cheeks out, indignant.
Word of my engagements traveled throughout aristocratic society after it was reported through official channels. The news spread like wildfire—unsurprising, given my status as a Holy Knight and demon slayer.
“We’re not married yet. Aristocratic betrothals are overturned all the time. You three are also of low social status. I’m sure the high-ranking nobles feel they can stop the weddings and appease me by allowing me to keep you three as concubines,” I explained.
Dia was a count’s daughter, but her identity was a secret. At present, she was only the daughter of a baron. That made me a target for nobles of higher stations.
“That’s so rude.”
“I agree. You two need to be more careful than ever. Previously, aristocrats sent marriage proposals, aiming to strengthen their ties to the royal family. But the stakes have grown now that I’m a saint. Those same houses will be after the prestige of a direct link to the church and the goddess’s blessing now. Someone might seek to eliminate my pesky fiancées.”
There were plenty of precedents for that kind of thing.
“Don’t worry about us, Lugh. There aren’t many people out there who can defeat us,” Dia said.
“That is right. You have trained us well, my lord, and given us power, too!” Tarte agreed.
Dia was a genius with magic. Tarte had no natural talent, but she was an unbelievably hard worker and had received the special Tuatha Dé education. I’d also strengthened them further using My Loyal Knights. It was no exaggeration to say they were among the ten mightiest people in the kingdom.
“It doesn’t matter how powerful you are if you’re caught off guard. As an assassin, I know that better than anyone.”
“Yeah, we do need to be careful. But don’t forget that you’ve taught me how to catch people off guard as well.”
“Yes, knowing how assassins operate will help us defend ourselves. The best way to stay safe would be to remain by your side at all times, my lord.”
“Yeah, we should avoid acting alone whenever possible.”
Sticking together was a simple plan, yet the most effective.
“Ah, a guest.” Tarte hurried to the door at the sound of the bell. The visitor surprised me.
“Sorry for the intrusion. I have something I want to discuss with you, Lugh.”
It was the hero, Epona. She was in casual attire and still dressed as a boy.
“I’ll prepare tea and sweets,” Tarte announced.
“Um, I appreciate the thought, but I want to speak with Lugh alone. It’s important,” Epona explained, concern visible on her face.
“Got it. Let’s go outside.” I felt bad about going back on my word immediately after telling Dia and Tarte that we should stick together as much as possible, but I couldn’t ignore Epona.
“Thanks. This won’t take long.”
Epona had a sword at her hip. I watched her closely and saw that she was ready to fight… Does she want to get rid of me? No, that couldn’t be it. She desired to battle, but there was no malice in her demeanor. Despite her strength, Epona was an amateur; she wasn’t capable of hiding aggression.
Although suspicious, I followed the hero’s example by equipping a sword. We left the dorm together after I checked my hidden gun and other concealed weapons.
There was a training ground built next to the dorm. It was always crowded around noon, but everyone left as soon as the sun set. Epona and I faced each other.
“I’m so sorry. There’s something I’ve been keeping from you,” she began. I waited silently for her to continue. “Naoise hasn’t been human for some time now… I have a skill that allows me to sense that kind of thing. I knew something was wrong with him, but I didn’t say anything.”
Her eyes grew moist.
“Why did you choose to stay silent?” I asked.
“…He’s not human anymore, but he’s still Naoise. He’s the same considerate, hardworking, and showy friend I came to know. If I’d told anyone what he’s become, I would’ve had to kill him. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” Epona clutched her sword with trembling hands. “Naoise has gotten stronger. He’s still much weaker than me, but I think you and I are the only two who can stop him now.”
“Huh… I know how you feel. No one wants to kill a friend. To be honest, I knew as well. He actually bragged about it to me. He said he gained a new power,” I responded.
Epona’s eyes went wide. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I made a promise to the demon who turned Naoise into a monster.”
“…So you betrayed humanity.”
A hint of malice entered Epona’s expression, giving me goose bumps.
“No, I didn’t. I made a deal. This demon thinks of the other demons as nuisances, and she’s been giving me information so I can take them out. There are demons I never would’ve killed without her help, and more innocents would’ve died. Without her information, I would’ve missed some battles entirely.”
Epona’s malice faded.
“I had no idea a demon could be cooperative.”
“You’ve only seen the pig and the Puppeteer. There’s plenty of diversity among the demons. Some flaunt their strength, and some hide out of cowardice. The Puppeteer became the hierarch because he desired to rule, and my ally enjoys human culture.”
“I would’ve preferred not to know that.”
“Will knowing they’re not simple monsters make you unable to kill them?”
Epona didn’t answer, but that was tacit affirmation. I waited patiently for her to continue, and she did with a determined expression.
“It makes me not want to kill them. But that doesn’t mean I can’t. I made a promise. I must be the sword that protects humanity.”
A female knight guided Epona long ago, but she later died and became a source of agony for the hero. Curious, I looked into that woman and found some things that didn’t add up. It’s possible she was a reincarnated person.
Judging by my interactions with the goddess, she believed that mere strength wasn’t enough to deal with the hero. Maybe she’d sent the world’s greatest teacher to instruct Epona as a way of controlling the girl. Unfortunately, the attempt had failed and sent Epona into despair.
“Is that all you wanted to talk about?” I asked.
“No. I have a request.” The hero drew her sword. “I’ve been getting weaker by the day. No one can train with me safely, and being stuck in the royal capital means I can’t battle monsters and demons. I’m going to forget how to fight completely at this rate. I won’t be able to protect those important to me.”
I was the only person who could keep up with Epona in a fight.
“Is that really the reason for your frustration? Or do you just want to blow off some steam?”
Epona possessed a skill that made her restless during long periods without combat. It also caused her personality to change dramatically during the thrill of battle. Without that excitement as a release valve, she would grow stressed and unable to contain herself.
“Yeah, actually. I feel like I’m about to explode. Naoise kept me in check, and I don’t know how long I can keep my composure without him here. So please fight me. I know you won’t die.”
What should I do here? Just like Epona said, Naoise protected her. He did what he could to ease her burden by deflecting and taking care of all the stressful duties the hero had to deal with. Both his position as a duke’s son and his outstanding talent enabled him to do this. Not even I could have aided Epona in this way. Naoise developed an inferiority complex because of the powerful people around him, but there was plenty that only he was capable of.
Without him, Epona would have to handle the stress of her position directly. If she reached her limit, the damage would undoubtedly be immense. People I knew might get hurt. Thus, the best decision was to help the hero release some tension.
That was my excuse, anyway. Honestly, I just wanted to fight her. Epona claimed she’d weakened since the school shut down, but I’d grown stronger. I’d trained, obtained various weapons, and increased my arsenal of spells. I wanted to see how much closer I was to the hero.
“Okay. I’ll fight you. We should move, though—this place is too small for you,” I said.
This training ground was located in our dorm’s courtyard. It was designed for humans, not the hero.
“Yeah, good thinking. Let’s go to where that hill used to be. The one in the east. It’s a wasteland now because of your weird spell,” Epona suggested.
“That works for me.”
I was bluffing. As an assassin, I preferred uneven land with lots of obstacles, but I couldn’t be picky.
Epona started running, and I followed. I hoped to devise methods of saving the world without killing her, but I had to prepare for the worst. Being left with no choice but to take Epona out was never off the table. I’d do it if I had to, but only after spending every last second searching for alternatives.
There were too many things in this world I didn’t want to lose. Epona was a friend, but protecting Dia and the rest of my family was more important.
How serious should I get in this fight? I needed a proper grasp of Epona’s strength and what I could manage against her. However, it was important not to reveal too many of my tricks. Nothing I tried on the hero would work twice.
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