Master’s Smile

C108 – Assassin’s Identity

Ritter’s appearance was far from fully equipped, perhaps because she had rushed after me.

Although she wasn’t wearing any protective gear, she still had a thin sword in her hand, which she drew from its scabbard and slashed at the assassin with blinding speed.

“Tsk!”

The assassin managed to dodge her slash which had sent many heads flying with one strike.

He was indeed a skilled fighter who had defeated the private soldiers with ease.

However, it seemed that he could not avoid Ritter’s sword completely, hence his hood was cut off.

He took a huge backstep to distance himself, but fortunately for Ritter and I, our eyesights were good even at night.

Even if we didn’t know who he was, we would at least be able to see his face.

“…I guess this one also has served its purpose.”

The assassin, perhaps prepared for his face to be revealed, took off his hood.

There he was, his identity made it clear why I had felt a familiar presence.

“…Theldorff.”

Ritter muttered in a voice devoid of any emotion.

The face that emerged from within after removing the hood was Theldorff, the leader of Royal Knights and a member of Prince Linz’s faction.

Ah, the assassin was this person, huh….

No wonder why he easily knocked out those soldiers.

…To think I managed to avoid his attack, good job me.

“So it’s you, Ritter. I knew Princess Neena would be making her move by now, but I didn’t expect you to be dispatched as this noble’s escort.”

“I see.”

Theldorff spoke with a chuckle, yet Ritter nodded as if she didn’t care.

“…You don’t seem that interested. You must have known that I have killed the nobles of Princess Neena’s faction so far, haven’t you? Do you not have a shred of righteousness as a knight of Princess Neena’s faction?”

Ahh, now that he mentioned it, I heard that there are various types of kingdom knights.

It seems like other than the knights who are chivalrous like what I imagine regular knights are, there are also some who are not much different from the people of gray guilds.

Well, a chivalric order is a huge organization, so it’s natural that there will be people with different ways of thinking.

Among them, the knights who are chivalrous were basically in Princess Neena’s faction.

On the other hand, the knights who are a little rough around the edges, seemed to be in Prince Linz’s.

I guess Theldorff was referring to that.

However….

“…? Don’t care you killing nobles.”

“…Huh?”

Ritter tilted her head, as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

Theldorff, who was probably not expecting such a response, also had a dumbfounded look which did not match with his rugged appearance.

I-I don’t mind if it was just a lip service, but please don’t straightforwardly say you don’t care….

“Problem was, Theldorff pointed sword at Master. Die.”

“…!!!”

Ritter held up her sword and unleashed a powerful killing blow.

It was enough to make even Theldorff, who was probably the strongest knight in the kingdom, break out in cold sweat.

If a battle started now, Ritter would probably win in nine out of ten cases.

I don’t know what are the chances if both of them fought in perfect condition, but Theldorff did not have a sword, his weapon of choice, at the moment.

…That’s because I broke it.

Ritter, if it’s not dangerous for you, I hope you can capture him alive.

It will be a plus for Princess Neena.

“………Okay.”

Ritter nodded after an awfully long pause.

Ah, she’s definitely not going to capture him alive.

I already realized that, but since it was Ritter who was going to fight, I decided to respect her wish.

It got me worried to think of what would happen if the leader of Royal Knights were to be killed, but to begin with, we were members of a dark guild, Yelquchira..

So to be honest, I don’t really care what happens to the kingdom.

“I have no complaints about dying in battle, but it’s impossible for a knight to fight without his sword. Hence, I’ll retreat for now.”

“Not letting you. Aiming at Master, you will die here.”

Theldorff declared his intention to retreat without hesitation, but Ritter also declared her intention to kill him, even though he was her superior.

In any case, we have no intention of letting him off the hook easily.

If I could capture Theldorff here, my value would soar.

I’m sure the members will finally allow me to be on the front lines from time to time, even if I don’t have to do all the paperwork back at home.

“No, I will indeed retreat!”

Theldorff said so and took a spherical object from his pocket.

Inside the transparent sphere was something black and wriggling.

T-That’s…!?

I could guess what was inside and rushed to stand in front of Ritter.

Theldorff smashed the sphere into the ground with all his might.

At the same time, a black mist was generated to blind us.

To prevent this, I set up a quick barrier around me and Ritter.

The black fog seemed to be a low-ranked “that”, hence my barrier did not make a single crack.

“M-Master….”

However, It had done quite a lot of damage to Ritter.

She clung to me with a weak and vulnerable expression on her face, which you could not imagine from her usual expressionless look.

This was not her usual skinship seeking.

She was clinging to me in order to escape from something terrible.

Knowing why she was so frightened, I had no choice but to hug her gently.

Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.

With these feelings in mind, I patiently stroked Ritter’s head, and her small, trembling body began to settle down.

…Phew, I never thought that Theldorff had a “Demon”, albeit a low-ranked one.

“What happened!?”

Other soldiers who were guarding the residence came running.

But alas, Theldorff was no longer here.

I have to report to Princess Neena that he was involved in the series of assassinations so far….

I thought so while still hugging Ritter.

“…Master.”

…Huh? Ritter, you’ve calmed down, right?

If you’re okay now, then let’s separate-….

E-Eh? Why is your hand crawling inside my clothes? You don’t have to-….

Aaaーーーh.