Chapter Ten: Assassination

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“Who are you people?” A middle-aged man clad in silver-white armor gripped the longsword that had accompanied him for nearly thirty years as he demanded an answer from the black-clad figures opposite him.

No one replied to his question. The black-clad men stood like lifeless puppets, daggers in hand, poised to strike at any moment. Yet the strewn corpses on the ground were the clearest testimony to their relentless assault.

“Boss, enough talking. Judging by the looks of them, these fellows are all noble retainers—deathsworn, probably. But ever since you were officially recognized as a Free Knight, we haven’t seen these types around.” The man at his side spoke in a low voice.

“It seems the royal selection ceremony will not be a peaceful one this time.” With a wave of his hand, the man sent his comrades charging into the midst of the black-clad attackers.

—Dividing Line of Awakening—

“Lance! Wake up!” A clamorous shout shattered Lance’s dreams and dragged him back from slumber.

“Ugh—Toria, can’t you let me sleep? It’s not even noon.” With that, he pulled the covers over his head once more.

Toria looked at the stubbornly bed-bound Lance, speechless. As one of the youngest among the acknowledged Free Knights, Lance had no shortage of admirers among the youth. Yet if his fans could see him now, a whole crowd would be left picking up their jaws in disbelief.

“Lance, wake up! Teacher is taking me to get fitted for my coming-of-age ceremony attire.” Toria’s abilities had long surpassed most, but to become a true knight, she had to come of age. She was filled with eagerness for the ceremony just days away.

“Coming-of-age, huh?” Lance was fully awake now, gazing at Toria with complex emotions. He knew this would mark the beginning of Toria’s legendary life, and the beginning of his own misery. He shook his head, banishing such thoughts.

“Alright, alright, I’m getting up. But as a price, you must accept the clothes I’ve prepared for you.” Since Lance had resolved to change Toria, he intended to start with the basics—namely, to challenge the notion that “a woman cannot become king.” Though he wouldn’t expose her true identity to the world, he still wanted her to remember she was a girl.

“Alright, alright, didn’t I already promise you? Now get up and come with me.” Toria never suspected Lance would harm her; during their time together, she had come to regard him as an elder brother.

—Dividing Line of Assassination—

“Lord Kays, I hope you can kill this person.” The Castell family’s representative for this assassination passed Lance’s portrait to a black-clad man.

“Him? Hmph, so it’s him. He just butchered my kin not long ago—I’ve longed to kill him. This time, he’s dead for sure.” The man’s smile revealed sharp canine teeth, and a flash of blood-red light glinted in his eyes.

Because Lance and Toria had always lived in Merlin’s magical tower, the vampires had never managed to learn the extent of Lance’s strength. Had they known that by his side stood Merlin’s disciple—the prophesied king of Britain—they would never have risked the wrath of the elves to attempt his assassination. But unfortunately, they did not know. Yet even without the elves’ intervention, the vampires were fated to vanish from the stage of history. The darkness, already swollen to its limit, was about to be shattered by them, and this time, they would be utterly consumed by the very darkness they wielded.

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Lance walked with Toria along the road home. Toria wore the blue knight’s garb tailored by Merlin himself, while Lance carried the long blue dress he had custom-made for her. He’d long since memorized her measurements as a devoted follower of their king. Unlike Toria, however, Lance was plagued by a vague sense of unease, though he could not say why.

“Side quest—The Night Assassin has arrived. As a knight, protect your king.
Quest reward—dependent on outcome.”

Only when the ring’s voice sounded did he realize what was happening. He had just visited the mercenary guild to check on the status of all the Free Knights, confirming that each was now a figure of wealth and power, commanding more knights than a baron’s retinue. He had felt reassured, but hadn’t expected the enemy to make him their target.

“Toria, prepare for battle.” Lance gave no explanation, simply issuing the order, and Toria unsheathed the silver longsword her teacher had given her without hesitation.

“Heh heh, impressive—the youngest Free Knight has already spotted us.” A mocking voice floated into Lance’s ears.

The chilling tone made it clear to Lance who his foe was.

“You filthy bats, what business do you have crawling out of your coffins?” Lance’s words carried no civility. Though there existed benevolent vampires in the movies, those he encountered had all been vicious fiends. He still couldn’t forget the horror of the village he’d once seen overrun by vampires—it was the first time he’d slain an entire settlement without a quest to prompt him. He’d killed four marquises, sixteen viscounts, twenty-three barons, and hundreds of untitled vampires, not to mention countless blood thralls. Since then, whenever vampires appeared in a quest, Lance showed no mercy; even if they abandoned their target, he would pursue them to the death, risking failure if need be. Each time he emerged drenched in vampire blood, head in hand, the mercenaries nicknamed him “the Blood Knight.” Whether it was for the blood covering him or his merciless slaying of vampires was anyone’s guess.

“What are we doing here? What do you think?” With a flick of his hand, a group of black-robed men emerged from the trees.

“Quite an entourage, isn’t it? Three counts, seven viscounts, thirteen marquises, over forty barons—and you didn’t even bother with the lower ranks. I must say, you think highly of me.” Lance knew this fight would be anything but easy. Though his strength had grown greatly since his forced victory over a duke, thanks to Merlin’s guidance, he had no intention of hiding his true power this time—otherwise, he’d be lucky to leave this place alive.

“Toria, go find Master Merlin. I’ll hold them off.” Lance didn’t move his lips, but Toria heard his voice clearly.

“No! I want to fight by your side!” Any girl aspiring to knighthood would never abandon a companion. She refused without hesitation, but Lance’s next words changed her mind.

“This isn’t like usual. I may not survive this myself. You’re not yet strong enough for this battle. Alone, I can’t defeat them. Only Master Merlin might save me. Their main target is me—once you leave, they shouldn’t send many after you. So for my sake and yours, go!” The last two words were shouted.

Resolute as ever, Toria turned and ran as soon as she heard him.

“Heh! Still dreaming of reinforcements? You think we’re the only ones here? I just left the rest of those puppets outside to seal the perimeter—they don’t interest me. Your little lover won’t escape.” Even Lance had been fooled by Toria’s male disguise, but for vampires who fed on blood, such things could not deceive them.

“Tch, fool. You think you can kill me? I only sent her away because I don’t want her to see the way I kill.” He said this with bravado, but Lance couldn’t help but tense at the words.

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“Enough talk—attack!” With a wave, the vampires surged forward. Lance placed his hand on the hilt at his waist—a sword without a blade.

—On the Other Side—

Toria stared down the black-clad men blocking her path, weighing how best to break through. She had already gauged their strength in their first exchange—they were no match for her. But with her teacher awaiting her, she had no time to waste.

Seeing her inaction, four of the black-clad men rushed at her, while the other six melted away from view.

Clang! The clash of weapons rang out. One attacker was felled in the very first exchange. Toria sidestepped the next three, slicing one’s throat as she passed. But the six who’d disappeared now reappeared around her, closing in.

She barely managed to fend off attacks from the sides and front, but with her speed, she could not block the strikes coming from behind.

Clang! A shield emblazoned with a pentagram suddenly appeared at Toria’s back.

“A sneak attack? Not very sportsmanlike!” A mocking voice drifted from the woods.

A youth in white knight’s armor stepped from behind Toria and retrieved his shield.

The black-clad men froze, but only for a moment, then lunged again.

“Hey, hey—shouldn’t you be saying something like ‘Who are you? Leave now and I’ll spare you!’ at a time like this?” The youth casually waved his golden longsword, and a blast of wind sent the attackers flying. “Too bad—it’s night, so I’m not at my best.” He feigned a dramatic sigh, then turned to Toria. “Hey, boy, have you seen Lance? He’s the one in strange white clothes, with a small pouch and a sword hilt at his waist.”

At long last, the chapter is finished. Friends, I’d appreciate your support—the review section is so quiet. Please drop by and chat; I really do hope to interact with you all.