Vol. 6 Chapter 10 – a.s.sa.s.sination
“—Were they idiots?”
There was a disturbance near the party venue last night.
Ruffians wielding weapons were discovered running amok, and my knights tried to apprehend them.
As the ruffians were armed, the knights tried to gun them down.
Faced with the onslaught, the ruffians detonated the bombs that they were carrying.
Suicide bombing is what I’ve been told, but it seems like it might have been an unplanned explosion.
—Anyway, everything’s still under investigation.
Taking into account the route that they were taking, they were probably aiming for us.
However, I’m disturbed by how crude and unpolished their plans were.
Charging in despite the security that was present.
As I thought, were they idiots?
Kukuri appears from my shadow.
“Lord Liam, there is something that I wish to report.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about the aforementioned a.s.sailants.”
“Did you find something out?”
“The a.s.sailants were probably planning on secretly entering the party venue. In addition to the a.s.sailants, many things at the venue were found to have been tampered with. We were fortunate that everything that would’ve caused a problem was removed ahead of time. This leads me to believe that the a.s.sailants were just a distraction.”
In other words, various things had been set up in the party venue.
“I was planning on advising Lord Liam to put the party on hold, but Wallace-dono removed all the gimmicks before I could do so.”
“—This feels ominous. Wallace being so helpful is throwing me off.”
Thanks to what he did, nothing happened during the party, and I’m grateful for that.
At the same time, however, it doesn’t feel right.
I never expected Wallace to be this useful.
A competent Wallace isn’t Wallace.
“Well, fine. And?”
“Two of my subordinates were killed. Skilled hands are onto us.”
His subordinates had been killed, yet Kukuri doesn’t sound angry about it.
He reports the deaths of his subordinates as though we’re having a casual conversation.
“That so. How did they die?”
“I had them trace back the footsteps of the a.s.sailants. The enemy Black Ops is on the move.”
Casualties arose from the excellent team under Kukuri.
Their numbers are small to begin with, and I sometimes question the way they treat themselves.
—They’re among the few talented subordinates that I have, so it’s too wasteful to treat them as disposables.
“—Can you guys handle this by yourselves? Tell me if there’s anything that you need help with.”
“That would be akin to depriving us of our jobs. Nevertheless—we’d appreciate it if we could have the dead bodies of the fallen Black Ops members. After all, their bodies contain a lot of confidential information.”
“You’re as devoted to your work as always. Alright, have it your way.”
“Lord Liam, they’ve dispatched quite a lot of veterans this time. Please be careful for a while.”
“There’s no need for concern. I’m a man blessed by good fortune. —Besides. I’ll cut down anyone that is hostile towards me. I’ve always wanted to have a match against a Black Ops member. If you encounter anyone interesting, hand that person to me.”
“That would be unreasonable. Please remember that it is our responsibility to keep enemies out of Lord Liam’s way.”
He’s so devoted to his work.
This is what I want! This!
Tia and Marie should learn from Kukuri.
“That’s a shame.—Then I’ll leave it up to you guys to deal with what’s happening in the dark. Today’s party is a big one, so enemies should arrive in flocks.”
“Acknowledged.”
Kukuri sinks back into my shadow and disappears.
◇
Ciel was exhausted from all the parties that she had been attending ever day.
Her footsteps were heavy as she walked down the hotel’s corridor.
It felt like she had attended all the parties she could ever attend in her lifetime.
It wasn’t just the numbers either.
The parties came in all shapes and forms.
Although Liam’s hope for a bucket party was not realized, Ciel’s days flowed by at a dizzying pace attending a great a.s.sortment of different parties.
“I-I won’t lose to this. I have to quickly reveal Liam’s true nature and wake brother up from his reverie.”
Unfortunately, the reality was, she was barely keeping up with everything that was going on around her.
“This time, Liam has gone too far. He sent father and brother to the frontlines while he remained in the Capital to play around. What’s worse, father seems to be treating it as a matter of course!”
Ciel didn’t know that Liam was protecting the family members of the expeditionary force and that he was providing logistical support from the back.
She had not even attended preschool yet, so she was ignorant about these matters.
From her perspective, it was as though Liam had fled from the frontlines.
“—Someday, I’ll peel off that mask of his.”
Despite how tired she was, Ciel’s hatred towards Liam did not wane.
Suddenly, it felt like she had seen an animal from the corner of her eye.
“Huh?”
She also heard footsteps.
“W-who was it? Who could have brought animals onto this floor? Right, it must be Liam!”
Liam lived on this floor, and it was impossible for animals to waltz in given the tight security of this place.
Only Liam had the authority to bring one in.
Ciel chased after the animal, but she soon reached a dead end.
“I lost sight of her. I should report this to Lady Rosetta.”
She found something on the floor just as she was about to complain about having more work to do.
It was an electric newspaper.
“Why is there such a cheap electric newspaper lying around?—Wait, isn’t this…”
Ciel hurriedly delivered the electric newspaper to Rosetta.
◇
“Darling! This is bad!”
Rosetta noisily enters my room.
I have been training Ellen, who is currently blindfolded and balancing herself on top of a ball.
Her breathing pattern is uneven, and she could lose her balance at any time.
The ball that Ellen is standing on is covered in sweat, and Ellen’s fatigue is at its peak.
That said, I have no intention of having her stop.
“What happened?”
Rosetta’s holding a disposable electronic newspaper on her hand.
That’s quite an interesting thing that she has brought.
Since I’m so rich, I normally don’t use them.
Rosetta catches her breath and plays a clip that is on the newspaper.
“W-watch this!”
“What’s it ab—W-what the heck!?”
I s.n.a.t.c.h the newspaper from Rosetta’s hand and read its content.
I tremble angrily.
It’s written that a swordswoman had raided the Arend Style Swordsmanship’s headquarters.
I’m not surprised about the headquarters being attacked.
It’s the ident.i.ty of the swordswoman that surprises me.
“Someone’s impersonating as a School of One-Flash disciple!?”
Anger rises up within me.
The intruder declared herself a disciple of the School of One-Flash before defeating the schoolmaster, who’s apparently a Sword Saint.
I don’t give a d.a.m.n about the Sword Saint.
It’s the declaration that the intruder has made about being a part of the School of One-Flash that’s triggering me.
When there’s a conflict between different schools, the world of swordsmanship will shake—I couldn’t care less about such a trivial thing.
The one that’s irking me is the intruder who’s claiming to be a member of the School of One-Flash.
“At long last, an imposter has appeared.”
Since she was capable of defeating a Sword Saint, she must be quite well-trained.
I take a glance at my favorite katana.
Of all the katanas I own, it’s my absolute favorite.
It was the spoils of war from fighting against Goaz’s pirate fleet.
I’ve wielded a great number of katanas, but I haven’t found a single one that can best it.
“No mercy is to be shown to an imposter of the School of One-Flash. I’ll hack her down.”
Master’s face materializes in my mind.
Master once told me that he’s on the lookout for more potential disciples, so technically, it wouldn’t be too strange for there to be others like myself.
There’s a chance that the School of One-Flash has welcomed new members.
“—So I have to double-check just in case?”
For the time being, I’ll bring my favorite katana with me.
Realizing that Ellen is about to fall, I go around her and catch her from the back.
“S-sorry, Master.”
“Ellen, are you still trying to rely on your five senses? You have good eyesight, so you tend to rely on your vision a tad too much. Try polishing your other senses.”
“Yes!”
Rosetta makes a complicated expression as she watches Ellen nod eagerly.
“I’ve had this thought for a long time, but isn’t the School of One-Flash a bit too tough on its disciples? I’m impressed that it was able to be pa.s.sed down to this day.”
My encounter with the School of One-Flash was no different from a miracle.
I wonder what Master is up to these days.
◇
Around that time, Yasushi was being chased around by a woman.
“HOW DARE YOU SCAM ME INTO THIS MARRIAGE!!”
A black-haired beauty with gla.s.ses on was chasing after him.
She would’ve given off the air of an intelligent woman if not for furious rampage.
There wasn’t a shadow of composure to be detected.
The beautiful woman chased after Yasushi like a devil.
Yasushi was desperately running away from her, the reason being the knife on the woman’s hand.
“I wasn’t planning on scamming you!!”
“STOP RIGHT THERE!!”
The woman somewhat resembled Nias.
After aimlessly wandering in s.p.a.ce, Yasushi had arrived at a certain planet where he became acquainted with this woman.
Without knowing better, he decided to court her, and to his utter joy, she accepted his advances.
At first, Yasushi was delighted as she was just the type of woman that he fancied; however, she was more controlling than he antic.i.p.ated.
Having run out of money, he had been relying on his woman and lazing around.
That was when she began nagging Yasushi to “get a job” and “marry” her.
Even worse, there was a baby on the woman’s back.
The baby was sleeping comfortably despite the commotion.
—He had been continuing his relationship with the woman, and this ultimately resulted in a baby.
He hadn’t been able to find the right opportunity to cut off their relationship, so he was determined to make a run for it today.
Unfortunately, he was caught.
“YOU’RE NOT GETTING OFF THE HOOK THIS TIME!”
“Mercy!!”
Indeed.
The woman was hunting down Yasushi for attempting to abandon his family and his responsibilities.
That was when Yasushi slipped.
“Ah.”
He slipped like a fool, giving the beautiful woman ample time to overtake him.
“BEGONE, ENEMY OF WOMEN!!”
“NOOOOO!”
—The woman swung her knife at Yasushi.
◇
-Inside the party venue’s waiting room-
Today, once more, a fun party awaits me.
Am I tired of it?
Absolutely not.
Even if I am, as an evil lord, I must continue to host parties.
I feel great whenever I imagine myself squeezing out the tax from my citizens.
—I’m slightly nervous today.
“You’re as beautiful as always, Amagi.”
Amagi will be attending today’s party with her dress on.
Facing Amagi who isn’t in her maid outfit, my heart thumps uncontrollably.
“Master, didn’t you promise me that I won’t have to attend parties?”
“Worry not. Today’s party will be held in the dark, so no one will know that it’s you. Iya~ asking Wallace was the right decision. I never thought about having the party in the darkness. Since n.o.body would recognize you in the dark, you can join the party together with me.”
“What happened to our promise?”
“I-it’s just once. Surely, there’s no harm in attending once?”
“Goodness—Only once, okay?”
“Of course!”
She always backs off, so I’m glad that I can take Amagi with me to this party.
I was so excited last night that I had trouble sleeping.
“Why does Master wish for me to attend the party?”
“It’s because I want to have fun with you.”
I can say this kind of thing to Amagi without being embarra.s.sed about it.
Why?
—Because it comes from my heart.
I don’t like humans because they always end up betraying me.
The same goes for Rosetta.
I thought she was a woman of steel, but she turned out to be an easy woman after I acquired her—To me, this was a form of betrayal.
On the other hand, I’m having a lot of fun teasing Ciel these days.
Wallace enters the waiting room.
“Liam, we’re about to start.”
“Got it. Now then, Amagi.”
Amagi hesitantly grabs the hand that I offer.
With our hands held together, we enter the party venue—and my expression turns dark immediately.
Why does it have to be today of all days?
Can’t they read between the lines?
“—Is it Calvin? He has come at a terrible time.”
Amagi doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening.
“Is something wrong, Master?”
Wallace is in the dark as well.
“Liam, what’s wrong?”
I let go of Amagi’s hand and summon Kukuri.
“Kukuri.”
Kukuri appears with my katana, and I promptly receive it.
“Lord Liam, our enemies are here. Communication with the outside has been blocked, so we can’t call for reinforcements.”
“Understood. Go take care of the enemies outside.”
Kukuri sinks back into the shadow and disappears.
Wallace falls into a panic.
“Hold on for a second, Liam. The security here is impeccable! We’ve checked the ident.i.ties of everyone that has entered. No one could’ve disguised themselves to secretly enter the party venue.”
“That’s not it. The enemies are outside.”
◇
As Kukuri exited the venue, his subordinates revealed themselves.
In total, they numbered less than a hundred.
In contrast, their opponents numbered over one thousand strong, and these hostile Black Ops members were surrounding the party venue.
Kukuri cackled.
He was fearless before his enemies.
“I’m impressed by how many of you are here. There seems to be some clans and organizations I’ve never heard of before, but as expected, a lot of you have survived the test of time. We’re especially well-acquainted with the Fire Clan.”
The ninjas of the “Fire Clan” appeared one after another after being mentioned by Kukuri.
Kukuri’s gaze landed on one of them.
“Oya, I didn’t think I’d meet someone like you in this era. Compared to when our clan was at its peak, I thought every organization had grown weaker over time—but you seem to be pretty skilled.”
The Chief Ninja pulled out his katana.
“—Your era has long pa.s.sed. Accept your death obediently.”
Kukuri’s subordinates also readied their weapons.
Only Kukuri remained bare-handed as he spread out his arms.
“That’s a shame, but I refuse!”
Their enemies rushed in for the kill.
Besides the Fire Clan, there was also the wannabe Shadow Clan that was formed based off of the Black Ops under Kukuri.
(They sniffed out our existence and decided to crush us. Excellent!)
With his long arms, he slew an enemy that was approaching him and sprinted towards where the head of the ninjas was.
His subordinates were fighting against the Black Ops of the current generation, and both sides were suffering immense casualties.
Kukuri swung his hands down when he was sufficiently close to the Chief Ninja.
However, his attack was deflected by his opponent’s sword.
“It’s over for you guys. The aristocrats no longer care about putting up an appearance. You’ve pushed your luck too far.”
Kukuri distanced himself from the Chief Ninja upon hearing those words.
A battleship was floating above the Capital.
Entering the Capital with a battleship was strictly prohibited, so its presence at the venue was an unexpected one.
Their enemies’ master-plan was to blow away Liam along with everyone else around him using the weapons on the battleship.
Kukuri narrowed his eyes.
“This has become problematic.”
Kukuri and his subordinates would have no trouble escaping, but a lot of the people that they had to protect were still inside the building.
The aristocrats had finally grown tired of waiting and had come to kill Liam by force.
Just as Kukuri was thinking of returning to his master’s side, the Chief Ninja attacked.
Kukuri blocked the incoming blade with his arm, but the flames on the katana inflicted him with some burns.
It was clear that the Chief Ninja was trying to prevent Kukuri from contacting Liam.
“You’ll all be buried here with us!”
“So you intend to drag us down with you, eh?”
Kukuri and his subordinates had prevented all sorts of a.s.sa.s.sination attempts.
The only exception to this had been the recent attack from the ruffians.
In order to kill them, their enemies had come with the resolve to die.
—Kukuri chuckled.
“Each and every one of you is a fool.”
“!?”
A machine shaped like an insect’s leg flew out from Kukuri’s body and sliced off one of the ninja’s arms.
The arm that was sliced off disappeared into flames.
Then, flames enveloped the ninja’s shoulder, and a new arm was generated.
Kukuri stared enviously as this happened.
“After discarding your mortal body, you seem to have obtained a convenient vessel. Unfortunately, it’s not something that our group can imitate.”
The Chief Ninja raised his katana and glared hatefully at Kukuri and his subordinates.
“You guys were too strong and too dangerous. Fearing your strengths, the Emperor of that era turned you guys into stones.”
Kukuri tilted his head.
The angle at which his neck was bent exceeded ninety degrees, making it seem like it was about to break.
“Fearing our strengths? What a load of nonsense. You don’t know anything. He would’ve erased us if he was afraid. That repulsive ‘thing’ was laughing at us after turning us into stones.”
“How dare you speak ill of His Majesty the Emperor!?”
Despite being a Black Ops, the Chief Ninja’s loyalty to the country was genuine.
However, unlike him, Kukuri was someone that had lived in that era.
He knew what the Emperor of that period was like.
“He was a piece of trash. He might have been the Emperor, but he lacked dignity and self-respect as a human being. He was a sc.u.m that found pleasure in other people’s suffering.”
“That att.i.tude of yours is enough to explain why you and your men were turned into stones and cast aside.”
“You might be right. Oh, but we’re grateful for one thing. Thanks to that piece of trash, us shadows were able to meet the light that deserves our loyalty.”
Someone came out of the building just as Kukuri finished his sentence.
It was Liam, and he had his katana with him.
Through eye-signals, the Chief Ninja dispatched some of his subordinates.
“Naïve. You wish to escape by yourself? As if a human can outrun a battleship.”
The ninjas that were closing in on Liam were blocked by Kukuri’s subordinates.
Without wasting any words, Kukuri’s subordinates blew themselves up, killing off the ninjas in the process.
Kukuri didn’t bat an eyelid.
He knew that Liam would’ve been fine without their support, but this was the purpose of their existence.
This was their line of work.
Dying was included in their job description.
That was why Kukuri wasn’t bothered by his subordinates’ deaths.
“Is that so? Let’s see about that.”
The battle between Kukuri and the Chief Ninja started once more.