Chapter 55 : Chapter 55 Captured

Chapter 55 Captured

Inside the manor, Pedory had forced the assassin leader into a desperate situation. From their earlier conversation, it seemed Pedory had already guessed the identity of the intruder.

When he saw the scar on the leader's neck, he was certain.

"Leo!"

Calling out this name, a slight smile appeared on Pedory's face. With that scar, among the twelve, the only possibility was him.

"Captain!"

An assassin rushed forward to provide support. Pedory shot him a sidelong glance; it was impossible to restrain Leo and defend against an assassin's attack at the same time.

So, just a second before the assassin's dagger came down, Pedory withdrew his knight's sword to block the attack.

But the blow came too suddenly—caught off guard, Pedory was forced back several steps.

After repelling Pedory, the assassin helped the man called 'Leo' to his feet.

"Heh, as expected, you're from Assassin Star. But I hadn't expected the famous 'Leo' himself to personally lead the team,"

Pedory said, as the surrounding guards and archers closed in.

"You knew we were coming?"

The assassin code-named 'Leo' clutched his chest. Glancing at the ready archers, he realized clearly that the enemy had been well-prepared.

Having already lost much of his strength to both age and the impact of magic, his body looked even more frail.

"Heh, I only knew someone would come, not that it'd be you. And I didn't expect your Assassin Star people to be bold enough to attack fellow Imperial soldiers. Do you realize this is high treason?"

As Pedory spoke, the archers nocked their arrows, and several guards readied themselves to charge.

Realizing their operation had failed, the man known as Leo threw his head back and laughed wildly.

"Hahaha, treason? Smuggling and hiding enchanted mithril, privately forging magitech equipment, even secretly training a noble army—aren't you the real traitors?!"

The gravely wounded Leo raised his finger at Pedory. Meeting the taunting gaze, Pedory's brow furrowed deeply.

"You know everything?"

"Heh, smuggling enchanted mithril under the guise of the 'Terrence family' slave caravans is clever enough, but if you think that can fool everyone, you're dead wrong. The sword of Imperial judgement will fall on your heads soon enough. Next time, you won't be so lucky!"

With that, leo pulled out a dagger; the other assassin did the same, and both decisively stabbed at their own hearts.

"Don't let them kill themselves!"

Seeing that the assassins were opting for suicide after their failed mission, Pedory could not allow it—he needed to know who was behind the Imperial assassination unit—Assassin Star!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A volley of arrows shot out. The arrows struck Leo's arms and shoulders, avoiding vital spots, but mistakes happen.

"Pft."

Blood gushed from Leo's mouth—one arrow had gone through his chest. The assassin beside him fared worse, turned into a pincushion by the barrage.

Seeing the fatal strike to Leo, Pedory rushed over, but the man was already gasping his final breaths.

"Damn it, I told you to stop him from committing suicide! Who let you kill him?!"

Pedory roared at his subordinates. The archers could only bear it silently.

Just then, as Pedory pondered how to keep Leo alive to question him about his mastermind, a guard shouted.

"There's one more here!"

The exclamation drew everyone's attention—they saw Vina surrounded by two guards.

"Hm? Capture her!"

Pedory ordered, prompting the archers to aim at Vina.

"Idiots, hold your fire!"

"Yes, sir."

Hearing this, the archers lowered their bows, and the guards surged forward.

With two guards already overwhelming her, Vina struggled to keep up; with more joining, she could only attempt to dodge and maneuver.

"Trying to run?"

Spotting this, Pedory chased after her, grabbing her shoulder before she could react.

"Let go!"

Vina shouted, stabbing her dagger at Pedory, but he caught her wrist first and twisted it, subduing her.

Their strengths were in completely different leagues; once caught, Vina had no way to resist.

The guards swarmed forward, quickly subduing Vina to prevent her from committing suicide.

Once she was under control, the guards forced Vina to kneel before Pedory.

They pulled back her cloak and removed her mask, revealing her pointed ears and the stunning features unique to elves.

"An elf?"

Pedory recognized Vina's identity at a glance.

"Let me go."

Vina continued to struggle.

"You're with Assassin Star?"

Pedory ignored her fighting and asked flatly.

Knowing she could not resist, Vina jerked her head away, refusing to answer any of his questions. Pedory pressed the knight's sword to her neck, causing her to instinctively shudder.

"Afraid to die?"

"If you're afraid, then tell me—who gave you your information? Who is directing you from the shadows?"

Vina remained silent. Seeing this, Pedory smiled in threat.

"Hah, if you won't talk, I have a hundred ways to make you."

With those words, Pedory prepared to take Vina for further interrogation. At that moment, he felt a chill at the back of his neck.

A hidden weapon!

Pedory dodged as quickly as he could, but was still struck in the shoulder by a thrown knife. Feeling a numbness spreading from his shoulder, he instantly pulled out the blade and tossed it away.

Poison!

Pedory looked over to the barely-standing Leo, who had hurled the weapon, and cursed.

"You old fool! How dare you ambush me?!"

Angered, Pedory strode over, sword in hand, ready to finish him off.

"You... cough, cough... you're dead, hahahaha..."

Leo was laughing madly as Pedory felt a violent poison raging in his veins. In alarm, he quickly swallowed an antidote potion.

But the antidote could only slow the poison—he needed someone who could actually cure him, or the real antidote itself.

"You won't live to see me die!"

But as soon as Pedory finished speaking, leo collapsed. Pedory hesitated with his sword, momentarily at a loss.

Searching Leo's body, Pedory found no antidote, and immediately turned to Vina.

"Where's the antidote?"

Vina did not speak. Seeing this, Pedory nodded darkly.

"Fine, have it your way. Take her inside!"

With his command, the guards lifted Vina.

Pedory now had to urgently find a healer or priest—or he wouldn't last long himself.

But in their haste leaving, their group hadn't brought a healer or priest, so Pedory was forced to seek help within Jones City.

(To be continued...)

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=