CORNER OF MY LIPS

The assassin nodded wtih a grave expression. "It looks like today's mission is a failure. Prince, you win this time, but your strength is no longer a secret. Next time, I'll make sure of taking your head."

After saying that, a portal appeared behind the assassin.

The assassin looked one last time to the corpses of his brothers and put on an unwilling expression, but remembering my strength, he entered the portal.

He knew that even if he wanted revenge, his current strength was not enough.

But in the next second, his expression changed.

"You... What did you do!?" An expression of pure terror filled his face. He looked at me as though looking a terrifying monster ready to devour him.

I simply smiled. "Apparently, my understanding of space is above yours."

The assassin paled. He tried to activate the portal again, but it remained unresponsive. No matter how much the assassin tried to use it to escape, the portal did not respond.

"It's useless." I shook my head with an easygoing expression. "Did you think you could escape after trying to kill me?"

"Impossible! Impossible impossible impossible... It's impossible!!!" The assassin yelled in fright. His eyes turned bloodshot and his gaze towards me had a hint of pleading.

But I did not care. He was an enemy, killing him without any form of torture was already merciful.

Seeing my look of indifference, the assassin kneeled on the floor in despair. He lowered his head and heaved a sight.

Then, he opened his mouth.

"Haha..."

"Hmm?"

"Hahaha... Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha...!"

I frowned. "What are you laughing about?"

"... Do you think you won?" The assassin asked.

I remained silent.

"Hahahaha... Today, I'm destined to die, but before that... I'll destroy your life!!!"

In an instant, all the mana inside the assassin's body surged out. The powerful mana and killing intent filled the entire cave, even impacting the three girls inside Louise's barrier!

His space laws were activated. Miraculously, the assassin's space laws broke through the next level, making him even stronger. However, he did not use it to escape. No, he knew that escaping was useless. Instead, he put all his strength into one last strike.

This strike was incredibly powerful. The combined power of all his mana together with the upgraded space laws and the assassin's determination to die brought the assassin's strength beyond the twelfth layer.

It was for just an instant, but it was more than enough for him.

The space laws surrounded the assassin, allowing him to teleport to his goal. Then, he stabbed his blade.

Right into Claire's heart.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. Claire looked as the blade penetrated her defenses, cutting her clothes and injuring her skin.

The overwhelming killing intent froze her thoughts. She could see the surprised look on Lena's face and the despair appearing on her sister.

For some reason, although she did not know that the assassins were real, Claire understood the truth.

"I'm going to die." She said inwardly.

But then, she saw something incredible.

The assassin opened his eyes in fear. He tried to force the dagger into the girl's heart, but it could not move forward. Then, the frozen time came back to normal, and someone's back appeared in front of Claire.

It was me.

"Useless." I said indifferently. "You need to do more than this to kill someone I'm protecting."

"N-No... Impossible... Impossible impossible!!! Why why!!!" The assassin yelled. He then attacked Claire's again, but with his strength gone, I just needed to use my fingers to stop his attack.

"... Stop struggling, it's useless. Now speak, why do you want to kill the girls?" That was the only doubt I had. Eldest brother only had enmity with me, it was unnecessary to kill the others.

However, the assassin smirked.

"Hah... Even if I die, I will not tell you anything."

"Is it so...?" I looked at the assassin and touched his forehead with my index finger while lifting the corner of my lips. "You know, although I'm pretty good at using space, in fact, [Space]is not my strongest suit."

The assassin opened his eyes wide. He felt something invading his mind, taking from him something more precious than life itself.

"N-No, no..."

"... My true specialty is [Soul]."