Chapter 40

Chapter 40: The Art of Death

"The person we, the Revolutionary Army Rebellion, are contracting is Viscount Lyle Logan, the Chief of the Security Forces. Though his noble title is low, his influence is immeasurable. He's a villain who controls all the security forces in the capital. He uses money to cover up the crimes committed by noble children."

"He's quite a big shot, huh?"

"I mentioned it before. We're requesting an assassination targeting someone higher than nobility."

Reinvald glanced sideways at Rail, who was sitting beside him. Then he took out a large bag from the bag he had placed on the floor.

When it was placed on the desk, it made a clunking sound.

"There are 200 gold coins in here. 100 in advance and 100 as a success reward."

"You're generous."

"I went through a lot of trouble to prepare it."

With one gold coin, an adult could live modestly for a month. In terms of the total reward, it was a considerable sum that Shu and Iris could live on for over eight years.

In other words, assassinating Viscount Logan was that difficult.

Shu asked about it.

"By preparing this much money, does it mean the security is strict?"

"Of course. He has independently trained mercenary magic knights for his own security. Investing money gained through illicit means."

"What's the rank of the mercenary magic knights?"

"I don't know the details, but think of them as at least Rank C. It wouldn't be strange to have magic knights of Rank A for personal protection."

That level wasn't a problem. Shu had been classified as a Catastrophic Ruin-class monster. As long as there weren't multiple Rank S magic knights, there wouldn't be any problem.

"I'm fine. I'll complete the request."

"...Are you really okay?"

"Yeah, more importantly, do you have any preferences regarding the assassination? For example, quietly killing him, destroying the mansion and killing him, or displaying the corpse in the square? Any specific requests like that?"

Rainvald's eyes widened for a moment upon hearing that he would be willing to listen to such requests. However, he quickly regained his composure and answered.

"No, nothing in particular. Make it as easy as possible."

"Understood. What's the deadline?"

"Within a month?"

"That's more than enough. Oh, and just tell me the location of this so-called Viscount Logan's mansion."

"I don't mind telling you that much. I had prepared a memo, expecting you to ask."

Saying so, Rainvald took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Shu. Shu accepted it, checked its contents, and memorized them.

While Shu was checking, Rainvald continued speaking.

"As for the reward for success, once the assassination is confirmed, we will contact you again. It might take about five days if it's delayed, but rest assured, we don't intend to disregard the contract, so you can trust us."

"It's fine. Besides, if you can't pay the reward, it's the Revolutionary Army Rebellion that will be in trouble later."

"I understand."

The contract with the secret organization must be strictly adhered to.

If the contract is betrayed, the information will quickly spread in the underworld, and no organization will accept any requests from you anymore. In severe cases, there may even be retaliation from the secret organization. You must be cautious.

Because it is a dirty world, it's important to handle things properly.

Reinvald was not unaware of this fact.

"So, is that the only target?"

"If you assassinate Viscount Logan, that will be sufficient. Whether the people around him are alive or dead doesn't matter."

"Understood. Then let's get the advance payment right away."

Reinvald silently handed a bag filled with gold coins to Iris, who began counting them one by one. After finishing the count, she put them into the bag she had brought with her.

Shu stood up and addressed Reinvald, Rail, and Lilia.

"Just in case, let me introduce myself. I am the 'Grim Reaper.'"

"What?"

Ignoring such a response, Shu and Iris left the room, leaving behind the three people with bewildered expressions.

***

Shu and Iris, who left the Black Cat Tavern, used the coins they had obtained to secure a decent inn. It wasn't the most luxurious place, but it was of high quality, including security.

They had their dinner brought to the room and were eating together alone.

"By the way, Shu-san?"

"What's the matter?"

"Are you going to support the Revolutionary Army, Liberation?"

Iris's question contained various meanings.

First, although they called themselves the Revolutionary Army, Liberation, they didn't have enough power to be called an army yet. They were more like scattered resistance groups operating in various places. So, the initial meaning of her question was whether it was worth lending a hand to such a small organization.

"I wouldn't say I'm going to support them. If you pay me, I'll kill anyone you want."

"Is that so?"

"I'm not interested in human conflicts. But it seems fun to meddle."

"That's a peculiar hobby."

"Don't try to fit human sensibilities onto me, a monster."

Shu had a human-like appearance and memories of being human.

However, he didn't have any attachment to humans. At least for now, it was only Iris. He didn't care about other humans. Whether they wanted to be friends or wage war, humans were humans.

"But in that case, I don't think you need to lend a hand to the Revolutionary Army, Liberation. It's not necessary to go out of your way to help the weak. It would be easier to side with the Empire, the stronger party, and get more money."

"Join the Imperial Army?"

"I think it's fine. The soldiers of the Subarokia Grand Empire live comfortably."

"You seem to know a lot."

"It's common sense for a Holy Knight."

That was also a significant reason.

The Subarokia Grand Empire accepts and favors talented Magic Knights and sorcerers in its military. If you're a Magic Knight, they guarantee a life of luxury by providing a salary, and sorcerers are given ample research funds corresponding to their achievements.

Shu is a sorcerer, and Iris is a Magic Knight.

Joining the military would bring them benefits. Moreover, within the empire, they could reign as overwhelming powerhouses.

In response to that, Shu expressed his opinion.

"Well, it's a valid choice. It's not like we're trying to help the struggling commoners because of poverty. I wouldn't mind accepting the benefits we can receive. But is it that easy to adapt?"

"I'm not quite sure about that. I think it'll be fine if we go to the capital city."

"I see. Shu, why did you decide to live in this country for a while?"

If they wanted to live happily in the empire's territory, going to the mainland or the capital city would be the best option. However, Shu had a different idea and said he wanted to spend some time in a poor vassal state.

That puzzled Iris.

To her, Shu quietly replied.

"Well... the main reason is to make a name for ourselves."

"A name?"

"Yeah, being a Black Cat, my main activities will be in the empire. I want to firmly etch the fear of the 'Grim Reaper' into the Subarokia Grand Empire and its vassal states."

"Oh, so that's why you're supporting the Revolutionary Army, Libellion?"

"That's right. The goal is to make the 'Grim Reaper' known in the empire."

It's not that he wants to stand out.

But if the name of the "Grim Reaper" spreads throughout the empire, it will be easier for Shu to operate. Shu, who wants to move freely rather than be bound by the military, desires to work behind the scenes under the name of the "Grim Reaper."

Also, there was another reason that was more childish.

"Besides, it seems more fun to lend a hand to the weak."

"Like a game?"

"Well, you can say it's like a game."

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"What's with the surprise? I'm a monster. I don't need to live with consideration for humans."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have destroyed cities, engaged in assassination activities, or killed all the Holy Knights. He has no intention of hiding his power to fit in with humans and is even willing to destroy countries if necessary.

That was Shu's true nature as a monster.

"So, are you going to pick a fight with the Subarokia Grand Empire as the 'Grim Reaper'?"

"Well... for now, let's just enjoy watching the Subarokia Grand Empire and the Revolutionary Army, Libellion, fight. Anyway, I'm going to work from tonight."

"Is it the certain Viscount?"

"No, it's Viscount Logan. Apparently, I'll get a hundred gold coins if I assassinate him. I'll do my best."

"I'll be waiting in bed for you!"

"I've told you, I'll sleep elsewhere."

Afterward, they leisurely had dinner and engaged in conversation.

◆◆◆

Late at night, when only the moon and stars illuminated the darkness, Shu, based on the information received from Rainvald and the others, made his way to Viscount Logan's mansion.

More precisely, he arrived at a noble residence positioned where Viscount Logan's mansion could be seen. From the roof of a noble residence unrelated to Viscount Logan's, he looked down upon his target's estate.

(That must be the target's mansion...)

He had already confirmed that Lyle Logan was present. By eavesdropping with vibration magic, he had learned that the man himself was inside the mansion.

It seemed that Lyle Logan was about to go to bed.

The lights were gradually dimming inside the mansion, so it wouldn't be long before it fell into complete silence. However, the security guards and mercenary mages who served as his bodyguards seemed to be keeping watch without sleep.

(Now, how should I take care of this?)

Although he had made it this far, he hadn't thought about how to handle the situation. He had been contemplating dealing with it casually, so he was a little lost at this point.

(If I use a large-scale magic, I'll be exposed by the magical energy light of the magic circle. Even if I infiltrate and defeat him, I don't know what Viscount Logan himself looks like... and dealing with the guards and mercenaries would be troublesome.)

Shu knew that Viscount Logan was in the mansion. However, he knew it through auditory information obtained by using vibration magic, not because he knew the man's face.

(I don't care about the lives or deaths of the people around.)

It would be fine to torture the mansion's inhabitants haphazardly, but that would be bothersome. Besides, Rainvald and the others would be better off knowing that Viscount Logan had clearly been killed.

It was a magic suitable to be called assassination, although it was too flashy to be labeled as such... a magic appropriate for an assassination.

Shu chose that path.

"Let's do it."

Extending his right hand, Shu first fixed the coordinates. He defined the range of the magic... and grasped the heat and magical energy present in that location.

The range was vast.

It covered the entirety of Viscount Logan's mansion.

It was an area-based magic utilizing death magic, bringing destruction and death to everything within.

"Activate, 'Cocytus, the Frozen Breath of the Underworld.'"

At that moment, the Viscount's mansion froze entirely. Due to the deprivation of life energy, magical energy, and heat energy, the moisture present in the vicinity froze.

In this case, both life energy and magical energy were completely taken away.

However, only a moderate amount of heat energy was deprived.

Specifically, the air remained at minus one hundred degrees Celsius. It was cold enough, but Shu had the ability to completely extract heat even down to minus two hundred and seventy-three degrees Celsius. He was holding back. Of course, there was a reason for this restraint.

First of all, if all the heat energy were taken away, and the temperature reached absolute zero, the air would liquefy. As a result, the volume of air would dramatically decrease, causing a large influx of surrounding air and creating a terrifying gust of wind. It would become a flashy effect that couldn't be called an assassination.

(Well, that's why I'm keeping it at minus one hundred degrees...)

With such low temperatures, moisture would simply freeze. In other words, the living beings within the area would turn into ice sculptures as the water in their bodies froze, and they would die from having their life energy completely taken away by the death magic.

They would meet a quiet death.

Truly an assassination.

Although on a completely different scale...

Crack, crack...

It was just a quirk that material cracked due to the rapid freezing. Perhaps it was because they were not yet accustomed to the "Frozen Breath of the Underworld, Cocytus." Once they mastered the control of energy extraction speed, this issue would also be resolved.

For now, the activation and effectiveness experiment of the "Frozen Breath of the Underworld, Cocytus" were sufficient.

"Alright. The completion of the rarest ice sculpture art in the world, Crystal Art."

Having said only that, Shu left the scene.

It was late at night, and no one would be aware that the Viscount's mansion had frozen. And this ice sculpture should be well preserved until the next morning.

In other words, the next day, the Viscount Logan, who had turned into an ice sculpture, would be discovered.

And the following day, upon witnessing the gruesome state of the Viscount's mansion, a great commotion would arise.