Chapter 51: Wind-Filled Tower (Part 1)

Asa thought for a moment, then stood up and said to Jessica, "Stay here. I'll go alone."

"Why?" Jessica frowned, looking at him.

"It's too dangerous," Asa replied lightly. He knew how skilled Jessica was at stealth and tracking. As a dark elf, she was a natural in this area, which is why he had her scout ahead. But even she had almost been discovered, which showed just how alert and perceptive the guards were.

Of course, alertness and combat ability were two different things. Even if a few of the guards were high-ranking knights, Asa was confident he could handle them. But his goal now was not to fight these guards but to deal with the Bishop, who was waiting for something in the room. If the guards discovered him, the assassination would turn into a direct confrontation.

Similarly, assassination and combat ability were also two different things. Asa was not confident that he could defeat Aescher in a direct battle, even though he was going to attempt the assassination.

On the parchment given to him by Lord Borugan, Aescher's name stood out as the most prominent and noteworthy. The explanation next to his name was much less detailed than that of others, with just a few words: "Act within your means." Though it was a brief note, it made it clear that Aescher was the highest priority target. However, this didn't mean he was the most essential one to eliminate—because he was too dangerous.

In fact, Aescher's name appeared on the parchment simply because of Borugan's usual meticulous style of documenting those who posed the greatest threat to Orford. Whether it was Borugan or Theodorus, neither had asked nor expected Asa to kill Aescher.

More than twenty years ago, Aescher, along with Ronis and the current Pope Magnus, was one of the three great white mages of the continent. Though he was the youngest and weakest of the three, that didn't mean much—just like even the weakest lion is still a lion and not a rabbit. Throughout his early battles and adventures, Aescher had sharpened his skills, nerves, and magical abilities far beyond someone like Adra, who lacked real combat experience. And as the Bishop of Alrasia, Aescher's guards were undoubtedly skilled.

What's more, if Aescher was still a member of the Dehya Valley, his hidden identity would likely come with even more formidable strength.

Initially, Asa had never even considered attempting to kill such a significant target. After the assassination the day before, the Druid and Hilton helped Kaylin escort the rescued elves back to the Turleone Forest. Asa and Jessica stayed in the capital, with Turleone located in the southwest of Alrasia, and Orford to the northeast. Asa remained here, both to wait for Hilton and also to stay alert to any movements within Alrasia.

However, remaining hidden had become the biggest challenge. With rumors spreading, two unfamiliar outsiders would definitely draw attention. The Royal Knights were already searching the city for suspicious individuals, but the Cathedral of Saint Peter was one of the few places they wouldn't be searching. This allowed Asa and Jessica to sneak into the cathedral and hide in a very secluded spot. Although the priests and guards here might not be less alert or capable than the Royal Knights, the sheer size and complexity of the cathedral made it the perfect place to hide. It would be difficult for anyone to find them.

But once hidden, a thought arose in Asa's mind: Since they could hide here, could they also eliminate Aescher? This might be his last chance in Alrasia.

The three assassinated individuals from earlier were like fingers of the church's attack on Orford, but Aescher was like a full arm. According to Borugan's observations as Orford's envoy, Queen Catherine and the church had a tense relationship, and if the Bishop of Alrasia were to die at this crucial time, Queen Catherine might seize the opportunity to weaken the church's influence in Alrasia.

While the death of Aescher would undoubtedly benefit Queen Catherine the most, their interests were still aligned in this matter. Politics often had seemingly illogical connections, but the truth was that such things were not easily seen by most.

But this wasn't the only reason Asa wanted to take the risk. A more important and simple reason was that he wanted to test himself.

Since leaving the Turleone Forest, Asa felt something deep within his soul had been awakened. He couldn't tell whether it was the awe and admiration inspired by Grutt's legendary battle, the combat spirit stirred by his duel with Lancelote, or the words the Elder Elf had told him. Regardless, the immense pressure and drive made him feel something stirring inside him once again—a sense of purpose and determination. It was the same feeling he had when he first left Kalendor. He now felt full of vitality and strength. He saw the mountains ahead, not with awe, but with the strength to rise to the challenge.

Thus, when faced with the great yet dangerous target of Aescher, Asa decided almost immediately that he wanted to try. It was a dangerous task, but one that would elevate him further. The sudden storm seemed like a providential opportunity, and he made up his mind to go.

"What, you want me to stay here? Are you afraid I'll die? I told you, I don't need your concern," Jessica said coldly, looking at Asa.

Asa sighed. "I just don't want you to die. Let me make it clear—this isn't Turleone. If it comes down to life or death, I probably won't be able to save you." He knew that if it was just stealth, Jessica wouldn't hold him back, but if a fight broke out, it would be another matter.

"Then it's better this way. Whether I follow you and die or not, it's my business."

"Then do as you wish," Asa said, and with a sudden crash of thunder that shook the windows, he turned and quietly opened the small window in the roof. The wind rushed in, carrying the smell of rain and the electric tension of the storm, filling the small attic.

Back in Turleone Forest, after Asa had saved Jessica from Grutt's attack, she hadn't shown any gratitude. Instead, she had looked at him with a mix of hostility and sarcasm. "Do you think I'll be grateful to you and forever be your loyal servant? Do you really not find it disgusting to act like such a noble, self-sacrificing figure?"

Asa had been taken aback. He hadn't expected her to react like this, although he hadn't expected her to act like the loyal follower from a knight's novel either.

"In the world of the dark elves, there's no such thing as kindness," Grutt had said with a smile.

Asa sighed. He wasn't sure if he was talking to Grutt or to Jessica when he said, "I don't do good deeds. I do what I need to do."

Eventually, Grutt had allowed Jessica to go, with a final warning: "Don't tell anyone about my business." Later, Jessica had come to Asa with a strange expression and told him she would continue to follow him. "But don't think I'm grateful. I just want to see what kind of person you are, what your true intentions are."

Asa didn't say anything in response, merely accepting her help. Despite the cold distance between them and her previous hostility, Jessica still acted as Asa's assistant, just like Hilton and the others. But now, it was different.

Asa, like a slippery fish in the water, slipped quietly out of the window, pressing his body against the outside wall of the cathedral.

The cathedral's rough stone exterior wasn't easy to climb, but Asa didn't dare use any magic like Featherfall, knowing that someone of Aescher's caliber would detect any magical disturbance within a hundred meters. Instead, Asa used meditation techniques to control his muscles to their extreme, his body melding with the wall's uneven surface, moving slowly downward. He knew exactly where Aescher's room was—just below.

The wind and rain came down like a torrential flood, and the heavy rain stung Asa's body like tiny fists. Within three seconds of emerging, he was drenched. The storm threatened to blow him off the wall several times, but Asa was pleased. In this storm, even he could hardly hear his own movements, much less the guards inside the cathedral.

Suddenly, a figure slid down from above. Asa froze—it was Jessica. Although she couldn't control her body as precisely as Asa, she clung to the wall, using her legs to support herself, and managed to slide down with slow, careful movements. This wasn't magic, but rather a special ability unique to dark elf nobility.

Asa sighed but didn't stop her. He knew it was useless to try.

In the stormy night, two dark figures moved silently along the cathedral's outer wall. Below, a window glowed warmly, like a guiding lighthouse in the darkness.

The storm grew fiercer, the wind and rain battering the carriage as it bounced violently along the rugged road, like a vehicle climbing a rough mountain path. The female knight lovingly touched the cheek of the girl in her arms and whispered, "Don't be afraid, we're almost there. Bishop Aescher is waiting for us."

The girl in the knight's arms was frail and thin, barely more than skin and bones, but even so, her delicate features still revealed her former beauty. However, she showed no fear—not just no fear, but no emotions at all. Her large eyes were clouded with confusion, and her expression was vacant, as she muttered something under her breath.

"Knight Talice, is Bishop Aescher really… absolutely trustworthy?" The boy in the carriage suddenly asked. His appearance closely resembled that of the girl, indicating that he was her brother.

Talice smiled, both amused and a little exasperated, and replied, "I don't understand why you would ask that. Lord Aescher has been the Bishop of Alrasia for over twenty years, ruling over the largest theocratic nation on the Western continent. Even in Celeste, aside from His Holiness the Pope, he is second only to him. Do you really doubt such a devoted servant of the gods?"

"No. It's just that…" The boy hesitated.

"Yabin, I know what you're concerned about," the female knight said with a smile. Her already strikingly beautiful features became even more radiant with that smile, so much so that anyone who saw it would be momentarily stunned. It was hard to believe that such a stern, almost rigid woman, whose thoughts and speech were all about justice and the glory of the gods, could have such a lovely smile. It was likely that even her teacher, Lancelote, and the other knights of the holy temple had never seen her smile like that. Perhaps it was precisely because she smiled so rarely that it was so enchanting.

"I know that after what you've been through, you've become wary of anyone using white magic or mind-control magic, and that's why you didn't seek help from the church. But I can swear by the gods' divine light that it must have been someone with ulterior motives who created a false illusion. Lord Aescher will definitely be able to cure young Ayime. I will also report this to Celeste to find out who was behind the tragedy you suffered."

The carriage had already arrived at the cathedral entrance. Talice and Yabin quickly helped Ayime out of the carriage and hurried into the church.

The wind and rain were intensifying. Even the sacred doors of the cathedral seemed unable to stop the onslaught, as the rain, driven by the wind, relentlessly poured inside, threatening to flood the magnificent and solemn building.