My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's

The second half contains some slightly grotesque scenes.

I've softened the descriptions where possible, but if you're uncomfortable with such things, please refrain.

After lifting the hero's curse in the princess's room, I slipped out holding the crystal and sneaked into commander saran's private chamber.

"Oh, Akira-kun, that was quick."

I thought I'd completely concealed my presence and taken a blind spot, but I was detected — my pride as an Assassin stung. I rounded the desk with a sullen look and set the crystal down with a clunk. Commander saran finally looked up at me.

"Don't look at me like that. I told Zeal-kun to take the day off, so you're pretty much the only one who would come."

"That's not it. I'm not satisfied about being detected."

"Isn't that just between you and me?"

"Creepy."

When I cut him off, commander saran flopped over the desk. He recovered quickly, though, and picked up the crystal in front of him. His eyes hardened.

"This is..."

"Hmm? The curse hasn't been lifted yet?"

"The curse has already been dispelled. It's just... I recognize this crystal."

Commander saran's brows drew together and he glared at the crystal. His eyes looked filled with fierce anger and hatred. It was an expression I had never seen on the usually smiling commander saran — rare, and striking.

"...Can I ask where you've seen it before?"

When I asked, commander saran quietly wiped the harsh expression from his face and returned to his usual smiling look. But the smile was slightly strained, like he was forcing it.

"No, give me a bit of time. I think I can talk about it tomorrow."

"…Understood."

"Then, as always, I'll answer your questions."

He said "as always," yet the steady poise commander saran usually had showed tremors in his eyes.

"No, forget it. I'm tired today. I'll rest early."

"Is that so... Well, good night."

"Night."

For some reason, I climbed out the window. Maybe it had become a habit.

"...Should I ask Vice Captain Zeal? No, maybe I shouldn't pry."

Commander saran's face seemed like he didn't want to be questioned. I, someone who'd never agonized much over relationships, didn't know what was best to do.

"...Sleep."

Thinking everything would be clear by morning, I fled reality — and the next day I saw hell.

Back then, we should have killed the king and princess.

"Akira! Akira, wake up!!"

I was shaken awake and saw the hero, the clear-minded one from before, standing over me.

"What the— How did you find this room?"

"I asked Mr. Zeal. More importantly, commander saran is in big trouble! Hurry and get ready!"

There was something more than panic in his expression. Reluctantly, I complied. I changed into black garments, wrapped a black cloth around my neck, and strapped the night blade god to my waist. When I stepped into the corridor, the hero — who had left the room while I was changing — urged me on, all impatient. The guy had been bedridden until yesterday; could he really be moving this fast?

We headed to the courtyard at the hero's prodding. Our classmates were all gathered.

The king and princess were there too. Commander saran was the only one missing.

"Vice Captain Zeal, where's commander saran?"

When I asked Mr. Zeal, he lowered his eyes sadly. Had something happened to commander saran?

"Don't lie so blatantly."

A voice snapped from behind. I turned and found a classmate who'd been picking fights with me since we were in our original world staring at me with malice.

"Huh?"

"Saran is right over there."

I almost fell for the petty setup the weakling was trying to pin on me, but the hero's line of sight froze me speechless.

Commander saran was there. Lying at the king's feet. His chest was stained a dark, inky color, and a silver dagger protruded from its center.

He was clearly dead.

"That's the dagger you used, isn't it? You killed him. Murderer."

Our classmates glowered at me. Only the hero looked at me with pleading eyes.

"...So it was a trap."

I muttered and looked at the king and princess. On the surface they wore sorrowful faces, but their eyes glittered with wicked delight.