My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's

"That means by tonight there'll be three more people on this ship. They're just strangers sharing the voyage, so no need for any special treatment. Sorry for deciding on my own, but please take care of it."

At breakfast the next morning I bowed to Noah and the heroes who had stayed on the ship last night.

Amelia and Yoru were no longer the only ones traveling with me. Realizing that, I started to worry after returning to the ship yesterday that agreeing to Master’s deal so readily might have been a mistake.

"I guess Akira thought that information was necessary. And if it concerns classmates left at the castle, it’s not something we can treat as someone else’s problem."

Kyousuke folded his arms and said to me.

"As Asahina said. Since we’re traveling together, deciding something on your own wasn’t exactly commendable, but I’d have made the same call if I were with you."

"Luckily we loaded more than enough food and water. Even with three more aboard, it won’t change things much."

Barty and the two core members of the hero party, along with Noah, agreed, and I let out a relieved breath. Amelia and Yoru watched us with expressions that looked oddly amused.

"...What is it?"

"Nothing~"

"Nothing at all, master~"

One person and one beast grinned at me, and their smug faces made me feel awkward. I devoured the pot-au-feu of stewed demonic meat and vegetables. After swallowing the tender meat and soup, I stood up.

"Anyway, tonight at the same time we’ll go to No.7 again. Until then we’re planning to patrol the surrounding area. Anyone want to come? It won’t be safe—demonic beasts might appear."

At my words, Amelia and Yoru, who had already finished eating, stood up as well.

"Amelia would stand out too much. What would you do if the Demon Clan under the Demon King found her?"

Elves are rare in Human and Beastmen territories, and often people are drawn to their beauty. But this is the territory where the Demon Clan tried to kidnap Amelia. If they realize she’s here, they might attack again. Darion Synk, who led the attack on the airship, probably reported that she’s traveling with the hero, so they might take special interest.

"It’s fine. I’ll borrow a cloak that can erase physical features like the one Crow used yesterday."

Amelia puffed her cheeks; she looked so cute it made me want to do whatever she asked. Still, I couldn’t agree immediately.

If Darion’s words during the airship assault were true, he said he was fifth-in-command among the Demon Clan. Back then we were both on a flying ship, so neither of us fought seriously, but our combat abilities are probably similar.

In the Brute Labyrinth I did fend off Aurum, the third-in-command, and Mahiro, the second-in-command, but that was because they underestimated my abilities. Especially Mahiro, who can increase the number of attacks remotely and use magic circles to launch varied assaults from multiple directions—our styles clash terribly. I’d rather not fight him; if I have to, I want it on terms favorable to me. So I don’t want the ship’s location exposed and risk a surprise attack from the Demon Clan.

"Isn’t it fine? Noah’s camouflage magic isn’t perfect, so I think being next to you is safest."

Mr. Zeal, sipping coffee after the meal, defended Amelia.

Noah had cast camouflage magic over the entire airship that was circling off the coast of the Demon Clan lands, blending it into the surrounding air. Camouflage magic is more mana-efficient and better for wide areas than concealment magic, and it leaves fewer magical traces. But unlike concealment magic, it can be detected by spells that sense mana, temperature, or presence. I asked Lord Lattice Nail to check the ship from the continent side; apparently it’s hidden well even to the Demon Clan’s special vision. Still, on closer inspection something seems off, so we can’t be completely at ease. Therefore we change disembarkation and embarkation points each time.

"...That’s true."

"Hehe, thanks, Zeal."

"You're welcome, princess amelia. But as Akira said, don’t forget that you’re being targeted by the Demon Clan. Be cautious."