My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's

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Thanks to Yoru I managed to get us out to the square, but countless killing intents descended on us. They didn’t attack—probably because we had a hostage. Looking around, elves with bows surrounded us in a circle.

“Amelia, stay on Yoru. Yoru, I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me, master! I won’t let them so much as lay a finger on Miss Amelia!”

I dragged the still-unconscious Liam Gladiolus off of Yoru’s back. Maybe because he’s handsome, I treated him roughly. Well, whatever. Beautiful people who seem to be enjoying life? They can all go to hell.

“You insolent—! How dare you treat Lord Liam like that!!!”

One of the bow-wielding elves, the hot-blooded type, shouted. I see—this one seems to be somewhat devoted to Liam. The fact they hesitate to attack suggests his status is fairly high.

“If you want him handed over unharmed, let us go. Let Amelia go.”

I pressed a hidden weapon to Liam Gladiolus’s throat and shouted. The elves visibly flinched. Still, they didn’t decide immediately. Some of them cast glances as if waiting for something. Now that I think about it, there doesn’t seem to be any clear leader among them. They’re organized, but nobody’s giving orders.

“...Damn it! If Lady Kirika were here, she’d finish him with one strike even if Lord Liam were taken hostage.”

Those words floated on the wind. So they’re waiting for this “Kirika.” Trouble—if it came to it I’d cut the Sacred Tree down with shadow magic. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.

“You! What are you smirking at!”

The elf who had shouted before yelled again. Loud, aren’t they? Want me to put Liam through the same as him…?

I reached to take out a Demon Stone. But an urgent voice behind me made me freeze.

“...Miss Amelia?”

“No! Akira, Kirika is—!”

When I turned, Amelia was doubled over on Yoru’s back. Her breathing was ragged—on the verge of hyperventilating, perhaps.

“Amelia?”

“Kirika—nooo!”

I rubbed her back, and her breathing calmed a bit. The elves whispered among themselves as they watched Amelia.

“See? This is what happens when you harass Lady Kirika.”

“The Divine Aitel has delivered punishment.”

“The cursed child sought something beyond her place, so this befell her.”

Their voices carried to us. They probably spoke loudly on purpose so we could hear. Amelia trembled even more in response.

They spout whatever they want. But I don’t know anything about Amelia. All I know is that she wouldn’t do pointless harassment—she’s not the type.

“But that’s fine, actually.”

I patted Amelia’s head. Exhausted, she still looked at me.

“Hey, Amelia. Those guys are saying you harassed that Kirika person. What do you think?”

“...”

Amelia widened her eyes and fell silent.

“If you say you didn’t do it, I’ll believe you. And anyway, what’s so important about some harassment? You wouldn’t do childish stuff like that, right?”

“...Yeah. I wouldn’t. I didn’t harass Kirika.”

When I asked loud enough for those around to hear, Amelia caught the meaning and answered just as loudly and clearly.

I smirked.

“There you have it, elves.”

“That must be a lie. Why would we believe the words of such a cursed child?”

A different voice cut into the square. It was slimy, clinging—an unpleasant tone. I unconsciously made a face.

“Kirika-sama!”

“With Kirika-sama here, everything will be fine!”

Relief spread among the elves. I turned toward the voice.

“Am...Ria??”

A woman who looked almost exactly like Amelia—different hair and eye color—strode through the elves. Her chest size was different too. Her clothing was several notches finer than the other elves’. Clearly royalty. The kind of royal family member you’d hate.

“That’s Kirika. She’s my younger sister.”

I heard Amelia say that in a trembling voice. So that’s Kirika. She looks similar yet not the same. She ostentatiously wore a golden dog tag at her chest and had an obviously arrogant expression. The facial features were similar, but utterly different from Amelia’s expressionless face.