Published: July 5, 2025
"I guess we have no choice but to talk to the new leader. [Permafrost]"
With everything in sight frozen solid, Ryo dashed forward.
Even upon reaching the mansion, he froze all visible enemies and ran deeper inside.
At the very back, he opened a door that was clearly meant for a spacious room, revealing exactly what he expected: a room that could host a party.
In the center stood a man.
With long black hair and black eyes.
At first glance, he appeared to have an Eastern vibe similar to Ryo's, but his skin was astonishingly pale.
The contrast of black hair and black eyes against white skin was striking.
The black hair and eyes were impressively distinctive.
Without needing an explanation from anyone, Ryo understood.
This person was 'Kuro'.
"You don't seem like a member of the Republic's army or the Special Agency. Who are you?"
"When asking for someone's name, it's customary to introduce oneself first, 'Kuro'."
"What?"
"You are the new leader of the assassination cult, aren't you?"
"You...!"
Kuro reacted sharply to Ryo's words.
It was the mention of 'new' leader that triggered his response.
Only those within the assassination cult should have known that the leadership had changed from 'Hasan' to 'Kuro'.
If anyone else knew, then that meant...
"Yes, I am 'Hasan'... the last opponent I fought against the former leader of the cult. So I know."
"No way..."
"Weren't you told by Natalia-san? The story of the water attribute mage. You ordered her to kill the former leader, didn't you? At that time, she was fighting against the leader, the water attribute mage."
"So you are the one from that time...?"
"The former leader was quite aware. He mentioned that Natalia-san, charmed by 'Kuro', had betrayed him."
Ryo shook his head slightly as he spoke.
"...Why are you here instead of the Central Nations? This is the Western Nations."
"That's right. Didn't you know? I have deep connections with the Mafalda Republic. I am in a cooperative relationship with the government leaders of the Republic."
"Impossible."
"Even if you say that... I'm right here in front of you, aren't I?"
Ryo shrugged.
"Just so you know, how about surrendering?"
"What?"
"It seems there was a proposal from the Pope of the Western Church through our king... If you surrender, they will provide a safe place for the entire cult."
"The Pope of the Western Church? Not the head of the Republic?"
"Ah... well, it's a bit of a complicated structure. It's true that I'm currently fighting in cooperation with the Republic. But for the top of the supposed enemy nation, the Fundebie Kingdom, to make such a proposal through me... Yes, it is indeed complicated."
Ryo nodded several times.
It would certainly be confusing.
He hastily concluded that all of this was Abel's fault.
Poor King Abel.
"Our Naitorei Kingdom has strong ties with both the Fundebie Kingdom and the Mafalda Republic."
That was probably true.
And it was indeed rare.
If there were a country in the Western Nations with comparable ties, it might only be the Gosron Duchy, which manages the Skizblaznil Vessel.
Even that had been built over generations by producing successive Popes, and the ties with the Republic were established by not engaging in war for several hundred years despite being neighboring countries.
Naitorei Kingdom currently has a similar network built over hundreds of years... it was indeed rare.
"In any case, I refuse. I have a responsibility to the members of the cult. I don’t know what they would do to me if I surrendered."
"No, that is..."
"We are assassins. Can we live alongside ordinary people? Can we live comfortably alongside our fellow assassins?"
"..."
Kuro spoke quietly but clearly. Ryo could not refute those words.
Indeed, he was right.
What if the person living next door was an assassin, or if the children’s friends were assassins, or if the coworkers were all assassins?
In such a situation, it would be difficult to live without considering unforeseen circumstances.
Even if he himself could accept it, what about the children and family?