The power of the Deep Spear's engines caused the lower parts of the ship to tremble. Its metal walls creaked like nocturnal animals in agony of pain. That place at that time of night could easily be described as haunted.
Haunted or not, that night, after the stress of having pushed Sophie off the ship, and almost causing a tragedy, Klen decided to eat something.
Klen was still drunk, but he knew what he felt. He felt anger, he felt disgust. Even though he regretted the push. He hated what the Chasseur family had come to represent to him during that mission.
The day they had hijacked the ship, Klen had accidentally overheard a conversation between two crew members in the corridors of the ship's facilities. A male voice and a female voice. He couldn't recognize either voice, but heard the phrase: "When you do, tie him to the mast. And then they will kill each other."
Klen decided to keep the information a secret, he didn't want to compromise the progress of the mission. The next day he will discover that the female voice was Marlena's, but still, the male voice remained mysterious.
His suspicions were linked to the members of the Chasseur family, especially Von. Even before the mission, Klen did not sympathize with the way the Chasseurs handled things, in addition to the military influence they possessed.
Klen's values were similar to Liz's. A factor that made them good friends over time.
Similar to Lizandra, Klen was always very skilled with his offensive techniques, but he never labeled himself as an assassin, but rather as an investigation and slaughter agent.
On his missions in which he was paired with Lizandra, there were the lowest numbers of kills recorded on infiltration and assassination missions in Cermina. Both did not waste their blades on innocent or unfriendly bodies. They identified the main victim, kidnapped him, interrogated him with or without torture, extracted all information, and then killed him.
This type of operation only worked because of Klen's mind-reading abilities. When under chemical or emotional alteration, often caused by torture, the victim would reveal the depths of his psyche. Being able to read even memories that not even the victim himself can access.
Klen tried to use his ability that night. Although he was drunk, he always knew how to control himself. During the alcohol-fueled gathering, Klen noticed that Von was not drinking, which increased his suspicions about this man. He knew that he was the mission leader, that he came from the underworld of Cermina, and that he had read the docie of all the mission members. Due to all these statements, his suspicions fed on little by little. However, when he realized that the provocations to the Chasseur family did not change his emotional state, he decided to confront Sophie, who was the person closest to Von, and also the drunkest at that moment. As predicted, she punched him in the face, giving him reason to push her in the water and see if there was any mental change in Von.
As she heard the sound of Sophie's body falling into the sea, she saw a gap opening in Von's mind. In a few seconds, Klen could see the intentions of the Bloodhound of the Chasseur mansion. Although he was a sadistic killer, he was noble and loyal.
His suspicions were in vain. However, because he was also drunk, Klen had invaded the minds of all the assassins present, but was unable to organize all the simultaneous information at that moment.
Klen decided that he needed to eat something to regain his sobriety as quickly as possible. With that, he went to the food depository on the underside of the Deep Spear ship.
He went into the store, took a can of corn, and left the store. He closed the door and sat down next to it. He used the Kusarigama he always carried around his waist as a can opener, and ate the corn as if it were the best meal in the world.
With each serving of corn that he brought to his mouth, his sobriety grew closer. And with it, the stolen memories were organizing themselves.
At one point, Klen suddenly stopped eating. He realized that he had discovered the second impostor. Abruptly, he stood up and made mention of running to Liz to warn her, but to no avail.
He had not been able to take the first step. The traitor was already in front of him.
-Curiosity kills... - The man drew his sword. - And you will be the proof of this. -
A silent movement, hundreds of slashes. A shattered body on the floor. Two men. Two choices. One fact: War was already happening.
.
.
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-War suicide amuse me. - The look in Von's eyes showed how diabolical an assassin with a thirst for blood and wounded pride could be. - Marchiello Niero... An open traitor or just a mask to camouflage the hypocrisy of your people? -
-This is not about Dendalion, Von. This is about me and only my existence. -Niero drew his sword slowly. - Understand boy, war gives you unique opportunities to repair your past mistakes. -
-Past mistakes? Why don't you just admit that you are selfish and then we'll be done with it?- Von fiddled with his glove, revealing the blades hidden in each of his fingers.
And you're not selfish either?- Niero maintained a debauched tone. - Or are you going to tell me that you care who the person who owns the rest of the body next to you was?- With his other hand, Niero removed his pistol from his waist.
-I only care about the mission. A mission that you are apparently willing to ruin. Let's be honorable men. We know that one of us will not get out of this alive, so tell me your real intentions, Niero. -
-As you wish, Von.- Niero put away his pistol and sword as he watched Von do the same with the blade of his glove. - Many years ago I was exiled from Dendalion because of the slaughter I had carried out at the wedding of the woman I loved. Perhaps revenge is the name, but that is what I did when I decided to side with Cermina. To take revenge on Dendalion. But this has been going on for many years, so many that I cannot remember. Dendalion always knew the power that I had in my hands, the Réttlaeti Blindur is older than the very existence of these nations. And I know that by sabotaging this mission, and killing Cermina's best assassins, I will be forgiven for my crimes and be able to live together with Bella in Dendalion. -
-I don't believe that.- Von laughed as he threw words into the air. - All this for a stupid passion? So pathetic.- The assassin stared at Niero with a defiant look.- And Marlena, what did she have to do with it? -
-You assassins are lonely. You want to show God and the world that you are strong and sadistic all the time, but you are extremely lacking in affection. It wasn't hard to convince a misunderstood, needy and emotionally impulsive woman to help me. We are men, Von. You know very well how to do this, and Sophie is proof of that. -
Von knew that Niero was not just anyone.He was an experienced man, he would know your weak points. He knew that Sophie was one of these weak points. Von would not let his emotions get the better of him, not on that occasion.
-Magnun and Klen were random choices?- Von's expression was no longer devilish, but rather apathetic. He was tired of that conversation, but he needed to close all the gaps.
-Magnun was a personal quarrel of Marlena's, I'm not sure of the history of the two, but it served as a facilitator for her to collaborate. In the case of Klen, it seems that this young man found out everything before you did, so I considered killing him. Well... I hope you are satisfied with the answers. Now you can die in peace. -
As fast as a breath, Niero leaped towards Von with his Katana drawn and his pistol again in hand.
As the blades of the BloodHound's glove were revealed again, the atmosphere changed its tone. The sound of metal structures ceased to exist, the weather ceased to be cold, and everything in that place was filled with shades of silver, green and purple. It was familiar.