Chapter 59: Assassination of the Grand General
"Hmm? You've returned?"
Shu received the request information from the returning shadow spirit. The shadow spirit spat out a document and a bag of coins contained in an envelope, then disappeared into the shadows.
First, Shu began reading the document that contained the request.
At that moment, Iris returned with tea.
"Shu-san, I've prepared some tea for you."
"Just leave it there."
"Today's dessert is fruit pie."
"Understood."
As Shu continued reading the request, Iris diligently finished setting up the tea set. Finally, Iris took a seat across from Shu.
"Is this a request?"
"Yes, it's a request to the 'Grim Reaper.' They want the Grand General to be assassinated."
"That's quite the request."
"Yes, it's from Schmidt Alivul, the Commander of the Flames of Purgatory Legion, also known as 'Purgatory.' He's the target this time. Seems like he's in charge of the mission to exterminate the Rebellion Liberation, the revolutionary army. They want him dead."
"So, it's a request from the Rebellion Liberation?"
"That's right."
The activities of the Rebellion Liberation were spreading. As a result, the suppression by the Subarokia Empire was becoming more intense. The increased oppression was causing suffering among the subject nations, leading to a growing support for the revolutionary army.
With the nation divided, the chaos allowed the Rebellion Liberation to gain strength.
Amidst this, Schmidt Alivul of 'Purgatory' was chosen as the supreme commander for the suppression.
Given the Imperial Dragon emblem by the Emperor, Schmidt personally went to quell rebellions in various regions. His and his legion's brutality was so intense that wherever they passed, only scorched earth remained, earning him the fear of many.
But that was Schmidt's intention – deliberately causing greater harm and attempting to suppress through fear.
"He's a symbol of terror for the Rebellion Liberation. They want him eliminated."
"Will you accept the request?"
"Of course. It's a chance to earn money. The upfront payment is six hundred gold coins, with an additional two hundred gold coins for a successful outcome. It's a rare request with a significantly higher upfront payment. I'll just owe a favor to the Rebellion Liberation."
Shu's cooperation with the Rebellion Liberation was driven by their generous payment. They had grown significantly in power and were said to rival major nations in terms of economic strength. Naturally, assassination requests came with a good payout, so he was willing to take on even audacious requests.
Moreover, now that Shu had purchased a house and was running low on funds, this was a valuable source of income.
"What kind of person is Schmidt?"
"...It's written in this document. There's quite a bit of information. First, he uses flame-based magical equipment, as evident from his alias 'Purgatory.' The flames he wields can evaporate even water, apparently. Even skilled water magic users would turn to ash in an instant."
"That's terrifying."
"In my case, I can drain energy with death magic, so I'm fine. And it seems he hasn't awakened yet, but they say he's close to awakening."
Schmidt Alivul.
His magical equipment was a combination of weaponry and armor, allowing him to control explosive flames. There were even anecdotes of entire fortresses exploding into pieces with a mere swing of his sword.
His combat style was geared towards facing multiple opponents; he wasn't particularly skilled in one-on-one combat.
Also, given that he was bestowed the Imperial Dragon emblem, he enjoyed the Emperor's trust. Though it was a title limited to a single generation, he had been granted a noble position.
He also had a son who was currently attending school as a candidate to become a magical equipment user.
All of this information was detailed in the document.
"What will you do? Hold his son hostage?"
"Instead of resorting to such troublesome tactics, I might just destroy his entire house along with his son..."
"...If you joke like that, you'll end up with a heinous plan."
"Killing the target along with his family would be an effective assassination, though."
What are you talking about? Shu returned in a sarcastic tone. While he had memories of being human, he was now ruled by his emotions as a monster. He didn't pay much attention to such matters.
For Shu, only he and Iris were important.
"When are you going?"
"I'll finish it tonight. Fortunately, the location of his residence is provided here. I'll go quickly and take care of it. Bringing back his head should serve as evidence. He's quite famous, after all."
An unawakened magical equipment user was no match for Shu.
After all, Shu was a creature of the 'King,' possessing power that transcended the laws of magic. The King, a magical creature said to be even stronger than awakened magical equipment users, wielded power beyond the constraints of magic.
Easily dispatching an aging S-rank magical equipment user like Schmidt was not a problem. Especially if he wasn't specialized in one-on-one combat.
"Well, I'll be away tonight. I'll be back soon, so go ahead and get some sleep."
"Alright. I'll warm up the bed for you!"
"I'll be sleeping in a different room."
"You're so cold!"
It had been a while since the 'Grim Reaper' was in action.
Night in the empire was bright.
Even in the middle of the night, the lights never went out, and the sounds of revelry could always be heard in the entertainment district. However, amidst these scenes, Shu moved through the shadows.
(It's so lively that even if I were to become a spirit, I doubt I'd be noticed.)
While Shu normally took on a human appearance, his true form was that of a spirit. He was a member of the primal magical spirit race, an Alpha Spirit. He was a powerful being that commanded spiritual-type magical creatures.
Normally, he was nothing but a calamity when appearing in the city.
(I think it's this way.)
He had memorized the contents of the map.
Avoiding well-known routes as much as possible, he maneuvered through gaps between buildings, slipped through walls, and headed towards the Alivul mansion. Being the Grand General, his mansion was spacious, and the roof was already visible from Shu's current location.
(There it is.)
This position allowed him to use "Cocytus, the Frozen Breath of the Underworld." Killing him would be easy. However, since he planned to take the head as proof, he decided to infiltrate the mansion directly.
(Perhaps I'll surprise Iris and only kill Schmidt. If there's anything valuable, I might as well take it while I'm at it.)
He is an outcast.
However, that is merely a path set by humans. There is no need for Shuu, a demon, to follow it. Therefore, he is not an outcast. Shuu follows the path of supremacy that reveals his true self. It is an unshakable path, uninfluenced by the ways of humans.
Shuu silently hovers and infiltrates the Auriol Mansion by passing through the walls. Then, he surveys his surroundings.
(Where is this...)
A pitch-black room.
It is likely a guest room. Usually, the master of the house places his bedroom on the top floor of the mansion. Since this mansion is three stories tall, he thought the master might be there.
He senses magic power just to be sure.
(Enormous magic power above. Schmidt has no intention of hiding it. There's another significant source of magic power... Is that his son, Ike? He was said to be a promising candidate for S-class for sure.)
Schmidt seems to still be awake and on the second floor. Shuu rises up to the ceiling and slips through. He moves between the first and second floors and descends to the space beneath the room where Schmidt is.
This way, he won't be discovered by anyone.
Naturally, he conceals his magic power, making it undetectable.
"...Let's call it a day for now. I promised to train Ike tomorrow. I should get some rest."
Such a voice can be heard.
It seems like he's completely off guard. Judging from the tone of his words, Schmidt doesn't seem to have noticed Shuu hiding on the floor.
Silently, Shuu ascends and materializes in the room.
"--! Who are you--"
Of course, Schmidt also notices. As expected of the Grand General of Martial Arts, his reaction is swift. However, it's already too late. Shuu is not just an ordinary assassin. He's an opponent who should be fled from the moment he's seen.
The moment he shows any intention of counterattacking, his death is assured.
(Envelop--)
(Die.)
The room's temperature rises, and a deep crimson armor envelops Schmidt. However, before that, Shuu extends his right hand and crushes it tightly.
The ultimate and most dreadful magic that robs all energy as magic power.
Death Magic takes Schmidt's life force.
(Is this all...)
The magic armor vanishes, and simultaneously, the pulse of life ceases.
Shuu approaches the fallen Schmidt and materializes. He then activates "Dimension Cutter Line," severing Schmidt's head. Blood spurts from the neck and scatters around the room.
"Shadow spirit, come forth."
A black snake emerges from Shuu's feet and swallows Schmidt's head. The recovery of evidence is now complete.
Shuu surveys the room.
There is a large desk and a plethora of blood-stained documents. Four bookshelves adorn the walls. Since numerous books are housed on the shelves, it seems like it will take time to inspect them.
(Are there any particularly interesting ones?)
Though he expected the documents to contain confidential information, it appears that the man who brought them into the house wasn't keeping any. The documents mainly pertain to the Revolutionary Army Rebellion, but they are not of high secrecy.
There's no need to take anything particularly valuable with him.
He begins searching the room for anything else to take.
"Is this a ring? Well, I don't need it. A book I was reading... Complicated philosophy? Well, I don't need it."
While rummaging through, Shuu makes somewhat disrespectful comments.
However, he had let his guard down thinking he had disposed of the target.
"Father! What happened?"
A boy bursts in, kicking down the door.
He must be Ike, Shuu thinks, as he calls him "Father."
(Darn it. I concealed my magic power, but I couldn't erase Schmidt's, huh.)
Upon closer thought, this is only natural.
There's no need to hide magic power within one's own home. Furthermore, the magic armor was only halfway released. Ike, a magic armor user himself, must have noticed. He saw his father in a situation where he was deploying magic armor.
Upon entering the room, Ike witnesses his father's decapitated body.
"Ah..."
(Ah, this is bad.)
Shuu hides his face under his hood while Ike is focused on Schmidt's body. Then, he quickly turns around, opens the window, and leans out.
Having realized this, Ike hurriedly prepares his magic.
A magic circle forms.
(That is...)
Having analyzed the magic circle behind him, Shuu realizes that it's the "Flame Lance," the second-tier spell of flames. It's more of a magical attack that shoots out a heat beam than a spear. So, as long as he avoids it in a straight line, there shouldn't be a problem.
However, Shuu evades it in a different manner.
(Vanish.)
He absorbs the magic with Death Magic.
With the magic suddenly disappearing, Ike becomes flustered.
"Why!? How!"
There is no magic to nullify magic.
Ike, although a skilled candidate, lacks practical experience and becomes overwhelmed. It becomes a fatal vulnerability on the battlefield.
However, luckily for Shuu, his priority is escaping, not killing.
"Darn it!"
Ike attempts to use "Flame Lance" again, but Shuu has already vanished. The open window lets in a breeze, causing the curtains to flutter.
The fresh air dispels the stench of blood.
"Ugh... Ugh..."
Perhaps Ike was affected by the sight of the corpse, as he vomits the dinner he had.
A servant who heard the commotion enters the room.
"What happened, Master? Ike-sama! What is this smell..."
The man in charge of the household is left speechless upon seeing Schmidt's body.
For a moment, he wondered if Ike had killed him, but their relationship was good, making it unlikely. So, the only possibility is an assassin.
However, to assassinate General Schmidt is a limited feat.
The steward has a hunch.
"Death God..."
"Ugh... What's with this 'Death God' thing..."
"The world's best assassin... Don't tell me, such a foolish..."
His voice trembles naturally.
If someone could kill Schmidt, it could only be the Dark Organization's 'Death God.' Rumor has it that 'Death God' also killed General Kruger Pier.
The Auriol Mansion was engulfed in turmoil that day.