Alfred instinctively concealed the bodies amidst a heap of garbage, strategically taking advantage of the approaching midnight and the conveniently shrouded darkness cast by the moon. Moreover, he chose an alleyway with minimal foot traffic, further enhancing the chances of going unnoticed.
Alfred fastened Braden's sword to his belt and retrieved a brass key from Bors' inner pocket. Intriguingly, it bore an unfamiliar crest logo etched onto its handle.
Hmm, a family crest, Alfred mused, furrowing his brow. Why would someone living in the slums have a key like this? A crest should be the exclusive marker of nobility and the great clans.
As the night grew darker, an unsettling feeling filled the air around the house. The once lively party came to an end, leaving behind a haunting stillness. Standing tall in contrast to its neighboring homes, the house exuded a sense of abandonment with its vastness amplifying the illusion of emptiness.
After a long night of revelry, Leonis retired for some much-needed rest. The excesses of alcohol and the company of women left him exhausted. As the candles in the house were extinguished, signaling the end of a lively evening. However, there were still some diligent servants who remained awake and attended to their duties.
Time to move, waiting any longer could alert someone to the absence of the guards.
With utmost caution, Alfred gracefully approached the door, his hand delicately reaching for the lock. With a subtle motion, he gently inserted the key into the keyhole and expertly twisted it.
Click!
Creek...
Just as I assumed, there's no other door in the entire slums this key could have opened.
The door opened, and Alfred tiptoed into the house. He found himself in a spacious entrance hallway with numerous doors leading to the back. On the left-hand side, there was a stairway, and the high ceiling extended above the second floor.
Alfred approached the stairs with cautious steps, his heart racing in his chest as he listened intently for any signs of awake servants. Skillfully navigating from one shadow to the next, he deftly avoided the flickering candlelight. Just as he reached the base of the stairway, a maid emerged from a nearby room, nearly spotting him. With swift reflexes, he ducked under the stairway, narrowly avoiding detection.
Pressing forward, Alfred ascended the stairs, striving to minimize the creaking of each step, his determination unwavering as he aimed for Leonis' room. Guided by recently acquired memories, he moved with purpose. Upon reaching the top, he beheld Leonis' room at the end of the hallway, seemingly beckoning to him with open arms.
The large doors stood guard over the wooden floor and surrounding decorations, like a fortress protecting its secrets. Taking a deep breath, Alfred mustered all of his courage and stepped forward.
He tiptoed cautiously, the hardwood floorboards creaking softly beneath his tread. Every sound made was like a thunderclap, and he had to fight the instinctive urge to bolt in order to keep from being discovered. His heart pounded like a drum as he crept through the shadows of night; at any moment, he knew his presence could be revealed.
Alfred approached the room and carefully opened one of the doors, mindful of the old building's tendency to produce sound. The door opened with a slight creak.
As he cast his gaze into the room, he was instantly struck by the sight before him. Positioned against the back wall stood an enormous bed, stretching six meters in width, flawlessly centered. Its headboard, grand and majestic, boasted a regal lion's head at its heart, radiating an aura of royalty.
Resting low to the ground, the bed was encircled by life-sized wooden statues of woodland creatures, each one bowing in deference. The craftsmanship was impeccable, rendering the statues with an eerie lifelike quality that evoked both reverence and trepidation.
This guy has an obvious superiority complex. Alfred couldn't help but judge.
The spacious room basked in the dim moonlight, courtesy of its expansive layout and an additional set of doors leading to a generous balcony. Nestled beside these doors, a petite window adorned with delicate white lace curtains softly filtered the moonlight, casting a gentle glow across the space.
The furnishings were minimalistic yet functional, reflecting a rustic charm. An armchair nestled beside the fireplace, inviting warmth and comfort, while a lone chest of drawers stood sentinel against one wall. Commanding attention, a grand mirror hung gracefully between two towering bookshelves, which soared from floor to ceiling, anchoring one corner of the room with their imposing presence.
On the opulent bed, a robust, though not impeccably chiseled, naked man lay beneath four women of diverse beauty, reminiscent of those one might encounter in the slums. Naked and clustered atop him, they formed a tangled tableau of indulgence.
As Alfred stumbled upon this spectacle, his countenance shifted to one of steely resolve, his features clouding with jealousy. This newfound emotion only steeled his determination to Murder Leonis. How could Leonis live in luxury while he endured the solitary existence of a bachelor?
With cautious yet swift steps, he neared the bed. His movements exuded grace and agility, enabling him to navigate past the statues without a whisper of disturbance.
There, nestled amidst the plushness of the bed, was Leonis, flanked by two women nestled closely beside him. Alfred's initial intent of a stealthy assassination faltered as he recognized the impracticality within the confined space of the expansive bed. Yet, a glimmer of realization dawned as he recalled his newly acquired sword—an epiphany stirring within him.
With a silent and fluid motion, he drew the sword from its scabbard. Its length measured a meter, excluding the handle, while the blade boasted a width of two inches at its base adorned with a simple guard. The absence of embellishments left only the practicality of black leather for grip and a green, round crystal pommel, secured at its center by leather.
Alfred meticulously lifted the sword with both hands, positioning the tip of the blade overhead. Though this stance provided him with a clear advantage to reach Lianfu's neck, it also posed the grim reality that slicing through one of the women was inevitable.
Despite recognizing the woman's innocence by conventional standards, Alfred hesitated. She had unwittingly become an obstruction in his path, and in his eyes, she transformed from innocent to guilty. Alfred grappled with his conscience; while he typically harbored no hesitation in removing obstacles to his success, his experience in this world stirred a reluctance within him.
Aware of the grave danger surrounding him, Alfred understood the peril of underestimating adversaries, especially those wielding magical abilities like Leonis. Imagining the woman's potential aid to her superior in combat heightened Alfred's apprehension. Although it seemed improbable, the mere chance that she possessed magical powers added another layer of uncertainty.
Nevertheless, Alfred steeled himself, reconciling his internal conflict with a renewed determination. With a heavy heart, he propelled the sword downward with all his might, augmenting its velocity with 'Accelerate', a testament to his reluctant resolve.
Ding!
There was a loud clang that ripped through the air, the women jolted awake to an ear-splitting crash of metal against metal. When their eyes adjusted to the darkness, they were met with a gut-churning sight: an assassin looming ominously over them. At that moment, their screams echoed around them in unison.
Alfred was shocked and his grip suddenly went slack. His body trembled as he stumbled backward, trying to regain his composure. Despite having been taken by surprise, Leonis brought out a dagger from beneath his pillow and blocked the attack without even opening his eyes.
How? Where did he get the dagger from? I didn't even notice him move! Alfred began to obsess, he couldn't fathom the turn of events that just occurred. He gritted his teeth and stepped back as he held the sword with both hands pointed at Leonis.
This was an inexcusable blunder, the opportunity had been lost. Alfred's heart was beating so loud it became audible, the small hairs on his arms and neck were fully extended and time seemed to stop.
There was a ghostly silence. The youth's eyes were glued on The Boss who was still lying there with his arm extended up in the air, dagger in hand, and eyes still shut.
Leonis spoke with a single word: "Leave." Yet the enormity of his statement was clear - it meant something different to Alfred and the women. For Alfred, it was a warning; for the women, it was an indication to go.
The women realized what was happening and frantically raced to find something to cover themselves before standing up and sprinting out the door, not daring to look back.
Leonis opened his eyes and slowly lowered his arm, meeting the young assassin's gaze. Through his piercing eyes, the lion statue on the headboard seemed to come alive with majesty and power. He emanated an impressive aura that left Alfred captivated.
The toned man sat up and Alfred jumped, taking two steps back in surprise. For the first time since transmigrating, Alfred felt entirely powerless. His heart raced as his mind frantically searched for a way out of the situation. He was desperate to regain control.
The youth shook his head and tried to focus, he'd been under pressure many times before. He wouldn't let the fear overtake his reasoning. Alfred slowed his breathing and tightened his grip on the sword. There was no way he would die again without putting up a fight.
The toned man raised an eyebrow at Alfred and spoke in a deep, chilling voice that commanded obedience. "A child? Really? Do my contenders think so little of me, boy?". His words filled the room with a regal presence as if a king was addressing one of his servants.
Alfred was assessing the situation - calculating how fast the man blocked his attack and whether or not he could escape.
"Cat got your tongue? What happened to all the confidence you had while skulking through my home?"
Alfred silently scoffed to himself, struggling to contain his amusement. Although the man was menacing in character, he spoke as if he were a legitimate monarch when in reality he lived among the poverty-stricken slums. Alfred wanted to laugh at the irony of it.
Leonis' expression shifted from friendly to serious as the air in the room became thick with tension. He rose from his bed, his tall naked form looming over Alfred's small frame. The sight of him standing there, undressed and unashamed, only added to the intimidating atmosphere that had filled the room.
"Something funny?" he demanded, noticing the change in Alfred's eyes. "One chance. Tell me who you work for and I'll grant you a painless death."
Alfred raised his head confidently, a haunting smirk spreading across his face. He had mastered the throes of his anguished heart and was now ready to confront his foe. "Your mother," he finally uttered, as if each word seeped with malice.