The so-called six captains referred to six representatives within the noble class, representing the interests of the aristocracy while also controlling a vast amount of resources. In Altair's eyes, they were nothing more than useless exploiters with no value in existence.
These guys could easily turn into traitors if the benefits were sufficient. For the future stability of his territory, Altair decided to take them out first. As for the remaining ones, he would gather them together through Yomogawa Kenshou and hold a meeting.
"Hey, what's your name?"
"My lord, you are too kind. My name is Takuma."
"Takuma? Do you know someone named Aoi?"
"Uh... I don't know."
"Alright, never mind."
The people below had only names, without surnames; Takuma was just his name. Throughout the journey, Altair kept talking to this guy to maintain his presence and ensure he continued to lead the way.
Soon, Altair was brought to the entrance of the noble district, where two samurai with swords stood guard, blocking the way.
"Stop! This is not a place you can enter."
The samurai were naturally blocking Takuma, as a commoner was not qualified to enter.
"My lord, I am here to guide this gentleman."
"This gentleman..."
"That's me."
The samurai looked at Altair, who had stepped forward. They were momentarily stunned; from his appearance alone, Altair's golden hair was strikingly unusual, his clothing was made of expensive fabric, and he carried a large sword on his back. There was no doubt he looked like a noble.
While the samurai were also considered a privileged class, their status derived from the nobility; to put it bluntly, they were dogs of the aristocrats. Once they confirmed that Altair was indeed a noble, their attitude softened immediately, although they had never met him before.
"May I ask who you are?"
"I am a friend of Yomogawa Kenshou and have business with the six captains. Those guys are inside, right?"
Altair appeared completely unconcerned, looking nothing like the typical noble, yet he spoke so dismissively about the six captains that the two samurai were confused. This guy was different from the nobles they usually interacted with.
"Alright, you can go back now. Consider this your reward."
Altair pulled a bread roll from his pocket and tossed it to Takuma, signaling him to leave.
"Yes, my lord."
Takuma caught the fried bread in a plastic wrapper. Although he didn't know what it was, he was sure it was something good because it came from a noble, and his face lit up with joy.
"I'll be on my way now."
With that, he turned and ran off.
Watching Takuma leave, Altair turned to the two samurai.
"You two, take me to those six guys. I've wasted enough time looking for them."
As soon as Takuma left, Altair's expression turned into displeasure.
"Yes, my lord."
The two nodded immediately.
This was the kind of noble they were used to dealing with; if they had any doubts before, they had none now. This was undoubtedly a noble.
"Are those six guys in there? I've been sent by Yomogawa Kenshou to deliver messages to all of them. Don't make me waste time looking for each of them."
"My lord, the six captains are in the tea room. According to Yomogawa-sama's instructions, they are making arrangements for the arrival of Fusoujou, so all the six captains are meeting in the tea room."
"Good, let's hurry there."
"Yes, my lord, this way, please."
Although they didn't even know Altair's name, they dared not refuse his orders. They couldn't verify anything; if Yomogawa Kenshou were at the lord's residence, they might go check, but now he was at the station overseeing the entry of the armored train and hosting two unnamed guests, and it would take him some time to return. That gave Altair enough time to make his move.
Soon, as Altair continued to chat along the way, they arrived outside the tea room.
"This is the tea room, my lord. Please allow me to go in and announce your arrival."
The samurai prepared to enter and report to the six captains.
"That's not necessary. They aren't even qualified to make me wait for their announcement. I can't be bothered to waste time with them; I can go in by myself."
"Uh... yes!"
Although this wasn't by the rules, the rules were dictated by the nobles. The higher the noble's rank, the greater their power. Just like Yomogawa Kenshou, who certainly didn't need any announcements to enter. Since Altair referred to him as a friend, his status must be very high, and the samurai complied with Altair's request.
Watching Altair walk through the door into the tea room, the two samurai turned and left.
Inside the tea room, Altair heard the sound of their footsteps departing and smiled with satisfaction. He stood in the courtyard and didn't rush to enter the tea room immediately, instead waiting outside for a moment, counting down in his mind.
After counting to ten in his head, Altair began to act. No one saw him as he walked straight into the tea room right in front of the other samurai on guard.
Inside, six old men dressed in kimono were smoking and discussing matters. Their conversation revolved around the impending trade with Fusoujou, with Fusoujou responsible for transporting goods between various stations for trade. These nobles were the main players in the transaction, seeking to profit, which was the task of the six captains.
When Altair pushed open the tea room door, the six captains heard the sound of the door opening and turned their heads in unison, only to see nothing.
"What's going on? Who's out there?"
The nearest old man shouted towards the door, but no one answered him.
"Which dead man dares to come here... argh!!"
Before he could finish his sentence, his chest suddenly exploded, spraying blood and entrails everywhere.
This sudden turn of events left the other five old men in shock.
"What..."
Pff!
Another old man, seated closest, pointed at the suddenly deceased old man, trembling, but before he could say more, his head flew off.
"What is happening?!"
"Who is out there?!"
"Samurai! Samurai!"
"Run away!"
Yet none of them escaped. Shouting for help brought no response. In less than two breaths, five of the six old men were dead. The old man seated at the farthest end, watching his companions drop dead one by one in horror, directly crumpled on the spot, clutching his head and screaming.
"Someone! Anyone! Please save me!!!"
Then his head and arms flew off together. Shaking off the blood from his blade, Altair looked at the varied corpses of the six captains and nodded in satisfaction.
"Indeed, true assassins are too scary."
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