34: Conversations with an Assassin
The next day.
Lunch was over, and there was still time before dinner.
But today, I had something to look forward to. I sat on the chair by the round table beside the bed, waiting.
Something cold touched my neck.
A shiver ran down my spine. I turned around, and the blade was withdrawn. It was the assassin from yesterday. I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Welcome.”
“A rather casual greeting. …You don’t think I’m here to assassinate you?”
She asked, her right hand still holding the knife. A large knife with a single-edged, silver blade and a dark, dull iron hilt.
“If you were, you wouldn’t have withdrawn the knife. And you wouldn’t have spoken to me, or brought me lunch.”
“Indeed. …I apologize for the disrespect. However, I still have my doubts.” Her emotionless eyes stared at me. I’d never seen such empty eyes.
“Have a seat. You’re going to talk to me more today, right?”
“Yes.” She sheathed her knife, pulled out the chair, and sat down opposite me. She lowered the scarf that had been covering her mouth, her eyes narrowing further.
“…Let me be clear. I have been given final authority. I have permission to kill you.”
“Understood. What’s your name?”
“Your hearing is normal, correct?”
“I can hear perfectly well.” I nodded firmly.
“You have been marked for assassination.”
“You said that yesterday. Nothing’s changed. I’m not here to be assassinated.”
“That depends on me.”
“Even if I don’t resist?” I tilted my head.
“If I deem you a threat.”
“Then I’ll be fine. I’m not a threat at all.” I smiled at her. Then, I asked again,
“So, what’s your name?”
“Lizlit…”
I thought her name sounded similar to Bringit’s. And her features… were vaguely similar… or perhaps not.
Her expressionless face made it difficult to tell.
“What’s your name?”
This is the first time anyone’s asked me my name since I came to this castle.
“I haven’t been told.”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m currently suffering from partial amnesia. I don’t remember my name.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Partial? Amnesia? —That sounds suspiciously convenient.”
“That’s what everyone says… but I’d appreciate it if you’d consider the fact that I was summoned from another world.”
“What did you just say?”
“I’d like you to consider the circumstances of my being summoned from another world…?”
“I… don’t quite…” Her tone remained unchanged, but her smooth flow of questions faltered.
“—You’re aware I came from Fort Garnalk?”
“Yes, I know.”
“I was summoned by humans using summoning magic. And then they used… mind magic? …to brainwash me, drain my mana to fuel their offensive and defensive spells, and then they were going to discard me.”
“Y-yes.”
“But I managed to regain control at the last minute.”
“Yes?”
“Then I bravely created an opening in their defenses, earning the recognition of the knight commander herself! …And as a reward, I received a letter of recommendation and am currently awaiting an audience with His Majesty the Demon King.”
“I see.”
“Do you understand now?” I asked hopefully. She nodded.
“Yes. It seems there’s no point in asking.”
“But it’s true.” I hadn’t lied.
“…Then how did you resist the mind magic?”
Oh, she’s continuing the conversation. Her slightly mocking tone was actually… pleasant. The maids who cleaned and served meals here, while polite, hadn’t engaged in any casual conversation.
“Um… willpower?”
“…………” Her eyes narrowed. Even that small reaction made me happy.
“How, specifically, did you create that opening in their defenses?”
“I grabbed those mages and threw them, one after another.” I added gestures for emphasis.
“…………”
Silence. Say something. Anything. As if hearing my silent plea, Lizlit spoke.
“…An amusing story. Indeed. One doesn’t hear such tales often.”
“Right?”
I could tell she was being sarcastic. She stood up.
“I’ll excuse myself now.”
“Can we talk again tomorrow?”
“Perhaps.” Her reply was curt. But at least she hadn’t refused outright.
Lizlit didn’t say anything more, walking towards the door.
“…See you tomorrow.”
I waved goodbye.
The next day.
I was waiting for Lizlit again.
I couldn’t contain my excitement. I’d been restlessly rolling around on the bed until it was around the same time as yesterday, and even after sitting on the chair, I couldn’t stop fidgeting.
Is this… what they call love? Or is it Stockholm syndrome?
Something cold touched my neck.
Two large black knives were pressed against my neck, one on each side. I froze, then slowly tilted my head back.
“Hello, Lizlit. This is cold and scary.”
“You don’t sound very scared.”
Behind me was Lizlit, her silver hair cut short, dressed in her black leather assassin’s garb. Her voice was slightly muffled by the red scarf wrapped around her mouth.
“That’s because I trust you.”
“You trust an enemy assassin? —Trust?”
“You’re not my enemy, are you?”
“I could kill you with a flick of my wrist.”
“Yes.” I didn’t need to nod to agree. My life had been incredibly fragile since I arrived in this world.
“Let me ask you. Are you prepared to betray humanity and join our side?”
A chill ran through me.
“What did you just say?” My voice sounded… not like my own.
Lizlit repeated her question.
“I asked if you are prepared to betray humanity and join our side.”
“Don’t be absurd.” A wave of anger, surprising even to me, washed over me.
“I didn’t betray humanity. Humanity betrayed itself.”
I glared at her.
“They summoned me from another world. Me, who had nothing to do with this world.”
I spoke each word slowly, deliberately, my words like blows.
“How could I forgive that? —Fine. I’ll join ‘your side.’ If the humans of this world are willing to use humans from other worlds, I won’t forgive them. I won’t consider them my comrades. So, don’t call it betrayal.”
“Are you being sincere? If I deem otherwise, this blade will—”
Before she could finish, I declared,
“I will become the enemy of humanity.”
The moment I spoke the words, a sense of resolve settled over me.
“Is that enough?”
“…For now.” She smoothly withdrew her knives.
“You have been granted an audience with His Majesty… though it’s not yet official.”
She bowed her head.
“I apologize for the repeated disrespect…”
“It’s fine. It’s your job.”
I understood that protocol was necessary when a nobody like me suddenly requested an audience with His Majesty the Demon King.
“So, when?”
“Soon.”
“Huh?”
A knock echoed through the room. Then, the familiar voice of the maid who usually served my meals.
“His Majesty the Demon King has arrived…”
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