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Chapter 25

I didn't fly directly to the city. Instead I made a bunch of hops before walking in, dressed in a white robe and white bamboo hat. A black mask covered my face. The Dragon girl wanted to be outfitted in something more revealing but she copied my dressing even though she was only being a spectator.

We walked through the quiet streets, only people still up at this time were men that were up to no good. Gamblers and drunkards.

-why are we in this little town? The first prince wouldn't stay in a hovel like this.- she glanced around with disgust on her face.

I couldn't blame her. The city was poor in sanitation. Yet, this is where his trail began. Where he was first shown up but then disappeared. I didn't think he left after all, this was a perfect time to catch his enemies. Yet, I also heard about him liking pretty commoners and this little hovel has a beautiful girl who just came of age. Well, she had a fourteen birthday and her family was of decent stock.

-what do you think nobles like the most?- I asked as we passed by two of the best manors in this town.

One of the guards was a little more attentive than any other house. To the point that they were staring at me as we walked past. Smiling, I turned back towards the nearest tavern.

-money?-

-exactly. If a group of local rats dominate this small shithole then it has to be because of outside influences. The prince has a little side hobby for picking up strays. He surrounds himself with the finest young girls and when they past a certain age. They end up missing and replaced. Three of his former maids jumped past their prime.-

The dragon girl's eyes widen as she glances back at the manor. -you think he is still here while he letting his retainers attract attention?-

I nodded as we entered a tavern. -he is either here or in a nearby town. We will find out for sure if the local gossip says the local beauty is taken or not.-

I dropped into a chair and noticed how everybody quieted down as we sat down but started up once we ordered.

-so where did you learned this stuff?- she leaned forward again.

-don't worry about it. Just sit quietly and learn how a master hunts.-

"Did you hear? Apparently the Mortons found a powerful backer. They have annexed a small family already." A rough guy said from two tables away.

"Yeah, but it won't be a big thing. You know that I guard the Brooks manor and they think that the backer is just playing with the Lucy girl. Once he gets bored, they will be back to number three."

"This is the real thing for them. I heard the backer has already trained up some of their guards. Even those I used to be able to bully, can stomp me easily."

"Bah, it's not like they can create wealth with those new guards. The basa forest isn't a place for anybody under gold."

The dragon girl looked jittery as she wanted to say something but didn't know what to do.

-lets go.-

I stood up and headed out the door. It was about to be a cold night for the Mortons.

-what are you going to do now?-

I pointed at a tree. -wait right there.- I vanished in a blink of an eye. Appearing in front of the gate guards, my new white blade sliced through their necks.

Wearing white is never a great option. Bloodstains stand out more than fire in the dark.

Shaking my head, I stepped past the two corpses and pushed open the gate. Arrows immediately launched at me and I was already impressed by the first prince's guards coaching.

White flowers floated up, blocking the arrows. Rushing across the open ground, I fired off white needles made of chi. All targeting those pretty good archers.

I felt a power from the west and I sent the signal that the first princess gave me. Just a trick with my aura that only diamonds could pick up. The presence of that powerhouse sunk like quicksand as I cut down the clumsily guards.

However, I didn't walk into the manor as someone that I didn't expect to be here, walked out. Gerald Miles is one of the first prince's strongest personal guards. The guy is a bloody genius on the level of the second princess. He has what it takes to stand above all other experts giving time.

Yet, I was about to become a genius killer. I kind of miss the life of killing people for profit. After all, leading was taxing. You have to care about what everybody wants and likes. Not to mention that there wasn't anything to do when you handle all the problems. It was just waiting and praying for something bad to happen to someone.

"Who are you and who sent you? Tell me and I.." his speech was stopped as he brought his sword to block mine. I spun off the force of impact and backhanded him.

The fucker used that slap to put some distance between us as he got serious. It was a good thing I was in a white robe, because my hand was trembling from hitting a brick wall. Holy fuck, I need to developed some kind of defensive skill.

Rushing him, I began a game of clashing without clashing. From experience this wasn't a good combat skill for prolonged battles but it was annoying and kept me from losing strength from clashing with a superior opponent. I just needed to wait for an opportunity as we danced across the lawn.

Just the force of our swings were causing the grass and dirt to float up. Which was perfect for me to make use of them as hidden weapons.

Gerald finally used a move that fired off a large cross that allowed him to get distances off me. Too bad for him, I turned and rushed inside. Several blades of grass shot out of my hand and cut through the guards who were watching.

"Bastard!" Gerald's cry made me think I killed the prince but to make sure.

I cut down everybody I could find. Fading through walls while he had to use his strength to burst through. I even sneak attack him a few times but his defense was fucking amazing.

After six stabs, I barely opened up his chest to the breast plate. However, I didn't find the prince, which was fine. He probably escaped the moment I wasted time to engage Gerald.

White petals spun around me as I vanished and appeared out on the street. Couple quick hops, I grabbed the dragon girl and fled.

I only stop after gaining enough distance to shift and fly to the next major city. After a change of clothes, I rented a room that overlooked the teleportation hub. From here, the prince's only option was to take the river or travel by caravan.

-you didn't kill him?'' the dragon girl asked as she took a bath first.

I sat on the windowsill, watching the crowd below. -no, I made the mistake of getting entangled with Gerald. The guy is stronger than me, just not faster.-

-you are here, why?-

-because his only two routes are to travel by land but the other assassins will target him. Or teleport here from the closest city to that shithole, where the city guards are at least gold rank. Plus he has a guild house here which means he will be safer.-

-are you really going to attack him in the city? I hear that the city lord is at least high gold or early plat.-

-if I fail to kill him at the hub then I'll have to slaughter his guild house.-

-wow, and here you are playing hero to the weak. I don't know whether I should feel ashamed to have been caught by such a hypocrite or what.-

I closed my eyes as I leaned back against the window.

My body jerked awake the moment I felt Gerald's aura. The guy was on high alert but I couldn't pick out the damn prince. Whatever, kill all the extras then hunt down the guild members.

Once again fading away, I appeared before the group like a ghost. My blade making sparkles look dim as it cuts down the weakest members. Even with Gerald responding fast, I went through four of six tags along.

"You fucking bastard!" Why did he sound like I killed his dog. Even John Wick wasn't that mad.

I dance away from his three hit combo. I dispersed into the crowd as they fled to a safe spot to watch. The last two guys looked like they were about to piss themselves. But what made me feel depressed was the way Gerald looked like he was protecting them but not the same way he usually kept up his alertness.

I don't know how else to say that the prince might not be here.

Frowning, I left these guys and appeared before a golden tower. The guards were just about my level and I felt stronger within but I wasn't going to go head to head with those powerhouse. After all, the prince was either at the late gold or early plat stage.

Cutting down the gate guards, I started planting bombs. I couldn't help feeling like the bag terrorists who achieve initial success but end up dead halfway through the movie.

Oh well!

Grabbing my cousin, if I keep saying this maybe my mind will think it's true. But taking my cousin, I did a few hops out of the city just as a mushroom cloud rose up in the distance. If that didn't kill the prince, then nothing would.

***

When we got back, the princess was waiting in my room. I could only let out a sigh of admiration. I not only attacked his crew twice but I blew up his compound. For him to live through all that, meant that the powerhouse had him under his protection the entire time.

"You failed. He is still alive." Second princess said that it was my fault.

"He had someone I can't take on watching over him." This made me wonder if she even paid attention to the effort it would take.

If I was the emperor, then I damn show would have someone watching my best two children. They would be my legacies even if only one of them wasn't better than the other.

Second princess had a moment where the fire in her heart reached her face and she stopped looking like someone took her teddy bear.. well, I rather the stoic expression over this look of anger that reminded me of someone that was run over.

"There will be a ball to celebrate my fathers forty-first birthday. You will be on my arm. I will be wearing purple and black." She gave me a pointed stare and I couldn't help the vomit that came to my tongue.

After she left, I couldn't help but think about how the dragon girl knew what those humans were saying but she chose to thought-speak. What an asshole.

***

I sat in diner, watching the street traffic as I pondered what it would be like when my daughter is born. Will I end up as a single parent because of my more… bloodthirsty personality or will Lily work with me to raise a daughter? Will we spoil her or be strict? Should I see if she is a genius like the second princess or let her make her own discoveries?

I don't know why I had an itch to be a father even though I was still a child myself. There was still a good distance between my 19th birthday and now.

-why are you following this princess instead of the stronger brother?- dragon girl asked as she sipped on some soup.

-training.-

-wouldn't you train better with her brother than her? He apparently has a lot of enemies and is smart enough to even avoid your thorough planning.-

-he isn't smart though. He is just relying on someone favoring him but his sister is the real talent. Plus she has someone stalking her. They just aren't as confident because she makes less mistakes.-

-oh, like who?-

-like all nine customers that are sitting in this diner. Getting ready to take me out.-

My cousin dropped her spoon and gave the room a deep look. Her amber eyes conceal her fear but the white knuckles grip on the table couldn't.

-what are we going to do about it?-

I gave her a smile after finishing my last dish. Dropping coins on the table, I walked out and headed back towards the castle. I couldn't stop laughing at how vigilante she was the whole way back.

If they really were assassins, she would have been the first dead. This is a fortified military base out in the deep north. People are wearing thick as fuck clothes to combat the cold summer air. Nobody sane would want to live here if they didn't have to and only those verified by the Emperor's advisor are allowed entry.

Sighing, I took a glance at this clever girl. Her magical knowledge far exceeded mine but her ability just couldn't keep up. I am waiting patiently for the day she figures out my weakness and strikes. That should be the day that I grow stronger once again.

***

-what should I wear? The black and purple lining or the purple and black lining?- I asked as I stared at the two.

-obviously, the purple and black.-

I picked up the black and purple and moved behind the curtain.

-why ask if you were going to do your own thing anyway?-

-because you are a child. How can I place such a heavy burden on your shoulder?-

-I am a hundred and twenty-five years old. What part of me looks like a child to you?- she waved a hand at her body like I could see that from behind the screen. Even though I could.

-your height, the fat on your cheeks, your dragon size, and your thought process.-

I heard her stomp but ignored it as I touched up my hair a bit.

-just because I'm not a full blooded dragon doesn't mean anything. Some of us are just born slow to developed.-

I grunted along with her but I thought otherwise.

-I am not a child!- she stomps her foot again.

-not a child you say.- I motioned at her stomping as I buttoned my swords.

-that just me wanting to stomp on your face but the floor turning out to be the victim instead.-

The dragon girl tossed my longsword at me and I snatched it out of the air while checking it very carefully. After all, magic talent doesn't manifest in the form of power but knowledge. Unless you are the princess then I don't know what to say.

I rushed out the room as I heard the princess frustrated breathing turning into rage. Her brother managed to stay alive really acting like kidney stones. She really has to concede to the fact that her brother is just as loved as she is.

Otherwise, how could she attain the support of three powerhouses besides her mother's side. Tsk tsk, emotional people.

"Let's go."

The second princess marched down to the hub in a wonderful dress that actually made her look adorable if she smiled a little. Instead, I felt like she was dressing up to start a slaughter.

If you find a chance over the next few days to kill my brother. Go ahead with it." Her voice was as frosty as a vanilla frosty from Wendy. No straw, gg.

On the carriage, I couldn't help but be excited about the formation of my heart. But the best part was how wild the citizens were. The imperial capital was hundred times different from any old city or Fort I had been to. Street lights were floating lanterns. The road was paved but carriages floated to their destination. There were so many magical artifacts here that improved the common lives that I was utterly astounded. I couldn't understand why more cities didn't have this level of convenience.

If I could bring back some data for my guys to pursue, we could step out as number one. Be very prepared to face any threat rather than end up on the back foot when shit really goes down.

"You are probably thinking about getting your hands on some of this, right?" The princess interrupted my thoughts.

I turned to her with my usual expression. While she might have seen through my thoughts, she couldn't possibly understand what I really needed versus what I just desired to see as someone who likes magic as a reader.

"You might think that this is the best we have to offer. That this plane has to offer but right now. You have only seen a tiny part of this plane." She cast a glance outside the window. "Beyond this empire is an empire of magic, while we are an empire based on our warriors. Mages are secondary powers. Even the elves have a lot more knowledge on magic than we do."

Her majesty cast me a last glance before shutting down as she turned back to meditating.

She probably didn't know that just references about planes left me taken back. The fact that people this strong, with this much influence knowing about earth left me feeling a need to get stronger.

Oh, is that Gerald aura? Sitting in a tea house? Let me vent a little. I pulled out the white robe from my ring and changed. Petals remained on the seat as I stepped out of the carriage.

I let out a laugh as Gerald crushed his tea cup, his head slowly turning to me as I walked through the air on leaves from the nearby trees.

"You aren't going to kiss his majesty. You should give up and stop bugging me!" Gerald snapped.

I answered him by launching a sword beam. His aura exploded as he launched at me and I used his rage and impulsiveness to launch a few leaves at his guest. By the way his eyes widened, I took it, it was someone important to him. Important enough that he body blocks the leaves.

"That is my family. The prince is already at the palace." He stood in front of what he said was his family.

Showing that I understand, I put away my sword and left behind petals as I returned back to the carriage.

"I could tell you that he wasn't with the prince. That coward fled directly to father." The princess said with a little too much heat in her tone.

I just took off my robe when I felt someone targeting us. I hurried up and undressed as I pulled out my dark blue longsword. I stepped out and stood on the roof of the carriage as six shadows flew towards us.

Rubbing my bare chin, I pondered how the tables have turned.

I waved my hand and six crystal blue dragons floated around the carriage before surging out and knocking the imbeciles back.

If they thought for one second, then they would have realized that the Princess has nine guards stronger than them combined, one on six. Shaking my head, I rushed towards them and quickly dispatched them.

I had this second to think about how beautiful the night sky was before this dick head had to blast his aura. This jackal stood on a four story building with a spear. He only had two miles to kill the princess before the royal guards intervened and he was only a tad bit stronger.

However, the guy turned around and left. Leaving my mouth on the floor in utter shock that someone could be that shameless. Like damn my guy, what else can I expect of you?

Just as I returned to the carriage, I felt the shameless asshole falling towards us. I really didn't know what to say as I returned to the roof and punched out. A massive blue claw smacked the retard out the air and into the building he jumped from.

Honestly, if he was using just this to piss me off and cause me to leave her majesty, then he was higher than a crack fiend.

He didn't show up as long as I was on the roof but the fucker showed up the moment I stepped down. Rubbing my neck, I felt ashamed to play this game with this guy.

Sigh, this guy is such a retard.