Chapter 182 - Assassin Duo
Eliza:
Ricardo and I were passing through the city checkpoint after picking up our 'package.' I settled next to him in the carriage as he steered the horses.
“Stop,” the guard called to the carriage ahead of us.
I took the opportunity to unbutton my blouse, revealing more cleavage, and prepared for our turn. When the guard finally approached, I leaned forward slightly.
“Reason for leaving?” he asked.
“We just finished a sightseeing tour of the city,” I replied, moving a bit closer to the guard with a suggestive smile.
“What did you enjoy most about our city? I hope you liked Apsalon,” he said, with a curious look.
“I liked the soldier talking to me the most,” I winked, watching him get flustered.
I pulled back a bit, giving him a moment to recover.
“It’s an honor to be complimented by a beautiful lady,” he said, still smiling, clearly flattered.
“Eliza, I hope you’re not bothering the gentleman. He must be very busy, my niece,” Ricardo interrupted, pretending to be concerned.
“Sorry… uncle,” I replied sweetly.
The guard smiled again, shaking his head.
“No worries, sir. You may go,” he said, signaling Ricardo to proceed with the horses.
As we moved away, Ricardo couldn’t help but comment, “That trick always works.”
“Having a pretty face does have its perks,” I replied, chuckling softly.
Ricardo:
Two hours passed on the road, and we didn’t exchange a word. We were alert, watching for any approaching carriages or riders. Eliza kept a friendly smile, but her eyes were sharp, always vigilant.
Eliza glanced back through the small window inside the carriage.
“In three hours, we’ll stop and give the boy another dose. This time, we’ll make him drink it,” I said firmly.
“You want to give him another dose in three hours? Are you crazy? This drug keeps someone down for at least eight hours.”
“I prefer to be cautious,” I replied, keeping my eyes on the road.
She didn’t argue further. What we had done was a grave crime. No one dared to touch a high noble, let alone kidnap one within the city. Apsalon was known as a city solely inhabited by nobles. Committing a crime there meant facing a death sentence in all three kingdoms, especially against a high noble.
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“It’ll be a scandal when he dies…” she muttered, considering the consequences.
“For the amount of money we’re getting, I could retire in a distant kingdom and still secure my grandchildren’s future,” I said.
The reward offered by our client was immense, an unfathomable fortune. It was enough money for me to live a lavish life until my death and still not spend it all.
“Why don’t we kill him now?” I asked. “We’re far from the city, and we could stage the boy’s death.”
“He wants to do it himself to ensure the boy’s death. We’ll cover it up as a sudden demise in some brothel.”
"What a shame, I thought you’d cut off my head and take it with you," a voice suddenly interrupted from behind us.
“SHIT!” Eliza screamed, while my heart pounded.
“The boy!” I shouted, turning around to look.
BOOM! A violent impact rocked the carriage, sending us tumbling down a steep hill. We rolled uncontrollably, crashing into the forest below.
Eliza:
My body was thrown around, colliding with the ground and slamming into trees. When I finally came to a stop, every muscle ached, pain radiating through my limbs.
“Damn it!” I muttered, trying to stand as blood trickled down my face.
“Don’t worry about the horses. I just made the carriage fall; they’re fine,” the boy said, sliding down the hill with an unsettling calm that only heightened our tension.
Ricardo appeared beside me, panting and confused. “How are you even moving? The drug should have knocked you out!”
The boy flashed a cold smile. “My family made me eat all sorts of plants since I was five. Anesthetic drugs don’t work on me anymore. Unfortunately, that means if I ever need medical treatment, I’ll have to endure the pain, as nothing can dull it. That’s the side effect of ingesting poisons and anesthetics for ten years.”
Immune to drugs? What kind of freak is this kid?
“Even so, your reflexes should be slower,” I pointed out.
He raised his arms, and blue sparks crackled along his skin.
“True, it would slow me down a bit. So, I’m just constantly shocking myself to keep moving.”
“Then we’ll just have to break your arms and legs,” Ricardo growled, trying to intimidate him.
“Feel free to try,” the boy replied, cracking his neck with a nonchalant expression. “Honestly, I was looking for a good workout.”
He raised his palm, which began to glow with lightning.
Ricardo chuckled, summoning a stone armor around his hand. “We’re mages too, kid. Your element can’t shock me.”
“If I increase the voltage, your earth defense will crumble,” the boy countered, maintaining a calm demeanor.
This kid is strange. He should be running by now. Is this the difference between a noble mage and us?
I was still trying to process the situation, but something felt off.
“Did you know?” I asked, suspicion clear in my voice.
“Know what?” he asked, feigning innocence.
“Don’t play dumb. I’m asking if you knew I was an assassin from the moment we met.”
“Of course,” he answered without hesitation.
Ricardo laughed. “He’s bluffing.”
I stared intently at the boy, searching for any sign of doubt. But he was completely calm, as if all of this was just a game.
“He doesn’t seem to be lying,” I admitted, a chill running down my spine.
“Actually, I lured you into a trap,” he revealed with a sinister grin. “That was my plan all along. I needed to bring you to a place where I could let loose a bit.”
“If that were true, this place would be swarming with soldiers to kill us,” Ricardo argued, trying to keep control of the situation.
“I’m all it takes,” the boy said, his confidence unnerving. “Why do you think I bought this black coat?”
Ricardo and I exchanged confused glances.
“It's so I can be properly dressed for your funeral,” he said, his blue eyes glinting with a chilling, deadly calm.
“You bastard,” Ricardo growled, readying himself for an attack.
With a swift movement, the boy drew a sword from his storage bracelet.
“When did you get that?” Ricardo asked, shocked.
“Does it matter?” he replied nonchalantly. His hand began to glow fiercely with lightning, while I readied my two daggers, feeling sweat trickle down my forehead.
“I’ll kill you, boy. I don’t care if I have to take just your head; that will be enough,” Ricardo vowed.
Ricardo and I sprinted toward him, attacking in perfect sync.
“Blazing Breeze!” I shouted, unleashing a massive wave of fire from my daggers in his direction.
“Thorns!” Ricardo stomped the ground, sending two massive earthen spikes flying toward the boy.
“Time to let loose a bit,” I heard him say.
Before I could even register what happened, the boy made a tremendous leap, dodging our attacks with frightening agility.
“May the best assassin win!” he taunted, and in the blink of an eye, something blue and luminous hurtled toward me, striking with brutal force and sending me flying.