The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 22: Chapter 21 — Annoying

’Mind map.’

The world fell silent.

Faint lines of light traced through the air, forming silhouettes around the campsite.

The shattered mountain. The immense serpentine head of Ferravyr.

Zephyrion reconstructed the earlier scene piece by piece.

’Demorian Calderalth.’

In the distant past, after the fall of the elemental gods, the world had been plunged into a devastating war between the thirteen elemental empires.

Though several of those empires had long since vanished from the map, the legends of that era still endured.

Demorian Calderalth was one of such legends. The Third Head of House Calderalth. He was widely regarded as the greatest genius ever to rise within the clan. It was his exploits during that war that established the immense influence the house carried today.

’He’s like me...’

Zephyrion saw no reason a Calamity would bother lying. Ferravyr’s claim was most likely the truth.

They had both been born with the full Metal Rune.

’A Runeborn.’

That was the word Ferravyr had used. Zephyrion frowned slightly. It was the first time he had heard such a title.

What he was certain of, however, was the oddity of possessing the full Metal Rune from birth.

For others, awakening required being introduced to the rune first; memorizing it and storing it within their mental space before they could wield its power.

Yet Zephyrion had no memory of anyone ever teaching him the Metal Rune.

’Hmm...’

He allowed his thoughts to settle as the reconstructed scene played out before him.

He could feel Selis watching him strangely, but he ignored it.

Ferravyr hadn’t revealed enough. The fastest way to obtain answers would be to speak to the Calamity again, but he dismissed the idea instantly.

The memory of that overwhelming presence was still etched into his mind. He hated the very thought of being helpless.

Zephyrion narrowed his eyes.

There was another possibility.

’Frost...’

His fists tightened slightly as the image of that man surfaced in his mind.

”You’ve been marked by Frost.”

Ferravyr had clearly been referring to the seal placed upon him.

Which meant that man had been involved all along.

’Then... was he also responsible for the ambush?’

Zephyrion briefly considered the possibility that the incident seven years ago had also been part of that man’s scheme. The attackers had clearly been Pyrian Heralds, but they could easily have been nothing more than tools.

A cold light flashed through his gaze.

If the man truly was responsible, then he must know what had happened to his mother.

Zephyrion stared down at his trembling fists before drawing a slow breath.

’Rule three.’

Emotions cloud judgment.

A moment later, his mind calmed, and he reviewed the situation once again.

’I can’t win.’

He could still remember Ferravyr’s reaction the moment he discovered the Frost mark.

A Calamity stood on par with the Ten Thrones, the strongest beings across the continent.

For something like that to feel fear...

’Who is he?’

After dwelling on the thought for some time, Zephyrion eventually decided to leave it for now. There were still too many missing pieces.

He dispelled his mind map and shifted his gaze to the neatly arranged skewers of meat roasting over the fire. Reaching forward, he picked one up and brought it toward his mouth.

Grrrr.

Zephyrion paused and turned.

Lumi sat stiffly beside him with her eyes tightly shut, a deep blush creeping across her face.

”....”

She slowly cracked one eye open, only to snap it shut the moment she saw him looking at her.

”I know it came from you.”

She shook her head firmly.

”So you don’t want one?”

Lumi flinched. Then, with her eyes still squeezed shut, she slowly nodded.

”Here.”

He watched as she awkwardly accepted it and silently brought it to her mouth.

Her eyes flew open. The awkwardness vanished instantly as she began eating with enthusiasm.

A faint smile unknowingly appeared on Zephyrion’s face. It vanished the moment he felt Selis’ gaze on him.

”...What?”

The Whitesteel blinked.

”...Nothing, young lord.”

Zephyrion frowned and reached for another skewer. When he glanced toward Selis, he found her silently boring holes into the meat with her eyes.

”You should eat.”

Selis tore her gaze away from the fire and shook her head.

”...There could be threats nearby, young lord. I must remain alert.”

”You can’t remain alert on an empty stomach. Eat. That’s an order.”

Heralds could go months without food, and unless Selis had decided to starve herself, which he highly doubted, his command was completely unnecessary.

Even so, Zephyrion didn’t miss the brief flicker that passed through her eyes.

Selis hesitated before giving a small nod.

”...Yes.”

An awkward silence settled over the campsite as the three of them ate.

A short while later, Tobias, who had been lying motionless nearby, finally began to stir.