The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 29: Chapter 28 — Ring

”Leave us. Now.”

At Ingrid’s cold words, the maids hastily bowed and scurried away the next moment.

’They fear her more than me.’

As they left, he walked up to her.

’What does she want?’

Their relationship was the farthest from amicable. It was highly unlikely she was simply here to welcome him back.

A moment of silence lingered between them as Ingrid regarded him.

”You’ve gotten thinner.”

For a fleeting moment, something softened in Ingrid’s gaze, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced with a cold look.

Zephyrion’s expression remained unchanged.

”You’ve gotten stronger.”

He could feel the oppressive pressure oozing from her. Mid twenties, and already at Herald rank.

Ingrid gave a curt nod, then stepped closer, allowing her sigil to catch the light.

”Among other things.”

Zephyrion gave the sigil a brief glance.

”I can see you’ve moved up as well.”

It was in the shape of a pure black shield with a vertical blade through its Center. A sigil given only to the High Justicar of Calderalth, the head of the Discipline Line.

Ingrid shrugged lightly, as though it wasn’t worth mentioning, but Zephyrion didn’t miss the subtle straightening of her back.

’Is this why she came?’

To intimidate him?

”You’ve been gone seven years, younger brother. A lot can change in that time.”

”It would be strange if it didn’t.”

”Mhm.”

Ingrid nodded, letting the silence stretch between them. Finally, she tilted her head slightly.

”Where have you been?”

”Here and there.”

She frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his answer. Zephyrion, however, had no intention of adding anything else. Since the Head of House had approved his stay, he owed no one anything.

”Alright.”

Ingrid said at last, her gaze settling on him.

”Now that you’re back... what exactly do you intend to do?”

Zephyrion suddenly felt a quiet weight settle on him.

’So intimidation...’

”Hmm.”

Zephyrion feigned a thoughtful look.

”...I’m not sure. There’s a lot to consider. What would you do?”

Ingrid’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she took a step closer to him. Zephyrion sensed a faint hum in the air and held back a frown.

’Not intimidation. Something else.’

”I’d start by understanding that things aren’t the same anymore,” Ingrid said. ”Seven years is a long time. Enough for everything to change.”

Zephyrion’s expression remained unchanged as he met her gaze.

”I never expected them to.”

”....”

A flicker of irritation crossed Ingrid’s eyes. She held his gaze for a few seconds, then stepped back.

”I’d like to officially welcome you back, brother.”

She straightened herself slightly.

”A lot has changed. It would be best if you adapt quickly.”

She turned and began walking away.

”And try not to disappear again.”

She paused briefly.

”...It was troublesome.”

”....”

Zephyrion silently watched as she left his sight.

’So that was her true goal.’

He had thought Ingrid had come to intimidate him, but that had been wrong. She had done that to mask her true goal.

Zephyrion had sensed a faint hum when she stepped closer to him, and had traced the source to a band on her finger.

’A Relic.’

It was difficult for anyone aside from the creator and user to tell the exact effect of a Relic. However, given the circumstances, Zephyrion could make a strong guess.

...

”Were you successful, my lady?”

As Ingrid stepped into her office, her ward, Lina, bowed and asked. Like Ingrid, Lina was tall, her physique broad, with hardened muscles in place of soft curves.

”Of course.”

Ingrid scoffed lightly, as though the question itself was unnecessary.

”That’s good. Then what was it?”

”Mark Two, Vessel rank.”

”...Are you certain, my lady? That’s—”

”I’m certain.”

Ingrid exhaled, her fingers brushing the ring on her finger. The Relic allowed her to see the rank of those weaker than her if she got close enough. She had used it on Zephyrion moments ago, and the result had been clear.

”He only advanced once in nine years.”

Lina’s eyes widened.

”Then... does that mean...?”

”I think so.”

Ingrid’s gaze lowered slightly as she considered it. Unlike other Ferran houses, higher houses like Calderalth used the complete metal rune to awaken their descendants.

Even with his absence, his advancement shouldn’t have stalled completely. Unless he had been incapacitated that entire time, which Ingrid found unlikely, there was only one conclusion.

Zephyrion’s talent was poor. It had always been. So poor he couldn’t comprehend the higher ranks of the Metal rune.

Her fingers stilled briefly against the ring. For a moment, an unreadable look crossed her face.

’...So there was nothing to worry about.’

She exhaled softly, the tension in her chest easing. The concern she had felt earlier, especially after the Head of House made an appearance, quietly dissipated.

With talent like that, he would never be acknowledged by the house.

”This is good news, my lady. If the other high houses learn of this, they won’t support him. Should I spread the word?”

”No.” Ingrid shook her head with a frown. ”There’s no need.”

Doing such vile things irritated her.

Lina smiled and bowed, as though she had expected that answer.

”Did the order for his training come in?”

”Yes, my lady.”

”When is it?”

”In two days.”

”Two days...”

Ingrid nodded, moving to her seat and settling down. Her posture eased slightly, the earlier weight gone.

In two days, the entire South would know.

The so called genius of House Calderalth was no more.