The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 188: Chapter 184 — Support

The Ferran Church was led by two powers.

The Magister of Alloyn. Selected by a council of high priests, this figure oversaw the administrative arm of the church. Keeper of church law and economics, they ensured all matters of the church remained in order. They led the Heartbound Order.

The other was the Ecclesiarch; the divine ruler of the church, usually chosen through trial by the Iron Father. This figure served as the voice of the Iron Father.

With every generation of Ecclesiarch, a group of people were chosen to serve with their lives.

The Ser.

Usually female, they were selected from the most talented Sarakhel children and asked to dedicate their entire lives to the service of the Ecclesiarch. Their voices were taken as a symbolic gesture, signifying that they would never speak or act for themselves, only for the Ecclesiarch.

As expected, Lumi had been chosen as a Ser from a young age. According to her, a particularly high-ranking one due to her resonance and incredible comprehension.

Unfortunately, the choice was made during awakening, at the age of eight, as with every Ser, and the stripping of voice was carried out immediately.But her mother, a priest of the church, had wanted more for her daughter.

So they fled.

The church went after them, and her mother died in the process. As a ten-year-old child barely awakened, Lumi had been found by slave traders and passed from hand to hand until Zephyrion eventually discovered her in one of their bases.

Zephyrion remembered that day like it was yesterday. He had raided the slave house. The traders, believing it was the authorities, had rushed the jail cells intending to slaughter every slave and erase the evidence.

Zephyrion had ventured into the quiet basement and found a single bloody petite girl seated amongst a pile of unmoving corpses.

Lumi had blinked and tilted her head.

He could still remember the first thing that had come to mind that day.

He’d found a tool.

Yet now, Zephyrion stared blankly at the dark ceiling as Lumi’s soft breaths drifted through the room. The same tool was causing him so much trouble.

Zephyrion sighed and glanced at the sleeping Lumi. She had asked a single question after telling her story.

Will he leave?

Zephyrion had realized then what her true fear had been. It was not the tribunal. Not the cold priests. Instead, she had been worried about what he would think. Worried he would abandon her.

Her mood had brightened the instant he gave his answer, her usual cheerfulness returning as though it had never left. Zephyrion found himself watching her for what felt like an eternity.

Then he shook his head and turned back to the ceiling. There was no point lying to himself anymore. He had broken one of his mother’s rules.

He was in too deep.

...

Morning arrived. Zephyrion had made sure to get a good night’s rest, as today was a big day. He was ready within a few minutes and soon found himself standing before a mirror.

A midnight-blue robe covered his frame, embroidered with the large sigil of House Calderalth across the back. His hair was tied neatly behind him, his appearance immaculate.

He had paid particular attention to it today. After all, it would be an important resource.

Lumi had also donned a robe embroidered with the Calderalth sigil, the oversized garment nearly swallowing her whole. After admiring herself for a moment and making several proud poses at the mirror, she nodded in satisfaction.

Then the two of them left the room. The ward, Tobias, who had been slumbering by the door, jolted upright.

”Y-young lord! Y-you’re out!”

Zephyrion gave him a nod.

Tobias immediately scrambled to his feet, wiping a trail of drool from the corner of his mouth before hurriedly straightening his clothes.

”...You have guests, my lord.”

Zephyrion frowned. Who would possibly visit him this early? He stepped into the living room to find three figures waiting for him.

”Z-Zephyrion!” Fiona’s eyes lit up.

”...hey...” Kaiden greeted awkwardly, lifting a hand before seemingly thinking better of it and letting it fall.

”Damn, were you putting on makeup or something? Why’d it take you this long to get ready?” Garrick grinned from where he leaned against the wall.

Zephyrion stared at them, speechless.

”What are you doing here?”

”We’re here to support you!” Fiona declared, clenching her fists. She turned toward Lumi with a determined look. ”So don’t even think about facing all this alone, okay? We’re not letting anything happen to Lumi.”

Zephyrion wasn’t sure how to respond. In a nutshell, he knew exactly how he should react to achieve the desired effect. But he was used to acting, pretending.

Right now, however, he was facing a real crisis, they were here genuinely, and what he was currently feeling was genuine. That was exactly what froze him.

He was actually feeling grateful. To them?

The frown that slowly formed on Zephyrion’s face made the atmosphere immediately awkward.

Fiona blinked. Kaiden glanced at her. Both looked completely lost.

Who frowned when people came to support them?

”Sheesh.” Garrick barked a laugh. ”Look at that face. Talk about being emotionally constipated.”

He pushed himself off the wall.

”Let’s get moving already.”

Moments later, they left the mountain and headed towards the capital city of Dunewall.

The streets were packed to the brim. Word had spread across the South about the church’s criminal and Prime Zephyrion’s decision to stand beside her.

People had flooded the capital from every corner of the region, gathering around the main church where the tribunal was set to take place.

As the Calderalth carriage moved along the busy streets, countless derisive shouts rang out from the crowds on either side. Criminal. Traitor. The words were hurled without restraint. The people looked frenzied.

If not for the Calderalth insignia emblazoned upon the carriage, it would have already been riddled with stones.

Within the carriage, Lumi rested her head on Zephyrion’s shoulder, a faint smile on her face. There wasn’t the slightest trace of worry. If anything, she looked happy simply being beside him.

Fiona kept sneaking glances in their direction. Each time, she would quickly look away before narrowing her eyes and sinking into deep thought.

Kaiden also stole glances, though only towards Zephyrion. He still looked as though he had a great deal to say, yet lacked the courage to begin.

Tobias stared nervously at the screaming crowd beyond the window.

Garrick was the least expressive of them all. He sat against the side of the carriage, gazing through the window with an unreadable look in his eyes. It was the first time Zephyrion had seen such a contemplative expression on the man’s face.

For a moment, he found himself wondering what might be going through his uncle’s head. The thought didn’t last long. Soon, the church came into view.