The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 248: Chapter 244 — Now...

Soon after the incident, Zephyrion gathered the cadets and narrated the events. Well, not before triggering the other two cadets’ runes as well, making them forget he had ever interrogated them in the first place. The last thing he wanted was for the cadets to think he was some homicidal maniac or something. That would only give the saboteur even more fuel.

The cadets were in disbelief, just as he’d expected. But after showing them footage of the incident and proof in the form of the battered Kaiden, they were fully convinced.

The cadets raged, wanting to beat the living daylights out of the three captured cadets, but Zephyrion promptly stopped them, reminding them that this wasn’t the time or place and promising they would face true justice after the test.

Afterward, he also informed them of his deduction that the three had been working for someone else. His words caused unease to spread among the cadets, shattering the relief that had begun to settle.

After that, despite the captured cadets’ pleas of innocence, they were bound in chains, scorned, and treated like prisoners.

By daybreak, their journey continued.

Well rested and already accustomed to the terrain, the cadets moved quickly. Yet the tension gripping the group was such that, even from the front, Zephyrion could feel it.

Kaiden no longer ran with him. Instead, he had chosen to move at the back. It all stemmed from the previous night. Kaiden had set a trap for the saboteur, waiting to ambush them when they came for him. Instead, he had been beaten, his ego thoroughly bruised.

Now, he made every effort to avoid interacting with Zephyrion. Any attempt to meet his eyes or approach him was met with an immediate glance away, or he would simply move elsewhere altogether. Tobias and Fiona had stepped in to mediate countless times, but to no avail.

Nedra Heno and Vaelor had become even more ostracized by the cadets. Since two of the captured cadets had come from their sides, and with the mastermind still at large, the others now regarded them with suspicion.

After all, everyone knew the cadets of the High Houses were fiercely loyal to their respective heirs. It was hard for anyone to believe the two cadets had acted without Nedra or Vaelor knowing.

Nedra immediately turned cold, silently challenging any fool to hold her gaze for too long or run their mouth. None dared. Vaelor, on the other hand, remained unfazed, trailing behind the group with a perpetually dark gaze.

As the journey continued, Zephyrion could slowly feel the cadets slipping from his grasp. With so much tension and unease hanging over the group, they were only moments away from internal strife.

’Looks like I have no choice,’ he thought with a sigh.

He had tried his hardest to avoid taking this route, but truthfully, he’d known from the moment he saw the beaten Kaiden that this had become personal.

The saboteur had touched what was his.

Now, they would pay the price.

...

By midday, a problem reared its head.

The freakishly long days and nights made it clear that the usual twenty-four-hour day didn’t apply here. It also made it clear that the four days allotted to reach their destination would be much longer than expected.

Soon, the lack of beasts and rain made finding food and water nigh impossible. With the cadets pushing themselves relentlessly to reach their destination, hunger and thirst quickly set in. Coupled with the growing uncertainty, Zephyrion predicted he would have a civil war on his hands soon if he didn’t find a solution.

The solution soon came in the form of lowlands and densely packed shrubs beside a tree. There, Zephyrion called for a brief break and ordered the cadets to dig. Confused at first, they obeyed. After digging several meters down, they finally understood why when the sheen of water became visible. The cadets immediately rejoiced.

Then, after gulping down their fill, Zephyrion appointed Horus and his crew to be in charge of the water, filling several containers.

Their thirst quenched, their pace increased. Even without food for days, they could still survive so long as they had water. Soon, by the morning of the third day, they finally reached the edge of the forest. Zephyrion was perched high in a tree, overlooking the terrain.

Ahead, the path split into two. The one on the right led toward another stretch of desert. The other descended into a large canyon. Normally, there would have been a fuss over which path to take, but the red flare piercing the desert sky somehow made the decision for them.

It was the first time the flare had appeared ahead of them, and Zephyrion didn’t like it one bit. Even an infant could tell they were being herded toward a particular path.

Zephyrion glanced back, fixing his eyes on the red flare that had just shot into the sky.

’They’re close.’

Seeing there was no other choice, Zephyrion frowned at the canyon. Then, after a moment, he dropped to the ground.

The cadets’ eyes immediately turned toward him.

”Well?” Kaelion asked.

”We’re taking the canyon.”

Nedra immediately frowned.

”That sounds like the worst possible option.”

”It is. It’s also the only one.”

Zephyrion made his point by gesturing toward the flares ahead and behind them, causing her to click her tongue and fold her arms, determined to make her point.

”Still doesn’t make it a smart choice.”

Zephyrion ignored her.

”Whatever you say, Prime. We’ll follow you.” Horus said eagerly, thumping a fist against his chest. The other cadets in his group mirrored the gesture.

Tobias frowned at Horus before quietly taking a step closer to Zephyrion, chin raised ever so slightly, as though making a point.

Zephyrion pretended not to notice.

Now every eye was on him, even Nedra, Draven, and the silent Kaelith, waiting.

He let a moment pass, then he spoke.

”We’ll prepare for the worst.”

He turned to Horus.

”I want you to prioritize protecting our supplies. The moment anything goes wrong, fall back. Hide them if you have to.”

”Yes, Prime!”

The next moment, Zephyrion turned toward the other cadets.

”Now...”