The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 293: Chapter 288 — Shields

Click.

As the connection ended, silence filled the southern war room. The head cadets were each staring at Zephyrion with wide or narrowed gazes, a scene that was starting to become far too common.

They had all heard Kaiden’s report, and while they each knew Zephyrion had given him an important but dangerous mission, none of them would have ever imagined it would be something as insane as infiltrating the fucking northern fortress.

While the implications were damning, it was the method that shocked many of them the most. Not only had he thought to burn the entire forest down, he had also thought ahead, taking advantage of the commotion it would cause. Several of them even believed that, in a way, this had been the true reason Zephyrion decided to burn down the forest in the first place. Which made the situation all the more worrying.

Just how far ahead does Zephyrion think?

”Brother! I love that mind of yours!” Draven exclaimed with a wide grin, though even he couldn’t hide the shock in his eyes. ”How do you even think this far ahead? All Draven thinks about is how best to crush the enemy’s spirit! Thinking beyond that is too much work!”

Several of the others couldn’t help but look at the big man with small smiles. He looked like a walking weapon of mass destruction, yet he was so ridiculously simple and cute.

Nedra, though, clicked her tongue. ”That’s because your brain is probably more muscle than neurons. Actually, forget your brain. Every part of you is probably muscle at this point. Fucking muscle head.”

Draven simply barked out a laugh, the insult not fazing him in the slightest. Kaelith, though, who had become increasingly determined to put Nedra in her place, suddenly scoffed, a mocking look appearing on his face.

”Ahhh, I see. So that’s why you sound so happy?”

Nedra frowned, immediately turning toward him. ”What the fuck are you talking about, donkey?”

”Well, think about it...” Kaelith shrugged, the mocking look on his face growing even more pronounced. ”If every part of him is muscle, then the part you love so much must be especially muscular, no? More resistance when you suck. I suppose you like the challenge.”

An oppressive silence settled over the war room. From a glance, it seemed as though Nedra’s eyes had caught fire. They were that intense.

”You’re begging me to kill you, Korrath.”

Kaelith simply shrugged, completely unconcerned. ”Better than begging for cock.”

”Pfft!” Draven immediately burst into a fit of laughter. ”Cock! Nedra is begging for cock!”

The giant’s laughter seemed infectious. The others, who had been determined to remain utterly silent, quickly brought hands to their mouths, struggling to stifle their own laughter.

Grind!

Nedra’s teeth ground together so fiercely that sparks seemed ready to fly from them. She looked like a beast barely restraining itself from ripping Kaelith apart, and Kaelith’s smug expression, coupled with the amusement on the others’ faces, only fanned the flames.

Luckily, Kaelion’s voice broke through the tension.

”How do you want us to proceed?” he asked, his eyes on Zephyrion.

Remembering the situation they were currently in, along with Zephyrion’s prolonged silence, the others quickly composed themselves, waiting for his next orders. Nedra was no exception, though the murderous glare she continued to direct at Kaelith made it clear their battle was far from over.

Every gaze turned toward Zephyrion.

Meanwhile, Zephyrion’s expression remained unreadable as he silently stared at the map. His eyes shifted subtly across it, as though countless thoughts were flashing through his mind.

Eventually, he seemed to snap out of his thoughts. Raising his head, he looked at the others.

”Prepare everyone. We attack at dawn.”

Several eyes widened, but the surprise was quickly replaced by anticipation.

Finally, at dawn, they would have their first large-scale clash with the northern fortress!

...

Zephyrion gave the head cadets instructions to prepare for the coming attack. Minutes after they dispersed, he decided to check on Fiona’s progress at the forge. Lumi, still determined to somehow protect him, silently trailed behind.

”I’ve been working on your request nonstop since the war started,” Fiona said excitedly as she led them into the forge. ”And when I say nonstop, Zephyrion, I mean nonstop.”

The air was scorching hot, filled with the constant clangor of steel striking steel. Several cadets were busy hammering smoldering metal against anvils with large hammers, while others worked at different stations throughout the forge.

As Zephyrion walked past, they briefly stopped whatever they were doing to pay their respects to their Prime before quickly returning to work.

”I’ll admit, what you asked for was a pain in the ass at first. I ruined quite a few before I figured it out. But once I got the hang of it...” Fiona’s smile widened slightly. ”Well, I made quite a lot.”

Reaching a door at the far end of the forge, Fiona smiled widely before slowly pushing it open.

”Actually, just look. I want to see your face.”

The door opened to reveal a large room filled to the brim with shields, all arranged neatly in rows.

Zephyrion raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

Seeing his reaction, Fiona’s smile immediately turned smug. ”Good, right?”

Zephyrion slowly nodded.

”How many?”

Fiona raised one hand, spreading two fingers.

”Two hundred.”

’Two hundred...’

Zephyrion was impressed. To truly understand how impressive this was, however, one had to know exactly what those shields were.

Zephyrion had long since recognized Fiona’s incredible comprehension and potential to be a spectacular crafter, which was why he had approached her in the first place. This was simply a chance for him to put it to use.

As a Mark Five with high comprehension, her metal was already stronger than most, and her ability to engrave runes neatly and precisely made her enchantments far more effective than those of most cadets at her level.

Immediately after the war began, Zephyrion had given Fiona the task of creating these shields. His request had been simple in concept, but far from simple to accomplish: he wanted shields capable of withstanding several powerful attacks from a Mark Seven.

And these two hundred shields were the result of that request.

”Want to test one?” Fiona asked, barely able to contain her impatience, like a child eager to show off something she had accomplished.

”Yes.”

Soon, one of the shields was brought over and secured firmly onto a machine designed to hold it in place.

”Go on, then. Hit it with everything you’ve got.”

Zephyrion stared at the shield, silently contemplating.

’Everything I’ve got would destroy it. I’ll have to limit myself to a Mark Seven.’

With his metal bones, the force behind his blows couldn’t be compared to that of an ordinary Mark Seven.

Taking a firm stance, Zephyrion drew his fist back, carefully adjusting the amount of strength he intended to use.

Even then, when he finally punched, his fist shot forward like lightning.

Bam!