The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 309: Chapter 304 — Barrier

Nedra’s face went completely blank.

”Yep. He’s definitely an alien.”

They had probably expected his explanation to lessen the shock. Somehow, it had only made things worse. Still, there was one thing Zephyrion hadn’t told them.

Malach had somehow been receiving help from his commander, and there was a spy watching them from their side.

The truth was, well, it wasn’t that he didn’t trust them. After all, he trusted his judgment of them. But revealing the Sarakhels’ plot now would enrage the entire empire and risk bringing the exercise to an abrupt end. More importantly, it could cost him the rewards of the bet.

A thousand high-grade elixirs was not something he could afford to let go.

For now, he would keep the secret.

”So this whole thing was to catch Malach off guard.” Tobias nodded thoughtfully as he pieced everything together. ”He can’t activate the barrier without abandoning his own people, which means we can storm the fortress.”

But contrary to everyone’s expectations, Zephyrion shook his head.

”He’s going to activate it.”

Tobias’ eyes widened. ”He is? But, my lord, wouldn’t that be bad? If he closes the barrier, our army will be trapped outside.”

Seeing their confusion, Zephyrion turned towards the screen, where Malach’s twisted expression was clearly visible atop the northern wall.

”It’s fine. The fortress was never my target.”

Nedra frowned. ”What? Then what the hell is?”

”Malach.”

The others exchanged confused looks, clearly unsure what he meant.

Zephyrion almost sighed. Talking wasn’t exactly his strong suit, especially when it served little purpose, and he’d already done far too much of it today.

”To be direct, I’m targeting his image,” he explained. ”Malach is going to activate the barrier and abandon those cadets. The moment he does, everything he’s spent this exercise making them believe about him will collapse. They’ll finally see him for what he actually is.”

This was why Zephyrion had asked Kaelith to attack the fortress instead of the much closer Kaelion. At first glance, it would seem like the obvious purpose was simply to have Kaelion hold Gordon and the injured cadets outside.

But the more important reason was to give Malach time.

Enough time to think, overthink, and ultimately make the decision Zephyrion knew his ego would lead him to.

He was going to condemn his people, especially after Zephyrion had planted that little poison in his mind, that he would defeat him by noon.

”H-how do you know he’ll actually do it?” Tobias asked, his voice carrying a slight tremble.

Even Fiona was staring at him now, the sadness in her eyes momentarily forgotten.

Feeling everyone’s eyes on him, Zephyrion simply shrugged.

”I just do.”

There wasn’t really an explanation for his... gift. Ever since he was a child, he had simply always been this way.

That was all.

After hearing Zephyrion’s prediction, however, everyone’s attention quickly returned to the screen, curious to see whether Malach would actually do what he’d said.

Barely a minute passed before the northern fortress erupted into motion.

...

”Prepare for battle!”

”We need to save them!”

”Open the gates! We’re going out there!”

The shouts were thunderous. Northern cadets scrambled around a motionless Malach, rushing to prepare themselves to storm outside and help their injured comrades.

Malach barely seemed to notice them.

’He planned this. That bastard planned all of this. How the fuck didn’t I see it? Did he... did he actually outmaneuver me?’

He immediately shook his head, rejecting the thought almost as soon as it appeared.

’No. No fucking way. That bastard is not smarter than me. I’m missing something. There has to be something I’m not seeing.’

His rune tab suddenly beeped. Malach glanced down, and the moment he saw Rhydan’s name, his expression darkened.

’That’s right.’

The realization struck him almost immediately.

’Rhydan. That fucking bastard. Zephyrion must’ve gotten to him. He’s been hiding things from me, feeding me bullshit while giving that bastard everything he needs. That fucking snake. I should’ve known.’

Malach immediately answered the call.

”Young lord, listen to me. I want you to—”

”Shut the fuck up, you fucking snake. It was you, wasn’t it? All of this shit happened because of you. You’ve been feeding him information behind my back, haven’t you?”

”Young lord, I—”

”Haven’t you!?” Malach roared, startling several of the cadets atop the wall. ”I should’ve fucking known. A bastard who isn’t even of primary blood could never amount to anything. Dress yourself up however you want, Rhydan. In the end, you’ll always be a fucking snake.”

There was a brief pause before Rhydan’s voice came back, noticeably colder.

”You’re going too far. I’m only trying to help—”

”Help me? You think I’m stupid enough to let you trick me again? I’m fucking smart, Rhydan. Smarter than you, smarter than that fucking Lightning Prince. Go tell your master I’m going to make him pay for every fucking thing he’s done. And you? I’ll tell my father exactly what you’ve done. You betrayed Sarakhel. By the time we’re finished with you, you’ll wish ruining your life was all we did.”

”Wai—”

Malach cut off the connection.

He drew in several deep breaths, trying to calm the rage still coursing through his veins. Before he could fully compose himself, one of the head cadets hurried towards him.

”Prime! We’re ready to engage!”

Malach’s eyes narrowed.

He glanced towards the slowly opening gates, where the northern cadets still inside the fortress were clad in gleaming armor, steeling themselves to charge out and rescue their battered brethren. Then his gaze shifted beyond them, towards Kaelith and the other southern cadets rapidly closing in on the fortress.

”I—”

He was just about to give the order when the harsh glare of the sun caught his eyes. Malach instinctively glanced up.

The sun was almost directly overhead.

His eyes narrowed further.

”Wait... what time is it?”

He quickly checked his rune tab; Five minutes to noon.

Malach’s expression darkened.

I’ll take your fortress by noon.

The words immediately resurfaced in his mind. His gaze snapped back towards the approaching southern army.

”This is it. This is his fucking plan. He wants us to go out there. It’s another trap.”

”...Prime?”

The northern cadets stared at Malach uncertainly, clearly unable to follow his sudden conclusion.

But Malach had already made up his mind.

’No. Not this time. I’m not falling for another one of your fucking tricks. You think you can keep playing me? I’ll show you which one of us is actually smarter.’

”Activate the barrier!”