The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 373: Chapter 368 — Missions

”...So now you’re saying the soldiers of Greywatch aren’t capable of doing their jobs?”

Possum tried to twist his words, but the attempt was so obvious that Zephyrion almost found it insulting.

”No. I’m saying the exact opposite. These are some of the most resilient soldiers I’ve ever seen. The fact that they’ve kept this region standing with so few people already proves that. You’re not incapable. You’re overstretched. There simply aren’t enough soldiers for everything Greywatch is expected to protect, which means the biggest problem facing this bastion is obvious.”

Zephyrion looked directly at Possum.

”Recruitment.”

”Wonderful speech, but what exactly does any of this have to do with Apprentice of the Month? You’re avoiding the actual issue.”

”You’d know what it has to do with the title if you stopped talking long enough to think.”

Possum’s gaze darkened, but Zephyrion continued without paying him any mind.

”Thousands of cadets leave the academy every year, yet barely any of them choose Greywatch. Why? Because compared to other postings, this place is underwhelming. It’s dangerous, there aren’t many opportunities for growth, and worst of all, hardly anyone knows anything interesting about it.”

The commander’s eyes twitched slightly. ”My boy... you’re standing in Greywatch while saying this. Perhaps get to the point before my soldiers decide they don’t like you anymore?”

Zephyrion nodded.

”What this place lacks is a legend. We’re Ferrans. We chase strength, glory, battle, recognition. Give a Ferran somewhere dangerous and miserable, and he’ll avoid it. Tell him he can become famous there, and suddenly he’ll volunteer.”

He paused, allowing his gaze to sweep across the room. ”That’s what Greywatch needs. A legend. And I’m the youngest mark two Herald in the history of the empire.”

Boastful, yes, but he was standing in a room filled with veteran soldiers who lived for battle, boasts, and drinks. If anything, they’d probably appreciate him more for having enough balls to say it confidently.

”Everyone in the empire will be talking about me right now. So when they ask where Zephyrion Calderalth became a mark two Herald, what do you think the answer will be?”

Possum’s expression darkened almost immediately, finally seeming to understand where Zephyrion was going with this. Gonaster, on the other hand, burst into laughter.

”Greywatch! Hahaha! Of course it’ll be bloody Greywatch!” The commander brought a heavy palm down on Zephyrion’s back, nearly knocking him forward.

Zephyrion grimaced, but still kept his eyes on Possum.

”Exactly. Every time my name is mentioned, Greywatch will be mentioned alongside it. People across the empire will know this place, and by this time next year, you’ll probably have more recruits than you know what to do with. So if the title is supposed to go to whoever contributed the most to Greywatch...” Zephyrion regarded Possum calmly. ”...I think I qualify.”

Several of the soldiers were smiling now, exchanging approving nods, while Possum’s expression had turned particularly ugly, whatever polite smile he’d been wearing long since gone as he openly glared at Zephyrion.

Gonaster looked even more delighted. He threw an arm around Zephyrion’s shoulders and pulled him against his side before waving dismissively at the gathered soldiers.

”Alright, alright! That settles it! Stop gawking and get back to work before I decide all of you have too much free time!”

The crowd gradually dispersed amid countless whispers and lingering glances, leaving Gonaster still holding Zephyrion like some prized possession he’d recently acquired.

”You’re absolutely right! Hahaha! Our little treasure! Forget a few recruits, boy, I’m going to have cadets fighting each other to get stationed here! Welcome to Greywatch! You’re going to love this place!”

”...I’m sure I will.”

Zephyrion attempted to slip out from beneath the commander’s arm, only for the grip around his shoulders to tighten without Gonaster even seeming to notice. Realizing the attempt was futile, he simply sighed.

Still, even that couldn’t dampen his mood. With the swearing-in finally over, he could go on missions.

”So... the missions?”

”Hahaha! Is that really all you’ve been thinking about this entire time?” Gonaster grinned, finally releasing him as he nodded approvingly.

”Fine, fine. You can go on missions now.”

Zephyrion’s eyes immediately lit up.

”But...” Gonaster’s grin widened. ”Greywatch has a little tradition. If you want a mission... you fight for it.”

Zephyrion frowned.

...

It didn’t take long for Zephyrion to realize what the commander had meant. He was led into a smaller meeting room along with the rest of the elite apprentices and a particularly silent, cold-eyed Possum, where Gonaster took his place at the front and began reading out mission details one after another.

Zephyrion watched as the apprentices raised their hands whenever a mission caught their interest. Missions with only one taker were immediately assigned, while whenever two or more apprentices showed interest in the same one, their names were noted down so they could quite literally fight over it after the meeting.

Apparently, Gonaster hadn’t been exaggerating.

Zephyrion sat there with a slight frown, barely paying attention to anything else as he went over the information he’d gathered from the academy library. Though the document he’d found had been old, he’d managed to locate Horus’s village using what little information he’d gleaned from the cadets who had known him.

He compared each mission with what he remembered, dismissing them one after another until Gonaster finally read one that caught his attention.

”Alright, this one’s two weeks. Capetown, far eastern region. There’s been some unusual beast activity around the area, and the damn things have been attacking the town more frequently than usual. Your job is simple: figure out what’s stirring them up and keep the people alive while you’re at it. Any takers?”

Zephyrion’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He remembered Capetown. It was a town located relatively close to Horus’s village, Mocktown.

’Close enough.’

Zephyrion raised his hand.

”I’ll take it.”

Gonaster immediately grinned. ”Hah! Finally! My little genius wants to leave the nest. Of course, of course.”

Zephyrion ignored him. The rest of the apprentices remained silent, none of them raising their hands to contest the mission.

”Alright then. No one else? Good. Capetown goes to—”

”Commander.”

Every eye in the room turned towards Possum, whose hand had suddenly risen into the air.

Zephyrion’s gaze settled on him. Possum remained silent for a moment before slowly turning his head towards Zephyrion, a small smile appearing on his face.

”I think I’ll contest this one.”