The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Chapter 396: Chapter 391 — Crystals

’You say that like it’s a problem.’

’Like it’s a problem!? Of course it’s a damn problem! Have you forgotten what you said about the relationship between those two empires!? If those bastards find out who you really are, you can kiss that precious life of yours goodbye!’

’That’s assuming they find out.’

’Oh, for the love of—are you even listening to me, protégé!?’ Demorian sounded exasperated. ’Fine! Let’s pretend for a moment that you’ve somehow come up with the most brilliant plan in existence. There are still two glaring problems that would send the whole thing straight to hell!’

The Aerelith’s clothes felt softer and more comfortable than those worn by Ferrans, with a silky texture and an almost weightless feel. Even the slightest breeze was enough to make the fabric flutter. Once he was done dressing, Zephyrion approached the pool of water to inspect his reflection.

He was now wearing a pure white robe with black stripes along the collar. The right sleeve was missing, but what stood out most was how incredibly light the fabric was. Zephyrion could barely feel it against his skin, almost as though he wasn’t wearing anything at all. The robe was also a little oversized, but nothing he couldn’t manage.

Satisfied with his appearance, he finally responded to Demorian.

’And what would those be?’

’Oh, I don’t know, protégé. How about that head full of pitch-black hair!? Last I checked, those air bastards were all white-haired! How exactly do you plan on explaining that!?’

Zephyrion shrugged.

’Hair color can be changed.’

Demorian fell silent for a moment.

’...Alright, fine. Touché, protégé. But what about the element!?’

’I have the air element.’

’Oh, you have the air element, do you? How impressive! Now, take a good look at that Aerelith over there. Does he look like some little brat who hasn’t even reached the Herald rank? What are you going to do when someone asks you to fly? Flap your arms? Or maybe squeeze out a gust of wind from your ass!?’

Zephyrion fell silent. Demorian certainly had a point, and it was something he’d already considered when he first came up with the plan.

The idea itself was simple: dye his hair, infiltrate the Aerelith Empire under the guise of someone undergoing his Unbound Journey, and use that identity to investigate the Void without attracting suspicion. He’d already bought himself two weeks with the town head, which should be enough time to make some progress.

However, judging by the Aerelith’s age, he was most likely at the early Herald rank, and it was reasonable to assume that others currently undergoing their Unbound Journeys were around the same level.

The problem was that Zephyrion’s air rune was only at the Anointed rank, a far cry from what would be expected of someone like him. Considering his entire plan depended on blending in, this was certainly going to be troublesome.

’I’ll figure something out.’

’Oh, you’ll figure something out! Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful, protégé! Why was I even worried!? In fact, forget everything I just said. We should be celebrating! Bring out the wine! Prepare a feast! My brilliant protégé has everything under control! He’ll figure something out!’

’Are you done?’

’Am I—’ Demorian sounded utterly incredulous. ’Protégé, have you lost your damn mind!? What kind of plan is ”I’ll figure something out”!? When exactly do you intend to figure it out? When those air bastards are chasing you around with pitchforks, ready to roast you alive!? I swear, protégé, I always thought you were the cautious type. Since when did you start gambling with your life like some brainless fool!?’

’If you have a better plan, I’m all ears.’

Zephyrion thoroughly enjoyed the silence that followed.

’Then it’s settled. We’re doing this.’

Demorian grunted, signifying that this clearly wasn’t over. Meanwhile, Zephyrion gathered the beast egg and his other belongings, examining them one by one. If he was going to pass himself off as an Aerelith, he would have to temporarily abandon his Ferran identity, which meant concealing his abilities and getting rid of anything that could give him away.

The beast egg wasn’t a problem, since there was no way to determine its origin until it hatched, and some of his elixirs were harmless enough. However, he’d acquired several emotion-boosting elixirs during his time at the academy and as an apprentice. Those were distinctly Ferran, so they had to go.

Once he was satisfied, Zephyrion decided it was finally time to leave this place and make his way into the Aerelith Empire.

He remembered falling quite deep underground, so climbing back to the surface might take some effort. However, one glance upward was enough to make him realize that things wouldn’t be quite so simple. The enormous opening through which they’d fallen had completely caved in, leaving nothing but a massive pile of rubble overhead.

’I could force my way through, but I’d probably end up burying myself even deeper.’

As a Herald, his body was practically indestructible, but there were still kilometers of earth separating him from the surface. Even if being buried beneath all that weight wouldn’t kill him, he had absolutely no desire to deal with the trouble of digging himself out.

Zephyrion silently cursed the alpha once more before shaking his head, pushing aside the last traces of his irritation. He then examined his surroundings more carefully, only to find that the cavern was completely enclosed, without a single visible passage leading out.

’Of course. Because things just couldn’t be that simple, could they?’

He sighed.

’Tunneling through the wall should be safer than going straight up. I can dig my way through until I reach a more stable area, then make my way to the surface.’

With that decided, Zephyrion approached the nearest wall, only to pause with a slight frown. Most of its surface was covered in strange white crystals, and the sight immediately reminded him of the longing gaze the alpha had worn in its final moments.

’What’s so special about these things anyway?’

They were different from the purple crystals he’d encountered in the cavern above, including those embedded in the alpha’s body. Their appearance was much purer, almost pristine, as though they had yet to be touched by anything.

’Go on, touch it,’ Demorian whispered mischievously.

Zephyrion resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the ancestor’s obvious eagerness and studied the crystals more carefully. He’d already smashed through several of the purple crystals above without any trouble, so these shouldn’t be much different, right?

’Well, only one way to find out...’

Zephyrion reached out and placed his hand against one of the crystals, only to immediately snatch it back, his eyes widening in shock.

’What the hell was that!?’

’Right!? Damn it, I thought something was trying to rip my soul straight out of me!’

Before Zephyrion could make sense of what had just happened, the white crystal he’d touched suddenly began changing color, gradually turning purple.

’Huh? What the...’

It was now the exact same shade of purple as the crystals he’d encountered above. But what had caused the change?

’Try another one. I want to see something,’ Demorian suggested.

Zephyrion nodded and cautiously placed his hand against a different crystal. This time, he paid closer attention to the strange sensation, clearly feeling something being drawn out of his body.

’...So that’s what it is.’

’What? What is it?’ Demorian asked impatiently.

’These crystals...’ Zephyrion stared at the crystal beneath his palm, watching as its white surface slowly turned purple. ’They’re absorbing my metal essence.’