The carriage came to a halt before the Utility Magic Department. Edmund descended from the coachman's seat, and G6 stepped out from within.
A footman immediately guided the carriage away, and at the department's entrance, Felicia stood waiting with a practiced smile and perfect posture.
"Welcome back, Lady Reise," she said, offering a bow.
G6, her hands tucked into her pockets once more, gave a curt nod to Felicia and proceeded inside without a word. The staff at the reception desk bowed deeply as she passed.
The Utility Magic Department was sparsely staffed, a quiet place with no current trainees, as most noblewomen received private tutoring in their own homes.
It was worth noting that the department had been built by William Worthon, G6's father in this world, and all its staff ultimately answered to the Worthon family.
G6 moved with silent authority directly toward the stairs leading to the private chambers, her demeanor that of a CEO walking through her own corporate headquarters. Edmund and Felicia followed a respectful distance behind, resembling loyal aides trailing their unpredictable leader.
They proceeded down a secluded hallway where their private chambers were located. Upon reaching the sole door, G6 opened it. The moment she crossed the threshold, she noticed the subtle shift in the air, the curtains disturbed by a breeze from the open window. She raised a hand, palm facing Edmund and Felicia, a clear command for them to remain outside.
She entered the room slowly, her senses sharp. The intruder, hidden on the opposite side of the room, took his shot the instant he had a clear line of sight—a Stone Bullet spell launched toward her.
But before his mind could even register the action, the cold edge of a hunting knife pressed against his throat. G6 was behind him, her movement a blur.
What just happened? I didn't see her move. She's too fast, Zero—Zen—thought, his mind reeling.
"What do you think you're doing, you fucking mutt?" G6 whispered, her voice low, calm, and lethally quiet.
She's behind me. Even with Physical Enhancement, that speed is impossible. It's as if she matched the velocity of my spell itself, he realized, a chill running down his spine.
"I was merely... greeting you," Zero managed, slowly raising both hands in a universal sign of surrender.
"Do it better next time," G6 said, withdrawing the knife and seamlessly returning it to the sheath on her thigh. She raised her voice slightly, addressing the two waiting outside the door. "Enter."
As Edmund and Felicia entered, Felicia's eyes widened momentarily at the sight of the other noble. Both she and Edmund offered a respectful bow to Zen.
"This is Felicia. She handles things for us here," G6 stated, settling onto a couch and draping her arms over its back. She then gestured with her head for Zen to take the seat across from her.
"I am quite familiar with the lady—Felicia, I mean," Zen said, correcting himself smoothly as he sat.
G6's eyebrow twitched, noting the subtle implication in his words.
"I see. I understand you have a new acquaintance, Lady Reise," Felicia remarked.
Edmund took the remaining vacant chair.
"In any case, I have something for you and Edmund," Felicia announced. She walked to a shelf and opened a drawer, retrieving a black jewelry box. "These are rings I made for your convenience. I assume Sir Zen is familiar with their function." She opened the box to reveal two plain, unadorned silver bands.
"A ring with a different function? Please, enlighten me," Zen said, his interest clearly piqued.
"This ring can store an outfit. When you wear it, you can instantly change into your preferred attire without having to carry spare clothes," she explained. "It is called a Quicksilver Band."
"Ah, I know of this tool," Zen acknowledged.
"Is this what you said we would like? Hmm, it is indeed convenient," G6 commented, visibly impressed.
"Not only that," Felicia added, pride evident in her voice. "Even if you return with your clothes torn, simply removing the ring and putting it back on will restore them to a pristine state."
G6 narrowed her eyes in a look of clear approval. "How do we make it work?" she asked.
"I will guide you. Your new outfits are prepared," Felicia said. "And Sir Zen, could you assist Edmund? I will craft one for you later."
"You have certainly not lost your touch. Creating such magic tools in such a short time is truly magnificent. I shall look forward to receiving mine," Zen said with a smile. "Shall we?" he added, turning to Edmund.
The four of them then moved into their respective adjoining rooms to proceed.
Inside her room, G6 found her new gear laid out, pristine and unworn. "Is this a new set?" she asked Felicia.
"Yes, my lady. I disposed of the previous one; the scent of goblin blood was too deeply set," Felicia replied. "Please put this new set on first."
G6 nodded and immediately began to undress, showing no self-consciousness in front of the other woman.
"D-Do you wish for me to wait outside?" Felicia asked, her cheeks flushing.
"No need. What are you so shy about?" G6 responded, already removing her trousers.
She then removed her brassiere, an action that made Felicia blush and look away. "This will just get in the way," G6 stated matter-of-factly.
She began putting on the new tactical outfit. "Oh? What is this red stone on the pants and top?" she inquired.
"It acts as a conductor, a parameter that links the clothing to the ring," Felicia explained.
Once G6 was fully dressed, Felicia handed her the hat and sunglasses.
"Unfortunately, the ring can only store fabrics, so your eyewear will have to be carried separately," Felicia said.
"Not a problem," G6 said simply, looking at her for the next instruction.
"Now, wear the ring and channel a small amount of mana into it," Felicia instructed.
G6 did as she was told. The red stones on her garments glowed, the light flowing into the ring before fading completely.
"That's it?" G6 asked.
Felicia smiled and nodded.
G6 then removed the ring. In an instant, her tactical gear vanished, leaving her in only her underwear, the sight made almost comical by the sunglasses still perched on her face. Felicia immediately turned around, mortified.
"L-Lady Reise!" she stammered.
"Hmm, very convenient. I will try it with my clothes on," G6 said, completely unbothered by her state of undress.
She put her training clothes back on, then slipped the ring onto her finger. Her entire form was briefly enveloped in a soft glow, and a moment later, it revealed the disguised adventurer's outfit stored within the ring.
"Whoa. This is fun," G6 remarked, genuinely entertained.
"Is it to your liking?" Felicia asked.
"Of course. Thanks for this," G6 said. Her eyes scanned the room one last time, confirming she had forgotten nothing.
Satisfied, she gave Felicia a final nod and walked out without another word. The signal was clear: she was ready.
As she stepped out of the room, the two men were already waiting for her.
"Are you two set to go?" G6 asked.
"Yes, my lady," Edmund answered.
"Yes, Lady Reise," Zen replied.
They spoke in unison.
"Then, let's go," G6 said, leading the way out of the chamber with the others following.
They followed their usual procedure, taking the back door of the Utility Magic Department where Edmund's horse was waiting.
"I suppose I will see you both outside the walls," Zen stated. With a flicker of movement, he vanished, using his Physical Enhancement Magic to warp through the trees with breathtaking speed.
As G6 observed his departure from behind her tinted lenses, a smirk touched her lips. Not bad at all.
Edmund and G6 executed their own routine: Edmund led the horse forward, and G6 leaped onto its back, using her skills to conceal herself until they were clear of the palace grounds.
When they finally stopped beneath a large, concealing tree just beyond the palace gate, Zen was already there, waiting calmly beside G6's horse.
"I've been meaning to ask you, Edmund," G6 began as she dismounted. "Who's been taking care of Kira?" she added.
"My lady? Who might this 'Kira' be?" Edmund asked, confused.
"My horse," G6 clarified. Back in my world, I heard naming an animal makes it closer to you. I need him to like me since we will be together for a very long time.
"I see… The footman at the Utility Magic Department tends to him. And, my lady, that horse is a male," Edmund gently corrected.
"I don't care. His name is Kira," G6 stated firmly, untying the lead and swinging herself onto the saddle.
Edmund let out a low laugh at this previously unseen side of his lady—her affection for an animal. "Then I suppose Kira's status is now higher than my own."
"That's right. Kira is a beautiful guy. His shiny brown coat, fluffy mane, and excellent physique are perfect," G6 said, stroking her horse's neck.
"Of course, my lady. Felicia mentioned he is one of the best-cared-for horses in the Worthon stables," Edmund confirmed.
"I see," G6 said, then turned to Zen. "Where's your horse?"
"I do not have one," Zen answered. "I typically work on foot."
"Then you stay there. I am not planning to add weight to my perfect Kira," G6 declared, guiding her horse toward the road.
"W-wait…" Zen said, gesturing helplessly.
Edmund shook his head with a faint smile. "If you do not mind, Sir Zen, you may ride with me until we can find you a suitable horse."
"If you do not mind the extra weight, I would be grateful, Edmund," Zen replied, smiling as he moved to mount the horse behind him.
Just as he was about to settle, G6 spoke again, her gaze fixed on the road ahead to the capital. "Starting now, the moment we step beyond the palace, we are no longer nobles or a butler. Use our aliases."
Zen finally found his seat behind Edmund.
"We will do a roll call every time we begin. It starts now," G6 added. "G6 Arcadia."
"Eddie Saiden," Edmund followed.
"Zero Bergel," Zen stated.
"Let's go." As soon as G6 gave the command, she urged Kira forward.
Their faces were hidden deep within the hoods of their long, dark-brown coats. They looked less like adventurers and more like a band of mercenaries traveling in disguise.
With G6 leading the way toward the capital, the steady rhythm of their horses' hooves echoed like a drumbeat, a prelude to the problems waiting to be solved and the challenges that lay beyond the city's walls.
They arrived at the capital's entrance when Edmund urged his horse forward, overtaking G6 and bringing his mount to a halt in front of hers.
"What's wrong?" G6 asked, pulling on Akira's reins.
"My lady, you intend to take a task outside the capital again, correct? Might I suggest we first visit the ranch of my acquaintance to secure a horse for Zero?" Edmund proposed.
"Fine. Lead the way," G6 said.
Edmund nodded and turned his horse onto a side path that led away from the main capital road and into a dense area of trees.
Moving at a brisk pace, they soon reached a secluded ranch, halting before a large warehouse and dismounting.
An old man emerged from the building, his expression stern. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice carrying a note of warning.
Edmund pushed back his hood and offered a familiar smile. "It is me, Old Man. Eddie."
The man let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, it's you. It has been a while, Eddie. The three of you look quite intimidating in that gear."
Edmund gave a sheepish laugh. "Do we? My apologies. We are actually in a bit of a hurry. Old Man, do you have a horse similar to ours? One that can endure long travel and is in good health? It is for our companion here."
"I see, I see. Follow me," the old man said, leading them toward the stables attached to the warehouse.
G6 guided Akira and Edmund's horse to a shaded spot beneath a tree, then leaned against the trunk, crossing her arms in a posture of distinct boredom.
Roughly fifteen minutes later, the three men returned, with Zen leading a sleek black horse that matched the quality of their own.
"That took too long," G6 stated, pushing herself away from the tree.
"My apologies, G6. Zero was ensuring he selected a horse that truly suited our needs," Edmund explained.
"Hmm. Typical geek behavior," G6 replied, her comment almost a whisper, her arms still crossed.
"We secured a very good deal," Zen added, already stroking his new horse's neck. "10 gold coin, two silver, and three bronze. It is remarkably cheap for a horse of this breed."
"Well, you are a friend of Eddie, after all," the old man said with a warm smile.
"Ah, really?" G6 responded, her tone indicating she was not particularly interested. "Let's leave now." She swung herself up onto Kira's saddle.
Zen and Edmund mounted their own horses.
"Thank you for this, Old Man. We will see you again!" Edmund called out.
With G6 taking the lead once more, she urged Akira into a run, and the two men fell in behind her, quickly matching her pace.
The old man watched them disappear down the path, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That lady… her aura somehow chills the very depths of my soul," he murmured to himself, shaking his head slowly before turning back to his warehouse.
As was customary, they guided their horses along the capital's designated paths for carriages and mounts, a necessary measure to control the ever-present crowds and prevent stampedes in the bustling capital districts.
They secured their horses in an alley near the Adventurers' Guild and entered. As soon as the three intimidating figures in their long, dark coats stepped inside, the lively murmur of the guild hall faltered and fell silent. All eyes were drawn to the strangers whose hoods completely concealed their faces.
"W-who are they?"
"I have never seen adventurers who hide their faces like that."
"To wear such coats and radiate such a presence..."
A man stepped out from behind the reception desk and approached the trio, who were now standing before the task board.
"I assume you are G6 and Eddie?" Liam asked.
Edmund was the only one who turned to him. "Oh, yes. How are you, Liam?"
"I have been well. It looks like you have company today," Liam remarked, noting their increased number.
"Ah, yes," Edmund said, turning to the other two with a silent request. G6 and Zen lowered their hoods.
"Nice to meet you. I am Zero," Zen said, his tone not particularly friendly.
"Are you an adventurer as well? I do not believe I have seen you here before," Liam inquired.
"I am registered in Tres Town. I often take work outside the capital," Zen explained.
"I see, an adventurer from Tres Town. That is in the Southern Region, is it not? It seems you spend much of your time in the provinces," Liam said with a smile.
"Enough with questions," G6 interjected. "Zero, I assume you are already A-Rank?"
"Yes," Zen confirmed.
"I see," G6 said, then turned to Liam, who was now visibly nervous around her. "Oy, why are there no fun tasks?" she asked, slamming her hand against the board, which made Liam jump and drew the attention of everyone in the guild.
"B-Because we received an order from the Palace to post A-Rank through C-Rank tasks only at the reception desk. We now have the authority to judge whether a party can handle them. I believe it is a precaution following the mission you two undertook last time," Liam explained, rubbing the back of his head.
"Ah." G6 moved toward the counter, the others following her. She began scanning the tasks posted on the reception wall.
Liam stepped back behind the counter. "How about this one?" He unpinned a task and slid it across the table for the three to examine.
"That is an A-Rank mission located in Greenhill Village, the fifth village," Liam explained. "Reports indicate a pack of wolves has settled deep in the mountains. From time to time, they descend and disturb the village. They are growing more aggressive."
"Hmm. That is the last village under the capital's jurisdiction. It will take us nearly half a day to reach it," Zen noted, his hand on his chin in thought.
"The travel time to villages varies?" G6 asked.
"Yes," Zen answered.
"Ah. We will take it," G6 declared. She snatched the poster and shoved it against Zen's chest, forcing him to take it. "Let's go." She was already moving toward the door, with Zen following closely.
Edmund offered Liam an apologetic smile. "Thank you, Liam. Please do not mind my... niece."
"It is nothing. I am growing used to it. Hehe," Liam replied.
Edmund gave a final nod and followed the other two, who had already exited the guild.
They retrieved their horses from the alley and guided them through the crowded streets toward the city's main gate. The capital's exit was a controlled chaos of merchants, travelers, and guards. A line had formed as the city watch meticulously checked identification and cargo.
When their turn came, a guard held up a hand. "Guild cards and purpose for travel," he stated, his voice bored from repetition.
Edmund, ever the diplomat, nudged his horse forward slightly. "Of course." He produced his card—'Eddie Saiden'—with a calm smile. "A simple pest control mission in Greenhill Village."
The guard glanced at the card, then at G6 and Zen, who offered their own without a word. The guard's eyes lingered on G6's card, then flicked up to her concealed face beneath the hood. A faint unease crossed his features, but he found no fault. He gave a sharp nod and waved them through. "Clear. Safe travels."
Edmund led the way, steering his horse onto the worn dirt road that stretched beyond the city's protective walls. G6 and Zen fell in behind him, their forms silhouetted against the towering stone of the capital as they moved away. With the gate at their backs, the open world lay ahead, the path unwinding toward distant mountains and the promise of a hunt.
Beyond the capital walls, an endless expanse of greenery unfolded before them. Edmund led the way, skillfully navigating the paths that skirted the villages, deliberately avoiding the main thoroughfares.
They passed three villages over the course of four hours before finally stopping to rest by the roadside. They chose a spot shaded by large trees, providing cover for both themselves and their horses.
Zen and Edmund cut several thick branches to serve as makeshift seats. Edmund then retrieved a large basket from his Dimensional Vault, a thoughtful provision from Tina.
"Let us have lunch. It is already noon," Edmund announced.
He started a small bonfire to heat a pot of meat soup Alistair had prepared.
"What is all this? Why does it look like enough for five people? And why do you even have a pot in your vault?" G6 asked, sitting back and watching him work with a bored expression.
"Well, I like to be prepared for your unpredictable decisions, my lady. I also have bowls and utensils," Edmund stated proudly as he stirred the pot. "And I believe Alistair is well aware of your healthy appetite."
"Healthy appetite? I recall, during my first meal with you, you had the largest portion of steak," Zen commented as he laid out the bowls and spoons on a picnic blanket Edmund had also produced.
"Shut your mouth, or you will be the next meal," G6 said flatly.
"Hmm, Alistair packed two large torpedo sandwiches for us. It is more than enough. We shall save the rest for later," Edmund said, closing the basket.
"It seems Alistair truly takes good care of you," Zen remarked, watching Edmund wait for the soup to heat.
"Well, the couple is indeed quite fond of G6," Edmund confirmed.
"What do you think about the strict inspection earlier? Last time we left, the knights were much more relaxed," G6 asked, shifting the topic entirely.
"Hmm. It is likely due to the recent irregularities," Edmund suggested.
"And the serial killer who remains at large," Zen added.
"He has not been captured yet?" G6 asked.
"He is elusive. He may be a wielder of a noble affinity," Zen explained.
"So there is a chance he is a noble?" G6 pressed.
"Last year, two types of blood were found at the scene. One was the victim's; the other is believed to be the culprit's. His blood indicates he is seventy-five percent commoner, with a twenty-five percent... special case," Zen detailed.
"Oh? So he is one of those bastard children?" G6 deduced.
"Not necessarily. Noble blood is genetically dominant. I suspect it is a forbidden spell..." Zen trailed off.
"Commoners purchasing noble blood and attempting to fuse it with their own? That is incredibly dangerous and could be fatal. The success rate is terribly low, and it could poison you," Edmund interjected.
"Or worse, a wrong chant or incantation could kill you outright," Zen said.
"I cannot blame them for trying to mix commoner blood with noble blood. This world's hierarchy is cruel. A noble can wield their designated affinity and still acquire Physical Enhancement and Utility Magic," G6 stated, crossing her arms. "Yet peasants are limited to only those two. If you are thirsty for power, you will do anything."
Edmund and Zen fell into a heavy silence.
She is right… The world's treatment of commoners is profoundly unfair. Is this one of the reasons the Queen places so much faith in her? Zen thought.
"Are you satisfied with your own lot, Eddie?" Zen asked quietly.
Edmund stared into the pot and smiled. "Of course. I am confident and more than satisfied with my path." He determined the soup was ready. "Let us eat."
He carefully ladled the hot soup into the three bowls and handed them to G6 and Zen and for himself.
Their meal continued with light conversation, not about personal lives, but about the kingdom's geography—villages, towns, and cities. As they talked, they each had more than three bowls of soup. Their lunch and rest together took a full two hours of their journey.
After their rest and cleaning up, they mounted their horses and continued their journey.
"How much farther?" G6 asked as their horses ran on, her voice carried by the active Whisper of Gale spell.
"We are already halfway to the fourth town," Edmund called back from the front.
G6 and Zen rode behind him, side by side.
"Edmund!" Zen's voice joined the spell's network. "Why do we not take the remote pass? It is a shortcut, though the road is flanked by mountains and cliffs."
"I believe it is safe! There has been no rain these past few days! What are your orders?" Edmund asked, deferring to G6.
"The main road sounds lame," she responded. "We will take whatever gets us to our destination faster. Hurry up."
"Copy!" Edmund responded, and he guided them onto a new path.
He led them onto a forest trail that quickly turned into a difficult road winding along a steep cliff face.
"This road is rarely used by carriages; it is too dangerous," Zen commented.
"Dangerous, huh?" G6 mused.
They pressed on. The road was narrow, just wide enough for a carriage but treacherous to navigate.
As they continued, their horses suddenly reared in panic as an arrow shot across their path.
The peaceful rhythm of their journey shattered. An arrow whistled past G6's ear, thudding in their way ahead. Her mind ignited like a spark; she immediately urged her horse forward, placing herself in front of Edmund.
"CODE RED! DO NOT LOSE YOUR HORSES!" G6 commanded, taking the lead and urging them forward.
What the fuck was that? I didn't sense any presence. Her mind raced.
But they were once again rained on by arrows from the mountains above. "DO NOT STOP!" G6 yelled.
"G6! The arrows are coming from above! It is probably bandits!" Zen shouted.
"READY YOUR WEAPONS!" G6 ordered.
The arrows did not cease, but neither did their frantic pace.
"Do not engage! We are at a disadvantage here!" G6 said while they continued to run.
However, at the end of the cliff road, a group of bandits was already waiting for them, grinning like predators who had cornered their prey, forcing the party to halt a short distance away.
"G6," Edmund whispered, the sound carried by the spell.
"G6, perhaps—no. This looks bad. It might be better if you fall to the rear," Zen said, his voice tight with worry.
"Stay in your positions. Do not move until I give the order," G6 said, her voice chillingly calm.
A tall, large bandit emerged from the crowd, hefting a massive sword.
"Oh? Only three. And they look loaded. Look at the quality of those coats," the bandit, clearly the leader, said.
"They look like mercenaries," another man commented.
"Mercenaries? Their horses are too fine for that," the leader scoffed. "Who are you people? You are bold to take this route."
"We are adventurers," Edmund stated.
"Adventurers? A three-man party?" the leader laughed. "Loose your hoods! Or I will shoot your horses."
G6 narrowed her eyes. She made the first move, lowering her hood. The bandits' eyes filled with excitement.
"A woman?" the leader leered. "Looks like we will have a feast tonight! But in bed! Ha ha ha!" The other bandits roared with laughter.
Edmund and Zen also lowered their hoods, their faces etched with anger.
"Who is the captain of this party? Are you strong? You must be, to take such a dangerous route," the leader taunted.
"I will handle this, Lady Reise," Edmund whispered. He cleared his throat. "I—"
"I am," G6 said, her voice calm and low.
Lady Reise is too calm for this situation. I understand she is peculiar and strong, as the Queen claim. But this is too calm, Zen thought, observing her intently.
"Oh?" The leader laughed uproariously. "A woman? The captain?" He turned to his group and laughed again. "This will be so easy. I will kill the two men and we will have you for later," the leader said, grinning and giving G6 a vulgar gesture.
G6 slowly took off her sunglasses and tucked them into her pocket.
"I will let you live if you let us pass," G6 said, her voice beginning to fray at the edges.
This is bad. Lady Reise… Edmund thought, a cold dread settling in.
G6's thoughts: How long has it been since my last kill? This would get pretty amazing if I add all of them to my body count. Should I show them how fast I can kill them? That would be fun. Seeing the horror on their faces. Let's use that spell. Echo Trace.
[Echo Trace Description: A skill that allows her to trace the faint sound echoes bouncing off her targets, creating a mental map of their precise locations. It is sharp, precise, and utterly mysterious to outsiders.]
She played the wind up the mountainside, counting the living heartbeats, the faint rustles of cloth, the subtle shifts in weight.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six… She let out a slow, creepy smile. Nine people up there.
"Oh, pretty lady, what are you smiling for? Are you excited for me to have you?" the leader asked.
"How dare you disrespect her!" Zen was about to move when G6 immediately disappeared from her horse.
G6's thoughts: <
In the space between one blink and the next, G6 vanished from her saddle. To the bandits below and her companions, it was as if she had been erased from existence.
She reappeared silently on the cliff face, her form clinging to the shadows. Echo Trace painted nine glowing markers in her mind. Nine heartbeats. Nine targets.
Finally. A real hunt.
Her whole being was a cold, focused stream. She was in predator mode.
Her heart wasn't pounding with fear; it was singing with a predatory rhythm she had missed. The absence of a kill for weeks had left an itch under her skin, and now she could finally scratch it.
The first bandit, a man nocking another arrow, never saw her. He felt a fleeting breeze, a phantom touch at his throat, and then a warm, wet line opened up. He was dead before he could process the lack of air, his body slumping silently against the rock. One
The man next to him noticed his companion's stillness a second too late. "Hey, you okay—" A blade, silent and unseen, entered through the base of his skull. Two.
Panic began to bloom among them. "Where is she?!" one hissed, spinning around with his sword drawn. He saw only the empty cliffside and the terrified eyes of his comrades. Then he saw nothing at all. Three.
It was a symphony of silence and death. She moved like a vengeful ghost, a Reaper harvesting souls. A stab to the heart. A slit throat from behind. A precise thrust through the ribs. Four... Five... Six... Seven.
The eighth man turned to run, his courage shattered. He managed two steps before a dagger, thrown with impossible accuracy, buried itself in his spine. He fell, paralyzed, and the last thing he saw was her boot before a final, merciful strike. Eight.
The ninth and final archer, the one farthest back, was frantically trying to aim his bow at the empty air where she had last been. He was trembling so hard he could barely nock an arrow.
"P-please..." he begged the darkness.
G6 materialized in front of him, her grey eyes devoid of any emotion. "No," she whispered.
In one fluid, brutal motion, her other blade swept horizontally. There was a wet, crunching sound. The world tilted violently for the bandit, and then there was only darkness. Nine.
Down on the cliff road, the bandit leader was growing impatient. "Where did that wench go? Did she run? Search the—"
A heavy, wet thud landed directly between the two groups, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
It was the severed head of the ninth bandit, his face frozen in a final mask of terror.
Silence. Absolute, deafening silence.
The bandits stared, their bravado evaporating into pure, unadulterated fear. They backed away from the grisly object, several of them stumbling over their own feet.
Edmund and Zen could only stare, their blood running cold. Sweat beaded on their temples and trickled down their backs. Edmund's knuckles were white where he gripped his reins. Zen's mouth was slightly agape, unable to form a single word. The sheer, brutal efficiency of the slaughter they had only been able to imagine was now made horrifically real.
As the bandits stared in horror at the head of their companion, a figure dropped from the cliff above, landing as lightly as a shadow next to it.
It was G6.
A single, dramatic splatter of blood marred her cheek, stark against her pale skin. Her twin daggers still in her hands, covered in blood. Her grey eyes, cold and empty, swept over the remaining bandits. There was no anger, no hatred, not even excitement. There was only the calm, analytical gaze of a predator looking at prey that needed to be culled.
She did not look at Edmund or Zen. Her entire focus was on the men before her.
Twenty-three more, her inner voice noted clinically. The hunt continues.
The bandit leader's fear curdled into a furious, desperate rage. "You witch! Get her! Kill them all!" he roared, pointing a trembling finger at G6 and the two men behind her.
His remaining men, spurred by his command and their own terror, surged forward with a collective yell.
It was a fatal mistake.
G6 didn't move; she flowed. Her form became a blur, a phantom woven from death itself.
<
<
Ten seconds.
In the space of ten heartbeats, chaos was methodically dismantled. She didn't engage in a fight; she performed an execution. Her twin daggers, still dripping blood from the cliff-top slaughter, became extensions of her will. A bandit charging from the left found his throat opened before his sword could even descend. Another, coming from the right, took a blade through the eye. A third, fourth, fifth—each fell with a single, precise, and utterly fatal strike. There was no clashing of steel, only the soft, sickening sounds of blades parting flesh and the thuds of bodies hitting the dirt.
In ten seconds, half of the leader's men were on the ground, either dead or dying in silent, twitching agony.
On their horses, Edmund and Zen were frozen. Their legs trembled, not from the battle, but from the horrifying spectacle before them. A cold dread, colder than any winter chill, seized their hearts and locked their muscles.
Edmund's thoughts: By the gods... This isn't combat. This is... slaughter. She's not fighting them; she's harvesting them. Her killing style is the same as the time we killed the horde. Yet… yet she's more intense. I… lady Reise… killed a… human being. Like it was nothing.
Zen's thoughts: No... this is impossible. No knight, no assassin I've ever heard has this thirst of blood. She's almost like… a demon. A death made flesh. That aura... it's suffocating. It's the void.
To them, G6 was no longer just a woman. She was a nexus of terrifying energy, a dark silhouette against the fading light, her grey eyes glowing with an otherworldly calm. The air around her felt heavy and cold, as if death itself had taken a physical form and was standing among them.
The remaining bandits, including the leader, stumbled to a halt. Their weapons fell from numb fingers, clattering on the stone path. The fight had been utterly drained from them, replaced by a primal, bowel-loosening terror.
They dropped to their knees, their bravado replaced by desperate, weeping pleas.
"P-Please! Spare us!"
"We surrender! We yield! Have mercy!"
"We'll do anything! Don't kill us!" the leader sobbed, pressing his forehead to the dirt.
G6 stood amidst the carnage, her daggers still held loosely at her sides, blood pooling at her feet. She tilted her head, a predator considering the cries of its prey.
"I gave you a chance to live," she stated, her voice flat and devoid of any emotion, cutting through their weeping like a knife. "I told you I would let you live if you let us through. You chose this."
She took a single, slow step forward. The sound of her boot on the gravel was deafening in the silence.
"You thought I was just a woman. An easy target," she continued, her tone laced with a cold, mocking finality. "Now, look at you. Begging for a life you threw away. My mere presence is your nightmare, and you are already dead."
The hope in their eyes died, replaced by the hollow realization of their inevitable end. The pleading stopped, replaced by the quiet, broken whimpers of men who knew they were already in their graves.
As G6 took another silent step forward, her bloodied daggers ready to finish the task, the bandit leader threw his hands up in a final, desperate act.
"Wait! Please, wait!" he screamed, his voice cracking. "A deal! I-I have information! A secret that could bring you a fortune! Spare us, and it is yours!"
G6 halted. Her head tilted, a predator intrigued by a new sound. The cold finality in her eyes shifted to a sharp, analytical gleam.
"A fortune for us?" Her voice was a low, dangerous hum. "Speak. And it had better be worth the air you are wasting."
"It is! I swear it!" the leader babbled, trembling violently. "The reason we've been attacking villages... we knew! We knew all the knights were sent on expeditions! The capital was confident, leaving the villages unprotected! It was the perfect time to strike!"
G6 moved faster than he could blink. The point of her dagger was suddenly pressed against his throat, a single bead of blood welling up beneath the steel.
"You knew this how?" she demanded, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
"I don't know who sent it! I swear!" he cried, tears mixing with the dirt on his face. "A bird! A crow! It just delivered the messages with the schedules! The last one is in my pocket!"
He frantically gestured to his grimy coat. "Please, check! It's the truth!"
G6's gaze did not waver from the man, but the immediate threat of death was paused.
Behind her, Edmund and Zen, their legs still unsteady, finally gathered their courage. They slowly dismounted from their shaking horses and approached cautiously. Edmund knelt beside the sobbing bandit leader, his movements careful and precise, and began searching the man's pockets. After a moment, his fingers closed around a small, tightly rolled scroll. He stood and offered it to G6.
She kept her dagger at the man's throat but took the scroll with her free hand, her grey eyes flicking down to examine the potential lead.
Sensing Edmund and Zen standing cautiously behind her, G6 didn't turn. She simply extended her hand, the small scroll held between her blood-stained fingers. "Edmund. Look at this."
Edmund took the paper, his movements still tense.
G6 kept her eyes locked on the bandit leader. "Zen. Interrogate him. Is he certain about this crow?"
Zen stepped forward, his voice firm but layered with the cold dread he still felt. "You claim a crow delivered knight expeditions schedules. Can you swear to this? Your life depends on the truth."
"Yes! I swear it! On my life!" the leader sobbed, his face pressed into the dirt. "The bird came at the same time each week. We never saw who sent it!"
Satisfied with the answer, G6 finally lowered her dagger. She glanced at Zen, a silent question in her cold eyes.
Zen understood the look. "Even if we take him as a prisoner, it is futile," he stated, the logic clear and grim. "We cannot use a teleportation magic tool; it would reveal our location and this entire secret outing to the Collegium. Tying them up here is useless. No one travels this path. They would simply starve."
A slow, unnerving smile touched G6's lips. It was not a kind expression. "Who said anything about tying them up? I was just going to let them go."
The bandits stared, disbelief and desperate hope warring on their faces.
"In exchange for this information," G6 continued, her voice dropping to a conversational, yet terrifying tone, "I will let you pathetic worms crawl away." She leaned forward slightly, her grey eyes pinning the leader in place. "But listen closely. If this information turns out to be fake, or a trap..."
She paused, letting the silence hang heavy in the air.
"...Wherever you try to hide, in the deepest hole or the darkest alley of the most distant city, know this: I will find you. And our conversation will end very differently. Do we have an understanding?"
"Y-Yes, Ma'am!" the bandits cried out in ragged unison, scrambling backward before turning to flee into the woods, their forms quickly disappearing into the undergrowth.
"Tch. What a bunch of losers," G6 muttered, watching them go. "Get lost before I change my mind."The last of the bandits scrambled into the tree line, their sobs of relief swallowed by the forest. As the sound of their flight faded, a heavy, suffocating silence descended upon the cliff road, broken only by the faint drip of blood from G6's daggers.
Edmund and Zen stood frozen, their bodies refusing to unclench. The scene was a charnel house. Bodies lay strewn like broken dolls, their lives ended with a chilling, assembly-line efficiency. But the true horror wasn't the carnage; it was the architect.
G6 wiped her blades clean with the detached focus of a craftsman maintaining her tools. There was no pride in her eyes, no disgust, not even the heated rush of battle. There was only a flat, mundane satisfaction, as if she had just completed a tedious but necessary chore. The terrifying aura that had choked the air—the palpable sense of a primordial predator unleashed—was gone, withdrawn as easily as a held breath. The Reaper had sheathed her scythe, and in its place stood a woman, casually cleaning up.
For Edmund, it was a confirmation of a fear he had long held. This is what she is. Not a noble, not a lady... a force of nature. A natural disaster in human skin. The loyalty in his heart now warred with a primal, instinctual fear.
For Zen, the Queen's words finally crystallized into terrifying understanding. "You will have failed to perceive what is directly in front of you." He had not perceived it. Not truly. He had thought her dangerous, sharp, unpredictable. He now saw that was a child's understanding. She was the void. She was the ending. And he, the Queen's loyal hound, had just been handed the leash to a hurricane.
As G6 slid her spotless daggers back into their sheaths, she glanced at their pale, stricken faces. "What are you two standing around for?" she asked, her voice perfectly, horrifyingly normal. "We're burning daylight. The wolves aren't going to kill themselves."
—To be continued...—