"If survival is a sin, then virtue is a luxury for the dead."
The masked man who sat at the head of the long table with exactly twenty two chairs said. All around him were men and women with their faces concealed by a mask, but each one of them had an air of mystery around them, he knew they were dangerous.
Cassian also wore a mask; a black full face covering one which had one side extending upwards that looked like a horn.
He sat on a chair in the middle of the table, and in front of which was a small statue of an angel with black wings and a scythe, symbolizing Death.
On his right was a woman with long purple hair tied into a ponytail, she wore a black cloak to hide her body so nobody was able to find out her real identity.
'As if that would be easy, there are multiple people of the same height and same hair color in this world.'
But that aside, he couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. Sure he had an advantage over some stuff in regards to information, but overall his situation was not at all good.
Surrounding him were the villains who caused everything that happened in the novel. They were evil but they were also his best bet in finding a way back home.
As he was indulged in his thoughts, a man with blonde hair came and sat on his left. The mask he wore was a bit smaller, as though he didn't care about his real identity being found out.
He wore a blue robe which covered his body completely. He looked at Cassian for a moment and then took a sip from the glass of wine in front of him.
"Death, you seem anxious about something." He said and looked towards him.
Cassian tried his best not to show his anxiousness, because if he did everyone around him would pounce at him.
In other words, he'd die. Nothing he can do would save him, hell even one of them could kill him at his current strength very easily.
"World, I'm fine. Just a bit under the weather lately. How have you been?" Cassian questioned as he remembered the way to deal with villains.
"The East has been in uproar, civil war is upon us to be honest. The Ironveil's expedition to the Gorge of Death also caused a lot of unrest among the noble houses of the East." He replied and took a sip of the wine he held in his hand.
Then he patted Cassian's shoulder, in a rather encouraging manner. He was newly appointed as "Death" because the previous one died at the hands of the Captain of the Black Mandate.
"Okay, enough of this trivial talk. The master is about to begin." He said and set his wine glass in front of him.
The masked man sitting at the head of the table grabbed the glass of wine and raised it. Everyone, including Cassian picked up theirs and raised them as well.
"Congratulations to the newly promoted members. I am expecting great things from you both. Death and Hermit that is." He declared and everyone cheered for Cassian and the woman besides him.
But the cheering died down as he continued, "Death, the youngest son of Count Morrigan has been sticking his nose where he shouldn't. I want you to dispose of him. Never knew, a count's son would be an issue for us and not an Ironveil."
Cassian's eyes widened, no one knew he was Cassian Morrigan. The one who was interfering with work.
He had been told to just kill himself as no one knew anyone's identity. Maybe some did, but that was on them.
Cassian took a deep breath and replied, "Noted, I will start on it as soon as possible."
The man shook his head slightly at this, despite being so powerful he was very understanding.
***
Cassian took a carriage and was left at the entrance of the academy. From the left he saw Professor Hawthorne who walked slowly towards the entrance.
"Cassian!" He said and picked up his pace. "What were you doing this late outside?" He questioned as both men walked inside the academy.
"I couldn't sleep so thought I'd get some stuff from my storage at the County's Viremont Estate." Cassian replied as he showed him two bags in his hand and a sword strapped on his back.
"How's your preparations for the Tactical War Table trials? You're a Morrigan, surely you wouldn't lose to a bunch of nobodies." Edmund said with a chuckle.
While that was true, there were only a few people who would be able to beat Cassian at Tactical War Table.
After all he was the one who made the game in the first place, being the author was mostly full of cons for Cassian, but knowledge was a thing which was never betrayed. And effort is something which doesn't go to waste.
"I'm ready for the trials, Professor. I am confident that no one apart from the Ironveil's could beat me at Tactical War Table." Cassian declared boldly as the two men split and went in their own directions.
Cassian entered his dorm, Martha and Ser Oliver were both still asleep from the looks of it. He walked into his room and locked the door.
Then he took out a notebook and wrote what he was tasked with earlier in the meeting. "Kill Cassian Morrigan." The words he had written felt weird.
Almost like a premonition, but he didn't care. He wanted to return to Earth, to his daughter. He was willing to give up anything and everything.
As the sun came out and dispersed the darkness of the night, Cassian pondered over how he would proceed with what he was tasked with.
But little did he know that his decisions would have such a huge impact. The price he would have to pay for all this was immense but he was determined to be the last one standing.
***
[Chapter 5 - How To Be A Villain]