Assassination

In just the past few months, Golen Village had seen explosive growth.

It was effectively a town at this point. But behind that rapid development, distortions had begun to form—almost inevitably.

And now, someone was targeting the life of Dyne, the head of the Dyne Trading Company, which served as Golen Village's official trading partner.

The Dyne Trading Company had two main outposts in Golen Village. One was in the original village with the other in the newly developing Karisoto Ward. Despite the expansion, Dyne himself still preferred to stay overnight at the original village's base.

Their security was… passable. The company had made enough money to hire exclusive bodyguards from among the ranks of adventurers, but their skills were second-rate at best.

They'd recently begun receiving personal combat training through connections with the inn's owner, but it still left much to be desired.

The assassin exploited that gap in security, slipping silently into the company's compound.

The target: Dyne, and Dyne alone.

The client had mentioned possibly including the village chief—if feasible—but when told that the chief was a high-ranking adventurer and that it would cost extra, they backed off.

Without making a sound, the assassin moved through the hallway. Not along the floor, but the walls and ceiling.

Traces would be left on floors. Skills like [Footprint Tracking] existed, after all.

Though the guards were awake and patrolling, they failed to notice anything above them. One even passed directly below the assassin. The guards could be killed, sure—but unnecessary bloodshed would only lower the chances of a successful assassination and escape.

If this were a total extermination, that would be different. They would be spared for now, though.

The assassin slipped into the target's bedroom. No guards were inside.

The target was snoring peacefully.

Sometimes it'd best to use poison that could mimic a heart attack to avoid detection. Tonight's plan, however, was to leave a clear, bloody message. A threat.

The assassin checked the window as a possible escape route. Wooden shutters. Should be easy enough to kick through.

Drawing a knife from their waist, they swung it down at the target's throat—

Thud. The blade sunk into the pillow.

"!?"

"Oyah oyah, the guards just failed with flying colors."

The target was gone. In their place stood a woman.

She had a ghostly, ethereal presence, like something not quite real. She could have passed for a spirit.

But she didn't feel strong—no, that was the strange part. She had appeared without a sound, replacing the sleeping Dyne without anyone noticing. There was no way she was weak.

"Well done making it here. Welcome to the fake bedroom."

"…"

"Oyah? Not the talkative type? No problem, you're still passing—barely."

The assassin feinted a strike at the woman but immediately bolted toward the window.

Bang! It wasn't the sound of splintering wood, but a heavy, metallic clang. The outer wood shattered to reveal a dull, iron plate behind it.

The window had been sealed. The woman now stood in front of the door—the only exit.

She looked completely open, but in reality, not a single opening could be found. No matter how the assassin imagined attacking, all futures led to their head flying off.

"Fufu, you're decent, at least."

"… A bodyguard? Where's the real one?"

"Dyne-sama is peacefully asleep at the village inn. Ah, and as for why I'm explaining all this… you've figured it out, haven't you?"

In other words, she had no intention of letting the assassin leave alive.

Hearing that from someone clearly stronger, the assassin gulped.

"Now, shall we begin?"

The woman smiled seductively and beckoned.

The assassin gambled on the slim chance of victory—and quickly died.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

I called Dyne into the reception room of the village chief's residence.

"So, Dyne. An assassin came for you. Got any idea why?"

"You serious, Kehma-han!? Oh—so that's why you told me to stay at the inn yesterday!?"

Dyne paled and began to tremble as I explained the attempt on his life.

"No worries. The assassin was dealt with."

"O-oh… I can't thank you enough. I owe you big time, Kehma-han. I can't ever sleep with my feet pointed in your direction now."

"You should throw Kuusan's wife a thanks too. She's the one who took the assassin down."

"… Did Kuusan really land himself such a crazy strong wife!?"

Incidentally, she's the one who detected the assassin approaching in the first place. As expected of a former direct subordinate to one of the Empire's Four Heavenly Monarchs.

"Any idea who might've sent them after you?"

"Who the hell would try to assassinate me…!? There's way too many people who might!"

"Whoa now, you been doing shady business or something?"

"Not at all! The Dyne Trading Company prides itself on honest work. We even pay half the fee upfront to our artisans! I mean, sure, that's thanks to your investment, but…"

"Then why would someone target you?"

"Well, it's obvious, isn't it? Just look at the Karisoto Ward—we've grown way too fast. Envy is a powerful thing… Oh, wait. Kehma-han, you're on good terms with the surrounding regions, aren't you?"

Indeed. In the Tsuia territory, Niku and Maiodoru are engaged. Vonodoru-sama and his wife, both regulars at the Beddhist church, are also key figures there.

On the Pavuera side, the heir Cid is the mayor of Draco Village. He's also a church regular and even borrowing one of our "magic tools" (technically a dungeon gimmick) for his hot springs.

Unless someone planned to betray a debt, no one local should have a reason to target me.

On top of that, Rokuko is on good terms with both the Dungeon Master of Mt. Tsuia and the Dungeon Core near the city—they even host tea parties together.

No reason for hostility there either.

"Well, I do know who sent the assassin."

"Seriously!? How!?"

"Better if you don't ask. Do you want a peek into the Empire's shadow games or something?"

"I heard nothin', I swear."

"Smart man. That's why you're one of our senior officials."

Honestly, our village is like a miniature version of the Empire's underworld.

Mainly thanks to dungeon-related stuff.

"Anyway, regardless of the method, you should know who the enemy is. Apparently, it's a merchant controlling the slums in Pavuera."

"Oh… then maybe I should ask Cid for help."

"… No, I'll take care of it."

It'd cause some serious problems if Dyne were to die. He'll probably become a noble once this village officially becomes a town and we'll need him for governance.

And if he's gone, someone else has to take over his job of securing funding.

That someone could very well be me. And I don't want that.

Also, Dyne's one of the people who helped build this village. I want to protect him.

"So, of course I'll handle it myself."

"… But wouldn't it be nice to give Cid a chance to repay a favor?"

"Hmm? You're right. In that case, I'll let him help out a bit."

And thus began the operation to protect the Dyne Trading Company.

… Honestly, I thought it'd be quicker to just assassinate the other guy back, but… oh well.