The Assassin and The Blind Saint

Arc 2 Chapter 20: Serena vs. Sirius

After making it out of the Rodea forest, Sirius and I decided to take a break. Our goal was to go to a village called Aubern.

"The two are ready? We'll start walking again. I assume we'll get to the village before sundown."

We continued our journey back down the river. According to Sirius, if we walk for 6 hours following this river, we will arrive at Aubern Village.

6 Hours of travel would be very boring... I then glanced towards the black-haired man beside me. His facial expression looked completely different when he was silent like this. It was different when he started talking. So irritating.

But looking at his abilities, Sirius looked quite skilled at fighting. The carving looks very natural. Is he experienced? Is he an ex-adventurer? Or was he part of the Empire's special intelligence unit. I don't know.

I think I'll check his files again when he gets back to base.

"Hey Sirius's... "

"What's up, Chief?"

"Tell me something interesting so that this trip is not boring" I asked.

Father said, the words that come out of a person's mouth are a reflection of his true nature. Maybe I'll find out a little bit about his character if I hear something coming out of Sirius' mouth.

"News, huh?"

He then looked up at the sky as if he was remembering something.

Sirius then began to tell him about a man. He said the man was very respectful of justice and never gave up at all in upholding it.

Although the problem he faced was very impossible to solve, he still remained firm with his stance and did not give up. Believe that justice will stand no matter what.

Hearing the story, I remembered someone. I then held my necklace. Something that keeps me remembering him.

"What happened to that man, Sirius?" my many.

"He's.dead." He said it like he was sorry for something. "Good people always die first, brave people always stay ahead and die protecting others."

I understand what Sirius said. Like Mom and Jerold, they were both good people. They also left this world quickly.

Whereas the bad guys—the criminals always survive because of their cunning and cowardly nature.

"Chairman, I have a question to an experienced justice enforcer like you." Sirius stopped his footsteps and looked me in the eye.

"If there is an evil that you cannot destroy in a clean way, will you remain on the right track of justice away from dirty and evil ways? Or will you commit an unjust and evil act to exterminate that evil?"

I then tried to process Sirius' question well. Looking at the expression on his face, he asked this matter earnestly.

A crime I can't destroy cleanly, right? Actually, I have faced this problem a lot. Like the scheming Nobles who commit evil acts in the shadows.

If I am not careful and rash in handling their cases and imprisoning them all, there will be political and security instability that will occur in the Empire.

Then, what am I supposed to do? Do I have to do dirty ways by kidnapping one of the noble families? Threatening to kill him if they don't confess to their crimes? Torturing their families and forcing the nobles to stop their unlawful acts. Sacrificing innocent people?

If I choose that filthy path, the crime will still not disappear because there is a new crime that I have committed to one of their families. This is called Evil Paradox.

"What will the Chairman choose? Surrender to a crime that the Chief cannot overcome? Or will the Chief commit a crime to put down a greater evil?" ask Sirius to come back.

I. I don't have the answer. What would Jerold say if faced in this situation...?

"I believe, however, that justice will remain upright. I'm not gonna give up on any crime."

Hearing my reply, Sirius only smiled and then started walking again.

"What will Sirius choose?" I was curious about his views on this matter.

"I'm still looking for answers in that, too" he replied.

After walking for a long time, we then rested to drink and recover. After continuing our journey back, we finally arrived at Aubern Village at sunset.

We then headed to the Patrol Guard Office to meet their Captain.

"What do you need to do here? One of you is wearing the uniform of the city's Patrol Guard, which unit are you from?"

"My name is Serena von Ritterburg, I'm the Chief of the Wien City Guard Patrol. This is my subordinate. Do you receive leaflets or information about missing persons?" my many.

The captain then took some files.

"Yes, this file came yesterday. Here it is written, a Chief Patrol Guard and one of its members have been declared MIA after carrying out a rebel eradication mission at the border of Archduchy Astria" he muttered reading the report.

...Author Note: MIA (Missing in Action)...

"Then, can anyone prove your identity is Lady Serena of the Ritterburg family?"

I then showed the ring on my finger. The ring had a symbol that only the Ritterburg family had.

"I'm sorry for Lady Serena's rather presumptuous actions, this was done because it's been our procedure." The captain bowed to me.

"No problem, Captain. Can you help us in some way?"

"Please, Lady Serena."

"Can the Captain lend us his ponytail for our trip to the City of Hesse tomorrow? My family will replace it if I've made it back to Wien City later."

Hearing my request, the Captain was silent for a moment. "I can help Lady Serena about that horse. However, we only have one healthy horse capable of taking you both to the City of Hesse."

Hearing the Captain's words, I reflexively glanced at Sirius's face.

Wait, why is it as if I have to get permission from him first. I'm the Chairman here.

"That's okay, Captain."

After finishing our business at the village Patrol Guard Office, Sirius and I went to look for lodging.

"There's only one room left for tonight." Hearing the receptionist's words, I reflexively looked at Sirius.

"Chairman, I'll find another place to rest" Sirius said.

I just nodded in response to Sirius' words.

"One room a night costs 35 Colling." Hearing the receptionist's words, I looked back at Sirius.

I didn't bring a dime of money with me when I was on a mission yesterday.

"This is the Chairman, you can use my money first." Sirius gave me a piece of Shilling.

"Yes... "

Ughhh... How humiliating. What kind of chairman borrows money to his subordinates?

***

The next day, Sirius and I met again at the Patrol Guard office.

"Continue to go along the Padua River for 2 hours and you will reach the city of Hesse." The captain gave us a directive.

"Thank you, Captain. My family will repay the kindness of Aubern Village."

"Not to think about Lady Serena. I'm happy to serve the heir to the famous Ritterburg family" he said humbly.

"Well, we go first."

Sirius and I left Aubern Village. We both rode on a horse with me sitting on the back while Sirius was in control of the horse.

We started to go down the river like the one the Captain pointed at.

A breath of fresh wind passed through as I saw the beautiful view of the meadow on this trip.

When was the last time I felt this free? Every day I was busy working as a Patrol Guard and surrounded by a noisy urban atmosphere.

I closed my eyes to enjoy the freedom I was feeling. Maybe occasionally vacationing to a remote place like this is not a bad idea.

But it did not last long, suddenly Sirius slowed down his horse.

"Chairman, look ahead there."

About 100 meters from here, there are some people who are looting a horse carriage. I vaguely saw a girl who was being held by some men.

"Sirius! We should hurry to help him!"

We then approached the carriage and got off our horse. I unsheathed my sword and shot towards the robbers.

- Slash!

Beheading one of the robbers suddenly made his colleagues surprised. Three passengers and the driver of the horse-drawn carriage were dead.

"Help me!" One of the rebels was holding a girl who was the sole survivor.

"Go from here! Otherwise, I'll kill this girl!" threaten her.

If only I could use my magic, I could easily kill him quickly.

- Bamm!

Suddenly Sirius kicked the head of the robber who was threatening the girl making him lose consciousness instantly.

Huh uh? How could Sirius launch his attack without being detected by his opponent? I didn't hear her footsteps at all.

I looked around me, the rest of the robbers had been overthrown by Sirius.

"Miss, are you okay?" Sirius tried to calm the poor girl down.

I turned around and saw a child running with the loot trying to cross the river. He was part of the robber. I rushed to chase after him.

"Stop you!" The boy turned around to hear my screams but did not try to stop his running.

- Slash!

I slashed his leg to make him fall. He then looked at me in fear while holding the bag of loot.

"I warned you. Now, accept the consequences of what you've done, criminal!" I slashed my sword towards the boy's neck.

-Clang!

"...!"

"What does this mean, Sirius!"

Sirius returned his sword. "Chairman, he's just a kid."

Hearing her words made me want to laugh.

"Absolute justice does not look at feathers whether old or young. So crime can be done by all. They must accept the consequences of their actions!" i'm firm.

Yep... Like the day my mother was killed by a child. Crime can be done by anyone. Therefore, do not worry just because of this kind of thing.

"His life is long. Death is the end, life is full of possibilities." His expression changed when he said that.

"I warn you one last time, Sirius! Don't block me." Our words do not make Sirius flinch.

"Everybody has a chance to change."

"Not for criminals!"

I then darted towards Sirius launching several attacks. He dodged and drew his sword.

"Chairman, I don't want to fight you."

"Huh, you said that as if you could easily defeat me!" I went back to her direction.

-Clang!

Our swords are clashing. I tried to re-attack my attacks on him. However, none of my sword techniques can hit it.

From then on, he simply restrained and dodged my attack. He underestimated me.

"Dancing Sword: The Stardust Stream!" I did my flagship combo attack technique.

This technique represents 11 consecutive quick slashes that are very difficult to avoid or counter with counterattacks.

-Clang!

Impossible! How was he able to dodge and fend off all of his slashes!? Only Jerold and Uncle Georgy can use this combo attack!

Sirius, how can he predict my attack? He seemed to have seen this attack before.

But I will not give up, I will show you techniques that I have not even shown Jerold and Uncle Georgy!

"Dragon's Claw!"

- Slash!

This time, Sirius was unable to avoid it perfectly. My attack slashed his shoulder.

"If you just keep fending off and dodging, you won't be able to defeat me!"

After saying that, he instead sheathed back his sword.

What the fuck is that?

I darted back towards him trying to attack him back.

"Dancing Blade: Waterfall Paradise!" Back, I launched a combo attack on him.

This time, he was able to dodge my attack. Various incisions filled his uniform. He opened the uniform and threw it away.

Is that so? By storing his sword he could focus on dodging more perfectly. If dodging was all he would do, then I can guess his plan against me.

He wanted to make me run out of energy because he attacked me often and then toppled me with a single attack.

He thought it would be that easy, didn't he?

"It's so naive!"

Darting towards him, I then prepared my sword technique.

"Death End!"

I took out a powerful combo of 7 attacks. All of these attacks of mine Sirius was unable to avoid perfectly. Some parts of his body were hit by my sword incisions.

After successfully launching my sixth attack, Sirius' body seemed to be losing its balance.

It's time... Sorry Sirius, glad to have known you for a while.

I aimed my attack at his neck.

Thudd

Huh uh? My sword suddenly flew out of my grasp.

Sirius suddenly spun around and then took a kick towards my wrist.

Damnit damnit! I was eaten by his bait. All this time he seemed helpless wanting to make me careless and rash to make an attack.

He then caught my hand and slammed me towards the riverbank.

He then held my hands together with his hands.

"Give up, Chief."

If only I could use my magic, I'd burn him alive!

"Rush up? In dreams!"

"Aghhhh!" I kicked Sirius' egg.

His grip on my hand is weakening. I took advantage of that situation and turned my body around. My position is now on top while Sirius is below.

I then took out a knife tied to my waist and thrust it towards his face. However, both of his hands were holding my wrists.

Just a little more managed to stab his head, I then pushed my hand firmly. This time, it was only a matter of strength contest.

"Chairman, hate only their actions, not the person who committed the criminal act" he said weakly.

Hearing it made my emotions grow.

"What do you know about me!? You won't understand because you don't feel the pain I'm going through because of those criminal bastards!" I re-enforced my hand to the knife I was holding.

My knife-eye was right in front of Sirius's. However, his expression remained calm and was not afraid at all.

"Trust me, Chief. I understand your pain." His expression looked like he had great regret when stating that.

My energy is starting to weaken. I then released the knife I was holding into the river.

"What do you know!?" I hit him in the face.

"Don't you ever get too close to me!" This time I beat his chest.

"You don't know how much I hate them! Those criminals—have taken away the people I care about! Aghhhh!" I hit him back in the face. My eyes began to blur from the tears that came out due to the explosion of my emotions.

Huhh... Huhh... Huhh... After screaming like that, I started to try to breathe normally again.

I saw Sirius's face. His mouth was bleeding from receiving some of my blows.

After letting out all the resentment in my heart, I was able to think clearly again.

I looked back at Sirius. Our clothes were wet from fighting in the river. My position is sitting on his stomach.

I just realized, even though from outside Sirius looks to have a normal body shape. This time I was able to touch his chest and stomach which had strong muscles behind his uniform.

I then touched the cut I gave him on his chest. Right in his heart, if he hadn't been able to dodge my attack earlier, he might have died.

I then saw the expression on Sirius' face flushed red. He turned his face to the side.

"Chairman, can you stop tickling my chest and stomach? It makes me ticklish" he said slowly.

"Eh?"

I just realized, our position is like a couple who are fighting. Other people would have misunderstood us if they saw us in this situation.

I then rushed to get up. However, my body is very difficult to move. I guess I'm exhausted from not fully recovering from the previous fight and still getting the effects of Mana Exhaustion.

"I-i... Can't move."

In the end, we pardoned the boy to take him to the City of Hesse to be given the appropriate punishment.

There were two horses in the Horse Car. Sirius rode with the robber's son. While I was riding with a girl who was only left of the victims of the robbery.

After arriving in the city of Hesse. Sirius and I were finally able to use transportation services to take us to the Wien City Capital Archduchy Astria.

After our fight near that river, we had not spoken a word at all. Judging from Sirius' injuries, I did indeed overdo it with killing intent.

I think I should start first to have a conversation.

"Sirio... " He turned to look me in the eye.

"Yes, what's the matter, Chief Serena?" His tone did not change at all the same as before we fought earlier.

"I'm sorry I beat you earlier, I can't control my emotions."

Responding to my words, he just smiled. "Not to think about it, Chief. I told you, you can always count on me.

Hearing her words somehow made my heart feel warm.

Sirius is right. I should just hate the criminal act and not hate the person who did it.

However, my emotions about killing my mother and Jerold have always ruled over me. I'm glad Sirius was able to hold me back then.

"Sirius, please work together on the next missions with me." I offered him a handshake.

"Of course, please cooperate with him as well, Chairman." He returned my handshake with a smile.

After several hours of travelling by horse carriage, we had finally reached Wien City.