The Assassin and The Blind Saint

Arc 3: Prologue

One month after the fight between the Patrol Guard and the rebels on the Archduchy border, security stability in the surrounding area has improved. No major crimes occurred afterwards.

Today in Wien City, residents flocked to the main street to watch the entourage of the Saint and the Heroes arrive in Wien City.

The heroes will undergo their final Trial at Archduchy Astria which will last for several weeks. Which will determine, who is entitled to use the three legendary swords.

"Hey, they've arrived!"

"Where!? Where's it!? Let me see them!"

The main gate of the city was opened, an open horse carriage carrying a platinum-haired Woman entered the main street of the city. There were two Knights escorting both sides of the horse carriage.

Not long after, the heroes entered the main street of the city on horseback followed by the Holy Knights behind them.

"Wohh, it turns out that the rumored one is indeed true!"

"Yes, the Saint's beauty is unmatched!"

"Hey, look! The Saint waved his hand and smiled at me!"

"Stop dreaming stupid! The Saint smiled at me!"

The men suddenly started to get excited as Lena stood up smiling then started waving her hands greeting the citizens.

"Saint the Great, it's too risky if you're exposed to the public, '" Georgy spoke to the Saint.

"Mr Georgy, listen to their voices. The citizens here have waited a long time to welcome our arrival. It is my duty to repay the hospitality of the citizens of this city" Lena replied.

"As you wish, Great Saint."

The group passed through the streets of the city. Flowers on the streets. The atmosphere of the City was very lively thanks to the arrival of the Saint and the Heroes.

For ordinary citizens, being able to see the Saint was a once in a lifetime experience. Only high-ranking nobles would be able to meet him in person if under normal circumstances.

The Saint Horse carriage then arrived at the City square. Lena then went down and walked accompanied by Georgy to the residence of Prince Otto.

Starting from here, residents are prohibited from approaching and only Patrol Guards are allowed to guard on both sides of the road. The heroes descend following the Saint from behind.

It was seen that the Guard Patrols clenched their right hands and placed them on their left chests as a gesture of respect towards the Saint and the Heroes returning from the battlefield.

Not long after, Lena and Georgy had arrived at the residence of Prince Otto. There were also other Nobles who had come to greet the Saint.

"Welcome to Wien City, Great Saint." Prince Otto then lowered his head and kissed Lena's hand as a gesture of respect commonly performed by Nobles.

"Your Majesty, the citizens of Wien City are very enthusiastic today. I thank you and all the citizens for welcoming us this joyous arrival" Lena said with a smile.

"I didn't do anything, Great Saint. The residents of Wien city came by themselves out of curiosity with rumors about your beauty all along. I think now it's not a rumor anymore when now they've seen you in person" Prince Otto said.

"We will stay in this City for a few weeks, Your Majesty. During that day, please cooperate with him," said Lena.

"Great Saint need not hesitate, you and the Heroes will always be welcome in Wien City.

Lena and the Heroes entered Prince Otto's residence for lunch and talked about some of their activities the next day.

***

Ruhmstadt—Capital of the Habsburg—Chancellor's Room.

Duke Franz is reading the documents he received from the intelligence department. In his report it is said, there was a drug circulating in the Empire that made the citizens addicted and lost their minds.

This has been going on for over a month. However, the Empire's spies were still unable to smell the traces of the main culprits circulating the drugs.

Their biggest suspicion is Republicans. However, they still have no evidence of their involvement in this.

"The issue of the Empire's security has not been resolved, just now the rebels have been muted, a new problem arises" he murmured.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

"Chancellor, Duke Penrose has been present in the waiting room." The voice of service informs the arrival of the Chancellor's guest.

"He can come in now."

Duke Penrose van Reginar was the most influential noble in the Western region of the Empire. Duke Franz had a good relationship with his late father.

That's why Duke Penrose spent his childhood in the Ritterburg Family residence to become a Ward (The son of nobility entrusted to other Nobles to be educated) of the Ritterburg Family.

The door of his room opened revealing a man in his early 20s.

"Greetings Duke Franz, sorry to interrupt while you're at work." Penrose.

"It's okay Duke Penrose, please sit down first."

Duke Penrose accepted his offer and sat down in front of Duke Franz's desk.

"There's a need for Duke Penrose to go all the way to see me? Is it a personal matter or an official matter?" ask Duke Franz.

Duke Penrose then smiled and said, "this is about your daughter—Serena, Duke Franz."

Hearing the name Serena from Duke Penrose, Duke Franz's expression changed.

***

City Council Building, a middle-aged man was exiting the City Council Building.

In front of the building, a train was prepared to take him home. The horse-drawn carriage driver opened the door for him. Inside, there is a bodyguard to keep him on his way.

"Where are you going today, Mr Georg?" ask the driver.

"We're going to Wuzburg. I have business there in 4 hours" he replied.

"As you wish, Sir." Then they started to travel.

"Hey, are you new?" ask Georg.

"Yes, sir."

Georg felt his tone was a little strange. He decided to replace it later if there was time. The bodyguard he had previously had suddenly decided to retire. This person who was sitting with him was a recommendation chosen by the Bodyguard he had previously.

"Wait for the Driver, this I don't think is the road that's going to the City gate." Georg felt a weirdness.

"Ah, Sir. The road to the main gate is closed. Has the Master forgotten? The Saint and the Heroes have arrived in this City." Hearing the Driver's reason makes Georg's suspicions disappear.

After almost half an hour of travel, Georg felt he was not coming out of Wien City. He looked out the window and found himself in a municipal water dump.

"Sir Su—"

- Click

He heard a voice. His head was pinched with a Ludger by his Bodyguard.

"W-who are you? Whatdoyouwant?" asked Georg in a trembling voice.

"Oh, you already know me Georg." The bodyguard then showed his face.

"Ra-radolf?"

"I won't repeat my question, I might spare your life if you tell me what I want, okay?" threaten Radolf's.

"I-I understand."

Radolf then remained silent for a moment.

"Who told you to replace the Guard Patrols who were guarding the theater the night my family was killed?" radolf asked in a cold tone.

"I-I don't tah—"

- Dor!!!

"Agghhhh! N-no, don't kill me!" Radolf shot Georg in the thigh.

"Gear my eyes!" Radolf grabbed Georg's hair. "This time I'll kill you!"

"Hieckk! Aye! Aye! I'll answer it! Major Landa! He told me to do it!" reply Georg scared.

Major Landa was one of the five important officials of Archduchy Astria responsible for law enforcement at Archduchy Astria. Prince Otto has 5 subordinates who help him in taking care of his territory.

Major (Regular in law enforcement)

Steward (treasurer)

Marshal (authorized in maintaining security)

Spymaster (Employed in intelligence activities)

Bishop (Religious Leader in a City/Region)

After hearing the info from Georg, Radolf then took out a coin.

"Head you die, tail you're safe." Radolf threw the coin into the air and caught it.

"Daradly so... "

-Dorr!

Blood was splashed everywhere. There's a hole in Georg's head.

Radolf then got out of the horse-drawn carriage and took out a sum of money to give it to the Driver.

"After you washed the body away, get out of this country, okay? If I still find you, then I'll kill you myself" Radolf threatened.

"Yes, Sir." The driver then turned to lift Georg's body and threw it into the water channel.

-Dorr!

The driver's body collapsed and fell into the Waterway with Georg's body. Radolf shot him in the back.

"Mirana, Milo. I will avenge your deaths. This is just the beginning" muttered Radolf saw the two bodies washed away by the flow of water.