Chapter 18: 18 Raid

On the way back from a fight with the Peony Faction.

Deanna was hurrying to Shayla's room in the shortest possible time.

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In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to use the site, please do not hesitate to contact us. I can see Shayla resolutely declining to use the Red Rose Room, despite Rita and Lurie's encouragement, and returning to her room.

Shayla's room is located in the far corner of the palace. It is far away from the salon of the Peony School, as it should be.

And that's why Deanna was running down the shortest, most deserted corridor, worried about Shayla.

...!

It was a moment too late for her to react to the explosive rush of blood behind her.

I'm not sure what to do.

Almost as soon as she turned around, something sharp flashed in front of her. I reflexively jumped backwards, dodged in the nick of time, rolled down the corridor to catch myself, and as I got up, I took out the dark weapon I had stored under my sleeve. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

As she slowly stood up, Deanna seamlessly readied her favorite weapon.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

Seeing Diana, the assailant laughed in amusement. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing. If she let her guard down even a little, she would have to say goodbye to the world. That's how strong this assailant - the boy - is.

Deanna straightened up.

"What's in it for me?

"What do you mean?

What do you mean? "If you were as good as you are, you would have killed me in a second. What do you think you're doing, attacking me at a speed I can avoid ......?

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you have.　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

You can't expect an expert to misjudge the strength of his or her prey.

Deanna didn't take a step back. An unpredictable assassin is more dangerous than someone who just comes at you blindly. Even if you have an idea of the boy's identity, you can't feel safe if you don't know what he's thinking.

"So, let me ask you this, did you want to die, Master Red Rose?

I'm not kidding. It's not possible.

You don't have to think about it so much. Just think of yourself as lucky.

...... Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to take it that easy.

She would have done a thorough investigation of the other party's background, but basically she would have just said, "I don't know what it is, but I'm saved.

The reason why she can't do that is because this is a special place called the "back palace", she is the "Red Rose", the first in line to the side, and she can guess that the assassin's employer is probably the "Master Peony". If the assassin were to act on his whim in this situation, he would be at his mercy, and there would be no way to predict how things would turn out.

The less uncertainty, the better. The less uncertainty the better, because you never know what kind of idiot you're going to get.

"Oh, you mean the King, don't you?　It's okay for the Red Rose to say that.

"You're the one who's been sneaking around looking for us since just before the season started, aren't you? I'm sure you're not the only one.

...... I'm still scared of the Cresta family.

If you know what you're doing, then tell me what you want.

Keep your guard up and stare. The boy was undaunted by the glare, which would have been unbearable for a normal person.

"Just so you know, I wasn't always able to peek that often either. I'm scared of your people.

If you get even a little too close, they're going to come at you with an unbelievable intensity," he blurted out. Deanna had also been informed of the clandestine warfare in the attic, which is why she did not forget to tell him back.

You didn't mind sticking around when my people had to go away on business, did you?　You're on your own, aren't you? I heard that there were a few other people hired by the Landlords, but they all fled the moment they found out that we were the target.

"Of course. People in our line of work can't live with the Cresta family staring them in the face. Unfortunately, the Landlords' daughter and father don't seem to understand that.

Well, then why didn't you run away?

Me?　I don't have any connection with the Cresta family. I don't even know what exactly happens when they stare at me, so I had no reason to run. I'm not sure, but I think it's a good idea.　I don't know much about them.

...... Well, yes. I don't know how many years you've been in this world, but how have you managed to work with the Cresta family at all? That's pretty miraculous, right?

"Yeah, that's what the old guys said to me before I ran away. But I'm still young, aren't I?

You're right, this assassin is still young. No matter how you look at it, he's probably not even 20 years old. If he is not, he could be in his early teens. So what is this sign of ...... how many hellish situations has he been through?

...... How long have you been in this world?

I don't know. Since birth, I guess.　I don't know any other way to live.

Well, maybe you don't remember, but maybe we took care of you once.

That's possible. ...... What?　So you want me to back off out of gratitude?

You don't have to feel indebted to me, but I do wish you'd back off.

Haha, so honest. I like the Red Rose. It's much more fun than Peony-sama.

The man in front of me looks like he's really enjoying himself. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

I'm not sure if you're too keen on serving ...... Liliane?

"I don't work for her. I'm just hired. I'm paid to do a job and I do it. That's all I am to that young lady.

So you're not happy with the pay?

No?　No? Everyone but me ran away, so I got more work and more money. If I was useless, they would have cut me off, but I'm very capable.

If you'd said that yourself, you wouldn't be here. Well, then, ......, you simply don't like your employer, do you?

I'm a competent person. It was as if he was admitting that he had hit the nail on the head.

Well, we're used to people like that. ......

People who treat people like disposable tools need to die and start over.

...... It's so weird when the Crester girl says it.

I know that my family's face looks like the first of many that would do such a thing. I know that my family's face is one of the most likely to do that kind of thing, but I don't care what they look like on the outside, I'm not going to be lumped in with those rotten, degraded people on the inside.

In anger, Diana's tone became more violent. There's already no sign of the "daughter mode".

The Countess of Crestor's covert forces, known as the Darkness, began when they picked up people who had been betrayed by their employers and had nowhere else to go. When the wars with other countries came to an end and there were no more overt conflicts, the next step was to fight behind the scenes. The selfish nobles wanted people who could steal information from other families and sometimes secretly dispose of those who got in their way.

Where there is demand, there are jobs. In the past, it was even commonplace for nobles to hire assassins. In the past, it was even common for aristocrats to hire assassins. Those who do the dirty work behind the scenes are usually disposable to the aristocrats, and if it becomes inconvenient, they will try to eliminate them without hesitation.

While there were those who chose the path of being quietly erased, there were of course those who ran away saying, "Are you kidding me? Chased by their former comrades, with nowhere to go, despair creeps in. It was the Earl of Crester who offered a helping hand to these backstabbers.

The Crester family traditionally abhors those who use and discard human beings. For those who were rescued, it was the hand of salvation that had landed in hell. They were so grateful to the head of the family that they later became united as the Crester family's secret service.

--With this historical background, the Cresters and the underworld are now closely intertwined. For those who live in the underworld, it has become an unwritten rule that 'when in doubt, turn to the Cresters'. Even if you have never been involved with the Cresters before, it is hard to believe that someone who has lived in the underworld since birth would not know this unwritten rule.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.

I'm sure you're not the only one." "......, are you?

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

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The moment Deanna was about to state the conclusion she had found, a sharp voice and deadly intent came flying at her. The boy, who until then had been aloof and unconcerned, hastily prepared himself and flipped back the weapon that had been thrown at him. But the attack was unexpectedly heavy, and he staggered back.

This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.

Hey, wait a minute, old man!

No questions asked!

I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure if you have. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with your time.

Deanna lowered her weapon and watched him fight up close for the first time in a while. After all, he was Deanna's father Dualis's subordinate and the martial arts master of her brother Edward and Deanna herself. His fighting style is always flowing, beautiful and lean.

"Hey, hey!　Stop looking at me, young lady!

What?　Oh, sorry.

The boy was still being pushed, but he still had enough time to check on Deanna. Laughing lightly, Deanna raised her voice.

"Sirius, that's enough.

"...... still needs a little coaxing, though.

Don't worry, you've seen it first hand. I'm sure you know what it's like to be an enemy to the Cresta family.

The person who was being told to do this was breathless when the attack finally stopped. That's how relentless Sirius' attack was.

"...... really scares me.

"You got what you deserved. Attacking Master Diana, daughter of Clester.

I told you, I didn't mean to kill her in the first place. I don't care how many orders I have to give you, you can't do this to the Cresta family.

The mere pointing of the blade was enough to kill you. You should be grateful you got away with that.

"...... Yes, yes.

The boy gave a strange look and turned his head towards Diana.

"Well, that's why. Don't worry about it.

"You were ordered to kill me, weren't you?

Oh, she's got a lot of blood on her hands, that girl.

So, what are you going to do now that you disobeyed my orders?

Well... But I'm the only pawn she's got at the moment. I'm sure she won't fire you if you tell her you couldn't do anything about it.

...... It won't last forever, you know.

I'm not sure that such deception will work for long, no matter how disappointing Lillian's thought process is. The more you treat people as pawns, the more sensitive you should be to how they work.

Even if it doesn't last, I'll do it until it does. ...... It's okay, because you won't be killed quietly by your employer like the people of old. If I really feel like I'm in trouble, I'll run away.

...... You don't think about running away right now, do you?

Well, ...... I'm going through some stuff myself.

He was about the same age as Deanna, maybe younger.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. The eyes of a boy around Deanna's age are so different.

You're right. ....... It's not my place to tell you what to do, but it's your choice whether or not to run away.

You'll be able to get a lot more than that. It's not the usual "Red Rose" smile, but Deanna's own genuine smile.

If you need anything, I - the Cresta family - will always be here to help you.

"......, I'm on the enemy side, remember?

You have no intention of avenging the Cresta, do you?　Then you may be an enemy to the Red Rose, but you will not be an enemy to Crestor.

"That's why you're helping her?　The Rose of Ice and Fire is a good-natured girl.

It's only natural to help those in need.　If my prediction is correct, I don't think Liliane will be able to "use" you forever.

He was silent as he spoke his secret thoughts. Apparently, he was aware of this. I'm sure you're aware of the fact that the nobleman who came to his senses would never leave the person who ordered the crime of murder unattended.

...... Well, I'll get around that, but... If things get out of hand, I might turn to you.

"Okay.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

"...... Miss, in other words, you're just going to let him go?

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.　It's not a problem, is it?

I'm sure he's an unknown quantity in the ...... inner palace.

I'm sure you're right, but...

The boy laughed out loud at the conversation between master and servant, master and disciple.

The boy laughed out loud at the conversation between master and servant.

"You called me Deanna!

"Sirius, it's okay.

Sirius, it's okay." If the boy's words and actions caught him off guard, he would not be able to go on.

It's a good thing I'm not the only one. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... Well, how about I give you information on the Peony side once in a while?

...... So, what's it like, double-secret?

I'm not sure. I'm not going to lie, I don't think it's a good idea for the Peony side to win either. I'm sure Deanna will be able to use my information to her advantage. She's a worthy opponent.

That's what I'm hoping for. Deanna's access to information in the palace is limited to the Red Rose Faction and the Neutral Faction. The advantage of getting the facts about the Peony Faction is huge.

...... Can I ask you for that?

"Dear Diana!　Sirius, don't say that.

"Sirius, my ancestors would never have met yours if you said that.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... So, that's what the Cresta family is all about.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm sorry.

Nice to meet you. ...... Oh, yeah. What's your name?

Oh, I haven't told you my name yet. ...... Everyone calls me Kai.

This is the only time that the boy, Kai, has a somewhat embarrassed look on his face that is appropriate for his age. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it.

I'll call you that, too. ...... Nice to meet you, Kai.

"Yes, Deanna.

They looked at each other and nodded.

--She shook the hand of an unknown collaborator.

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