Surviving as the Emperor's Assassin

Chapter 19. Gained Justification.

Pol didn't regain consciousness for several days.

Though it was a bit excessive, the objective was achieved nonetheless.

While Pol hovered between life and death, the investigation was almost completed.

What more needs to be said about the investigation results?

The evidence was clear, and the dead cannot make excuses.

If the deceased Joshua had been a decent person, it might be different, but he was a guy who settled in the back alleys and killed several people.

During the investigation, previously buried crimes were revealed, leading to the conclusion that it wouldn't be strange for this guy to commit any kind of act.

Thus, the dead Joshua's head was hung in front of the city gate.

And peace returned to the city.

“Ughn.”

Pol's groan echoed in the room.

I didn't know how many times this had happened.

At first, I thought it was a sign of waking up, but Pol still hadn't regained consciousness.

‘Should I have just killed him-’

Whether he lives or dies,

things need to be certain before I can move.

Even if Pol died, it wouldn't be much of a loss for me.

In fact, it would be more convenient to move around if Pol died.

No, wait.

‘I shouldn't think about murder so lightly.’

Goosebumps rose at the sudden thought.

It felt strange, myself considering murder before even exploring other options.

If I had to kill to survive, that would be one thing.

But killing just because it's troublesome?

Surviving is the most important thing, but if I wield violence without hesitation, I'm just a criminal.

Murder is the last resort.

‘It’s terrifying that murder has to be one of the options.’

It hadn't even been a month since I fell into this world.

I crossed the line of murder far too easily, and didn't particularly suffer from guilt either.

Now I had reached a point where I could commit more murders if necessary.

Until now, I had excused it as the influence of this body's owner, Luke Ivers…….

But is that really true?

The thought occurred that perhaps I was originally this kind of person.

Perhaps it just didn't manifest because I lived in a world where there was no need to contemplate murder.

‘Let's stop with the luxurious worries.’

Anyway, it couldn't be denied that this mindset was suitable for surviving here by any means necessary.

Ultimately, I am an ordinary human, not a saint who would uphold the right path even if my life was in danger.

My life is more important than others', so for survival, I would eventually resort to murder.

Hesitating half-heartedly is the worst.

It's better to be prepared to kill anyone, anytime.

‘It might be a problem if I luckily get back to Earth - but for now, it’s not bad.’

Thinking about returning to Earth is only possible if I'm still breathing.

To avoid ending up on the execution block, I must do whatever it takes.

* * *

Knock knock.

I looked up at the sound of knocking.

It seemed a visitor had arrived.

It would have been troublesome if they came after I slit Pol's throat.

See, people really should live virtuously.

“You may come in.”

“Excuse me.”

The one who entered the room was that fat knight.

“What brings you to this humble place?”

The person who oversaw this search operation.

And also handled the investigation regarding Joshua.

As someone with something to hide, I couldn't welcome him.

“Has that friend still not regained consciousness?”

“No. But he's passed the critical stage. He should wake up soon.”

“Is that so. I wished to speak with that friend too.”

“Speak? About what……”

As an important witness, I had been dragged around for quite some time under the guise of investigation.

My head ached from constantly making up stories to avoid getting caught.

I thought it was over, but there's more to talk about?

Did they find something suspicious somewhere?

Ahem, the knight cleared his throat and continued.

“Since you two played a major role in catching the culprit, you should know the investigation results, shouldn't you?”

“For something like that, there was no need for you to come personally, Sir Knight……”

Hearing his words, it didn't seem like a situation I needed to worry about.

Why come personally and make my heart pound, when he could have just sent a servant?

“Not at all. One cannot ask an injured person to come. Even if a mercenary, it is right and proper to show courtesy to someone who strove for the city.”

Indeed, one shouldn't judge people by appearance.

Looking like a corrupt official engaging in irregularities, yet his character is so upright.

Of course, for me, the real culprit, it was just burdensome.

“As a result of the investigation, the traces were confirmed to be identical to the swordsmanship marks on the wall. Both the traces left at that Joshua fellow's dwelling, and your injuries.”

The knight said with a face worn out by fatigue.

Well, of course, they are.

How much trouble did I go through deliberately leaving those traces?

“Furthermore, the swordsmanship manual too - though the quality was poor, it was definitely authentic.”

Regarding the swordsmanship manual, I was slightly anxious because I made it hastily.

Things like it being too clean for an item that fell into the hands of a back-alley thug, or having no signs of wear.

An observant person would find quite a few oddities.

However, it seemed no one was interested in the condition of the evidence.

“Leaking swordsmanship is taboo, which idiot committed such an act? Still, it's better than the Emperor's assassin roaming the city.”

Ahaha.

I just laughed at the knight's words.

“Anyway, you worked hard. This is meager compared to that, but it's the reward.”

Being preoccupied with fudging the work, I had forgotten, but catching the culprit was a request given to all mercenaries in the city.

It was only natural to pay a reward based on merit if the culprit was caught.

“The amount includes the share for the friend lying there, so it's a bit much. Share it well between the two of you. Normally, it should have been given separately, but the recipient is still in that state……. There's too much to handle, so I can't delay the payment further.”

The money pouch the knight offered was quite heavy.

Well, the target was Luke Ivers, after all.

It was a dangerous job where one could easily lose their life, so the reward was substantial.

Even though it turned out to be a misunderstanding and the culprit was revealed to be a back-alley gangster, they didn't seem to have reduced the payment.

Having only seen employers who tried to cut wages by even a single penny, meeting someone who paid compensation fairly was blinding.

“Understood. Thank you.”

Truthfully, handing over the money to just one person was a somewhat irresponsible decision.

Perhaps he trusted us to distribute it conscientiously because we were supposedly from the same hometown and were comrades who fought risking our lives together.

Of course, me, Yoo Seung-Jae.

Already a person who framed another innocent human as the culprit to save myself.

There was no conscience left to prick even if I hogged it all.

Shouldn't Pol be grateful I didn't kill him?

……Or maybe not.

‘This should be more than enough to cover the potion cost.’

Making the Guild Master use his precious potion had been weighing on my mind.

Not for ethical reasons, obviously.

It was because it would surely become tiresome if the Guild Master obsessed over getting that money back.

He was the Guild Master, after all.

The power held by a Mercenary Guild Master might not be incredibly great, but due to the nature of the position managing mercenaries, their information network cannot be ignored.

More frightening than him using that information network to chase me was him using it to ruin my reputation.

Because the identity of 'Mercenary Ben', painstakingly created, would become useless.

“Well then, I shall take my leave now. Rest well……”

The knight, confirming I took the money pouch, intended to leave as if his business was concluded.

But I still had one important task left.

Perhaps far more important than money.

“Sir, Sir Knight!”

“Yes? Is there something else you wish to say?”

The knight tilted his head slightly and looked back at me.

“Um, you mentioned the swordsmanship manual as evidence, right? What happens to that?”

* * *

Retrieving the swordsmanship manual I created.

Only after doing this would it be a complete wrap-up.

The swordsmanship manual was created for the 'reason why Joshua could use swordsmanship', but in other words, it was also an 'item that allows anyone to use swordsmanship'.

That 'anyone' included me.

If I fabricated the fact that I obtained the swordsmanship manual, I wouldn't need to twist myself into knots hiding the fact that I could use swordsmanship like now.

Eliminating any possibility of future suspicion, and gaining justification to use swordsmanship.

Something that must be secured for the future.

“How?”

The knight asked back, seemingly not understanding my question.

What a dense person.

“Whether it's stored separately, or if there's some use for it somewhere……”

“Hmm. It is major evidence, but since the culprit is already dead, there's no need to hold a trial……. It will likely just be disposed of.”

An answer within the expected range.

Once the conclusion was reached, its value as evidence also vanished.

Useless to a knight who likely already mastered other swordsmanship, and an item that could create a second Joshua if it fell into the wrong hands.

Disposal was the natural course.

“In that case, could you perhaps give it to me?”

There was no need to thoroughly hide the desire.

Coveting swordsmanship as a mercenary was natural.

In this world, 'swordsmanship' is a technique formidable enough to turn a back-alley gangster into a strong fighter.

Strictly passed down from master to disciple as secret knowledge, it serves as a wall maintaining the privileges of knights.

For mercenaries, even low-quality swordsmanship is far out of reach.

Meaning, even a crudely made swordsmanship manual is a treasure to a mere mercenary.

Hearing my request, the knight made a peculiar expression.

“Hmm. Is that alright……. I don't know which school's swordsmanship it is, but letting swordsmanship circulate freely is a bit……”

“Please!”

Being stingy with swordsmanship that isn't even his own.

It's useless anyway.

Hand it over!

After pondering for a moment, the knight finally nodded.

“Alright. You wouldn't misuse swordsmanship even if you learned it. I'll send it to you when I return. Become a fine mercenary. Of course, after learning the swordsmanship……”

“I'll destroy the manual immediately! Thank you! I won't forget this kindness!”

He agreed more readily than expected.

I was even prepared to cling to his legs, crying and begging.

Rather than trusting me, he was likely just making a show of generosity with something he was going to discard anyway.

Regardless, it was helpful that he cooperated.

“See you again next time.”

The knight showed a good-natured smile and left the room.

Oops.

What an ominous thing to say.

He seems like a good person, but as a wanted man, it's better if I never meet a knight holding official power again.

“Phew.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

Good.

Somehow, it ended without major problems.

Money is sufficient, and I can use swordsmanship openly.

Now, all that's left is for Pol to wake up…….

“Brother……?”

At Pol's voice, sounding like sleep-talking, I turned my head to see Pol looking at me.

His eyes were half-closed, lacking the energy to open wide.

“Water…… could you give me some……?”

Waking up right after the knight left.

This kid isn't completely clueless after all.