Chapter 416: The Color of Spilled Blood

The silver threat was swung with the purpose of gouging Ann’s neck. Despite a slight hesitation, his aim was accurate.

Without a doubt, death was coming in the blink of an eye. Ann’s five senses warned her.

In fact, this was not the first time Ann had been held at knifepoint. She used to work in the slums of the walled city of Garoua Maria. Therefore, she was always targeted for buying grudges without realizing it.

However, even then, there had never been anyone who would suddenly swing a blade at Ann, who was only a small-looking girl.

Did she let her guard down somehow? Or perhaps it was her arrogance, brought about by her inner strength, that gave her the space to open her mouth.

Ann always used the tip of her tongue to protect herself from blades wielded by fools. Ann found it easier to convince them with words rather than with physical strength. She even thought there was nothing more disgraceful than being physically injured.

But unfortunately for Ann, the man standing in front of her now thought of her as a threat. He didn’t let his guard down nor did he underestimate her. In fact, it seemed like he wielded a knife as if he were facing a monster.

Therefore, that knife would definitely gouge Ann’s neck.

Ann’s eyes widened and she shuddered. She knew something like this would happen at some point. She got trained for it too. However, her body didn’t move when it finally happened. Something froze her body.

Ann got reminded of Lord Hero and Lady Caria’s strength, and wondered for a moment if she was always on this lowly level.

She twisted her body and shoulders slightly. She tried to shake the knife away with her arm, but she couldn’t do it in time. Her limbs felt numb. As her eyes blinked, and someone’s figure appeared beneath her eyelids. There was a sharp whispering sound.

…Then fresh blood was scattered. A dark reddish blood soaked the floor like wine.

「…Ah, gah! 」

A groan echoed. A sound that was rarely made in everyday life enveloped in blood.

A thin iron light shined in the room. A glitter of that light was spitting out of the man’s palm. Ann didn’t know what happened. What she found out was that his knife had shifted from its original trajectory.

That sharp blade reduced its force and accuracy. The tip, which had no willpower anymore and was only being swung reflexively, only scratched Ann’s twisted shoulder, and fell from the man’s hand.

Anxiety and agitation immediately overflowed from Ann’s body, as if everything she had been feeling in that moment was now being poured into her head.

“What happened? I’m safe, I’ve survived. But why?”

Ann’s chaotic thoughts became intertwined, and the situation moved in front of her eyes without being understood.

A sharp whispering sound continued. At the same time, a silver shaft was thrust into the neck of the man who was the chief administrator. Both Ann and the man’s eyes widened as if they didn’t understand what was happening, but that didn’t last long.

The man’s limbs twitched as if they were numb, and he collapsed, spewing foam from his mouth. Perhaps the iron shaft that pierced the man, or rather the needle, had been coated with a quick-acting poison.

Seeing the man’s unconscious form, Ann finally resumed her breathing. She didn’t even realize that her lungs had stopped moving. She opened her mouth to breathe deeply, but no words came out properly.

「That’s why I told you to get an escort. 」

It was a carefree voice that didn’t suit the occasion. A person’s shadow stood in the ceiling. The needle shooter showed her face and looked at Ann.

No, that person was the one who was used to that kind of place. Perhaps this voice was appropriate for the occasion. Ann answered to those words, breathing heavily, and sweating from her neck, even though she wasn’t doing any exercise.

「Thank you. Lord Bruder…But I don’t want to have a visible escort. I don’t want to bring unnecessary attention. 」

Bruder came down from the ceiling, acting like an acrobat. Her brown hair color blended into the room, making her look strangely beautiful.

In her hand was a thin needle similar to the ones that pierced the man’s neck and palm. Bruder simply turned her hand and the needle got beneath her sleeve.

Ann had heard that Bruder was originally a mercenary and someone who also worked in the assassination industry. To be honest, Ann didn’t expect Bruder to be so resourceful. Ann wondered if the fact that she herself had an unpretentious personality had an influence on her employment.

「Ah, wait. You’re injured…Oh well. If you treat it right away, it won’t get noticeable. 」

With that, Bruder eagerly wiped the blood from Ann’s shoulder. Rather than pain, something more like heat bit Ann’s left shoulder.

Ann felt a slow sensation that she had never felt before. It was the first knife wound she had received in a long time. Involuntarily, Ann traced her own shoulder with her fingers.

It was not that big of a wound. As the caring Bruder said, her wound would heal quickly if she was properly treated.

As a negotiator, having scars on her body wouldn’t be that strange, even though they were disgraceful. But it wouldn’t hurt being wary from now on.

That was the normal thought.

However. Ann twisted her nose, while a glittering light appeared in her eyes. “This might be a good thing”, she thought.

If the Heraldic Order achieved great success in the future, there would definitely be internal conflicts over who had made the most meritorious contributions.

At that time, people would wonder whether someone who had not had a single injury on his or her body had truly achieved great accomplishments.

A scar on the shoulder would be effective in silencing such people. It could be an efficient weapon wielded by a negotiator.

“Besides” …Ann loosened her eyes and relaxed her cheeks.

“…I’m sure the expression on Lord Hero’s face will become distorted when he sees this wound.”

If Lord Hero knew that Ann had been injured like this in the fight caused by the anti-Lugis forces, he would no doubt speak with a bitter expression on his face.

Ann was sure he’d say something apologetic, like, “I’m sorry.” Even if Ann herself said she didn’t care about such wound.

Ann knew that Lord Hero wouldn’t forget about it. He had that kind of personality. There was no doubt that it would leave a lasting mark on his heart just like this wound.

Thinking of this, Ann showed a gentle and deep smile. However, there was something dark deep inside her eyes.

Bruder had no way of knowing what was going on in Ann’s heart, so she spoke in a casual voice.

「So what are we going to do about this guy? He won’t die, but it might take some time for him to recover.」

Should we wait to hear what he has to say? In response to Bruder’s question, Ann shook her head. There was no way this man would know everything. There was no way that cautious Saleino would reveal his thoughts to those he used as his pawns.

In fact, there was a much higher possibility that they were forced to obtain unnecessary information in order to disrupt the situation. At least that was what Ann would do.

Ann picked up the knife that had fallen and opened her mouth. The heat in her shoulder began to turn into pain and her fingertips twitched.

「Those who commit crimes will be taken care of by the laws of the Heraldic Order. Lord Bruder, I don’t think this man will betray those who are with him. 」

The chief administrator was a quick-minded and considerate person, as expected from his position. If he were meant to betray Ann, then he wouldn’t do it on his own. Of course, he had other accomplices.

He and his accomplices were probably the inside people who were needed to seize the city of Philos. Their purpose was to target those with a certain degree of military authority, such as Ann. Things could get complicated if Ann didn’t hurry. It would be the worst scenario if those people started setting fires everywhere in the city.

But Bruder took the time to chew the tobacco between her teeth and spoke. Bruder’s mouth acted awkwardly, as if she still wasn’t used to chew tobacco.

「It would be a waste if the unit commander betrayed us…But we have Ves, haven’t we? 」

There was something arrogant and proudful in Bruder’s voice. Bruder’s brown eyes flickered cheerfully.

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