33 CHAPTER XVIII -- WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SHINNER? (1/2)

the next day

I went to the castle alone.

Grandma said she'd go with me, but I let her stay home for fear of the saints.

And now I'm standing in front of the castle gate.

When I go in with my uncle, I climb over the wall, but this time I'm trespassing: ....

”Excuse me, my name is Leons Forster.

I introduced myself to the gatekeeper.

And the gatekeeper was surprised.

You're the granddaughter of a brave man, aren't you?

Yes. Can you tell Damien Forster that Leo is here?

Okay, sure. Just a moment.

One of the gatekeepers walked in.

It's been a little while since then.

Leo, what are you doing here?

My uncle just showed up out of nowhere.

Maybe he was covert and took a shortcut: ....

”Uncle, what can you tell me about the burglar?

Uncle Ronald looked surprised.

How did you know that?

'Yesterday, a couple of guys who belong to a ninja shop tried to break into my house.

'I see...'

Uncle Tom pretended to think about it.

'Let's go inside for now, I'll have to inform the Emperor about this.

And with that, he led me into the castle.

And then we go into the room where I spoke with the emperor last time

”Your Majesty, Leo-kun has brought important information to me.

Oh, hey, Leo, you're here, so what's the big piece of information?

It's the ninja who's going to cause trouble in our country.

'Hey, hey ..... Is that true?

The Emperor looked worried.

'Yes, Leo-kun told me earlier that a ninja tried to break into my mother's house last night.

What? What do those guys want this time?

I'm not sure. Leo, did you get anything out of him?

Pops asked me about it.

All I could get out of him was that he wanted information about the saint.

'Yeah, but it's great just to get something that important out of a ninja.

”A saint. .... What's he going to do?

Uncle looked far away.

”Yes, sir, that's why. The saint, the Pope said the Pope may have asked a skulker to kill her.

'Right: .... There's a lot of bad news about the Pope these days.

Is it really that bad?

Yeah, whatever, I hear the current Pope is only looking out for his own interests.

And the uncle said.

'And I would assassinate my opponents with impunity if it meant I was always on top.

And the Emperor added.

'How dumb can you be? ....

'The politics of fear. ......

'So, this time you're going to assassinate the most popular saint of the people, the most popular saint of the people, in a foreign country: ....

'You're a jerk, if you succeed in this, they're going to ask you to give them money because the Empire's security is lax and the saint is dead.

The emperor has his head in his hands.

'Wow, that really sucks,'

But where do you think they're going to assassinate him?

''Yes. .... When is the next time the saintly lady leaves the mage's house?

It's the princess's birthday next week.

The emperor heard about it.

Huh, those guys are really disgusting.

'Yes, Allen may be trying to destroy the reputation of the Empire at the same time as the request.

Did you have to do it in front of all those people? ....

Hey, Uncle, what's this Allen guy like?

'Yeah, the guy who was my former best friend and rival: .....'

Uncle looked a little sad.

'That's what I heard, but how could someone like that get on the wrong path?'

I don't know. We trudged through the dungeon together and a little while later, he was gone.

Yeah... Is that person going to show up this time?

He'll come out. I've got a covert, which makes it perfect for assassination in a crowded place like this one.

Uncle assured me .

Come to think of it, Allen has a covert because he's cleared the dungeon: .....

'That's a lot of work to protect then!

I mean, can you protect it?

That's not true. Covertness always cuts off when you attack.

But .... Won't it be too late then?

So if I use my covert skills and stay close to the saint, I can make it work.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

And I have to be the one to take him down.

Then he clenched his fists.

”Yeah, good luck with that.

Now we just need more security for the day or .....

'Yes,'

Well, I'm done talking about it.

Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?

Oh, tell me about your prize, Leo.

Well, I've heard that story before.

Hey, hey, don't make light of the prize the people want so badly.

That's what the Emperor said.

”I'm sorry.

Okay, so we'll just have to wait and see what it is when it comes out.

Aren't you going to tell me?

Oh, no, I'm not going to tell you now. So, why don't we schedule it for the day after Sherry's birthday?

I'm fine.

”Yeah. I figured Shelia would call me the day after my birthday anyway.

With a grin, the Emperor said that.

'Yeah, maybe so ....

I'll have to think of something to give you: .....

'Speaking of princesses, did I offend you again, Leo-kun?

Pops asked me about it.

You've upset Sherry?

'Oh, I forgot! I was talking to him yesterday and I made him mad.

What did you say?

As I recall, I was talking about the saint's grandson, Lina, and I got into a bad mood.

”Hahaha, these are Shelia's baked cakes.

The Emperor laughed.

'And how does that make you feel better?'

What do I do: ....

'Emperor, may I take Shelly home in transition?

I don't mind.

The emperor answered immediately.

And I heard it.

Thank you!

And ran out of the room.

I can't believe Leo's starting to get used to the castle...

Yeah, I guess so. Yeah, he's been here a few times.

Then Damien laughs.

I come to the front of Sherry's room to catch my breath.

and

knock-knock

Who? I don't want to talk to anyone right now.

Would you like to come over to my house now?

Then it went quiet for a moment and the door opened.

What are you doing here?

That's why I came to see Sherry.

Really?

He gave me a scary look.

Ho, really? Well, um, I had to run some errands for my uncle, so I came along.

Oh, I'm just getting by, aren't I?

I'm sorry. Please forgive me for that, but the Emperor gave me permission to take Shelly home.