Chapter 45: Forest of Dames(3)
He went in there, one of the assassins said, pointing toward a narrow, dark alleyway. His gaze remained focused, as if searching for the slightest movement in the shadows. The rest of the group exchanged sinister grins.
"Well, isn't that lucky," one of them chuckled, his voice restrained but tinged with malice.
"He's cornered himself," added another, smirking as he absentmindedly adjusted the weapon strapped to his belt.
"Made our job easier," a third one said thoughtfully, staring ahead. "We'll finish him in there, and no one will notice. No witnesses, and his disappearance won't be discovered right away."
With that, he stepped toward the alley, signaling the others to follow. Their movements were quick and silent, as if they were merging with the surrounding darkness. However, one of them suddenly stopped, frowning.
"Something's off," he said in a hushed voice. "That Leon... he's a viscount. Why is he alone? Where are his bodyguards?"
The other assassins froze, their eyes meeting in a brief, silent exchange of thoughts.
"Some poor nobles can't afford guards," one speculated with a shrug. "But he's rich. Filthy rich."
"Maybe he's just arrogant," another chimed in, his tone mocking but tinged with envy. "They say he's achieved a lot for someone his age. Though, come to think of it, it's probably because of those lost relics. Without his armor, I'm sure he's nothing but a weakling."
"Yeah," another agreed, clenching his fists. "We've seen his type before. Success makes them blind. He's walked right into his own trap."
Concluding their musings, one of them turned to the group and gave a cold command: