Chapter 595 – Memory Reading and Judgment Duel
000
In order to prevent leaks of information, the demons removed several elements that could express their opinions.
He cut his vocal cords, cut his eyelids, and cut his tongue.
Of course, it would be nice to say that the effect was absolute, but even if you were actually captured, the means to dig up information would be mind reading using magic.
However, as a result, the means of communication between the yeommas was severely limited, and it was possible to have a simple conversation by exchanging glances and mixing a little sign language.
Furthermore, their delivery methods were quite low-level, as they were forbidden to use anything like telepathic magic for fear of being detected.
Even so, they may have had little need for communication or communication with distant colleagues.
Because each and every one of them was raised to be a one-hundred-three assassins, and they honed their armed forces to the maximum extent possible as individuals.
The den in the mountain, where such demons hide, looked like a naturally created beast’s den, but in reality it was a demonic den made using the technology of the Exile Church.
Boundary magic that detects the intrusion of outsiders, a teleportation magic circle that enables movement to distant places, and a barrier that divides the outside from the inside.
It is a home base with a structure like a spider’s web, where travelers who accidentally come to the vicinity of their base can be buried without a rumor.
There has not been a single hostile being who has set foot here and survived since the creation of Enma…
“…You say.”
As Cleon said, he removed his hand from the head of the demon that was kneeling on the ground.
In front of him, an assassin who appears to be a member of the Enma with a magic arrow stuck near his heart his, after having already been completely wrecked, sits trembling and unconscious.
“No way, I thought Yeomma had something to do with the Exiled Church…”
When Cleon muttered that and removed his hand her from the flame demon, Sasha moved her hand her and used the magic arrow embedded in his heart her to break the ignition device inside the heart and remove the arrow at the same time.
And, when something like black lightning came out of Cleon’s hand again, Yeomma collapsed on the spot and lost consciousness.
“I never thought that Sasha’s magical arrows would prevent them from being burnt away when they die.”
Cleon came with Sasha and nodded her head, thinking it was the correct answer, while Sasha scratched her head with an embarrassed laugh.
“Looking at the hunter’s imprint, there is something like a hole where magic power is strangely twisted inside the body… I thought it was a weak point and shot it, but I never thought it was a place where there was a device to end one’s own life…”
In a way, it was like catching a mouse while stepping backwards, but just being able to shoot at that small gap would have been an impossible feat if not for Sasha.
Within minutes of Cleon and Sasha entering the mountain, the two set up a strategy to reverse the flame that was watching them.
Even if it’s a strategy, the method is simple.
At the same time as Cleon uses the invisibility magic, he creates a mirror image of himself using Layla’s haze magic.
If seen from behind, Cleon’s figure would have looked distorted for a very brief moment, but after that, he was walking with Sasha without any problems, so he wouldn’t have doubted even if he had doubts.
‘Even if I can’t win the referee duel, if I catch that bitch…’
The demon who was dreaming of something vain.
And as I said before, the moment Cleon sent a signal after moving to a place with moderate darkness.
It took less than one second for Sasha to pull out the bow she was carrying behind her back her, set a magic arrow, and shoot it at the opponent.
No matter how trained an assassin is, it’s next to impossible to react to the arrows of swiftness fired at him…
There was no way Cleon would accept that.
Fall out!
With the same spark as always, if you think you heard the sharp sound of tearing the air.
Enma’s body is momentarily stopped by magic flying from behind.
In an instant, he prepared for his death her and tried to activate his own heart mechanism to burn his body her.
Sasha’s magical arrow that flew right in front of him flew straight into his heart her.
There was no pain, because it wasn’t meant to kill in the first place.
Suddenly, with his body his collapsing from the knees, he was slumped to the spot, while the voices of the man who attacked him from behind and the voice of the girl who shot him echoed.
As if to obscure his vision of him, a large hand covered him, and the feeling of rumbling through his head.
He instinctively noticed that his memories of him were being spied on, but there was nothing he could do about it with his own body of him, and he had no choice but to suffer as it was.
And- time passed, and after Cleon took a peek at his memories his, his hand his dropped, leading to the previous conversation.
“Ha, these guys. I never thought I would make a mess even in the heads of my subordinates.”
Cleon cast a strengthening spell on a solid string he took out of his bag, knocking it down and stunned, and tying it to a nearby rock.
If tied to something like a tree, he could have escaped by chopping off the tree.
“Did you see anything else in your memory?”
Sasha tilted her head as if she was concerned about Cleon’s remarks of her, and Cleon listened to Sasha’s question of her and removed the mask from the man who had fainted.
Then, as if answering Sasha’s question, he nodded.
“If it’s surprising, it’s surprising, if it’s obvious, it might be obvious… But when I looked inside my head, there was not a single bit of information related to the topography of this mountain.”
“Eh…?! If so, how are they going to return to their home base…?”
In response to Sasha’s natural question, Cleon crosses her arms and makes a guess based on what he has confirmed.
“When I come out, I use teleportation magic… After I return to this mountain, I think it’s a kind of homecoming instinct… I think I use something like that to go back.”
“A homing instinct…?”
Generally speaking, the homing instinct refers to the property of animals to return to the place where they have been.
“Dark field using drugs and hypnosis. Even if you don’t remember it in your head, your body remembers it. Since the memory of the body cannot be read with the same memory reading as before, it would have been difficult to find out if it were not for the method of eating the information of the soul like Sasha and Ruben did.”
Sasha tilted her head in disbelief as if she understood what Cleon said.
But at her last words her, she nodded her head, saying that it was fortunate that she knew that she was helpful anyway.
“Sasha. The cloak you gave me before you came out, put it on now.”
Cleon gets up, she tells Sasha, and he puts a similar black robe on her.
In the dark shadows, both of them are wearing black robes, so they really feel like assassins hiding in the shadows.
Meanwhile, when Sasha pulls her hood down, the top of her head her sticks out from the wolf ears on top of her head her, looking like horns when viewed from behind.
“…”
“Isn’t this strange?”
“Ah. Are you okay. Now, from here on, it would be better to keep the sound of footsteps and voices low. If we have something to talk about, let’s do it telepathically through imprinting like before.”
At Cleon’s words her, Sasha nodded her head and closed her mouth with a ‘sum’.
[Come to think of it… Wouldn’t the assassins already know that we entered the mountain?]
[Ah. She hasn’t crossed the line yet, but it’s possible that this guy who just got the information has contacted her in some way. That’s why you have to be careful… But don’t worry. They won’t come all the way here to stop us.]
Cleon says that with some certainty.
Then, hearing that story, Sasha tilted her head, but Cleon raised the corner of her mouth and explained why.
[Yeah, those guys. They think of their stronghold as an invincible fortress. Like a spider’s web, I plan to draw intruders to the inside and deal with them inside.]
[Well, then wouldn’t it be a little dangerous to go inside…?]
Sasha’s answer her seemed not to be relieved by Cleon’s explanation her.
However, Cleon shook her head at her words her and said the opposite.
[Not at all Sasha. Their base is not something like an ‘invincible fortress’. Assassins are always in a position to ambush, so preparation for being attacked is surprisingly poor. Especially if it is an organization that is hundreds of years old.]
[That, I see… !]
It seemed that Cleon’s mind had already drawn a picture of how to infiltrate the enemy’s stronghold.
Sasha nodded her head, vowing not to hold onto Cleon’s ankles.
[Okay then. I have an operation.]
As Cleon said and looked at Sasha, her girl tilted her head and looked into Cleon’s face her.
001
‘He’s back.’
A member of Yeomma, who was hiding and standing guard near the cave disguised as a stronghold, came down from the tree when he saw another member walking away.
The being walking from the bottom of the mountain was wearing a black cloak and hood, the hallmarks of a flame demon, and a skull mask was draped over his face.
On the shoulder of that member, a girl who was tied with a rope, similarly wearing a black cloak, was tied up in a state of fainting.
The sentry secretly blocks the road with his body his and moves his hand in front of the approaching member to convey his intention his in sign language.
[Welcome, brother. Is that on your shoulder… The intruder you reported?]
[Ah. They were so open-minded that I unknowingly stuck a knife in their back. The man’s body was dumped in the mountain. The beasts of the field will take care of it. As always.]
The sentry, who does not say anything to the member who responds like that, looks at the member who has returned with a suspicious look under the mask.
[What?]
[Numerous brothers were killed by that man – the dark magician. But you, the last person who just finished training, killed that man? You who have never succeeded in a ‘judgment duel’?]
To the sentry who shakes his head in disbelief even if it is his colleague his, the man speaks with a frown on his face.
[If you don’t believe me, go down and check it out. I brought the woman by his side as per Master’s order.]
Despite the member’s words, the sentry said ‘hmm’ as if he was still suspicious, exhaled a breath mixed with a metallic sound, and then shook his head.
[Well, if she says he’s alive, there’s no way she’ll drop to take this girl. I’m sorry for doubting]
[Okay, then I’ll go inside.]
After finishing sign language like that, a man passes by the sentry.
[I really could have passed with this…]
[Told you? Guys, they’re smarter than I thought.]
Of course, that man was not a member of the Flame Demon, but Cleon disguised as the Flame Horse with Sasha wrapped around him.
For the disguise, not only the clothes were used, but the polymorph used when disguising as Leona or a child, and props taken from the target that was stunned, helped, but from the outside, it was hardly distinguishable.
Since the demons are an extremely closed group, they tended to let go of their doubts about their fellows.
In addition to that, since they kept their information from leaking out several times, they couldn’t imagine that the sign language they used as their secret or the location of their base would be discovered.
Maybe it’s the cognitive dissonance that comes from stubbornness that I don’t want to admit, but somehow, Cleon was able to walk right in front of them and enter the beast’s den.
Of course, this cave was always an entrance, and there must have been a different way to go inside, but if either way could get inside the building, Cleon had thoughts about what to do afterwards.
[According to the information I got from reading the guy’s memory, all the assassins in the base of the flame demon are training in one place… ‘The coffin of the flame demon’. If we can seal off that place, we should be able to strike it down without sending them outside.]
[That’s right! Then, is it a way to close the place from the outside and block the exit?]
In terms of Cleon’s plan, Sasha thought that if that was the case, she would have no problem even if they fought one-on-one.
[No, it seems that the entrance to the Enma’s coffin can be opened and closed only when operated from the inside and outside at the same time. So, Sasha, please activate the enma coffin device outside.]
[Uh…Then Mr. Cleon…]
And, while saying that, Cleon and Sasha arrive at the deepest part of the cave.
When I glanced down at my feet, there was a magic circle that looked so old that I couldn’t tell when it was engraved.
Then, as I read in my memory, the magic circle works by stepping on the specific pattern of the magic circle in a specific order-
As it was, Cleon and Sasha’s bodies were surrounded by light, and they were transferred somewhere.
002
After the light that blocked her eyes she disappeared, Sasha couldn’t help but be a little taken aback by the environment that surrounded her.
It’s Cleon, he was able to understand it to some extent by reading the memories of Yeomma, but the scene unfolding in front of them is a mechanical and steel-filled space that doesn’t match the cave they passed through on their way here.
Based on my recent experience, it would be correct to think that it is a space created with the technology of the original world.
[It’s like this everywhere, these guys.]
Galatea muttered as if it was absurd that the base of a primitive cult of assassins be in such a mechanized place.
[If you are connected to the Returners or the Exiled Church, it can’t be helped. Because they consider the technology of the primordial world to be supreme.]
And, considering the technical skills required to remodel a flame horse, it might be unavoidable.
It would take a lot of skill or magic to repair the body like that, but there are no people in the East who use magic to heal wounds instantly.
A long, wide, bright hallway.
The thump-thump-thump of boots hitting metal with each step.
Even in such a large space, not a single person can be seen, as I remember reading, is it because they are gathered in the training ground?
Really, I felt like I wasn’t even concerned about being invaded by someone from the outside.
Even the sentry outside must be a formality to the last.
‘Looking at this, it seems that Perdia’s group of assassins or the kingdom’s assassins are better.’
From the day Cleon was first attacked by the flame demon until now, he has not lived only being attacked.
In order to investigate even a little bit about Yeomma, I split my free time to find related materials.
It was not difficult to find a record that the demons of the past were truly punishing beings who were not ashamed of the title of guardians of the East.
However, according to Tenchi’s words, now they have sworn allegiance to the aristocrats of the East and become his private army.
He lost his original stance and became corrupt as he got involved with the Exiled Church.
Assassins who have lost their faith tend to dull their blades.
No matter how much it was remodeled, and no matter how much technology and magic were combined, the difference could not be overturned.
Thinking so, Cleon puts Sasha on the ground.
Sasha stands and looks up at Cleon, careful not to make her sound her.
[I’ll go inside the coffin of Yeomma, send a signal and Sasha, you operate the control device outside and seal the door.]
[Yes, yes…!? Then, Mr. Cleon, are you planning to fight the assassins inside?]
Sasha swallowed her breath and shook her head as if surprised when Cleon said that, despite not knowing how many assassins there might be.
[You are too dangerous! Also coming with other people-]
If it had been Quon or Layla here, both would have chosen to go inside together.
No, maybe Layla thought she could just burn the whole place down to ashes.
However, Cleon shook his head.
[If it becomes a melee, the lives of most of the people here won’t be guaranteed. That’s right, countless flames will die and become ashes.]
As Sasha did earlier, unless they magically hold the mechanism on her chest her, the moment they admit her defeat her, they will burn themselves and leave no ashes.
[There is a reason to restrain them while keeping as many of them alive as possible. We need to arrest them and get information related to Enrai. For that, I plan to use their ‘rules’.]
[Rules…?]
When Sasha tilts her head at Cleon’s words, Cleon nods her head, holds Sasha’s hand her, and shows the information he obtained by reading her memories her earlier through the imprint.
[This, this… Is it really possible?]
[Because they are the ones who have reformed themselves in order to absolutely follow the rules. …If you dig into the gaps in that rule, it will rather become their weakness.]
At Cleon’s words her, Sasha seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded her head.
[Then, operation outside. Please.]
[I see…! As much as Mr. Cleon believes in me, I believe in Mr. Cleon too! …I will never let you down!]
Saying that, based on the information she received from Cleon a moment ago, Sasha walks away in search of the control device outside her.
While saying that, Cleon looked at the huge door next to him – the entrance to the Enma’s coffin.
[Why are you overdoing it today? Cleon.]
At that time, Galatea’s voice came to her head.
At those words, Cleon was silent for a moment.
As usual, Cleon, who used to be careful until he made a plan and acted on it, is progressing so fast that it seems that he is a little impatient today.
Even with Sasha, who would normally be overprotective.
Galatea talks about whether she feels something uncomfortable about her appearance of her, but Cleon responds to her words of her.
[It’s okay if it’s Sasha. …That girl is really getting stronger so fast that we can’t keep up with her. And there is also the fact that there is not much time left until the Five Elements Festival… This organization called Yeomma will strangle us the more we leave it alone. There are also things that I thought it would be right to clean up right away if I caught the tail. …Of course there is that, but-]
As Cleon quietly closed and opened his eyes, he glared at the entrance to the enchanted coffin.
[They’re the ones I don’t like. For a purpose, they are using their lives as if they were expendable. And with that kind of action, while weaving the lives of others. …I don’t think I’ll be able to control my strength when dealing with them. I think I’m going to get caught up in it.]
In response to the eerie low voice of her, Galatea was speechless for a moment before opening her mouth.
[Are you in shape?]
[I was talking seriously…]
When she stretches her shoulders as if she’s losing her energy at Galatea’s speech her, she speaks with a snort and a snort.
[For Cleon to show such a gloomy side, it’s not too bad for me. Because Cleon is no longer a person whose strength is only ‘hate’ or ‘feeling of wealth’.]
[…
When Cleon heard Galatea’s words, she blinked and looked down at her own swords.
[Cleon’s freedom in what Cleon thinks and how he uses his power his. No matter what choice I make, I will be by Cleon’s side until the end. However-]
[If you put too much force on your face, the children will get scared and run away~]
[──]
At the words of the two, Cleon quietly looked down at his hand her, then pulled out the adamantite sword hanging from his waist in its sheath her and placed it on his hand her.
‘…’
For a moment, Cleon closed his eyes as if to clear away thoughts in his head, then opened them, returned the sword to his waist, and spoke to the two swords.
[That’s difficult.]
[Uh… That’s because he’s a lolicon…?]
[Because it’s a serious story…]
Cleon sighed at Galatea’s playful words her until the end, and put his hand her on her door her.
And, when you open it slowly and forcefully, the smell of blood wafts from the inside, and you frown at the brutal real-life training under the guise of ‘training’ unfolding in front of your eyes.
First, what caught my eye were the imitations of various difficult terrain features made of wood, soil, and stone, which are the exact opposite of the mechanical places outside.
Cleon frowns at the assorted training grounds as if to save face, even though from the outside it seems like they have long since abandoned tradition.
In a wide space, the same members were fighting each other with their weapons.
However, only the area in the middle that looked like the widest circular arena was empty, so no one was standing.
Assassins turn their heads toward the sudden appearance of Cleon.
Even the sword he was wielding stopped and looked at Cleon, and Cleon slowly moved up to the arena in the middle.
And- When you release the polymorph from your body, the original form is revealed,
Dozens of assassins present raised their weapons and glared at Cleon.
The momentum of everyone rushing at Cleon, even though he couldn’t make out a voice, he could tell that the life force was pouring towards him.
Then, Cleon pulled out his adamantite sword on the spot and pointed it at the assassin of the enchanted horse standing nearest to him.
“I am the disciple of Sword Saint Talcheck, Cleon. I will request a ‘judgment duel’ to you, the members of the Yeomma. First, you.”
At Cleon’s words, the eyes of the assassins gathered there were so flustered that their pupils were shaking.
That’s probably the case, too, because an outsider who suddenly appeared spoke of their ‘rules’.
A referee duel is a “Duel for decision” That takes place within Enma.
It was a sacred ceremony to answer conflicting opinions, set penalties for those who violated the rules, and raise the ranks of members.
The referee duel is only done 1:1, and the heart mechanism was not working in that duel.
Besides- most importantly, discipline when asked for a referee duel.
Those who are challenged to a referee duel cannot refuse the challenge, and intrusion during the duel is not permitted.
Originally, a rule for establishing a superior-lower relationship for the sake of power and preventing an inferiority.
It was bound in a form close to the oath, and engraved when the body was remodeled, so there is no assassin here who can break it.
In the end, the gathered assassins had no choice but to watch the duel with the assassin Cleon had pointed out from now on.
If you break the rules, the modified body will cause a rejection reaction and blood will pour out from all over the body.
[Well, is it okay to do 1:1 dozens of times in the future?]
Galatea muttered while thinking, but Caliburn let out a yawn.
[Is there any time for us to be active? It seems that Cleon has already decided which sword to use.]
And, his sword being pulled out with a gurgling sound.
Adamantite’s unique black blade and the crimson bloody pattern.
It was proud of the brutality of that sword.
In the end, the assassin pointed out by Cleon could not hide his anger his and moved towards the arena where Cleon was standing.
And with the dagger held in reverse in both hands, the moment he rushed towards Cleon-
Cleon’s sword swung swiftly, and his body moved behind him as if passing through Cleon.
And-
Chew! Blood gushed out of the assassin’s belly with a groan.
However, it was a wound in which internal organs and bones did not protrude, as if it had been cut deep.
Even so, as if it was enough to make the assassin retire, the end-of-the-road assassin who fell forward as it is.
Cleon glances back at it, puts the adamantite sword over his shoulder his, and stretches his fingers towards his next prey.
“You are next. Request a duel.”
