Elvin's Offer

"You are really—!" Freya's eyes almost fell out of her eye sockets. Her body, which wasn't showing any trace of emotions, trembled. 

Spades sighed deeply and walked back towards Freya. Since she already recognized her, there's no point in hiding anymore; though it's not like he was hiding in the first place. 

With a flick of his finger, the fluorescent lamp glowed white. The room was instantly illuminated by the bright lights and the previous eerie place wasn't as creepy as earlier anymore. 

As the lights hit Spades' face, his features were displayed in her bare eyes. He was taller than when they first met and his dark hair was even darker than before. His jet black pupils partnered with a fit physique and chiseled face could make anyone turn their heads once he passed by. 

Unfortunately, they'll surely be terrified by the single horn protruding on his left forehead. If not for the devilish aura it is emitting, it kinda looks cool to see. 

Spades crossed his arms and leaned on one of the metal pillars where Freya's chains were being held. 

"If you join Illuminati, I'll answer all your questions. Don't worry, you're not joining them for their evil cause but rather, helping me to take them down. It's already a good deal where both of us win. A win-win situation as you cal—" 

"Fine! I'll join."

"Wha—?" 

Spades was a little shaken up from Freya's sudden agreement. 

However, he already anticipated this and his perplexed expression gradually turned into relief. 

"Well, I'm not going back on my word so what do you want to as—?" 

"Is he alive?" Freya hurriedly interrupted. 

"Who?" 

"Urs, Is he alive?" 

Spades stared at Freya dazedly before a bitter smile formed on his lips. He raised his head, closed his eyes, and sighed heavily. 

"As much as I want to see him, no." Spades shook his head and continued, "...he's no longer in the land of the living, Freya."

"Then how? How are you still here?" 

"Does it matter? It won't change the fact that he's gone. Why? Are you regretting your decisions?" 

"No, I'm just… surprised." She muttered.

Freya lowered her head and blankly stared at the ground. She's still haunted by her inability to fight beside her idol who changed her perception of others. 

At that moment, Spades' eyelashes fluttered and his vision soon returned. 

"You know, I don't know why he insisted on protecting you guys when you and the other 14 were nothing more than hypocrites pretending to be heroes." 

Freya frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"That's funny." Spades chuckled. He glanced at her and sneered, "You lots claimed to be guardians of humanity but you only cared about your country. Unless the other country paid you, you lots won't help at all. Isn't that ridiculous?" 

Freya remained silent and listened. However, a trace of guilt flashed on her face. 

Spades continued. 

"He was the only human I ever respected. He left his home filled with the blood of the masses in his hand and roamed the world in search of redemption. He redeemed himself by helping others without asking for any payment. You? Have you done anything for this world?"

"We couldn't leave our countries due to our duties, not because we don't want to help." She reasoned. 

"Hahaha, there you go. The same excuses again. It's really ridiculous that you're not even ashamed, Freya. What a pity, he died protecting the likes of you." 

"Are you angry at us? Or because we failed to save him?" 

Spades sat on the ground, set his jaw, and lit a cigarette. The memories of that day suddenly streamed down on his surface thoughts. 

"Do you know, the moment he went to the USA, he already knew he would die?" 

.......... 

The meeting only lasted for 30 minutes before the Emperor adjourned the royal knights out. 

As for the contents of the meeting, the Emperor only talked about the countermeasures and protecting the weak points of the Empire's territory. However, all of the Emperor's plans only included tactical defense. 

No matter how much he listened, Hans didn't find anything about taking initiative at all. 

It seemed like the Emperor already lost hope for victory and was only squeezing ounces of power the empire has to fend off the enemies. 

The royal knights went back to the training camp. This time, only the cleaners and maintenance remained as all knights were already positioned in front of the palace.

"Are we just going to stay here?" Hans asked Elvin, who was walking together beside him. 

"The Emperor's orders are absolute. If he said we stay here, then we'll stay here. There's nothing we can do about it."

"I mean… if we could help the frontlines, won't we be able to minimize the casualties?" Hans asked once again. 

Everyone who heard it glanced at Hans as they also thought his words made sense before eventually looking away. 

Elvin chuckled and shook his head. If it's that easy, he could have already objected to the Emperor's orders. 

However, Hans was still inexperienced in this kind of thing.

"You know Hans, in a war, the strongest were always saved for the last. The war of the weak will be the war of the weak. If we get involved early, the strongest fighters of the other side would come out too. Any knights below our power level would all be just meat for the wolves. "

"What if we help them in the shadows?" Hans asked once again. 

The moment they heard Hans, everyone halted in their tracks. They gave Hans a puzzled look before shifting back towards Elvin. 

Hans noticed the strangeness of their actions. In an exchange with their puzzled look, a bewildered expression appeared on his face. 

'Did I say something?'

"Hans, do you fight like an assassin?" Roy asked. 

"Eh?" Hans tilted his head. 

"If you're an assassin, there's a vacant spot you could take over in the royal knights."

"Err, I fight like an assassin too but I mainly use them for mobility and escapes."

Roy nudged his elbows towards Elvin and nodded. Hans could only watch his future comrades as they signaled to each other. 

For Hans, they were like people talking to each other using only their body gestures. 

'It's awkward.'

[Maybe, they'll transfer you to the assassin squad. Who knows?]

Heading Plundy's hunch, Hans scratched his chin. 

The assassins squad is a group of trained assassins who were tasked with espionage, infiltration, and assassination. Sometimes, they even served as scouts due to their insane speeds and otherworldly proficiency in stealth. 

However, unlike the royal knights which could only be ordered by the Emperor, the assassins squad is more like being run by the council.

Hans doesn't want to be involved with those old fogeys, knowing their treacherous tendency towards an unknown person like him. 

The council is already rotten to the bones and for sure, anybody here already knew that. Even then, none of them can do anything to change the status quo. 

Once they moved the members of the council, that would be straight treason. 

"Hans, if you can really fight like an assassin…" 

Although there's a trace of hesitation in Elvin's voice, he eventually continued. 

"...would you like to take over the 'Executioner' position?" 

"Executioner?" Hans asked as he crossed his arms and leaned on a metal pole.

"Yes, it's a position like in the assassins squad but here, you'll only accept tasks from the Emperor." 

"Hang on, isn't this a little too fast? Aren't there any candidates more worthy of that position?" Hans hurriedly objected. 

"Hahaha, no one here fights like an assassin. We always go for the fireworks and explosions. I've been wondering what position suits you but it seems like the 'Executioner' is probably the best for you."

"I'm not rejecting it but, can I see the mission difficulty first? I don't want to die young."

"HAHAHAHA, sure, come with me."

Others didn't follow as Elvin and Hans walked away. Roy, who was staring at their backs, especially at Hans, couldn't help but ask. 

"Do you think he'll accept it? The last executioner lost his mind, right?" 

"Hahaha, don't jinx it! Hans might be able to handle the stress. I believe in him."

"Well, if he could really adapt, that's good. I actually like his style. He'll also look good, just perfect for my daughter."

"Tch, you trust too much in that kid. He'll probably quit after his first mission."

Roy narrowed his eyes before eventually signaling others to move on. 

"Let's go. We have to start preparing too." 

......….. 

"So basically, the executioner is an assassin in the guise of a royal knight?" Hans asked after summarizing all of the information he got. 

"Erm, you could say that." Elvin nodded. 

The two were currently sitting on two couches across from each other with a small glass table between them. 

In front of Hans, a stack of papers that seemingly looks old based on their appearance is laid. It was the completed task of the previous executioners before him. 

However, as he read through the contents of every page, his face gradually darkened. 

"You call this mission?" Hans coldly asked. 

"Yes, they were tasked to do that. In history, the executioners are respected in our circle because of this." 

"Haha, this is not a mission, Elvin. This is pretty much straight murder, pillaging, kidnapping, and torture." 

Some of the mission even includes killing an innocent child just because he 'might' be colluding with the enemies. 

Just because the child is suspicious, he was killed.

[Isn't this perfect for you?] 

Hans hesitated. The position is good but the task is inhuman. It's very different from what he expected. 

Indeed, he could work alone but the fact that he had to kill innocents just because they're suspicious is unjustifiable. 

[The brighter the light the darker the shadows. That's the true face of this world, Hans. This is a world where power rules and tyrants exist everywhere. Don't put the laws of Earth here.] 

'Am I ready to kill innocents?' 

[You killed your friends back then. What's the difference now?] 

'You really are a bad influence on me.'

[That's because I'm not a good entity Hans. Remember that. I'll be pleased if you could even kill more.]

'Can I get you a body and then kill you? You're kinda annoying now.'

[Hehe, too bad. I will live inside you forever and there's nothing you can do about it.]

'Are you… an enemy then?' 

[If that's what you believed, then that's the truth.] 

'...'

'What the fuck does that mean?' 

However, before Plundy could even respond, Elvin hurriedly spoke. 

"So are you going to accept Hans? An executioner is basically a free bird. As long as you finish the task, even if you sleep after that, the Emperor won't bother you."

"Can I ask you a question before I accept it?" 

"Go on."

"What happens when a mission fails?"

Hearing Hans' question, the smile on Elvin's lips disappeared. The atmosphere was gradually enveloped by dread. 

Seeing Elvin's reaction, Hans immediately realized. 

"Is it really that bad?" 

"Yes, Hans." 

"I see… so I get killed when I fail huh? Even then, I'll accept it." Hans muttered. 

Elvin who was lost in thought suddenly raised his eyebrow after hearing his murmurs. 

"Hang on, you don't get killed when you fail. We're not that unreasonable." 

"Eh?" 

"Once you fail, you won't be able to get your monthly salary. That's just it." 

"Eh?" 

......… 

Southern Border of the Harisan Empire. 

Casonar Village.

The Casonar Village is one of the territories of the Harisan Empire where the knights who came from the front line rested. 

However, a mysterious phenomenon made the knights hesitant in staying here and he was here to investigate. 

Agni, one of the Royal Knights, started walking toward the village gate. His steps were neither light nor loud but even then, the village guards still saw his arrival. 

Agni looked at the skies full of dark and heavy clouds. His face grimaced, "The weather isn't good."

It might rain anytime soon. He'll stay in this village for a while. 

As soon as the village guards saw his badge, they immediately lowered their blades and greeted him with the utmost respect. 

It's never new to him. The royal knights are the main combat knights of the empire and they symbolized power and glory. 

Agni entered the village and he immediately noticed several gazes on him. 

'A kid with her sister on his back, an old man, and a few other men.' 

Some of them were peeking at the windows while a few stood at a distance. They looked curious based on their gazes however, no one dared to get close to him. 

'Heh~, this looks easy.'

In all actuality, Agni is here for a mission. The mission could only be taken by royal knights who wanted to become an executioner. 

[Mission: Investigate the disappearance of the knights crossing into the Casonar Village. There…] 

According to reports, several elite knights spent a night here but the next morning, no traces of them were found. The next incident happen after another and this case eventually caught the attention of the Emperor. 

Few scouts tried inspecting this place but they all disappeared without a trace. 

But in his opinion, it might just be a monster attacking them at night. Probably, the darkness types. 

As a royal knight, Agni was confident in his strength so he took this mission in hopes to be promoted to an executioner. 

'Elvin won't be able to order me by then…' 

Agni smirked before approaching the nearest villagers in his location. It was a mother and her seemingly 8-year child.

"Excuse me." He greeted with a smile. 

However, as soon as the child tried approaching him, the mother pulled him back. 

'Huh?' 

Agni's pupils shrunk. His eyes scanned everyone around him. Just by observing them, he was certain about one thing.

'They looked frightened.'