Chapter 20: Meeting at Night

[Bloody Warpick]

- A weapon that can pierce or hurt through armor. The bloody residue on both ends of the weapon indicate signs of repeated use.

- "Well, sorry for going overboard, I didn't want to take too much of your time. Fark, blood and brains are hard to wash off." Miru, to a former bandit knight.

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Keru was walking through the dusk district as the night greeted him.

'It's been so long huh?' Keru reflected on his old memories during his academy days.

During his early days at the academy, he was somewhat of a delinquent. Nothing serious, he tended to play pranks, sleep in classes, and occasionally sneak out into the dusk district.

To compensate, he was talented in combat and had decent scores in written exams; but it was obvious to all observing him that he could have been doing more. Though this changed later in his academic life, the remnants of his lifestyle still remained.

After passing through some of the streets and reminiscing, he turned a corner and headed towards the noble district for the 2nd time today.

Showing his documents to the guards at the entrance of noble district, they give him a suspicious and confused look but let him pass. It was not every day that someone who legitimately looked like an assassin walked up to them like a regular passer.

Keru then arrived at his destination, he looked at the subtly lit manor. He is about to ring the gate bell and call for a servant when he hears a group of footsteps going towards his location.

The group is easily recognizable as it is the one, he met earlier at the dessert shop when he had a sudden craving for his favorite cake. They see him waiting at the front of the gate and look surprised and curious. When they arrive, he bows with his fist across his chest and kneels slightly.

"This one greets her highness and the young lords and ladies".

"Raise your head, Ser Knight, be at ease". The princess's voice answers him in a serene manner.

Keru is about to do so when he realizes what the princess had just said.

"...I apologize your highness, perhaps I look similar to someone else. I am not a knight." Keru's facade trembles somewhat.

"Oh? Then why are you bowing like one Ser Knight? Those with no noble blood or title are supposed to have their arms at their side without bending their knees?" The princess replied.

'Woops, force of habit from growing up. I kept using it in the academy too.'

"Ah perhaps I had mistakenly learnt the wrong version your highness, this one sincerely apologizes for their mistake."

"It is fine, however for compensation for misusing the knight's bow, would you first take off your mask and then explain what you are doing in front of House Layl's manor?"

'Huh, guess she is still suspicious. Good thing I got this mask'

"Of course your highness, I would just like to warn you again that I am severely disfigured. So, you may find this one's appearance revolting."

"It is fine, go-ahead adventurer".

Keru then proceeded to use the mask's ability which let him change his face to one he had imprinted beforehand, and then continued to take it off and slowly look up at the princess's party.

Their eyes widened when they saw his face. His whole face was severely burned, and his eyes looked like they were almost popping out. In some places it looked like the burns did not heal properly and caused inconsistencies in the tightness or slackness of the skin. His bones were even visible in some places as if the skin was burnt off.

" ...Th-that is alright, please put your mask back on." The princess finally said while quivering. Everyone else in their party was either looking away or shaking their heads. In her mind the princess was glad that she didn't force Keru to take his mask off while they were eating.

"Yes, your highness. I apologize for the unnerving image." Keru said as he wore his mask once again.

"It is alright, I requested it after all. Now please tell us why you are here. It even seems like you were about to ring the bell."

"Ah, I am here on request of the Countess your highness, she would like to inspect all adventurers who wish to accept her request."

"Oh, what did my mother request." One of the boys from earlier steps forward and asks.

Keru takes the document for the request and hands it to the boy.

"Young master Layl, the Countess requests for aid in hunting down the arsonist of the dusk district."

"I see... thank you. Well, if you guys are sure with staying for the night. Let's go in. Come adventurer, let's see my mother together."

"Thank you young master Layl." Keru bowed.

The complete party entered, and they were received by a number of butlers and maids.

When they spotted Keru, they subtly imposed killing intent.

'Huh, they never change. Protective of the young one.' Keru chuckled and exerted exactly enough counter pressure to balance the equation and for no side to feel anything.

Keru then looked at the head maid and butler and then made a subtle sign with his hand before nodding.

When they see this, they widen their eyes in recognition before slightly smiling and nodding back. They made a sign and the killing intent that they released on him was stopped.

'Always have to pay my teachers respect. No matter how screwed up their training was. I'm happy for the poison resistance but I didn't need to drink different types of poison every day for years'

Keru then noticed that someone else was looking at him. It was the other girl in the party. She looked curious, Keru was wondering if she had spotted his interaction with his teachers.

He proceeded to ignore her gaze as Levik helped his friends get seated in their large living room. A set of treats and drinks were already prepared.

It was then the Lady of the house arrived, and the servants bowed their heads. The Countess was dressed in a more functional dress that was not embroidered or had expensive ornamentation. It fit well with her desert complexion, dark hair, fit body.

The party of students stood and greeted their host.

"Good day Countess Layl,we are grateful for allowing us to suddenly stay overnight at your manor."

"There is no problem your highness, all of you please make yourself at home."

The conversation continued for about before the Countess approached Keru who was standing quietly nearby.

"From what I heard from Levik, you are an adventurer who has come to accept my request."

"This one greets the Countess of Layl. Yes Countess, it is as you have surmised."

"I see, come. Let us speak more in my office."

The Countess, waives to her son and indicates her departure. Levik sincerely smiles and waives back.

Once they arrive in her office. Keri takes off his mask and hood, showing his original tanned sharp face and dark hair.

The Countess smiles when she sees this.

"It's been a long time young one, you have been doing well it seems. Tell me, why have you come back to the house of night?"

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*Did you get the pun? hehe*

BOOO!!! You Suck!!

"Woops, See You Guys Later!"