Chapter Four

[Lion City]

"Still no response from Zen?" said Alfonse, the leader of Blood Tachi, one of the nine divisions of Black Midas. Along with a dozen other assassins, their figures blurred through the night. They moved through alleyways and streets, unnoticed by the passersby. 

One of his subordinates shook his head. "None, Sir."

Several days ago, they suddenly lost contact with the assassin stationed in Lion City. Although Zen was not among the elites of Black Midas, he was still part of the reconnaissance group. Each of their members specialized in concealment magic and escape. If Zen was really dead just like they speculated, then there must have been a noteworthy opponent. Someone skilled enough to catch and kill an assassin specialized in concealment magic. 

Upon entering Lion City, Zen should have contacted them by now. As moments passed, their suspicions intensified. 

Blood Tachi first visited Zen's house, which was located in the Commoners District. After searching around, they saw the encrypted message sent directly by the leader of Black Midas. This meant that Zen received their message. 

Although the room was neat, dust have already started forming on the windowsill. It must have been at least several days since Zen left this place. 

"He probably went ahead and kicked the bucket," spat one of the assassins. "That idiot."

"This is why the Reconnaissance Division is trash. They can't even wait for us to arrive," said another. "Stupid bunch."

"Enough," said Alfonse. Just like the other members of the group, he was clad in pure black, revealing nothing but his crimson eyes. "Seth. Could you track where he went?"

A female voice replied, "Sure, sure."

The female assassin took out a small vial filled with strands of hair. She chanted her magic and a small hexagram glowed under her feet. She pulled out the strands of hair and scattered it around the magic circle. After a long time, the magic circle broke into numerous particles of light. A small sparrow made of light manifested itself before them. 

"Guide us there," Seth said to the sparrow. 

The sparrow flew around the room, before flying through the window. The members of Blood Tachi quickly followed. 

To the assassins' surprise, the sparrow led them to a nearby place. A rundown inn near the Middle District. They discreetly entered and went towards a room at the second floor. 

"Nothing's here," said Alfonse. The room was tidy, with a small bed and a wooden table near the window. 

"Strange," mumbled Seth. "My Tracking Magic never failed me before."

But just like their leader said, there was nothing here.

"Who are you people?" said a trembling voice. Upon looking at the door, the inn keeper stood, agape, as he held a lamp in his hand. 

Alfonse nodded at his subordinates. On cue, the assassins struck the inn keeper to the ground. The old man coughed twice as he struggled to get up. "What are you doi—"

A cloth was stuffed inside his mouth. 

"Old man." Alfonse crouched and stared at him straight in the eyes. "Did someone die here, several days ago?"

Unable to speak, the old man shook his head. 

Alfonse looked at Seth. If the inn keeper did not see a corpse, they why did the tracking magic pointed here? It did not make sense. 

"He's probably lying," said Seth. It was the only possible explanation. "Listen, Gramps. I'm going to remove your gag, but if you shout, I'll kill you."

She removed the cloth stuffed inside the old man's mouth. "Now, I'll repeat the Leader's question. Did someone die here?"

She took out a dagger. Upon seeing this, the old man shivered and stuttered, "I r-really d-don't know! No one died here! I swear to the Gods!"

They were at a dead end. They could clearly see that this old man was not lying. 

Seth looked at the sparrow sitting on top of the bed. Why did it lead them to this place?

"Leader, look at this." One of the assassins came inside the room, holding a logbook. "I looked through the lists of guests in this inn. And look at what I've found."

Alfonse looked at the name his men pointed at. He creased his brows as he read the name out loud, "Lark Marcus."

He did not expect the name of their target to pop out here, at this place. For a moment, Alfonse stood there, contemplating. 

He realized the reason why the sparrow led them to this place. Looking at Seth, it seemed that she also arrived at the same conclusion. 

"Zen is dead," she said. 

Alfonse nodded. "Change of plans. We shall go directly to Blackstone Town."

"Understood," replied his men. 

"Heard that, old man?" Seth giggled. "We no longer need you. Bye bye!"

She covered the mouth of the old man and struck his neck with a dagger. Blood spurted out, the body twitched, and she chuckled. 

What kind of man was this so-called Lark Marcus? He killed Zen and even completely concealed the dead body. Just thinking of this made Seth shiver in ecstasy. 

She could not wait for that moment when her dagger pierces his flesh.