Chapter 40: Revenge Comes Full Circle

Cipher suddenly paused, and Natalie immediately noticed. She followed Cipher's gaze to Ben's corpse. "Do you know him?" she asked.

Cipher nodded, though she barely recognized him. To her surprise, Natalie abruptly apologized. However, she immediately added, "He was in my way. It couldn't be helped."

Cipher sighed softly. "Have you ever considered that these guards also have families? Wives and children might be waiting for them at home for dinner, yet you killed them so casually..."

"Perhaps," Natalie replied calmly. "To be honest, that girl you mentioned earlier, the one whose parents were killed by Viscount Braun? I've had a similar experience. Men in black invaded my home and murdered everyone, including the carefree girl I once was, who deserved to grow up happy. After that, all that remained was a demon consumed by revenge."

"I know Viscount Braun hired those assassins. I don't resent them—they were just following orders, just like these guards. I don't want to fight them, but if I'm going to kill Viscount Braun, I have no choice but to kill them too."

This was purely a matter of principle for Natalie. She had no other option.

Continuing her answer to Cipher's question, she said, "As for the families of these guards? I won't think about that during the battle. But if their families ever come seeking revenge after I've finished mine, I won't resist. I'll stand still and let them have their vengeance."

In some movies or novels, you might see characters burdened by deep-seated hatred willingly abandon their thirst for vengeance, breaking the cycle of hatred. Such individuals are undoubtedly admirable, but Natalie could never bring herself to do that.

I don't care about breaking any cycles of hatred. All I know is that Viscount Braun killed my mother, and he will pay for it in blood!

As for the new hatreds Natalie would inevitably create along the way? Once she had completed her revenge and died, wouldn't those hatreds simply die with her?

Cipher wouldn't end her partnership with Natalie just because of Ben's death; she merely sighed in lament. Her overall plan remained unchanged: deliver Viscount Braun's corpse to Cassie. As for Ben's body? Let his family give him a proper burial.

"Back to the main point," Cipher said. "Do you accept the collaboration I proposed earlier?"

Natalie nodded slightly. "If you can truly help me evade my pursuers and successfully infiltrate Viscount Braun's Manor."

After all, Natalie was already in grave danger. If Cipher intended to betray her, she could simply shout for help instead of resorting to such elaborate schemes.

"Then let's hope our partnership proves fruitful." Cipher shook hands with Natalie, and only then did they exchange names. Afterward, Cipher immediately took the lead. "This way."

"Turn right here."

"Five people are approaching ahead. Let's hide for now."

"Turn right again at the next intersection."

Cipher could clearly hear the presence or absence of people in the surrounding areas, as if she had a full map of the terrain. Throughout their journey, they encountered not a single guard or adventurer.

No, to be precise, they had encountered guards. Thanks to Cipher's warnings, Natalie hid behind cover and watched a patrol hurry past nearby without noticing her. This wasn't the first time; Cipher had always alerted her in time to find a hiding place.

It was almost as if Cipher could foresee the future. Natalie silently followed behind, her eyes involuntarily drawn to the adorable ears twitching atop Cipher's head. Such incredibly sharp hearing, she mused to herself.

Soon, they had circumvented the main guard presence and reached the outskirts of Viscount Braun's Manor.

However, their previous method of avoiding patrols was no longer viable. The entire perimeter of the manor was now completely sealed off by hundreds of guards. Unless they all suddenly went blind, infiltrating the place seemed impossible.

Seeing this, Natalie couldn't help but consider retreat. She glanced at Cipher, who was peeking around a corner, silently observing the situation. If infiltration is impossible, she thought, could Cipher's hearing make escaping the city easier?

Just as Natalie was about to speak, Cipher sighed. "So many people... Ah, well, guess there's no choice."

"If things get too tough," Natalie said, "we can always retreat."

Cipher cut her off. "Then I'll have to use my secret weapon!"

She turned to Natalie. "Come on, take a deep breath and brace yourself. I'm sending you in."

"???" Natalie looked utterly bewildered. "What on earth are you talking abou—"

The last syllable of her question was still forming when she suddenly found herself indoors, no longer at the crossroads.

Bookshelves overflowing with books filled her vision. It looked like a study.

No, no, that wasn't the important thing. What had just happened? How had she gotten here?

Cipher, meanwhile, clapped her hands together, explaining, "This is the study in Viscount Braun's Manor. I've been here countless times—I know it like the back of my hand! Oh, and there's even a secret room Viscount Braun uses for his... affairs. Want to see it?"

Natalie remained silent for a moment, her expression slightly bewildered as she stared at Cipher. After a pause, she repeated, "You're saying we're inside Viscount Braun's manor?"

Cipher nodded. "That's right."

"But... how did you even manage this?" Natalie demanded. "How did we get in here?"

Cipher shrugged. "That's my little secret."

Actually, I just used Divine Speed to carry you over my shoulder and smuggle you inside, she thought.

Seeing Cipher's reluctance to elaborate, Natalie didn't press further. However, she realized that infiltrating the manor seemed remarkably easy for Cipher. Logically, killing Viscount Braun should be no problem for such a skilled thief.

"Do you really need my help?" Natalie asked. "You could easily kill Viscount Braun yourself, couldn't you?"

Cipher pinched a strand of hair near her cheek, avoiding eye contact. With a hint of awkwardness, she admitted, "Well, that's true, but... I've never killed anyone before. I just can't bring myself to do it."

Natalie stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. "???"