Antagonist Protection Service-Chapter 213 Wanted

213: Wanted

213: Wanted

On Saturday morning, the day immediately following the night I properly visited Lucretia, an official announcement was made by the Imperial State.

Before I knew it, I was back on the streets.

More than that, I was being actively hunted down by the city guards and Imperial Knights.

Not only for the crimes I told Lucretia to pin on me in the past―that is, the assassination of the crown prince and the murder of Ayla Tichá―but now, for something new as well.

Needless to say, that was for breaking into the capital’s Archducal residence and attempting an attack on the Imperial Princess.

Thus, a headline quickly made the rounds throughout the capital city.

‘The Winter Princess’ Most Vile Betrayer Returns; a Dedicated Enemy of the Crown’.

More importantly than the exaggerated title, however, was that it meant the city naturally went into high alert.

On top of that, the reward for my capture was heightened dramatically. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Not just lawful city guards, lone outlaws and desperate beggars, but now, even local bounty hunter groups were coming after me.

Of course, all of this was planned…

At least, I liked to hope so.

Lucretia wasn’t kind enough to tell me everything straight up, but she also knew she wasn’t stupid to just make my life harder like that for no reason.

Using the announcement of my return, she could use me as a scapegoat for everything that involved the Demons, including that attack from just before I arrived.

That way, the existence of the Demons could be kept under wraps, and there was a real excuse to increase the city’s security at the same time without raising suspicion.

Going one step further, with the bounty on my head that would only be paid out if I was captured alive and handed over to the Imperial Knights, Lucretia had a legitimate way of bringing me back to her side, and if she just declared the punishment for my crimes was to help her deal with the Demon threat, it would be easy for us to work together without anyone batting an eye.

The only obstacle then was that I wasn’t sure what she would tell the public, but…

Well, that wasn’t for me to figure out.

‘Anyway, I have more important things to worry about…

Like wherever the hell this guy is.’

Narrowing my eyes, I sat crouched on a roof opposite the Drakon-Rasa Royal Academy, watching the giant entrance gates of gold like a hawk.

The time was such that lessons should have already ended a while ago, but where was he…

‘Damn Protagonist…’

At some point, I figured something was wrong.

All the other noble students had already left, the entranceway was completely empty, and the groundskeeper was closing the gates for the evening…

and yet, not a glimpse of the Protagonist’s hair on his head had been seen.

“Tsk…”

I was already disgruntled enough from having to sleep on the streets for the weekend, biding my time and avoiding the jam packed streets on Sunday until school started up again this morning, but now he was missing.

‘Gotta be kidding me…’

Sighing, I rose to my feet and stretched my back.

“Looking for someone?”

“…!”

At that moment, an unfamiliar voice suddenly called out from behind.

Somehow not having sensed them until they spoke, I spun around.

“Oh, the mask actually is as it’s illustrated…

I thought it was an oversimplification, but it really is ominous, eh?”

Before me stood a man, seemingly in his thirties with swept blonde hair.

Not dissimilar to many of those I’d had to deal with until now, albeit distinct enough to be comparable in appearance to my own Draconic Shadow, he was also wearing an outfit that could only belong to a rogue.

Of course, it didn’t need to be stated just how superior the Draconic Shadow was, and I could tell that in but an instant, but I also realised the quality of one’s outfit was not representative of their strength.

And this guy…

“…”

‘…He’s dangerous.’

“Not much of a talker, huh?

How fitting…”

Slowly, the man took a step forward, reaching a hand casually down to his waist and retrieving multiple steel throwing knives between his fingers, then doing the same for the other hand.

And then.

“――Well.

Least you’ll be worth a pretty penny.”

“…!”

His figure turned into a blur.

Clang, clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang~~!!

Summoning the Villainous Blade into my hands, I hurriedly moved to deflect the knives he wasn’t even using from a distance, but to attack me directly as if with claws.

His speed was so fast I couldn’t even perceive it with Heightened Senses, only able to react instinctively to the direction he was coming from with each strike.

With each attack, I was pushed more onto the defensive, every slash, every swing and every thrust of those small knives taking all of my concentration to block or deflect on the narrow space of the rooftop.

Not only was he fast, but he was strong.

With Mana Corruption, I had finally obtained the ability to enhance my body with the power of magic energy.

Even without the knowledge or talent to figure out how to properly enhance myself, the fact alone that the refined magic energy now flowed through me should have been at least enough to deal with a smallfry like this.

‘Why is it…

not enough…?’

And yet, it wasn’t.

I was attacked mercilessly, not given even the slightest chance to retaliate and pushed back into the corner.

Standing on the edge of the rooftop, more than just a couple dozen metres above the ground.

“Tch…”

“What?

Still not gonna talk?

Not even a word?

Say, you held on better than I expected, but.

Well.

It’s all a useless struggle in the end.

The Black Fang ain’t known for failure, after all.”

In that position, I couldn’t have been the only one to realise how over it was, as the man again stood before me, seemingly unaffected by all the exertion just now.

With a grin that betrayed how entertained he was probably feeling, he approached just far enough away that I couldn’t reach him with the Villainous Blade.

Although, even if I tried, I doubted I’d be able to catch him off guard in anyway regardless.

“You got a li’l too big for your boots, mister.

Sorry.”

Immediately following that line, he blurred again, and before I realised it…

‘…Huh?’

I was falling.