The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

The golden rays of the morning sun spilled across the open courtyard. The calming scent of tea drifted through the air.

Loud, persistent footsteps broke the stillness as Kaiden paced back and forth, a hardened look set on his face.

"What is going on? We’ve been here for hours and the village head still won’t see us!? Does he even realize who we are? I said we’re from Calderalth clearly, didn’t I? You heard me, right!?"

"Y-yes..."

The trainee shrank under Kaiden’s furious gaze, nodding meekly.

Tch.

Kaiden clicked his tongue. A full day had passed since their arrival, yet they hadn’t made any real progress on the mission.

After that first attempt, every effort to meet the village head had been shut down. It was almost as if they didn’t want this place protected. It was maddening.

He paced for a moment longer before finally turning toward Zephyrion, who had remained completely silent throughout the entire ordeal. Unable to hold back any longer, Kaiden spoke.

"...what about you, young lord? You’ve been quiet this whole time. Don’t you have anything to say?"

Zephyrion took a slow sip of his tea, his expression entirely unshaken. Setting the cup down, he lifted his gaze and met Kaiden’s eyes, calm and unmoved.

"We wait."

"Wait? Did you just say wait? Have you forgotten we’re being graded here? It’s almost been a full day and we still know nothing! We should be mapping the area, planning something, at this rate we’re going to fail!"

As Fiona quietly poured him another cup, Zephyrion took it without a word and drank, his expression unchanged.

"We wait."

"...what?" Kaiden’s fists tightened at his sides, his glare sharp enough to pierce through steel.

"C-calm down, Kaiden." Fiona stepped in quickly before he could snap. "I’m sure the young lord has his reasons... maybe we should just wait a bit longer?"

"Reasons? What reasons could there possibly be?"

"I... I don’t..."

"Argh, goddammit!" Kaiden lashed out, kicking the ground and sending a cloud of dust scattering into the air.

Zephyrion calmly took another sip of his tea, completely unmoved. Did he have a reason... definitely.

None of the others could sense them, but from the moment they had arrived at the compound yesterday evening, he had been aware of multiple distinct life signs stationed just beyond the perimeter, watching them. Guarding them.

The compound itself wasn’t anything remarkable, exactly what one would expect from a village cut off from the rest of society.

A wooden fence reinforced with metal plates enclosed the area, and at its center stood a single-storey structure built from wood, supported by metal beams and patched with iron plating, much like the rest of the village’s buildings.

Given the circumstances, Zephyrion was certain the watchers were there less for protection... and more to keep them contained.

The village head’s reaction to their arrival remained clear in his mind. Shock. Disbelief. The situation here was obviously dire, and they didn’t see them as capable of helping in any meaningful way. Hence, the guards.

Either there had been a miscommunication between the village and the house... or the house had been fully aware of the situation and still chose to send nothing but trainees.

As he recalled the look of anticipation Garrick had given him, the answer was obvious.

’If this is a test, then I cannot fail.’

Failure could cost him Garrick’s favor. That wasn’t something he could afford, not after how far he had already come. The more he exceeded Garrick’s expectations, the more he stood to gain.

Even so, it didn’t change the fact that the situation wasn’t simple. He had felt the pressure from the village head and the elders, they were on a higher level.

’Above mark five.’

Which meant for them to react that way, the situation itself had to be beyond what they could handle. And if that was the case... then it should be lethal to them.

Should.

He recalled the name the village head had used.

’Pulsegrove Village.’

From a young age, especially during the period he had been groomed as the next family head, Zephyrion had committed every settlement and city in the South to memory, particularly those under Calderalth’s authority.

Pulsegrove Village was one of them.

They were one of Calderalth’s primary suppliers of PulseWood and PulseInk, both critical resources used in rune inscriptions and sought after even by higher houses and rival empires.

Even so, the information he currently possessed was far too limited to form anything concrete. Knowing the kind of person Garrick was, he was certain there was more beneath the surface. It wasn’t as simple as killing a few beasts.

’Rule eleven.’

Observe before you judge. A single careless decision could cost him everything. He needed to see the full picture before making a move.

That was why he had allowed Kaiden to take the lead yesterday. Revealing his identity would have forced the villagers into restraint, to act with caution, to put on a front.

The best way to observe someone... was when they didn’t realize they were being observed. When they were allowed to act as they truly were.

’They can’t keep us here forever. If I’m right, they’ll send someone soon... something to keep us occupied. Given the situation, they’ll either assume Calderalth has no intention of helping, or they’ll reach out for reinforcements. Either way, we’re still trainees of Calderalth, their lifeblood. They won’t risk anything happening to us under their watch. They’ll want us out of the way... somewhere we can’t interfere or get ourselves into trouble. Inside the village. Then most likely... a tour.’

Zephyrion gave a small, calm nod. A tour was perfect.

"More tea, young lord?"

Zephyrion glanced at Fiona, who was watching him with an expectant gaze.

"...yes. Thank you, Fiona."

"I-it’s nothing..." Fiona nodded quickly, trying to hide the faint blush creeping across her cheeks.

Ever since Zephyrion had helped her overcome her fears in that cave, she had found herself unconsciously seeking his approval.

Even the smallest acknowledgment from him left her with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

With brightened eyes, she poured him another cup, watching attentively as he drank.

"That’s it! I’m going over there right now!"

Kaiden, finally reaching his limit, turned sharply and began striding toward the gates. But before he could make it halfway, they suddenly swung open.

A man of average build and a lively demeanor stepped inside.

"Young warriors... I am Tar. I humbly greet you." He placed a hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.

"I’ve been sent by the village head. I’ll be showing you around the village."

"Finally... let’s go."

Kaiden exhaled in frustration, brushing past Tar as he headed for the gate.

Tar remained where he stood, staring blankly after him.

"...did I miss something?"