The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Moments later, they left the compound and moved through the village. Pulsegrove Village stretched across a vast clearing, nestled between towering cliffs and the endless forest beyond.

Countless crude looking houses were scattered before them, and the ground beneath their feet was earthen and unpaved.

A massive iron effigy of the Iron Father rose at the center of the village. The place felt... empty. They could barely spot any villagers around.

"The Pulsegrove Village has been around for centuries. Our ancestors found this place while fleeing the war with the Pyrians. We lived in peace for a long time... until bandits and wanderers started finding us, drawn by the resources here. Luckily, Calderalth found us before things got out of hand. In exchange for supplying PulseWood and Ink, we received their protection. It’s been that way for over a century now.

"It’s quite remarkable, really... just the other day, I remembered a tale about a butcher. It goes like this..."

Tar continued speaking without pause as they moved through the village.

Zephyrion quietly scanned their surroundings, his gaze moving from one detail to the next.

Kaiden, however, did not share that focus. He stared at Tar like he was seconds away from snapping.

Butcher? What the hell do they care about a butcher?

"...so the butcher became very angry when he caught his wife with the watchman, and then—"

"...yeah, we get it. History, whatever." Kaiden cut in, his voice filled with irritation. "What about the mission? The beasts, how many are there? What types? Do you have any actual information?"

Tar paused, looking at Kaiden for a brief moment. Then he blinked, glanced away, and continued speaking as though nothing had been said.

"...the watchman was also furious the butcher had been enjoying such an amazing wife alone. He—"

Grit! 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"You..." Kaiden’s voice dropped into a low growl. "You’re not planning to tell us anything about the mission, are you?"

"...I am telling you. It simply takes time to—"

"Bullcrap. Take us to your village head. Right now."

"...I apologize, but the village head isn’t available to receive visitors. It’s a busy time."

"You didn’t even ask."

"I’m familiar with the village head’s schedule. I can assure you."

"Arrgh!" Kaiden lashed out again, kicking the ground as a cloud of dust rose in its wake.

Tar’s smile didn’t falter.

"Well then, if that’s all, let us continue our—"

"Take us there."

Tar’s smile stiffened slightly as he followed Zephyrion’s gaze toward the iron effigy standing at the center of the village. For the first time, his expression wavered.

"I apologize, but that’s not—"

"You refuse."

Tar’s words died in his throat the moment their eyes met.

A sudden chill ran through him, as though icy water had been poured over his body. He couldn’t stop the faint shiver that followed.

’What the hell...’

Weren’t they supposed to be mere kids? Then why did looking into those purple eyes feel like staring into something... lethal? Even the most hardened warriors in the village had never made him feel this way.

Such a gaze...

Tar swallowed, only realizing he had spoken after the words had already left his mouth.

"...alright."

Moments later, they arrived at the village square where the iron effigy stood.

And then they saw the true reason for the village’s desertion.

"Oh Iron Father, please protect this village!"

"Iron Father, guide us!"

"Iron Father, don’t let us perish!"

Numerous villagers were gathered before the statue, their foreheads pressed to the ground in deep, solemn bows.

Most of them looked impoverished, thin and frail, lips dry and cracked, as though they hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days.

"...why are they like this?" Fiona covered her mouth with her arm, her shock unmistakable.

Tar’s gaze dimmed slightly.

"...the villagers have been fasting. Abstaining... so the Iron Father may hear their pleas and protect them from the beasts. It’s been over a week now... no food, no water."

"...no way..." Fiona’s voice trembled. Even Kaiden’s anger ebbed at the sight. It was hard to look at.

’It’s not unusual.’

Of them all, only Zephyrion remained unmoved. This scene wasn’t unfamiliar to him, he had witnessed it many times even before joining the Order. His mother had made sure of that.

The Ferran faith, passed down since the era of the elemental gods, preached; Strength through tempering.

While Calderalth took it literally, forging their descendants like steel, the Sarakhel followed their own interpretation; beneath the hammer, we rise.

Suffering purified the soul. Endurance and pain brought one closer to the Iron Father.

As the dominant belief across the empire, it had taken deep root among the common people. But to Zephyrion, it was nothing more than empty conviction.

The war of the elemental gods had ended centuries ago, and none had been heard from since. In essence, they were praying to gods that no longer answered.

They were wasting their time.

"Just wait... when I catch those beasts..." Kaiden muttered, his fists tightening as his gaze burned with anger.

What remained of his earlier frustration had been redirected entirely. To him, the beasts were the cause of all this.

A faint, muffled commotion pulled Zephyrion’s attention toward a large building to the west of the square.

It was the largest structure in the village, and exactly where he had expected the village head to be staying.

He had subtly guided the tour in this direction, hoping to catch something useful.

’They’re coming.’

A figure burst out of the building with sharp, hurried steps. She wore tight fitting brown leather armor paired with baggy trousers, her black hair tied neatly into a single ponytail.

She stood at an average height, and judging by her features, couldn’t be more than eighteen. By the village’s standards, she could even be considered attractive.

The village head rushed out the next instant, his teeth clenched in anger as he chased after her.

"Jenna! Jenna! Didn’t you hear me calling you!? Are you going to ignore your father!?"