novelraw Page 70
Page 70
Miss Yae held up the short sword, her eyes gradually becoming sharp and ruthless, revealing the spirit of a professional assassin.
"Yae Sakura, it's up to you. Can you do it?"
"Yae Sakura?"
Miss Yae was somewhat confused about whose name it was when, in the next moment, the shrine maiden's sword was already upon her.
She had just raised her dagger to defend herself when a strange force struck her, making her hand ache.
wow~
The wooden windows of the inn were shattered by Yae Sakura's sword energy, and the two fought from inside to outside and back inside.
For a time, Yae Sakura, without the blessing of the Scarlet Prison Pill, was unable to defeat Miss Yae.
Just then, the inn's door was kicked open, and a woman wearing a black hood walked in.
She brandished her black claws and teased.
"Oh! Looks like I've come at the wrong time, it's quite lively here!"
Chapter 96: Raven: You have quite the appetite.
"Oh? A raven?"
Xingyue slowly put down her chopsticks and stood up, facing the hooded lady.
"Huh? You know me?"
Raven glanced at her dining table and frowned.
Seeing a group of girls huddled together, enjoying their dinner, Raven thought to himself, "You've all been attacked by assassins, and you're still so leisurely eating? Do you guys have some serious nerve?"
"Well, I guess so! After all, you are a famous assassin."
The girl's lips curved into a strange smile.
Looking at her expression, Raven suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and had a bad feeling.
Moreover, this person always gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity, mixed with some disgust.
Have they met before? No, right?
Raven carefully reviewed his memories, but there was no record of the two ever meeting, not even a nodding acquaintance.
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. Right now, carrying out the mission is more important.
Then the lady wearing a black hood raised her blood-red claws and revealed a professional smile.
"My friend, I know you are His Highness the Star Gazing Prince's guard. Could you name a price? I'll give you fifty thousand taels of silver..."
"silver?"
"No, it's gold."
"That's what the raven said seriously."
"Given your skill in escaping the capital unscathed, I doubt I could achieve my goal. That's why I've come here with sincerity."
"You see, I didn't attack you from the shadows."
The raven pointed with its claws at the completely dark night outside.
"Hmph! It's a good thing you didn't, otherwise you wouldn't be here unharmed now."
After letting out a cold snort, Xingyue also lifted her own curtain.
This person is not simple.
The coldness in that tone sent a chill down Raven's spine, even though he was a professional assassin.
However, she didn't show any reaction on the surface, and just continued to smile.
"How about it? The commission they offered was only 100,000 taels in total. I've already been very generous by giving you half. That's probably enough to ensure you'll live comfortably for the rest of your life, right?"
Upon hearing this, the girl's deep eyes darted around rapidly in their sockets, as if she were deep in thought.
Seeing the latter hesitate, Miss Yae rushed over.
"Don't agree to her request. Aren't you His Highness the Star Gazer's guard? How can you do such an unjust thing?"
She wanted to say something more, but the cold wind from Yae Sakura's attack from behind had arrived, and she had no choice but to turn around to defend herself.
When~
In the darkness, the dagger clashed with the blade, creating a dazzling spark, and Miss Yae was sent flying a great distance by the impact.
She was already at a disadvantage, and this distraction completely overwhelmed her.
But she didn't give up. While constantly moving around, she kept a close eye on what was happening at the stargazing site.
While stargazing may seem like eating, one is actually also observing the movements of the stars and moon.
Fifty thousand taels of gold! That's no small sum, and for most people, it's certainly quite tempting.
She had all sorts of life-saving weapons ready, so she could run away at any time.
But looking at Seele and Bronya, they actually poured out the poisoned wine and then snuggled together to eat, taking turns eating. Watching them, Stargazer felt like she had been showered with dog food.
Putting that aside, they seem so relaxed. Aren't they afraid of what might happen next? Even if Xingyue is indeed very strong, they aren't by her side!
unless……
Guan Xing narrowed his eyes and glanced at the three of them.
Unless these three are also skilled in martial arts, at least enough to protect themselves. This makes sense, since the people around a strong person are unlikely to be weak.
On Xingyue's side, after hearing Raven's request for cooperation and the reward, she rested her chin on her hand and nodded in agreement.
“That’s right, fifty thousand taels of gold! That’s quite a fortune; no guard’s salary is that high.”
"Once you get this gold, you can live a happy life where you have no worries about food and drink for the rest of your life."
"Right? So what are we in this line of work for? Isn't it all for the money?"
The raven rubbed two fingers together, making a gesture to indicate the amount of money.
Beneath the hood, her youthful face, which looked much younger than her actual age, blossomed into a smile.
"But I refuse."
"Then hand over the stargazing to me as soon as possible so I can go back and report, and then..."
Just as he finished speaking, Raven suddenly realized something and paused.
"Haha! My friend, I didn't hear you clearly. What did you just say?"
Didn't you hear me clearly? Then I'll say it again.
Xingyue pursed her lips slightly, took a breath, and shouted loudly.
"I said I refuse, did you understand?"
In an instant, the raven's crimson pupils contracted, and Miss Yae froze on the spot, staring blankly at the scene. Seeing this, Yae Sakura did not want to take advantage of the situation, so she temporarily gave up her attack.
The chopsticks in Guanxing's hand fell onto the dining table, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Only Wendy and Bronya nodded slightly.
She was indeed the same Xingyue they knew.
"Whoo~"
After a long while, the raven let out a long breath, shook its claws, and began its battle preparations.
"It seems the negotiations have failed."
"Want to know why you failed, Raven?"
Xingyue's lips curled up, her eyes full of teasing.
"Appreciate further details."
Raven was not about to let the opportunity prepared for her go to waste. She decided to launch a surprise attack while the other party was speaking, hoping it would yield good results.
"You underestimate the value of stargazing."
"What?"
Raven's expression turned strange. She had thought of many more righteous answers, such as swearing allegiance to the death! What nonsense.
But this answer completely stumped her.
"That's right, that's exactly what I mean. You've underestimated the value of stargazing."
"You think stargazing is only worth 100,000 taels?"
"A direct descendant of the royal family is only worth 100,000 taels?"
"Um?"
These words enlightened the raven, giving it a sense that its perspective had suddenly broadened.
Xingyue smiled and continued to explain.
"Everyone knows that His Highness Guanxing has devoted himself tirelessly to researching methods for sealing away the strange beasts. Once the threat of these beasts is eliminated, Guanxing's prestige among the people will rise to an extremely formidable level; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he can command a hundred responses at a single call. So, who do you think is most likely to ascend the throne?"
"you mean?"
The raven suddenly realized.
"That's right, just as you think. When that time comes, as long as I support Prince Guanxing to the throne, I will be a key minister of the country. Do you think a mere 50,000 taels, or even 100,000 taels of gold, is anything?"
With a gurgling sound, the raven swallowed hard.
This guy has a really big appetite.
Chapter 97: Raven, I'll make you wish you were dead
Upon hearing this, Guan Xing went from surprise to realization, and then to doubt.
The face hidden beneath the feather fan looked increasingly strange.
She always felt that the monster's purpose was probably not that. If she really only needed her to provide some high-ranking positions and generous salaries, then Guan Xing would be very happy.
After all, a problem that can be solved wouldn't be a problem at all.
At the scene, Raven stroked its chin with its red claws, pondered for a moment, and then fixed its scarlet eyes on the girl with the frilly hair.
"However, the risks of doing so are also very high. If Guan Xing loses in the power struggle, your fate will probably not be good either."
"You don't need to worry about that. I said I would make her take the position, and she will definitely take the position."
Upon hearing this, Raven took a deep breath and looked at the other party with a hint of helplessness.
"Fine! I can't control these things, and I don't have your kind of ambition."
"But since the employer has already paid the deposit, I should finish the job properly."
The hooded woman reached her hand behind her cloak, as if she were groping for something.
"Oh? Are you sure?"
Xingyue lightly covered her mouth and yawned.
"Once you start, there's no turning back!"
"Are you threatening me?"
Raven was somewhat annoyed; this was the first time she had encountered such a blatant threat in person.
She looked up and saw the girl with her arms crossed, looking at her with a very indifferent expression.
"So what if I threaten you?"
"You~"
The raven gritted its teeth.
"This is the first time I've ever been this angry. You'd better watch out."
Whoosh~whoosh~whoosh~
In the vast darkness, a cold glint appeared.