For the country, it was dire news.
For me, it was good news. Several days had passed since I heard the report.
To gather detailed information about the Southwest Front, I waited cautiously—perhaps too cautiously—until I had enough intel to organize properly.
Leaving work abruptly due to back pain would be foolish.
If someone came to visit, my absence would be exposed.
“A way to leave without raising suspicion.”
That method was assassination by a third party.
I had stolen a crossbow, you see.
Originally, I intended to use it as a weapon, but who knew it would end up being used for my own assassination?
*Creak, creak, creak…*
Rayos continued working on processing ballista parts while plotting his own murder.
*Murmur, murmur…*
The trap I set hadn’t been discovered yet.
Good, this is the spot.
*Click, clack…*
While working, I leaned into the crossbow’s line of fire.
The mechanism was simple—a counterweight activated by steam pressure.
*Whoosh—THUD!*
“Guh!?”
“Old man!”
“Uncle!?”
“Why… an arrow…?”
*Chaos erupts!!?*
One of the ballista production teams had been attacked.
Since the culprit fired an arrow, they must be armed with a bow or something similar.
The other teams halted their work.
Grabbing anything that could serve as a weapon, they huddled together, backs pressed against each other, debating what to do.
“Where!? Where’s the enemy—!?”
“Shut up! Stay quiet. You can’t even hear the sound of arrows flying!”
*Screams echo…*
The enemy’s form remained unseen.
What if they’ve already infiltrated one of the other teams? Suspicion spread, and distrustful eyes turned toward anyone acting suspiciously.
Many missed the team leader’s order for everyone to head to the self-defense corps’ main camp together.
“Don’t separate!? It’s dangerous alone!”
Amid the surrounding chaos, Rayos used magic to dispose of the crossbow trap.
*Hehehe, it worked~♪*
“Hang in there!? Open your eyes! Don’t die, old man!”
“Who would do something so cruel…?”
“It’s obviously those bastards from the war… Ugh…”
While his teammates frantically tried to encourage him, another team quickly fashioned a makeshift stretcher from two wooden beams and cloth.
“Alright, the stretcher’s ready.”
“Don’t pull the arrow out yet! Make way!”
They carried him off.
I was taken to a civilian house designated as a makeshift infirmary for the wounded.
Blood continued to flow, my face turned purple.
I played dead—beyond saving.
No old women came to nurse me.
Declared deceased—*kukuku*, now I’m free to move as I please♪
“We’ll definitely find the culprit!”
“Hey, keep your voice down… *whisper*”
Voices clamored to hunt down the traitor who caused my death.
I remained still, silent, playing dead until nightfall.
Using my Astral Body, I confirmed no one was around.
Then, I regenerated my physical form.
Though my complexion was still poor, I could replenish my blood by absorbing something during movement.
*Crack, pop*
With my body restored, I headed home.
Retrieved the money and magic tools I had hidden away—now, off to the Southwest♪♪
“Wait for me, my women~~♪♪”
