Chapter 2 :Darken My Sight
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"How can you say it so easily?! Do you
realize what you've done?"
Radith stands, face tight with worry, shouting at Assan:
"Sit down, you fool, you're drawing attention!"
Radith glances around to see everyone in the restaurant staring at him in disbelief. He sits and leans in toward Assan, voice low and trembling with panic:
—"They'll execute you."
"—That is, if they discover it, you idiot."
—"You're the one they'll suspect most, since you've been with him more than anyone else—let alone you're a stranger. They'll arrest you for sure, and you won't be able to clear your name."
Assan looks at him with a faint smile:
—"Do you really think it's that simple?"
—"What do you mean by that?"
No answer…
—"Besides, even though this is the poorest province in Shikardia, the governor was a Level Three sorcerer. You couldn't possibly defeat him!"
"Don't rely on brute force for everything."
—"Again… what do you mean by that?"
"Most sorcerers at Level Two and Three—and even some at Level Four—focus on only one type of magic, neglecting the others; that's what leaves their weaknesses exposed."
—"That doesn't explain how a Level One could beat a Level Three sorcerer at all."
"Level One?!?"
—"I was Arian when I killed him…"
Radith almost chokes on the tension; his heart pounds, a cold shiver racing through his limbs.
—"What nonsense are you spouting?"
—"Yes… as I told you, I reached Level One by using the Ro Stones."
"You bastard… how long ago… did you kill him?!"
—"Three days."
In that moment, Radith's blood freezes in his veins; his face goes ashen and his knees tremble.
—"Don't worry… we'll get out of this alive."
Radith's panic tightens further, his voice rising:
—"What do you mean 'we'll get out'? I'm not part of this—I barely know you!"
—"My god, you coward… would you abandon your closest friend over something as trivial as this?!"
Radith grabs Assan by the collar:
—"What do you mean by 'trivial'? Do you realize what will happen if the governor of the continent finds out? We'll be killed—me and you, and even Ren and Marcus won't survive…"
Assan calmly pulls Radith's hand away from his collar:
—"Run if you must… but never darken my sight again."
"Damn it!… How did nobody notice his death all this time?!"
—"The governor of this province is known to lock himself away for a day or two when he's angry or sad, barring anyone from entering. But since today is the third day, they likely discovered his death this morning."
Radith's complexion turns a deathly pale, his breath catching:
—"I'd imagine his family is in deep mourning, in shock and disbelief… and no doubt the guards are hunting me right now."
"How can you say all this with such a cold face, as if you hadn't done anything?!"
Assan straightens his collar with calm precision:
—"Exactly— that's why my plan will work."
In that instant, Radith's eyes freeze and his heart hammers as he sees the guards pouring into the restaurant. The owner had shown them Assan's picture and led them to their table.
Assan says quietly without looking back:
—"Just act natural."
The guards stand before Assan, weapons leveled at him:
—"Assan de lo Haver… you are under arrest."
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