So, according to the system, there were three main principles to the acting method of an Assassin.
First, the act of assassination itself is an act of judgement, to vanquish the souls of criminals and evildoers who bring harm to the world.
I wonder if that is why Captain Tracy exudes the vibe of a hero, even though she has to enable the Demoness Sect's human trafficking?
Second, the act must be well planned and prepared for in advance, where there is little to no chance of failure in theory, and then be executed with all devotion.
Third, while an assassin is bound to be the embodiment of stealth, the executor needs an identity, hence, the one who performs as the judge must leave a symbol of judgement.
Well, this is certainly a little different than I expected, but I guess it is fair. Just because the pathway requires death, doesn't mean the ones who need to die must be innocent.
Taking a deep breath, I internalised the principles with my thoughts, and then decided to sleep. I had to wake up early tomorrow.
...
The next morning, I woke up early to see a thin crescent of sun's upper lip barely peeking into the horizon. I opened my pocket watch to look at the time. It was 6:03.
Indeed, with Bayam being close to the equator, it made sense that guessing seasons would be nigh impossible from just the time of sunrise and sunset. Fortunately, though, it was common for sailors to carry calendars, making it easy to remember and stay up to date with dates.
Today was January 3rd, 1350. In the Northern Hemisphere was winter, which resulted in many tourists migrating from the Norther Continent countries to the City of Generosity Bayam, and the respective colonies in Balam.
This brought a natural increase in average maritime traffic, making the temperate equatorial weather very suitable for pirates to hunt and make money from. Of course, Black Death would do its fair share of piracy, but fortunately, since Captain Tracy had taken over, no killing and hurting innocent people was allowed, nor any kidnapping. Unless, of course, there was a particular woman that caught Captain's eye. But that in itself was very seldom.
Shaking my morally grey dear Captain's thoughts out of my head, I went back into my cabin to once again double check whether I had packed everything I needed or not.
I wasn't going to carry much luggage, just my weapons, bullets, and about 35 pounds of cash, which should be more than enough to let me comfortably live in Bayam for more than a month. From the meticulousness of my dear Lorenzo, I doubted that it would take even less.
Even though he was previously a normal young man, he was good at quickly finishing off people, especially when he was told that the people he was finishing off were bad for the crew, and bad for the society.
Of course, the crew of Black Death were no good people. Although most of them had been replaced with Tracy's original fleet members, the second mate and the third mate were the same two guys who served under Qilangos. And they used to do their big share of violent raping and pillaging.
As far as I was concerned, at present I was too weak to do anything to either. But since Helene would soon disappear, Mithor King would soon be dealt with by Klein, who according to my knowledge of the timeline, came to the sea as the Crazy Hunter after his first new year in this era.
As for the Second Mate, Grimthunder Allen Bower, I planned to only do anything to him when I reached Pleasure. Indeed, I was clearly not mentally prepared for a gender transition, but it seemed like my dear Lorenzo was. He had considered the choices Tracy had given him, and he made the choice to go with the pathway that would let him become the strongest, even if he had to become a woman to do so.
It would really be comical if I were to go back to Lorenzo's home as a witch, only to tell them that I am their "son". I wasn't sure whether they would find it amusing, or horrifying.
It probably wouldn't be good, though. Their son who went out to adventure at sea came back as a woman. Maybe it would be better if I were to let them be. Maybe I could keep on eye on them from time to time, from a distance, and create a few hexes in the future that may let me know in case they might encounter danger. That would be convenient.
Putting aside my thoughts of future strength, I focused on the present. The weak me.
Standing in the mirror in front of me was a man who was barely above average of height, somewhere between 5'9 to 5'11, and with a slightly round baby face and a fair skin belonging to Loen. The man had a head of dark brown hair, and pale, glass like, azure blue eyes. He had a medium-sized nose, that looked to be as average as one could be. His eyelids were topped with simple looking, sparse eyebrows. His dark brown hair was long enough to reach the back of his head, covering his slightly chubby cheeks like a curtain. Even though he had a baby face, a very faint jawline outlined from his chin to his neck.
It was so faint, that without the Assassin's super human eyesight, even he would fail to notice it, resulting in the false assumption that he did not have one.
Truly, my dear Lorenzo, and now I, looked as above average as we could.
Clad in Bayam's local attire of a linen shirt covered in a thick jacket, and pantaloons at the bottom, I put the dark grey cap on top of my head.
Shaking my head at various thoughts, I picked up my suitcase and walked towards the captain's Cabin.
It seemed like Tracy was already out on her deck, looking at the rising sun.
To think this dear Captain was actually an early riser. Or maybe it was because she hadn't slept the whole night to begin with, what with her exuding a little tired looking charm.
Indeed, this Demoness was truly the epitome of beauty in my eyes. Clad in her thin, white, linen shirt, and trousers, she looked indescribably desirable.
When I reached by the place on the main deck where the railing of the upper deck was, I stopped walking.
"Good morning, Captain."
I said as I took off my cap, brought it to my chest, and bent my back perpendicular in a sincere bow.
I had no shame in admitting that I was charmed by this lady, and I would do things to seek her approval and favour. Such is the charm of a Demoness.
"Good morning Lorenzo. You seem ready to depart?"
She looked down at me from above, and spoke faintly, yet her voice was carried to me clearly.
At this point, the twilight sun had risen enough to light up her dark, shiny, black hair into a gleam of orange. The top of her head looked like it had a sun halo above it, casting its grace at the world below.
I will say it again, this woman was too charming.
Controlling my senses, I made myself speak.
"Yes, captain. The earlier I depart, the earlier I can finish the mission."
"Good, good. Just remember, an Assassin's true strength is to stay hidden, so practice patience. Besides that, I can only wish you good luck and fortune. Farewell."
As she said so, her lips curved up in a small smile that made my heart skip a beat. Indeed, she was lethal.
"Ay ay captain! Thank you. I shall be back within a month if all goes well."
I saluted with all my respect.
"Goodbye."
As she said so, Tracy turned around and walked back into her cabin. I stood rooted to that spot for two seconds, before I walked to the port side of the vessel, and asked a crew member on watch there to lower a dinghy.
From there, I was all on my own, with my new abilities as an Assassin, and dear Lorenzo's memories to rely on.