Chapter 9
A low, resonant voice cut through the air with an unsettling chill.
At that moment, Damon realized that the feelings Lis held toward Eil were far from simple affection.
‘Eil… her appearance isn’t typical of an assassin, and although it’s still early, she’s managed to fairly well satisfy the young master’s picky temperament.’
So Damon had assumed Lis might have developed a faint interest in a rare peer-aged maid.
But now it was clear—Lis’s emotions were not something so shallow.
‘Curiosity, interest… and perhaps… a hint of contempt.’
These were not emotions that usually mixed together, but it wasn’t strange either.
It hadn’t even been ten years since the Duchess had been killed by assassins.
It was natural to feel hostility toward the very existence that had barely faded from memory.
‘So that’s why he called them insects.’
To put it kindly, they were toys.
Something to keep around for now, because throwing it away immediately would be less interesting than the curiosity it inspired.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—his young master had a ruthless habit of discarding anything even slightly tarnished.
So Eil would likely be discarded before long.
And as an assassin, she must not be allowed to lose another master.
That much was certain.
“Damon, after we finish eating, we’re going to the arena with Eil.”
On the outskirts of the capital, Erlet, there was a large entertainment district commonly called the “Backstreets.”
Among its many attractions, the one with the highest revenue was undoubtedly the fighting arena.
However, because of its nature, it was constantly surrounded by controversy.
Though officially legal, it was essentially a gambling den that cleverly skirted the law, and since its main clientele was lower-class citizens living day to day rather than nobles, its quality inevitably declined.
“I’ll prepare a concealed carriage.”
“No. Prepare something flashy. The more attention it draws, the better.”
“…Is this a test of patience?”
At Damon’s question, Lis smiled faintly.
A gilded carriage entering a place like that would draw everyone’s attention—and naturally invite all kinds of trouble.
“Who knows…”
The night before, Lis had confirmed that Eil intended, for some reason, to protect him.
An assassin who didn’t harm her target, but instead protected him—such an absurd contradiction.
The backstreets were a place where everyone revealed their true nature, and Lis wondered whether Eil could truly suppress her assassin instincts there.
That twisted curiosity stirred him.
After the meal, Eil, having finished her preparations for departure, saw Lis standing at the main gate and swallowed nervously.
‘Even with his face hidden by the robe, his presence feels noble. No matter how much he hides it, a noble is still a noble…’
Lis was forbidden from official public activities until adulthood, so wearing black garments when going out was mandatory.
It was an old rule of House Casio, intended to prevent the unknown power they possessed from being exposed to the outside world.
‘Still… I thought we’d naturally take a concealed carriage, given the destination.’
Eil hurried to the gate and stared blankly at the dazzling golden carriage in front of her.
White marble was adorned with excessive gold decorations that gleamed under the sun.
“…Young master, are we really taking this?”
Eil turned to Lis, trembling slightly, unable to believe it.
Lis, in response, lifted his robe slightly and looked at her.
‘Going to the underworld in something like this is basically announcing to the entire world that you’re a noble…!’
The backstreets were open to anyone seeking entertainment, regardless of status.
However, no one ever revealed their identity there.
Especially nobles.
Unless they wanted to disappear without a trace.
“Yes. Do you like it?”
Lis’s violet eyes curved slightly as he asked.
“W-well… it is… pretty…”
So pretty it was a problem!
Eil swallowed her shock at his completely clueless expression.
“I’m glad you like it.”
Without caring about her inner turmoil, Lis boarded the carriage with satisfaction.
Eil, meanwhile, barely restrained the urge to ask if he had lost his mind.
‘Is he really doing this just to mess with me? Should I hit him to knock some sense into him? My comrades used to respond to that…’
Suppressing her rising frustration with a deep breath, she was about to board when—
“Eil, wait a moment…”
A voice stopped her.
She turned.
A man with black hair tinged with blue and matching eyes stood there, exuding a mysterious aura.
“I apologize for the late introduction. I am Damon Highres, serving as the young master’s aide.”
“I am Eil. It is an honor to accompany the young master.”
Damon Highres came from the prestigious House Highres, a noble family known for founding an academy under their name due to their deep devotion to scholarship.
Eil already knew about him from prior intelligence on Lis’s surroundings, but she pretended otherwise and bowed her head.
“There is something I must advise you about, since this is your first outing.”
After receiving his instructions, Eil soon boarded the carriage.
Before long, the scenery outside began to rush past.
“Eil, what did Damon tell you?”
Lis, seated across from her, asked calmly while looking outside.
Eil, who had thought he hadn’t heard earlier, realized he had been paying attention.
‘The young master is quite sensitive about cleanliness. The area around the arena is dirty, so please take care to maintain your surroundings.’
It was a surprisingly simple warning.
“He just gave me some basic advice,” Eil replied lightly.
Soon, the carriage arrived at its destination.
Seeing that she had truly come here in this ridiculous manner, Eil sighed in exhaustion.
‘Coming here in a carriage like this… we’re already targets.’
By now, the street thugs of the backstreets would be spreading rumors:
“A clueless noble who knows nothing about this place.”
And nothing was easier to exploit than someone ignorant.
“Eil, take my hand.”
“I-I’m fine…”
“The footstep was forgotten. Hurry.”
Lis, who had gotten out first, extended his hand.
Seeing the missing step, Eil reluctantly took his hand.
“…Thank you.”
The warmth of his large hand felt strangely comforting.
But the unnatural kindness amidst this dangerous place felt unsettling.
The moment she stepped down, she immediately released his hand.
Dozens of hostile gazes pierced her from all directions.
Lis, as a non-combatant noble, likely didn’t notice—but as an assassin, Eil could clearly feel the malice.
‘Keeping a target safe while hiding my identity… this might be troublesome.’
The guide, who had come ahead to escort them, looked flustered at the golden carriage.
“This way, please.”
Following him, they entered a narrow alley leading to the arena entrance.
And then it happened.
“Hey, noble sir. How about sharing a little with the less fortunate?”
“You look wealthy. Let’s settle this nicely—ten gold coins should do it.”
A group of obvious thugs blocked their path.
Their careless gestures demanding money worth ten times an average worker’s income showed blatant disregard.
‘Ah… so this is the “trash” Damon was talking about.’
Eil smiled faintly in realization.
Damon’s advice hadn’t been casual—it meant she must protect her master even at the cost of her life.
‘Damon… that man really doesn’t seem to like me.’
She had already suspected as much from the lack of guards.
She didn’t know why he distrusted her, but…
Either way, she couldn’t fight in front of Lis. She had to remain a “normal maid.”
‘Not difficult. Just annoying.’
For her, this level wasn’t even worth calling an obstacle.
After all, she was an elite assassin of Black Rose.
Eil’s calm, sharp eyes curved gently.
