The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation-Chapter 18 - 17 — Useful

Zephyrion calmly withdrew his metal spike from Noss’ neck before quickly scanning the space for any remaining threats.

’They’re all dead.’

Though he couldn’t see anything in the pitch darkness, he could track any movement through the subtle displacements in the air. All that greeted his senses was complete stillness.

’Hmm...’

Zephyrion clenched his fists, feeling the strength coursing through them.

’It came in useful.’

His advancement into the Second Mark of the Vessel Rank in the metal element had increased his power considerably.

Though he had relied on the air element to enhance his speed during the battle, without that advancement defeating assassins in the Fourth Mark would have been far more difficult.

’Now...’

Releasing a slow breath, Zephyrion briefly glanced at Noss’ corpse.

’The Sarakhel.’

Though he had suspected it from the start, it still came as a slight surprise. Since when had the Sarakhel grown bold enough to target a Calderalth heir within their own domain?

’I have to return.’

Clearly, a lot had changed during his absence. It was important that he return and understand the current situation and everything that had happened over the past seven years before deciding his next course of action. A single careless conclusion could cost him everything.

’Rule eleven.’

Observe before you judge.

Replaying one of his mother’s rules in his mind, Zephyrion exhaled.

’Let’s see.’

He bent down and began rummaging through Noss’ corpse. His hand brushed against something hard.

’A vial.’

It was difficult to tell exactly what it was in the darkness, but Zephyrion already had a good idea.

’An elixir.’

Elixirs were valuable resources for any Ascendant. They came in countless forms, with effects ranging from healing to enhancing the user’s power. Even the lowest grade was highly sought after.

Whatever this one was, it was an unexpected gain.

Zephyrion stored the vial, then briefly considered searching the other bodies before shaking his head.

’There’s no time.’

There could be more of them. He had to leave.

He began making his way toward the exit the next moment. With everyone dead, he could slip away while the Heralds were still fighting and return to the house.

"Hm?"

Zephyrion paused as he sensed a faint disturbance in the air. Focusing, he quickly locked onto the faint sound of breathing just meters away.

’Someone’s alive.’

Zephyrion went on alert instantly. He was certain every blow he had dealt to the assassins had been lethal. None of them should still be alive.

One of the people from his side must have survived.

He cautiously approached the source and frowned. He could barely make out the faint outline of the person due to how close he was.

’The ward.’

Tobias was face down on the floor, letting out faint breathing sounds. He was unconscious.

’So he didn’t die.’

Zephyrion had seen the boy fall during the attack but had been too focused on mapping the assassins and had automatically assumed he was dead. Something else had clearly knocked him out.

"...."

Zephyrion stared at him for a moment.

Tobias hadn’t seen anything that would otherwise force Zephyrion to silence him.

’Rule one.’

Knowing people’s desires made them predictable. Made them easier to control.

As he replayed the moment Tobias had been knocked out earlier, Zephyrion could finally understand why the ward had been trying so hard to please him.

’He could be useful.’

Just then, a faint piercing sound suddenly reached his ears.

His instincts screamed.

Zephyrion threw himself onto Tobias instantly as metal materialized around them, forming a dense dome.

A cataclysmic impact struck the entire mountain, causing the cave to tremble violently.

A moment later, something tore through the cavern walls and ripped down the mountain before slamming into its base in a violent explosion that shook the entire structure.

Zephyrion hastily released the dome as the floor collapsed beneath him.

He hefted Tobias onto his back as he fell.

He spun, searching for any foothold, only for his eyes to narrow.

All around him, the mountain collapsed in a relentless rain of fractured metal debris.

’Air map.’

Zephyrion stilled his beating heart as he locked onto every single displacement of air around him.

He moved, vaulting from one falling piece of debris to another, narrowly evading as each whirling fragment of metal tore past him.