My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero's (暗殺者である俺のステータスが勇者よりも明らかに強いのだが)

How do you know Crow, Gilles?

In the past, Crow used to take disciples.

My mother was one of them,

but she couldn't handle the training and had a mental breakdown.

My father was already gone, so it was up to Crow to raise me after that.

So you go way back.

Yes. He's basically my father, and I owe him everything.

I don't hold what happened to my mother against him.

I haven't known him long, and even I can tell he's a caring guy.

He's helped so many people... and that includes you.

Yeah.

The choice is yours whether you pay him back or not.

But I hope you decide soon, because he doesn't have much time left.

How'd it go?

I've finished my investigation. I'll report my findings.

The devices were set up by lackeys of Gram Cluster, a royal of this nation.

Their purpose was to monitor and track pageant winners,

which meant Lady Amelia this time.

I knew it.

I may have to make up my mind sooner than I thought.

MY STATUS AS AN ASSASSIN OBVIOUSLY EXCEEDS THE HERO'S

The same devices you saw in Retice's royal palace?

Yeah, they record visual footage.

What do you call that in this world?

A camera.

Wha?

A hero summoned in the past brought over the concept.

We've reproduced it in this world using magic.

Accordingly, we use the same name for it.

There are other such artifacts.

For instance, the land of Yamato has architecture, cuisine, and fashion

resembling that of a former hero's home culture.

Wow, I'd like to see that.

We're back.

Kyousuke, the hero...

Amelia, Crow...

and Gilles, join me in the back room.

We need to discuss our plans.

Akira, since you've included us, can we take that to mean you'll join us moving forward?

Before that, there's something I must ask you.

Did you invite us here knowing there was trafficking happening behind the festival?

When did you find out?

I had Night look into it.

We apologize for hiding it from you.

But we wanted to show you that we're more than just dead weight.

Not that we proved useful in the end.

You thought for yourselves and chose to fight.

That's enough in my eyes.

Then you'll join us?

We have the same final destination, after all.

But I have my priorities.

Gram comes first.

I need to make sure he never targets Amelia again.

Then our next destination is the capital, Uruk City.

Gram runs the Adventurer's Guild there.

Trust you to know.

We shall assist you.

Nah, I can handle this myself.

If you take care of what I asked for,

I'd gladly guide you in the demon realm.

It'd help to have someone who knows the land.

I'll think about it.

In that case, the hero's party and I

will proceed to the demon realm's border

and await you there. How does that sound?

Where should we meet up, then?

This looks like a good point.

No.

Ah, right.

I'm not sure I follow.

Crow's mother lives there.

Gilles, keep your mouth shut.

Oops. Pardon me.

Crow told me he started getting up there in years a while ago.

How is his mother still alive?

Well, it's a long story.

A day's walk west from here,

there's a shack that our party used as a safe house.

Then let's make that our rendezvous point.

We have our plan. Set out as soon as you're ready.

Have you finished shopping for supplies?

For myself, yes.

Akira's still browsing at the bookstore.

It's a five-day trip by carriage. A way to pass the time will be good.

I wasn't waiting for you here so we could chit-chat.

And what is it you wish to say?

Two things. First, don't put Akira under any more stress.

What stresses him out is his problem, not mine.

What's the other thing?

Take me as your student.

I believe I turned you down already.

I'm being targeted.

Akira shouldn't have to compromise his ideals for me. Ever.

And you think you can prevent that by becoming as powerful as him?

Yes.

An elven princess, hailed her nation's savior at such a young age...

Guess I'll bet on you not breaking down.

I promise you.

I will never break.

Okay, be seeing you.

Yeah.

Oh, right, Akira.

You forgot something.

Wait, what?

Before you fled the royal palace in Retice,

you went to the commander's room and picked up the stuff he left for you, no?

But you left this behind.

I never noticed.

So, what is it?

Beats me. But the commander meant it for you.

I'm sure it'll come in handy.

Akira.

We'll do as much as possible to catch up to you before we meet again.

So don't go dying on us.

Right back at you.

Okay, we should get going too.

Ugh, I don't think I can take any more.

Get some rest. You can pick it up again tomorrow.

Understood, Master...

I can't believe she's so exhausted.

I've never had a student get this far in three days before.

No wonder I look up to her.

You look up to her?

I'd heard of the elven princess who crafts new spells,

drives off monsters, and brings the dead back to life.

Before the gag order was put in place.

Hers is a heroic tale.

Her name was etched into my mind, and years later,

when I was asked to name a child born in my neighborhood,

I even used part of it.

Lia?

That's right. She's named after Princess Amelia.

If you look up to her, why have you treated her so coldly?

Well, she didn't seem as impressive in the flesh as I'd imagined.

Fair enough. She's no hero, all right.

But her ability to keep up with my training is the real deal.

The Hero of Legend had a technique that I've reproduced.

Extra Skill: Inversion.

It allows the user to instantly replicate and cancel out any spell they see.

What an absurd skill.

The difficulty of acquiring it is just as absurd.

Mastery of the ancient language is an absolute prerequisite.

It's insanely complicated,

and each letter is imbued with enough power to drive you mad.

If you get in too deep, you'll lose your mind.

Princess Amelia has countered that by crafting a new Comprehension skill,

a feat only she is capable of.

I'm impressed you managed to learn it yourself.

I had time on my side. Beastfolk live about twice as long as humans,

but because my weird mother took a weird potion while pregnant with me,

I've lasted twice again as long.

I don't really follow,

but I guess a long lifespan helped you pull it off.

Yes, though no good's come of it.

I've been telling myself I can't die until I avenge my sister,

but it's taken a toll on me.

I'm ready to be done with this.

I can't put myself in your shoes since I'll only live a century at best.

But I see you have it rough too.

I suppose I'll spy on the guild again.

Or should I try the local government?

L-Lady Latticenail?

Huh? If it ain't Black C— I mean, Night.

Didn't you say you were off on a solo trip?

That's right. But I don't know where I'm going yet.

Why are you by yourself?

Where's my man and the princess?

Well, uh, I'm carrying out independent recon on orders from my master.

Hey, that sounds fun! Let me help!

Huh? Wait!

Um...

Let's go! The more, the merrier!

You can see it now.

Wow!

So this is Uruk City.

I'll go arrange for lodgings.

You two go see the sights in the meantime.

But I don't know anything about this place.

I've reached out to Lia. She'll be here within the hour.