Chapter 257: Secret Tasks

Moon left the meeting room first, with Alma following him.

"You lie too well," she said in a low voice so only he would hear her.

"No lies were said there." Moon corrected her. "Saying more and starting a pointless conflict is more problematic," he added.

"Were you trained for assassination?" she asked again.

Moon had keen senses, could somehow see in the dark and was also a natural liar.

Every group of assassins was built around their methods to navigate the dark, stealth arts and learning how to integrate into society as a normal person.

Alma wasn’t very good when it came to the last, or maybe it was the way the Order of Assassins operated.

Regardless of her assumptions.

"Nah, I’m a proud warrior who never received any formal training," he said flatly. "Well, until a month or so ago," he corrected himself.

Regardless of whatever skills he had developed or talents he had, Moon refused to think of himself as anything but a warrior first and foremost.

On their way back to the palace, Moon caught sight of someone.

Delilah, who averted her gaze nervously the moment she saw Moon. She turned around and started speeding away.

"Hey Delilah, how you doing?" Moon sped after her and greeted.

Delilah paused, her neck stiffening as she turned to face Moon. "P-P-Please, no more... I’m begging you!" she said weakly, on the verge of tears.

Moon didn’t seem surprised; he shook his head. "Don’t worry, I only came to say thank you," he assured her. "You did awesome, too awesome!" he added.

Moon gave her a thumbs-up as well.

Blood seemed to rush back to her face. "Really?" she asked.

"Of course, I also arranged things so you would spend the next week resting well." He smiled. "You also won’t need to step out for the first battle; you’ve done enough."

"Really, really?" Delilah jumped in joy. "What about Ophelia?" she asked with a heavy face.

"Don’t worry about your sister; she’s strong, and she has different work to do," Moon said dismissively. "Make sure to rest well; I might use your talents again soon."

"Ah, right." Moon leaned closer. "Don’t let anyone know, or your head might go rolling in the dust."

Moon said this last before going on his way, leaving her with a mix of worry and relief.

At the palace entrance, a servant stepped forward and bowed. "I was ordered to bring the lady to her room," she said.

Moon nodded, walking ahead.

"I want my room next to his," Alma said, pointing at Moon.

"Um, lady, the entire floor doesn’t have a single room vacant," the servant said with another bow.

Moon didn’t bother himself with whatever was going through her head; he was done preparing, and now it was time to eat and relax before the first battle fell.

He was feeling better than usual, and his worries were being gradually pushed away from his mind.

A battlefield was brewing at last.

Something he was familiar with at last.

Everything was new, but not a battlefield.

The fight he had had with Alma was also another assurance he had.

She was strong; that much was undeniable, but she couldn’t win against him.

Partially because he was familiar with the style, as well as the fact that she was in her perfect environment... That might have driven her to lower her guard.

Yet again, Moon was proud of his progress and content with it.

Moon was walking with a newfound peace unbefitting the brewing tension rising in everyone’s heart.

Closing his door behind him, he found the window open and Mishu sleeping.

’Whatever they have, I’m stronger.’

He took off his armour and started his thread-knotting training for a couple of hours before stepping out to find Dorbish.

It was time to speed up the axe creation process.

Moon also had a few people to visit before the battle.

On his way down, Moon passed by Raiju’s room.

Knock~

Moon knocked on his door, and the blue wolf slid his paw on the door handle, opening it.

"Hey, been busy?" the blue wolf growled a greeting.

Moon nodded. "May I come in?" he asked.

Inside Raiju’s room, Moon sat down, as did Raiju, of course, the way a wolf sits.

"Actually, I came to you asking a favour," Moon said. "You’re a wolf who understands the importance of the group."

Moon had spent a few sessions studying the society of wolves on his ring. He knew how wolves operated within their groups.

Raiju squinted. "Tell me what you want."

Moon leaned forward. "I came to you for a very special task; the war is around the corner, and you are the only one who can do this for us."

Before long, Moon walked out of Raiju’s room and went on his way again with a smile on his face.

Soon, he was in front of Basil’s room.

Moon passed by a few more rooms, giving each a secret task that only the one receiving it knew of. A task that was promised to change the direction of the war.

A task that could only be done by the one he was speaking to, and must be achieved with absolute secrecy.

"Hope this doesn’t backfire later..." He whispered heavily as he made his way to the forge.

Ting~

Ting~

Ting~

Moon heard the familiar sound and familiar rhythm.

"How is it going?" Moon said, interrupting Dorbish.

"Well, close... a few more days." Dorbish studied the triangular piece of metal about to take proper shape.

Moon nodded, putting on his gear. He approached Dorbish with the hammer.

"3 days; we have to finish it," Moon announced.

"Is it time already?" Dorbish asked with a troubled face.

"We waited for too long and prepared many things," Moon said, examining the metal. "We can’t keep waiting forever, don’t you think?"

Dorbish paused for a moment, then nodded. "I guess you’re right."

A few hours later, the two of them were panting, drenched in sweat.

"That’s some decent progress." Dorbish admired the piece of metal as he let it cool.

"Yeah, let’s go eat," Moon said, running his sleeve over his soaked forehead before the salty sweat got into his eyes.

Dorbish put down the metal and prepared to leave the forge as well.

On his way out, Moon paused.

"Dorbish," he called. "Can I ask you a favour?"

"If it’s within my ability, why not?" Dorbish didn’t reject. He had been helped by Moon for a while now.

Even if Moon was busy for a while and didn’t have time to help him, every time he helped, they made some undeniable progress.

Dorbish’s dream of forging his personal weapon before the first battle was slowly taking shape thanks to that occasional, yet honest help.

"Actually, it’s nothing critical to the war," Moon began. "It’s also something pitiful to ask; I know I shouldn’t be asking this or even let it slip."

"Just say it," Dorbish said with a hint of urgency. "I’m already stressed thanks to the battle getting too close, and was only getting to relax after forging."

He turned to Moon with a heavy face.

"Erm..." Moon scratched his wet hair, "Okay sure... Thing actually is—""