EXECUTIONER

It had been months since Hajime and the rest of the class had returned to adventuring in the labyrinth under the behest of the Holy Church. And for the past few days they have yet to return from the dungeon. But this was normal, as Captain Meld wanted them to forget all modern day comforts and focus solely on improvement.

But to Claire, this was the perfect moment to act. The heroes, the knights, even captain Meld who is renowned as the strongest force of the Kingdom are away on an expedition. All that remained were guards whose proficiency in battle had diminished after years of standing around with no threats.

She had inquired from other maids about the condition of Daisuke Hiyama, what his eating schedule was, what time he ate, and what time he went to bed. As far as she knew it had been since Ivan's death that Hiyama has been unresponsive to anyone that has spoken to him. Sooner or later the Holy Church will grow fed up at this waste of resources and make their move. But before that she needed her revenge.

Claire wrapped a leather belt around her waist after adorning her uniform. She tucked it beneath her apron as she looked at herself in the mirror. The bags under her eyes, the slightly messy hair, and even her skin that had become paler than once before, she looked at it all as she rebuilt her resolution.

The pride she had for her Kingdom no longer remained. To allow the murderer of someone who worked so hard for them to roam free without any punishment, it made her sick to her stomach. The family she confided in told her to suck it up and obey orders, it started to piss her off.

She tidied her hair before making her way to the door. Making sure the vials and equipment hidden in the belt wouldn't protrude. Fastening the sheaths to the daggers Ivan gave her on her legs, she put her hand on the door handle.

Claire knew the moment people learned of Hiyama's death she would become suspect number one. Especially after all the warnings the Kingdom had given her not to do anything rash. But, she wasn't worried.

She patted the vials of liquid she had stored in her belt that Ivan had left behind that weren't destroyed in the fire or taken by the Kingdom. The moment news broke out that another hero has been murdered she would already be out of the Kingdom.

As for her life after her revenge, she hadn't put a single thought into it. All she knew is that she wanted to murder the bastard that ruined her daily life. Her friends, her closest family, she wasn't sure if they would forgive her for this impulsive desire. Not that she expected them to anyways, the moment she did the deed she'd be no different than a traitor to everyone.

Knowing that, she gently pushed open the door—

'Ah, today's gonna be another beautiful day.'

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Her strides down the Kingdom's halls went undisturbed. Not a single person questioned her presence or demeanor. She was just another maid afterall, one of hundreds in this Kingdom. The only thing standing out from her actions was that she took a route she has never been down before. A route she had been disallowed from taking.

This route led to the resting room of the 'Murderous Hero,' Daisuke Hiyama. The farther she walked down it the less she noticed the presence of other people. The halls became quiet as the sound of her footsteps emanated from the floor. It wasn't until she had been walking down this direction for fifteen minutes that she noticed a change.

Just as her co-workers had explained, to the left of the hall near the end was an ornate door engraved with gold patterns but mostly made of a certain metal. Guarding these doors were two guards who seemed like they were barely paying attention to their surroundings. They stood with their heads tilted down, likely dulled to boredom as the only visitors they ever got were doctors or service maids that wouldn't dare report their slovenly attitude.

Claire stood still for a moment before taking cover around a corner that led down a different path. She wanted to do this revenge of hers cleanly, no witnesses. However that didn't mean she wanted to kill some guards who were just doing their jobs. She went through the trouble of covering her steps even though she'd be the prime suspect.

That's when she picked at the belt that she wore, sliding her hands into one of its pouches. From there she pulled out a tiny circular object made of silver, then, she rolled it down the hall towards the guards.

The guards looked at it for a second before turning to the source of where it came, that's when Claire quickly went back around the corner.

'T-That didn't work. Damn you Ivan for putting stupid things like that in my head.' Well seeing as how that plan failed she went for a different move. Pulling out a little metal device that fit in her palm. It was a little something she got from Hajime after asking for something that would temporarily incapacitate her enemies.

Of course his eyes narrowed as she asked him to make something like that, she thought it was likely he knew the implications of what she meant. And yet despite that he still made it for her. She gave her thanks to him as she threw the device.

Pink gas emanated from its orifices as the hall was slowly filled. Claire covered her nose as she awaited for it to dissipate.

THUD THUD

When she heard their bodies drop to the floor, that's when she made her move. Dashing towards the door without a second to waste. She pulled the set of keys dangling from the guard's waist and she tried each and every one. Sweat dripped down her face as she worried someone would come down the hall.

KACHA

That's when one of the keys finally fit into place. The door flung open as she went inside, shutting and locking it behind her.

What was presented to her was a lavishly dressed room. Decorated with a magnificent rug that sat beneath the grand bed that laid arrogantly in the center of it all. There were no windows to speak of. A chandelier hanging from the ceiling right above the bed. And finally, the target she's been waiting for.

She approached the bedside as she looked at his face coldly, thoughts of murder filled her mind as the despondant figure turned his head to her. It had seemed from the look in his eyes that he had no recollection of her, not that she believed he'd care if he knew.

For months she awaited this moment. Waiting for the guard around him to cool down, waiting for the Kingdom to take an eye off her, waiting for the heroes and Meld to go on a long expedition. It was all for this moment!

She recollected herself as she pushed the frames of the glasses Ivan had given to her on their first meeting. That's right, she needed to remember that she didn't have much time. Both her and Hajime didn't know for how long the guards would be incapacirated, it was likely to be less than they thought if they had particularly high stats.

If her memory served her right, the autopsy report made by the prestigious medics and mages of the Kingdom stated that Ivan had first been crushed by the rubble then burned to death. And while she couldn't risk restarting the second factor, an opportunity for the first lied before her. She looked up at the magnificent chandelier that hung above the bed.

A murderous grin forming on her face as she mad way for the chain that kept it afloat. Today she was ready to expel her nightmare once and for all. And though she hadn't yet done the action she could already feel a sense of euphoria wash over her.

She eyed the listless Hiyama as he looked at her from afar, she stood with a dagger in one arm and chain in the other. Then, when she was done savoring the sight, she made a cutting motion with her hand.

BANG

CRACK!

The sound of the chandelier hitting the bed was loud enough to be heard from outside the room. The same could be said for the sound of Hiyama's body. Claire looked at her feet as the trail of blood made it her way.

'Honestly, who does he think he is dirtying the white sheets with his blood?' She was still an expert maid through and through.

A smirk appeared on her face as she made way for the door. She wasn't sure if someone heard the disturbance but she'd rather be safe than sorry. No signs of the demure and respectful Claire remained as she cackled while leaving the room.

She readjusted her maid cap before forming a stoic expression. And with her hands entwined on her lap, she walked slowly toward the exit of the castle. Along the way she heard murmures of other maids and butlers. It took all of her mental fortitude to restrain the grin forming on her face.

It seemed she made the right call in not lingering around anymore. According to the surrounding folk guards were already on the way, not that she was worried. By the time they got there, she was already outside.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Hm?" This middle-aged man with no hair went by the name of David. Recently he has been in quite the slump since his most profitable customer died not too many months ago. Since then life hasn't been very kind to him.

A three ago he had gotten a mysterious letter stating 'Be here in three days, promise of riches.' It was a very vague note but seeing as how he had nothing to lose he went ahead and thought he'd try his luck.

And now that the promise day has finally come, he excitedly ran to see who knocked on the door this early in the day. The promises of riches, an early morning, the moment he woke up, if he had been an earthling he surely would have mistaken this day for Christmas.

But instead of Santa the one who appeared on the other side of the door was a young girl with long brown hair, he squinted at her for a second before a memory from the back of his mind came forward.

"Y-You… I almost didn't recognize you without those glasses and that maid outfit you always wore."

That's right, the one who had sent him that note was Claire.

But one thing baffled David, after all this time why has she appeared before him now. Considering her master is dead there shouldn't be any reason for her to come here requesting any more deliveries.

"Old man David, I would like your assistance." She stood firmly at the entrance of his lodging, stating her reasoning.

"My assistance? Hmm, well what is it you want? I'm just a simple deliverer." David rubbed the back of his head before questioning her.

"You're headed for Fuhren right? The land of merchants and business. I would like you to take me there." Her expression remained unchanged as her tone became monotone.

Right now David had an assortment of questions on his mind. How did she know he was going to return home? Why does she want to go to Fuhren? What was the letter all about? But those questions remained unasked as she revealed a large sack of coins from beneath her cloak.

He gulped before accepting the bag from her hands, looking inside to verify the contents. He looked up at Claire before coming to a decision.

"We leave tomorrow, along with the other bands of merchants and workers making their way to Fuhren. Meet me here before the rise of dawn."

Claire nodded her head before turning around, all she needed to do was survive the night without getting caught. Simple for someone like her who knew the back streets of the Kingdom like the back of her hand.

David watched as her back disappeared in the sea of people, sighing before walking back into his house with the sack of coins in hand.

'What the hell did I get myself into this time?'

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P.a.t.r.e.o.n goal set, if we reach it I will upload two chapters a day

All roads lead to Fuhren! In any case this really isn't a revenge story and it's not like Hiyama was important enough to warrant a long one. I just wanted to give Claire a close to her arc. She's become quite the twisted individual since last time we saw her.

Who knows what she seeks in the land of opportunity.

Anyways, thanks for reading today's chapter, Compared to the other chapters I wasn't quite stressed when writing this one. In fact it felt like time flew by.

Have a great day/night, and see you next time!

If you want to support me and read ahead 10-15 chapters, you can check out my p.a.t.r.e.o.n right here: https://bit.ly/ardoaleister

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