34 Chapter 34 Schemes

The trio came back to the cave where they slain the elite monster. Instead of setting camp in the open they chose this place so they can safely interrogate the unknown Assassin and to hide just incase there are others following them.

Cleo drags the man into the lake submerging his head to jolt him awake.

"PUWAHHHH!" the unknown Assassin was gasping for air after the rude awakening.

Before the Assassin can compose himself Valerie pull out a rope from his spatial ring and bind him. She made sure that the rope was tightly bind.

"Who sent you and why did you attack us?" asked by Valerie with a piercing gaze.

The Assassin didn't answer the question and just return her piercing gaze with his own.

After a few second Cleo had enough and jabbed at the Unknown Assassin still covered face and his knuckles made contact at the Assassin's nose making it bleed in the process. This is the first time Cleo hit someone with immense rage. Adrenaline kicked in and he reach for another jab stopping only when Valerie intervene by catching one of his fist.

Leah was shocked by Cleo's action since she never saw this side of Cleo before. Even in their previous world Cleo often resolve an argument without relying in physical confrontation. She often stalks Cleo whenever he might involve himself in some kind of fight. She noticed that every time, the other party won't show up at their decided meeting spot or it'll result on the other party apologizing without letting him speak a word.

Aside from their matching hair color and eyes this is one of the reason why Leah started her unrequited love with Cleo.

Once Cleo snaps out of his rage, Valerie took out a minor potion and shove it to the unknown Assassin's mouth so they can continue the interrogation. A subtle red aura appears signaling that the potion was effective.

"I understand where you're coming from Cleo, I really do but let me do the asking for now." says by Valerie. Cleo just nods and force himself to calm down.

"I'm gonna ask again. Who sent you and why did you attack us?" questioned by Valerie, her gentle tone immediately change into a more serious tone.

The unknown Assassin is still reluctant to answer however when Cleo shift his gaze to him he started to gulp and looks like he is recalling what happened earlier.

"W-wait! I'll answer your question." says by the unknown Assassin with a trembling voice. "I-its Camilla she wants you back and dispose whoever accompanied you." he added.

"Camilla wants me back? Why?" asked by Valerie while tilting her head sideways. She's genuinely confused on why Camilla, her torture wants her back when she was the one who let her go at the first place since they can't link her to the Alleyway Murderer.

"I-I don't know why." says by the unknown Assassin. "P-please I'm telling the truth!" he added when he notice Cleo made a step at his direction.

"Who are you? You have a decent equipment for a mere mercenary." asked by Valerie once she confirmed that the unknown Assassin is telling the truth.

"Zeke, I'm from Duskfall Guild." says by the Assassin he then remove a piece of clothing from his cloak to reveal his guild insignia.

Instead of getting the answers they want, the information Zeke revealed created a lot more questions. Why is Duskfall Guild getting involve in this matter? What did Camilla promised them and how much more her influence spread in the Lavierre Kingdom to manage to hire an Assassin from a the Duskfall Guild.

"Camilla almost has all the more known guild except the Top 3 guilds under her payroll." says by Zeke as if he knows what's Valerie is thinking. "This is why I don't get why the SwordSaints Guild antagonized her." he added.

Valerie and the pair of red heads was shocked by the revelation. Even Valerie don't know what's Arthur is thinking when she heard the news.

"How about Arthur is there any news from him? If I recall correctly he is not one of the casualty of Camilla's slaughter." asked by Valerie. She asked this question not because she care for him or felt some kind of gratitude to him. All of that got wash away when she knew they betrayed her. She is more than happy if he is included in the casualty, it means that there'll be less person that she need to watch her back for.

"A-Arthur? He..." Zeke looks like he will answer the question but he consciously stopped himself from doing so.

"Answer the question." says by Cleo with a cold voice.

"Hiek! W-wait I'll answer the question." says by Zeke while trying his hardest to distance himself to Cleo however the bind prevents him from having any progress.

"The youngest prince got kidnapped the day Camilla confronted the SwordSaints Guild. We don't have a concrete evidence but the timing is suspicious and Camilla thinks Arthur is somehow involved with the kidnapping." explained by Zeke.

Valerie is even more confuse on what is happening. They question Zeke for almost half day but since he was just a hired Assassin his information is limited compare to Camilla or Arthur themselves. As for why Camilla wants her back she just assumed that Camilla wants to finish the job and kill her. This enrage Valerie even more and resolve herself to exact her revenge one day when the opportunity knocks.

"W-wai..." *SLASH*

Cleo suddenly appears behind Zeke and beheaded him, his decapitated head falls at the lake. Valerie didn't react on time and was dumbfounded on what just happened but even if she can react she's not sure if she wants or she can stop Cleo with his resolve.

Leah was shocked as well however instead of just standing like Valerie she approach Cleo and hug him tightly. Leah is the most happy in this predicament they got themselves into once she heard from Valerie why he is acting that way. She can't help but to grin while burying her face on Cleo's chest.