24 The Dark Minions Assassin Group

Assassins are often seen as the trickiest foes one can face. Their knack for staying low-key and dealing with situations in a mysterious manner makes them quite a force. Even those with great strength find themselves falling prey to their deadly skills. Operating in the shadows and eluding the reach of authorities, royalty demands assassins to carry out secretive missions, highlighting the contradictory aspect of their existence.

The Dark Minion Assassination group stands out as a worldwide agency for covert killings, with bases spread across different kingdoms in the human Empire. Their influence is so daunting that many rulers strive to keep amicable ties with them. This group carries out numerous assassinations, significantly altering the course of many lives. Despite their impact, attempts to confront or challenge them prove fruitless. Lingering rumours suggest their mysterious leader might even be a saint, adding another layer of complexity to efforts to dismantle this notorious organization.

Due to these rumours, a wave of fear gripped many individuals. Instead of actively pursuing the organization, they opted to remain in hiding, as the formidable reputation of a Saint proved too intimidating in the human Empire. The Dark Minion Assassination group continued their unchecked dominance until a pivotal moment arrived with the arrival of a young, handsome, white-haired individual. This mysterious figure entered the scene, hinting at a potential shift in the power dynamics surrounding the infamous assassins and their seemingly invulnerable leader.

"Rasoul, are you alright?" Lara inquired as soon as Rasoul entered the room after meeting with the old man. She could sense that Rasoul was not in good spirits, and the only plausible explanation was that something had occurred during his encounter with the old man.

"I'm perfectly fine, my dear Lara. Nothing to worry about," Rasoul responded, offering a forced smile. This sight further pained Lara's heart. She couldn't comprehend what was happening, but since Rasoul defended her from that arrogant family heir when they first arrived at the Sundance Kingdom, she had been trying to make sense of the weird feelings in her heart, but it wasn't as easy as she thought. However, Rasoul changed the topic before she could delve deeper into it.

"Is Sabrat back yet? I hope he's still in one piece. I wouldn't want those assassins doing my job for me," Rasoul said with a smirk, clearly attempting to provoke Sabrat, who lurked in the shadows nearby.

"You know, it's not healthy to harbor envy for your subordinates just because they happen to be more attractive than you," Sabrat retorted, stepping out of the shadows. With a mischievous grin, he continued, "If you'd like, I can recommend a good facial cream. A little self-care wouldn't hurt."

The women in the room exchanged eye rolls. These two audacious individuals seemed utterly oblivious to the presence of the ladies.

"Sabrat, my friend, you're still breathing. I'd hate to imagine that hideous face of yours in the afterlife," Rasoul countered, determined not to concede in the banter. "By the way, well done in dealing with those fools. You've certainly made Supreme Nexus proud."

"Those fools didn't even see it coming. If they managed to reach here, the Princess alone would have taken care of them," Sabrat remarked with a dissatisfied expression. He longed for a challenge, but all he got were disappointments.

"Don't worry, buddy, there are plenty more fools out there for you to entertain. For now, let's concentrate on the Minions," Rasoul replied.

"That's fair enough," Sabrat agreed. "So, when are we making our move against their organization?"

"We'll discuss that later. For now, lead me to their leader. It's time we unravel who we're up against. Lara, accompany us. Princess, strategize how you'll handle your situation. We're already neck-deep in this mess, and our best bet is to try and outpace it." Without awaiting a response, Rasoul and his companions turned and strolled away, leaving Princess Vina and Vira to ponder their thoughts.

After a while, the trio entered a room resembling a prison. They discovered a man tied to a chair, his mouth gagged and unconscious.

"So, this is the fool in charge?" Rasoul inquired with a curious glance.

"Yeah, they were plotting an ambush when I dazzled them with my charm," Sabrat replied, attempting to appear nonchalant. His satisfaction dwindled when Rasoul instructed him to wake the captive.

'System, seal the room,' Rasoul commanded mentally.

[That will cost 12,000 Fire points]

'Take it.'

Sabrat promptly roused the man.

"Who are you people, and what do you want with me?" The man demanded upon waking, realizing he couldn't move.

"You! Stay away from me, you maniac. You killed all my men," he exclaimed when he saw Sabrat in front of him.

"It's not my fault your crew couldn't make a quick exit. I just handled my job a tad more efficiently; no hard feelings, buddy," Sabrat retorted, arms crossed indifferently. He remained unfazed by the turmoil in the man's mind.

"Listen, we'd have disposed of you already if we didn't have a use for you. Answer our questions honestly, and maybe you'll walk out of here in one piece," Rasoul declared, his eyes ablaze and voice chillingly ruthless.

'Weakest of the weak. No wonder Sabrat was irritated,' Rasoul thought to himself.

The Assassin, however, opted to play the tough guy. "And why would I ever spill anything to you? I'm an Assassin, unafraid of death or torture. If you think you'll extract information from me, you're living in a dream. I won't utter a word to you or anyone," the Assassin declared, putting on a bold front. Undeterred, Rasoul shook his head and took a seat across from him.

"Are you really that certain? You might not care about your own life, but have you considered those back home eagerly awaiting your return? How will they cope if you vanish mysteriously, leaving them vulnerable to your employers? You know what happens to the families of Assassins after their demise. Take a moment to ponder their plight before deciding what to share with us. It could make the difference between answering our questions and possibly earning your freedom," Rasoul spoke, skillfully employing emotional tactics to sway the Assassin's resolve. Finally, his years of watching movies about assassins were paying off.

In deep contemplation, the Assassin weighed the harsh consequences that might befall his family if he met his demise on this mission. Fearing the potential ruthless retribution his employers could unleash on his loved ones, he desperately sought to spare them such agony. Summoning his courage, he voiced his concerns, hoping divulging his worries might pave the way for his freedom. Despite hesitating, he realized the road ahead might not be as straightforward as he wished. After a brief internal struggle, he finally articulated the thoughts weighing on his conscience.

"The Dark Minions Assassin Agency is an Empire-wide network based in The Porters Kingdom. We maintain a small base in every major city across the human Empire. Our influence extends widely, primarily owing to our diverse clientele. We have significant connections with bandit groups and spy networks in every kingdom, making information gathering for assassinations straightforward, regardless of the target.

"That's clever, integrating bandit and spy networks, if only you weren't a bunch of inept assassins. A troupe of clowns parading as professionals – what a joke. You folks are tarnishing the legacy left by Sir Bayek," Sabrat remarked, still harboring his disdain for the assassin group.

"Sabrat, buddy, take it easy. We still don't know why they're targeting Princess Vina," Rasoul interjected, his tone gentle.

Relentlessly, the sinister Dark Minion Assassin group dispatched numerous operatives to eliminate the Princess, yet each attempt failed. The mission's gravity emphasized the high stakes, compelling them to send additional assassins persistently. Undeterred by past setbacks, the group remained resolute, intensifying their efforts with a succession of operatives aimed at achieving their dark objective.

"So, who wants the princess dead, and why?"

"Look, I only have limited information about this mission. All I know is that some important figure issued the contract, and the payment is three tomb passes. The person wanted the Princess eliminated before the tomb opens. We've already lost many assassins for this mission alone, but more will keep coming until the job is done," the Assassin replied, a trace of sincerity in his voice.

The cunning orchestrator behind the contract was apparent. Obtaining a tomb pass was exceptionally rare, especially with the coveted legacy of the Deity of War attracting the attention of ambitious individuals. The assignment to assassinate the Princess, with the promise of three tomb passes as payment, elevated the stakes to unprecedented heights.

"They're welcome to come. Though they'll just be serving themselves on a silver platter," Sabrat declared again, his anticipation reaching new heights.

"I don't know if they're fools, but I'm itching to cross blades with them. After all, we're caught up in this mess. Enjoying ourselves as we navigate our way out doesn't sound too bad," Rasoul remarked with a contented smile.

Lara simply stared at the two daydreaming fools, contemplating how they would tackle the Assassins while sidestepping the crucial question.

"How many of you are in the whole Empire? And in what realms are they positioned?" Lara inquired, establishing herself as the voice of reason in the room.

"We have 34 bases across the Empire, each headed by a semi-saint. Every base boasts 500 Masters, 200 Grandmasters, 50 Peak Grandmaster, and 20 Semi-Saints cultivators," the Assassin proclaimed with pride. He followed up with a veiled threat, "Even though we've faced repeated failures, our leader won't remain passive. He will soon make his presence known, and if you folks are still around by then, I'm sorry to say, you'll all die in vain. What can a bunch of nobodies do in front of a Saint?" The ominous warning hung heavily, foreshadowing an impending clash between formidable forces.

"That's quite a formidable lineup. So, who is this leader you mentioned?" Rasoul inquired.

"He is a Saint. That's all I know."

"Just a name then. I suppose I'll have to pay more attention to your organization. After all, having over 20,000 assassins as potential Salves is not bad at all," Rasoul said with a sinister grin, turning to the Assassin tied to the chair.

"Hey, Mr. Assassin, how about joining me as my servant?" Rasoul asked confidently.