Chapter 31 (2/2)

Amber was confused. “Why do rogues have to learn fencing?”

“Obviously, to kill all witnesses when they are exposed.”

“As a rogue, isn’t being exposed during a mission the same as failing?!”

“No, for Anzu’s rogues, being exposed is only the start of the mission… however, the one before us didn’t seem to have completed the courses well. Perhaps the courses which I have left behind 700 years ago are no longer in use?”

The shadow guard lying on the ground looked miserable because he found out that all those torturous trainings were left behind by the person standing in front of him.

Although 700 years had passed and the courses had been revised so many times, the foundation courses did not change drastically. Stamina training and fencing were two of the trainings which had remained.

Seeing the changes in the shadow guard’s expression, Gawain knew that the trainings in his memory still remained.

“Francis II sent you here right?” He looked at the young man lying on the floor and smiled amicably. “However, I believe that His Majesty the King wouldn’t send someone to assassinate me when more than half of the capital knows that I’m here. Hence he asked you to come and spy on me?”

The shadow guard remained quiet.

“However, he should have reminded you to stay further away because there is too much risk and Gawain Cecil did not falter even if the Cecil Clan did. Are you being overconfident… or did you not follow the instructions?”

The shadow guard said something. “You are insulting my mission, I’ll kill myself and you don’t have to worry about me.”

“Nonsense!” Gawain slapped him. “Your life has been too comfortable, how did you degenerate to this stage?!”

The shadow guard looked at Gawain in confusion as if he did not understand what Gawain said.

“What is the use of the royal shadow guards? They are meant to protect the king, the country and the land! Your responsibility is to tackle the villains who want to tear the country apart and not help the muddle-headed king to spy on a pioneer who built the country! If you were captured by the enemies on the battlefield, I would have respected you for your courage, but you are here, in my house! Are you suggesting that I am a traitor who wants to tear the country apart by saying that I am insulting your mission?! Or are you saying that capturing you is an insult to Anzu?! Are you saying that the people of Anzu are now against the pioneer who built the country?!”

The young shadow guard was at a loss after hearing Gawain’s scoldings. “No… That’s not what I mean…”

“It’s okay, your opinion does not matter.” Gawain interrupted him and stood up. “I am not so petty to be angry at a junior so you can leave now.”

The young shadow guard never expected things to end this way(he probably did not expect any of the events that happened tonight), he looked at Gawain in confusion as he could not believe his ears.

Even Amber and Rebecca were shocked.

Gawain repeated his words and said. “I said, you can leave, do you want me to send you off?”

The shadow guard got up slowly and asked. “Are you sure?”

“Of course, I can’t kill Francis II’s man and I do not intend to bring you to the the Silver Castle under everyone’s attention although I feel like doing so. It’s a pity that I have passed the age to let my emotions sway my decisions and I can only let you off.”

Rebecca seemed to have something to say but she kept it to herself because of Gawain’s stern expression.

The shadow guard moved to the window slowly and before he left, Gawain suddenly said, “I don’t intend to tell anyone about what happened today, it’s up to you… how you want to update His Majesty about this matter.”

“…Thank you for your mercy.”

After saying those words, the silhouette of the shadow guard disappeared in the air.

Gawain pursed his lips and said “…Another one that leaves by the window.”

Rebecca finally found a chance to say something, “Lord Ancestor, are you really going to let him off so easily?”

“Of course.” Gawain laughed. “I definitely have to let him off.”

“Doesn’t he need to be punished? The fact that His Majesty sent someone to spy on this place suggests that…”

“Rebecca, remember this, if you want to get a larger benefit then you have to be farsighted.” Gawain patted her head and continued, “It is nothing to let a small pawn get away, there are still potential benefits.”

“Potential benefits?” Rebecca blinked her eyes. “For example?”

“It depends on what that young shadow guard tells the king and there are only two possibilities.” Gawain opened his hands. “Either Francis II doesn’t get to sleep in peace in the later part of the night or… he has another shadow guard who is not loyal.”

He turned around and looked at the moonless night sky as he was speaking.

“Relative loyalty means absolutely no loyalty and this sentence makes a lot of sense.”