Ainola actually hadn’t expected the other party to use such a large dose of poison. This assassin’s entire internal organs had all melted, turning into bloody fluid seeping out from every orifice. Even the pores on the skin were oozing blood, making it look especially horrifying.
More importantly, the smell was particularly strong. No wonder it attracted Anderson. But thinking about it, the assassin was trying to poison Anderson, so using a larger dose was to ensure success.
Only, they didn’t expect that this “ensuring success” would result in them dying with eyes wide open.
“Was it you who killed this person?”
Anderson blocked the window; the door had already been locked from the inside, so now Ainola couldn’t escape even if she wanted to. So he might as well use conversation to distract her, so that he could capture her in one strike later.
“In a sense, he committed suicide.”
Ainola grinned at Anderson and recounted the matter.
“He wanted to poison the cafeteria, and I found out, so I put his poison into his own breakfast~”
Hearing Ainola’s words, Anderson also noticed a half-drunk bottle of milk and a few leftover bread rolls on the floor. These were indeed the standard breakfast ration distributed to everyone in the Temple Knights.
“Didn’t expect that, did you?”
Ainola spread her hands and said mockingly.
“The Temple Knights that the Glory Empire prides itself on have long since rotted away. Anyone can infiltrate them, and I’m no exception, of course.”
“…”
Hearing Ainola’s words, Anderson had no retort, but he wasn’t furious either. Instead, he calmly watched her, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Ainola was strong. If he failed this time, she would likely bypass him and escape through the window. Anderson didn’t want to spend another five months searching for her.
“Well~”
Ainola looked at Anderson with a mocking gaze and said.
“Actually, I know you like me and even said you’d hang me from a fan and spank me, but that’s only if you can catch me, right?”
“How do you know that?”
Anderson was taken aback.
Before he could think it over, he heard Ainola laugh and say.
“In this land, I know everything… Well, actually, earlier at the Four Leaf Clover Restaurant, I clearly heard everything from nearby. You seemed to have a great time eating with that nun.”
Hearing Ainola’s words, Anderson looked a bit embarrassed. If he remembered correctly, he had said something terrible back then. But he didn’t let his guard down, and just continued looking at Ainola as he said.
“She’s just a friend to me.”
Honestly, Anderson definitely considered the possibility that Ainola and Eleanor were the same person. But he found it strange.
If they really were the same person, then Ainola wouldn’t have needed to tell him about this. It would only increase his suspicion of Eleanor’s identity.
And if they weren’t the same person… was Ainola trying to frame Eleanor?
Anderson’s mind was racing, but he didn’t see the delight on Ainola’s face.
It is said that the most dangerous place is the safest place, and the same goes for communication. Some things, the more you hide them, the more others suspect; the bolder you are, the more others start to doubt. Just like when she had boldly escaped from among the Temple Knights before.
Ainola had always used this reverse psychology. But since Anderson had said that, she might as well toy with him a little.
“Friends? Actually, you don’t need to explain too much to me.”
Ainola looked at Anderson as if relieved, yet also mocking.
“For you and me, we were long destined to be irreconcilable enemies. You destroyed my kingdom, I’ll cut off your descendants. An eye for an eye, very fair, isn’t it?”
Anderson really wanted to say, the matter ten years ago—he was only ten at the time—how could he be the one to suffer the consequences? But as the saying goes, the son pays for the father’s debts. If it was something his father did, then he couldn’t really complain about suffering for it.
But revenge is revenge—who gives someone impotence poison?!
If he didn’t catch this wretched princess, would it be worth his five months of celibacy?
“I can assure you, Eleanor really is just a friend to me.”
Anderson chose to be polite before using force.
After he said that, his knight sword ignited with a white light, like flames, or like holy light.
“Blade of Decision?”
Ainola said with a hint of surprise in her expression.
“You do think highly of me.”
For a Judgment Executor, once they assumed this stance, it proved they were going all out.
Although Ainola knew that Anderson probably wouldn’t kill her, it still looked pretty intimidating.
“With your skills, Ainola, if I didn’t use my full strength, how could I capture you?”
When Anderson said this, his tone carried a hint of teasing, and at the same time he was testing Ainola’s reaction.
“No, no, I’m just an ordinary little assassin, I don’t even have an organization. No need, no need, really no need.”
Ainola’s words seemed panicked, but her face showed no such feeling, and even carried a hint of a smile.
As Anderson said, her strength was not weak. Escaping from him was not impossible.
The previous capture was purely an accident. Now, after five months of practice, if it really came to a one-on-one contest, Ainola didn’t think Anderson could catch her.
“Heh~”
Anderson gave a cold laugh and said.
“If you were truly unknown, what face would those great nobles you killed in Hail City have left?”
Anderson readied his stance and stared at Ainola.
When the wind from outside blew into the room, stirring up the thick stench of decay, Anderson moved.
“Burning Ash!”
This knight turned into white light, rushing straight at Ainola at a speed that ordinary people couldn’t even track. His sword blade aimed at Ainola’s body, trying to capture this young girl without harming her life.
However, Anderson hadn’t expected that Ainola had no intention of dodging. She only showed a faint smile, and then she extended her neck into the path of Anderson’s sword blade.
“What!?”
At such close distance, it was already too late to pull back. The sharp blade directly pierced through Ainola’s throat.
Anderson was shocked to find a relieved smile on Ainola’s face. He suddenly remembered something. Earlier, Ainola had considered suicide to prevent him from getting the antidote, and this time…
“Hahahaha!”
Before Anderson could feel self-blame, frustration, and regret, a clear, pleasant laugh came from behind him.
This girl covered her mouth and said mockingly.
“Anderson, your expression is way too funny, isn’t it?”
Ainola executed a back kick, landed at the window, and said to the still-stunned Anderson.
“Who would have thought, who would have thought? That guy who claimed to like me actually went through with it. But I still have many things to accomplish, so I can’t just die here. I hope next time you’ll be just as decisive. Love you~”
After saying that, she blew him a kiss, then jumped out the window.