Assassin's Chronicle

Black Eleven was silent for a few moments, then said, "It wasn’t only the Storm mercenary. Band of Brothers mercenary is also sending out their people. What with Anthony still in the game...Anfey, what do you think is going to happen?"

"Chaos," Anfey said, shaking his head.

"I just want to get your input on the matter," Black Eleven said. "I know the situation is too complicated."

"Is there a casino here? Have you been to it?" Anfey asked.

"Of course, why?"

"People like Anthony and Mourtta are the big players. They are the ones at the table. We are the little people standing behind them, watching." Anfey smiled. "But do not underestimate us. When we dislike the person with the advantage, we hit them with a plastic bottle."

"Plastic bottle?" Suzanna asked curiously.

"It’s a kind of crystal bottle."

"You’re not hitting them," Black Eleven said. "You’re stabbing them in the back. By the way, I have another news."

"What is it?"

Black Eleven glanced at Suzanna and Christian and looked hesitant.

"We’ll be outside," Suzanna said softly.

"No need for that." Anfey shook his head. "Speak freely. I trust them more than anyone else."

Black Eleven shook his head and said, "According to my sources, Shansa only sent out a squadron of their aerial unit because they knew what had recently happened in Country of Mercenaries. This squad is not involved in the siege of Blackania City. They are in the Transverse Mountains and are responsible for the protection of the supply lines."

"Anfey, you talked to me about griffins the other day because..." Suzanna said with wide eyes.

"How many times have you talked about this?" Anfey asked, shaking his head. "You keep talking about this. What do you want me to do? To attack the griffins with my people?"

"Listen, Anfey. It is vital that we defeat these griffins protecting the supply lines. If we succeed, it will be a huge blow to their army and to their king’s confidence. We can give Blackania City’s army a chance."

"You speak of success, but what if we lose?" Suzanna asked coldly. She was not from the Maho Empire and did not feel obliged to help it. She cooperated with Anfey in Blackwater City because she respected him as a friend. However, attacking the griffins was practically suicide. They might as well slay a dragon and die as heroes.

"My people will cooperate with you," Black Eleven said.

"How many?"

"If necessary, all of them."

Anfey frowned and thought about his words for a few moments. He then looked up and said, "Suzanna, fetch me Hagan."

"Anfey!" Suzanna said, frowning. She knew he was considering it, and was worried.

"Just go. Don’t worry. I know what I am doing."

Suzanna sighed and left the room with Christian.

Seeing that the door was closed, Black Eleven turned back to Anfey and said, "His Majesty said he has two wishes. One is to destroy the Dark Moon Magic Legion, and other is to kill the annoying flies. He is referring to the Griffins Aerial Unit. In order to fight against the griffins, he had been gathering money to purchase griffins. However the only place with griffins is the Shansa Empire, and they control it very carefully. Over the years we’ve only gathered a dozen griffins. They can be used in espionage activities, but as not fighting forces."

"Of course. Even if the emperor is an idiot, he must have smart men serving him. They should know what to do."

"If we can defeat the squad and capture some griffins, His Majesty would be very happy."

"Frankly, I don’t like the way you approach things," Anfey said. "Do you want me to just go and convince those soldiers to surrender? Fifty griffins and their knights. His Majesty will be very happy, don’t you think?"

"I’m saying hypothetically," Black Eleven said quietly.

"Don’t expect too much, or else there’s a higher chance of failure. We cannot handle that," Anfey said. "If you want to destroy that team, I may have a way. If you want to capture the griffins, you’re on your own."

"You really have a way?" Black Eleven’s eyes lit up.

"Never know if you don’t try it."

Suzanna and Christian pushed open the door. Hagan was following them.

"Stop rushing me. I am doing the best I can," Hagan held up his hands and admitted as soon as he was in the room.

"How many have you made?"

"A dozen."

"How is it? Does it work?"

"What am I suppose to do? Use myself as a lab rat?"

"I’ll think of a way. Can you make enough in three days?"

"I can try."

"What are you talking about?" Suzanna asked, confused.

"It’s a secret. You find out soon," Anfey said, grinning.

"You’re not thinking about using potions against griffins, are you?" Suzanna asked, her tone grave. "It’s impossible. I’ve told you, griffins are practically immune to magic. Not only the major elements, even dark and spirit magic can hardly touch them. Not even poison magic can hurt them."

"Poison isn’t that easy to defend, is it?" Anfey said softly. "I heard that Gold Line Snakes are very capable of killing griffins."

"Do you know how many snakes it takes to kill a single griffin? You need at least two hundred snakes for the entire squadron. Where are you going to find all those snakes?" Suzanna shook her head. "How you are going to poison them, anyway? Can you command the snakes? The griffins are very smart creatures. They would take off as soon as they detect danger. What are you going to do then? The snakes cannot fly."

"Suzanna’s right. You’re not making Hagan brew poison, are you?" Black Eleven asked. He was the one that wanted the griffins team destroyed, but he kept his wits about him. He talked to Anfey about it multiple times because he wanted to hear a complete plan from him.

"No."

"Then what is it?"

"You’ll find out."

Suzanna and Christian glanced at each other and shook their heads. Black Eleven frowned. He had just told Anfey about the aerial squad, but Anfey already had Hagan preparing the potion. It meant that even though Anfey had not agreed to attack, he was already preparing for it. This made Black Eleven very happy.

"From what we already know, this city is about to become really chaotic," Anfey said. "We should change our plan and leave as soon as possible."

"We’re leaving?" Black Eleven asked.

"Yes. Help us prepare a bit," Anfey said. He glanced at Black Eleven, "Are you coming with us?"

"Of course," Black Eleven said. "Where are we going?"

"Christian and the Band of Brothers mercenary signed a deal. We’re going to a town called Moramatch."

"Moramatch?" Black Eleven repeated. He shook his head and said, "You fell right into their trap, Christian."

"What, is the town disturbed?"

"No just disturbed. Very disturbed."

"Tell me more," Anfey said.

"It’s hard to explain. I’ll tell you more on the way," Black Eleven said as he stood up.

"Alright." Anfey thought about the situation for a few moments. "Everyone think about what you need. If this city fall into chaos, we will have to rely only on ourselves for supplies."

"Leave that to me," Black Eleven said. "I’ll make sure everything’s taken care of."

Seeing that Black Eleven left the room, Suzanna turned to Anfey and said slowly, "Are we really doing it? Attacking the griffins squad? You don’t want to think about it?"

"I promised I will keep everyone away from danger," Anfey said. "Making the plan doesn’t necessarily mean executing it. We can try. If anything goes wrong, we will abort the mission."

"Do as you wish," Suzanna shook her head and sighed.

"You don’t trust me?"

"Nonsense," Suzanna snapped. "If I didn’t trust you, I would not stay here."

"Alright," Anfey said, smiling. "Follow the party. Can’t be wrong."

"The party?" Suzanna asked, frowning.