Edric's expression hardened.
"You bastard."
He lunged forward, sword raised high.
With a swift motion—
CLANG!!
Their blades collided, metal screaming through the hall. Sparks danced between them as both men pushed with raw strength.
They were evenly matched—if only for a moment.
Both slid back one step.
Then everything exploded into motion.
Edric attacked first—
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Darius countered—
CLING! CLANG! CLING! CLANG!
Wow… they're all good.
Rowan watched the clashing swords from above, eyes sharp and calculating.
Even without techniques, their instincts are top-tier. Edric is holding his ground, but…
His gaze shifted to the other fight.
Father has the upper hand against Calus's. From their stances alone, I can tell. Calus and Darius rely purely on brute strength. No refined sword techniques, no flashy skills… but their raw power is overwhelming.
Rowan exhaled softly.
Edric won't last long if they get serious. And I still don't know Father's full skillset… or theirs.
His small fists tightened.
I'll step in. But fast—so fast they won't even notice me.
Suspended mid-air, Rowan's presence was completely suppressed. To everyone below, it was as if he wasn't even there.
"Rowan? Rowan? Where is he!?"
Mira's voice carried through the panic-filled hall.
Duke Will was searching too.
"Rowan! Answer us!"
Rowan clicked his tongue softly.
Why are they calling me now? Fine… I'll make another me.
He focused—his aura rippled silently.
FWOOM
A second Rowan split away from his body, forming beside him in mid-air. The clone dropped down lightly to the floor, immediately becoming visible, while the real Rowan stayed hidden above.
"Rowan!"
Mira spotted the clone and rushed over, grabbing his hand. "I've been calling you! What are you doing wandering off in a situation like this!?"
The clone Rowan blinked innocently, letting her scold him.
The real Rowan, still invisible, kept his eyes locked on the two battles.
Rowan noticed it first.
Someone had jumped through the eye-window high on the massive castle wall.
A thin silhouette cut through the air, landing silently at the top of the grand staircase.
So… someone else came in.
The figure began walking down the stairs, step by step.
His presence was supposedly hidden — because no one reacted, not the nobles, not the knights, not even the assassins.
But Rowan frowned.
Why can I see him so clearly?
The man wore full black.
Face covered completely, only his eyes showing.
His steps were light, controlled, careful — but to Rowan:
…he's not concealing anything properly.
Rowan narrowed his eyes from his position above.
If this is supposed to be presence concealment, then it's the weakest I've ever seen. I can see everything — his Outfit, his breathing, even the slight wobble in his steps.
The assassin passed nobles who had collapsed on the floor, walking straight between them without pause.
He was heading directly toward Aldwin, who was still trading blows with Calus.
Rowan clenched his fists, thinking:
Should I step in? He's weak. Very weak. But I want to see what he intends to do… what skill he's hiding.
He continued watching from above.
Below, Aldwin kept fighting Calus.
Calus roared, launching a brutal kick toward Aldwin's face.
Aldwin reacted instantly—
dodging aside and countering with a sharp strike of his wooden stick.
The impact sent a tooth flying from Calus's mouth, bouncing across the marble floor.
Calus froze, staring at the fallen tooth.
Aldwin didn't give him time.
He rushed forward and slammed the wooden stick into Calus's jaw—
then sprinted, leapt, and brought the stick down again—
BOOM.
Calus staggered backward, shaking.
And then it happened.
Aldwin felt something—
a knife cutting toward his ribs.
He twisted, barely dodging the first blade—
—only for a second knife to sink into his shoulder.
A burst of pain shot through him.
"Shit—!" Aldwin hissed, clamping his hand over the wound as blood started running down his arm.
The assassin finally revealed himself.
As he deactivated his Concealing Spear, his entire body shimmered into visibility—
a dark figure draped in black, daggers glinting faintly.
He stepped beside Calus.
"Hey," the assassin said casually, "I came to help you."
Calus scoffed. "Help me? Who sent you?"
"She did. She told me to come."
"What?" Calus snapped. "Hey, what do you mean? I don't need your help! I can take him out myself!"
The assassin tilted his head.
"But you were struggling. From the way the fight was going, even with him using a wooden stick and you using a sword… you would've been unconscious by now. He kept slamming you."
"SHUT UP!" Calus barked. "Don't tell me what I already know!"