The huge, blue full moon ascends into the night sky.

The craters on the moon surface appear unusually clear, their pattern resembling a woman facing sideways, hands joined in front of her chest.

This is the “Regicide of Saga” logo, the 【Praying Saintess】

While the official name is unknown, it is referred to as the 【Saintess】 among players.

The image was etched not only onto the moon within the game, but also onto stone monuments, rocks, and even clouds, appearing on both man-made structures and natural features.

However, no information was given by the game’s management as to what the 【Saintess】 symbolized or what kind of event it was associated with.

If this motif of the 【Praying Saintess】 also exists in our world, does it hint at some event?

An event that no one could unlock.

Ah, if only I could witness its story with my own eyes…

Arata: “――This is the worst feeling.”

Assassin: “⁉”

As I was seated on a garden chair, pondering about the yet unseen event, an unwelcome intruder appeared.

Perhaps the assassin hired to kill the seventh prince.

I had been expecting someone to come, and it seems I was right.

I grab the wrist of the assassin who approached stealthily, attempting to thrust a knife, and using my high STR stat, I fling the assassin away with brute strength.

The assassin performs a remarkable mid-air twist and lands perfectly.

Such a move would be impossible without a high stats.

The assassin is dressed entirely in black, blending into the night.

Even the knife is non-reflective, perhaps coated with a matte paint, refraining from reflecting any light.

It seems the opponent is a professional in this field.

I use 【Appraisal】 to confirm the assassin’s name, and as expected, it is displayed in red.

It should be safe to handle him roughly.

As I finish gathering information, the assassin makes his move.

He pulls something out of his pocket and throws it on the ground with all his might.

As it bursts, not only the assassin but also I, am engulfed in a thin grey smoke.

A smoke bomb.

It spread quickly, indicating a high-quality item.

Escape…no, that’s not it.

Failure in assassination is not tolerated.

If the fact that an assassination attempt was made remains, it will arouse the target’s vigilance and make subsequent attacks difficult.

Dizziness…?

…It’s coming from the left.

Assassin: “Huh!?”

The assassin, seemingly crawling along the ground where the smoke is relatively thin, had been trying to approach me by surprise.

He must have been confident that he had caught me off-guard but was shocked to see me accurately predicting the direction of his attack.

Indeed, the attack from the blind spot was brilliant.

Even the first surprise attack was from completely off my radar, and normally, I would have taken a hit.

However, I wasn’t just idly enjoying the moon view without a plan.

Since I could anticipate an attack, I had activated the  『Detect: Creature』 spell using【Wind Magic】.

This spell, which becomes available when the 【Wind Magic】 skill is leveled up to 4, displays players and monsters that are present around the caster on the map.

But it seems to have slightly altered effects in this world.

I could perceive not only the movements of people around me but also items of a certain size.

Upon using it, I realized it’s a quite useful effect.

After all, with  『Detect: Creature』, it’s almost possible to prevent surprise attacks and attacks from blind spots in battle.

I grab the arm holding the knife thrust by the assassin and activate my ability.

The 『Aikido』 ability, which can be learned by leveling up the 【Martial Arts】 skill to 7.

Using the opponent’s attack, it’s a technique to land a counter throw.

The power of the technique is based on the opponent’s STR and the motion value of the attack, dealing damage at a 0.1 multiplier.

Therefore, the power is considerably lower than the damage that can be dealt with a normal skill at level 7, but if this ability succeeds, there is a high chance of taking the opponent down.

The assassin is slammed into the ground, back first.

Seemingly unable to understand what happened, he lies flat on the ground, dazed.

The smoke clears.

It would be a hassle if he escapes again, so I should disable his limbs.

Just as I was about to draw my sword from the inventory, the assassin suddenly starts writhing in pain.

When I use 【Appraisal】, the status ailment is displayed as poison.

Did he try to commit suicide the moment he received 『Aikido』?

That’s pretty honorable.

But it would be a problem if he dies now.

I put the sword back in the inventory and pull out an antidote potion instead.

I’m glad I had Rose prepare various potions in anticipation of this case.

I forcibly tear off the cloth covering the assassin’s mouth and stuff the bottle of the potion into his mouth.

The poison seems to have an instant effect, rapidly reducing HP, but I was just in time to save his life.

He’s unconscious too, which is convenient.

Rose: “――Is it over?”

Rose, fully armed, emerges from the mansion.

I had asked her to prepare for battle to protect Princess Glen.

Arata: “Yes, I have captured the intruder.”

Rose: “You’re quite efficient.”

Rose glances at the unconscious assassin and compliments me.

Arata: “I think it’s safe now, but just to be sure, please continue guarding the princess tonight. I need to step out for a bit.”

Rose: “Leave it to me.”

Arata: “……Don’t fall asleep, okay?”

Rose: “I’m fine. I just drank a potion to recover from the sleep status.”

Saying this, Rose shakes an empty bottle.

She must have been worried about falling asleep.

I decide not to comment on it out of the compassion of samurai, and I hoist the unconscious assassin over my shoulder.

Rose: “What will you do next?”

Arata: “I’m going to get more detailed information.”

Rose: “……”

Arata: “……Are you thinking about torture?”

Rose: “N-no, I didn’t say anything!”

Her panicked response tells me she was indeed thinking about it.

In any case, a similar fate seems to await him, so I can’t deny it.

Leaving a flustered Rose behind, I head out into the night in the royal capital.

I would rather not be found by the patrolling knights, so I proceed cautiously.

My destination is the place of someone who seems to know a lot about this matter.