Danger approached even as Nick and the others spoke in secret.

Garosso was enraged by Karan’s provocation and stopped holding back. He kicked her hard enough to send her flying through the air, and Suisen lost her mind, thinking her sister was dead. Nick was also on the verge of losing it, when Bond took their hands and held them together.

“Direct that anger towards your opponent… It is time!”

“That man… Is not getting out alive…!”

“Of course!”

Their anger and the power of the Dragon King orb made it possible for Nick and Suisen to use Union despite their lack of a deep bond.

““Guuh…!””

A blue haired dragon person with a virile face appeared.

This person was clad in white shining armor, much like how when Karan and Nick used Union, and was covered with sharp scales from the elbow down. However, the scales were deep blue, just like Suisen’s.

“Do not waste time. Finish it in one strike!”

““I know…!””

But the biggest difference was the shape of the Sword of Bonds. It now looked more like a large spear than a sword.

The blade itself was smaller than usual, but its handle was large.

Nick/Suisen held it and stretched their left hand forward to aim, as they gripped the spear tight and pulled back.

Their target was Garosso, where they focused all of their strength and anger to thoroughly kill this vile being.

Their pure killing intent resembled a prayer, which brought a focus to their mind that seemed to slow down time.

In the blink of an eye, they focused all their strength, and felt as though they could hit their target even if it stood hundreds of kilometers away.

And then, the spear pierced Garosso right through his core.

◆

It was finally over.

Garosso’s sacred garment laid half broken, and showed no signs of regenerating.

Three thirds of his mask had fallen off, revealing his worn out face and unshaved stubble.

But above all else, the hole the size of a fist at the center of his body showed he was done.

“The core is destroyed and there is no chance it will self-destruct. The life support function should cease to function in a few minutes, and he will truly die then.”

Said bond, briefly and frankly.

These words were said so coldly and matter of factly that it left no room for suspicion. It made Garosso let out a small sarcastic laugh.

“You heard him. Do you have any last words?”

There was a heavy tone in Nick’s voice.

Union had already been undone. In fact, it was undone the moment they threw the Sword of Bonds.

Their stamina had been completely sapped. Suisen lost consciousness, and Nick was only standing by sheer force of will and stubbornness. He would not be doing anything close to fighting.

“…Eh, what’s with that face?”

“You idiot. I just killed a member of my old party. Am I supposed to feel good?”

“I killed one of yours too… Didn’t I?”

“No one died. Karan’s alive.”

Karan was receiving treatment. Sem used healing magic, and Alice was preparing bandages and medicine.

Bellocchio also fainted after over-exerting himself with his magic, but his life was not in danger.

It was a complete victory for Nick and the others.

“Just how tough is she… looks like I’m retiring from being an assassin.”

“…Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you put on that stupid dress?”

“It’s cool isn’t it?”

“It’s a load of crap and it doesn’t suit you. Why the smooth mask? …Forget it. Why didn’t you talk to Argus? There’s more to this than you’re letting on, isn’t there?”

Garosso was quiet.

It was not a silence of awkwardness or guilt. Garosso had pity in his eyes.

“Ah… That’s right, you didn’t know…”

“Know what?”

“I didn’t just become an assassin the other day. I was one already from the start…”

“…What?”

“Argus picked me up because he thought I’d make a good assassin. We’ve pretty much been on holiday for all these years. No, it’s more like we tried to go straight and failed… Everyone of us is like this except you, that includes Argus.”

“Stop lying!”

“I’m not lying. I got this armor because the one’s worshiping the evil god are regular customers. Well, in my case, there’s also my ancestor’s debt. That played a big part in getting me to wear this too.”

Nick was too shocked for words.

He tried to put his hands on Garosso’s neck, but his exhaustion made him miss completely and drop to one knee. Garosso laughed at this, before starting to cough.

“Ah, it hurts… You really never noticed uh? You’re an adventurer fighting monsters, so why are you so good at using a short sword and fighting hand to hand? Didn’t you ever ask why?”

“T-that’s because of my stature…”

“Because it fits your body? I guess that’s true. Everyone has things they’re good at and not… So why’s a big strong guy like Argus training so hard to be as good as possible at grappling?”

“Because that’s his style.”

“And why’s that his style? It’s not to kill monsters with his bare hands, it’s to kill people.”

Nick glared at Garosso, but he was at death’s door, and looked indifferent.

Even Nick did not think Garosso was lying at this point.

“Listen. Don’t try to talk to Argus ever again. If you see him, run as fast as you can. This is what we all are. That’s all I have to say.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Get it through your thick head already. All Martial Arts are a bunch of criminals.”

Nick smacked his lips and glared at Garosso, but asked no further questions.

He was unable to process this information.

“…What else?”

“What else what?”

“Do you have anything to tell some woman or something?”

“I’m done with women. And booze too. They will just keep getting me in debt.”

“You should’ve noticed that sooner.”

“Shut up… Ah, I remembered a couple of things.”

“What?”

“Did you… Learn Stepping?”

“Yes.”

“That’s an essential part of All Martial Arts’ middle den. Argus isn’t here so I’ll say it instead. You passed.”

Middle den was a rank of All Martial Arts. It was composed of first den, middle den, and hidden den.

Nick had previously received the first den from Gaius.

“Who cares? I was expelled.”

“Yeah, you’re a dropout… Ah, that’s right… It was because of me.”

“Yes, it was your fault. What’s the other thing?”

Garosso exhaled in an exaggerated manner, as though he was smoking.

Nick contained his annoyance and waited, knowing these would probably be his last words.

“…I was the one who stole money from our wallet that time. My bad.”

“Say that sooner too you idiot!”

Nick responded with anger at something he was not expecting to hear.

“It was convenient for Argus… To drive you out. But you went ahead and got yourself a sacred sword and made yourself a target… That was a huge miscalculation… I guess… That’s how it is…”

Garosso’s words seemed strangely elongated.

His strength was gone, like a spring operated doll stopping.

“Hey Garosso!”

“Nick…”

Nick tried to grab Garosso, but was stopped by bond.

All that was left was a corpse with vacant eyes.