Chapter 83: Heretic Assassin


    As someone who inherited the memories of the original Riezel, Riezel saw mostly positive memories about Strategic-ss Magicians from the original Riezel''s perspective.


    No choice.


    The original Riezel came to the city to strive for sess, all for the sake of bing an elite, for bing a noble.


    Formoners like him aspiring to be nobles, there were only a few methods.


    Either he had to achieve remarkable feats and receive the kingdom''s recognition, or he had to climb high and either marry into nobility or join a noble family. Alternatively, he could make the kingdom value him and offer a title to win him over.


    The original Riezel chose thest method.


    With his naturally abundant magical energy, bing a Tactical-ss Magician wasn''t a very difficult task. In fact, with enough effort and talent, bing a Strategic-ss Magician wasn''tpletely impossible either.


    If he could at least be a Tactical-ss Magician, he would immediately receive a promotion and a noble title, thus bing a bona fide noble. Not to mention, if he could be a Strategic-ss Magician, he could be recognized as a national treasure of the entire Jinas, bestowed with the title of a major noble—an existence like Yuri, one person above ten thousand.


    With such calctions in mind, the original Riezel naturally harbored feelings of longing and admiration for Strategic-ss Magicians.Not only him, but most people in this world also held admiration and longing for Strategic-ss Magicians, considering them the most powerful magicians in the world.


    As long as they could smoothly unleash strategic-ss magic, they could instantly destroy a city or even a small country. This kind of power seemed no different from that of a god to the ordinary people.


    Only thosecking sufficient magical energy like Combat-ss Magicians, who no matter how hard they tried couldn''t cast strategic-ss magic, would hold the belief that a true expert should specialize inbat-ss magic.


    Strategic-ss magic was merely a weapon for war, impractical and solely military-oriented, causing disdain among magicians who couldn''t cast strategic-ss magic.


    This viewpoint wasn''t entirely wrong.


    ording to Riezel''s understanding, the conditions for releasing strategic-ss magic were indeed strict. Just the chanting time alone was longer than even the lengthiest chants, often requiring several minutes or even tens of minutes of chanting for a single strategic-ss magic.


    Such lengthy chants and chanting times were impractical in the rapidly changing dynamics ofbat.


    Let alone strategic-ss magic, even tactical-ss magic required a minute or several minutes of chanting time, making it unsuitable for fast-paced battles.


    Furthermore,bat-ss magic often only required a few seconds of chanting, and some were even chantless, making them entirely suitable for direct battle.


    In a one-on-one battle, a magician not proficient inbat-ss magic, even if they were a Strategic-ss Magician, could be easily defeated in an instant. Even losing to a street hooligan isn''t an impossible scenario.


    As a result, tactical-ss magic and strategic-ss magic were almost useless in direct battle, only finding utility on the battlefield and in wars.


    Moreover, the power and scope of these two types of magic were too vast, making them unsuitable for use in densely popted areas. This was particrly true in the city, where using them would be a disaster.


    In principle, the major countries strictly prohibited the use of tactical-ss and strategic-ss magic without authorization.


    All of these made the situation quite interesting.


    In order to enhance national strength and increase the country''sbat power and deterrence, major countries were desperate to recruit Tactical-ss Magicians and Strategic-ss Magicians.


    Yet, apart from wars, the use of tactical-ss magic and strategic-ss magic was strictly prohibited and not allowed.


    This had ced significant restrictions on many Tactical-ss and Strategic-ss Magicians. Unless necessary, major countries may not even allow them to leave their territories without authorization.


    It could be said that Tactical-ss and Strategic-ss Magicians were under constant surveince wherever they went, whether by their own country or by other countries.


    Therefore, people like Strategic-ss Magicians were generally regarded as tools of war, despised by those beyond the ordinary residents.


    From Yuri''s indifferent response, it was evident that she didn''t find pride in her identity as a Strategic-ss Magician, even somewhat fed up with it.


    Riezel quietly sympathized with his savior in his heart and began to speak.


    "You suddenly mentioned your identity to me. Could this be rted to me being attacked?"


    He considered this possibility; otherwise, why would Yuri bring up an identity she was not a fan of for no reason?


    Sure enough, there was a reason.


    "While tactical-ss and strategic-ss magics are almost useless in direct battle, if used on the battlefield, their usefulness and supreme power are undeniable."


    Yuri exined with a sigh.


    "Any country on the Akasha continent eagerly seeks magicians of these two sses. However, if an enemy country possesses such magicians, it poses a significant threat to them."


    Hearing that, Riezel immediately squinted his eyes.


    "Are you saying that I was attacked because of that reason?"


    "Yes." Yuri nodded. "Truthfully, I suspected it when you were attacked. It was only after I couldn''t find any clues about the attacker that I thought the one who attacked you might be someone from the Heretic Assassin, who has recently be a topic of discussion."


    Heretic Assassin.


    Riezel was familiar with this name.


    It was because of an event that had urred in the past few years.


    As Riezel began pondering, Yuri continued.


    "In recent years, many people in major countries have been unexpectedly assassinated, dying under mysterious circumstances. Some were nobles, some were prodigies who gained fame. Although they seem unrted, they have amon point—they are either Tactical-ss Magicians or those who have outstanding magical energy, with the potential to be Tactical-ss or Strategic-ss Magicians."


    The sudden, unexined deaths of these talented individuals had shaken various countries, and the news had spread throughout the entire continent, bing a significant topic of discussion.


    Gradually, even ordinary residents came to know that there was a group of people who targeted Tactical-ss Magicians, Strategic-ss Magicians, and people with the potential to be both.


    "Some suspect that they were secretly formed by one or multiple countries, operating as an assassination unit specifically targeting the war assets of foreign countries."


    "Some believe they are a self-formed criminal group of Combat-ss Magicians who failed to be Tactical-ss or Strategic-ss Magicians, driven by motives of revenge and frustration."


    "There are also those who specte that they oppose the use of magic in war, opposing the excessive focus on tactical-ss and strategic-ss magic by major countries. They united as terrorists to change this phenomenon."


    "This is the Heretic Assassin, an underground organization that has gained a reputation in recent years."


    The reason Yuri suspected that this organization targeted Riezel was because of their objectives.


    Their targets were users of tactical-ss and strategic-ss magic, as well as people who have the potential to be proficient in both.


    Riezel happened to fit these criteria.


    "Each time they act, their cleanup is remarkably thorough. After several years, no country can uncover anything, suggesting that one or more countries likely support them."


    This was her reason for believing that the Heretic Assassin was behind Riezel''s assassination.


    The attackers shared many simrities. The cleanup was executed too well, suggesting the support of at least one country behind them. Even the Frenzel family''s intelligencework couldn''t find anything.


    "If it''s indeed them targeting you, leaving here is definitely not a good choice." Yuri advised seriously. "Your enemy is a terrorist organization on a national level, and you won''t be able to handle them alone."


    Hearing her reasoning, Riezel''s brow furrowed deeply.


    His current situation was indeed tricky.


    While he wasn''t afraid, if his attacker was truly such a big terrorist organization, he wouldn''t be arrogant enough to think he could handle everything alone.


    Their unexpected strength, with his current strength, might only allow him to defend himself temporarily, not forever. He was not reckless, blindly plunging into danger without considering the consequences.


    If there was a solid reason, he could risk everything for a challenge, but without a necessary reason, he wouldn''t recklessly face big danger. This wasn''t an adventure; it was just falling into someone else''s conspiracy, deceit, and malice.


    Unfortunately, he detested these kinds of things the most.


    "Stay here for now..." Yuri said gently, looking at his furrowed brow. "I''ve secretly leaked information about your injuries. If all goes well, you should be out of danger soon."


    "Injuries?" Riezel was puzzled at first, then realized. "You mean the damage to my ''Gate''?"


    "Yep." Yuri chuckled. "Your ''Gate'' is damaged, so you can''t use magic anymore. Maybe this isn''t entirely a bad thing."


    If this news reached the ears of the Heretic Assassin''s people, they might abandon any ns to assassinate him. After all, their goal was people capable of using tactical-ss and strategic-ss magics, and without the ability to use magic, Riezel would lose his value as their target.


    "Just stay hidden here for a while; there''s no shame in it, y''know." Yuri suggested.


    "What about you?" Riezel asked, looking into her eyes. "If it''s indeed them, aren''t you their target too? Aren''t you afraid?"


    Yuri, being a Strategic-ss Magician, logically should be the Heretic Assassin''s primary target.


    However—


    "Have you ever heard of a Strategic-ss Magician being killed so far?" Yuri casually tossed out a question, leaving him in silence.


    In the Akasha Continent, there were only eight existing Strategic-ss Magicians, and all of them were still alive and well.


    "Don''t worry. Even if I wanted to die, this kingdom wouldn''t allow it." Yuri sarcastically remarked before continuing. "Just stay here for now, wait until the storm passes, and then make different ns."


    Upon hearing that, Riezel considered for a moment and nodded.


    Staying here might be a good idea since this way he could have an easier time delving into the power system of this world.


    "Is this settled then?" Yuri asked, seeing him nod, and seemed pleased. "Come, join me for afternoon tea."


    As he looked at the tea in front of him, hisplexion stiffened.


    In that split second, he began to question whether his decision was a mistake.