Ascension of the Master Assassin

Chapter 52: Duet Performance

"The militias?"

Venn's eyebrows furrowed when he heard Ysera's solution. It was not that he could not accept the compromise, but he just didn't feel like compromising, especially after seeing General Brugvun's scornful attitude.

Nonetheless, after thinking it through, he accepted Ysera's proposal. 

In the first place, he intentionally demanded a ridiculous request of four hundred soldiers because he knew that the Oni Clan would never agree to it. 

The real aim of him doing so was such that if he was to suggest another much simpler request right after they rejected him, they would feel a lot more obligated to accept his new request. 

In other words, he was playing a psychological trick on them to increase the chance of getting what he wants.

It was a famous psychological effect that players had learnt overtime when dealing with NPCs. By managing the expectations of all parties involved, players could extract more information and rewards from the game's NPCs. 

This method was even applicable in real life. A lot of beggars and pick-up artists had such a trick in their bags of tricks as well to achieve their goals.

The militias and soldiers that were newly drafted had been Venn's real aim all along. 

In times of war, it was common for civilians to be drafted in the military like in the case of the Oni clan. With how the goblins had been a thorn in the sight of the Onis for at least nine months, the probability of them having recently drafted a new batch of soldiers was very high.

His guess was right on the money. To prepare for the final clash against the goblins, the Oni Clan had been constantly recruiting soldiers and converting civilians who had survived against the goblins' attack into militias.

Venn had gotten what he had wanted, but rather than feeling happy about it, he was feeling surprised that Ysera had figured out his real aim.

"Was it a fluke or is she just really intelligent?" Venn couldn't help but ponder.

"In that case, I want six hundred militias to protect me." Venn argued with Ysera. He wanted to test if she really understood his intention.

"The clan can only spare two hundred militias to protect your safety. Is that enough?" Ysera probed.

"Four hundred."

"Two hundred and twenty."

"Three hundred and they must be well-equipped. They have to report to me effectively right now to undergo my training or else I won't feel safe."

"Two hundred and fifty well-equipped militias plus my younger sister, Vesra. She will assist you, but she will also supervise your every move. Will Lord Night Raid accept my proposal?"

"Deal. I must say you really know your way in a bargain."

"Ysera is thankful for your compliment. I will leave Vesra in your care, please treat my sister nicely."

Before General Brugvun and the rest could react, Venn and Ysera had finished their duet performance within mere seconds. The Brugvun elder wanted to interrupt them, but he couldn't find the opportunity to do so. 

Besides, if Venn was really that important to Lilith, he was fine with giving him command over two hundred and fifty militias that would barely affect the grand scheme of things in the battle against the goblins. Those militias would most likely end up as cannon fodders serving as the vanguard in the charge towards the battlefield anyway. 

Also, now that he thought about it, it made perfect sense why Venn was sent here as reinforcement by Lilith despite being so weak. After hearing Venn's reason, he was utterly convinced and looked down on him even more. Thus, signalling with his eyes, he stopped his grandson from opposing.

"In that case, I guess I should be on my way since I'm no longer needed in this meeting with my safety ensured. Goodbye everyone, I shall meet you all eight days later! Now Vesra, come along with Brother Night Raid, I need you to lead the way to my men." Venn laughed heartily as he scratched his head, completely oblivious of what the others thought of him.

"Ah! Wait a moment!"

Ignoring the protest from Vesra, he dragged Vesra by her skinny wrist, and proceeded to exit the tent, leaving everyone speechless at his shamelessness. 

Venn did not care a single bit about what they thought of him. Whatever happened later in the tent would be of no importance to him, now that he had obtained a small troop at his beck and call.

***

It was already past noon once he and Vesra were finally outside of the tent. He only had a little more than six days left to increase his strength. Time was seriously running out for him.

Silently walking, he held Vesra's tender hand along the way in random directions. After travelling a fair distance away from the tent, the look of his eyes finally changed.

Looking at Vesra who looked almost identical to Ysera, he finally released her hand and calmly said. "I need a detailed map of this region, it would be best if the map could indicate the location of nearby monsters' habitats. Next, I want you to assemble all of the troops tomorrow at dawn with all their equipment ready. Give me a list of the equipment in their hands as well. I need the map and the equipment list as fast as possible by today. Oh, and I need a pair of daggers to use. My original pair was destroyed earlier in a fight. Lastly, I-"

"Do you have something against me?" Venn stopped talking halfway when he realised that Vesra was about to draw her daggers out from the dagger sheaths that were tied to her thighs and a trace of anger was visible in her large eyes.

"What is your relationship with my sister? And why did my understanding and great sister send me to assist you in your shameless and cowardly action? Answer my question!" Vesra angrily demanded, a lot of things had turned strange ever since his father had died.

After hearing her questions, Venn sighed. It seemed that Ysera had not told her younger sister about the crisis the Shuten family is facing. He seriously had no more time to waste. But ultimately, he decides to explain everything to her.

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Well then, lead the way to the manor where I am staying. I will explain everything to you along the way."