Chapter 33: Taking the Shot

Vito and the others situated themselves in different safehouses close to Renaudin’s manor in preparation for the ball. Vito examined the rifle one more time, disassembling and reassembling it to perfection.

“Wait, before you equip your gear,” Iris called from another room. She gave him a small package wrapped in cloth. “I thought this might help you.”

“Thank you.” He took the package and unwrapped it. “A suit?” He saw a black blazer, fine pants, a dress shirt, and a tie.

“Yes! I copied what I saw in those drawings and paintings. You and different men wore something like this.” She recreated a fine Italian black suit down to the buttons on the white dress shirt. “I packed mage’s thread and sewing supplies when I gathered the materials to create gunpowder, just in case I needed to repair my clothes.”

“Mage’s thread?” Vito had never heard of it. He lifted the blazer and used Scan. The menu named it ‘Vito’s Suit,’ an S-Rank outfit.

“It’s a rare and very durable material. Clothes made with it can defend against both physical and magical attacks,” she explained. “Noblemen often wear it as a sign of status. It’s simply wasted on them.”

Vito carefully placed the jacket down and embraced Iris. “Thank you.”

Iris blushed and held him in her arms. “No thanks are needed.”

The Shard of Valorance glowed once more, though neither of them took notice.

The moon hung in the night sky as Vito climbed a ladder to reach the top of the wall. Guards loyal to him waited to assist in his mission. “Thank Ivalis. I thought your words were nothing but empty boasts.” An armed guard breathed a sigh of relief.

“The DeCapio Famiglia keeps its word,” Vito stated as he got into position. Iris and Amelsia joined him on the wall and crouched beside him.

“I can’t wait until this is over. I’m going to take what I can and go straight to the Aitraethen Empire. My brother is a Dragon Knight, you know. He’s going to get me good, honest work there,” the guard added.

Vito smirked and briefly looked at him. “Just make sure you stick to the plan and you’ll see your brother soon enough.”

He looked to Amelsia and considered her for a moment. Scan confirmed what Parsifal told him, that she had been training. Her level rose to 37, and Proficient Mage stood as her primary title. “Are you ready?”

Amelsia nodded with determination. “I’m waiting on your orders.”

Vito nodded, then looked through the scope. He had a clear view of the ballroom. Nobles from far and wide mingled together as a band played atmospheric music. He couldn’t stand the sight of pompous nobles gorging themselves on expensive food and empty pleasantries while they schemed to harm innocent people.

At long last, he saw Renaudin take his place on the small elevated platform. “Welcome, friends! We gather here not just to enjoy the company of such distinguished, like-minded fellows. No, our cause is much more noble. We will guide Avreora to a brighter future!” The room was filled with the sounds of applause. “Those useful fools from the Silver Oak Guild may have succeeded where I expected them to fail-”

Vito held up a finger, prompting Amelsia to cast her spell. Everything quickly became deathly silent around them, indicating the spell’s activation. Vito saw her smile with pride. The guard tossed a stone down the wall, sending a second signal to Kaelyn.

Vito could still read Renaudin’s lips, much to his chagrin. “But in so doing, they opened a much more interesting path. It’ll only be a matter of time until-”

He took a deep breath to steady himself, then he pulled the trigger. A glint of pale blue may have signaled to a mage that something pierced the manor’s protective barrier, but it was far too late. Vito’s bullet flew through Renaudin’s forehead and impacted on the wall behind him. The lord immediately fell dead. The music stopped a moment later, and a scream pierced the silence and disbelief that consumed the room. Chaos erupted as nobles scattered and fled for their lives.

Vito quickly cleared the menu notifications; he didn’t much care that he rose to level 36 or gained the Noble Slayer and Assassin titles. Amelsia removed her spell and climbed down the ladder, followed quickly by Iris, Vito, and the guard above. Their allied guards promptly told them which way to avoid the crowds and escape.

The group dashed through the garden and entered a servant’s corridor. From there, they passed by numerous servants and guards who were helping themselves to whatever they could carry. Vito led the way out of the manor and down the block.

They waited beneath the archway that separated the noble and poor districts. Vito counted the time in his head and expected his friends to join them at a precise time. He planned to rush back to the manor if they were even a minute late. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Delwyn, Galien, Kaelyn, Parsifal, and their teams join them. They each carried treasure bags with them, gifts from Iris to help the mission. He took one last look in the direction of the manor. “Requiescat in pace, signore.” He joined his friends in their return home.

Vito and the others regrouped at headquarters. The treasure bags were set on the table for inspection. Before he could open the first bag, everyone gathered began to clap their hands.

Vito smiled and joined them. “Well done, everyone. You all performed admirably.” He looked at two people in particular. “Amelsia, Gloribrean, we could not have done this without the two of you. Thank you.”

Amelsia blushed and refrained from hiding her face beneath her hood while Gloribrean offered a dramatic bow.

Parsifal handed a folded handkerchief to Vito. “A small gift from me.”

“Hmm?” Vito took the handkerchief and opened it. “You recovered the bullet.” He chuckled and set it aside. “Good thinking.” He didn’t have the luxury of worrying about the bullet and assumed no one would be able to use it to discover what sort of weapon fired it. Thanks to Parsifal, even that slim possibility was eliminated.

“What now?” Delwyn asked.

“Divide the money evenly among everyone in the guild, including Gloribrean. Leave the magic items and Renaudin’s files here at the headquarters,” Vito answered.

Kaelyn seemed surprised. “All of it evenly? We were pretty greedy back there. Everyone could walk away with more than enough to comfortably retire.”

He simply shrugged. “Greye made sure everyone was taken care of and no one went hungry. We should follow his example,” he decided. “When you’re finished, grab a cool drink, a hot meal, and a good night’s sleep. Everyone played their part to perfection, and they deserve some rest.”

“While you go back to work, no doubt,” Delwyn flatly stated.

“The boss is always working, and there are plenty of documents to read through.”

Iris grabbed two of the treasure bags. “Don’t worry, I’ll help him.”