Surviving As A Cannon Fodder

CHAPTER 70

Jabbing the dagger on the mountain, I slid down grazing on the mountain surface. The sound of thunder masked the noise that I was making.

I pulled out the knife that I took from my previous assassination attempt and plunged it on the mountain wall using my other hand with all my strength.

When Jace or whatever that psycho lunatic dude is called, was monologuing with me hanging from the neck. 

I hatched an escape plan.

Down below approximately five to ten meters away from the pointy rocks of doom, was visibly pointing out where the roots of the tree that was now on flames from the lighting strike.

It was a realm tree. Its roots run deep under the earth's surface and are said to be strong enough to withstand the attack of ten elephants. 

Hence the name 'realm tree'.

I remembered reading about it from the encyclopedias that I read to Edward whenever I took a break from flipping through you-know-what books.

If I could grab on to that, I could hide and climb back up when it's safe.

Slowing myself down, I looked down to see that I was nearing it. There is only one chance and no redos. And that is all I need.

I put my dagger back in my mouth and reached for the tree root.

I don't know if it can hold my weight. But I have to try.

Placing my trust in mother nature, I jumped and caught it with my right hand.

I could feel that the root was sturdy and strong.

'Mother nature always performs miracles'

I stabbed the knife in my left against it and climbed up.

"Huff...hufff" I leaned against the mountain wall and finally got hold of my breath.

I took out the dagger in my mouth and looked up. Since the sky was dark, I won't be visible. That is, unless they come down floating, holding a lantern.

There were a few scratch marks on my arm and my dress got ripped when I jumped. The right side of my skirt was completely torn off, exposing the weapon belt underneath tied to my thigh.

*thunder*

"It's not over yet..." I groaned, looking at the sky.

I still have work to do.

"Haaah..." I sighed.

Sir Tate was dragged to an open space by one of the assassins in an unconscious state.

They removed the black cloth covering their faces since there was nobody else around.

"Light it up before it starts to rain......" Said one of the assassins while glancing at the carriage

"I'll take care of the girls in there" There was a disgusting grin on his face.

"Fast! Before the reinforcements arrive" Yelled another assassin whacking him on the head. He seemed to be the leader of those left behind.

"Yeah.....Let's get out of here soon. This place is creepy" said one of the men who was dragging the unconscious knights.

"I heard monsters and demons roam here" added another.

"Eh? That's not what I heard...it was something romantic"

"Well, it will be since a lady just died falling from there. Keep looking at it and her ghost will come to get you"

They started bickering among themselves instead of working.

"There is no such thing as ghosts" said the leader separating the two who were fighting.

"If they were real, I would have long gone from the number of jobs I have completed" he continued

"Gurgie" He pointed at one of his men.

"Go light a torch from the fire in that tree"

"Others. Stop chit-chatting and get the job done"

He ordered them and went back to the knights. He was going to rob them of their belongings since they won't be needing it after they die.

Gurgie strode towards the tree while trembling in fear. He believed in ghosts and the afterlife as much as the other guys. But they acted as if they weren't scared and sent him out since he was the youngest.

'If you are not scared why don't you go ahead boss!' He cursed while spinning a cloth around a tree branch to use it as a torch.

That was when he noticed a dark figure standing by the cliff.

"AAAAH" He fell to the floor.

*thunder*

It started raining heavily.

The tree stopped burning soaked from the rain plunging the area in darkness.

"What happened Gurgie?" asked the boss

"Ther....there" Gurgie trembled pointing at the cliff

"What is there?"

The other assassins stopped what they were doing and listened to their conversation. They looked towards where he was pointing in fear.

*thunder*

The lightning struck across the sky followed by thunder that rumbled like a beast to reveal a figure standing by the edge of the cliff.

It was looking down on the ground covered in dirt.

"GHOST!" shrieked Gurgie from the top of his lungs.

On hearing him, the figure lifted its head and looked at them.

"It is the ghost of that women" Gurgie continued, slipping on the wet floor.

The dirt washed away in the rain to uncover what appeared like platinum blonde hair covering its face. A single green eye was seen shining from underneath it.

The assassins felt as if its eye was piercing through them.

"MONSTER!" yelled another assassin. He was now convinced that it was the ghost of the dead Duchess.

"Haaah......."

The men flinched at the sound of her voice.

"I always knew I had a violent side to myself even back when I was in Korea. But now...."

Angelica ran her fingers through her wet hair and revealed her sharp emerald eyes. They were flaming like a beast looking down at its prey.

"Now I am really pissed" she spoke in a taunting tone looking at their scared faces.