CH 159.1

Chapter 159.1. The Bell Rings On New Year’s Eve

-?’s POV-

New Year’s Eve. On the quiet and deserted pier, where no ships are supposed to be moving, and no pedestrians are seen, a single ship arrives and drops anchor to dock.

It’s a medium-sized cruiser.

It’s a luxurious vessel capable of accommodating around 20 people, intended for wealthy individuals to enjoy a lively cruise with their friends.

In the darkness, the cruiser sways with the waves as it docks. Even if someone happened to be there, one would assume it was just some rich kid celebrating extravagantly this New Year’s Eve. And dismiss it with envy and disdain.

In other words, it doesn’t give off a suspicious vibe. If it were a cargo ship or fishing boat, one might question why it’s here on New Year’s Eve. However, people don’t pay much attention to those they consider wealthy or capricious.

Glimpses of nobless aboard the cruiser celebrating parties offshore on New Year’s Eve can be seen. Those who have money tend to do things in a flashy manner. Even people on the pier would probably think that way.

However, inside the ship, it was desolate. Only minimal interior lighting illuminated the floor, and there was no sign of any people. A man lazily yawns while sitting at the helm, appearing increasingly disinterested.

As a result, the ship became even less intriguing, but the distortions emerged as it moved along the pier. Not only one, but several distortions emerged, and they disappeared into the dark, dominating pier.

No one noticed this, as the sound of the waves drowned out everything with a sizzling noise.

Snowflakes fell from the sky, piling up silently, and the pier gradually turned white.

Within that scene, the distortions moved along the concrete pier. Upon closer inspection, these distortions took on human forms, and when passing by streetlights scattered throughout, they cast their shadows on the ground.

There is something there. If one were a magician, one would immediately deduce its true identity. That’s someone hiding using the [Stealth] magic.

“Hehehe. Nice, nice. I can’t help but feel that we’re about to engage in some dangerous activities.”

The voice of a young man, clearly in high spirits, could be heard, followed by the sound of footsteps.

“…We are in the midst of a covert operation.”

“Heh, there’s no one here. Look, it’s so quiet, right?”

There is voice of a restrained woman can be heard. But the young man’s voice chooses to ridicule and chuckle at him.

“There are surveillance cameras and monitoring magic as well. For now, I’ve hacked into the surveillance cameras to show nothing. I’ve skillfully destroyed the magic. But I don’t think there’s any need to take unnecessary risks.”

“You’re such a stickler. I hate weaklings.”

“It’s dangerous, you know? If we can’t accomplish the objective because of you. The reward will be gone. Money is at stake here. We’ve already spent quite a bit to get this far.”

“Money, money, money. I’m sick of it, always talking about money. That’s why you guys are just small fry. That’s unlike me. From now on, I’ll become a hero who defeats the strong. I should be able to be more dignified.”

She feels frustrated towards that voice, seemingly filled with pretentious self-admiration, and wants to shout at him, “You’re just a mere assassin, aren’t you?” But she bites their lip and holds back.

There’s no doubt that this idiot is strong. She has to handle him carefully.

“Alright then, Nagamasa-sama. The destination is Warehouse Number 8 in that block over there. The transport truck is parked there.”

She points to one of the fish-shaped warehouses lined up on the pier.

“Oh, is that it?”

She hears an excited voice, and footsteps resound as footprints appear in the snow.

“Your [Stealth] is useless, you know!”

“Once we’re inside the warehouse, we won’t have to worry anymore, right?”

She tries to caution Nagamasa but dismisses it and continues without care. They arrive in front of the thick metal door of the warehouse and pound on it.

“Hey! Are you ready? It’s me, Genshin Nagamasa!”

His rough voice and crude actions finally dispel the {Stealth] magic, and a giant man oozes out of thin air, sparking with energy.

It’s none other than Genshin Nagamasa, appearing with a confident smile. Even though he wears heavily armored magic gear, you can see through the gaps that he’s a man with well-trained muscles.

He’s Genshin Nagamasa, a former imperial member who possesses the [God Fist] that can destroy anything and the [GodArmor] that no attack can penetrate.

“Y-Yes, I’ll open it now.”

Along with the panicked voice of a timid girl, the metallic door creaks open, revealing a glimpse of the warehouse with the truck inside. According to the briefing, that truck is a modified one they’ll use for transportation by Nagamasa and his group.

Nagamasa feels his heart dance with excitement, unable to hide his smile. The time has come to raise the banner of counterattack.

He will kill many of the emperor’s powerful ministers, spreading chaos and making his name known.

Clutching his fist with strength, wearing a grotesque smirk, he laughs gleefully, envisioning the chaos of the future Japan Magic Empire.

“If I join the military, will I be able to use that power? Do they think my power is only useful for defeating monsters? I’ll slaughter those idiots who looked down on me. Just wait and see. I’ll create a world where the power of a true hero shines.”

He’s enveloped in anger, voicing his resentment, harboring delusions, and carrying hope for the future, Nagamasa sneers.

Among the Royal Family, Nagamasa was the only one who got ridiculed in the past.