“Hey, move out!”
“Ugh, it’s taking a dump!”
A large Duran began pooping in the middle of the road while pulling a carriage. People began moving away to avoid the poop, but the kids, instead running away, ran toward it to scoop it up. Duran feces served as good fuel for fire when dried up.
“Is that how it’s taken care of?”
“Yeah, that’s how the most useful ones are taken care of. There are some that require money to clean it out though,” Jinpok answered.
“It’s always hard to survive if you are weak and poor. That applies to the kids too.”
Jinpok smiled bitterly. It was obvious that he wasn’t happy to see the dark side of society. He then glanced around and pointed to a high hill within the town.
“It’s there.”
“Hmm…?” Joonbum frowned. It was quite high, but it was too far from the actual castle. It was impossible to snipe from that distance.
‘Why here?’
Jinpok was educated from Earth. He too knew the requirements of a sniper.
‘Wait. What if…?’
It made him think that Jinpok did not choose this place on a whim. Jinpok smiled.
“You see that shrine?”
“Yes.”
“The empire holds visits there on the first day of every month. The pope will be there too.”
“Then it can-”
“Yeah. You can kill both of them in one place.”
Doral was astounded. Joonbum took out his binoculars and examined the shrine.
‘It’s amazing.’
The shrine was made out of white stones, beautifully structured together. It was a masterpiece that was made by thousands of skilled artisans. Jinpok commented as Joonbum kept examining it.
“The emperor will come by carriage and the pope will come out to greet him. That’s when you can make a shot.”
Joonbum nodded. It was every simple but effective. The distance was just enough to make a shot.
“That tree will do. Doral and I will keep an eye out for anyone around. No one will connect the dots between the sound and the death. We can return safely after that and let them fight with each other,” Jinpok explained. He too, knew of Joonbum’s motive behind this assassination.
“I like this place,” Doral commented as the two discussed on how to proceed with the assassination. It seemed like Doral loved the place, which was out of the crowded city.
“This looks like a good spot to take a shot. Is it about a thousand yards? No wind, good distance. Looks good.”
Jinpok seemed to be proud to hear Doral commenting on the spot.
“Okay, I’ll leave you two to work on the spot. I’ll take care of my business. I’ll see you back at the inn at night.”
“Are you going alone?”
“Yeah.”
Jinpok spoke and waved his hand.
“It’s my personal matter. I’ll see you later.”
Joonbum stared at Jinpok as he walked away. When he was gone, Doral asked Joonbum silently.
“Are you really going to let him go alone?”
Joonbum smiled and turned to Doral.
“It looks interesting, so we should follow him. We’ll just peek from a distance.”
They decided to follow Jinpok.
*
Jinpok let out a big sigh at the front of a huge building. He seemed very nervous.
“I’m finally back.”
He looked at the building. It had been a long time since he came here. The building too, looked little worn from the time it had been standing.
“But I’m not the old me. I have faced countless hardships! I imagined about this day… to face that old man and my wife’s evil brothers!”
Jinpok spoke to himself to shake away his nervousness. He then approached the old guard standing at the gate.
“Huh? Viscount Falic? I’m not sure.”
“OH! Viscount Falic sold the property to Count Tyroon twenty years ago and left.”
“WHAT?”
Jinpok looked dumbfounded from what he found out.
“Yes, it’s been a long time… but I heard his daughter fell in love with some lowly mercenary and ran off. Poor girl, she must have been fooled!”
The guard sighed as he remembered about what he knew from the past. Jinpok coughed and asked for more information.
“Oh, so another noble family that was engaged with the viscount’s daughter asked for payment instead. I believe it was Marquis Nohourin. You know them, don’t you? They’re the greediest nobles that ever lived! I think that forced them to sell their building and all… I heard they lost a lot of money when the merchant group they were sponsoring were attacked by the bandits too.”
The guard explained what he knew. Jinpok calmly listened.
“So, old man. You know a lot.”
“Yeah, I reckon I do. Young people these days won’t know as much.”
“Do you know where they went after selling this place?”
“Hmm. I think I might remember… but I’m too thirsty to know. Hmm?”
The old guard began coughing and Jinpok quickly took out a silver coin and handed it over to him.
“Have this and buy a drink later.”
“Oh, you have a good heart! I remember now. I think they moved to the west, a commoner’s area. I heard they have a big house there. You should find out quick once you get there.”
“Thank you for the information.”
Jinpok bowed and turned back. Then the old guard shouted to Jinpok, who seemed to be intrigued by him.
“Who are you anyways? Why are you asking about them?”
It was too late to ask, but the old guard just asked without much expectation.
“I’m the mercenary.”
“Huh?”
Jinpok walked away and the guard just stared at him, bewildered.
