Increase Talent: Become More Stronger!-Chapter 228: The Assassins

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Why... Why are they kissing?

Why are my sister and Mr. Noah... like that?

And more importantly, why didn’t Mr. Noah reject her kiss?

Why? What’s really going on?

At first, I thought it was just an accident.

But now, looking at them, they seem like lovers.

For some reason, a slight pain stung in Aisha’s heart.

She didn’t know why, but Aisha began to wonder—could it be possible for Celine and me to kiss too?

If she looked back, she knew it would be impossible for Celine and me to kiss in public.

But still—why? Why didn’t I reject Celine’s advances?

Badump!

Just from that, Aisha knew that Celine and I had a relationship beyond mere friendship.

Even so, Aisha couldn’t understand why her heart was pounding so fast.

Deep down, did she really like me?

Unfortunately, Aisha didn’t understand the feelings stirring inside her.

Instead, she chose to ignore them.

"Big sis... Are you and Noah... Are you two dating?"

For a moment, I couldn’t help but cough awkwardly.

From the look on Aisha’s face, I could tell she was being serious.

Maybe that’s why, without realizing it, I pushed Celine away.

"Celine... How could you?"

Before I could say more, Celine placed her hand over my mouth.

Because of that, I couldn’t speak a word.

"No. But it’s going to happen soon. So don’t worry too much. Noah is your future brother-in-law."

At first, Aisha looked confused.

But after a moment, her expression completely changed.

"Future brother-in-law? I see. But sis, you’ll still have to compete with me. I want Mr. Noah to dance with me."

Grab!

"What did you say? He’s my man. Do you think you can just take him from me?"

Pull!

What is happening…

How did I end up being fought over by two beautiful girls?

And more than that, both of them were daughters of the Emperor.

Even the expressions of the people watching us—they were full of envy.

From the beginning, many dreamed of getting close to the royal princesses.

But who would’ve thought? I’m the one being fought over by both of them.

And they know full well—I’m just a commoner.

But now, they must be wondering whether I truly deserve to be this close to the daughters of the Emperor.

Still, the fact that I’m now adopted by the Emperor is undeniable.

If this had been the old me, they would have laughed at the idea.

As Aisha and Celine pulled me from both sides, I suddenly noticed the room darkening.

And just as I feared, it happened.

In a split second, the palace windows shattered.

Several hooded figures burst in through them.

"Kill the crown prince! Don’t let him live!"

Oh no...

But honestly, I didn’t really care about what they were doing.

In fact, I was glad to finally be free from Aisha and Celine’s grip.

Without hesitation, I prepared to face the attackers.

Unfortunately, just as I readied myself, I saw Celine stepping in to protect me—as if she didn’t want me to get hurt.

"Noah! Be careful! They’re targeting you!"

"I know. Don’t worry."

"Assassins? How dare you... Do you really think you can kill my heir?"

Pressure!

Suddenly, a terrifying pressure filled the banquet hall.

Yet, judging from how I could still move, I knew this wasn’t directed at me.

Rather, the hooded attackers around me had collapsed to the floor.

Within seconds, the lights in the hall flickered back on.

Naturally, some of the nobles didn’t just sit still either.

Without delay, one of them stepped forward to support the Emperor.

There was no way these intruders could escape a noble family leader’s strike.

"Earth Creation."

Thud!

In a flash, earthen walls rose to form a prison in the center of the hall.

Soon after, the hooded attackers were fully restrained by the Empire’s forces.

But as expected, there was no way the assassins came unprepared.

Suddenly, their bodies began to vanish, as if nothing had happened.

At first, the nobles thought they had been tricked.

But unfortunately, what followed was very real.

I suddenly felt a murderous intent creeping up from behind.

In a split second, the demon inside me issued a warning.

"Step forward. Now."

Step!

Following its voice, I dodged an incoming dagger aimed at my back.

Initially, I wasn’t planning to retaliate too harshly.

But seeing how determined the attacker was to kill me, I changed my mind.

Without hesitation, I counterattacked.

Clang!

I might not have been overwhelmed, but still—the fact that my opponent was a True Warrior-level assassin was undeniable.

Maybe that’s why I was holding up so well.

Clang!

As my sword clashed against the attacker’s blade, I didn’t show any signs of struggling.

In fact, judging from their movements, I knew they were having a hard time keeping up with me.

Thak!

Suddenly, I saw the hooded figure try to throw a smoke bomb.

But it didn’t matter—I had already anticipated their escape plan.

Grab!

Without thinking, I seized their body and threw them.

Even though the smoke filled the room, I didn’t care.

I could still clearly sense everything around me.

With my instincts far surpassing that of a normal human, I could see through the darkness.

"You! Let me go! How dare you touch me!"

That voice... Is she a woman?

From the feel of her wrist in my grip, I could tell I was holding a woman’s hand.

And I knew my grip must be painful.

If she hadn’t tried to kill me, I wouldn’t have thrown her.

But I knew—I couldn’t let her go now.

Even if she was a woman, I didn’t care.

"How foolish. You’re the one who tried to kill me first. And now? You want me to let you go? How laughable."

I had to admit—I could see the fear in her eyes.

When she lifted her hood, I saw two pointed ears.

"An elf? And that hair color... she must be of noble blood," I thought, recognizing the girl before me.

Either way, there was no way I could let my guard down around her.

For some reason, I couldn’t help but recall the woman I met in the hidden chamber below.

If I remembered correctly, her name was Estelle.

And this girl... could she be related to her?

If not, then how could they both emit the same life force?

I began to suspect that the girl in front of me might be the princess of the elven kingdom.

But still... had she been abandoned by her own people?

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