I would like to thanks you guys for keeping on reading this one. In this chapter, Lubbock is a bit occ.
Once again, thanks for reading and please review. I am sorry for my poor English grammar. I will try to improve more in up coming chapter.
I panting and lying my back against the wall. I slowly knee down after a long run again. Damn, my arms huts. Those damn thugs. I have to admit I become clumsier than few years ago. I cover my hand on injures near my shoulder when the pain strike again. I hope no one saw me running here.
I stare at the wall and remembering what I just did to those thug. Thanks to them, I am hiding from guards because I know, they will assume me as the member of the Night Raid.
Few hours ago.
The three men from before quietly break inside the store. However, thanks to the thread which has covering the store, I was ever to predict the movement and number of the intruders.
"Be quiet. That chick still sleeping" one of the men slowly open the door in my room. I at that time was hiding behind the door. Thanks for my feminine body, I was ever to hide in small blind area. I quietly move behind one of men. I place my left hand on his head and my other hand on his chin. I then twist his head very hard until I can hear a loud crack on his neck. The sound was loud making the other man look at their fallen partner.
I immediately grab the knife that he caught and using it by throwing the knife at the one that was in front of me. The knife hit the head which instant kill him. Two men down. Last one to go.
"You little!" He took out his gun and unlike other two, this one faster. He quickly pull the trigger and thank of his lack of aiming, one of the bullets hits my left arm while the other bullets missed. The man punch me and then slam me on the floor causing the floor to break and I fell with it. My back immediately slam on the floor causing me to split blood.
"Well this is your end now little girl" The man jumps from his initial position and land in front of me. My body was hurting really badly as the man approaching me. He then, grab me by the neck and lift me until my feet can't touch the ground.
"It such a shame you have a pretty face but the lady already paid us and you already kill two of my men. So said any last word?" The man grin at me like a mad man as I look like I struggling. I then slowly smile like an arrogant brat.
"This is my store and I telling you one little secret" I look down on him as he give me the 'not-understand' look at me. The man expression quickly changes as something just tie his neck causing him to choke. The man let go of me causing me to fell on my knee while he is trying to find the cause of his choking.
"This store is cover with thread. The moment you jump down from here, and grab my neck, that is when I reel my thread to tie your neck" I smile as I slowly trying to stand up. The man froze as the thread becomes tighter.
"I am not going to choke you to defeat" I approach the man, as he look at me with a fear look. I grip my hand really hard, ordering the thread to do as I command. With that, a big crack sound was produce and the man who was choking just now, fell down lifelessly. "I just going to break your neck"
I quickly slam myself against the bookshelf as I reel back my thread and the pain slowly appear. The wound from the fall and the gun really hurts. I hear a voice coming from outside. Panic starting to flow and without thinking, I quickly used my secret back door and escape before the imperial barged into my store. I also quickly hide my Teigu from the eyes.
After a few minutes running and it is clear that no one is chasing me, I rest myself at the dark corner of the city. And that is how I got myself here.
"Damn! It already pass midnight and I am sure that most clinic already closing" I look at my arm and the blood continue to flow out from my arm. I slowly move my hand from my wound to cover it more which release more pain in my arm.
"Lubo..san?" just then I heard the same feminine voice. I look at my right and saw the same woman I met this evening. What is she doing here in this late hour?
"Ai-san?" I look at her and she look very worry when she saw the bleeding on my arm.
"I going to call some help" she call her guard to help checking on me. She really is a rich girl. Figures.
"She really wounded. It be best we take her to the master" one of the soldier quietly help me without asking me if I okay or not.
"We talk you to see my father. He is a great doctor and I am sure he will to help you" Ai tells me about her father as we enter her caravan and heading straight to her mansion.
"There you go. It might take a while for your wound to heal" The doctor, who is at his late 40, wearing an expensive clothing and has fair blonde hair with blue eyes and has a darker skin tone, smile after he finish treating my wound.
"Thank you, Dr. Yazuki, I feel a bit better now" I smile back and then look at my arm and body that cover with bandages. I am currently sitting on a comfortable chair in Ai's mansion.
"How did you get that wound?" Ai who has been fatefully sitting next to her father, ask with worry looks.
"My house was been rob by some thugs and because of I saw their face, they thought of eliminated me. I was manage to escape but thanks to their attacks, I had a little hard time running. Thankfully Ai-san here found me" I make a quick, lie story about what happen. The doctor and Ai seem relief to hear.
"I glad I found you and take you to my father. If not, those wound will be worst" Ai smile softly as she look at me.
"How about you stay here for a while? We can have our maid to look after you until you are completely recovery. It is also late and it will be dangerous if those men where come back for you" The doctor offer. I look at him for a while.
"Alright then. But what actually Ai-san doing in the middle of the night?" I agree and ask Ai. As far I know, most people would not dare to come out and walking in this late of hour because there said, Night Raid will appear during at night. There are 'Night' Raid so it is understanding why they appear during night hour.
"I was visiting my friend and I lost track of time. We get used to coming home late so this is normal for us" Ai answer with a smile but I know I saw her sweating. I smile at her saying that I understand but the truth is I understand she is lying to me. I see many people lie and spoke truth. Because of that, I can predict and tell if she lying or not. In this case, she is.
"How about I ask my maid to take you to your room?" Ai call her maid as I slowly standing up. Two maid enter the room and I am wondering why they cover their lower part of their face?
"This is Emily and Anna. They will guide you to your room" Ai make a quick introduction and order her maid. They nodded and politely asking me to following them. I grab my jacket which hide my Teigu and later follow the two maid.
As I walk in this hallway, I saw some of the maids and butlers are busy cleaning the hallway. It still bugs me. Why they cover their lower part of their faces with white mask and bandage on their neck? Why they look a bit tired? This mansion feel like a haunted house with their workers like that.
"Here is your room, miss. Please take a good rest. The one of us will come in and clean your wound once you wake up again" Emily who has an orange hair spoke with gentle voice as the two maids bow. I slowly walk into the room while the two maids left me alone in this room.
The room is bigger than my old room and in this room, there is a queen-size bed, nightstand, a lamp on a nightstand, a desk with a chair and an empty closet. This must be for their guest. While I am alone, I quickly check the room and there is nothing out of ordinary. I place my jacket on the chair and slowly put the Teigu inside the drawer of the desk. I then walking to the bed and land myself on it. So far nothing is happen.
"This mansion feel really wrong. I should be careful with them" I sigh before I close my eyes and let my mind rest. This entire night has already 'killing' my body and I must rest for now.
A week has pass and nothing seems out of ordinary. My wound are slowly heal since I stuck in this mansion. I also making some new friends with the maids and butlers. From my view, the workers here is from the countryside and willing to overwork themselves for money. Sometimes I ask what is under the mask but they said because of the doctor ask to and I know they never asking why.
During my free time, the doctor lean me some of his book in his room because he knows I like to read. I something have a conversation with the doctor and Ai (when is at home) while I slowly uncover this mansion's story.
Few years ago, the doctor used to have a beautiful wife and a young teenage son who he said was about my age. His wife and son were kill when they on their way home from the countryside. Since then, it always has been the two of them. He also said that he approved Ai's lover, Weler and also said Ai is going to be a good doctor. Her greatest idol is the doctor's friend name Dr. Stylish who currently working with the imperial. He said that the doctor has magic hand and has an interesting persona.
"Hey, Emily. Where is Mika and Veny? I have not seem them since yesterday" I ask the first maid I met while she is cleaning my room and I am reading a book. Emily, Mika and Veny are the only three maid that I get close too since they the only who help changing my bandage and cleaning the room.
"Mika and Veny 'went' home to their home town last night. They must had forgot to say goodbye for you" Emily said with a cold tone which I can tell something bad must happen.
"It is okay to tell me what is happening here. I promise I keep quiet" I smile gently but Emily only silent and continue cleaning.
"Something wrong?" I ask when Emily look at me with a sad eyes.
"Miss Lubbock. For all my time working here, you are the kindest person I ever met. Unlike any Lady Ai's guest, you are the only one who were kind to all of us and even had time to talk to us. I happy that I get to meet you" Emily give me a warm hug to me as I hug her back.
"Anna will going to 'check' on you tonight" I blink when she said the word 'check' like there is another meaning to it. She then whisper to my ear something as I blink.
"Have a nice day, Miss Lubbock" Emily bow and I can tell she is smiling at me before she left the room. I stare at the door and for some reason I feel like I am not going to see Emily again.
During dinner, I sit next to Ai in their luxurious dining room and Ai who keep on talking about Weler and what they been doing this entire day. The doctor only smile while eating his food.
"Is your wound heal already?" the doctor ask while he and his daughter look at me with a smile on their face.
"Is about to. I think another good rest and I be good as new. I thank you for taking care of me. I should be recover soon and off my way back to my poor store" I smile kindly to them despite been an act.
"I see, I am going to miss your company here" the doctor nodded politely while Ai look a bit disappointing.
"I feel is like yesterday that you coming in into this mansion. I wish you could stay longer. I know, how about we play dress-up tomorrow. I have a lot of clothes and I think you should try them all" Ai give me her big smile but I know she is still faking in front of me.
"Miss Lubbock are still young and beautiful. I am sure many men will like you and maybe even asking on a date" The doctor praise and tease me a little while I can only smile at him.
"Excuse my rudeness but I think I should go back to my room. I already full and I need to change my bandage before I when to bed" I bow politely as I take my leave. I quickly enter my room and slam my back against the door. I sigh relief that they didn't notice my off acting.
"Miss Lubbock, I am here to change your bandage" Anna knock the door and I let her enter. When she enter, on her hand is not the empty tray, a ball of bandage and some medicine that they usually brought. No. This time is a white clean shirt, blue knee-length pain and a hoodie cape.
"Emily ask me to give this to you and want you to escape from here. There will be few guard in this mansion since some of them following the lady to 'study' while some guarding the doctor. There is a secret door that lead you outside the mansion without anyone knowing. Please escape while they off guard" Anna quickly hand me the clothes which make me wonder why.
"Before you go, tell me what Emily up too and why she sent you to give this to me?" I ask and I really hope they answer honestly to me. Anna silent for a while before she take of the white mask that was covering her lower part of her face. I shock.
"What they have done to you?" I look disgusted at the place where Anna hide. Her cheek is cover with weird dark infection which make me feel disgusted. What kind of disease is this and why Anna can still smiling?
"This is one of the doctor's experiment. He used us, workers, to create a new disease that can kill the revolutionary army in just few hours. The doctor never give us the antidote and many of us are already died because of the infection inside our body. Only when you come into this mansion, the doctor conduct less experiment than he used too" Anna told me everything as her slowly wearing the mask back.
"And Ai?" I ask about the daughter because I know it will be impossible for a daughter didn't know about this.
"She maybe release her stress at her 'maids' at a small house which is 1 km from north-east of this mansion. Even since you come here, Lady Ai's torture has become more painful and intense. She release all her anger to us every time she saw you, smiling and happy with all of us. Emily told me that Lady Ai is going to torture you the moment your body recover. Because of that, Emily ask me to hand the clothes to you and ask you to escape while there is not many guard" Anna immediately left the room and leaving me stunning with that knowledge. I don't get a chance to ask her where is Emily.
I always knew this family is sick and twisted. I already plan to leave before anyone find out that I already recover. But I never knew, that the workers here were been used and beaten by this family. And Ai, I always knew she never likes me but to go ask far as release her anger to the maid. To Anna and the others.
"Ai, you gone too far. It looks like my disgusted and anger towards you can no longer stand with that twisted mind of yours" I whisper softly as I feel like I want to kill that woman right now. I quickly change my clothes and then heading to the closet to take out my green jacket.
"Well, my dear friend. It is about time we do this one more time" I smile as I open the drawer of my desk and saw my Teigu still in peace. I wears the gloves on my hand and put the stool at the back of my pant. I check my Teigu and the gear and the thread all still working with me. I then close the light and make my bed looks like someone is sleeping.
I wait for few minutes to make sure that there is no one in front of my door. I slowly open to take a peek and relief that there is no one guarding the room. I slowly step outside my room and take another look around in case there is someone approaching here.
"Anna said, Ai is at small house which is 1 km north-east from here" I walk quietly in this hallway while thinking how to get to where Lady Ai is. Jumping from third floor is a pain and there are guard down there. Exist through the front door is off the question. I sigh as I look at a huge window of the hallway. The moon shine beautifully tonight.
"Everyone! Move to the front line now!"
"Make sure don't let any of them get close into the mansion!"
"That!"
I hear the sound of bullets and yelling on the courtyard. I look down and see the guards are shooting at someone. Just then, a young girl with black hair, has a red eyes and wearing a black uniform with black jacket, slaying every guard that she see.
"Isn't that Akame? Why is she.." Another assassin appear and this time a man wearing an armor. By the first look, I can tell that is a Teigu. Akame and armor Teigu user. Wait.
"They here to assassinate the doctor and Ai"
I quickly run in the hallway and heading to the backdoor which happen to be at the kitchen. I thank for the workers here that willing to show me around the mansion. If I use the backdoor I might…
"My, oh my, what do we have here?"
I stop run as I see an unfamiliar female figure walking the opposite direction from me. I slowly can see her appearance once she step into the light of the moon. She has a long messy blonde hair with cat ear on it, wearing a sexy revealing outfit which I can see the size of that breast of her is like… I might keep that to myself. Her hand is like a fury beast hand and she also has a tail. From my standing, she must be a Teigu user as well. Maybe the bell on her waist.
"You must be one of Night Raid" I look at her while she smirk playfully at me. My guess is right. By the look the way she is standing in front of me, I can tell she must has been a strong assassin plus with a Teigu, she is someone that I need to escape.
"Yup, sweetie. And since you know my face, I can't let you live" The blonde woman smirk playfully again at me. In a blink, she already in front of me, ready to punch my head. Luckily I manage to dodge it but the claw of her hand hits my cheek. I quickly grab her arm and with all the force I have, I slam her into the floor. However, using that strong force on her cause the pain from the gun begin to sting again. Even my back is hurting again.
"I should get goin-" Just I about to leave, the woman quickly grab my neck and slam hard my back again the floor causing the floor to crack and I split blood on her face. Luckily I manage to wrap by body using my thread under my shirt or else that slam will paralyze or even kill me.
"That was one hell of slam on the back. I have to admit you are strong. Initially, I thought of letting you live since you never involved with that scheme but I guess I was wrong. If I didn't meet you here, I am sure you going to help our target's escape" the woman sigh and prepare her fist to leave a finishing blow.
"Sadly you are wrong" I smile as if I mock her as she blink.
"What proof do you have that I am going to help that mad doctor and his daughter? You may be an assassin but you totally letting a lot of opening" the woman look at me with confusing. Just then, she quickly let go of my neck and jumps few step back from me. As her eyes finally focus on what has surrounding me.
"A Teigu user?" The woman look shock as I slowly stand up after that slam. Damn. I thought I get her. I pant slowly as I trying to think what my next move is. My teigu is more of an defensive type then offensive type. Well I still trying to learn this teigu.
"This is my first time to actually fight again another Teigu user" The woman slowly use her usual smirk and in battle position. This woman sure like to have a fight but I running out of times. If I dual with her, the other Night Raid will come here soon.
"It hope this works or I will died" I close my eyes as I slowly feel my Teigu. I quickly control my gear and command my thread to surround our entire surrounding making the woman at least lost focus on me.
"When I am on my beast form, my sense such as smell, hear and sight become more powerful. I also become quicker than I was before" The woman charge and she manage to avoid all of my thread. From first look, she look like a lion trying to lay a claw on me.
"But I am sure even a lion cannot escape from my thread" the woman blink causing her to be a little distract and I barely manage to avoid her punch before hitting my face. I quickly get closer to her and manage to wrap my thread around her neck. I tighten my thread by reel them in and causing the woman to be in choke.
"That was scary" I knee down not because of fear but my body start to the painful sore due to this woman attack me.
"Aren't you going to finish me?" the woman grin even do I trap her neck with my thread. I sighed softly before I try to read my thread.
"I have few minutes before your friends get to you or to her" I sighed again before I standing up and approaching the lion lady. I need to be quick to catch up with Ai before she escape or Night Raid kill her.
"I guess the fastest way to exist this mansion is.." I quickly tie both the woman hand so that she wouldn't try to do any sneaky thing on me. I immediately grab her neck and with all the force that I have, I throw her at the window. I quickly reel back my thread before the woman's body clash with the window
The window clash and I quickly used my thread to wrap around her waist. I reel my gear to drag me closer to woman. As both of us fall, I used her as my landing pillow and we crash on the bushes.
"That was a painful" I quickly get out the bushes while the woman seem to be out cold.
"Sorry but it was needed to" I quickly run toward the north-east where there should be a small house there. God. This back is killing me and my leg starting to get exhausted. But I have to hurry. I need to deal with Ai before the Night Raid does.
"Lady Lubbock!" One of the guard approach me after I run for about few minutes from mansion. I pant hardly before I catching my breath while the guard who approaching me asking me if I alright or anything. I slowly look at my surrounding at all I see is a guard in front of me, Ai who is cover by three of her guard and a house bigger than my building.
"Lubo-chan, I am glad you are alright. I heard there is an intruder in the mansion and I was worry about…." Ai smile relief and look all worry. I eyeing at the guard in front of me and he had many opening. Plus, I saw a big knife on him. So I quickly grab his knife and stab him in the neck as his blood spray on me. Her three guard was on their guns the moment they see the blood on me
"Why, Lubo-chan? Why did you kill him?!" Ai look horrifying and starting to cry while hiding behind her guards who seem like they also scare with my action and ready to fire me.
"Stop with that fake cry of yours. I know that you are lying from the day we met. Your acting and crying skill is so obvious that even a child can see you are faking" I mock her with a smile which lead her to stop crying. She step in front of her guards with an unpleasant aura.
"How dare you mock me! You have no idea how much I want to skin that pretty face of yours and then tormenting you in the worst possible way. I should had let you died from those three idiot who were kill by an assassin!" Ai finally shown her wicked self as I watch how miserable she is.
"But no. I thought I should take you back to my little lab here and treat you like any of my pigs are! But no! My father who saw you for the first time, immediately take liking on you!" Ai slowly place her palm on her face to trying to hide her wicked smile but I can see it clearly.
"My father, who never once talk or even look for me, suddenly shown all the side I never seen on him to you. He smile, he laugh, he even willing to spend with you the garden with you who he often do when my brother is still alive. Is like you are his daughter and I just some sort of 'ghost' in his eyes" Ai laugh like a mad woman.
"I will never forgive you! Because of you, Weler who is the only man that ever treat me with care and love, choosing you as well. He often thinking and worrying about you and he even ignore me when we on a date. How many men must you took away from me! If I died tonight then, I rather see you died first! Guards!" Ai point her finger at me meaning ordering her guards to shoot me.
As I was about to create a barrier, the pain sting on my arm again causing me to froze temporarily. Why now?! Why in times like this? I curse myself as I can heard Ai laughing before the sound of bullets firing at me.
"Hold still!" just in a nick of time, someone appear in front of me and embrace me with a hug. He quickly covering from any bullets that coming directly to me and I can hear the bullets hits him. Few seconds later, the sound of bullets stops and replace with a gasp.
"What is he?!"
"No one can heal like that?!"
"He is a monster!"
I slowly look at the man and surprised once again to see HIM again. The stranger who saved and help me before. Su-san. Why he is here?
"Don't just stand there! Kill the both of them!" I can heard Ai frustration when she order her men. I about to stand and used my teigu until Su-san stop me.
"Stay here!" Su-san command as he turn his back on me and face Ai's guard. Two of the guards are holding their sword and running toward us while the other man still holding his gun for back up. Su-san sigh as he take out his weapon and just a blink, he already kill two of Ai's guard.
The last guard freak out as he starting to shoot aimlessly. Su-san perfectly block all the bullets even the bullets that were directly to me. Su-san quickly lay a strong punch on the last guard causing Ai to scream in shock as he sent the last guard fly and accidentally open the door of a small house. Ai crawl backward inside the small house as she has no longer has any guards or protection.
"Wait!" I call out as I slowly approaching the house while Su-san eyeing at me until I enter in the house. Inside this house was like a manhunt. Corpse are hanging with no clothes and full with marks and bruised. Some of the corpse has the same infection disease like Anna is. Some, has burning marks, bruises and even some prisoner that are dying because of the thing Ai did.
What really shock me is not this corpse but the first thing that I saw is someone that I familiar with. Someone who I wish I could said goodbye before.
"Emily?" I stare at her corpse. All cover with bruise and mark of infection. On her face, I can see she is smiling making look like she is dying in peace. Behind her, there also another corpse that I familiar with. Mika and Veny, the maid who I befriend with. Steven the butler who something clean my room, Ailo, a little boy who work at the garden and Seki, the butlers who like to make dirty jokes at me. They all has a smile on their face
"I think I see enough" I said coldly as I approaching Ai who look at me with fear.
"P-ple-please. It was a joke just now! I can explain why Emily is there! You see.." Ai immediately talking nonsense at me as I knee down on her and grab her collar. I pause for a while.
"I pretty sure, you and 'them' has explain to me enough" I smile kindly at her before I lay a strong punch on her face. I keep on doing it until, the skin on her face is ripping and the sound of broken bone inside her skull is like a music to me. I even forgot about my pain inside of me. Su-san, quickly grab my wrist meaning to stop punching her.
"She already dead. There is no use for keep this up" Su-san said in his calm voice as I silent and he still not letting my hand go. He knows, if he let go, I will continue this meaningless punching on her face. I continue to silent until I let go of Ai. Su-san slowly let go of my wrist.
"Thank you. At very least, I manage to kill her before Night Raid does" I smile as tear covering my cheek. I feel like I manage to get revenge for those people. I should be happy but I can't. My head become dizzy and I slowly can't feel my body.
Su-san immediately grab me the moment I off balance. He let me rest my head on his arm cause me to look at him. God, he look so handsome. I don't mind dying on his arm if this continue. Before I realize, I pass out on his arm. Such a luck.
Thanks for reading and don't worry, she is not died. Next chapter, Lubbock is stuck with Night Raid.