A-Alright guys, I can explain. AFTER THIS CHAPTER AJSDSALDASDHBJA
"An... Anu... I don't how to read this thing."
I kept walking down the road, trying to read the famous manuscript. It was written in an unknown language... And I really wanted to know what these drawings mean. Maybe it's a hoax or something...
"...?" I noticed how some pages were stuck, bounding together some pages.
I shouldn't try to pry them open but... It's not like they'll care.
I slowly used two fingers to separate one of the stuck pages. I had pretty much screwed up the drawing, as it really didn't come out as it should. However, the illegible text was intact.
And that means pretty much nothing, because I can't read it. In exception of a few words...
"Roman..." Pretty sure that's what it says. This book seems like is written on latin, or something. So it must be pretty old...
Like a thousand years old... Wait a damn second.
Does this thing contain secrets of teigus? The names I know are: Murasame, Specter and... Hekatonkheires, or something like that. I prefer Koro, if you ask me.
Maybe I can find those names in here.
However, in this page the most repeated word was 'roman'. I decided to separate another of the pages, even more carefully.
This time I wanted to have the drawing, because at least I can get some information out of them... I stopped as soon as I saw the painting being torn apart. I would need some dissolvent... And what the hell is this.
There... There weren't any letters. Instead they had... small symbols. No, symbols isn't the word. It's more like... I don't know. The text goes downwards, instead o-
"AH!" A girl bumped into me, and we both fell to the ground. What is it with me bumping into people today?
The manuscript had fallen to the ground, along with the weirdly shaped bag she was holding. Without saying anything, the girl grabbed the sack and started running again. She must be in a hurry.
"Wait! You dropped... Never mind." She had already disappeared before I said those words. I grabbed the manuscript again, and checked the object she had dropped.
I kneeled down while I inspected the... strange sword.
I'm not an expert blacksmith but... What is this thing made of? It's definitely not light or heavy, the right weight for my hand, although I could probably remove this chain in the handle. But this eye... I'm sure it's looking at me. It must be just a jewel, right?
I could use a second sword...
Wait, wait, wait.
"...!"
This sword was freaking yelling at me. I was hearing it scream... No. Howling at me. What the hell...?
Why would I want this?! It's not mine and there isn't something so crazy in this world that can talk... Unless it is a teigu, but so far out in the middle of nowhere? Yeah, right.
B-But I can't leave you here all alone, right? You want a new home...
I'm being brainwashed by this thing... but if you are a teigu...
"Come on, do something teigu-like."
"..."
I'm talking to a sword. Clearly I can't fall more than this.
I don't have another sheath though... I can't bring you with me... And I'm not leaving my sword here. It's my last memory of my friends.
...
Screw it, I'll hide you along the way. That's what you wanted, right? Well, have a nice life as my secondary sword, because I'm not... using you...
Alright, maybe once...
Don't mess with me sword, I'm a... crazy man.
"Fine then... Teigu, activate!"
The vague silence of the road made me realize how stupid I sounded. Akame doesn't need to activate her teigu... perhaps this thing has its own unique ability, but I don't want to risk it on myself.
Perhaps I'm actually going mad, and this sword isn't actually talking. What a plot twist that would be.
As soon as I arrived to the capital, a scout from the HQ made me return the manuscript. After confirming it was real, of course. He gave me a very strange look... because I'm still holding the sword. I'm trying to hide it in my coat... It worked, most of the times. I just have to reach my room, and leave there m- I mean, this sword.
I made it to the barracks swiftly, but I couldn't help but notice the heavy atmosphere. It was quiet... Too quiet.
Better for me, I guess.
As I walked down the hallway, I saw one soldier turning around as soon as he saw me. Did something happened? He seems pretty nervous.
"Hey, it's something wrong?" I called him out, but he dodged the question.
"I... I have an important mission, sir. Excuse me." He ran past me, without looking at me.
My heart is aching...
What happened...
I shook my head, dismissing the faint pain I felt in my chest and continued forward. The sword... The teigu is the first priority. It's mine.
I have a teigu.
It's all mine...
Now I'll be able... to accomplish your wish, Ieyasu! I don't need the Revolution. I'll be the one to reign. The one who will defeat the Great General, Esdese, the Prime Minister, the Emperor...!
Nobody will be able to stop me... That's right.
Breathe, Tatsumi...
Don't rush things. We still have to find some allies and become a general. Until then... I'll just fantasize about it. That's the only thing you're useful for, brain.
I got into my room, and dropped the teigu-sword below my bed, behind the bag I carried from home.
I can't be seen with that sword anymore. Unless the situation requires it.
I checked that everything was intact, and left the room with a sigh. Now, where is nee-chan.
She normally shows up when I enter...
Maybe she's totally rejecting me. She can't be that mad, can she? But the mere thought... it hurts.
She wouldn't do that... She is just caught up with something.
I'll see if Egu has returned from the mission... I'll tell him to help me. I have a lot of things to apologize for... I can't deserve a girl like her.
Agh! Stop being depressing. At the cost of repeating myself, It's not over until it's over. There's nothing to be over, so technically that phrase means nothing. You get what I'm saying.
But the thing is, where is he? This place is deserted. Don't tell me Night Raid was really involved. That... That can't be right.
They're not stupid enough to face them. Then again... everyone with the right mind wouldn't face them. I guess that explains why she actually killed one.
Perhaps the HQ...?
I headed towards the entrance once again. The hallways were cold, a grim sensation filling me little by little. The night must be falling... that must be it.
"Ah! Egu, I was looking..." I felt a stung in my heart.
He was heavily bandaged, mostly his arms and legs. He was still wearing a bloody uniform that just made me feel even worse. Had he come right away...?
"They... weren't friendly." He let out a weak smirk, not facing me.
"N-Night Raid? H-How many have...?" My tongue couldn't move quickly enough. I had never... lost anybody in my squadron. Not even during the raid... If somebody died, it will be my fault.
"...Three, and another four injured, included myself." I felt my heart trying to escape my chest.
I placed my hand in my face, trying to process everything. It's alright... they will have a place to rest at least... Even then, why...!
"Th-There was... a-another victim... You should... probably sit."
Confusion... that was what I felt. Or maybe I did know, and just didn't want to think it.
"What? Tell me, I won't try anything."
I didn't move... and I saw him move his lips.
...I stop breathing.
...My mind stops.
...Even time stops.
...What...What...Is this?...What is this?!
...This can't be...This can't be happening!
This world is covered in two colors. The black of despair... and the red of blood.
Just trying to think it wasn't like this... wasn't enough.
And...And...
"...That... That can't be it... Seryu is... Seryu... She wouldn't..."
She can't be dead. There is no way... she didn't know where we were heading... No, she could have very well have heard it but... She promised me that she would stay alive...
I can't think. My mind is blank.
"That's impossible... K-Koro protects her, right?!"
My question didn't get an answer, because I already knew it.
You are... You were one of Night Raid's important targets...? Is that the reason...? But you were important to me too.
Then why?!
"Seryu...? Seryu?!" My legs started moving on their own. "Where is she." My throat was dry, everything in my brain had been neglected to the side.
"...A man named 'Stylish' said..."
I felt my anger surpass the limits I ever experienced. That... That... fucker... Why did he let her...! Why did he let her go?! She was obviously not in her best form! He didn't care?! He didn't care, did he?!
I moved forward, but I felt worse with every step. My vision gets dull... My head aches... I feel dizzy... And nauseous.
"No... It's not her... it's not...!"
The closer I moved to the door, the calmer by breathing gets.
The more I walk, the cooler my body becomes.
That's right... Even while I'm thinking this...
I've completely lost control.
That mad doctor... has lost the privilege to live. Because I have erased it.
"Stylish. Where is he."
I feel like I'm chilled to my bones now...
"... He left a few moments after I..."
How?! How could I have missed him...! Had he taken another route?! No, that wasn't it. He probably didn't even enter that part.
I always think of unnecessary stuff.
I don't need to think all of that. Erase everything else...
Murdering that guy is top priority.
"Wait, don't do anything rash! That guy is protected by the Empire!" The sergeant tried to stop me, and started following me.
I barely left the building when I saw him.
...There he is.
... I can tell it's him from our previous encounter, although we didn't really talk. He had a lone bodyguard with him...
Just that...? Too tempting...
The streets weren't empty, but it was enough for me.
My hand was already grabbing my sword.
The tension in my muscles goes down like a broken string... My arms go limp. My legs used all their strength to make a quick ambush. I want to aim at the weakest point while he's still off guard.
My sword was heading directly at his neck, however, another metal blade managed to stop it.
Extremely calm, I looked at the bodyguard. He doesn't have a teigu. But he's in the way.
"W-What just...?" The doctor heard the sound of metal, and clumsily backed off.
"Why did you let her...! She's dead because of you... It's your fault."
The bodyguard quickly tried to slice my throat with his other arm blade, but I managed to dodge it. He was good... Too good. But I don't care.
"I know who you are... You are the one who ruined my project. Everything was dazzling until you arrived." Overacting was apparently his only good attribute.
"Project...? Seryu wasn't a project! She was... a human, like you and me!"
I tried to feint the bodyguard, but he sidestepped me. Our blades locked, and for a brief moment I was overpowering him. That is, until he opened his mouth and revealed a gun.
My left hand released the grip of my sword, and punched his chin in an attempt to save my face. Though it worked, I had to step back.
"And you are trying to kill me because...? What am I talking about... With those clothes, no wonder you're murdering people left and right." He shook his head like a lost cause.
"Lieutenant! Back off before...!" I heard the distressed voice of my underling behind me.
"Shut up!" I yelled. "I told her to talk with Stylish before doing anything rash and she...!"
The bodyguard took advantage of my rambling, and jumped. It was an unexpected move... but seeing how a blade came out of his feet, I realized what the hell he was.
A machine...? No, a cyborg.
I blocked the upcoming blade, and he quickly followed up with an horizontal slash with his arms. I have only one sword, which means I can't parry several attacks but... I have a metal handgun. My hand moved erratically, and I felt how the handgun barely held up its form.
"...She obviously lied. I don't stay in the capital for reasons like you." A faint gleam appeared in his eyes before he covered them with his glasses. "Which means you are the one who doomed everything I had accomplished." I briefly looked at him.
He's lying, that must be it.
I aimed at his head to shut him up for good. It was obviously a bluff, to make the bodyguard defenseless. Who would give a guy like this a quick death?
He stepped in front of him, giving me the chance I wanted. I lowered my head to dodge his blade, and my own sword made its way through his arm. Blood started to spray all over, and the people started to run frightened.
My heart started to stabilize, and I walked over towards the doctor who looked slightly unnerved.
"What is it? Trying to shift the blame? It's your fault, and you know it. If you had just said no... But you probably didn't think about it. She didn't even use her last resort... What kind of ideas did you drill in her head?"
"...What are you saying...?" I couldn't have. She is very stubborn... Although, she could have been easily influenced, after all, she thought that Ogre was a good guy. And this guy too... Even I thought that too.
"You indirectly killed her. But I have important things to do, rather, I don't have anything to do. Ciao." He smirked and started to walk away. As if he thinks tha-
"Surprise."
I turned around to see that the bodyguard was still alive and kicking, having a new blade where his arm used to be. I tried to roll away, but a big slash cut through my clothes and skin.
He tried to follow up with an uppercut, however, I sidestepped and blocked the upcoming swing. He was faster before... doesn't he realize that he's losing blood? No... that isn't blood. Oil...? No, it's something else.
Cutting his limbs doesn't even face him. I'll have to take him out directly, without making him more dangerous. He doesn't even look fazed by losing an arm. So I'll need to...
I feinted an attack with the handgun, making him crouch. Just what I wanted.
I used all my strength to thrust the sword through his body, and though I had failed to hit the heart... and the edge of his arm blades sliced my leg and stomach but... I pointed the gun at his head.
A loud sound silenced the streets, as the ex-bodyguard fell to the ground sliding off my sword.
There was nothing else. Stylish had escaped.
I was alone, with only my thoughts.
My thoughts...
Seryu...!
I fell to my knees, releasing the weapons I had. I looked at my shaking hands, and brought them to my chest.
"I killed her...?"
Something started to run down my cheeks. I was crying.
Everything I had neglected during this past minutes... struck me like a truck. The shock had prevented my cries... but I couldn't hold them back anymore.
Why does this happen to me? When I get close to someone... they die.
I'd prefer to be physically torn apart... but I know.
It was my fault, wasn't it?
I tried to trick her... And she saw through it... I trusted her, and even then I lied.
But I'm starting to come to a realization. It's possible... that the only reason I trusted her is because I didn't want to be alone.
I forced myself to believe her... but I'm sick of being like this.
She probably think that too, right? Would she... cry for me...?
Even then...
I'm the only one crying.
But why is it that it hurts so much, that I can't stop crying?
My heart is torn apart badly. I want to leave this painful feeling. It could've been a lot easier if I got rid of this pain... I knew something like this would happen. I knew it, but I still chose this path.
I did what I could do. I know I did...
It's enough. I should let it go and be free.
I'm not getting rid of my pain. I'm leaving it with her, like lying flowers.
My tears had started to fall at my hands. I want to stop crying, but I sob one more time.
I appreciated her kindness...
I appreciated her pretty smile...
I loved it when she caressed my head...
This is the last one.
After this tear, I'll forget everything. This is for you.
I don't know for sure but...
...I think I lov-
Fast pace... A lot of steps... A lot of people were surrounding me. Oh yeah... I killed somebody right now, didn't I? I don't care.
I honestly don't care. The Empire can kill me for all of I care, but she wouldn't want that.
I opened my eyes slowly, and grabbed my sword. They weren't regular soldiers.
These ten soldiers... All surrounding me. The symbol they carry... Esdese's army? So they send the best of the regulars against me? It's obvious the Empire doesn't want to waste Varengian Guards... Because I won't hesitate.
"What? Leave me alone..." I started to walk away, but they wouldn't budge.
"We've to bring you back for an important act. Drop your sword and we m-"
The soldier's words were cut as I punched his trachea. Might have killed him, now that I think about it...
"I said, leave me alone." He fell to the ground, not saying anything. Duh...
"I couldn't even see him...!" One of them whispered.
"So this is why the General...!" ...I don't care.
One of the soldiers took a step forward, and started talking. Really?
"Lieutenant Tatsumi. We know it's impossible to bring you by force." The ten, excuse me, nine soldiers that are here beg to differ. "But we have to bring you to the Imperial Palace for a meeting with-"
"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. Leave me alone." My voice resounded in the walls, making my message even more clear.
"...You'll regret this." He muttered before signaling with his left arm.
As soon as they arrived, they left.
"What the f... Y-You just killed a guy in the middle of the streets, put in risk the citizens a-and you just flipped off Esdese... What the fuck Lieutenant?!" I couldn't comprehend what was so bad about it, but Egu seemed pretty mad.
"It's Captain now. I'm going to get the promotion I deserve." I waved my hand at him before stopping again.
I've put up with all this stupid treason bullshit. That wasn't fair, it was injust. I have to bring justice to this world... I don't care anymore if I die. Nobody takes me seriously, even when I have fought against teigu users and even Night Raid. Seryu told me... to follow my senses more.
I don't have anything to lose, so let the games begin. Who is going to lose more? An Empire, or a lone swordsman? The answer might surprise you.
But first...
"Akame. Was it her?" I murmured.
"...Well, she was there but... it was a guy with thread powers or something. The reason I'm alive is because he centered on... her..." I heard the voice of my new lieutenant.
So it was a revenge, uh...? I think that is for the better. I like Akame and Mein... But if killing that person relieves this pain...
I won't hesitate.
"How... is he?" A pink haired girl asked, as she kept an eye at the doctor.
Bringing a doctor was a pain and bringing his whole team was worse, as they had to blind them temporarily, or they'd know the localization of the base. But if it was to save a life, it was worth it.
"His condition is still critical. We found threads around his ribs, preventing them from piercing his lungs and those probably give him the small chance he has, but... Even if he's able to pass this night... it won't matter if he doesn't wake up. His brain hasn't received oxygen for a period of time and... he could never wake up."
Her heart sank like a rock in cold water. First Sheele, then Bulat... and now him too? It was too much to bear in such a short amount of time. If she hadn't broken her arm then... she would have been able to do... something.
"He's too stubborn to die like this. He will wake up." Leone affirmed firmly, and looked over to her boss, who had not said anything.
"Akame, did he said anything before...?" Mein said, not looking up from her broken arm.
"He... said he would wake up."She ended the conversation there, but added another phrase. "I have faith in him."
The dark atmosphere succumbed with those words, as the little bit hope was dug out from the ground.
"...if you'll excuse me, I have to check the conditions of his lungs. I drained the air pleural cavity and if everything goes well, they might work normally in a few weeks. We'll try to make his recovery as easy as possible. If he's strong willed... he will survive." The doctor said, as he disappeared behind the door.
Nobody said anything after this.
The stress they had suffered in such a small span of time wouldn't be easy to overcome... And the subject of having new members wouldn't be brought up until several weeks later.
But it would be too late for a possible recruit...
"Erm... Uh... Boss, if we need new members, maybe there's someone who wants to join..." Mein asked, avoiding eye contact.
"Don't worry about that. I'll bring the Teigus we confiscated to the HQ, and hopefully we'll get some new members." Najenda answered thoughtfully while looking at the other Night Raiders.
"Oh! Oh!" Leone suddenly raised her hand, like a child who had found out the answer to a game. "I think she meant her childhood boyfriend, right pinky?!" She started to tease the younger girl.
"Leone!" She tried to fight back hopelessly.
"What? You told the story with too much Tsun-Tsun. Besides, Akame thinks the same too."
"Beautiful love story." Akame said with a straight face.
"W-Why does everyone said that?! We have just met three times! And the last two didn't even last one minute!" Sadly those arguments didn't work against her onee-san.
The two of them entered a childish debate while Najenda kept telling her point of view.
"He's a potential recruit, but Night Raid is composed of skilled assassins, not soldiers. Besides... if he has any regard for his life, he will have to flee from the capital."
"Wait, why?" Mein looked up confused, ignoring her partner.
"It was strange at first. He has been doing us a favor, even killing our targets and the Empire hasn't done anything to stop him. Now we know why. They were waiting for the Jaegers." She explained briefly.
The Jaegers... the Empire's elite squad. A group selected to combat Night Raid, and maintain the "peace" of the capital. And their first target was... a lonesome swordsman?
"But he isn't that strong... Why send them just for him?" Leone asked, looking for an answer.
"It's impossible to know what is going through the Minister's or Esdese's mind... But if he somehow manages to survive, we will definitely want him. Don't even think of going to the capital while I'm gone." The boss declared while glaring at the blond woman.
"I was just going to check..."
Playing Higurashi was the right motivation to write this chapter. If you have played it, you'll know why.
I will actually answer to this last chapter's reviews... I don't do it because I think people just straight up ignore it. But alrighty...
First off... why the hell is Wild Hunt appearing so soon? Because somebody has to piss off Tatsumi... And I won't say no more, because spoilers.
And second off... Why did Seryu have to die...? There's actually a very good reason that I will explain... in the same chapter were Dorothea is introduced. If some of you have read the last chapter of the manga... OH BOY. OH BOY INDEED.
I actually feel proud that I made at least two human beings feel shocked about Seryu's demise... Sorry :(
And now, to a little breakdown of this chapter...
Tatsumi's reaction to Seryu's death was greatly influenced by Higurashi... I am happy to not have copied anything, at the very least. Besides, I wanted to make sure that both Night Raid and J̶a̶e̶g̶e̶r̶s̶ Esdese were, at least, interested in him.
So, as always, feel free to say whatever you want in the reviews... Even if it's to blame me for Seryu's death. WHERE WERE YOU ALL WHEN KORO DIED?!
Thank you all for reading this story. You don't know how happy it makes me to read your reviews.
Following the tradition, next chapter is going to be... a long fight. I want to end this arc next chapter, so don't expect it in at least two weeks, because I'm not breaking it down in two parts like the past chapter.
Thank you all again!