10
Kill the three beasts
The following day…
"Despite the hardship we're going through at the moment, the fight against the empire continues." Najenda started kicking off today's meeting. She lit up a cigarette and let out a thick cloud of smoke.
"There have been assassinations on politicians, who openly oppose the prime minister's policy. Once the new government is in place, allies as such will be crucial for its success. The victims of the recent assaults were heavily guarded. C-class security. So we have reason to believe that the attackers all possessed imperial arms. The descriptions fit towards a trio called 'the 3 beasts'. They're part of Esdeath's army. These were found lying around the attack sites."
The boss held up a paper with Night Raid's symbol printed on it. The paper declared that Night Raid claimed to have carried out all of the aforementioned assassinations.
"That's a goddamned lie!" Tatsumi shouted, waving his right first in the air.
"They're going for the big fish…not many people could do that." Mine added and rolled her eyes.
"They want everyone to think it was us, who did this." Akame figured.
"They want to lure us out so they can strike." Bulat concluded. As always, he was leaning against the wall with his arms folded together.
"Now that we know it's a trap, we can't let this go on. The 3 beasts are expected to attack our two targets we need to protect. Tatsumi and Bulat, you'll head to the ship I assigned you and guard a high-profile target. Akame and Lubbock, you'll head to a village north from the capital. I marked the coordinates. Show these bastards what it means to abuse our name!"
Najenda pulled out her cigarette and crushed it with her prosthetic hand.
Also, Esdeath has been sighted in the capital. Leone, I want you scout out her position, but don't try anything."
"I've always wondered what that Esdeath-chic is like."
"She's highly sadistic and enjoys torture. Don't engage her!" The boss cautioned her.
"And what am I gonna do?"
"Since you're arm is still broken, you'll have to recover."
"Well, that sucks…"
"Good luck out there. This meeting is officially closed."
Everyone prepared themselves for their coming mission even if that entailed guarding the bed. Akame was putting on her red underarm protectors, when she heard a knock on her door.
"Enter."
Tatsumi came through the door. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw the young man wearing a black shirt and a light-grey suit.
"I'm wearing this, so I'll pass as passenger on the ship. Uhm…"
He was fiddling with his fingers and averted his gaze from her. His cheeks were slightly flushed.
"Yes?"
"Could you borrow me a red tie? But only if that's okay…"
She reached into her closet and gave him a spare one. He took it and put it around his neck. She saw him experiment with it for a few moments, tying all kinds of unnatural and adventurous knots with the tie. Akame took both ends and tied it perfectly like hers within a matter of seconds.
Uhm, sorry…I mean thanks."
"No problem."
"Maybe…when all this is over, you can teach how to put these on, hehe…"
"It's not difficult."
Tatsumi's left hand was shivering and he was waving back and forth.
Always shortly before a mission. He is nervous.
"Tatsumi! Are you ready?"
"Oh! That's bro. I gotta go. Please stay safe." Tatsumi said with his innocent grin and rushed out of her room.
You too, Tatsumi…Stay safe. You promised.
Later at the 'Great Canal'…
The ginormous ship 'Ryuusen' was about to leave the port and traverse the 2.500 km long 'Great Canal'. To complete the construction of this majestic ship, the capital used the efforts of one million people. Thus it took 'only' seven years to build it. As the people, who were on the construction site every day, took on the many responsibilities of the project, dissatisfaction increased towards the capital.
In the long run, however, the Canal proved to be immensely useful for commerce and in consequence the capital gained a lot of power because of its opening. The opening ceremony of the 'Ryuusen' is also a link. Used by the emperor as cruise ship
"Whoa…so many people here…" Tatsumi mumbled to himself with wide eyes.
Suddenly he could feel someone pat his head.
"Don't forget your cover, Tatsumi."
"You're a master of some wealthy family, who's a bit nervous due to the extravagance of the capital."
"Y-yeah, Aniki!"
He leaned back against the frame of the cruiser and tugged his hands into his grey blazer.
"It's possible that the Night Raid impostors will attack here, but there are so many people here and the gramps we have to protect is surrounded by a meat-shield. This way it's impossible for him to be assassinated, right? I guess coming here was a miss."
"Ouch!"
"Deciding that on your own is negligent, Tatsumi."
"Ah…Aniki…" Tatsumi moaned as he rubbed his head, where Bulat hit him with his fist.
"My invisibility will give me the upper hand. We have no idea whether the enemy will do something similar, right?"
"That's true…I was wrong…"
"Geez, how many times are you gonna hit me?"
"Think of them as love taps."
"Love…taps…"
"Yeah…taps of…"
"I didn't need you to repeat it!" Tatsumi yelled with razor-sharp, edged teeth.
"At any rate, 'Incursio' is quite useful. We were able to infiltrate the ship because of it."
"Yeah! I thought with this to the bitter end in the war against the southern tribes! It's like my partner!"
"However…no matter how hard I worked in the end…"
(Begin flashback)
In the territory of the southern tribes…
The ground was plastered with disfigured corpses and entire settlements were being set ablaze. In the midst of the chaos, there was had been a wooden jail cart and in front was standing a tall and wounded warrior gazing at the prisoner in disbelief. It was Bulat.
"I don't understand! Why were you dismissed when you've achieved so much, General?" Bulat shouted.
"I…was stubborn and I didn't give into bribing the new prime minister." Liver replied. His friend saw him stare at the wooden cuffs, before he closed his eyes for a long moment. Bulat clenched his left fist. The General turned his face away.
"He decided your status based on bribes and not your achievements?! That's screwed up!"
"Bulat…"
"I will defend myself against these charges when I return to the capital. I may be in this situation now…but I have not done anything wrong. I will surely make them understand."
"General…"
"It might take some time…Your imperial arm…your position…all of it may be confiscated…Sadly, you had me as your superior. Forgive me, Bulat…"
(End of flashback)
Bulat leaned against the frame next to his partner and gazed up into the grey, cloud-filled sky.
"But…when he returned to the capital, he couldn't even make a defense. I was even made out to be a criminal. Then, absurdly…I made my escape, before they captured me using my imperial arm."
A faint, but audible cracking sound came off Tatsumi's right knuckles.
"That's fucked up, bro."
"Oh! My invisibility is wearing off. I need to put that armor away."
"But they'll recognize your face, right? Leave this area to me."
"Yeah. I'm gonna check the inside of the ship."
If there's anyone who looks suspicious, I won't overlook. Even though I look kind of suspicious myself…
Suddenly a soothing and peaceful tune gently echoed through the air.
"Hm? A recorder?" Tatsumi asked himself.
Meanwhile…
Esdeath was casually strolling down Capital Main Street, briefly greeting the confectioners, who lowered their heads to pay respect. The headmaster of the well-known bakery emerged from his shop. His shoulders were pressed together and sweat was trickling down his forehead. He avoided all eye contact.
"You can relax. I'm just making a few courtesy calls. From now on, I'm in charge of policing the capital."
"Y-yes! That…That is most heartening Esdeath-sama!"
"Thi-This is just a…"
The man reached into the sleeve of his kimono with shaking hands and presented several coins of gold to her. The General picked up two of them and thrust them into his eyes with her
"I don't need bribes. Next time you try that, I'll make it hurt."
"GYAAAH! It hurts enough already!"
"Shall I try some of your confections? This shop's famous, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes! Right away!"
Esdeath is by herself away from the palace. This is the perfect chance to attack!
…is what I would normally think...She is away from the palace. I should attack now, since I'm in beast form. But…moving herself is just to lure assassins into a trap!
And evidence to that is this smell that's radiating from her…it's evil and reeks after murderous intent! How stupid of me to think I could take her on…I have to trust my instinct and retreat!
"The aura is gone…They didn't take the bait. Pity. I wanted to try new torture techniques. Oh my! That's delicious. I'll have those three try this, when they return from their mission."
Below the deck…
"Your music is as soothing is as soothing as ever, Nyau. It suits this ship, doesn't it?" Liver mumbled as he was gazing out the round window, overlooking the wide ocean. Meanwhile his small colleague was playing his flute 'Scream', which is capable of manipulating the emotions of those who hear its tune. It had been commonly used to raise the morale on battle fields, but it could be used for a myriad of things by manipulating emotions.
"The ship left the shore. The timing is just right."
"I've been playing my recorder for a while now. So even if I stop playing, everyone will still lack willpower."
"There may be people who have not been exposed to the sound of the flute. Don't be negligent."
"Yes, sir. I will play just a bit more for you."
On deck…
"I don't care anymore…I can't go on…"
Suddenly the people around Tatsumi started to drop on the floor like flies, falling into a deep slumber. He too had the exhausting urge to doze off like those around them, while his right arm fell off his side and went limp
What in the world is going on?!
"I still hear this music, even though I closed my ears. What is this?! My body feels not like it should."
Ugh…Even though I want to call bro all strength in my body is escaping me!
That recorder sound…is it because of that? Even when I shut it out, I can still hear. It must be an imperial arm.
"Ah…staying in hiding was dull…" A deep voice grumbled.
"Despite scream someone's still fighting? Even under hypnotism you might still remember this…so if you're allowed to live and see what we do…"
"So that means…you guys are the Night Raid impostors!"
"Ah! So this is one of the real ones! This is good"
"Hey, look." He said, casually tossing Tatsumi a sword.
"What are you doing?"
"Well…I want fighting experience points, you know? In order to become the strongest…
The tall and broad guy in a suit pulled out a massive axe and readied himself for the fight.
"Come at me! It should be easy to fight here, since everybody is already out of the way, right?"
"Yeah…true."
"Then I'll give you a good experience. A trip to hell!"
Tatsumi shouted as he jumped forward towards his opponent.
"Excellent! That power! Destroying it will give me great experience!"
The axe-wielder's face contorted into absolute bliss with his eyes rolling into the back of his head and his mouth wide open like a predator showing off his razor-sharp teeth. He hammered down his axe on Tatsumi, who backed off in the last moment.
"Considering what the music did to your body…You dodged pretty well, haven't you? Well then. How about this?!"
He raised his axe and split it two smaller parts. The guy tossed the right half of the axe at Tatsumi with high speed, as if it was a flying shuriken.
"What?!"
The axe suddenly took a sharp turn like a boomerang.
"Ahhh!"
The blade cut up his lower chest on its way back, forcing Tatsumi on his back foot, almost toppling over himself. He regained his footing and put his left hand over the wound to stop the bleeding for a moment.
Guh…This is bad. Because of the music my body won't like I want it to…At this rate, I'll be finished…
'Belvaac' This axe teigu can only be wielded by someone of unusual physical strength. It can be separated into two axes, and upon throwing, will relentlessly pursue the target until it hits. Another cut across Tatsumi's left cheek.
"As I thought…it's following me!"
Meanwhile his opponent was just casually standing there as the axe rushed past Tatsumi towards his left side.
"If it's like this…Then I'll make it hit you! Destroy yourself!" Tatsumi yelled and sprinted towards him and the axe with him. His grin grew bigger the closer the Night Raid assassin came.
"Are you an idiot?!" Bulat yelled without pupils, popping out of seemingly nowhere. He punched his colleague, sending him flying through the air.
"Ouch!"
The more experienced assassin towered above him, pointed down his finger at him, as if he was accusing him of a grave sin…or grave stupidity.
"Your opponent was standing there looking like he ready and everything! However you look at it, it was a sure victory for him! What were you planning on doing rushing carelessly into his range?!"
"Bro…"
Tatsumi couldn't muster the strength to turn to face his mentor. Instead he watched him taking him to school again from the corner of his widened eyes, while he coughed up blood into his right hand and sweat was running down his forehead. Their opponent was sharing Tatsumi's at minimum confused expression as he caught the second part of his imperial arm.
"You're doing awfully well…The debilitating music was supposed to affect the entire ship…"
"That music, huh…That wouldn't work on me. The fire in my soul is not something that can be suppressed by other people." Bulat stated with a small smirk, while his fiery aura surrounded him, coursed through his entire muscular body and radiated outwards.
"What an interesting guy…you gouged yourself and cleared your head with the pain?"
"I'm Night Raid's Bulat. You can call me 'handsome'."
"I'm Esdeath-sama's servent. Daidara of the three beasts."
"Tatsumi. Watch how I fight and memorize it."
Bulat stood tall in front of his apprentice, who still sat flat on his ass with wide eyes. He took a short glance back at him and in the next instance encased himself in 'Incursio'.
"This guy is worth a lot of experience!"
Daidara shouted, charging straight towards Bulat. Suddenly a juvenile, blonde boy in the same suit appeared from behind and from the other side a middle-aged man, who wore the same attire as the other two, jumped towards Bulat. They all charged him at once from different angles.
All the commotion out here, I knew it, Night Raid has come… I must back up Daidara!
I know! I'll bash his head in!
"Ani…"
Bulat leaped high into the air, gazing down upon the 3 beasts and in the next moment went down on Nyau and punched him with a rib-shattering hammer fist strike to his chest, sending him flying into a pile of crates.
The 100-men-slayer rushed down to the middle-aged man, kicking him in the back and moved him out of the way, so he could close the distance between him and Daidara. He swung his spear and cleaved right through Daidara. He cut Daidara clean in half. Tatsumi's eyes and jaw were opened wide, so much so that the whole ship could have sailed in.
"Tatsumi…This is what I was talking about before. Be aware of your surroundings."
'Incursio' is an armor-type imperial arm. When summoned, it surrounds the user in impregnable armor. The wearers abilities are amplified in order to crush enemies.
Wow…He knocked out two opponents and killed one of them…and he just did it in a split second…That's my bro!
"I knew you were strong…but I didn't know you were this amazing, Aniki!"
"Back in the army days my nickname was '100-men-slayer Bulat"
"But strictly speaking, you had actually killed 128 people. At the time you were doing very well against the Special Forces. That imperial arm…that strength…so it is you, Bulat!" The middle-aged man said, as he stood back on his feet and took a few steps forward. Even through the face-covering helmet Tatsumi could see the shock on his mentor's face, when he glanced over to their opponent, who just corrected him.
"Liver?" Bulat asked with wide eyes.
"I'm no longer a General…After Master Esdeath saved me, I became her servant."
Huh…this guy…He's the guy from bro's story?
For a moment, he seemed to have lowered his head, but in the next moment he twirled around his spear and put a firm grip on it as always.
"If things were different, I would drink a toast to our reunion. But since they're not, I'll have to kill you. The mission comes first!" Bulat stated while he entered his fighting stance
"I couldn't have said it any better. I absolutely must complete my mission. And I will, using this imperial arm, I received from my master." Liver returned, quickly stretching out his right arm with his flat hand. On his finger was a silver ring with the head of dragon as its head.
Finger-type imperial arm 'Black Marlin' was created using a body part from a specific dangerous aquatic beast that can control water. If the user of this imperial arm is near any liquid, he may freely control it. Suddenly the barrels behind Liver started shaking and spirals of water bust through them that he held in the air like puppet strings.
"It's fortunate for me that our battle takes place here of all places!"
"Water control, huh? Just like your master who can control ice!"
"However, unlike Esdeath-sama, who can create ice from nothing…I would be helpless, if there was no liquid around. The difference between us is awe-inspiring!"
"Water cannons!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself!"
Bulat deflected the 4 water spikes Liver launched at him by quickly twirling his spear in a circle.
Oww…this guy's strength puts him at about Esdeath-sama's level…But Liver can beat him fighting on this Canal. Especially, if I play a song…
"Don't even think about it!" Tatsumi yelled as he jumped at Nyau, smashing down his sword against his imperial arm.
"You didn't think I would just let you start playing again, did you?"
"This guy…such a nuisance…"
Alright! It seems I'm able to move normally again!"
Nyau bashed his flute against Tatsumi's sword. In return Tatsumi kicked him in the gut with his right leg, sending him reeling backwards several yards. He came right back at Tatsumi and rained down several fast swings with his flat on him, which he all parried. The sword-wielder stepped forward and attempted to strike his foe down, but he casually jumped over him and kicked him in the back three quick times, sending him to the floor.
Shit! This guy is seriously fast, but…
"Akame is much faster than this!" Tatsumi shouted, as they went blow for blow from each and every angle with mere seconds.
"Don't compare me to some assassin!"
Nyau hit his sword, making him back flip several times to create distance between them.
Guhhh…That earlier attack should have had an effect on this guy…But even so, he can still move so well…
The three beasts…their strength is certainly above someone like Ogre…
Suddenly the muffled sound of enormous amounts of water could be heard moving or rather being moved. Liver was standing on top of a giant water serpent that he just created out of nowhere, while Bulat stared it down, not moving an inch. Both Tatsumi and Nyau glanced to the action while their weapons were still locked.
"Ahaha! As long as there's plenty of water, there's no way Liver can lose!"
"Heh, it's already easy to see that bro's gonna win!"
"You mean Liver, right?"
"Aniki, of course!"
The two focused on their fight again as they bickered back and forth who of the two would win this battle.
"You will be smashed by the pressure of this water, Bulat!" Liver warned him right before he launched the gigantic serpent at him.
"Snake of the abyss!"
Bulat quickly crouched and leaped into the air, while he cut right through it in the middle with his spear.
"I knew you would attack rather dodge. There would have been countless casualties if you didn't. That's why you can't dodge my next move."
In the next instance, the current around the ship changed rapidly, becoming one huge swirl underneath the ship. Eight massive spear shaped water pillars arose from the ocean and all closed in on Bulat simultaneously.
"Evil Dragon spear!"
Liver raised his right underarm to send every single one of the water spears up to Bulat and they hit him full on, the pressure alone busting the mouth piece and the left eye protector.
"Some splash of water isn't gonna be enough to extinguish the fire in my soul!"
"Of course. I know that it takes more to defeat you. But I knew that already. We've tread countless battlefields together. Your strength. Your valor. I know them better than anyone. And it's for this very reason that I will use my trump card against you!"
In this very moment imposing, ginormous, fully grown water dragons were surrounding Liver, his ring began to glow in an ominous blue light as the countless dragons grew even bigger and bigger and bigger in size.
"Judgment of the heavenly water dragon!"
Liver shouted, hurling the enormous water dragons straight at him.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Bulat was being drowned mid-air, nearly torn apart by the sheer devastating pressure, picked apart and eaten alive by dragons. As if his head and his internal organs were being hammered by jackhammer for the whole duration. His eardrums were on the verge of breaking and his lungs almost ruptured, as he screamed in agony, causing him to nearly suffocate, had it not been for Incursio's incredible durability and his own dexterity.
"I think I got him…" Liver mumbled to himself, wiping off the trail of blood under the right corner of his mouth, still staring up to the sky where the water pressure should have done the damage. Bulat's screams of excruciating pain have subsided and the water was still again.
"I can't believe you just said that! You should know better, old man!"
Bulat pointed his spear directly at Liver's head, while he was cutting through the air between them. In the corner of his left eye he could see the young blonde rushing to the former General's aid.
He was forced to wide swing his spear against Nyau instead of impaling Liver. The force of impact, albeit he blocked with his flute, sent him flying like at the start of their encounter.
"Haha haha…that's too bad…you've missed your only chance to defeat Liver." Nyau stated with a smug and relieved grin.
"I couldn't keep him occupied long enough…Forgive me, bro…"
Tatsumi laid flat on the deck in his own blood with bruises and cuts everywhere. He was clinging onto his sword, while he was trying to get back up again with not much success.
"Don't sweat it, Tatsumi. I'm impressed that you managed to get through this without imperial arm."
"Aniki…"
'Incursio' removed itself from his body, revealing that he too was bruised and battered like him. His green chest protectors had deep tears, the lower part of his black shirt was torn off, his wet hair was completely messed up and no longer resembled Bulat at all. Yet despite all, he still gave his student a gentle smile.
"I noticed after taking a certain amount of damage your armor wears off. It seems we have a clear winner." Liver pointed out, as he stood face to face with his former comrade without having his guard up.
"You don't have to play it tough. That drop of blood is a dead giveaway. Using all these attacks in quick succession must have pressured your internal organs, so I doubt you're in any condition to use your imperial arm anymore."
"Nothing gets past you, doesn't it? And I thought I would have the upper hand in negotiations. Let me ask you, how would you like to become a member of Esdeath's army? I'm sure she'd gladly welcome you."
Bulat closed his eyes and chuckled.
"I lost interest in serving the empire a long time ago."
Liver's gaze hardened and he gently held in his left hand, over his heart the black cross, Esdeath's emblem, staring at it as if it was his most prized possession, like a black tourmaline
"Don't think of it that way. You'd be working for Esdeath, not the empire. Doing so changed my life for the better. People fear my name. I got all the bureaucrats under my thumb! I implore you to come with me! If you do, the master can erase all your crimes from the record books!" The ex-General shouted with raised voice and exposed, gritted teeth, clutching the black cross tight in his palm, while red veins were bulging in his eyes.
Bulat's mine now too hardened as it only rarely does. A black shadow covered his eyes, while he fixed his messed up hair with his comb that he just pulled out.
"I said 'No'!"
"Don't you get it? I would find no joy in serving the very thing we swore to destroy. Since I know Esdeath is scratching the minister's back…How could I possibly live with myself? It would ruin my image as a hero of the masses."
That's my bro!
"A hero of the masses? How dare a well-known assassin to say such arrogant words?!" Liver questioned with wide eyes.
"I always told you to be more humble."
I need to prepare my trump card. With that we'll win!
"Aniki…" Tatsumi muttered with an exhausted smile, as he slowly got on his feet again.
In the Northern village…
The Night Raid assassins watched over the small, snow-covered village from the branch of a tree just outside of the settlement. A carriage just arrived there and their target emerged from it surrounded by several of his men, who were reaching into the carriage to retrieve several sacks of provisions it seemed.
The inhabitants emerged from their one-story brick houses, gathering rapidly around the visitors. Unlike their target, who just like most politicians, was dressed in a fine and warm winter coat, they were wearing cloaks or their thin blankets at the very maximum. At the sight of the emergency provisions their tired and stress-ridden faces turned into fragile smiles.
"Giving them rice from the emergency reserves, huh…Now that's the type of official we need to keep!" Lubbock said with wide eyes and mouth.
"With this much rice, the people should be able to pull through."
"But looking at all that rice is making me hungry." Akame added with her blank stare, while her stomach groaned again.
"And if I give you my snack, you'll take care of all the enemies that show up, right?"
Akame instantly snatched the snack away from him.
"How are your threads?"
"No movement yet! This may not be the target after all."
"Negligence is forbidden."
"I understand. He must be guarded at all costs."
Akame gazed up to the grey, clouded sky.
Tatsumi…Bulat. If the enemy should appear where you are...Please survive. Just come back alive!
Back to Tatsumi and Bulat…
"Neither of us can use imperial our arms now…" Bulat pointed out
"So we'll have to finish this with our blades!"
Suddenly his old friend got out a syringe with greenish liquid inside it and rammed it into his right arm. Bulat's eyes widened at the sudden action.
"Hnnn! It's time for a little enhancement. I'm about to fight you after all."
"Aniki! This guy seems kind of dangerous!"
"I'm more than prepared to face such a formidable opponent."
He pressed a button on his left shoulder pad, right on the kanji and immediately a light-grey sword came shooting out of the green, scabbard-shaped piece, directly into his right hand.
"Here we go!"
They charged at each other and crashed their swords against each other, instantly locking their blades, pressing against each other for any significant advantage.
These are the movements of someone, who is injured?! It's so intense!
Tatsumi could barely keep track of their attacks against each other. All there was were blurred lines that were the way they cut through the thick air between them and the sound of metal slamming against metal every moment from every angle possible. He just stood by in awe and shock at the same time, while the sweat trickled down his face. The boy hoped, prayed that his brother in arms would come out on top.
"Gahhh!"
"Yes!"
Bulat cleaved right through Liver's abdomen. He was on his way down on the ground. Defeated. Suddenly a devious grin appeared on Liver's face.
"My real trump card! Killer blood swords!"
In the next moment, red lines came rushing towards Bulat like a barrage of arrows.
"Of course you had something up your sleeve! Damn it!"
His eyes widened, his muscles immediately twitched. Bulat dragged his sword to the closest one of the countless blood projectiles and sliced through it. Bulat deflected every blood bullet that came at him with every single ounce of strength that was still left inside him.
"Ouh!"
A few of them hit him and penetrated his skin. Once the onslaught was over, he dropped to his knees and leaned against his imperial arm.
"A-are you okay, Aniki?"
"Don't worry…the wounds are not fatal."
"I've put all I had left into that attack…Well played…"
"Using his own lifeblood to attack…His determination…is amazing. If I hesitated just a second, he would have annihilated me before I knew what hit me. When I saw the spray pattern I realized it was another form of liquid."
"Good thinking! You're incredible, bro."
Tatumi supported Bulat, letting him rest on his shoulder. A tired smile was on his face as he carried his mentor on his back, letting him catch a breath after this strenuous battle.
I may have just gotten in the way…But for both of us to survive fighting this formidable opponent. I'm so relieved.
"Bulat…there's one thing I wanted to tell you…There's a reason I joined Esdeath's army. I didn't tell you before."
The fading Liver slowly raised his right hand and held on to his necklace again.
(Flashback begin)
Liver sat on the rock-hard bed of his cell, arms crossed, staring down the dust-littered floor. His mustache has become a full grown beard. His upper body was slumped and his eyelids were hanging down low like his head. Suddenly the tinkling sound of keys was ringing in his ears and in the next moment the metallic sound of freedom, when someone pushed the bars of his prison aside.
"It would be a shame to let a treasure like you rot away and die in jail. I've been searching for capable warriors like you. So I'd like you to join my army." General Esdeath offered with a small, encouraging smile.
He gazed up to her for a moment and stared back down again.
"Even if you say that, I'm charged with an offense. I'm not allowed to return to the army…"
"Gah!"
Esdeath pressed her heel against his forehead with force.
"Don't give up so quickly!"
"You will return, because I want you to return…which means no one will raise any objections."
"But the prime minster…"
Esdeath bent down and stretched out her hand to Liver.
"The prime minister enjoys his safe position due to my military power. So if it's for the sake of increasing this power…he would welcome it with open arms, would he not?"
"Join me, Liver. If anything else is troubling you, I'll make it completely disappear."
Again, she was wearing that encouraging and inviting smile. And in that moment, he was smiling too for the first time in months.
(Flashback end)
"In that moment I adored her…it was only for that reason!"
"Liver…" Bulat muttered.
Suddenly Liver smirked deviously again, from one cheek to the other with wide eyes, pointing his finger at Bulat, as if he just won their fight.
"Therefore…As one who exists to only serve Esdeath-sama, I will be giving her your life!"
Right as these words left Liver's bloody mouth, Bulat threw up blood. Lots of it.
"Aniki!"
"That syringe…It wasn't just a strengthening serum, was it? There was also a deadly poison mixed in!"
"There is no antidote. The poison is already flowing through your body…there's no escape…I'll be…going on ahead…"
"As expected of my former boss…so it's a tie then, huh…" Bulat chuckled into the rain, before he coughed blood again. Some of it landed on Tatsumi's face. His breaths became deeper and deeper and his face was deadly pale, drained of all vivid color.
"Guhah!"
"We need to get you some medical attention!"
"Tatsumi…The fight isn't over yet…"
He raised his head and his eyes tore wide open. Nyau was playing his flute again. Crescendo. Unlike the soothing tune he had played earlier, this sounded as if with every note he played, a giant stomped on the deck of the ship, making the ocean tremble again.
"Trump card: Call of the fierce god."
Instantly, his size and every muscle of Nyau's petite body exploded in size, until a full-grown bodybuilder was facing the assassins instead of a puny blonde boy playing some instrument.
"A song to increase his own strength…is this his trump card?!"
For Esdeath-sama, I must carry out my duty no matter what.
"It's been quite a while since I changed into this body."
Tatsumi drew his sword again and stood to face Nyau again.
This is bad…I was being beaten back earlier. But now, how can I do anything against him alone?
Bulat lied down and closed his eyes as his body became heavier and heavier to carry with each second that passed.
"Tatsumi. I'm entrusting this you."
He slowly raised his left arm towards the sky with his sword in his hand. Tatsumi's eyes widened. Like a warrior at the end of his way, passing on to his brother in arms what was precious and dear to him. A brother's last wish.
"This is…"
"It's Incursio's key. The armor will come to the one, who possesses it."
"M-me?! Using YOUR imperial arm?!"
"Hahahaha. Give it up, that's impossible!"
"Incursio places a huge strain on its user, right? If the average person tries to use it, it'll just result in instant death for them, you know. You should just fight as you normally do." Nyau added with a smug grin.
"Ouch!"
Bulat was already on his feet smashed his students face again, sending him flying a few feet.
"Don't get caught up in your opponent's pace, you idiot! Think of your training and the experiences you've been through! If you use those, then you are more than qualified, Tatsumi!"
"Aniki…"
There are two opponents, so I should just slice them to bits. It would be boring, if he died before even fighting.
"There is always the matter of compatibility, you know. If the imperial arm doesn't suit him, he'll die." Nyau pointed out.
"The compatibility is mostly about the first impression and how he sees the teigu…roughly, anyway. If it's you, it'll be alright…Do it, Tatsumi!"
"Aniki…Hehe...If someone I respect is saying all this…"
Tatsumi stood his ground again and pointed his sword towards his adversary.
I have to live up to his expectations as a man!
His emerald-green eyes were longer those of a scared boy, but now narrowed and solely focused on the target in front of him.
"Ah, geez. You're really gonna try it, huh? Well then…I'll kill you before you can kill yourself!"
Nyau sprinted towards his opponent with a triumphant grin on his face.
"Let your soul rage and roar, Tatsumi! With all the fire in your soul!"
"Incursiooooo!" Tatsumi screamed at the top of his lungs from the depths of his soul, the fierce echo still resonating through the thick and humid air. The ocean beneath them was shaking and trembling. Suddenly a gigantic dragon creature clad in Bulat's armor towered behind him and let out an earth-shaking roar.
The armor is changing itself to fit Tatsumi's physique!
"Wh-What the hell is with that armor?! Don't tell me the teigu's core is still alive?!" Nyau stuttered with wide eyes and mouth agape, as if paralyzed upon seeing the monstrosity tower above his foe.
Incursio is an imperial arm created using 'Tyrant', an extremely dangerous dragon-type creature, who had an incomparable life force. This dragon was always wandering the country in search of prey. Any living being it chanced upon was devoured completely. It was feared as a personification of calamity.
It could evolve its body to blend into its environments. Even in the burning desert. It could also adapt itself to its environment, even the frozen tundra. In the time o the first emperor, when his suppression forces were hunting it, it evolved again and gained its stealth ability for defense.
Even now after being subjugated and made into an imperial arm. The dragon's flesh is still alive to this day. It's continually evolving in order to defeat its enemies.
"What an amazing teigu…" Tatsumi whispered as he was being encased in a much lighter and agile version of Bulat's armor.
"Tatsumi…I see…Your feelings…made Incursio evolve once again!"
"Esdeath's group has used Night Raid's name to commit fake assassinations again and again! It's time to receive your reward!"
"You're suddenly full of yourself, aren't you?"
"I understand. This armor forcefully increases my strength. So I know that I will defeat you!"
"I dare you to try!"
They charged towards each other. Their balled fists crashed onto each other, the force of impact nearly tearing the whole ship apart.
"Raaahhhh!"
Tatsumi pushed his fist further and further through Nyau's resistance, busted through it and sent Nyau crashing into the wall leading up to the next story. His ribcage was instantly shattered alongside parts of the wall and all life left his eyes as his body shrunk back to its natural size.
"Hahah…Amazing…If that's how he strong he's now, then he'll certainly surpass me in no time." Bulat whispered into the rain with a relieved smile, watching Tatsumi stand triumphant wearing 'Incursio', his white cape victoriously billowing behind him like he used to do through countless merciless battles such as this one.
Incursio's armor began to fade around Tatsumi. He turned around and sprinted to his brother in arms. His vision grew smaller and smaller with every time he blinked.
"Aniki! Aniki!"
His screams for him were just mere muffled echoes that his deep, drawn-out breaths made nearly inaudible, as if they were drowned out by heavy cannon fire. His dizzy vision grew tinier and tinier with every step Tatsumi took towards him now that the poison started to kick in numbing all of his senses like a black veil was slowly being put over his face. Like dreaming in black and white.
Run past me from out of nowhere! I will watch over you…Tatsumi…
Tatsumi now stood next to Bulat. His eyes were closed and he ceased all breathing. He laid there covered in bruises and cuts all over himself, yet the fallen soldier was the one smiling. His gaze sank to his brother in arms like his gut that wrenching its way inside him in all unnatural ways.
"I won…thanks to you, bro…"
"Gommenasai…"
"Even in the end, I only things that would get me smacked…but…I'll become strong. I'll try to learn to use Incursio as well as you did…"
"So be…because of that…is it okay, if I cry a little bit now? Just a bit?"
"Aniki!"
"Uwaaaaahhhhh!"
Tatsumi fell down to his knees. Down into this endless abyss, to the bottom of this cursed ocean. His tears streamed down on Bulat's banged up chest like the cold and heavy rain from the black sky. Tatsumi couldn't help but bury his soaked face in Bulat's chest. The boy smashed both his arms into the wooden floor over and over and over again.
"What is wrong with me? Why couldn't I protect a single one of them?!"
"Why do I have to be so weak…?"
Thunder began to roll across the pitch-black sky.
"Raaaahhhhh!"
At the same time in Tensui village, a remote location in the empire. Atop of a mountain of corpses stood a young girl with a katana at her right hip.
"Lalalalaladadadadan."
"Phew…human bodies can be so fun." The girl said as if she was little girl playing with the puppets that she's been gifted for good behavior. This village has been trading with other races and the prime minister was aware of this and sent assassins to mercilessly slaughter the entire town.
"Hehehe, Kurome. It's almost time for us to dispose of the bodies." One of her black-clad colleagues reminded her as she was casually sitting on the corpses.
"Oh, that's fine. I was getting tired of them anyway."
"As always, Kurome is so easy to get along with."
"Kurome. A request for you to return to the capital has come." Another one of her colleagues informed her. Meanwhile Kurome was reaching into her bag filled to the lid with small puff pastry cookies. She forced herself to glance over as she was occupied with munching on her 'snacks'.
"Huh? Just me?"
"Yeah, seems like it. You're one of six people, who've been elected for some mission or something."
Her black eyes widened slightly for a moment and she ceased eating.
"…The Capital, huh?" She mumbled. Kurome gazed up the orange sky, stood up and brushed off her black skirt. The young girl folded her hands together behind it, gazing towards the direction of the Capital.
"Maybe, I'll get to see you there…"
"Right, Onee-san?"