"How long has he been under this time?" Leone asked, her and Bulat watching a lake as the sun was up, not so much as a ripple in the water.
"Around an hour, looks like he's taking his time now." The man stated, Leone whistling in approval.
"That's got to be a part of his Teigu then. No way a person could hold their breath that long."
"He did say it helps him adapt to the terrain. And if his adaptability comes from a Tyrant I wouldn't be surprised if he could stay underwater for days."
A pulse of murderous intent caught the assassins' attention, looking to the center of the lake as a pulse of power jetted water into the air. The two took several steps back as Koga tuna fell from the sky, piling up past Bulat's head.
"Phew!" A second after the water settled, Tiranov's head pocked out from the water, the gills on his neck reseeding as he grinned up to them. "Think this will be enough for lunch?"
"Oh I think you got enough." Leone laughed, over twenty of the Danger Beast fish flopping desperately for water. "Question is are you settled with that much?"
"I was so close to getting another ten, but it looks like Akame's gotten them warmed up from her last fishing here." The man stated, feeling the small disturbances in the water of the remaining tuna.
"Best to leave them anyways, we'll have to find a new pond if they're all killed." Bulat recommended.
"Yeah… force of habit."
"Passion's good, but in our line of work you need to learn how to control it." Bulat said, pounding his fist onto his chest with a grin. "Only then can we truly burn away the corruption in this country and set things right!"
"The passion of the youth really is something." Tiranov laughed in response. "Could've used more men like you back then, securing the territory would've been a lot easier."
"Hey, I'm here too." Leone argued.
"You would've made a wonderful hunting partner Leone."
"Thank you."
"There you two are!" The three all looked over when they heard Mine, the assassin approaching the shore bound two. "I've been looking all over for you. We got a job request and Boss wants you there for the debriefing."
"What about me?" Tiranov asked.
"Newbies like you get to stay and clean up the base."
"Aren't you the newest member? Or greenest, is greenest the right term?"
"I've been here longer than you!"
"And I've been killing longer than all of you've been alive put together. I feel more qualified in this field then a fifteen-year-old girl."
"Well I've been an assassin longer than you primate. So as far as I'm concerned, you're the newbie."
"That's fair." Tiranov shrugged, accepting the logic.
"Then stop wasting time and get out of the water! We're professionals, so act like it!"
"If that's what we have to do." Tiranov responded, swimming to the edge of the lake and climbing out.
"There, was that so ha-AAAAAAHHHH!" Mine's words turned into a scream when Tiranov stood up, confusing the man while Leone began laughing. "WHY ARE YOU NAKED!?"
"I was swimming."
"WHAT KIND OF REGULAR FACE IS THAT!?" The young girl continued to shout, covering her eyes with one hand while pointing to her associates. "Why did neither of you stop him!?"
"What was to stop, he made the decision to!" Leone answered, still laughing at Mine's trembling. "Said he didn't like getting his clothes wet!"
"He preferred his hunting with as little obstruction as possible, can't fault someone for their own method." Bulat gave his own reasoning, giving Tiranov a thumbs up as he did. "And besides, there's nothing to be ashamed of with such a powerful appearance!"
"Right back at you!" Tiranov grinned.
"GAAAHH! Of course you two of all people would be okay with this!" Mine groaned in anguish.
"Good, everyone's here." Najenda noted as the four assassins arrived, Mine giving an in-character glare at Tiranov, the man now garbed. Meanwhile Leone was still cackling from behind, the blonde taking a second to calm herself when they entered. "We've got a sum of requests, a few drug lords that've overstayed their welcome. But there's one in particular that we received that's gotten my attention."
Breathing out the smoke from her cigar, Najenda pulled out a poster with the face of a man, his face broadcasting a veteran's experience and eyes of determination. "Willock Ubiquitous, a captain in Anachak's Imperial Army. He's known for his tight leadership during the protests last year. And responsible for the deaths during the subjugation."
"What protests?" Tiranov asked.
"Last year there was a food shortage, and of course the slums were hit that hardest by the lack of food." Their leader explained, tapping her cigar on her ashtray. "Peasants and vagabonds had organized a city-wide protest, demanding more rations as hundreds were dying of starvation. Willock was in charge of the district the protests were taking place in, and took action a week after they started."
"One of the protesters threw a rock at one of his subordinates, and that led to an immediate retaliation." Leone picked up for Najenda, having witnessed the event firsthand. "The protesters didn't rat out who threw the rock, so Ubiquitous deemed that they were all guilty and allowed his men to operate freely of their wishes. Whoever didn't die or escaped were arrested, tortured and executed."
"Since then his ideals of justice have become that of the Empire. Those who don't fall in line are guilty of treason and are arrested without trial. Execution is expected soon after." Najenda finished, tightening her mechanical fist and crushing her cigar. "We've recently lost an informant to him, so the Revolutionary Army has deemed him a primary target. He's far from the most dangerous captain, but he has enough ties in the army that he's under Prime Minister Honest's protection. Attacking him means potential provocation."
"So there's no room for error." Akame concluded, getting a nod from Najenda.
"Luckily for us though, his wicked sense of justice will be his downfall." The woman continued. "Even after Tiranov's slaughter, he's never missed a night of patrol. Taking it upon himself to keep the streets safe from a massacre like yours." She then turned to Tiranov, the man standing silent. "A mission such as this must not be failed. If he or any of his men survive, they will be viewed as heroes and proof that Night Raid is not as dangerous as we've been believed as. You're still the greenest at assassination, if you feel you cannot kill every single one of them I will give this job to the others."
"Hold on, you're trusting the newbie to handle this?" Mine questioned.
"Tiranov must prove he's capable of this line of work. Hunting Danger Beasts is nothing like killing people, as twisted as Willock is the men currently in his patrol are fresh recruits. Innocent men and women who have yet to be corrupted by the empire." Najenda revealed. "Your hands will be stained in blood, that is the role we assassins have in this world. We punish the guilty, no matter who it is that stands in our way."
"Did I give the impression I expected less?" Tiranov responded, his eyes downcast but his body tense with rage. "Killing people who desperately need food, arresting and executing those who see through hell, a monster like him doesn't deserve the life he has. Those soldiers are just as guilty as he is, upholding a system that needs to be ripped apart."
"You want me to kill everyone I see; my response is how badly do you want them mangled?" He finished, his eyes glowing as he looked to Najenda.
"We want him recognizable, no need to waste time with dental recognition. And kill him somewhere he'll be found easily." Najenda ordered. "We want the empire to know we'll crush whoever stands in the way of this country's freedom, no matter the circumstances."
"Understood."
"This is your first mission Tiranov, prove to the world the Founding Hunter is more than a title of a forgotten age." Najenda announced.
"Try to avoid dying." Akame warned Tiranov, getting the man's attention.
"Of course." He responded. "I'm not dying until the monsters that threaten this world are eradicated. So I expect to hear how well the elimination of these drug lords."
"I can't believe the boss is putting her faith in that primate to handle killing a military officer." Mine complained as she started setting up, unloading Pumpkin's pieces and attaching the sniper barrel. "Leaving it to him is just asking for trouble."
"He surely has experience, Najenda had to trust him for a reason." Sheele responded, tasked with protecting the young sniper. "Bulat and Leone also confirmed his skill."
"He's nothing but a brute, but unlike Leone he seems unable to even show a hairline of restraint." Mine argued. "Should I remind you he destroyed five buildings during his slaughter? If he messes this up we'll end up looking like reckless renegades. Doesn't matter if we kill Honest if the people see us as just as bad."
"I'm sure he'll be okay, if at worst he's like me it won't be too much damage."
"If at worst he's like you he'll destroy the whole city." Mine stated, putting her scouter on and perching on the side of the roof. "Extase is powerful but you can focus when fighting. If he can't he'll tear through everything."
"Oh…" Sheele muttered. "But then that means we just need to have faith. If you can trust me, then you can at least give him a chance."
"That's why I didn't object further. I'll let him either succeed or fail, afterwards we'll know where he stands with us." She said, taking aim through a window and seeing their target. "If he screws up, it's all on him."
"The markets look clear again tonight." Willock stated, him and his squad walking down the path. His eyes were looking everywhere, evidently on alert despite the empty streets. His attention turned as a pair of soldiers came running over, recognizing them from his second patrol team. "Has Seryu come back yet?"
"Not yet sir, she's still chasing after the thief we saw earlier." One answered.
"The kid's slipperier than we thought, Seryu was the only one who could follow him."
"And you let her go alone!?"
"We tried to stop her sir, but she was adamant on catching them."
"As hotheaded as her mother." Willock sighed. "Hopefully her training with Ogre will help her. If she runs into Night Raid or the traitor she'd risk dying."
"I wouldn't be concerned about her." The street suddenly felt heavy as a wave of killer intent spread, the squad of twenty soldiers turning to see Tiranov stand alone. His cloak was blowing in the wind, his eyes shifting from black to red as he glared solely at the captain.
"S-Sir?"
"That's him, the Noblesse Butcher." Willock responded, reaching his arms behind his back while Tiranov remained in place. "You made a mistake traitor, murdering innocents and displaying them deserves nothing less than immediate execution."
"How fitting, that's what I intend to do." Tiranov chuckled before raising a hand up, curling it as his claws sharpened. "Now face your extermination!"
"Take action men, this fiend will be cleansed! For the justice of the empire!"
"Raagh!" The squad charged with ferocity, their war cry having brought fury to Tiranov, the assassin planting his feet when they rushed him.
Without blinking, Tiranov swung his hand forward and cleaved two of the men in half. The blood only went up as he ran past their dismembered bodies and in the center of the squad. One brought their sword up and swung down at him, but the sword broke in half when it struck his arm. He brought his fist up and struck the person's chest, shocking the group as the punch went straight through her like it was nothing.
One of the soldiers had shaken their shock and stepped forward, swinging a mace at Tiranov's face and striking directly. Initially Tiranov took a step back from the impact, but before the man could pulling his mace back the assassin chomped into the metal. The bestial glare he had sent a shiver down the soldier's spine as he bit down, breaking the weapon with his teeth alone. He then only watched as Tiranov puffed his cheeks out and spat the metal out, the shrapnel ripping apart his head by the time he collapsed back.
"You criminal bastard!" Willock growled as he took aim, the arm guns firing rapidly at Tiranov as the assassin turned to him. Scales formed on his body by the time the bullets reached him, the captain staring in shock as the bullets ricocheted off his body and into several of his soldiers. The rest could only watch as Tiranov spun around with his arm extended out, their world's flipping as their heads were cut clean off.
'This… this isn't possible!' Willock thought with horror, his squad all collapsing to the ground as blood splattered around the street. 'My entire team killed in mere moments, by a murderous bastard!' The captain's anger rose as he aimed again, firing at Tiranov's head with surprising accuracy.
"You scum!" Willock bellowed as Tiranov closed his eyes, the bullets deflecting off his scales. The amount had Tiranov back up, the velocity higher than any of the guns he had been shot with before. "A lawless butcher like you deserves pain worse than execution! Once I subdue you, I'll turn you in to the palace's torturers!"
"You think you can throw me in just like the peasants you arrested during the protests a year ago?"
"Those that resist the authority of the empire are criminals, scum that deserve no pity or mercy!" Willock stated, his eyes wide in rage as Tiranov protected his face with his arms. "Those that stand in the way of order are agents of chaos, vermin that corrupt our great country! You killed those that defend our nation, senseless slaughter with no justice! I will bring that justice! I will be the oracle of justice! And today will mark your end! The end of the tainted rebellion! You will face justice worth a thousand-!"
"-Hells?"
The second Willock's arm guns ran out of ammo, he was overwhelmed as Tiranov seemingly just appeared behind him. His right arm had flown off as Tiranov's hand was stained in blood, the pain only enraging him further as he spun around to strike the man from behind.
"You son of a-!" Willock was then shocked as Tiranov spun and bit his left arm off, both his dismembered limbs bleeding profusely as the assassin crushed the arm between his teeth.
"What justice comes from a man that kills starving children?" Tiranov questioned, Willock stepping back before watching his assailant slash his hand forward, cleaving into his stomach and making blood fly.
"G-GA-MMMRRRPH!" Willock's scream was silenced as Tiranov's blood-stained hand grabbed his mouth and slammed him onto the ground, kneeling to his side as he effortlessly pinned the imperial soldier down.
"How about you shut up and be considerate to your people?" Tiranov asked with a wide grin, placing a finger over his lips in a hushing gesture. "A soldier for justice should have manners right? Suffer in silence for their sake."
"Disgusting… abomination…" Willock crocked out as he coughed, blood pooling in his mouth as Tiranov held him down. "You won't win, justice will… always be seen to vermin… like you…"
"I know, that's why you're dying right now." Tiranov responded, raising his hand off from Willock's mouth, his eyes staring down to the opening in his stomach with a crazed glint. "I was ordered to make sure you were recognizable, which means I can still do a little more before leaving."
"You won't get… anything from me… fucking xer!" Willock spat, blood hitting Tiranov's cheek.
"Oh, but I'll get it." Tiranov responded, raising his hand up before forcing his fingers into Willock's open wound. The man grit his teeth as he forced himself to remain silent, his muffled scream only encouraging Tiranov to force the rest of his hand into his stomach. "As much as I'd love it, I'm not here for the screams, the vengeance or the sounds of your flesh tearing. The blood of vermin is all I need, and I'll see to it there's plenty coming from you."
'Xer vermin… justice will prevail…!' Willock thought as he held in an agonizing scream, looking up at the moon as Tiranov forced his hand in deeper. 'Seryu… you will be that justice… strike at the heart of scum… and save this country!'
"Seeing you bleed like this is impressive, most people can't withstand this much pain." Tiranov noted, his arm up to his elbow in Willock's torso. "Let's just see how much you can take!"
'You'll get what's coming to you, they all do in the end!' Willock showed his determination as he glared up to Tiranov, the man shoving his arm deeper up his body without a hint of mercy.
Tiranov's torture of Willock lasted for five minutes, the man showing shocking resilience before dying from his wounds. As respect for him holding in his screams, Tiranov removed his arm and closing his eyes, leaving the captain's body as the armor and chest was completely ripped open.
Quickly leaving the area, he was got on top of a building when he heard running down the way, turning to see an imperial soldier with long hair running to the scene of his crime. 'Looks like I won't have to wait wrong for the scene to be reported.' He thought to himself, turning away to head off when he heard her scream.
"DAD!" That blood curtailing scream alone head him pause, Willock's blood still dripping from his fingers. "TOMAS! FERIN! SELLIA! YOU! YOU KILLED THEM!" Looking over his shoulder, Tiranov nearly flinched when he saw the girl glaring right up to him, seemingly seeing him despite the pitch-black night.
'It seems I overstayed my welcome.' He then took off, jumping away and disappearing into the night as the soldier screamed on.
"YOU COWARD! HOW DARE YOU RUN AWAY! GET BACK HERE! GET BACK HERE NOW AND FACE ME! NIGHT RAID!"
Tiranov's traverse back to base was done in silence, and when he reached the perimeter he picked up the other's scents, informing him he was the last one to kill his target. 'Nothing less from professionals.' Was all he could think as he reached the entrance, making his way back to where the meeting hall was.
"Took your time!" Mine huffed as the man entered. "I get you're a novice but try and keep up… appearances…" The girl's barbs were cut short when the blood-soaked man walked past, his right arm held out to show the dried blood.
"Willock Ubiquitous is dead, and discovered less than a minute after his death."
"You work efficiently, did you string his body up to be seen?" Najenda questioned.
"No, his daughter appeared not long after his death. She made enough of a scene to satisfy the request."
"I see." Najenda responded, taking a puff of her cigar before continuing. "How much of the blood is yours?"
"None." The answer had a focused stare from the team, Tiranov getting the message and removing his cloak. There were no cuts visible or clotting, meaning he suffered no serious injuries. The rest of his clothes was no different then when he left, clearing up his condition.
"It's good to see that your first assassination went well, it looks like hunting Danger Beasts isn't the only talent the Founding Hunter has." The general grinned.
"Yeah great, he can kill. Now can he go and get washed, he smells like sewage." Mine winced, sensitive to the fumes from the man. "Why the hell do you even smell that bad?"
"I used the sewer system to get past the walls." Tiranov answered plainly, looking back to her in confusion as she stared in horror. "What, how did you get in?"
"GET YOUR ASS OUT OF HERE!"
"Come on, you'll get an infection." Akame said plainly, pulling Tiranov by his cloak to follow.
"I'm a Tyrant, I've probably had worse infections then feces can give."
"LEAVE!"
"I get the feeling Mine doesn't like me." Tiranov commented as he stood at the base of a waterfall, letting the downpour of water wash over his body.
"She takes a while to warm up to, she does care all the same." Akame commented, filling a basin with water before soaking the man's pants.
"Compassion in this time is strange." He chuckled, closing his eyes as the blood slowly washed off. "My time was much simpler."
"How so?"
"We just said we were worried, no excessive yelling or need to prove ourselves. Or distancing in fear of an early death." His last comment had the swordswoman pause, looking up to see him staring over his shoulder.
"The first mission has the highest casualty rate; most assassins don't make it home. They suffer an injury or are poisoned and are too proud to reveal it before it's too late."
"Is that why you came? To make sure I wasn't lying?"
"I wanted to help, I think Bulat's the only other one able to handle such a rancid smell." Akame commented, washing his clothes with soap as he turned more. "I didn't think you'd even know about the sewer system, are they really that old?"
"Makoto had me dig the original canals to keep the water source clean. I just remembered where I dug and the rest was easy." He said.
"It must be horrible, having left Anachak at its peak to come back to this."
"It isn't much different then when I was born." Tiranov admitted. "Only our monsters were Tyrants and other Danger Beasts, they were easier to deal with."
"Do you believe that?"
"It was simpler, Tyrants don't justify their actions with morals. They were hungry and we were food, it was easier to take."
"What about the rest of the world?" Akame questioned. "You've been gone for a thousand years, surely you must have seen things like this at some point."
"Maybe I just left it in my wake, I don't remember seeing horrors like this." He admitted, chuckling as he tapped his knuckles to his head. "Of course I got a few centuries missing in here at a time, so who really knows?"
"Does it bother you that you're missing memories?"
"Eh, part of me feels living for a thousand years makes memory loss normal. Can't keep every memory together."
'You're not a good liar Tiranov.' Akame thought.
"Stupid bastard, tried fighting the Founding Hunter with a single squad and no Teigu." Within a morgue in the Capital Ogre was watching Stylish dissect Willock's body, seeing the extent of the damage Tiranov left with his arm.
"Well, you know he's got that stubborn streak for justice. I'm shocked he didn't find Night Raid's hideout trying to find him." Stylish laughed, pulling out Willock's heart, seeing the bottom of it punctured.
The two were long time associates of Willock, with the behemoth of a man Ogre being his fellow captain in arms and Stylish being their old field medic. It was sudden but far from surprising to the two that Willock died, Tiranov's slaughter all the evidence needed that this problem wouldn't go away easily.
"So how's our little Seryu taking things?' Stylish asked, putting the heart aside as he rummaged in Willock's chest more.
"Shockingly quiet." Ogre explained, looking out the two-sided mirror to Seryu's demoralized stare. The normally robust and ready girl seemed ready to give up any second now, getting a tired sigh from the captain as he rubbed the back of his head. "And of course, the bastard made me her guardian if he died. I don't run a fucking babysitting service."
"Well she has known you longer than me, and Willock specifically put in his will I'm "not allowed to experiment on her like a lab rat". Pft, trust that I have some class." Stylish said with a scoff, pulling out both of Willock's lungs, one eviscerated while the other had a cut across the middle. "Huh, he lasted long for having most of his organs ruptured. Leave Willock to be that stubborn."
"She's apparently a whole other level of stubborn." Ogre pointed out. "Broke all her hands punching through a door to apprehend a thief. She then snapped her fingers back into place and kept it hidden for a week when she broke them all over again."
"Oh my, such a shame I can't run experiments on her. She could have such style she'd rival our generals." Stylish laughed, looking into Willock's empty torso and seeing something interesting.
"No reason we can't. Willock's dead and she's fifteen, practically old enough to make her own decisions." Ogre shrugged, looking at Stylish with confusion as the doctor tossed the lungs without thought as he began to cut in. "What's the deal there?"
"Something curious." Stylish responded, the sound of meat being cut under his scalpel signaling his work. "How about you check up on Seryu? I hear there's tests to find a user for Hekatonkheires, maybe that will lift her spirits."
"You want me to see if a downtrodden, traumatized girl who lost her father not ten hours ago to test and see if she's compatible for a biological weapon of war?"
"Yes."
"Alright." Ogre shrugged. "I'll mention it, but I'm gonna take the night off after getting her home. Gamal gave me a bonus as a "condolence" package and I'm gonna treat myself."
"Try not to get yourself killed by Night Raid! God knows you're not very stylish as is!" Stylish called out, grabbing pliers and gripping into Willock's chest. Three tugs later he ripped out a grey scale that was lodged in, looking at it closely with a smile.
"Well hello there, you little, stylish scale. What kind of secrets do you have hidden in you?"
"Hrah! Ora!" Bulat shouted with power, swinging a wooden pole with devastating force. On the other end of each blow, Tiranov grinned with enthusiasm, blocking each strike with his forearm. The two were moving at an astonishing rate, Lubbock and Leone watching as their speed eventually disrupted the breeze around them.
"And he says he's out of practice?" Lubbock asked.
"Doesn't hurt to chip a little rust off outside of fights." Leone responded, watching the fight with a smile. "And the show ain't half bad."
"Bulat's not into you." Lubbock's smartass comment got a punch to the head, reeling back before a sudden gust of wind drew the two's attention back to the fight, seeing Bulat's staff centimeters from bashing Tiranov's head.
"Looks like today's my win." Bulat said with a smile, Tiranov laughing as the two relaxed.
"You're a lot harder to read out of Incursio. I'm going to have to better familiarize myself with weapons as soon as possible."
"Then we'll just have to train every day until you've memorized my every move."
"Careful there Bulat, you're good but my adaptability makes Incursio look like a pup in comparison. If you aren't too careful I won't need any of you for this war, and then I'll be so lonely fighting by myself."
"That's quite the confidence, considering the condition you were in when we found you." Everyone turned to see Najenda approach; the entire team joining outside. "But I wouldn't underestimate Honest's forces. Budo's overwhelming power is unlike anything recorded in Anachak's history. And Esdeath… that woman's a monster I don't know can be rivaled."
"Don't need to remind me." Tiranov said, placing his hand on his chest over the scars the general left. "She cut me better than Belvaac, a Teigu second only to Extase in terms of cutting power, calling her human seems more like an understatement."
"And you can say that with such a wide grin?" Najenda questioned, the Founding Hunter's teeth on full display at an ear-to-ear grin.
"I have never met a Danger Beast that could so easily kill me, nor have I encounter someone that made me think victory was only achievable at mutual assured destruction. I can't deny it makes my blood boil with excitement, even if this damned country is so vile."
"I suppose as the Founding Hunter, a challenge brings excitement. But I must insist you never fight Esdeath, not without reinforcements."
"Think I'd die that easily?"
"Perhaps not easily, but Esdeath's control over Demon's Extract is terrifying. Maybe even greater than the Danger Beast it's from."
"I've yet to see it myself, but I remember hunting Corotifsu. You truly believe that she can rival them?"
"Rival would give them too much credit."
"You shouldn't think on facing her, you've still yet to learn the basics of fighting a soldier. Esdeath's beyond any of us at the moment." Akame stated. "You survived your first mission, don't let it go to your head."
"Of course, I'm just speaking my thoughts is all." Tiranov relented, dropping the subject.
"Speaking of your first mission, looks like the Empire's finished their work the morning after." Najenda informed, pulling out a flier with a mugshot of Tiranov. "You're officially wanted with a bounty, which means subtlety will be of the essence from now on."
"Not that hard."
"You gutted an officer, split half his guard in half and left his daughter screaming in anguish at your existence." Lubbock pointed out.
"Hey, I was told to lack subtlety there. You can't hold that on me."
"You challenged the Great General in the heart of the palace, faced half a dozen Teigu users, and cut through a swarm of wyverns just to escape." Bulat added in.
"Well I… that was a bit different then…"
"You cut the heads off of over a dozen political families and impaled them on pikes planted by the mass graves you dug for their victims." Leone mentioned.
"What is this, bully the new guy day?"
"No that's Wednesday." Sheele answered, getting a silent look from Tiranov.
"…The scary part is I don't know if you're being serious or not."
"What everyone's trying to get across is that while circumstances worked in your favor that time, we are assassins. Whatever rush you get from hunting, whatever vendetta or previous loyalty you have must be put aside for the mission. A single mistake can result in death, even a perfect plan will fall to ruin."
"Got it through your thick skull? You're not going out on your own all the time. The mistakes you make effect all of us." Mine jumped in, crossing her arms as she regarded the hunter. "Newbs like you can get everyone killed, so start taking your role seriously. Otherwise this revolution is finished before it can get on its feet."
"I get it, I get it. God, Makoto would have loved you as a general." Tiranov muttered the last bit to himself, getting an amused chuckle from Najenda.
"You're over a thousand years old, we just want to make sure you don't get embarrassed by kids like us." Najenda teased. "Willock was a good warm up, but that mission will be the easiest one you ever complete. The game will grow more vicious the closer we get to the Prime Minister, so consider the training wheels off from this point forward."
"So Captain Willock's died?" Makoto asked Honest, the fat man humming in feigned disappointment as he held a platter of cookies.
"Yes, and sadly it's believed he did not pass quickly. The traitorous Founding Hunter had tortured him and murdered his entire team." Honest informed the young emperor.
"To think he came offering his loyalty, only to spit on Anachak's history and join such depraved monsters." Makoto responded.
"It's unfortunate, however I had a gut feeling he would." Honest said, scarfing down multiple cookies down at once. "A savage like him would never be so sensible as side with us. More a beast then a man."
"That is true, a beast can't be trusted in Anachak." The two looked to the door as Budo entered, going onto a knee to bow to Makoto.
"Great General Budo, do you have news?" Makoto asked.
"Yes, Your Excellence." Budo responded. "Lord Stoggam requests an audience, he wishes to once again convince you to reconsider his proposal on hunting down Tiranov Ubiytsa."
"That again? The man's stubborn that's for sure." Honest sighed. "Tell him we can't waste forces targeting him, alone he's a greater threat then a Tyrant. Now that he's aligned himself with Night Raid he's currently untouchable."
"No one is untouchable, not even the "Founding Hunter"." The moment those words left Stoggam's mouth, he was stopped as Budo stood immediately, sparks of electricity going across his frame as the colossal man looked down to him.
"You were not allowed an audience. Disrespect the throne room further and I will eliminate you."
"Now, now Great General, perhaps we should hear him out." Makoto interrupted the General, Budo stepping away from Stoggam to allow the transgression.
"Thank you, Your Excellency." Stoggam gave a short bow to the child, his fingers twitching at the distaste in the gesture.
"Stoggam, I thought we discussed this already at the colosseum, attempting to hunt down the Founding Hunter is a waste of resources. Why bring this up again?" Honest questioned.
"I had heard the news regarding Willock Ubiquitous and made the decision that ignoring him is simply impossible now." Stoggam stated. "As you are aware, I come from across the world. My home country Strana has been isolated for centuries. But from the past we have long been aware of his power, and the danger he posses to life."
"He's wronged your home as well?" Makoto asked.
"Anachak is my home now, my Lord. But my people, the Zveri, have suffered at his hands before. We wish for retribution, at the least to make sure he never brings the suffering he's brought us happens again. With your permission, we shall stop him before he can cause such destruction to Anachak."
"We?"
"I still am connected to my people, though in disarray we are able to communicate in weeks' time. I would like to extend a request of support, to invite some of Strana's greatest warriors to help exterminate him."
"You wish to bring outsiders into our land and fight our battles?" Budo interjected. "This battle is ours, to invite outsiders is to bring about corruption and collapse, a problem we suffer too much at the moment."
"Our Great General is right, what could we gain by taking such a risk?" Honest questioned, albeit grinning over at the glare Budo gave him.
"The Zveri have no concerns over the affairs of Anachak and its people. We only desire one thing. To have the Founding Hunter hanged by his own entrails as execution, and his body to return to the land for a proper purification ritual."
"And how would you expect to exterminate him?"
"The Zveri are more than capable of killing him. We can prioritize him in favor of sending your Teigu users. Is that a fair offer?"
"Your people would be without Teigu to defend themselves with, can they really defeat one of the strongest Teigu recorded in Anachak?" Makoto asked.
"As powerful as he is, the Founding Hunter is well understood among the Zveri. Whatever tricks he has, we have accounted for."
"What do you think Honest, should we go with it?" Makoto looked over to Honest, the large man scratching his chin in ponder.
"Anachak has little to no knowledge of Strana, in fact I haven't heard of the Zveri until now. However Stoggam has shown little to hide and no doubt wishes the Founding Hunter dead for killing his mistress. Letting him undergo this endeavor may prove beneficial."
"That's fair, he should be given the chance." Makoto smiled before looking back to Stoggam. "Stoggam, your wife and the Zveri deserve their justice. You are free to hunt the Founding Hunter, send the message to Strana and let justice come."
'Such a kind heart, if only he understood the meaning of a mistress.' Honest thought, shoveling a handful of cookies into his mouth. 'You have your excuse now Stoggam, now let us see if you have a bite to match your bark. And if I'll have a new pawn to work into this little game.'
"Thank you, Your Excellence." Stoggam bowed before turning to walk out. "We vow to bring him to his end. And it will be soon." The man left without a word after, being watched by all three until he was long gone, soon exiting the palace.
"So are we clear?" Stopping in an alley far from the palace, Stoggam was greeted by two women. One was tall, her hair green with darkened spots throughout it, her skin dark and eyes glowing with amber. The second was smaller, her hair short and blood red, four of her teeth protruding out enough to show their razor edge.
"Yes, the fat slob agreed to let us eliminate the Razru and finish this." Stoggam informed, looking to the shorter woman. "Selcha, you will return home and inform Zrvoil to send the Tauin."
"T-The Tauin!?"
"Yes, to face the Razru we will need the proper approach. Now go." Stoggam ordered, the woman hesitant before running off, disappearing around the corner. "Do you have any questions Qweunzet?"
"Only one, when do we start?"
"Right away." Stoggam growled, the two walking out into the streets. "The Razru came by boat, we will investigate the carriage that travels the full way. Find anything that can lead us to him before the Tauin make it."
"You're hoping to get him before Zrvoil can be here to honor any deal you made with the Prime Minister?"
"Every second I'm near that fat blob I feel nothing but disgust. Gorging himself on whatever the hell he can grab like fucking vermin. The sooner I get the Razru out of the way, the sooner we can tear this worthless cage of pests off the face of the world."
"It seems without your mistress these animals have lost their appeal to you."
"I have given the chance, now they deserve nothing but to be slaughtered."
"I can hardly wait."
(A/N): Well, well, well... I'm back. Been a long time, writing's come hard but I'm getting my grove back. This chapter is a bit of an interesting case, having been written over multiple on/off segments. But I intend to get back into the swing, especially since I was able to find the sight with the manga again so the planning works out better. More or less I'm getting the swing of Istrebit but soon I think I'll have it. And let me say, I'm excited for what I have planned.
Might not be the strongest chapter to come back to, but I hope this will spark a wide set of chapters to come and that you enjoyed it. Peace!