A/N: Same treatment here. Chapter has been edited and rewritten to flow with the previous chapters. The pov has also changed to 1st person like how I said it would be for all the edited chapters and future chapters except for the prologue. I hope everyone enjoys. The next set of edited chapters will be released when they are finished.

XxXxXx

The following morning was peaceful. Tatsumi and I were served breakfast, which was surprisingly clean from any drugs or poison that might've been fed to those people in the shed. Really, I was half-hoping that they did, when afterwards I'd expose their crimes and execute them on the spot, hopefully with justification from Tatsumi. Rather, Aria and her family wanted to gain our trust in these few days, perhaps to make the despair we're expected to feel even better.

Tonight it is, then.

Later in the afternoon, Aria dragged me and Tatsumi to accompany her shopping in the city. Thankfully, I stayed to myself, as the more talkative Tatsumi was appointed the promising position of gopher. It was again another exhibition of splendour, as Aria practically bought from every store, whether the items were useful or not, and piled them on onto Tatsumi's bosom.

Tatsumi, naive as he is, seemed to already catch on to the true nature of nobles and those in the capital. At first, he was cheerfully going along and eagerly commented on the choices Aria made, but later in the day he simply put up a polite mask, never saying anything other than words to keep the mood. I also caught him speaking to some merchants, and by some lip-reading I knew Tatsumi's eyes were being opened, slowly but surely, to the devil right in front of his eyes.

Good. He'll need all he can get to survive.

I'm sure that Aria also knew of Tatsumi's change. Sharp as he is, he is simply too inexperienced in life to lie in front of this... monster in human form. Perhaps she also has her suspicions about me, but my guess is that she doesn't really care what her prey thinks of her, so long as she can play with them to her heart's content.

"Poor sap." I muttered under my breath.

After shopping, Tatsumi and I were once again asked to spend the night, which we both graciously accepted, although for different reasons. Tatsumi fell asleep fast enough, happy to have the bed once again. I, on the other hand, prepared for some cleansing…

I make sure all my possessions are once again with me. I have replenished my Black Keys, along with the sword Shakespeare made me. I didn't dare to utilize it these last few days, as the consequences of pulling out a Noble Phantasm not completely my own was a little bit too risky. After some discreet experimenting, I found that it's form will be stable enough to be enhanced according to this Prana-rich, Gaia-poor environment.

I make my way through the mansion. After yesterday's reconnaissance, I can feel the movements of the mansion's inhabitants like a 3D-model. Of course, this includes the dying souls in the shed, which warrants myself to take a deep breath to suppress my blood lust. I may be a saint but I am not totally pure. I can feel the desire to kill.

First target: Aria and her parents. Second target: everybody that gets in my way.

I'm neither foolish nor bloodthirsty enough to just simply go into a killing spree. I guarantee that a good percentage of the people working here also share my thoughts regarding the mansion's owner. They'll be good additions to a network I plan on creating, in order to bring salvation to this world. No one can do everything by themselves, after all.

As i travel the corridors, a familiar feeling passed through me.

Blood lust.

A few living signatures make their presence known, at least to me. Further Reinforcing my senses, there's... 6 people? Three female, three males, all moving at high speed. My ears can catch their calm footsteps and steady breaths, but just barely. Professionals, I'm sure. Night Raid, perhaps? They're not mages, but I can definitely feel latent mana being used for personal enhancement. Of course, sufficiently trained people can utilize what they usually call 'aura', 'Qi', 'Od' or 'Mana', and so forth, but 6 of them at the same time? Not a coincidence.

Also... they're much closer than I anticipated. Have I grown lax these days? Sheesh, I still need to improve...

Aria's father is running across the hallway, pale face immediately contorts into relief.

"Ah, Shirou! Thank-"

He never finished.

Truth be told, I enjoyed it when I saw the fear appear in his eyes. However, it's all too late, as a Black Key pierces his heart. He tries to say something, but all that came out was a wet gurgling sound. I personally don't believe that this man is capable of compassion, but maybe his final thoughts were of his family?

I whispered to his ears, "Relax..." I stare right into his eyes, "I'll take care of of wife and daughter."

I added a small chuckle for evil measure, though it seems he died midway through our conversation. How rude.

One of the intruders is closing in on my position, probably after the same target as I am. Avoiding him, I left the man's body on the floor, before leaping out through one of the open windows to other parts of the mansion. As I predicted, there are some of the guards and workers that are here because of coercion and circumstances, so I simply direct them to gather someplace safe. I assume that Night Raid won't hurt them, given their 'fighting-for-you-all' vibe.

If it turns out to be the opposite, well... I have a new target, then.

The remaining workers and guards are in a mess, not coordinating and working together to repel the intruders. Not that they can do much, mind you, judging from their abilities, but I'm sure there's a more efficient way than just running around and shouting to whomever listening. I ended up killing them quickly, not making much of a fuss, because I sensed that Night Raid is closing in on the shed.

Along with Aria and Tatsumi.

I hid behind a canopy of trees lining the garden, with a direct view to the shed and its surroundings. Suppressing my presence, I watch as Tatsumi, Aria, and... Akame? ...Yes, it turns out my guess of them is correct. A voluptuous cat-woman stands near Akame, probably her comrade. I don't sense any other presence near us, so it means the guards around here have all been done for. In the distance, a few presences are running about quietly, whom I assume to be other Night Raid members patrolling.

The interactions near the shed unfold pretty much exactly how I guessed it would happen.

Tatsumi, quite gentlemanly, defends Aria from Akame, still being the naive boy I know, and still not knowing which side he should pick and trust, despite his own suspicions. Aria is playing along as the innocent girl he knows, faking the role of a distressed damsel, despite the bitch's eyes showing everything. Akame, the professional assassin, doesn't speak much, and tried to subdue Tatsumi as quickly and safely as possible, showing good judgement of people and excellent sword skills.

As predicted, Tatsumi is no match for the black-haired beauty, ending on the ground after a few exchanges. He's not fatally injured, it seems, and to my surprise he pulled out a damaged... totem... from his inner pocket. What a good luck charm it is.

Akame and her cat-woman friend then proceeds to open the shed door, and explains the truth of Aria and her family to Tatsumi. Meeting his dying friend, and seeing his other friend's corpse, the novice swordsman flies into a rage and swiftly butchers Aria. Again, his sword skills shows promise, but still very rough around the edges.

'Geez, what am I? A sports commentator?' I chuckled inwardly.

Now, though, I am hit with a dilemma. Tatsumi is the only person that knows the existence and faces of some Night Raid members (of which they know of, not including me). Common sense in the assassination business is to kill all eyewitnesses, or dispose of them in a way they cannot reveal any sensitive information. Tatsumi is a genuinely good person, a rarity in these times.

If they decide to off Tatsumi, I'll help him, even at the cost of revealing myself. I simply can't turn a blind eye if Night Raid starts to kill civilians and bystanders just to keep their secret. I sense the patrol unit of Night Raid is converging back this way, so I carefully knead my Od to move at any moment. I can't afford to use Mana from the surroundings, as the cat-woman seems to have superior senses than most people, maybe closer to me.

Fortunately, out of the blue, they unanimously decided to capture Tatsumi, which means he'll be treated well enough to be useful to them. Maybe they'll just ask him for information, or maybe they'll try to recruit him, I don't know. In any case, it's a load off my back, knowing that this boy will be safe in the near future.

When I could no longer feel their presence, I left my hiding place. I was amazed by how juvenile and impulsive the members of Night Raid seemed to be, or at least the ones I have witnessed. If I hadn't seen some their skills in comparison to the guards, I'd be questioning their competence. Hell, I still am questioning their competence and sanity, but that debate can be put off for another time. Now I am left alone with a now unowned mansion, with a small amount of servants still on the premise.

I grinned. "Better get the Bounded field set up."

It's been several days since I started setting up Aria's mansion as my base of operations. Temporary, but efficient, since it is located in the capital... And it'd be a waste to left it otherwise. A simple Bounded Field keeps people from being nosy of why on earth their neighbor has suddenly just gone quiet and never seen again. It'll cause any investigator to suffer from a sudden sense of foreboding and unease. Simple and neat.

The bodies were disposed of in a nearby river to the south. With so many corpses, of course there're some repercussions, but eventually with no leads the blame was placed on Night Raid, keeping me clean.

I gave the still-living servants and guards two choices: join me in my cause, or walk out with their memory wiped. For sure, I explained my dream and passion to them, in my best preaching tone and charisma, but never once I forced my own opinion against someone else. Those that disagreed before in my previous life was... 'convinced' not to get in my way. Or dead.

After a good night's sleep (which I ordered them to have), they made their choices the next morning. About half of them decided to leave, a decision I respected. It's a bit of a hassle, hypnotizing so many people at once, not because of the technical difficulties, but because another half of them that wasn't hypnotized. They're quite shocked when their former co-workers walked out the front gate with no memories of the remaining servants.

I explained to the ones that stayed that I came from a faraway land, with certain perks and abilities only those from my home possesses (which isn't entirely a lie). Telling them the entire truth will compromise my position, and I was glad they accepted it easily at the time.

The other thing I'm happy about is their devotion to my cause. Yes, I probably used a bit of my Class Skill, which was my C+ ranked Charisma, to charm them, but it's a skill that's useless if the target firmly denies the principle of the logic presented to them. I know that each and every one of them has a good deal of information I can use, and a solid network of people in the capital to acquire other information they don't have.

Mainly, the information on who needs to die.

Truly, their will to fight was incredible, as I already had a good net of spies going around in the city. As always, there's a select few of them that excels naturally, and with zealous far exceeding others. Between my underlings, it is the boy named Yoru.

A mere fifteen years of age, a modestly built boy with tanned skin, short, messy black hair, and deep brown eyes. I feel myself lucky just to have him under my command. Around 80% of any relevant information fed to me was provided by this boy alone, and he accomplished it with such ease that can only come from natural talent. However, what I adore most of all is his passion and fiery soul to succeed my dream. Sometimes, I wonder just who it is that believe in my dream more, me or him? I'm not one to purposefully play favorites, but I'd be a foolish tyrant if I don't reward him justly. In just a few short days, he had become my trusted assistant.

Yoru, along with everybody else, goes to town during the day to collect information and mingle with the citizens, barring several that are assigned to the night shift. We gather for meals 3 times a day, where they reveal their prized rumors and data. They also consult me on my next move, on whom needs to die first, or whom to keep alive until later on.

After gathering solid intel, I am the sole operator of the assassinations. Some of my targets were skilled, or surrounded themselves with skilled hands, but none of them came even close to match the members of Night Raid that I met, much less myself. I let Night Raid to take credit for my job, as anonymity is currently my biggest asset.

Speaking of Night Raid, I wonder how Tatsumi is doing? After his first kill, the Night Raid members seemed eager to have him among his ranks, especially the blonde cat-woman who was likely familiar with Tatsumi before he made contact with Aria, judging from their conversations last night I managed to pick up. Well, if he did join them, he could very well be a formidable warrior in the near future. He has potential, and with a skilled teacher, I'd put my money on him being able to stand alongside the other members in skill.

Now, though, I am in the middle of a meeting with my group. Yoru is speaking. Seriously, this boy needs to take it easier on himself, lest he burnt himself out. I told him many times, but he was determined enough that I let him do as he please.

"Shirou-sama, there has been increased talk in the streets regarding Ogre of the Capital Guard and Gamal the oil merchant. Gamal has been giving bribes to Ogre to keep quiet about his crimes and unethical practices, then frame other for it. Ogre happily accepts these bribes and causes innocent people to take the fall for Gamal's actions, ending in execution. These men are monsters, and they deserve to die!" Yoru said the last part with more malice than usual in his voice, capturing my curiosity.

"Yoru, do you have some sort of past with Ogre and Gamal?" I asked.

Yoru is visibly shaking, trying to keep himself in check.

"They killed them, Shirou-sama... Ogre, and Gamal, are the reason I lost my parents and ended up having to serve that bitch Aria. It's all their fault... All of it…!"

Tears were now slowly coming down the boy's cheeks.

'I see. He wants vengeance and retribution.'

I place a hand on Yoru's shoulder, before making the boy look into my own grey eyes.

"Yoru. I understand you want to do something about your parents' killers. It is natural to feel anger, hate, and want retribution. But it isn't healthy to keep something like this bottled in. I told you and everyone else in this mansion currently, that I will do my best to rid this land of the plague that is killing it and its people. It's OK to need a pillar of support. I will be your pillar for now, until you can support yourself once again."

Yoru breaks like an overflowing dam at my words, letting his tears flow freely as I pull the boy in to comfort him, tears staining my clothes.

"I just want to make a difference! I want to cause change!"

"And you have. This information you brought me will be the end of those two. You don't have to be out in the battlefield to make a difference. Those who gather information are just as important, if not more, than those who fight out in the open. If you truly wish to make a difference, continue doing what you're doing. One day you might end up fighting, but that day is not today. Now calm yourself, and tell me the rest of the information," I soothed him.

Yoru pulled away from Shirou, wiping away his tears, new found determination in his eyes. "You got it, boss! Ogre tends to spend his time out on patrols with his subordinates. But other than that, he hangs out at the Garrison Headquarters where Gamal comes to his private room to give him bribes. On his days off, he leaves headquarters and spends the day drinking on Main Street, close to the palace."

"It seems like it would be easiest to kill Ogre during one of his days drinking when he is not so close to the center of the capital... Continue."

"Gamal lives in an oriental-style small palace. He's really confident with Ogre looking out for him, so he doesn't have too many guards at his place, n-not that they would have been a problem for you. However, I have also heard that Night Raid may be working on this job as well."

"Fantastic work, Yoru! Grab something to eat from the kitchen and go get some rest. You deserve it."

Yoru beams at my praise, muttering words of thanks before leaving me alone.

I feel a little guilt for playing his emotions so thoroughly. Yoru is a simple boy, and he's one of the types I always see self-destructs because of vengeance. If possible, I want to keep him from the front lines, to avoid him messing up horribly in the future. Though, I have a feeling I won't be able to convince him too.

Damn high-ranked Revelations...

'It would be best not to be seen by Night Raid. The series of murders I've been leaving will make them cautious of me, and a fight may break out. I don't want to have to kill any of them, if I don't have to.'

I pick up my holy shroud from the chair, putting it on. Kissing my cross slightly, I mutter, "Let Justice be served, with the Heavens as my witness."

XxXx

Gamal's home is way too easy. My new assistant was understating in how lax the security is. I mean, a small palace guarded by just one guard! Come on, I know you're in bed with the Guard Captain, but can you be anymore stupid?

The guard in front was granted a swift death. Personally, i sensed that everyone working here has blood money, so they needn't be spared. After this, I walked through a small walkway that connects to Gamal's personal garden, on which the frog-like merchant was in.

I wasted no time. Leaping silently, one Black Key beheaded him before he notices anything. I bagged his head for souvenir for Yoru.

'Damn, he's ugly. But he'll make a fine gift... I think?'

Two people are behind me. Night Raid?

Turning around, I observe Akame and her buxom blonde companion moving towards me.

"Leone, this must be the man that has been taking all of our jobs." Akame said in her normal calm, monotone voice.

"It seems you're right, Akame. Hey, doesn't he look familiar to the guy Tatsumi was talking about? Silver hair, grey eyes, tan skin. He never mentioned he was this attractive though!" The blonde, Leone, cheerfully commented.

'So Tatsumi did mention me. It really was wishful thinking to believe he would just forget about me.'

"Now, It's my pleasure to be the talk of two beautiful women such as yourselves, but I have somewhere I need to be. Plus, the man is already dead, so there isn't a reason for either of you being here now, correct?" I raise up the bag with Gamal's head inside as I look between Leone and Akame. My grey eyes locks with Akame's own red eyes.

Akame instantly became wary of the man before her. Those grey eyes have seen and done terrible things, maybe even worse acts that she has committed. The lithe girl drew her katana. "Leone. It would be best to take this man in for questioning."

Leone lowered herself in a strange stance. "I was thinking the same thing."

"Please, I would prefer to just leave. Like I said, there are other places I need to be." I try to persuade them, to no avail.

I notice that the belt Leone is wearing suddenly emits Prana, where in the next instant lion ears and tails grew on her body. Her hair becomes longer and wilder, her muscles tighter and claws sharper. 'So a lion-woman, not a cat-woman? Up close she appears quite strong...'

She rushed at me, aiming an enhanced punch to my lower abdomen.

Now, I'm not going to get cocky or anything. I have my fair share of experiences where a slight spike of arrogance, even when a person is on the verge of victory, can cause doom to that person. Yes, I know plenty.

But, damn, she's slow.

It's probably my Servant abilities being so overpowered in this world. In my world, Servants are considered level with Divine Beings, a presence so abnormal that no humans, no matter how skilled or numerous, can match them. So in this world, it's only normal to think that I just gotten a bit stronger, at least in relative to my opponent.

I simply twisted my body away from her punch and shoved her behind me. Her momentum caused her to stumble, but before I could capitalize on the opening, a silver flash was already moving towards my neck. I blocked it by materializing a Black Key just before it could cut me.

'That katana... very dangerous. Is it coated in poison? Curses? At any case, even being scratched by that is a bad idea...'

'He's good.' Akame thought as Shirou pushed her back beside Leone.

"I would prefer not having to hurt any of you yet, so just give up. You can't beat me." Shirou said, as if it was a fact.

Leone leaned towards Akame, "Hey Akame, this guy is actually pretty good. Do you think that weird blade he has in between his fingers is his Teigu? It did appear out of nowhere."

"I don't know, but be careful. We don't know what that blade is capable of doing or his full ability yet. The best thing would be to-"

Akame was interrupted and sent off of her feet as she was forced to block a kick that sent waves of pain through her arms. The red eyed assassin flipped in the air before skidding to a hault. Her arms went numb, perhaps fractured at worst.

'I didn't even see him move!'

The sound of renewed fighting turned Akame's attention towards Leone who was currently trying to land a blow on her opponent, to no avail. The white-haired man seemed to be able to keep up with Leone even when she was powered up by Lionelle without too much of a problem, which was worrying.

'I need to help her.' Akame thought, but as she tried to move, she realized her body wouldn't listen to her. Looking down, she noticed one of those weird blades that blocked Murasame pierced her shadow. 'Can those blades immobilize me?!' Akame looked back at the fight her friend was in with increased worry.

Leone, on the other hand, was getting rather frustrated. Shirou has only made passable efforts in dodging her blows, almost as if he was mocking her skills. It was infuriating, to say the least.

"Stand still already and let me hit you!"

Leone launched her right hand forward, intent on grabbing and crushing Shirou's skull. Her attack, though, was irrational and left an obvious opening. One that Shirou wasn't going to let go to waste.

With his right hand, Shirou grabbed Leone's arm from below, lifting it up while also pressing his side close to Leone's waist, before delivering a vicious left elbow right into her chest. Leone could feel the insides of her stomach moving up and out from her mouth, but before she could recover, Shirou followed up. He kicked her supporting foot out from under her, before stomping on her stomach again, causing Leone to cough out a small amount of blood from her lungs. Her eyes glazed over, signifying she fell unconscious.

Akame was speechless. Never before she had witnessed someone beating Leone so handily in hand-to-hand combat. Her nape felt cold, as if the temperature in the room mysteriously dropped. Maybe... the only one that she knew of capable to do this is General Esdeath. He's as strong as her, maybe even stronger...

And he's walking towards her, slowly, gingerly, almost playfully, like a beast playing with its meal, all with a gentle smile on his face. His expression was calm and happy, almost fatherly, but her entire body trembled uncontrollably at the sight. When was she this afraid? She can't remember... can't move... can't breathe...

His presence was suffocating her. Inhuman. Demonic. Divine.

He reached out with his hand, slowly stroking her pale cheekbones and her jaw. To Akame, it's as if Murasame itself was touching her, a warning of certain death. He traced her collarbone, her shoulders, her ears, her hair, gently like a lover. He looked her straight in the eyes, her crimson orbs against his ste-

Grey...

N-

...

XxXx

'Did I overdo it?'

Perhaps. I don't have a hobby of torturing young girls and gaining pleasure from their screams and pains (unlike someone), but maybe the hypnosis I put Akame under was a tad too strong for her. The people in this world are inexperienced with illusions and all matter supernatural, so their mental defenses are much lower. Even training with drugs won't help, as my Reinforced hypnosis, combined with my Charisma, also grips at a spiritual level, making only a trained magus from my original world able to recognize it. Defending against it is another matter.

So... a bit wouldn't hurt her. She should be fine. I know someone like her has seen horrible atrocities herself and although she may be shaken she should get over the hypnosis.

Right.

Now, I'm traversing the rooftops, searching for Ogre's whereabouts. Both the benefactor and executioner must die, or the cycle will just repeat itself all over again. Suddenly, I heard a faint sound of clashing blades. I rushed over immediately, but the downsides of Reinforced hearing is that you do tend to give yourself a false perceptionat how close the target is.

As it turns out, it took me 5 minutes of full sprinting to reach the place.

Tatsumi and Ogre are engaging in a battle to the death.

It isn't very surprising for me to see Tatsumi fighting against Ogre. It just meant that he was recruited into Night Raid's ranks. I'd like to see some improvements since the last time we met, or I'll be disappointed.

At first, Ogre had the upperhand against Tatsumi, using his superior strength and reach to overwhelm the boy. The tides turn, however, when Ogre said something that enraged Tatsumi, causing the boy to release an impressive amount of killing intent as he severed Ogre's arms from his body in an instant burst of speed.

That move surprised me, even though I'm fully aware of how much a human can surpass his own limits when adequately motivated.

Tatsumi jumps into the air, preparing to give the finishing blow to his target.

For a split second, I caught a glimpse of his eyes. Unwavering. Determined. 'They promised death.'

Tatsumi's short sword sliced the Captain's arms, then his legs, then his hips, thighs, chest, and finally decapitated him. A swift combination, magnificent to see even to myself. Say, I'm quite impressed, having observed him in this short fight.

"I see why Night Raid recruited you. You have a long ways to go still, but you show great potential." I mutter to nobody in particular, as I watch Tatsumi walk away from his first kill as a Night Raid assassin.

'Now to complete my gift set for Yoru.'

When I returned, it was already quite late. Therefore, I was mildly surprised to see Yoru obediently waiting for my return outside the mansion.

"Didn't I tell you to get some rest?" I asked. I could already tell that this argument would be going nowhere.

"I took a nap for an hour and thirty minutes, that's plenty of rest." Yoru retorted.

"Fine, fine. Maybe after you see this you'll be able to get some more sleep... Maybe even a good dream, or two?" I ended the conversation, while tossing my gift sacks towards him. I walked straight inside the perimeter of the mansion, but my senses were still active, gauging the boy's reaction.

Through the shift in the air, I felt he was trembling. Not of disgust, anger, or shock, which normal people would do if they suddenly opened two bags filled with a freshly-cut human head.

He was simply too happy to do anything else.

As I walked further into the mansion, I felt pride for the first time in many years.

'70 years... I finally saved one...'