Chapter 16 The Sunshine Before the Storm
From the fancy gate, the sight of a large garden will come to any visitor's first view. The glossy marble floor is reflecting the many lights of the torches. Crimson roses are climbing onto the tender grass fields, and the smell of soil mixed with the flowers has taken over the primary atmosphere. This lovely garden can easily capture the hearts of any tired wanderers.
Further into the ginormous living sphere, the structure of an European residence can be easily observed through the outbreak of the clashing lights inside the small windows.
No doubt, this yard can only appear in the hands of the rich, of the upper-most class families in this material society; however, from the explanation of the kindly gentleman in front of Tatsumi, he can only be classified as a count at the most.
If even a count can process that much wealth, then what is left for the lower-class poor peasants, for the likes of Tatsumi?
Underdeveloped, economically backward, frozen, those are the descriptions for Tatsumi's little village, that piece of land on the edge of this world.
This is what disparity looks like.
"Oh, my dear Aria, this is not the first time you have done this."
As Tatsumi sits down on the living room, the middle-aged man with short white beard on the bottom of his chin smiles lightly. His statement indicates his identity as the father of the blond girl and the owner of this property.
"I'm just doing what is right. It is just a habit, dad. We can't just leave him starving out there." The young blond jumps into her father's bulky body, her face rubbing against his left arm.
A small chuckle is the man's reply. Looking at Tatsumi, his expression changes from kindness to curiousness.
"I believe you have already gotten to know my daughter Aria. Would you like to introduce yourself, young man?"
"I am Tatsumi. I come to the capital to join the military, so I can raise money to save my village in the far north." Grasping his gesture, Tatsumi raises his fist with a confident smile.
"Is that so… Well, it seems like you don't have a place to stay. Judging from your belongings, I don't think you have had anything to eat yet. You can find dinner in the dining room over there. Aria will show you your room after you have dinner."
Perhaps it is the confining smile on the family's expression, or perhaps it is Tatsumi's kind and naïve nature, the innocent boy suddenly believes that he is being accepted by the family of angels.
"Thank… Thank you very much."
…
Hanging from the side of the rooftop, a black shadow swiftly glides over the European mansion. Viewing the bright lights coming from the inside of the windows, it quietly lands onto one of the tree branches. Stretching out its robes, the figure carefully covers itself with the shadow of the leaves.
"Target acquired. Ground defense intensity excessively low. Spirit of guards below average. Equipment primal. Available assassination options more than ten."
Searching for the different lights coming out of the multiple windows, Hei quickly drifts from one tree branch to another, leaving no sound, no smell, and no traces.
"Normal light intensity observed. Areas of individual rooms estimated. Light position produces emerging shadows. Rate of increase or decrease can determine sizes of potential residences."
Searching inside his cape, Hei takes out a grappling wire hooking with a medium-sized battle knife. Within the blink of an eye, he utilizes this wire to ascend himself toward the fence of a balcony.
"Human metabolism will be slowed to the last quartile within the next hour. Best result will be hindered until then."
Holding on to the bottom of the balcony with his right hand, Hei recovers his grappling tool with his other hand. Closing his eyes, Hei pours every bit of attention in his body toward his hearings.
"Guard position across different floors acquired. Four footsteps out of ordinary guard velocity. Analyzing impacting sounds…"
Opening his eyes, Hei climbs onto the last window on the south side of the building.
"Exact target position located. Heart rate decreasing in abnormal speed, interesting. Human metabolism will be in lowest quartile within half an hour."
Redirecting all of his attention toward the control of his internal muscles, a small glow of red light covers Hei's dark eyes.
"Electron manipulation – type Delta. Environment evaluation."
Suddenly, the reality disappears in Hei's point of view. What comes instead is a picture of the mansion and its surroundings in complete particle-form.
To many, this scene can hardly be interpreted by a normal human perception, but for Hei, he can clearly use the flow and exchange of electrons in different bodies to acquire the information of his surroundings.
"Proceeding with…"
Just as Hei is about to continue his assassination, a sudden fluctuation occurs in Hei's particle world, which causes him to notice something different… something… special.
"…"
…
"This is the place then! Just look at the forests surrounding this mansion! There is absolutely no chance for the empire troops to notice us!" Leone exclaims her inner excitement with a glimpse of her smirk on her face.
"Sheele, you can approach from the side window over there. Akame, Lubbock, and Bulat can take care of the front door."
Rubbing her fists, the young blond is overstretching her privilege in ordering her teammates.
"And I will crash this party from the south side."