Chapter 34 Shall We Engage in Jolly Cooperation?
It does not matter what perspective you take, Hei's line of actions are hardly acceptable. In a certain world view, Hei can be called a heretic. To a certain degree, Hei is an absolute Machiavellian. Seeing everything analytically, factoring them into his reality layout, and achieving the ends without noting the means are the primary descriptions to Hei's philosophy. Even in Night Raid, Hei's skepticism cannot find a common ground, since the young assassins do consider morality in their operations.
Even though they know that they could potentially be abandoned, be caught, or be executed one day, they still hold onto those around them as friends and family.
This is rather preposterous for Hei himself, because subjectivity creates divergence, and divergence evolves into conflict, and conflict is the ultimate trigger point for disintegration. Relationship development is unnecessary to the Black Reaper, because people are just means waiting to be used in Hei's plans.
Of course, Hei is not going to change the ways of living for the young assassins, because it is not his duty to spread his living philosophy onto the lives of others.
"Thirty three percent saline solution binding with danger beast blood should activate bacterial behavior."
Cautiously mixing the two types of liquids inside his cylindrical test cup, Hei changes his body focus into observing the reaction liquid behind that pale mask.
"Bacterial reaction hostile, not yet lethal, but adequate in biochemical warfare."
Taking out a small knife from the tool kit on the side of the wall, Hei casually slides through the body of the small creature on his experimental desk. Twitching lightly, the corpse is reacting to Hei's careful physical intervention on its central nervous system.
HISS…
The smell of burning corpse gradually overwhelms the room, making any normal human being choke upon such scorching taste, but Hei does not care. He simply does not have the sense of smell.
"Bacterial decomposition ideal for corpse handling."
Within five seconds, the body of the mammal-like creature decomposes completely.
"Hei, what are you doing?"
Who dares to interrupt the great experiment of Professor Hei? Do you not know that Hei will absolutely destroy anyone who disturbs his focus on scientific researches? Do you want your life to end in the most unsatisfying way possible?
That is a joke.
Turning his head to Akame, Hei pauses for a second, and replies accordingly.
"Bacteria testing."
"Our location is compromised. Lubbock has detected around eight intruders. Eliminate all of them." Not minding Hei's indifferent attitude, the young assassin explains the current situation in the same tone as Hei.
"Understood." Cleaning the remains of the creature, Hei casually walks toward Akame's direction.
…
Running through the compact forest, Hei is not prioritizing all of his focus into the intruders. Surely, it is rather dangerous for any assassin to underestimate their surroundings, but with Type-Delta electron manipulation… well…
"Target position estimated: five hundred thirty-two meters, twenty-four degrees north of west."
Hearing Hei's sudden comment, Akame unsheathes her Murasame and dashes forward, completely putting her trust into Hei's calculations.
What makes the deadly assassin believe in what Hei has to say?
"Hei."
"…" There is not reply, but Akame knows that the Black Reaper is listening.
"Who is Yin?"
Shifting his attention from the battlefield to Akame's words, Hei is momentarily stunned at the name she mentions. Stopping in the middle of the forest, the Black Reaper looks at the silent assassin with his eyes squinted behind his mask.
"…"
"I met her." Lowering her katana, the young maiden also stops upon Hei's reaction to her question, "in my dream."
"…"
Managing to take in this rather precipitous information, the Black Reaper needs time to analyze this bizarre change-of-event before he can formulate an appropriate answer.
"Li's memory suggests Yin's immense importance to himself and to the survival of the world, which constitutes greatly to the predicament of Akame's character." Indulging himself in thought, Hei judges the silent assassin in front of him once again, "the nature is strange. Abnormal contractor power overwhelms the logical time-space continuum. No evidence can suggest the existence of other contractors in this world. The stars are the proofs."
"Souls do not disappear from solidities or appear from voids, but traces their origins from the beginning of everything. What can possibly make possible of the creation and carrying of spirits?"
Before any further thought can be forged, a quick slash comes into the view of the Black Reaper.
A stranger with a knife in his hand falls lifelessly onto the ground.
"Focus, or you will die."
Ignoring the fact that Akame just saved his life, the masked man walks pass the corpse of the intruder with no reply at all, and leaves the crimson-eyed girl with her victim.
A small glimpse of disappointment finds its way into Akame's eyes.
"Come."
But it quickly melts away upon Hei's calling.
Shall we engage in jolly cooperation?