Junius Brutus is my OC, he is important to my story development. Planning, scheming, and executing decisive plans are extremely important to this story, and it is very important for me to have Junius as part of the whole plan.
Chapter 50 Setting up the Stage
It is a feeling of incompleteness that the night brings. Fear of the unknown is always the greatest hinderance. That is why the nightfall is always covered with dread – without the penetrating rays from the incandescent sun, humans cannot easily determine what they are facing every time.
"Hei… Are you alright?"
Neglecting the hardening corpse on the ground, Seryu strides contiguously toward the thoughtful Black Reaper.
"Found something interesting."
Casually retrieving his eyesight from the executioner's body, Hei regains his indifferent expression in his usual reply.
"So you are alright… That is… truly… great…"
Seryu's countenance quickly radiates her normal cheerfulness to her surrounding environment, and her words are choked by her emotional stunt – Hei has put on a rather astonishing show here. Other than the fact that this man has defeated Zanku the Beheader with nothing but a pair of battle blades, there is also something else about this person that the brown-haired girl cannot ignore – a homeless man jumping out of nowhere that can completely overwhelm the infamous murderer of this city… This Hei is very, very suspicious.
But… at the same time, this man just saved her life… twice. If he has ill intentions toward justice, well, the justice that Seryu believes, then he would have left the battle while she tried to protect him.
Things are really getting complicated for the young protector of justice.
"It is over."
"Yes… it is."
Looking at expressionless man once again, Seryu tries to discover something that can help her find the answer for which she is seeking. Evidently, it is a total failure.
"Ah, Seryu, here you are."
Before the interactions between the Imperial Police member and the cunning Black Reaper becomes unpleasant in some unprecedent direction, a voice breaks out in the middle of the silence.
Turning around to observe the upcoming man, the duo proceeds to reflect their immediate different speculations.
Magician.
That is the initial reaction of Hei.
In fact, that oversimplified description is not very different from what the man resembles… to a degree.
The ivory top hat notably outshines Hei's outfit with a significant shade of whiteness, which seems very befitting under the plated moonlight. The hidden silver-colored hair completely blends into his overall costume. His white trench coat is flaunting against the touch of the night wind, while the bleached pants simplifies his comprehensive theme into that of a peaceful whiteout. In his right hand lies a walking staff, typically resembling the eighteenth-century industrialists, or certain modern-day magicians. But nothing can stand out more than the ebony eyepatch over the man's right eye. How paradoxical – a simple piece of blackness is the only differentiable part of this newcomer in a dark night like this.
He is a man perhaps in his early twenties.
"General Brutus."
Ah, so that clears out some confusions.
Watching the man slowly approaching the scene, Seryu completely indulges herself into a stance for a perfect military salute toward the man.
"Junius, Captain Seryu, if you would. I do not particularly esteem formalities toward myself."
Smiling calmly at the captain of the Imperial Police, supposed general of the empire turns to look at the remaining member of the trio.
"And you have finally arrived, my friend."
Wait, what?
"It has been a while."
Fixing his glasses once again, the Black Reaper does not seem to contain any strange reactions to the omniscient question – in fact, it almost looks as if he is expecting this encounter.
"Um… General, if I may ask, you are Hei are acquainted?"
Mentally moved by the uncommon scene, the protector of justice could only be dumbfounded when her superior is actively engaged in a history with the homeless man who just defeated the infamous Zanku.
"Junius, captain. Hei and I were long-time business partners from the eastern districts of the Empire a few years ago. Before I left our partnership to come to the capital, we were danger beast hunters."
As if the story has been completely true, the general calmly explains to the young captain without any hesitation.
"Oh, no wonder…"
Accepting this explanation from the general, Seryu turns to the Black Reaper with a confident smile.
"Mr. Hei. You are, indeed, a man of justice, and as the captain of the Imperial Police, I thank you on the behave of my team for your handling of the wanted criminal in this city."
Finishing her appreciation, the brown-haired girl formally takes upon a posture of military salute once again, only this time to the Black Reaper.
Hei nods.
"Captain, you have done well tonight. You may return to your post. This area will be safe under my surveillance. I would like to have a chat with my old friend."
Politely gesturing Seryu to rest for the rest of the night, Junius proceeds to walk toward Hei.
"Understood, General."
…
Watching the young protector of justice disappearing in the distance, Hei carefully observes his surroundings before making his sound noticeable.
"Shion."
"Straight to the point, aren't you? You are just as how he described you."
Indicating Hei to walk with him, Junius answers the Black Reaper with his usual gentle demeanor.
"Judging from your rank, your work has been successful."
Even if he is speaking with the body host of Shion, Hei still doesn't show any expressions.
"Yes, it is. As you can see, I am the half-creation of Shion the Izanagi, which is why I am different than all of the other body hosts in this world. I can effectively communicate with Shion's soul, and through him, I have created a believable history for myself."
Looking at the shining moonlight, the general continues his tale.
"Before Shion contacted you, I have joined the Imperial Army and demonstrated my abilities in securing the danger beast problems in the western districts. I have approached the Prime Minister and did some… well, shadowy business with him, so he promoted me to the rank of a General. Technically, I do not hold any combat abilities that can rival the other two generals equal to my position, but I was seen as the main strategist, considering that neither of them are willing to partake in such tedious work."
Almost chuckling at his own statement, Junius stops in the middle of the road.
"Any signs we seek?"
Frowning at the sudden question, the young general comes into a pause in his story.
"Actually, yes…"