Chapter 51 An End Is Always a Beginning
"You have seen it yourself."
Holding onto his staff, Junius looks at the Black Reaper with his calm yet promising character, and proceeds with his unfinished explanation.
"Time and location."
Explicitly requesting for more information, Hei takes on his usual vacancy in his voice.
"Elder Basin."
Answering only half of the question, the young general knows exactly what information is enough for the man standing next to him to come into the correct conclusions.
"That contractor power was almost omnipotent. I do not possess the data for such contractor ability."
Knowing exactly to what the creation of the Izanagi is referring, Hei narrows his eyes for a more informative clarification.
"You are mistaken. That was not the work of a contractor."
Hearing the sudden input from the general, Hei unintentionally widens his eyes.
"If so, then you are indicating that a Teigu has the potential to eradicate an entire nation."
A small but noticeable grin finds its way onto the young general's facial appearance.
"You have not yet seen the worst."
"…"
A period of silence soon accompanies the duo in the middle of the night. Hei appears to be in deep thought, and Junius is patiently waiting for the Black Reaper to reply.
"Proceed as planned. Exchanging updated information is crucial."
Slowly shaking his head, the white-coated general decides to resume his walk, gesturing the Black Reaper to follow suit.
"Shion has told me of your plan. The risks are unpredictably high, and success does not necessarily bring the result the both of you are seeking. Sometimes I want to question your motives, but I will refrain myself."
Walking steadily behind Junius, Hei still chooses to keep both of his hands in his pockets, not willing to express a single bit of opinion.
"What about you? My work cannot continue without the intelligence about the Revolutionary Army."
A small scraping sound breaks into the middle of this conversation, causing the silver-haired general to turn his head toward his acquaintance.
In the middle of the night, a brown envelope emerges from Hei's left hand. Judging from the thickness of the bag, there should be at least three hundred pieces of paper inside the cover.
"Impressive. Very impressive. I start to understand why Shion speaks highly of your effectiveness in your line of work."
Taking the envelope gently from Hei's hand, the general moderately hides it inside his ivory trench coat.
"What of the assassination group the Revolutionary Army has imposed here in the capital?"
Scanning the area again, Hei resolves to secure the conversation further before he answers the man in front of him.
"Deliberate operations. Their trust for me cannot exceed the lines of partnership, although that will change as time progresses."
Monotonically presenting his situation to his partner in crime, the Black Reaper does not show any worry for his lack of advancement comparing to Junius.
"Confident, aren't you? I like the sound of it."
A moderate smirk appears on the man with the top hat, but it is soon replaced by a more serious complexion.
"How about the host for the Izanami?"
"Progress is slow, but under control."
"I hope so."
"Trust me."
After carefully studying the expressions of the Black Reaper, Junius finally lets out a sigh.
"I presume that will suffice for now. I should head back before causing unwanted attentions. You should as well."
Before Hei turns back to his previous route, the young general quickly disappears into the rays of the silver moonlight.
…
Equally covering the ground with the same amount of brightness, the moon reveals a man in complete blackness heading toward the western side from rooftops to rooftops.
With his normal equipment and attire retrieved, Hei cautiously calculates every step of his choice of route before finally setting his eyes on a tree in the distance.
The sky is slowly turning bright as the night is coming to an end. The light fog in the atmosphere somehow makes the close distance between Hei and his target seem farther than it is.
"Akame."
The expressionless voice calls out just in time for the receiver to notice Hei's arrival.
"Hm."
It is probably just a delusion that the black-haired girl reveals a sign of relief in her voice.
Yes, totally.
She has been waiting here for more than an hour. Hei was supposed to be back much sooner than this, because they were supposed to use the darkness of the night as a cover for their retreat; however, the sky is currently starting to brighten as the night is coming quickly to its closure. The more she waits, the higher the danger she has for being discovered – considering that the picture on wanted posters are rather accurate for the crimson-eyed girl.
"Our target is eliminated, but I cannot retrieve the Teigu as planned. The Imperial Police was involved."
"Hm."
Akame lightly nods at Hei's explanation as her long hair swings around her body upon her decision to lead the way for the both of them.
Suddenly remembering something, the girl turns quickly to the Black Reaper, her eyes scanning through Hei's trench coat.
"…"
Watching the girl discreetly, the Black Reaper narrows his eyes behind his white mask, calculating the possibilities for Akame to discover his motives. Above all, Hei cannot afford for any member of the Night Raid assassins to know the truth. Not yet.
"I am glad you are not hurt."
Oh.
Light breaks through the heavy fog and lands onto the girl's face, showing a genuine and passionate smile through the aid of the calming night wind.
Beautiful.
Not knowing why, but that was Hei's initial reaction.
…
Wait, what?
…
"How can I express a subjective point of opinion just like that?" Hei frowns awkwardly at his own reaction behind that mask.
Walking forward without specific intentions, the Black Reaper cannot help to let out a final criticism to himself.
"Such ineptitude of masses."