Chapter 61 The Storm Begins
Say, what is the ultimate reason for us to do what we do?
A remarkable quantity of people would blindly answer along the lines of duty, human nature, or ethics. We are alive, because we are willing to accept the mutual relationship between ourselves and the society in which we live. The societies bring us to our adulthoods, and we contribute our talents back to our societies. This positive feedback loop would allow us to preserve what we have built in thousands of years, and pass our legacies to be used as the betterment of our worlds.
What a wonderful semblance that is.
What would Hei say about that?
True in reason, false in conclusion.
That positive feedback loop, for an unorthodox utilitarian like Hei himself, is no other than the results of self-interests. Why are we contributing to our societies? That is because we desire for the pleasure that societies are eventually able to return to us. We are we helping the others? That is because we desire for that emotional satisfaction or that spiritual contentment. Why are some people fundamentally "good" and some fundamentally "evil"? That is because we see ultimate benefits that make us fulfilled in one way or another.
Take Captain Myra for an example – why would she care to inform Junius about the conflict between Seryu and Nevil? To perform her duty as a captain of the Imperial Police? Or to accomplish her self-interest? Surely, if the distribution of the soldiers can proceed according to Nevil's plan, then Myra would have her own share of that increase. That is why she has directed the center of this problem to Seryu.
Now, is that wrong? How can we know? That is almost like asking if the famous Seryu Ubiquitous Sense of Justice is fundamentally wrong. The best answer one may have to that question should fall along the words "it depends on your perspective".
…
"Damn it! Where did all those Imperial Police forces come from? I almost thought we were not going to escape that pursue. What is up with the heightened security today?"
Dashing through the darkness of the night, a certain pinkette takes another sharp turn toward a side alley before making a complaint about her mission to her teammate.
"At least we accomplished our duties, right? And that is all that matters."
Even though they are both undergoing the similar difficulties, her purple-haired friend is displaying a rather relaxed attitude over their current condition.
The mission was rather successful, considering that Mine and Sheele at least eliminated their target within their assigned time period. Like every single time, an assassination will always be followed by a thrilling escape. With the Imperial Police overwhelming the city, the two skilled members of Night Raid must make everything as swift and soundless as possible. And that would be done professionally as a result of their valuable experiences in Night Raid.
Just as Akame and Leone are currently being assigned to another target on the other side of the city, Mine and Sheele are merely following the orders of Najenda. Tatsumi is training under Bulat, and is becoming more and more adept at being an assassin. Lubbock, well, is still being Lubbock. As for that bastard Hei… Never mind. Nobody knows what he is doing, and nobody is willing to find out. It is rather strange, however, as the intensity of the guards for this operation seems to be at least twice of their usual assassinations. Perhaps Tatusumi's successful elimination of Captain Ogre is alarming the city police? Mine slightly shakes her head at the sudden thought. There is nothing she can't handle with her best friend.
SLASH! CLANG!
Avoiding the incoming assault at the last second, the two young assassins make their respective instant observations upon their opponents.
Imperial Police armor, brown ponytail, metal cane, and… a dog?
Watching their opponent carefully, an intuitive alarm appeared in the young assassins' hearts. This person, whoever she is, is certainly nothing like any of the pervious guards they have encountered. Lowering her weapon, Mine redistributes her body weight to make herself balanced, and readies her weapon at this incoming threat – when an assassin readies themselves for a battle, there is no place for a mental hesitation.
Through her reflective glasses, Sheele is slowly taking in the details of this imminent threat. Words cannot convey the danger she is receiving from this young officer – there is something within her eyes that is emitting a superficial aura of metallic brutality. She frowns momentarily at that observation – it cannot be helped. It is destined to happen once again, this growing sense of struggle between her consciousness, friendship, and duty is troubling. But no such thing should come to her mind as to this point, because this has been her way, this is her way, and this will continue to be her way.
"Excellent, excellent, just like the Wanted Posters… Looks like the notification was accurate….. I finally found you, Night Raid…"