Chapter 31: Angel and Devil

It's been two months since I arrived and dealt with the Crown. They're a major boost to the tribe's assets and strength. Which is needed because my uncle dealt with two-thirds of the potential allies on my list. The impressive part is that he did it all in under a week with very little sleep. I'm not upset about it. He saves me the trouble of figuring out which gang/organization/individual is worth working with.

The targets my Uncle took down are of low quality both morally and/or usefulness. Those that are left are either good or good at their job. Uncle Qrow did all of it to ensure no one bothered us.

It got me thinking about the Huntsmen Mission Board. If I have money and the right connections, I can have huntsmen do my job for me.

Arrest a low-ranking troublemaker?

A Grimm infestation I don't have time to clear out or too risky to use my men?

Even the presence of Huntsman could postpone an operation or keep them off mines.

Fortunately, it's easy to request as long as I keep it legal and moral. I would need to refer to the black market for questionable requests. I'll use proxies for my request.

I stop my train of thought when a signal flare is fired into a moonlit night.

The flares illuminated the ruins of an abandoned town. I hid In a dimly lit room in one of the ruined houses.

I look at myself in the reflection of a broken mirror. I changed my look a lot. It's a necessary change to stay hidden in Vacuo. The people here are more perceptive of the people around them. It's a survival instinct in this kingdom.

I still wear my lilac contacts but now with red frame glasses. Vernal also dyed the ends of my hair neon red and had me wear the spider lily hairpin. For the outfit, I wear a thin white hooded jacket with red insides, a white sleeveless blouse with black lining, the fingerless yellow and black gloves from Yang, knee lengthy black skirt with deep slits, and red-laced sandals.

Militia did a great job picking out my looks. It's fashionable and comfortable. Although Vernal dying my hair a neon-red is too flashy. It glows in the dark. Vernal has been developing a more outlandish style as of late. The request for glowing tattoos should've tipped me off.

I'm shadowing my uncle on a mission. It's an escort mission for the Kenyte tribe. The mission lasted for 5 days and today is the last day. Vernal and Militia need to stay near Vacuo since Mil is technically a hostage.

Umber is recovering from injuries again. She needed to stay home. My uncle called in a favor for someone to watch the house from afar. Umber should be safe. She is my strongest student and has the tribe, Crown, and us on speed dial.

The mission was uneventful. I watched the front and left flank while my uncle took care of the rear and right. My uncle handles all the talking while I keep my distance.

Which is great. There is a kid that keeps looking at me. The red-haired boy keeps glancing in my direction even when I'm far from the caravan. Should I confront him about it?

I'm already dealing with Sun, I don't need another one. I'm just glad Sun is leaving the city with his people soon. Qrow has been teasing me about how I'm destined to deal with blondes.

That's simply untrue…

Does Dew count as a blonde?

Dew has been very persistent in wanting to fight me. I can't avoid her either. She knows where I live and is a resident of Vacuo. She's the daughter of one of the council members. Gwen and Octavia left last month with their family/tribe. I need to deal with Dew for the duration of my stay.

My scroll rang and I picked it up immediately.

"The mission is almost done. How is the town looking?" He asked," Did the Grimm cause you any trouble?"

"There isn't any Grimm. There are only skeletons and ruins," I reported.

"How about getting rid of the skeletons?"

"That isn't a part of the mission details," I countered.

"True," I could tell he shrugged," You're not going to like the next part. Someone wants to thank you personally for the escort mission."

"Tell them I left," I said," I don't need gratitude or thanks for my job."

"She left."

I heard talking in the background.

"They know you're lying," he answered back," This kid can sense you."

"Could he sense my aura presence?" I heard my uncle talk to them.

"Yes."

"That boy," That explains a lot. It isn't out of the ordinary for someone to have high aura detection, trained and naturally.

"These boys want to talk to you," Qrow explained," Remember kids, No flirting."

"I'm not like that," I deadpanned.

"Protection is key, young lady," He chuckled," Come meet us at the gate."

He hung up. I sighed in defeat and got ready to meet the client.

The two teens standing in front of me look like brothers. They both have red hair, tan skin, and similar face, except for one of them has white-out eyes and is slightly shorter.

The Kenyte tribe carried on with their activities while we stood at the gate.

"Thank you for escorting us," the older brother said," My name is Copper Alistar and this is my nephew, Fox Alistar."

"Nephew?" I said out loud. The younger teen nodded.

"As you can see, I can't," Fox said monotone.

"What?"

"I'm blind," he waved his hand in front of his eyes.

"I see."

"I don't."

The uncles laughed and Fox smirked.

"What's the real reason why you want to speak with me," I asked.

"Easy, I'm getting my nephew a date-," Fox elbowed Copper. I resisted the urge to walk away. Preferably into the desert and back home.

"No," he growled," I want to tell her why her aura is so damn high."

That's why he keeps glancing in my direction. I didn't bother to suppress my aura like how I normally would in public. I'm one of the handful of people, one in a thousand, that has enough to be naturally visible. The only other person I know that can make a visible aura is Gillian and maybe Yang. My twin does have the potential with enough training.

The only difference between us is the intensity of our training, that mental hellscape Salem put me through, and our age.

"Hard work and natural talent," I explained," Is there anything else you want to talk about? I believe the mission is over once your people reach the destination."

Qrow tapped me on the shoulder.

"It's good courtesy to make sure everyone is settled in. Going above and beyond means proof of professionalism, and reliability," he told me," Just imagine we left immediately and Grimm suddenly attacked the next hour."

"We did a wide patrol of the area. I haven't fought a single Grimm," I told him.

My uncle stared at me with a shocked expression and pulled me aside. We walked outside the gate and far from our confused client and their people.

"What do you mean you haven't fought a single Grimm?" He whispered," Do you have any clue how many packs I put down in the last hour."

"I don't know either. It's as if they actively avoid me now," I told him.

The logic falls apart with the operation against the Crown, the few I slayed after leaving Patch, and the patrol Vernal wiped out. I thought about how it could be possible and concluded it has conditions.

I repel Grimm when there isn't a presence of plentiful aura or intense emotions.

I killed Grimm on the way to Vacuo but that was when everyone was emotionally charged and stressed. It attracted Grimm.

Gillian and the Crown's overwhelming aura and negative emotions overruled whatever kept the Grimm away. A battlefield is a magnet for Grimm.

The other encounter was with the people Vernal buried. The Grimm Worm was already fighting the convoy when I got there.

Turns out the convoy deserves to die. They were traffickers and rapists. I would have made no excuse and given no mercy if I was in her shoes.

The flight to the Schwarz Amusement Park?

Crystal clear skies.

The road trip to Vacuo?

Nothing besides a single emotional hiccup.

The side of Vacuo where I live has reported record-low Grimm attacks ever since I arrived.

"It's…you have something special inside of you," he shook his head," I understand why the Grimm annihilation missions have always been a bust whenever you're around."

"I thought you knew Patch is Grimm-free because of me," I told him.

"That's the weird part. Patch hasn't gotten a single report of Grimm after you left," he revealed," It is as if you purify the entire island."

"Do you want me to put us out of the job?" I countered. Huntsmen and Huntresses would be reduced to mercenaries and bodyguards if the world is free of Grimm.

What would the world become if it were free of a singular enemy?

This must be the blessing or a part of the blessing the God of Darkness left for me. I understand why he doesn't want his creation killing one another. I can walk into the Grimm continent unopposed. If that is the case, I'm now a huntress that doesn't hunt Grimm.

"That sounds like the making of an Utopia but there has to be limits with whatever you got," he pointed out.

"I'm sure there is, Uncle Qrow," I responded.

The given is an overwhelming aura or emotions but what if it's only wild Grimm? What if Salem commands Grimm to attack me?

If a Beowulf is airdropped right in front of me, would it fall over and die? Or run away?

The latter would push Grimm into other areas.

This is unfortunate. I did kill more Grimm in a single night than any Huntsman for the rest of their lifetime.

"ARE YOU TWO DONE!" Copper yelled.

We look over our shoulders.

The older Alistar waved at us and Fox stared at me. He's blind yet staring directly into my eyes. He creeped me out.

We walked over.

"My student and I decided to stay a little longer if you feed us," he asked.

Now I'm incapable of saying no.

"Sure! Supplies are still good and we are thankful for your help," Copper smiled.

Fox and I stared intensely at each other.

"Let me be your eyes for a bit," my uncle leaned forward," Aka is hideous."

"I believe it," Fox looked away but glanced at me one more time," Come with us. The elders are preparing the meals."

I felt annoyed by all this and wanted to talk back. I decided to be mature about it. My uncle walked forward and put his hand over Copper's shoulder.

"Great! I'm starving," he cheered.

Fox suddenly lagged and closed his eyes with one hand and tapped an ear with the other. Then, he moved both hands to his mouth and silently shushed me.

I narrowed my eyes on him. Fox is trying to tell me something.

I read somewhere that to compensate for losing their eyesight, a blind person's other senses would be enhanced.

He closed his eyes because he couldn't see. He tapped his ear(s) because he could hear. He shushed me because he wouldn't reveal it.

I screamed internally and shouted all forms of profanity from within. How good is his hearing?! We were 10 meters away and whispering.

The blind boy heard the entire conversation.

The tone of the group wasn't celebration but somber. They silently spoke with one another and ate their meal in peace. I asked around about what happened and they told me a massive Grimm attack took out a third of their people two weeks ago.

Vacuo is a harsh kingdom to live in. It's hard to settle down and even half the city residents are constantly moving.

I finished my food and looked for Fox while my uncle hung out and shared stories with the clients. Copper and another client are missing from the group.

The majority of Vacuan have their aura unlocked. I attempted to track him but it seems like he's tracking me. He found me first before I could locate him.

I'm impressed.

"Over here," he whispered from a ruined shop.

I walked toward him and crossed my arms.

"What have you figured out? And did you tell your uncle, too?"

"I didn't tell anyone," he raised his hands," I just want to know."

"Know what?" I narrowed my eyes. Everyone is figuring out my identity these days.

What's the point of a disguise if it doesn't work?

"It didn't make a lot of sense," he revealed," I heard Patch is a Grimm-free paradise but no one knows how. That shouldn't be possible but somehow you pulled it off. There is something about you that has the opposite effect on Grimm."

I made a deal with the God of Darkness. I wanted a haven. I wanted to be unburdened by the world's troubles. It lasted longer than expected. Vernal forced me out of my home but it was going to happen regardless.

"How about you don't tiptoe around the answer, say it."

"Akame Branwen," he revealed. I'm not surprised anymore.

"Good, But keep this a secret unless you want Vacuo to be swarmed with foreigners," I warned him," You will incur the wrath of the tribe or our allies, too."

He seems like a good kid. I don't want anything to happen to him and I doubt I could keep all my assets in check. Malachite knows I'm here but she isn't going to openly move her forces in without alerting us.

'You can't send liars and thieves against other liars and thieves,' My uncle told me.

If word gets out that I'm in Vacuo, One of two things will happen. I will be hunted down and I will have supporters taking up arms. Chaos in Vacuo would be frowned upon by Ozpin and Theodore. The best part of this scenario is Malachite will be seen as invaders by the people that love us. Theodore would have no choice but to back the tribe against the Malachite for the sake of stability.

Or kick both of us out.

Despite my worry, We still hold the advantage in Vacuo territory. We'll wipe out any MIA agents that set foot in Vacuo. She's the one going through an uphill battle, not us. But she'll send assassins after me and high-ranking officials. We need to spend more on security.

"Secret safe, Shinigami, but that's my other question, Why are you in Vacuo?" He questioned me," Isn't it a little too early to do job shadowing?"

"Redemption," I nodded," I want to help the people I harmed throughout the years."

"That's reasonable," he leaned against the wall with his hand in his pocket," I wish you luck then."

He nodded to me. I looked at his scarred arms and noticed the extensive damage on them. Fox is training for something.

"Fox," I stepped forward and swung forward with most of my strength.

The teen ducked and responded with a double punch to my abdomen. The force of the hit knocked me a few feet back. I recovered and parried his fists with one hand.

I took an opportunity to smack him across the face with the scabbard, knocking him out of the building.

"You did good," I complimented," Do you want to be a Huntsman? I can give some pointers.

For starters, You're too aggressive and emotional in your attacks."

Fox wiped a bit of blood from his mouth.

"You're strong," he stood in place and got into a stance.

I silently stared at him as I stepped forward for another fight. Suddenly, I heard a faint scream. I ran toward the bloodshed as fast as I could with Fox lagging behind me.

I made it first and saw Copper dragging himself away from a man with a bloody, short sword in his hand.

"Copper!" Fox yelled and rushed toward his uncle.

I punched the short sword out of the assailant's hand and brought Shūsen against his neck. He growled at me but paused when he saw my face.

Do I recognize him? No, I have never seen this man before.

"Akame! He's dying!" Fox called out to me. In response, I knocked out the assailant with a powerful punch to the temple.

"Akame?" Copper wheezed and coughed blood.

"FOX!" I screamed and kicked the assailant in the face again for good measure. I sheath my sword and hurried over.

Fox realized his mistake and apologized profusely. I kneel next to him and analyze the injury. A deep stab wound to the abdomen, in the liver, and a trail of blood 3 meters long from the original point of the altercation.

"Fox, You just said my real name," I looked at him in disappointment before tending to his uncle. I told him to tend to put pressure on his wounds while I go fetch help.

I stared at the man in front of me. I moved him to an alleyway where I left him tied to a pole. He stared menacingly at me before speaking.

"You're looking a little too upscale missy," he spat.

I turned around and started walking out of the alleyway. I wasn't here to have a conversation with him while Fox people decide his fate.

"Do you know who I am? The Branwen tribe won't stand for this!" He yelled, stopping me in my tracks.

Now I remember him. He was a foot soldier who was a part of the battle against the Crown. I remember seeing him as a part of Team Gamma. He wasn't that important to the operation.

"See? Are you scared little girl?" he sneered," If you let me go now, We won't kill you. I'm an important member of the strongest tribe on Remnant. I'll let all of you go."

This man is an idiot. My uncle and I weren't going to kill him. Proper procedure calls for escorting a criminal to the nearest authority or sheriff's office and filling out some paperwork to book him.

But this is Vacuo. You can kill someone and if enough people are vouching for you, you're likely to get away with murder. The Kenyte tribe is leaning toward the death penalty while my uncle wants to take him with us to face a trial.

I won't let it happen. He's a liability to the tribe's integrity and society as a whole. This fool stabbed an innocent man over a pocket watch. It wasn't his and Copper wasn't going to sell his family heirloom.

"I won't tell the tribe about the faker using her name either," he leaned in," You're not Akame. You're one of those bad copies. Did you know I met her? She'll hunt you down if you lay a finger on me."

Is he serious? I never once spoke to you. Although, I saw plenty of girls and a few guys copying my looks, Hairstyle especially. I hate it.

I looked around the streets and spotted a rundown food stand. It should have a knife or two.

He continued ranting about his and the tribe's superiority. It's a good thing we didn't gag him. He would still be alive.

I walked over and grabbed a rusty kitchen knife. Then, I walked to the alleyway, and threw the knife at the pole, barely missing his head.

He stopped talking immediately. I reached for my scroll and texted Wicker about the situation. I waited a few minutes since it was late into the night. Wicker told me his death will have no negative impact.

I walked around looking for the tribe leader. I spotted her with a group. Then, I eavesdropped on them. They wanted to kill the guy for hurting Copper. If it wasn't for my timely arrival and Qrow medical training, they both would have died.

I reveal myself to them and give them an offer.

"Oh? It's you," Fox tribe members acknowledged," Thank you for taking that bastard down."

"Is he one of your people?" I asked.

"No, He's an outsider we took pity on," an older man said.

"Do you want him dead? I can arrange it," I asked in a serious tone. They stared at me with extreme suspicion," I understand you don't trust an outsider since another one already betrayed you."

I looked over to the alleyway a few blocks down. He should be trying to cut himself out of his binding right now.

"A child is going to kill an adult for us," he narrowed his eyes.

"She is traveling with a Huntsman and is under a work-study," Another pointed out," And it's Qrow freaking Branwen. She must be strong."

"She looks so out of place…Where are you from?"

"Mistral, sir," I explained," I'm not asking for monetary payment. I'm willing to kill your troublemaker free of charge as long as we keep this between us. I left my post to see my mentor and you didn't know who killed the killer. No one will snitch on each other. Whether it's to my mentor or the authorities."

They looked at each other and agreed.

A woman steps forward with wine-red hair.

"Mistral? You must be one of those assassins," she said,'' Sure, My people will cover your back but why do you want to kill him?"

"Because I'm following the will of the people," I told them," You want to kill him and I'm willing to be the executor."

"It's not because you just want to kill someone?" She narrowed her eyes.

"No, I don't kill without reason," I explained.

I shook her hand and turned around. He should be free by now and cautiously moving through the town. Fortunately, the Kentye typically stay in large groups. He wouldn't risk taking a hostage and even if he does, I will have the right to kill him.

He'll die in a blink of an eye.

A sense of familiarity crawled up my chest. I've done this before.

That man needed to die. I can't let an arrogant deadweight sprout tribal secrets. This is the first time I need to deal with a threat on my own and right under my uncle's nose.

I can sense his panic. He's trying to make sure no one is following him yet I can read every imperfection in the environment.

I know where he is and which way he's running. He is trying to escape the town while avoiding Fox's tribe. I need a murder weapon that doesn't trace back to me.

Weapon located.

I found a metal pipe and snapped it with one part being as sharp as a spear. I will end it quickly. I ran ahead of him and predicted his next route. He's about to reach the edge of town causing him to pick up the pace. I cut him off by jumping in front of him.

I impaled the target from the front with the sharp end of my pipe. He tries to stab me with the rusty knife but I push the pipe deeper into his chest and out his back, severing his spinal cord in the process.

He dropped the knife and coughed blood. I ripped the pipe out of his body and left him to die. I made a large hole in his body, ripping a chuck of his heart and spine. The injury is unsurvivable.

"Target eliminated," I uttered without thinking. Those words are familiar like I said them many times before. I checked myself for bloodstains and unforeseen injuries.

The coverup went seamlessly. I relayed the information to the Kenyte tribe and told them where the body was. I told my uncle the man was being rude so I decided to leave him tied up. He was disappointed I didn't text him and left to check up on our criminal.

I look over to see Cooper lying on a cot with his abdomen bandaged. He was comforting Fox who sat down next to him. Copper is going to be alive.

"Bastard got me good," Copper complained," If it wasn't for Akame and her mentor, I would have been a goner. Ah, speak of the savior."

"It's just a part of my duty as a huntress-in-training," I said with a bow," We still haven't finished the fight, Fox."

He looked at his uncle with a frown.

"I'm not leaving his side until he gets better," he nodded," I owe you one."

He looked around to make sure no one was nearby.

"Don't worry, Your secret is safe with us," Copper smiled," Akame Branwen."

"Thank you," I bow," I'll test you again when you're an Academy student, Fox."

"It would be an honor to get my ass kicked."

"You need more confidence in yourself," I told Fox. I checked my scroll to see my uncle called me several times. The first message surprised me.

Qrow: You killed the guy, didn't you?

"Fox and Copper, it seems this mission is over. My uncle and I will leave soon," I sighed. Did he find out? How?

"Good luck with your training," Fox smiled.

"Thank you."

The walk back to Vacuo was awkward.

"How did you know?" I asked him.

"That body would be unrecognizable instead of professionally killed," he explained.

"Understandable," I shrugged.

"Why did you kill him? It can't be because he was being an asshole," Qrow questions.

"He's a member of our tribe," I told my uncle," He used it to threaten me but instead he signed his death warrant. The Kenyte agree to cover it up but are unaware he's a Branwen."

"Great," My uncle growled," I thought you can talk some sense into Vernal."

"She isn't a respected leader. The best she could do is make sure the tribe overlooked us. That wouldn't be possible if that killer would mouth off about us behind bars," I reasoned," He was very talkative."

I carefully crafted the lie. It has a lot of truth, some hidden knowledge, and a pinch of lies.

"You disappointed me," he said in a low tone," If you want to become a huntress, You shouldn't kill."

"Huntsman and Huntresses do kill. Didn't the rule change after the incident with Tyrian Callows? A suspect can be eliminated if they're a continuous threat," I told him," He has a knife and nearly murdered someone. Thus, the threat must be eliminated."

"That's not how it works and that's not what happened," He argued," You give him the knife so he can set himself free, then you hunt him down with the pretense that he's a threat. You murdered someone in cold blood."

I can feel his anger over my actions. It isn't easy keeping two personas at the same time. I want to become a Huntress but Shinigami is my fallback if wandering in the light fails. Either way, I'll still help this world even if I need to cause a bit of chaos.

That was the first time I executed someone because he was an intel threat. All the others are out of vengeance or thought it would stop a war. My mother's death only paused it.

"Never do that again or else you won't be a huntress until you're 21 like everyone else," he narrowed his eyes," I'm going to omit this from the official report."

"I promise," I agreed and stared at the starry skies.

"You're an odd one," My uncle pointed out," You're fighting style and temperament feels like an old soul."

Crap.

"Because I've seen enough hell to last several lifetimes," I told him," And you have, too."

We remained silent for the entire trip.

1 week later

The meeting with the head of the Vacuo branch began. I wasn't able to attend it in person because I'm still grounded for killing that idiot.

Instead, I needed a live stream of the meeting. I can't speak either or else I'll risk my uncle catching on in the next room. I text them while a single earbud in my ear to listen to the meeting.

The topic of the meeting is over our secret war with Ms. Malachite. The attendants in the room are Wicker, Gillian, Vernal, and Carmine.

Vernal wasn't involved in the decision-making. She was an observer of the process. The potential Queen of Vacuo still has much to learn.

"The public still loves us," Carmine reported," The new laws you pass down have been accepted by most of the tribe. Those that haven't been warned and disciplined. Those that you want dead are, well, dead."

"We apologize for missing one and needing to get your hands dirty," Wicker apologized," I shall put more strict requirements into recruitment."

A: Progress on Malachite?

"My boys were able to injure a few agents but couldn't kill them," Carmine explained. The four of them looked up at the screen as I started to text.

A: We need to continue securing those government contracts and keep the people on our side. What's the progress?

"Slow since the Academy is blocking our attempt," Gillian spoke up," They don't want your tribe to become a major faction in the kingdom. But the Crown and our allies have been able to get plenty of it."

A: Good work, Gillian. I want Wicker to continue his work with the government. The Crown will continue its patrol and mission against Malachite forces.

"What about this lovely lady? Your majesty," Carmine leaned in her chair with her hands on her head.

A: Vernal will be on standby for any major skirmishes and using monarchal terms is banned. How many times have I told you this, Carmine?

"Ahahaha! But who was the one that proclaimed herself Empress to Gil's Royal Guards?" Carmine laughed," I'm never letting this one down! Haha!"

"Did you just say I'm pretty?" Vernal sleepily looked up.

A: Moving on. I want Carmine to keep tabs on the Kenyte tribe. They covered up the killing of a loose end. I owe them our protection.

"I'll do that Aka-chan," She nodded," And the Academy? How are you going to get them on your side?"

A: I'll tell Theodore about my desire to become a Huntress and wanting to set my life straight. We did enough research and spying to know what type of man he is. It's time for me to reveal myself to him. If I don't contact you for months, I must maintain my distance from the tribe. I won't get involved nor will I go against us. I'll entrust the decisions to all of you.

"The end goal is to sink our roots deeply into Vacuo," Wicker summarized," And maintain the moral high ground."

"You have my loyalty If this is for the sake of my home," Gillian smiled," I won't let you down."

"Whatever Gil said," Carmine shrugged.

A disconnected

I deleted the link to the meeting and closed my scroll. That bitch in Mistral is aiming for subversion and subterfuge against the tribe and me. I still have to compete with the Academy by putting up walls and keeping a close eye on the tribe. The MIA will defeat the tribe in Vacuo if we fumble our advantage.

I could turn the Academy against Malachite forces.

Somehow, Fang still hasn't contacted me about my payment. Is he even alive?

I looked over to Umber who stood at the doorway. She was making sure my uncle didn't come near.

"I will need to keep a hands-off approach with them. You will relay my orders to Vernal and she will relay it to the rest of the tribe," I told her," Qrow is onto me."

"I'll take care of it," she agreed. I sense hesitation in her voice.

"I'm going to walk into the lion's den tomorrow morning," I got out of bed," I need to take the next step in becoming a Huntress."

I need to hurry it up. I found out from Uncle Qrow that Ironwood and Malachite attempted to spy on my family in Patch. I will repay them by eliminating all MIA agents I come across. AABU is now on my hit list.

I walked over to my uncle's room and knocked on his door. He opened it.

"What's up?"

"I want to meet Theodore."

A/N: Malachite's plan isn't what Akame expects. The only hint I'll give is that sacrifices will be made. The possibility of Akame relapsing into her old Assassin persona is always there. Especially the more cornered she feels.

I decided that the ending of this story will be once Akame turns 14. Which is the start of the Huntsman exam for her. I'll end this story before it hits 250k words. I didn't think I could write this much. The final arc is likely going to be long since I need to answer a few questions. The chapter title does refer to Vernal and Umber's relationship with Akame and Militia.

The next story will be set a month before volume 1.

I deleted thousands of words in this chapter. I could have become another long one. But those are for later chapters and the next story. I deleted Malachite's conversation with Melanie. Qrow explains how much of a threat Marcus Black was and the real reason Jinn is traveling with Vernal. Those will be answered/readded later.

And about pairing. I prefer to tease it for most of them. The amount of tease and interaction Akame has may as well be enough for an Otome game. But there is such a thing as they're just friends and Akame doesn't care about romance.