Akame ga Clover

by stringdog

Death is the end…or is it? Reborn in a new world where magic is everything by Fate itself to counter a threat that violated the laws of nature Akame and Tatsumi must first regain their memories of their past live and then fight to protect the Clover Kingdom from the threats that it will face but who will accept people like them? The Black Bulls of course.

57. Chapter 57: Crimson

Here is the fifty-seventh chapter in this story released later than I would have liked but alas the real world got in the way. Anyway, we've seen Leone and what she's doing under Mereoleona's care in the Strong Magic Region, Lubbock and Najenda's work as members of the Green Praying Mantis and how a recent mission allowed them to visit Raquey at the same time as the Black Bulls, and Sheele's investigation into one of the two trafficking rings that were uncovered as part of Akame and Tatsumi's investigation back in Ch. 16 so now it's time to move onto the next member of Night Raid and the other investigation that was triggered after Ch. 16 see how he's doing with it an in her new life. That's right, it's time to see what Bulat is up to with the Crimson Lion Kings, learn more about his life and magic in the Clover Kingdom and magic, and see how he fairs on the mission that was given to him back in Ch. 18 and will cover the time period from then up to a few days after the incident in Nean, for those wondering. Brace yourselves, this is another long chapter so that's that is all the administrative stuff I have for y'all and there are no questions to answer or guest reviews that need a response so I will end this here. Do keep them coming as your support is the best motivation for me to keep producing chapters at this kind of rate. That is it for this pre-chapter note so it is time to sit back and enjoy the fifty-seventh chapter in Akame ga Clover.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.

Chapter 57: Crimson

"So how are we going to do this? What's your plan Bulat? This is your mission after all so you're in charge, I'm just here to help."

The question came as soon as Bulat returned to the simple room with two single beds on the top floor of the unremarkable tavern just off the market in a decently sized but otherwise unnoteworthy town in the northwest of the Common Realm. The town was situated right on the edge of the Forsaken Realm and located on a road that ran from the Capital before branching off into several smaller roads once it reached the Forsaken Realm to lead to various outposts on the border with the Heart Kingdom as well as the ones that bordered the Strong Magic Region to the north between Clover and the Spade Kingdom.

As such, the town had grown up shortly before the road broke up as it was a profitable location, and this was clear what with the thriving focus on trade and mercantilism. This had made the town wealthy and successful though not without its issues as it had also lent to the town becoming a waypoint on any smuggling route through the Kingdom.

Naturally this had given rise to several unscrupulous individuals who used the guise of merchants to facilitate such illicit activities. It was one such individual that was Bulat and Randall's target and who Bulat, dressed in a simple, worn, dark gray cloak with the hood up that was common for travelers in the Clover Kingdom, had just finished watching while coming up with his plan.

The merchant in question, who went by the name Luxe, was one of many legitimate merchants who called the town home but who stood out from most of the others because rather than focus on a single area like weapons, gems and jewels, clothes, art, or food, he focused on high quality goods across all fields and catered to a higher-class of clientele. This catering also applied to illicit trade, in specific the trade of young, male, flesh though he would sell other illicit goods for the right price as well.

The revelation of such a trade, along with one in women and girls, had come from a classified investigation into a now former noble, Lord Highball, and the activities that he and his family had been up to. Said investigation, from what little Bulat and Randall had been told, had focused simply on the family's actions regarding traveling commoners that had gone missing when passing through their territory but that had led to the discovery that not all abducted commoners had been killed. No, some, the ones that would fetch high prices to the right people, had been sold onto contacts of Lord Highball.

Due to the nature of one contact, and who was trafficked to that contact, that line of investigation had been given to the Blue Rose Knights while the Crimson Lion Kings had been given the name of the contact for male victims. At the Wizard King's personal request, Bulat had been assigned this mission with Fuegoleon assigning Randall to help him so naturally Bulat was taking this very seriously.

That was why he'd spent the morning observing Luxe and deciding how to go about securing him. The Wizard King wanted him alive and initially Bulat had been worried about guards as things could get messy if he had to engage in combat. That was because Bulat had a soldier's mentality when it came to battle and didn't hesitate to kill when necessary, which could have problems though Bulat himself wasn't sure where that mentality came from, but as he had other strange sensations, feelings, and unexplained competence with things he shouldn't he just chalked it up to that and left it at that.

Thankfully, an observation of Luxe showed that while the man had discrete guards around him and his store at all times, there weren't many and when it came to his dealings in the store, he didn't let them get in the way. This was likely due to his status as one of the richest merchants in the area with a lot of contacts for his legitimate goods so few would mess with him, but it had also given Bulat an idea that he rolled with.

Usually, he was one to just charge in and take the direct approach to something like this, but he'd had a stroke of inspiration and realized that there was a subtler path. He wasn't sure where that inspiration had come from, but he went with it and had spent the rest of his time there working out the fine details of his plan before he returned to the room he and Randall had rented.

"We're simply going to play to his greed." Bulat said he sat down on his bed and looked at Randall. "I've already got the hand cart; it's down in the alleyway outback with several boxes on it as if it's there for a delivery so we're good to go as soon as you're ready to move."

"I see." Randall said stroking his chin. "So bringing the clothes was a good idea then."

Randall was referring to a set of clothes that were fancy enough to show wealth and taste but not enough to show nobility. It was basically the kind of outfit that wouldn't draw attention except from those who knew what to look for, mainly merchants as it was what many of them would wear to show off their wealth but also that their wealth was earned not inherited like it was for the nobility.

When initially planning this mission back at headquarters, Bulat had suggested that Randall buy a set and bring it just in case he needed to enter Luxe's store and get a better sense of him on a personal level, which Bulat felt would be easier if Randall looked the part. Unfortunately, Bulat's physique and personality screamed Magic Knight even when he wasn't wearing his robe, like now as both he and Randall had foregone them for this mission, but Randall could pull this off. It had been this knowledge, along with what he'd seen while scoping out Luxe's store, that had helped Bulat come up with the plan.

"It was but not for the initial reason." Bulat said with a nod. "We're going to sell him something that he can't refuse and then use that to capture him."

"Ah a plant then." Randall said understanding what Bulat was saying as he continued to stroke his chin. "And what is it that we will sell?"

"Me." Bulat said as he stood and his grimoire, a simply gray book with green borders and a black helmet of a design that Bulat didn't recognize on the cover above a three-leaf clover that as nestled between a crossed sword and spear below it, glowed with gray magic and flipped open to the right page. "Armor Creation Magic: Full Plate Armor."

Instantly Bulat's clothes rippled and plate armor formed over his whole body. It gleamed silver in the light and left no part of him visible even at the joints though it wasn't fully protective as things could get in at the joints if you knew what to aim for. Still, it was very protective and even the helmet was attached to the breastplate with a full visor leaving a slit for his eyes that was dark so you couldn't see them.

Randall blinked at the outfit before him which added a few inches to Bulat's already tall height and made him appear even bulkier than normal. He'd not seen Bulat use this spell in a while, usually he saved it for either a particularly dangerous beast that had to be killed or a large group of criminals as it was one of his most protective armors that also enhanced his physique and even hid his magical signature though the sound it made when moving cancelled out that advantage. However, as he thought on it, Randall realized that this was perfect.

"I get it, you can't be seen or detected inside that suit so to anyone who sees it it's just a suit of armor that's really heavy but we can play that off as being made to be a display piece and made from high quality metal." Randall said as he looked Bulat over and nodded as he realized what Bulat's plan was. "So I strap you to the cart dressed as a merchant and then wheel you to the store. A piece like this would look great in any noble's home and if we offer it at a price low enough to entice Luxe he'll snap it up for one of his clients. Then it's just a matter of waiting until he's alone to strike. He has guards though."

"A few but I can leave them to you." Bulat said his voice muffled a bit by the helmet. "And they won't be allowed into wherever he stores his wares for his rich clients, which I'm betting is the basement of his store, beyond putting me there. That's all I need; we'll strike once the place is locked up. My mana sense should be able to tell when that occurs. Once he locks up, I'll restrain him the moment that I get the chance while you just take out the guards and move in."

"Understood." Randall said as he rose from the bed and went over to his bag to get the clothes out and change, along with a magic item that would alter his face and hide the scar on his forehead as that was a good giveaway for who he was. "Let's make the finally plans while I change so that this is nice and smooth."

"Agreed." Bulat said. "I was thinking that when you get to the store, you…"

With that Bulat and Randall finalized the plans as Randall got ready and then went to the window to open it and use his Air Magic to get them down to the alleyway and strap Bulat to the cart to take him to Luxe's shop. The plan was a good one though and the pair were glad that they had one that didn't involve bloodshed and could be done quickly and cleanly, well so long as the initial part worked but that was on Randall and he just had to act right and it could be done.

---

"500,000 yul you say? That is a bit much, but I'll give it to you, this is a fine piece of armor, the finest I've seen in a while in fact."

Randall, under the guise of a wealthy merchant who peddled armor and a weapons that could be displayed as few used such things these days, just stood there in the appraisal room attached to Luxe's store while the man's assistant ran the store. Luxe himself, a short man with a noticeable paunch belly that his rich purple and gold clothes didn't and a bald patch he tried and failed to comb his hair over hide though his well-groomed brown beard and the long hair from the bald patch did look good, inspected the suit with a keen eye.

The moment that Randall had shown up with the suit of armor, his own clothes a deep blue with hints of gray while his face came off as clean shaven with long black hair tied back in a slick ponytail and no scar, Luxe had been interested in it. It wasn't everyday that something like this showed up and as Randall was officially staying at the finest inn in town, part of the plans that he and Bulat had worked out to add to the cover, and was a traveling merchant it made sense for him to be an unfamiliar face. His look and product had gotten him in the door though and now Luxe was examining the armor with an expert eye.

"It's a complete set." Randall said his tone neutral but with a hint of pride as he kept in character and defended his initial asking price. "Not an easy find in this day and aga and everything on it is original, no replacements."

"I can tell." Luxe said as he looked over the outfit and nodded before standing up as tall as he could and looking Randall in the eye, an act which necessitated Randall look down at the man. "Not many can find these, but their sale is limited given how they're only decretive pieces these days, so I'll give you 200,000 for it."

"That's a bit low." Randall said as he set about haggling, which was part of their plan as he had to maintain his cover. "You don't find many like this that's hand forged, no magic in its creation, but I see your point so I guess I can let it go for 450."

"You're right that these are hard to find but can you sell it?" Luxe asked pointedly, which Randall had expected, and the answer was of course no but he couldn't say that, so he remained silent and let Luxe continue. "The customer base for something like this is pretty low. You need to know the right people and you said you're primarily dealing in ornate weapons not armor so you don't know who's interested in this stuff as those markets tend to be different albeit with some overlap. Still, it is a full set and handmade which adds a level of uniqueness to it, I'll give you that, so how about 250?"

"True but surely those into weapons would be into this as well, you did say that there was some overlap." Randall pushed back but his tone made it clear he was starting to lose the haggling. "I can just sell it to them but if you insist, I'll sell it to you for 400."

"Weapons are one thing, they're easy to show off and don't take up much space but this will." Luxe said gesturing to the armor. "You need to know the right people who are both interested in such pieces, can afford them, and have the space to display them, and I do thanks to my client base. The best I can do is 300."

"350." Randall said a slight sigh to his tone. "It is going to be hard to move I'll give you that but I've gotta get something for my troubles. It wasn't easy to procure such a specimen after all."

"325 and not a yul higher." Luxe said and Randall could see that there was greed in his eyes. "That's my best offer, I've gotta make money on this as well after all."

Randall made it look like he was thinking about it as he put his chin in his hand and gave Luxe a hard look but in reality, he didn't really care as this was all profit and they'd be donating the money to various rural church orphanages anyway so that was the only reason why he was trying to get a good price out of Luxe for it. Of course, he knew that Luxe was being cheap with his offer, a set like this would sell for over a million yul easy so long as you knew who to sell it to, something that Luxe did know, but that was fine with Randall, the man would never be able to sell it or anything again after all.

"Alright, 325." Randall said after a moment before he held his hand out. "Deal?"

"Deal." Luxe said a grin breaking out across his face as he took Randall's hand in his pudgy one and shook it. "Pleasure doing business with you."

"Likewise." Randall said as he ended the shake. "This has made this trip profitable already and I still have the Forsaken Realm to visit."

"If you have anything else to sell, do let me know." Luxe said still grinning. "I'm always on the lookout for high quality items so swing on by on your way back, I know that there are treasures to find in the Forsaken Realm and clearly you do as well."

"Oh I will." Randall said smiling as Luxe led him back to the main room to finish the sale. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be doing business again real soon."

"I look forward to it." Luxe said as he approached his counter and shooed away his assistant while a burly guard walked in with a hand cart and headed to the back to move the armor to the basement showing that Luxe was always going to buy the piece and was just trying to get the best price for it. "Now let's finalize this sale."

Randall just nodded and they began the paperwork all while Bulat was taken downstairs buy the guard. Randall was still smiling as he filled out the paperwork, a smile that he was sure that Luxe was taking as smiling at the money he was making, but it was because Bulat was now in place. It was just a waiting game from now on, but Randall was sure that before dawn broke, they'd have Luxe in custody and be ready for the next step in the investigation.

---

As expected, Bulat had been wheeled down to the basement where the general storage for the store was located and was left there still on the cart and against the wall. He'd hoped that he might get put somewhere that would allow him to investigate the illicit items that were no doubt down here or search for documents that could be useful but alas he was just a suit of armor, an expensive but perfectly legal item to sell in the Clover Kingdom so he just needed to be stored in the magically secured basement and that was it.

However, while he couldn't drop the spell just in case Luxe came downstairs to get something before the store closed, he had a communication device inside his helmet that Randall would use to confirm this as Randall would resume watching the store once he was paid, Bulat could still look around the basement from his position which thankfully gave him a good view of the place which he could see because of the dim, magical, lights set into the walls. What he saw was enough to know that they'd need to send the investigation unit here when they were done to check things out.

That was because while the main basement was filled with all manner of legal and high-end items that were either going to be sold upstairs or shipped to the wealthy clientele, there were several locked doors here and the locks were both magical and not. That alone was enough to raise interest, but Bulat was sure that they weren't even supposed to be there based on the general structure of the building and where the doors were in relation to it, so they were additions and had to hold evidence on the man's illicit dealings or even illicit items themselves.

Naturally, Bulat would have liked to examine the doors and try to unlock them but he couldn't so he was left alone with his thoughts as he waited for news and mentally ran over his plan again and again to ensure that he could pull it off as soon as Luxe gave him the opening to do so. As he did, though, he felt his mind slipping back to how he'd ended up here and why he felt like something in his life was missing but he didn't know what it was.

Overall, though, Bulat's life was unremarkable when you looked at it. He was born in the rural areas of the Common Realm to loving and supportive parents with metal based attributes and raised in a good home in a small village.

The only odd things were that his magical capacity was well above that of a commoner, easily Magic Knight level as his father would proudly proclaim, and that his attribute was Armor which was an oddly specific and unknown part of the metal attribute branch to the people of the village and the few merchants who visited it. In fact, until Captain Fuegoleon mentioned the appearance of another Armor Mage who was now a Black Bull, something about that felt oddly familiar and comforting to Bulat though he didn't know why, he'd thought that he was the only one.

Regardless, his magic was clearly made to protect people and as such Bulat saw it as his duty to join the Magic Knights and protect his fellow commoners. It was a calling that he didn't fully understand as he knew it went deeper than his attribute but that didn't matter as he was fully supported by his parents in his decision and nothing would stop him from joining, that was until the incident when he was only 10 occurred.

Before then, the village he lived in was part of an old and kind noble's land and was managed and run well by that noble with low, manageable, taxes and a lot of support. It showed Bulat how a noble should act and at the time he thought that it was how all nobles were but alas the man was an exception not the rule. Bulat saw that firsthand when he witnessed some of the worst that the nobility had to offer when the man's son inherited his title, and his son was as bad as they came and quickly showed that when he appeared in the village only a few days after his father died.

At the time Bulat had been expecting things to continue as before but quickly the new noble had other ideas and ordered that all the women between certain ages, some of whom were way too young, were to report to his estate right away. This included his mother and when his father protested he was beaten by the noble's guards and his mother was dragged off with the other young women and girls.

Back then there was hope that this was just to serve in his household, which would naturally be a big honor, but that hope was naïve and quickly the reports came in that the young noble was torturing and killing the women he'd take so that he could satisfy his own depraved needs. He'd been raised by a loving father but corrupted by power and status, as well as friends in the Capital and the Magic Knight Squad he'd joined who introduced him to the pleasure one could get from abusing power, so as soon as he had the power that his father had once had, he exploited it.

The village only found this out when Bulat's mother escaped and made it back, beaten, bloody, and on the brink of death having been the sole survivor of an escape attempt that a few of the remaining women had engineered out of desperation. She died before Bulat's eyes and in his father's arms but not before she told them the truth.

This had naturally enraged the village, and Bulat as well, and he'd been told to send a report to the Magic Knights and then hide while the men of the village stormed the manor. Bulat had wanted to help but he was only 10 and so couldn't as he didn't have a grimoire. As such, all he could do was watch as his father led the men of the village to the manor to attack it while he used the village elder's communication device to contact the Magic Knights.

The Squad that Bulat had gotten through to was the Crimson Lion Kings and at once the Magic Knight on duty, who introduced himself as Fuegoleon Vermillion, personally came out to the village with a detachment of his squadmates to sort things out. Unfortunately for the men of the village, it was too late for them as the noble had slaughtered all of them with his magic, but their attack had not been in vain because it had occupied the noble long enough for Fuegoleon to arrive and arrest him with all the evidence intact.

Bulat's father had died but he'd done so for the village and his son and Bulat never forgot that and what it meant to stand up for the people in the face of noble corruption and abuse of power. He also never forgot the kindness that Fuegoleon showed the surviving villagers, mainly children and the elderly, and used his personal wealth as a royal to help them rebuild as well as donating more than enough for the orphans like Bulat to be comfortably raised in the church in the village.

It was this kindness, this true nobility, that showed Bulat that there were still good nobles, even a good royal, out there and he made it his goal to join the Crimson Lion Kings and serve under Fuegoleon who was at that point only a few years away from being named Captain. However, Bulat also knew that he had to be efficient and ruthless when dealing with people who would harm innocents, something that he found came naturally to him, and he made sure to never hesitate if that moment came and there would be many moments like that in his life.

Those moments were to come though, before then Bulat spent the next 5 years at the orphanage training his magic and his combat abilities, something that for some reason came naturally to him when he picked up a sword or spear, so that he would pass the Magic Knight Entrance Exam. During that time he noticed the strange feelings more than ever, he'd always had them and they'd been a driving force but now they were more prevalent than ever and he tapped into them to become stronger so that he could be the noble Magic Knight that he wanted to be.

As such he trained hard for 5 years until at long last that day finally came after he got his grimoire at 15 and he made his way to the Capital for that year's Magic Knight Entrance Exam. He passed said exam with flying colors and got two offers, the Green Praying Mantis and the Crimson Lion Kings, taking the latter not because of prestige but because it was Fuegoleon's Squad and that was who he wanted to serve under.

Ever since then he'd worked hard and climbed the ranks within the Magic Knights while making a name for himself as a commoner who stood up to corrupt nobles and helped bring them to justice when necessary. This had earned praise from the Wizard King and despite pushback over his low birth, Bulat was eventually able to reach his current rank of Senior Magic Knight Fourth Class because of his hard work, commitment to true justice, and incorruptibility.

In that time, he'd become good friends with Fuegoleon's younger brother Leo, Randall, and many others in the Squad and even Fuegoleon had taken an interest in and praised him though Bulat still didn't tell his Captain of his past and how Fuegoleon had greatly influenced him. That was not relevant, he was the man he was today because of Fuegoleon and that was all that mattered to Bulat. That said, Bulat didn't have romantic feelings for his Captain.

Yes, he was gay and openly, so which had caused some minor friction with a few of the more noble centric members who didn't agree with that kinda thing but his results, and a few beatings that Fuegoleon allowed under the guise of combat training, silenced any critics. The few really bad ones were expelled when they tried to set him up to be killed only to fail and be exposed for the homophobic classists that they were.

Since then, no one bothered Bulat about his sexuality or class status and a few had even tried to help him find a boyfriend, but Bulat had always politely declined. He couldn't say why but he knew the type he liked and no one he'd met so far fit it, so he'd just wait and see.

Regardless of his lack of love life, Bulat still had comrades who had his back just as he did theirs and that was as clear now as ever. He trusted Randall and knew that Randall trusted him, so he continued to wait while going over the plan and keeping his mana sense as alert as possible until finally he heard it in his helmet.

"Ok the shop is closed and locked, the assistant has gone for the day and the guards are either patrolling or standing guard outside." Randall's voice said in a low whisper that still echoed a little in Bulat's helmet. "As soon as Luxe heads down to the basement I'll make my move, should take me a few minutes but by then you'll have him. Try not to knock him out right away, let's see if he talks a bit first."

Bulat just let out a low cough of acknowledgement at that and continued to wait his senses now on high alert. Sure enough, less than 3 minutes later Luxe appeared in the doorway of the basement a glass of what had to be expensive cognac in his right hand that he was swilling as he smiled and looked over his items. Bulat just kept an eye on him, his senses were confirming what Randall had said about the guards and assistant, and just watched as the merchant wandered through his wares muttering to himself as he did until he finally came to Bulat and looked up at the armor with a grin on his face.

"And you, my fine suit of armor, are my best purchase of the day if not the month." Luxe said taking a sip of the cognac and sighing as he patted Bulat's chest plate with his free hand. "I fleeced that rookie good; I'll easily get 2 million yul for you, I know just the collector, he's been looking for something like this for a while and he'll take some of my more dangerous items as well, I'll make a huge profit. Damn I'm good, gotta hit up a high-end brothel when that deal is done and celebrate properly. Now, let's see what else to sell that collector, should be…"

As Luxe was finishing his rambles he was turning but he didn't get far because as soon as his back was to Bulat, Bulat came to life easily snapping the bindings that they'd used to fasten him to the cart and grabbed Luxe from behind as he was talking. The podgy merchant let out a yelp of surprise and dropped his cognac, the glass shattering on the floor and spilling the remaining liquid on the stones there, as he struggled but Bulat ignored that as he lifted the man up. They'd done their research; the man's attribute would be no use to him in such a situation, so he was done for the moment that Bulat had a hold of him.

"What the fuck is this!" Luxe screamed as he kicked his legs fruitlessly against Bulat's suit. "Put me down right away!"

"Now, now, that won't be happening." A new voice said and Bulat recognized it as Randall's and turned still holding Luxe to see his superior walking into the basement still in his merchant's disguise. "You're under arrest for trading in illicit items, oh and for human trafficking, so you're royally screwed."

"What! You can't do this to me!" Luxe shouted his tone indignant as he continued to struggle but all that did was make a small sound of his boots hitting the armor and nothing more. "I'm innocent and you're no Magic Knight!"

"Am I not?" Randall asked as he lifted his hand to his throat and pulled out the pin that was holding his collar there and removed it before he tossed it to the floor. "Really?"

Bulat knew that Luxe's eyes were wide as Randall's Crimson Lion King robe that he'd put back on after finishing the sale before attaching the pin to conceal it as well as his face suddenly billowed out behind him before falling to hang against his back the color clear as day even in the dimly lit basement. At the same time his face returned to normal and he smiled at Luxe.

"I see it in your eyes, you know who I am." Randall said with a smile. "And that should really tell you just how screwed you are."

"Y, you're the Vice Captain." Luxe stuttered. "P, please I have money, goods, whatever you want it's yours so long as you let me go. I'll…"

Luxe didn't get to finish before Bulat lifted him up and cocked his head back before he slammed the helmet into the top of Luxe's head. They had meant to question him a bit, but it was clear that all he was going to do was try to buy his freedom and neither man would accept that hence why Bulat headbutted him. Naturally, the man instantly went limp in his arms and Bulat dropped him before cancelling his spell, which was good as his magic reserves were starting to run low from keeping the spell up for so long, and looked down at the man.

"Yeah, you weren't going to bribe us, we aren't corrupt Magic Knights you know." Randall said idly as Bulat pulled out magical cuffs from under the gray cloak that he was still wearing and began to bind Luxe. "I'll call this in, let's deliver him to Marx."

"No problems I take." Bulat said as he worked. "With the guards that is."

"None, the guards were easy, and they're just paid muscle they'll be of no use so best to let them be, but I'll have Marx look at my memories to see if they're wanted for any other crimes." Randall said as he pulled out his communicator and contacted Cob directly. "Hey Cob, this is Vice Captain Randall with the Crimson Lion Kings, we've been on a mission for the Wizard King and have captured our target. You'll need to send some investigators from the Magic Investigation Department here though, there are several locked doors that could have evidence inside but will likely need a fine touch to access just in case they've got Trap Magic on them."

"Righty-ho, yes I am aware of your mission and have been awaiting your call, the investigators will be dispatched after you deliver the prisoner and have left the area." Cob's voice said over the communicator, flashing as it did. "Alas, while I've been to that town it would be a bit much to open a portal there as I've been told that you are trying to keep a low profile. To ensure that, please go north for about 20 minutes, you'll find a deep, grass covered, valley. I'll have a door waiting there for you. It's just within the Forsaken Realm and not on any of the roads so you should be good."

"Much appreciated." Randall said as he ended the connection to see that Bulat had finished retraining the merchant though he'd done nothing about the blood on the man's head which wasn't really their concern anyway as Luxe was still alive and wouldn't die from the wound which was all that mattered. "Got that?"

"Yup, let's go." Bulat said as he hefted the merchant onto his shoulder and turned to the basement's exit. "Shouldn't be hard to find Cob's doors, those things tend to stick out."

Randall nodded in agreement at that and the pair left the basement. They had to get to the outskirts and fast but they were Magic Knights so they could do that with ease. After that, it was just a waiting game for Marx to get back to them and hopefully with a lead that would further their investigation and get them on step closer to bringing the end buyer to justice.

---

It was mid afternoon by the time Bulat and Randall got the call from Marx in their heads with the heads up that it was almost time. As soon as they got it, they left their room to check out dressed as travelers. The call had been to alert them to the fact that Marx was ready to meet them in half an hour in the place that they'd dropped off Luxe in the middle of the night as was relayed to them after said drop-off.

That made sense as it was a private place away from prying eyes so the perfect place for a meeting. As such, they quickly settled their bill and left the tavern and headed out of town at a pace that wouldn't draw any attention to them.

As they walked, they both silently noted that Marx worked quick but with his magic that had been expected so all they'd really done since the night before was go to bed, sleep late, and enjoy a decent lunch in the tavern while they awaited the signal. Now, though, things were progressing nicely, and it was time to learn about the next step in the mission.

As such the pair swiftly made their way to the deserted valley nearby that was their contact point as soon as they were out of eyesight of the town all while making sure that they weren't followed. They didn't expect to be, but they had to be sure, and they were right, no one bothered them or tried to follow them, so they were able to reach the meeting location with 5 minutes to spare.

That was good because Marx was a punctual man and as expected the doors that were Cob's Spatial Magic appeared as soon as the time hit and opened to reveal the strange grayness of his Spatial Magic. A few seconds later Marx walked out and stood before them as the doors closed and vanished.

"Bulat, Randall, well done." Marx said with a bow of his head to them once the doors were gone. "The questioning of Luxe has proved fruitful for all of his illicit dealings, of which there were many, and unfortunately there will be some political fallout from this. That said, it wasn't as bad as we feared it might be."

"That was to be expected though." Randall said. "Once we learned of this mission and the role of Lord Highball in it, we were prepared to uncover things about the nobility that weren't pleasant. It is no surprise that there will be some fallout from this."

"I always knew that there would be ramifications to this, not that I mind." Bulat admitted. "I'm not a noble and while some like Captain Fuegoleon are good, and he's royalty which is even more surprising, it's been my experience that most are not good people."

"Alas that is the case and what Julius has long been fighting." Marx said with a sigh his own nobility notwithstanding he fully agreed with Bulat on the state of his brethren. "The fallout of Lord Highball will help him though as this is evidence that allows us to deal with some of the worst nobles and prevent them from causing any more harm."

"That is good to hear." Bulat said with a nod. "Anything that helps make the Kingdom better is good."

"That it is and this mission of yours is going to really aid that." Marx said. "It's not just yours though as we're already moving to the next stage on the female side of this but that isn't a concern for you, the male side is. In this regard, Luxe was only a middleman, a known contact for Highball to offload what would sell to a dealer in the illicit markets but Luxe himself wasn't into that, he just sold what made him money. His contacts there are extensive but for something like this we don't know who he sold the boys to."

"You don't?" Randall asked surprised. "Surely, he would know who he was selling too though? Right?"

"And by this trade, are you implying that there is information on the others?" Bulat asked. "You mentioned political fallout so presumably you have names, correct?"

"First Bulat, yes there is as the items there, while illegal, weren't of a level to lead to execution like human trafficking will." Marx said. "They're bad though, enough for at least serious fines and resignation from offices for those involved, and in some cases prison time and revocation of noble status, but not like this. Don't worry, we've already got several names and expect to get a few more and they'll be dealt with in time, Julius will know what to do. This, however, is more pressing."

"Agreed." Bulat said getting back to the matter at hand. "Sorry for getting distracted."

"It is understandable but let's get back to Randall's question." Marx said looking at the Crimson Lion King's Vice Captain. "Unfortunately, no, we don't know who the buyer of the boys is. All we got was a hooded figure using concealing magic, as was Luxe, who bought the boys from him without any names being exchanged."

"Damn so no leads then." Randall said.

"Not exactly." Marx said surprising them. "We do have one name, the broker."

"Broker?" Bulat asked.

"Yup, an information and illicit goods broker in Kikka who knows a lot about the underground trades and who would want what." Marx said. "She's often used when people don't want to know who they're selling to and who they're buying from, plausible deniability and discretion after all. However, it's clear that the broker in question doesn't actually peddle in human flesh, at least not the illicit trade as she does run a brothel but that's completely legal, so the sellers who use her for this don't tell her but imply enough to find the right buyer. This ensures that she doesn't know precisely what the goods are but also allows us to know that she knows who the next buyer is."

"Sounds like you've had dealings with her in the past." Randall said. "Which is good, she's more likely to help us if that's the case as she'll understand the gravity of the situation that she's in."

"That she is as recently the Blue Rose Knights paid her a visit and got the name of the buyer of the females being sold, that was a little more pressing as there were a few still in the process of being trafficked while no male victims had been sold recently." Marx said. "She was evasive in the meeting but understood her position so in exchange for not being arrested she gave up the name."

"I see, so we'll be making the same deal then?" Bulat asked.

"Not exactly." Marx said shaking his head. "I expect she'll give up the name and quickly after her last meeting but after that you're to bring her in. Offer it to her voluntarily but if she resists arrest her. This is the second time her name has appeared in connection with this specific investigation and Julius wishes to have her questioned as we can't have someone like this running around unchecked. That and he believes that there is more to her than meets the eye so best to make sure we know all we can about her after all this."

"Ah alright that works." Randall said understanding what Marx was getting at. "And who is she?"

"All we know is that she goes by the name Blizzard when conducting this kind of business." Marx said. "But otherwise she's known as Flurry, which we presume is another alias of hers, the owner and madam of the Frozen Clover Tavern in Kikka's Black Market. I'm sure that you know of the place."

"Yeah a few of our more vice riddled members are know to frequent it on payday." Randall said recalling some of the stories he'd heard. "It's got gambling, good cold drinks, and women who are treated right by their madam so many head there for some fun on their day off. I've not been though so I can't comment on it personally but the guys who have been all say it's worth a visit."

"Not my scene." Bulat admitted. "But I've heard a few tales of it as well."

"Yes, I'm not personally familiar with the establishment but it's got a reputation as the only bright spot in that area, even if it is a den of legal vice." Marx said. "And now you two will get to see it because you are to go there in full robes and get the information."

"Sounds good." Randall said. "What does she look like?"

"Her appearance has been known to change from time to time, but the latest reports are that she's got shoulder length white hair that matches her skin with blue tips and eyes." Marx said. "She also wears a lot of black and dark blue clothing that is cut in a provocative style. However, the one thing that never changes and is how she's identified when concealing her face is the large snowflake tattoo on her right shoulder. It's designed such that the center of it is on top of her shoulder with the branches extending over her shoulder blade, the hollow of her shoulder, arm, and neck. She'll have it on full display when you see her, so she won't be hard to miss."

"Understood." Randall said with a nod. "If that's all then we should head back to base and make sure things are sorted there while we plan how to approach this woman."

"Then allow me to help speed that up." Marx said as he closed his eyes. "One sec."

Bulat and Randall knew what Marx was doing and left it to him as he contacted Cob with his magic. A moment later the doors appeared, and he opened his eyes and turned to the doors which opened without needing to be touched. Without another word, Marx walked through them, and the pair of Crimson Lion Kings followed him already thinking about the next stage of the mission and how to execute it.

---

"Just because ya got tits doesn't mean that ya can fondle those of my girls without payment! I don't give a shit about ya gender, ya want to cop a feel ya pay. Same goes for ya noble status by the way, I don't discriminate when it comes to social status and getting paid."

Bulat heard the voice as he approached the corner in the back alleys of Kikka's Black Market where the Frozen Clover Tavern was, and where Randall was already standing, having set up their backup plan should Blizzard decide to not willingly come with them once their business was concluded. It wasn't hard to miss given how loud it was and how there was nothing else of note in this part of the Black Market.

As such, Bulat hurried to catch up with Randall as his superior had gone on ahead while Bulat sorted things out should they need it. However, Randall had pulled up because just as he entered the alley the door to the tavern, it wasn't hard to miss being the only building here and an oddly shaped one at that and with a distinctive sign, had been thrown open and a woman in an unassuming but fine brown cloak with the hood up had been ejected and into the wall opposite the entrance.

Randall knew that this happened in taverns, but this was still a bit of surprise, especially because it was a woman and she'd been knocked out by the impact with the wall and now lay on the ground in a heap on the side, the hood having fallen off her face to reveal chestnut brown hair cut in a short but feminine style and lightly tanned skin. It took Randall a moment but by the time that Bulat joined him to survey the scene Randall had placed her as the second daughter to some minor noble not based in Kikka. That was odd to say the least but as he watched another woman strode out of the tavern and towards her.

The second women was about average height though the heeled, thigh high black boots with blue laces made her actual height hard to assess, with shoulder length white hair tipped with blue dye, porcelain skin and wearing a black corset that pushed her breasts up, mini skirt, and arm sleeves from her hands to her biceps all with dark blue accenting. While neither could see her face clearly as she walked to the woman and crouched down, they could see her right side and as such they could clearly see the detailed and large black snowflake tattooed on top of her right shoulder.

The tattoo was exactly as Marx had described immediately identifying her. There was no doubt about it but before either man could say anything, or even move, the woman continued to speak revealing that she'd been the one who'd tossed the noblewoman out of the bar.

"Damn it, not again, I really gotta stop using Reinforcement Magic to toss out my handsy patrons." The woman, who Bulat and Randall had already deduced was the Blizzard woman they were looking for, said as they watched her. "That's the fourth one that I've knocked out this week. Oh well, ya copped 6 feels so that's 300 yul plus ya owe me for that special mistress that I arranged for ya, and to cover her fees, as well as your bar tab so that's another 5,000 yul. I'll just take it, I know that ya are good for it and won't complain seeing as ya dear mommy would disown ya if she found out about ya same sex proclivities."

Bulat and Randall just blinked as Blizzard bent down and began to fish through the woman's cloak, her delicate hands and the perfectly manicured and painted nails making quick, clearly expert, work of the task until she found a coin purse and pulled it out. She then examined it still crouching before she nodded and rose, putting the purse in one of her belt pockets.

"That will cover today and your next two sessions with ya favorite mistress plus a few feels, I know that ya like them big, so I'll facilitate that for ya." Blizzard said with a nod. "Pleasure having your patronage and I hope to see ya again soon. Oh, and I'll have some of the girls come and sort ya out, I know how much ya love another woman's touch after all."

All the two Crimson Lion Kings could do was look at the oddness of the scene as it played out before Blizzard suddenly turned to them and a slight chill fell over the alleyway that hadn't been there before. She smiled but both noted that the smile on her blue lips didn't meet her cold blue eyes as she raised a hand and tucked her hair behind her right ear.

"Gentlemen, what can I do for you on this fine day." Blizzard said her voice and tone changing from an angry bar owner in the Black Market to a polite hostess complete with barely a trace of the low born common accent that she'd just shown and offering them a short, polite, curtsy. "I am Madam Flurry the owner of this fine establishment and how may I help you two Magic Knights today? Business or pleasure."

Neither of them missed how Blizzard added extra emphasis on the last word as she smiled at them indicating that that was what she was really wanting from them. Randall had to give it to her, she had a certain allure to her but the coldness in her eyes were a turn off for him and put him on edge while Bulat was, well, immune to her charms and showed that when he answered.

"Business ma'am." Bulat said simply. "We're here to see Blizzard and we know that we've found her."

"Ah, shame, it has been a while since some nice Crimson Lion Kings came to my fine establishment for some fun, the usuals didn't show up on their last pay day unfortunately." Blizzard said and Randall saw her checking out Bulat. "I should have figured though what with neither of you ever showing up before, well that and their Vice Captain is here, and I know that you don't frequent places like mine. You, though, you look and sound like a commoner, I can get a few girls that would love to have a good time with you. What do you say big guy? I'll give you a great deal if our business goes well."

"As kind as the offer is, Ms. Blizzard, I must decline." Bulat said bowing his head. "Even if I was not here on business, my, as you put it, proclivities would be similar to the woman you just threw out so alas you don't have anything to offer that I would like."

"Hmm, I see, so you bat for the same team then, there is a certain fun in sticking with the same gender, they know how best to touch themselves, I've certainly been there." Blizzard said and Randall had to give it to the woman, she'd not been surprised at all and didn't even bat an eye as she switched things up. "If that's the case then I can still facilitate."

"Come again?" Randall asked unable to contain it. "You can."

"Of course I can, I wouldn't be the businesswoman that I am today if I couldn't." Blizzard said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Alas I don't have any comely young men here, my clientele is mainly straight men after all and a few bi and gay women like the little miss in the closet behind me, but I'm nothing if not a businesswoman who can cater to whatever my clients' needs are. I've got a few handsome men of various types and ages, all legal mind you, that I subcontract and who would be more than happy to service the sword of a noble and strong Magic Knight such as yourself."

"Tempting but I don't pay to satisfy my needs." Bulat said with a smile. "And besides, I'm open about what I like and while I've not found any yet, I prefer men a little younger and shorter than me who are strong, confident, and charismatic to the point that they improve all around them and with the potential to surpass me. It's a very specific type you see so I'm holding out until I find him."

"Alas that is rather specific, none of the men that I know who are in this business would fit." Blizzard said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Oh well what can a girl do, you win some, you lose some but that is just how business goes. So what can I do for you?"

"Not going to deny that you're Blizzard?" Randall asked.

"What's the point, my tattoo is on display for a reason beyond the fact that I like showing it off." Blizzard said folding her arms across her chest in such a way that pushed up her breasts even more though Bulat noticed that she seemed to almost subconsciously rub her right bicep as she spoke. "Besides, I recently had the pleasure of doing business with a pair of beautiful Blue Rose Knights, a sexy and busty tomboy who showed plenty of tantalizing cleavage and a dangerous and mysterious girl in purple, so I'm well aware that the Magic Knights know who I am. Naturally, I deny any activities involving illicit dealings, I'm merely a broker of information who puts one person in contact with another, that's all."

"We're aware." Randall said with a smile. "So how about we take this to your office, this is something that is best discussed in private."

"Oh a man who likes to take control, I'm getting a bit tingly down there, keep this up and I'll have to change my panties later." Blizzard said with a wink at Randall that was clearly meant to fluster him, but he wouldn't be flustered so easily, which Blizzard could apparently tell as she added. "By the way, it's a lacy thong today though I'm not telling you the color, that's for you to find out."

"I'm not asking." Randall said doing his best to control himself though he couldn't deny that that was a smooth move. "This is, as you noted, just business so no games."

"You're no fun, just like the tomboy which makes this even more interesting for me, especially because my charms won't work on your friend here so I've gotta try extra hard with you." Blizzard said with a grin that showed her perfectly white teeth. "Very well, come on in and through the door between the bars. My office is at the back, I'll be waiting there for you."

"Aren't you concerned that Magic Knights are walking through your bar?" Randall asked as Blizzard turned to the door. "Could be bad for business to see us there."

"Nah, I've got plenty of you lot here already, vice grips the hearts of everyone in some way or another so I'm more than happy to facilitate what I can, within the bounds of the law of course." Blizzard said with a wave. "Besides, this humanizes you lot to the commoners, shows them that you're not above them though I'm well aware that some of you nobles have even more disturbing vices than most. No one will question it, that is if they even notice your presence amidst the distractions in here."

With that she disappeared into the bar. Bulat and Randall just looked at each other and shrugged, the woman was clearly a character but she also had a level head it seemed so this should be pretty easy, at least they hoped as they followed her into the bar.

The bar was as expected, filled with men several bearing Magic Knight robes from at least 4 different Squads and a few women being served by scantily clad waitresses, flirting with said waitresses some of whom were sitting on the laps of the patrons, or gambling at tables at either end of the long room. The only things that really stood out was that even with this many people it wasn't warm inside the bar, just right really and that could be chalked up to all the cold drinks that the tavern was known for, and the fact that there was a clear snow and ice theme to the place that felt a lot more real than just mere decorations.

Well, bars did have themes at times and the place was called the Frozen Clover Tavern so made sense that it was like this. Besides, they were here on business, so they quickly moved through the bar to the door between the two bar tops and through it with just a nod to a busty bar tender who was practically bursting out of her low-cut white top and clearly not wearing a bra under it who just nodded back and didn't stop them as they went through the door and entered the back area of the bar.

Almost as soon as they were through and the door closed behind them the sound of the bar cut out. That had to be because of some kind of magic on the door and it made sense, the noise could be distracting, so Bulat and Randall appreciated it and headed to the far end of the corridor and without even knocking entered through the sole door there. This was business after all and both of them wanted to get it concluded as soon as possible so there was no need to hesitate or delay with things like knocking.

If Blizzard was surprised that they didn't knock, she didn't show it which didn't sit well with Bulat. He'd had a bad gut feeling since they'd met and he'd seen her eyes. They were oddly similar to something he was sure that he'd seen before but couldn't place but which he knew was dangerous. There was a lot more to this woman then met the eye and as such he was on edge as he took her in again, this time leaning back in a nice leather chair behind her desk in the really cold office and smoking a long pipe that she held delicately in her right hand.

"Cold in here." Randall said idly as he sat down in one of the chairs opposite the desk while Bulat did the same in the other one while Blizzard took a deep pull on her pipe, the tobacco glowing as she did. "Bit distracting if you ask me."

"I like the cold, always have, helps me work best and keeps me focused on the task at hand." Blizzard said as she exhaled light blue smoke that had to be in part because of the cold though it could also be some special tobacco that she was smoking neither man could tell for sure. "And yes, to answer your unasked question my nipples are rock hard right now thanks to the temperature, but this corset is designed to not show that, gotta leave a little to the imagination after all."

"I wasn't going to ask that at all." Randall said. "As I've said, we're here on business only."

"Right, bit of a stick in the mud I see but that is kinda refreshing at the same time." Blizzard said as she took another pull from her pipe and blew it out to her side likely so that it didn't get in their faces which was an odd concession it seemed, but Bulat and Randall weren't going to complain about that. "Alright down to business then. Why are you here? What can I help the Magic Knights with this time?"

"We are aware of what you recently helped the Blue Rose Knights with and we're here for something similar pertaining to the now former Lord Highball." Bulat said getting straight to the point. "We know that he sold certain illegally obtained people to a merchant called Luxe who then contacted you to offload what he had to a buyer who would be interested in such a purchase. We want that buyer's name."

"Well fuck me in the ass with an icicle, that bastard again." Blizzard said her expression not changing but anger and fury crossing her eyes for a second that reminded Bulat of the danger he sensed from the woman. "Damned merchant bastard, he's got all the goods that sell well under the table, and I know just who to hook him up with, but he knows that the two things I don't help with are drugs and people. I take it that he's in custody, you wouldn't be here otherwise."

"He is and in case you're wondering he had no goods from Lord Highball on his person." Randall said recalling a final report Marx had sent him a Bulat detailing the illicit items that had been recovered from Luxe's basement. "He was the contact for the opposite of what the Blue Rose Knights were looking into and I presume you know what that means."

"Yeah, I do, only way to move such a product and only one kind of sick fuck that would want something like that." Blizzard spat out her ability to maintain her cool breaking a bit. "Twice in a week I've learned I've been duped; I'm really pissed now."

"We understand that you didn't know but you did help." Bulat said. "So, give us the name and we'll bring this bastard to justice along with any of his or her cohorts though we are currently presuming that the contact is male."

"Oh it's a man though honestly I've known a couple of women like that as well and they scare me even more because you'd never suspect them." Blizzard said her tone dark. "Very well but before I tell you I want to stress that I didn't know what the product was, part of my whole success is not knowing more than I need to know as it protects all parties and Luxe was a good merchant as far as I knew seeing as he could get food for orphanages if I needed it and always paid well when I helped him move the standard smuggled items. That's why when he told me that he had some hardcore gay pornography and materials I didn't question it. That shit has a really good market what with all the closeted nobles."

"I'm aware, I'm not a noble so it's not a concern to me but with the nature of society as it is, homosexuality in the nobility can be frowned on if you're born in the wrong family or are certain circles." Bulat said not adding that he'd had a few come ons from closeted nobles once they learned he was gay, but he always turned them down. "And this, well, this is even worse as you well know."

"Tell me about it, hypocritical bastards, you wouldn't believe the number of noble women I've fucked senseless in my time who all still claim to be straight even though I gave them what no man could." Blizzard said blowing out some more smoke. "Alright, well in this case Luxe wanted a client that would be interested in something extra, the kind that would pay for the subcontractors I offered you early only not the vanilla ones, and I knew just the man. A slimy but good paying lord out in the far west, right on the Heart Kingdom border, who's well and truly buried in the closet."

"Not many lords out there so close to the border." Randall said. "But also, not a place we'd look for someone like this."

"Precisely, and he was a good client or so I thought." Blizzard said as she took another drag from her pipe. "The man's name is Lord Sligree and he's not hard to miss as he wears a gaudy amount of pink that is even more in your face than the Coral Peacocks and that's saying something. He also likes to slick back his hair and at least last I saw he had a pencil moustache and a pathetic beard of sorts; I think he thinks it makes him look noble, but it really doesn't. Always I always got the creeps from him, but I figured it was just the fact that he was in the closet and could barely control his lusts which, while what he asked from me was purely legal, were pretty extreme and excessive. This, though, I didn't expect."

"That is how it is with some." Bulat said. "Well thank you for your information, it's been most helpful to us."

"Yes, well I know the deal so if that's all then be gone, I've got a business to run." Blizzard said as she turned her pipe over an ashtray and knocked out the still smoldering tobacco. "And a bad taste in my mouth that not even the good stuff that I smoke can wash out. Damned bastards making me reassess all my contacts, but I guess that's the price I must pay for how I handled my business."

"Unfortunately we can't do that." Randall said. "We've been asked to invite you to come back with us to Magic Knight Headquarters. The Wizard King would like a word with you given your unintended involvement in two investigations of this nature."

"I see, guess I should have expected something like this the moment you mentioned that bastard Lord Highball, his arrest as really broken open a box that can't be closed it seems." Blizzard said as she laid her pipe on the desk. "It's only natural after all."

"We're glad you understand." Bulat said with a nod. "This should be nice and easy, so you have nothing to worry about."

"Yeah, see, I can't afford to allow anyone question me with magic, but you wouldn't understand why." Blizzard said. "So I've gotta refuse, sorry."

With that, and before Bulat or Randall could react, Blizzard placed her hands under her desk and flipped it up as a barrier. As she did, Bulat saw her rip something that flashed silver in the light from under the desk before it landed between them and she'd turned, her chair flying back and into the wall that she then ran into and through showing that it was just wallpaper over an emergency exit. This wasn't good but they'd planned for it and already the pair of Magic Knights were already on their feet and in hot pursuit, for all of one second.

That was because Randall had barely made it a pace before he slammed into something hard, cold, and unyielding that he proceeded to bounced off and land on his ass. Bulat noticed and put his left hand up to intercept it and realized by the feel that it was a sheet of thick ice that had been between the desk and them and they'd not noticed beyond the cold in the room. They'd assumed the cold was part of Blizzard's overall theme but clearly it was more and they'd fallen for it.

"Translucent ice, that's gotta be from her magic." Bulat said as he clenched his right fist and reinforced it with Reinforcement Magic before he punched out and at the ice with all his strength. "Damned, she's something I'll give her that. Go out and around Randall, I'll follow her through her exit."

As Randall leapt up and turned to leave the office and exit the bar, Bulat's fist made contact with the ice and it shattered. He didn't let it all hit the ground before he was moving, he charged through the falling ice and leaping over the desk as he ran towards the hole in the wall that Blizzard had run through. As he did, his grimoire flipped up and open to a spell that he called out the moment that he could.

"Armor Creation Magic: Secutor!"

Instantly, and as Bulat passed through the exit and noted that he was now running through a hole cut out of the wall that the tavern was built against, his clothes rippled and turned into the strange armor set that this spell was. Said armor set consisted of a loincloth under a simple red skirt thing that came from a wide brown belt, sandals, metal greaves over his leg, a plated metal arm protector over his right arm, a small circular shield that was strapped to his left and a full metal helmet that covered his head complete with a face plate that had circles for his eyes and a ridged crest and edges.

It was an odd set of armor to say the least, but it was what Bulat's grimoire gave him and followed a general trend with some of his other kinds of armor that were in his grimoire. Still, it worked and came with a weapon like the others did, he'd deliberately dismissed the sword that came with his full plate suit to avoid it being in the way of capturing Luxe, and in his Secutor's armor it came with a simple one-handed short sword, that materialized last and right as he exited in the alleyway behind the wall the tavern was built against. As he did he heard Blizzard's voice as she cried out in frustration.

"What the fuck! It's not moving!"

Bulat turned as he grabbed his sword in his right hand and smiled behind his faceplate as Blizzard shattered what looked like some kind of bladed weapon of ice against the massive, rectangular, shield that was blocking the entrance to the alleyway and reached the ceiling. It was Bulat's Tower Shield spell that allowed him to create a massive shield to fit any dimensions he wanted; he'd placed it just within the alleyway before getting here as the backup just in case Blizzard had an escape route out back that she tried to use. Clearly there was so the precaution had been worth it.

"You won't break that with ice." Bulat called out his voice muffled by the faceplate. "It's sturdy enough to withstand Captain Fuegoleon's flames for 10 minutes, ice won't make a dent in it. Hell, I doubt even Captain Jack can cut it without a few minutes of effort, but I've never tested that."

"Bastard, you were ready, I'll give it to you, you're not as arrogant as I expected from a Magic Knight but then again, you're no noble so I should have presumed it and that's on me." Blizzard said as she turned to him, a snow white grimoire with ice blue, vine like, borders and spines and a matching snowflake on the front and back cover, the three leaf clover a dark blue in the center of the snowflake on the front, glowing with a white light open next to her. "Still, I'm not coming in, I can't afford to. Sorry, I won't kill you, I don't want to add a Magic Knight to the blizzard that's on my arm and frankly the heat of that is more than I can handle but I will hurt you."

"You won't succeed." Bulat said. "I won't kill you, but you will be the one who gets hurt if you choose to fight me."

"I'll see about that." Blizzard said as she raised her right hand. "Ice Creation Magic: Arrow Blizzard!"

Instantly Bulat felt the magic and cold in the air but he didn't see anything indicating that all the woman's spells were of a translucent ice nature. That was pretty unique in Bulat's book but not a problem for him because a warrior would be a fool to rely on sight alone. As such he raised his shield and steadied himself as a volley of arrows made out of translucent ice shot at him.

Rather than arc them down, which would have been hard in the confined space of the alleyway anyway, Blizzard had sent them in a line at Bulat forcing him to move his sword and shield at the same time to intercept and shatter them. However, Bulat was an expert in this and easily batted, shattered, and dodged the ice with speed that was hard to track with the naked eye. The arrows were fast and clearly Blizzard knew what she was doing with them but still, he was faster than the arrows and thus made short work of them all while keeping his mana sense on Blizzard.

That was a good thing because the woman had rushed after her arrows and then leapt high into the air, using her shorter frame to turn sideways and spin like a corkscrew in the air and fall towards Bulat while he was dealing with the last of the arrows. He barely had time to look up and raise his shield before she reached him, a flash of silver in her hands that preceded the clang of metal on metal rang out as he blocked the attack.

Bulat heard her hiss in frustration as she bounced off the shield with her weapons as he pressed forward and swung his sword, but Blizzard agilely spun in the air as she used the bounce to her advantage to get out of range and landed in a crouch before him, her arms wide and a look of angry irritation on her face. In her hands in reverse grips were a pair of slender daggers too thick and long to be called stilettos but not at sword length. It was clear from her moves and stance that she was well trained in fighting with them and in the close confines of the alleyway they were a good weapon to use.

"You're no normal bar owner and information broker, are you?" Bulat asked as he stepped forward shield up and moved to push her back his sword low and to the side and his stance strong and ready to act. "Not many have moves like that, especially when it comes to magicless combat."

"And you're more than you seem, you can wield a sword and I only know of two in this Kingdom who can and you're neither, especially seeing as you can also use a shield which they can't." Blizzard spat as she backed up. "This is annoying, most magic users are at a loss when facing blades but not you. Just my luck I guess but I've gotta knock you out to get free so whatever, let's see if you're more than your bark."

At that Bulat saw Blizzard tense, push off the ground, and rush him. He'd been pushing her back to try and pin her to the tower shield but that had been a long shot and he knew it. She'd clearly been ready for it and instead pressed him and engaging in a flurry of swipes and slashes as she used her nimble body and the walls to flip and leap around him while slashing with expert precision and spinning the blades in her hands to constantly keep them in motion.

It was a good tactic and showed her training, as well as good in an enclosed space, but Bulat was a natural in armed combat, it was one of the skills that he couldn't explain, and he easily blocked the strikes with his shield or parried with his short sword all the while looking for an opening as he pivoted to always keep her in front of him and never let her get the upper hand. Against a normal Magic Knight this tactic would have worked but Bulat was not a normal Magic Knight, and he kept his defense up never letting anything through until finally the moment came, and he launched his counterattack.

That moment was right after Blizzard had landed on the ground and pushed off it at him in another head on charger, the dagger in her right hand spinning to a forward grip that she brought in hard to Bulat's left side. As she did, she slashed up from below his waist with her left hand the dagger there in a reverse grip.

However, rather than wait like he had up to this point, Bulat suddenly trust out with his left arm intercepting the dagger with his shield and with enough force behind it that he knew would jar the naturally weaker Blizzard's right arm. At the same time he slashed to his right with his short sword and went for Blizzard's left arm.

He had to give the woman credit, she saw the attack and moved her arm up to try and avoid it, but Bulat wasn't going for a dismemberment, just a cut that would noticeable. He managed this as the tip of his sword sliced through the underside of Blizzard's left forearm and cut deep enough to likely leave a scar. Blizzard let out a howl of pain at that, the wound causing her to drop her dagger but as she did Bulat showed his speed by suddenly reversing course with his right arm and slashing across his body and up to cut into the inside of Blizzard's right forearm midway along it, again with the tip of his sword.

The second cut wasn't as deep, Bulat had to move more and he'd bashed her arm wide to begin with, but it seemed to have more effect because the moment that he cut through the fabric and into Blizzard's arm she let out a scream as her right hand dagger fell to the ground. The scream wasn't of pain though, it was something deeper, more psychologically and clearly meant more to her than the other wound which was now bleeding freely.

"No! Don't cut them! Don't destroy any of them!"

Blizzard's yell was one of fear and worry as Bulat finished but he ignored it as he stepped forward and up to Blizzard as she staggered back and brought the pommel of his short sword into the right side of her head as he moved the sword back from his recent cross body slash. Blizzard was knocked clean out by the blow and tossed into the stone wall of the alleyway with a crash. Her body slid down it and lay in a crumbled heap at the base of it while her grimoire stopped glowing and dropped to the ground.

Instantly Bulat dismissed both his spells and rushed to the fallen woman. He quickly propped her up against the wall in a sitting position and grabbed the tear in her left sleeve. He ripped it open and around to remove the lower part of t and then used that as an impromptu field dressing around the cut in her left arm, tying it tight to staunch the blood as it was the deeper of the two cuts that he'd inflicted on her. The other cut was shallower, not deep enough to scar, but he still ripped open the sleeve to make sure that it wasn't too bad before he bandaged it as well. Naturally, that was when he saw it.

"So that's what she meant." Bulat muttered as he looked down at Blizzard's right forearm. "What does it mean though?"

"What are you talking about Bulat?" Randall asked and Bulat looked up to see his Vice Captain approaching him. "Huh, that's…intricate. Can't say I expected it either."

Bulat nodded as he looked back to the woman's right arm. Randall had been behind the shield ready to act if Blizzard somehow got past it but she didn't so he just came in when the shield went down and as such he'd not heard her scream, but Bulat had.

It seemed that what she was referring to was a series of snowflakes all black, all different sizes and like snowflakes in real life no two were the same that were tattooed on the woman's forearm just above the cut that Bulat had made. The snowflakes went all around the arm and over her elbow before disappearing up her lower bicep and under the sleeve there.

"Yeah, the work is fine, detailed, and clearly expensive." Bulat noted. "She's spared no coin on this tattoo and freaked out when I almost hit them so there has to be a deep significance to them, but I don't know what."

"We'll note that in the report." Randall said as Bulat pulled out a pair of cuffs from the back of his belt and cuffed Blizzard's wrists in front of her. "Let's get her to headquarters before anyone notices, don't want to make a scene here after all."

Bulat just nodded as he heft the still unconscious woman into a princess carry while Randall called it in. The pair then left the alleyway and quickly made their way to the portal point that had been decided ahead of time so that they could quickly get back to headquarters with the intel that they'd gathered and, as she'd not come willingly, the prisoner knowing that they had a new name to look into and the next stage of their investigation to undertake in the coming days once everything was sorted out.

---

"Sorry that this took a bit longer than expected, our best asset for such information was elsewhere and we had to get them to the west once things were done with their current mission in order to confirm things out there." Marx said as Bulat and Randall sat down opposite him in his office. "But thank you for your help, we've got Blizzard in the VIP prison awaiting questioning but with everything going on things are a bit hectic so she's on ice so to speak until we have a moment. You don't have to worry about that though, just focus on capturing Lord Sligree and bringing him to justice."

It had been over a week since they'd met with, and then had to capture, Blizzard and in that time the Capital had been attacked by a terrorist group calling themselves the Eye of the Midnight Sun and Captain Fuegoleon badly injured. He was a live but in a coma, and the pair had been upset that they'd been out of the Capital and unable to help out when things had gone down.

At least now, as they sat down opposite the bowl cut man, they could do something good for the Kingdom as he'd let them know that there was an update on the situation. They'd been told to come in right away so that they could get the information they needed to complete their current mission as soon as possible.

"Understandable, the Capital was just attacked after all." Randall said. "And our Captain was, well…"

"Yes, I'm sorry about that but Fuegoleon is stable, and he is expected to recover though how long it will take we don't know." Marx said. "Until then you would usually take over, Randall, but, well, the Crimson Lion Kings are a bit different when it comes to their leadership."

"We are the Vermillion family's Squad and Mereoleona is still around even if she's rarely in the Capital." Randall said. "She's going to have to come in and take command and frankly I'd like to be away when she arrives."

"I've not met her, is she that bad?" Bulat asked. "All I've heard are stories about her and none paint her in a, well, sane light."

"She's known as the Uncrowned Undefeated Lioness, and she has more than earned that reputation." Randall said as he explained their new temporary Captain. "She doesn't care about politics or status, just getting stronger so she'll be pissed that she has to be in the Capital. She's not the biggest fan of this place."

"She' already upset about the situation and will come once her student has returned from a hunt." Marx said recalling the call he'd just had with her the night before. "So she'll be here soon. That's something you'll have to deal with when you get back though."

"I'll inform Bulat of what he needs to know after this mission is over." Randall said though even he didn't know that she had a student which wasn't a good sign because if anyone could survive training with Mereoleona Vermillion then he or she had to be just as crazy as she was. "We're close to the end of this mission I feel and so I want to focus on that right now."

"Closer than you think, all evidence points to Lord Sligree being the ringleader of this specific trafficking ring." Marx said refocusing on the mission at hand. "We just got the report in from our agent inside his estate, they're a stealth expert and that's all you need to know about them, that the evidence is there but that it can be gathered without an issue so long as you take Sligree in the nearby village."

"That can be done?" Bulat asked a little surprised. "What about guards?"

"It would appear that he doesn't have any beyond a single bodyguard who is always with him." Marx said. "Why we don't know but I've got a good feeling that it has to do with who the bodyguard is suspected to be."

"Really?" Randall asked. "Is he powerful or something?"

"Hard to say, the records we have only indicate two known spells, but the nature of his magic is dangerous, and his mana reserves almost certainly rival a noble given his background." Marx said. "He's a Hot Oil Mage known only as Cauldron and he has the ability to create oil so hot that he can combust it easily and is immune to anything associated with it. That alone is bad enough, but records indicate that he can quickly cover and ignite a large area in seconds so he's pretty much all Sligree would need."

"Records?" Bulat asked. "So you know more about the man then."

"We do; he's one of several wanted criminals who escaped justice about two years ago." Marx said with a nod. "Many of the details of this are classified so I can't go into much but what I can confirm is that he was part of a secret assassin school created to serve a cabal of now former nobles to further their own interests. Like many, he was put through a survival test which pitted 100 children who'd yet to get their grimoires against the Strong Magic Region to the north, leaving them there for a year to survive. Only 17 did and he was one of them."

"Damn." Randall said while Bulat felt a headache flare up as the whole situation sounded really familiar to him, but he knew that he'd never heard of it before, so he pushed past it. "If he went through that and survived it before then was trained to be an assassin, he's going to be deadly."

"He is, that was the point of the survival exercise after all, and the reports indicate that he enjoyed scolding and burning people making him one of the few who fully embraced what he was doing." Marx said. "In that vein he was their arson expert and skilled at making things look like an accident because of how all his oil was burned up in his blazes. He's a dangerous man and of the 17 who survived that round, there were other survival rounds from what we've gathered, only 8 are still alive and he's one of 4 that had been unaccounted for until now."

"How'd you learn about this?" Bulat asked.

"I can't say, sorry." Marx said shaking his head and he wished he could because he knew that Bulat was one of the reborn just like Akame was but now wasn't the time for that nor was it his place to do so. "We did learn of them through one of their failed assassinations and Julius authorized an attack on their compound in which many of the assassins and their trainers died while several more were taken into custody. This man was away at the time however and slipped through our fingers. His reappearance as Sligree's bodyguard is unexpected and strange to say the least but that is likely the reason why he only has one. Be careful with him but lethal force is authorized as he's wanted dead or alive."

"Understood." Bulat said with a nod. "And you mentioned a nearby village being a place to capture Sligree, right?"

"Yes, there's a single inn in that village and that is where Sligree conducts his lordly business there rather than at his manor." Marx said. "We don't know why and frankly we don't care. We do know that he controls the village through fear, so he likely uses it as part of some kinda power move to remind them who he is. Regardless, you are to do your best to take him there rather than at his estate as that is where the evidence is and given Cauldron's skills, he can likely burn it all before we get our hands on it, which as you can guess wouldn't be good.""

"In that case then, it shouldn't be hard to take him down at the inn." Randall said. "Do you have any more information on him and his movements? Anything that could give us an edge would be useful."

"Don't worry, it's all here." Marx said as he picked up a thick scroll of papers. "Layouts of the village, the inn, the backroom he uses as his office, and his mansion along with descriptions of him and his bodyguard and his schedule. He likes to fly to the village so don't take him then and please make sure the inn is empty when you attack as there will be a lot of collateral damage if a fight breaks out."

"Can do." Randall said as he took the notes surprised at how thorough they were and noting that whoever this asset was, they were clearly really good. "We'll head out right away and set up a camp in the area to plan things while also doing our own scouting of the target."

"Sounds good." Marx said. "Good luck."

Randall and Bulat nodded in response to that before they rose and left the office. As they did Marx sighed, he knew that they'd be fine but now he had to deal with even more as things had just gone down in Nean that, while informative, were still not good to hear as it showed that the Eye of the Midnight Sun were a lot more dangerous than previously believed. On top of that Julius had an idea so tomorrow was going to be a big day, Marx knew it.

The Crimson Lion King pair didn't know any of this as they left and began to make preparations to head to the west. They had their mission, and they were nearing the end of it, so they were going to be ready for it as they began to prepare to bring the soon to be former Lord Sligree to justice.

---

"He's almost there, should be entering the inn about now."

The voice was low and soft as it came through the small communication device that Bulat had in his hand that he was resting against the side of his head as he sat in the empty inn in the small village that was only a few miles from the Heart Kingdom border. More importantly, though, it was within the domain of Lord Sligree making him their overlord and was of course the inn that he liked to conduct his official business in.

At the moment Bulat was wearing the same dark gray travel cloak over his clothes with the hood up that he'd worn to scope out Luxe's store. However, unlike before, his hair was down, falling past his shoulders and helped hide his face even more as he stared down at the finished bowl of surprisingly passable and meaty strew and empty mug of ale that he'd consumed while waiting for his target.

The whole look screamed wandering traveler whose purpose wasn't to be questioned, the very aura that Bulat gave off adding to it, and as such the bartender, who seemed to be the owner and sole employee of the establishment as well, had done nothing more than take his order and leave him alone with his thoughts. That was just what Bulat wanted as he waited for Lord Sligree to come in and head to the back room opposite the front door.

Inside, according to their intel, was a simple office where he ran the business of the village and surrounding area, coming here once a week always at the same time and day to do so. That made him predictable and exactly what Bulat needed as he was able to arrive several hours beforehand, wandering into the village with only a simply bag slung over his shoulder and looking down, just another wandering peasant with no home doing odd jobs in various towns and villages to make a living. He'd even asked about that here but found nothing so come to the inn to get a meal before heading out to find a place to sleep rough for the night.

It was the perfect disguise, and no one questioned it as he took his meal and waited as if lost in thought about where to go next on his seemingly endless journey to make ends meet. He was so mundane and insignificant that the bartender had seemingly forgotten about him which was good because it made sure that when the door opened, and two men walked in they did nothing more than glance at him before passing on through the inn. Bulat, however, glanced through his long hair and took in the pair of men as they moved.

The one in front was Lord Sligree, the description was clear. The man was a little under 6 feet tall with slicked back, oily black hair, coal black eyes, and a matching pencil mustache and wispy beard that hung from his chin. He wore a lavish outfit of bright pink accented in shining silver that was as loud as it was expensive, and he carried himself with the easy grace of a noble who knew that he was the petty lord of this area and the people of the Kingdom who called it home couldn't do shit about it. Well, they couldn't but Bulat could with what he was carrying in a pouch under his cloak.

That would come later though as Bulat noted the man behind Sligree. He was the noble's sole bodyguard and that was who Bulat really focused on as he was by far the biggest threat that Bulat would have to deal with today.

Said man was dressed in a simply black robe that covered his clothes and fell to his ankles revealing black boots with the hood pulled up over his head, the cowl hiding his features though Bulat sensed magic at play there. That would certainly explain how he'd avoided detection, Illusion Magic woven into the cloak would do that and Bulat was sure that that was what was at play with the may's cloak. That did beg the question as to how the agent had been able to identify him but that wasn't Bulat's concern, his concern was the bodyguard and his magic.

Based on the way the man, apparently called Cauldron, carried himself he was clearly highly trained and no stranger to violence. Bulat could tell that in his gait, the way he clearly took in the room with nothing but a glance, and how he was close enough to protect Sligree at a moment's notice but not close enough that the man would get in his way.

Cauldron was clearly good, but Bulat was better, and he'd gone unnoticed by the man but then again someone like Cauldron who'd been forged by assassins and lived in the underworld wouldn't know what an honorable soldier was so he wouldn't be keyed into the danger that Bulat himself posed. That was all good for Bulat as Sligree entered the backroom with Cauldron following and closing the door behind him.

From the report they'd spend about an hour in there sorting things out, again Bulat was amazed at the intel and detail and at this point suspected that a Transformation Mage with potentially unmatched skills was involved in gathering it, and that was more than enough time for him. He needed time for Sligree and his bodyguard to get comfortable and settle in while also giving Randall the time to get behind the inn and against the wall below the window in the backroom ready to act if need be.

Hopefully, that wouldn't be the case as Bulat intended to be quick and efficient with this capture, but the backup was appreciated as it was better safe than sorry. That and when dealing with fire an Air Mage was a useful ally to have.

With all that in mind, Bulat waited a quarter of an hour before he stood up, reached into a pouch on his belt, and pulled out some yul that he tossed on the table as he rose to make it seem like he was done with his meal. The sound of coins hitting the table got the bartender's attention and Bulat noted that he was turning to look at what he thought was a traveler preparing to leave. That was perfect as Bulat took the time to rip his cloak off and turn to the bartender now standing in his full outfit, the Crimson Lion King robe he wore billowing behind him thanks to his move before it settled against his back.

As soon as he did that, Bulat saw the bartender's eyes go wide and he raised a finger to his lips for silence, the fact that he was a Magic Knight ensured it and the man nodded in agreement. As soon he did so, Bulat reached into another pouch and pulled out a letter than he tossed the bartender.

The letter was a copy of the Wizard King's arrest warrant for Lord Sligree, his revocation of the man's noble status, and an order to vacate the premises and allow the Magic Knight who handed the note over to do his job. It also had the promise of funding to rebuild any damage caused during Sligree's arrest and support from the Crimson Lion Kings for the village after the arrest was done.

That should be more than enough to satisfy the bartender and as he read it, Bulat pulled out a comb and styled his hair into his preferred pompadour style. When he was done, he put the comb away and looked at the bartender who'd finished reading the letter and was just staring at him. The man simply nodded the moment that Bulat met his gaze, bent down to pick up a bag of coins, and left via a door behind the bar.

Bulat smiled and turned to the back door sensing the bartender leave as his grimoire floated up and opened to the right page, glowing with his gray colored magic. As soon as it did, Bulat cast the spell that would be best for both capture and dealing with the Cauldron as it gave him some range should he need it.

"Armor Creation Magic: Retiarius."

His clothes rippled and a second later all he wore was a metal and leather skirt thing over a loincloth, a shoulder guard over his left shoulder, an armor gauntlet over his left forearm, and sandals all while his Magic Knight robe remained on. It was barely armor and Bulat was still unsure why he had it in his grimoire, but he didn't question it as the weapons that always came with specific armor he could make appeared, first the dagger that appeared on his hip followed by a weighted net in his left hand and finally a trident in his right.

Bulat was skilled with spear and staff-like weapons, so a trident was perfect for him and given what he expected he'd need it while the net had its own uses. This was just the kinda light armor that would be perfect for what he had in mind though he'd have to be really careful about the hot oil and so his plan was simple, take care of that asshole first and then capture Sligree. As such, he strode up to the door, raised his right foot, coated his leg with reinforcement magic, and with all the strength that he could muster slammed his foot into the door.

"Lord Sligree, you are under arrest on suspicion of human trafficking, assault, murder, and several other crimes against the Clover Kingdom that are in your formal indictment." Bulat shouted as the door was blasted off it's hinges and at the simple desk in the room where Sligree was sitting and currently writing in what looked like a logbook. "Surrender and there won't…"

"Run boss, I'll burn this bastard!" A harsh, guttural, voice called out as Sligree showed surprising reflexes and managed to throw himself back from the door and to the side as it smashed into the desk thought the broken top half caught him in the left shoulder and opened up a gash on his left cheek before he could fully get out of the way of the door. "Hot Oil Magic: Scalding Oil. Ignite!"

Bulat barely had time to leap back and away from the doorway before a thick, bubbling, putrid smelling black liquid shot from Cauldron's hand and splashed on the ground where he'd been only a second before and sprayed everywhere. He hissed in pain as a few drops got on his legs and instantly burned him, but he pushed past it as suddenly the oil was ignited, and a conflagration of flames filled the doorway and blocked his path. The whole office going up in an instant just as he'd been told it would.

It was impressive, Bulat couldn't deny that, and almost as hot as what Leo or Captain Fuegoleon could produce. It also reminded Bulat of a note in the intel documents that he and Randall had examined the night before about how Cauldron was an arsonist while an assassin whose special skill was burning houses down with whole families inside so that nobles could buy up the land.

That made sense as Marx had noted that the oil was fully consumed leaving no traces of it, so he was able to make the fires appear to be accidents. Bulat recalled reading about a few fires like that some years back but seeing it now was intense.

"Ha, take that Magic Knight, I'll burn you good." Cauldron called from the other side of the flames a sadistic laugh in his tone just before the sound of the window shattering reached Bulat's ears. "You're not getting the boss now. Die here and take that…"

The man didn't get to finish before there was a sudden whooshing sound and Bulat felt the air in the room speed out of it and into the office before it was dragged through the flames as it was sucked out the broken window. It could only be worse in the room and he grinned at that knowing exactly what it was. He and Randall had come up with a plan in case Bulat wasn't fast enough, or Cauldron was faster than expected which turned out to be the case, and that was to use Randall's Air Magic to extract the air from the while building and suffocate the flames that way.

Naturally, a plan like this wasn't exactly perfect but it still worked to lessen the flames considerably and that was all that Bulat needed as he sensed where Cauldron was and charged forward. However, he didn't charge for the doorway, no he charged for the now weakened wooden wall and lowered his left shoulder, using the shoulder guard that was over it as a battering ram and smashed through the wall.

As Bulat did he pulled the trident back in his right hand and the moment that he landed and as the robed figure was turning to him having twisted his body to brace for the wood, Bulat thrust up and out with the trident. Clearly Cauldron hadn't expected Bulat to burst through the wall, especially not when the fire was still burning in the office and which Bulat actually landed in, but he had and Bulat ignored the pain as the trident slammed home, the three spikes driving into the center of Cauldron's chest vertically and punching into his body before bursting out the back in a spray of blood as he gasped from the impact.

Of course, Bulat had just landed in fire and hot oil, so he instantly moved forward and out of it as soon as he did, driving Cauldron back and up in the process and before he knew it he'd passed the desk and the prongs sticking out of Cauldron's back had hit the far wall were they stuck fast as the fire had yet to reach that wall. The sudden jarring of the stop caused Bulat to let go of the handle and he came to a stop as he looked up at the man now pinned to the wall, his body forward so his face was still hidden by the cowl of his robe, and blood running down the prongs of the trident as a death rattle escaped Cauldron's lips.

Bulat knew that the man was dead and turned in time to confirm it as an oddly thin, possibly even one page, pitch black grimoire with a burning red three leaf clover on it disintegrated where it had fallen on the floor. Bulat just turned away from it and as he did he saw a bloody and battered Sligree trying to back up and raise his hands but Bulat just threw the net over him to trap him there.

As he did, Randall leapt through the window and into the room, his hands up and glowing with magic as he used his Air Magic to suffocate the remaining flames in the office, drawing the air around them to him to starve them. Bulat left the job to him as he strode to Sligree who opened his mouth to say something, likely either a protest, plea or bribe, but with a quick kick that shattered his jaw and sent a few teeth flying Bulat knocked the man out.

Only then did he bend down and use the net to tie him up and lift the man in it as if he was a caught school of fish and heave it over his shoulder all while ignoring the pain that he was in from the minor burns he'd experienced during his brief confrontation with Cauldron. As he did, he turned to Randall to see that the fire was fully out and the man was turning to look at him.

"You ok?" Randall asked. "That was some move."

"Some minor burns on my legs from the oil and then the flames but that's what Owen's for." Bulat said as he began to walk around the desk and to Randall. "We got the target and he's alive so let's get going. Call Cob and have the door ready. I can't cancel this spell while using the net and frankly I'm starting to feel the pain, so I'd like to get it sorted out right away."

"Got it, let's move." Randall said with a nod while pulling out his communicator as they entered the bar area and headed to the door. "Hey Cob, we're done, send a door to the village and have Owen ready, Bulat has some minor injuries that need attention…yes, the mission is complete, Sligree is in custody though he too will need medical attention. Don't worry he's alive just out cold and needs some healing to answer questions that's all."

Bulat just smiled at that as they exited the bar via the front door and into the village as the doors appeared and opened for them while the confused villagers looked on. The pair paid them no heed, they'd be back later once their target was delivered and Bulat was healed up to help with the cleanup but for now it was time to drop Sligree off, get healed, and celebrate another successful mission all while Mereoleona Vermillion awaited them.

Other than that last part they were looking forward to wrapping all this up as the doors closed behind them bringing an end to Bulat's mission to catch the ringleader of a human trafficking network that unbeknownst to him Akame and Tatsumi had uncovered. In time he'd learn that the others had also died and been reborn, along with his own reborn status, but for now he was in the dark so all he cared about was getting back, getting healed, and enjoying the feeling of making the Clover Kingdom a better place to live.

Well there it is, Bulat's mission and chapter in this special arc looking at the other reborn members of Night Raid is over, and he's successfully tied up his end of the investigation that was kick started by Lord Highball's arrest. There really isn't much to say about this chapter, it's nice and straightforward chapter that depicts more about Bulat's life in the Clover Kingdom, a little taste of his backstory there, and his magic while also being one of the longest to date but as I wanted to cover the whole investigation in a single chapter just as I did with Sheele in the previous chapter it had to be. Other than that, the only thing to note is that the next chapter will be a shorter one that is tied to the last two and lead into the final chapter of this special arc, the one with Mine and Chelsea seeing as they're the only ones left to look at and there's a reason I've saved them for last, as well as help set things up for some of what I have planned for the time skip. All in good time though and as there isn't anything else left to say I will leave this chapter off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and I will try to answer any questions posed in reviews and PMs as best I can. Until next time.

Stringdog