[After Ogre has been assassinated]
Night Raid has started to settle down after the encounter with the paladin. Najenda was skimming through recent reports, Bulat was combing his hair albeit unnecessarily, Lubbock was idly playing with his strings, Sheele and Mine were having small talks with while Akame prepares breakfast with Tatsumi with Leone occasionally popping in to tease Tatsumi. Everybody was eating peacfully until one of Lubbock's strings was tugged on.
Lubbock: We have troubles incoming West side.
Najenda: What's their numbers?
Lubbock: They have...Huh? There's only 3 of them and they are extremely heavy.
Akame: That's no ordinary scouting party.
Bulat: Do you think it could be the three beasts?
Leone: Last i check only one of them would be considered heavy and it's highly unlikely that Esdeath would send them on scouting missions.
Sheele: Speaking of which... isn't Esdeath still in the North?
Mine: Well whoever they are we're eliminating them.
Najenda: Akame take Tatsumi with you, this is a good chance for him to learn about teamwork.
Night Raid sets out to intercept the potential threat near their base with Bulat, Akame, Tatsumi together while Lubbock accompanies Leone, Mine and Sheele. Leone was heading in first to use Lionel's abilities and track the scent of the enemies. She didn't pick up on any human or danger beast scents, the only thing noticeable was a lingering odor of ashes. They decide to group together again for caution as Mine scopes ahead using Pumpkin. She couldn't help but gasps in surprise at what lies ahead of them.
Sheele: What's wrong Mine?
Mine: E-executioners t-three o-of them!
Akame: What! *peeks ahead* I thought they only come out at nights.
Bulat: This is bad, we barely know any of their weaknesses and one of them was already bad as it is.
Leone: Bulat use Incursio's invisibility, we need to have an up close analysis.
Bulat does so much to Tatsumi's surprise as he carefully creeps near the intruders. They still move rigidly and mechanically before coming to a full halt when Bulat is still 10m away from them. They suddenly all turns and glares exactly at where Bulat was before snarling ferociously slamming their axes into the ground. The others knew that they have been discovered and the element of surprise was no longer on their side and run to Bulat's aid. The paladins didn't fight them though. Each of them disappeared in a flash of blue flames leaving singed grass where they once were.
Tatsumi: They're...gone?
Leone: This doesn't add up, if they weren't here to fight us then...
Akame: They were here to find us!
Realization dawns on everybody as they fully understand how critical the situation is. Their location has been compromised and now they are likely to be targeted by near unstoppable monsters. They frantically rush back to inform Najenda of the dangers.
Najenda: What happened out there?
Leone: Scouts boss...
Najenda: To think the empire ha-
Leone: Boss...It's not them.
Najenda: No... it couldn't be.
Akame: We were discovered by the executioners.
Najenda: All of the reports so far have shown that they only make their moves at night... This is rather unnerving.
Mine: S-should we relocate?
Najenda: Although that is the best option i'm afraid it's not possible.
Tatsumi: Eh? Why?
Najenda: Our current base of operation is still required for a lot of jobs in the capital and we haven't even found a suitable location for an alternative one.
Lubbock: So we're just sitting ducks waiting to be attacked by these demons?
Najenda: It's either that or set ourselves back 6 months in terms of progress. The revolution is coming soon and i doubt command would let us anyway. Mine, you're tutoring Tatsumi for the day take him into the capital for some recon and report back before nightfall. We have to go after Iokal tonight.
[With Yosif]
So that's where they are hiding, i had to recall the paladins back to avoid agitating them to the point where they would abandon the base. That's one off the list, now if i remember correctly then Tatsumi is 'training' with Mine today going around the city. i could use this chance to track down Seryu as well. I leave Victor in charge of training Sayo and Ieyasu into somewhat competent fighters while leaving a cloak of concealment to not freak them out at first sight. Sergei heads North to scour out where Chouri and Spear are. With that now i have to look for one of the most demented lunatic out there and show her what 'justice' really is.
The capital seems more quiet than how i painted it out to be but that may have something to do with the rumors of monsters massacring people at night. The guards aren't actively oppressing people in broad daylight anymore but rather keep to themselves, it seems the 'arguable' act of terrorism paid off. *bump* the hell? Something small touched my left foot as i look down to see 2 blank beady black eyes staring back at me. Ah yes, hekatonkheires otherwise known as demonic Snoopy, which means crazy lady is probaly right behind him. Sure enough there was a young woman with auburn hair and amber eyes who keeps her hair in a long ponytail that almost reached the ground in a guard uniform, Seryu Ubiquitous.
Seryu: Koro stop running ahead of me. Oh i'm sorry sir i hope he didn't bother you.
Me: You know if i still have my old job i would've forced you to take a break, you're way too stressed to be working.
Seryu: What do you mean sir? Oh i almost forgot to introduce myself, i'm Seryu Ubiquitous and that cute little guy is my partner Koro, together we bring justice to evildoers from across the land.
Me: People call me Yosif though they sometimes they called me captain.
Seryu: A pleasure to meet you mr...wait...captain? *intense thinking*...Yo-sif? *GASPS* Are you THE captain Yosif, hero of the poor?
Me: I wouldn't say hero but i suppose so.
Seryu: Eeeee! i can't believe it Koro, captain Yosif is right here in front of us! CANIHAVEYOURAUTOGRAPH?
Me: Whoa calm down kiddo, i'm not a captain anymore.
Seryu: Eh? But why...*remember something* HOLD ON! Didn't you die 6 months ago?
Me: My death was... vastly exaggerated.
Seryu: B-but they never found y-your body.
Me: Exactly. And if you think getting sniped by an energy beam capable of vaporizing metals is bad, you should see how painful it is to sit through 10 hours of paperwork.
Seryu: Oh... what are you doing at the capital after all these times sir?
Me: Travelling and honing my skills, can't get caught off guard again you know? Though what's bothering you... you look enthusiastic on the outside but i can feel your downtrodden attitude gnawing from the inside.
Seryu: Guess nothing escapes your eyes huh? It's just that a lot of unfortunate things have been happening lately with Night Raid targeting nobles and these things that appear at nights decimating guards. Worst of i-is that captain Ogre d-died, he w-was my m-
Me: Oh good riddance, i was planning to kill the asshole myself.
Seryu: *Seryu.exe has stopped responding, rebooting...* WWWWHHHAAAATTTT! HOW COULD YOU JOKE LIKE THAT!
Me: The prick himself is a criminal for all i care Seryu i don't see what's so special about the dickhead.
Seryu: He has been serving the empire for YEARS! He was one of my father's comrade who took me in after his death!
Me: Blah blah blah, you know what else you're missing Seryu?
Seryu: WHAT!
Me: Ogre was the dipshit who killed your father in the first place.
Seryu: I-Im-IMPOSSIBLE! THAT CAN'T BE TRUE! YOU'RE LYING!
Me: The letter your father left regarding Ogre's corruption before his untimely demise says otherwise Seryu. (Yosif is bluffing but he's 90% sure that something like that exists)
Seryu: NO! NO! I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT!
Me: Only one truth prevails Seryu, that letter may have been destroyed in my absent but the proof i gathered on how he was framing innocents and taking bribes is more than enough.
Seryu: No! no...i...it can't...b-be.
Apparently the truth was too much of a shock for her as Seryu faints at the spot with Koro sadly nudging her to wake up. I pat the little demon's small head and pick Seryu up to get her something to cope with the shock from my house/hideout. Before i set off, i did notice a certain pinkette with one naive boy miserably carrying a fuckload of shopping bags. I decide to further change things up and have 1 paladin hide in the shadows near the execution to interrupt it when Mine and Tatsumi witness it.
[later at Night Raid's hideout before Iokal's assassination]
Najenda has just given the briefing on Iokal's location and his bodyguards as well as his crimes but she notices that Mine and Tatsumi are quite worried for some reasons. She understand that it's possible for something of this scale cause Tatsumi to be nervous but not Mine and she should be teasing Tatsumi instead of awkwardly twirling her hair in anxiety.
Najenda: Something the matter Mine, Tatsumi?
Leone: Now that you mention it boss, Pinky does look quite nervous. Afraid to miss the shot adn embarrass yourself in front of Tatsumi?
Mine: HEY! NO WAY AM I GOING TO MISS SOMETHING THIS EASY!
Lubbock: Then what's bothering you?
Tatsumi: We're afraid that this mission may have interferences.
Sheele: Don't tell me it's...
Tatsumi: While me and Mine were going through town for 'recon' we came across a public execution. At first, it just proceeded like all the other ones with the people too scared to protest. But then an executioner just sprang out from the shadows and beheads the guards on stage. It even continued to go on a rampage and killed 12 more guards before being forced to flee when they brought explosives.
Najenda: They made it into the capital already?
Mine: Yes and i'm worried that we may encounter them during this assignment. Can we perhaps... ignore them?
Najenda: Hmm that isn't a bad idea actually. We can't spare the time to fight these anomalies and they seem to be hostile but only if provoked. The one you met at the mansion probaly attacked because you got too close to it while the three we saw earlier retreated instead of fighting.
Akame: So we are to avoid conflict with this group?
Najenda: If possible yes, prioritize escape over elimination if confronted by them. Only engage if they leave you no choice.
Akame: Understood.
Now, Mine rests atop a tree hidden by the leaves as she aims Pumpkin at the castle's entrance where Iokal will walk out not long later. The bastard soon exits with his entourage of women and guards alike but before Mine could take the shot, a pillar of bright orange flames erupts mid-air above Iokal. The flames die down revealing an angel of death holding its two burning blades menacingly as it lunges at Iokal without warnings. Iokal was dead before he even notices and his guards join him soon after with all the girls frightfully fleeing. The bodyguards run outside to deal with the assassin but shit themselves at the sight of the one who was responsible being one of the rumored unstoppable beasts. They too didn't stand a chance as the monster disembowels them on sight. Mine has to resist throwing up at the gruesome sight before her. Unfortunately, the phantom looks Mine dead in the eyes through her scope startling her as she accidentally fires a shot hitting its shoulder. Enraged by the attack, the phantom takes flight heading straight for her.
The others were confused why no bodyguards have came their way at all and move to the rendezvous point to look for Tatsumi or Mine. When they got there, beneath the cherry blossom tree was Tatsumi catching his breath and Mine pointing Pumpkin frantically around at the woods.
Leone: What happened?
Mine: There's an angel of death coming!
Lubbock: WHAT!
Bulat: Up there 3 o'clock.
Mine with her incredible reflexes spins to the direction swiftly quickscoping the phantom piercing one of its wings. The phantom with one its wings badly damaged crash-landed onto the ground. Lubbock tries to restraint it with Cross Tail but the strings seem afraid of the phantom's flames surrounding it. Leone tosses Akame at the phantom as they cross swords. Since the phantom has 2 greatswords while Akame only has a katana, she was quickly being overwhelmed as Bulat jumps in to even the odds. The phantom didn't expect the sucker punch as it was flung into a boulder via Bulat's spear. Sheele sees the opening and manages to cut off one its arms with Extase. The limb falls to the ground with one greatsword clattering alongside it as the creature screeches in pain. Akame dashes in once again thrusting Murasame through the phantom's chest making it drop its remaining greatsword in agony. With the thing effectively disarmed, the rest of Night Raid proceeds to corner it. The phantom looks around at the approaching threats and receives an order from its master telling it to go in standby for self destruct as its body begins to light up.
Leone: What's it doing?
Akame: It's overheating itself, if we hit it right now then it would cause a massive explosion, it's the thing's last option, all or nothing.
Lubbock: I could use Cross Tail to create a blast shield for us, Mine see if you can finish it!
Cross Tail's strings wove themselves creating a thick wall covering Night Raid as Mine charges up Pumpkin aimed for the phantom's head. She didn't expect it to run away dodging the shot that was meant to hit it if it charges at them. The phantom staggers into the forest and disappears from sight.
Leone: It...ran away?
Tatsumi: Should we chase it?
Akame: No...i believe Najenda should be notified of these things' increasing activity.
Total inventory:
Grenade launcher
Venus Magnum
Ascended Wraith set
Primordial's wrath: Damascus
Diadem of supreme arcane might
15 copper 53 silver 38998 gold
Current familiars:
- Sergei the Armor Demon
- Victor the Soul Of Cinder