Finding the schedule of the ryuusen wasn't that much of a hassle, it's pretty much publicized since they're throwing one hell of a party up there. It won't depart for another 2 days so that means there's a chance Chouri and Spear are still alive out there. Sergei has been scouring rundown northern villages for any signs of them while Victor is in charge of managing the assaults on both the empire and the revolutionary. Actually, i wonder if i can force Honest to use the 4 Rakshasha demons if i stir up enough chaos, save me the trouble of tracking them down. Now i'm going around the markets for groceries as i haven't got the chance to cook in a while and that Sheele would appreciate a meal when she wakes up. People did crowd me from time to time asking about my charred armor and most of them didn't believe that i survived but lost all their doubts when i show them a bag of zefir that only the real Yosif could bake. Although i insisted on paying normally, most of the shopkeepers gave me discounts or just straight up giving me the food without charging anything. It's not that i mind but it kinda feels wrong for me to just take it. But something feels off as i made my way back home...it felt like someone was watching me and they're not alone either. I would be paranoid but now with my full power back not to mention Victor back at the base, i'm certain that they wouldn't be able to do much. That reminds me, Seryu is probaly going to get roped into getting unnecessary enhancements from dr Stylish, have to stop that as well. I made it back with whoever it is tailing me not making a move, at least none that i know of, and shut the door behind me setting the bags inside the kitchen. *knock* *knock* Dafuq? That can't be Seryu since it's still her shift at day while Sayo and Ieyasu are in the woods with Victor to practice hunting. Hmmm it could be the person i sensed on the way back. I grab a small pocket knife holding it behind my back and open the door to greet.....Akame? Several alarms are ringing in my head. Why is she here? Why is she nervous like a lovestruck schoolgirl? Why is she wearing a ridiculously large brown cloak? And why are Leone, Tatsumi and Lubbock at the end of the street hiding by a trash can?
Me: Akame?
Akame: I-i-i...hi mr Yosif.
Me: Why are you here all of a sudden, aren't you wanted in the capital or something?
Akame: Y-yes but i'm here to...talk with you.
Me: Okay then? Do you want to come inside?
Akame: N-no it's f-fine.
Me: I made zefir.
*WHOOOSH* HOLY FUCK! How the hell did she get to the couch in less than a second? Her gluttony is downright terrifying sometime, at least it isn't as bad as that day where i had to cook 2 buffets worth of food for her and Kurome which they fucking ate in under 20 minutes. WHERE THE HELL DO ALL THE FOOD GO? Ah i'm getting sidetracked, i glance at the end of the street one last time to see the disbelief on the faces of Leone, Tatsumi and Lubbock before closing the door. I look a hell lot like a massive pedophile/sex offender right now but i can't bring myself to care because let's be honest here, would anybody believe them if they, enemies of the empire, claim that i, a captain serving the empire? And even then i don't think they will take it too harshly considering how worse the other scums are compared to what i'm accused of. I sit myself down next to Akame and hand her the bag of zefir which she wolf down without hesitation.
Me: So why are you looking for me exactly?
Akame: *nom* It's because of what happened last night.
Me: Uh huh?
Akame: Mr Yosif, w-why did you k-kill Sheele?
Me: Oh i suppose she was one of your teammates... I did what i have to Akame, sometimes it's not my decision that counts. If i didn't kill Sheele and she killed the girl, Seryu, then i would have to carry the guilt that i let someone died because of my inability to perform my duty just like how the other girl, Mine i think, is probaly blaming herself being responsible for Sheele's death. What i'm trying to say is, there wasn't a happy ending to that situation at all Akame, can you look at me and say that Sheele and Mine would've just left peacefully without trying to kill Seryu?
Akame: O-oh...
Me: Well i'm guessing that this isn't the only reason for why you are here. Knowing Najenda she wouldn't let you do something personal risking yourself like this without gaining anything so what else do you want?
Akame: Observant as ever...I came here to ask of you to stop fighting Night Raid.
Me: Oh sure.
Akame: huh? Just like that?
Me: Yeah i don't have anything against you in the first place, yesterday i just happened to get caught up in the fight and played my part.
Akame: I see...
Me: Well i suppose i do owe you something...
Akame: Huh?
I walk to the closet behind Akame and pull out a wrapped package. Although it was covered, the shape was still easily recognizable to be a pair of giant scissors. Akame notices what i'm doing and can't help but shed a few tears. I place Extase in Akame's quivering hands before ushering her outside. The moment i close the door, i can hear frantic footsteps coming from a certain trio. I won't bother with them for now unless they bust down my door and raid my house.
Leone: AKAME! ARE YOU OK? DID HE HURT YOU?
Akame: Leone keep it down! we're going to be spotted!
Leone: Oh oops...
Tatsumi: What is that package Akame?
Akame: Extase.
Lubbock/Tatsumi/Leone:.....EEEHHH?
Leone: you actually managed to kill him without a scratch?
Akame: No.
Lubbock: Wait huh?
Akame: He gave it back to me. Yosif didn't have anything against Night Raid in the first place and last night was just bad luck for us. He's still staying neutral in the fight as long as we don't take our fights near him.
Leone: a-are you k-kidding me? Sheele d-died because of BAD LUCK? I'M GOING IN THERE TO KILL THE BASTARD MYSELF!
Akame: Leone NO!
Everything went dead silent as the Night Raid members witness one of the rarest thing there is...Akame being angry at them. But it wasn't just anger no... The killing intent she is releasing is so powerful that even a veteran would wet his pants before it. Murasame was also drawn and was pointing dangerously close to Leone's neck and all of her previous fury was now replaced with fear. Akame realizes what happened and takes a deep breath to compose herself.
Akame: I'm sorry but... i made a promise to myself years ago that i wouldn't rest until i have repaid Yosif for everything. Not only did i fail that but i'm now even more indebted to him. He has no reasons to give us back Extase yet he still did. I can't let any of you fight Yosif not because that i'm afraid for his life but i'm afraid for yours. Let's just regroup with Najenda and head back.
[Elsewhere]
A carriage was seen travelling down a narrow road in front of a poor village where multiple beggars are seen gathering around campfires for warmth. The carriage was surrounded by its own guards and inside sit 2 people. One was a young girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore a winter coat and a large hat, Spear. And the other was a bald elderly man with a large mustache and a small beard wearing a crown of sorts and a winter coat on top of a military-like uniform, Chouri who is Spear's father.
Chouri: *sigh* to think the once glorious empire turned on its own people...
Spear: It's okay father, you tried your best.
Chouri: Still... if i had kept my position then those poor folks out there won't have to suffer such fates.
Guard: SIR! THERE'S SOMETHING DANGEROUS AHEAD OF US!
Spear: What is it soldier!
Spear and Chouri peek their heads out of the carriage to see what has spooked the guard so much. All of their other bodyguards are petrified shaking intensely barely able to grip their weapons firmly looking ahead at a group of three in the distance (not the three beasts). Chouri's eyes bulged out of his head and Spear's jaw dropped at the horrifying sight ahead of them. They both have heard rumors about monsters coming out at night to kill both Imperials and Rebels alike but they all assumed it to be some vigilantes instead of actual monsters. The three endless paladins drag their weapons across the snow trudging slowly towards them.
Spear: Father...w-what are t-those things?
Chouri: The monsters of the capital, so they were real after all... But why are they all the way out here?
Spear: I'll try my best father, run whilst i buy time.
Chouri: Spear no *grab Spear by her arms* do you notice anything about the monsters?
Spear: Umm...They look dead?
Chouri: Their movements Spear, i might be going senile but observe carefully. They clearly acknowledge our presence here yet they are advancing slowly not even bothering to lift their weapons. I dare say they're not here to kill us.
Spear: Father please be rational.
Chouri: Spear i know what i'm doing. Besides, we have already left the empire behind and there has yet to be cases of these things attacking the innocents. Guards let them past, do not raise your weapons against them.
The guards reluctantly step aside to make way for the 3 paladins as one of them directly walk up to the carriage looking at Chouri. It raises one of its hand and flames soon spewed from it before quickly dying revealing a letter. It offers the letter to Chouri who cautiously takes it and reads the content.
'If you're reading this then i presume that my guards have reached you in time ex prime minister Chouri. I'm sure you have many questions regarding who am i or why are the monsters under my command and i'll gladly answer them for you as soon as you meet up with me. If you truly want the people to prosper in a world where justice is absolute then follow the escort back to my base. If no then you're free to join the revolutionary but i'm sure you will find it disappointing as some of their actions aren't that much better than the the empire's cruelty. Oh and time is ticking, if my intel is correct then you're about to be assassinated by the three beasts, Esdeath's personal elites.'
Chouri: three...beasts...!SPEAR WE HAVE TO GO NOW!
Spear: Eh? Father what's wrong?
Chouri: I accept the offer of your leader, take me to him.
After Chouri has given his answer to the paladin, the other two got into battle stance as 3 silhouettes appear on the road. A screech sounded from above as a phantom descends down and grab Chouri and Spear before flying away. The guards protecting them was also instructed to leave the premises as they evacuate leaving the carriage to the 3 paladins. The first figure to become visible within eyesight was Liver as he observes the carriage where their targets are supposed to be only to find the carriage burning down in the middle of the road. Around the carriage stood 3 paladins as they simultaneously roar and charge at the trio. Daidara barely blocked the first few flurry of hits with Belvaac. Nyau didn't stood a chance with Scream as no notes from his songs seem to even hinder the rampaging paladins. Liver and Daidara both wince as Nyau messes up one of his dodge and gets rewarded with a punch to the balls. Liver took out several molotovs and toss them at the paladins. Though it didn't do much harm to them, Liver was aiming for something else. As the fire spreads, the ice around them melts into water. Liver utilizes Black Marlin to form multiple pressurized blades and was able to cut one of the paladin down by aiming for its spine. The other two was still engaged in a fight with Daidara as he throws Belvaac like a boomerang. Another paladin dies as it got hit directly in the back when Belvaac traveled back but not before leaving a large gash on Daidara's calf. The last paladin receives the news that the phantom carrying Spear and Chouri has made it out and proceeds to continuously heat itself up. Liver was caught off guard as the paladin drops its axe but quickly realizes what it was doing and orders Daidara to grab Nyau and get closer to him. Black Marlin uses the remaining water in the area to create a water shield around the three beasts. The paladin self-destructs sending a out a massive shockwave of flames vaporizing the shield but it wasn't strong enough to do harm. After the smoke clear, all that was left of the carriage is a smouldering crater. The three beasts didn't know why the paladins were there but they have completed their job of "killing" Chouri as only ashes are left after the explosion. They got out their posters, except for Nyau who is still holding his nuts in agony, and spreads the fake Night Raid posters around the area.
[Back with Night Raid]
Najenda: So in the end Yosif decided to not fight us anymore without asking anything in return?
Akame: If we can avoid dragging him into fights then yes, and we have also retrieved Extase from Yosif.
Mine: E-E-Extase?
Akame: In my opinion, Yosif isn't to blame for Sheele's death as he has shown regrets and explained that it was either her or another girl. There would be bloodshed regardless and he just decided unbiasedly.
Najenda: That's a relief to hear though now we face a brand new problem.
Bulat: What is it boss?
Najenda: Some has been posing as Night Raid to cover their crimes...
Total inventory:
Grenade launcher
Venus Magnum
Ascended Wraith set
Primordial's wrath: Damascus
Almighty Five Sights: Spectator
Diadem of supreme arcane might
15 copper 53 silver 38998 gold
Current familiars:
- Sergei the Armor Demon
- Victor the Soul Of Cinder