In a remote village, when the sun has not yet risen and everything is still covered in a thin mist. It was only 4 am but this place was bustling with the sound of farmers working in the tiny field. Each of them looked extremely thin. The sound of sniffling and crying echoed somewhere along with the ghost song.
" That must have been a hunter."
Sitting on a carpet spread under a bush of bamboos, was a well-dressed blond-haired man who, in contrast to the impoverished village, he looked like he was having a picnic. Standing next to him was another man wearing a yukata, his whole body covered in layers of bandages. The two of them were quietly observing the scenery of the village.
" It seems so. This village is at its limit, men are risking their lives to enter dangerous areas to hunt dangerous beasts. They're not even hunters, just normal farmers, of course, this's gonna be the result."
" Musui, do you feel pity for those farmers? "
" William sama. Whether I feel pity or not it wouldn't make any difference."
" Is that so. I, on the other hand, feel sad for these people, they're so ignorant to even know what's going on in their life."
William leisurely bit an apple, he gazed intently at the farmers who were working hard. His face was devoid of any emotion but there was anger implied in his tone.
" Working and working without wondering anything. They thought only by working hard they could solve the problem."
A poster flew up to William, on it was ' White cross cult, the most horrible terrorist group in history.
" What's the current situation of your team?"
" I thought you've already heard it from Haruki?"
" Just answer what I'm asking."
" Mia hasn't regained consciousness yet, but in about two weeks I believe she could get back to work."
" Hahaha, two weeks? Her arm got ripped off yet only two weeks to recover?"
" If it was just broken bone it would take longer but since it was completely cut off, just replace it with a prosthetic arm."
" That's would be a painful process, will she accept that?"
" Of course, she will or rather has to. Am I wrong?"
" No, it's just as you said Musui. How about the others?"
" Shana seemed fine, Ryuu on the other hand. His condition has worsened, It was already a miracle that he survived. I wonder if he could make it. About Lily and Gochi, not a scratch."
" I see, the result wasn't that bad. Still, it was a shame that we lost a Teigu into Alan's hand, but don't worry Haruki can take it back later."
Musui grimaced at William's words. In terms of the results this time, Haruki was the only one who failed in the quest however not a single complaint came from William.
" William sama, by all respect why do you have so much faith in Haruki?"
" Hmm? Anything wrong about his ability?"
" No. But my opinion stays the same even now. We can't trust him. Also, now there's that kid."
William glanced at Musui, and the corner of his lips raised.
" About that, what do you think? Is Alex one of those ' Marcus's sick tools'? "
" Please don't say things that I think you're about to say. We've already got an element of instability in the team. It's better to just get rid of that kid."
" That would do us no good. I thought you said Haruki was untrustworthy. What do you think he would do if we try to kill Alex? Or you're suggesting that we should get rid of your captain?"
" …So what we're gonna do? We can't just let that kid go off free like that."
" I'm afraid that's exactly what we're going to do. At least for now, we have more important things at hand."
There was displeasure in Musui's eyes but he just stay quiet looking at the scene, one farmer fell to the ground because of exhaustion.
[Alex POV]
After one and a half of a week, I finally can pull my body up. Even though it's only one and a half of a week, it was hell for me. Normally, even if I break a bone, I only have to suffer for about 3 days until it was completely healed. This was the 3rd time since coming to this world that I was at the death's door. The first 2 times were reluctant, but the third time, I have no excuse for my stupidity. I thought I could pull off an edgy MC's mocking smile from a safe distance, and then a big ass sword went through my shoulder. After 1.5 weeks of hell, I finally regained my consciousness. 2 thoughts immediately came to my mind. One was how did I return here? And the second was…
' What the fck?'
A girl was sitting beside my bed looking at me as if I was a toy. It's not that strange that Sabatini group has a new member from the insurgent but this girl… she should not be here. I looked at her bewildered for a moment then asked.
" Akame?"
" Alex right? You know me?"
Her voice was cold. Although there was no killing intent, I noticed that the atmosphere around me became strangely tense.
" You helped take care of me. I was aware of that."
" I see."
We stayed silent for a while after that. Lucky Akame was not a talkative person. My thought was so chaotic at that moment.
I began to wonder if all of my efforts were in vain? For years I've been leading the circus to avoid Taigen town. I thought I prevented the cruel fate that was cast upon them in the manga. This girl shouldn't be here, something wasn't right. In a moment of unthinking, I jumped out of the bed. I was trying to look for the other member of the circus. Behind me, Akame's eyes were glued to my back.
" You're not wounded?"
" M-My wound is healed. It's not that serious!"
" I saw your wound, your shoulder was almost ripped off. There's no way a wound like that already healed."
Sweat was streaming down my forehead, normally I wouldn't need to care about stuff like this. But for the time being, I just wanted to be a normal kid in a normal circus. When I was thinking of some silly reasons, Akame rushed to my side and carried me to bed. She was careful to not touch the bandages.
" Don't be stubborn, you need to rest."
" But —"
" Or else I will tell the meat monster to catch you."
" Meat monster?"
She patted my head. Maybe I overreacted. To Akame I was just a child. It seemed that being assaulted and almost getting killed multiple times kind of messed up my sense.
" Akame… nee. Where's everyone?"
Akame seemed a bit stunned when I called her that.
" Natalia should come back soon, she went to the market. About the others, I don't know."
" Akame nee. You're the new member of our circus right? Is there anyone else with you?"
" Uhm yeah, I just joined. For I know there was only me. "
" What!"
" Hmm?"
" N-Nothing! Welcome you to our little circus Akame nee!"
Akame look stunned again, her cheek flushed red for a moment but then there was a sad look in her eyes. I otherwise confirmed my hypothesis. Here's what I've been thinking about for years now, many strange things happened when I came here. The appearance of Alan, the Marcus… and now Akame was here alone without Tsukushi. Was this how time travelers felt when they kicked a chair? This world, this history… was not like the manga I knew. A thunderbolt cut across the sky and the sound of water dropping began to rumble outside.
" So suddenly. I hope Natalia won't catch a cold."
While Akame was caressing my hair, I bit my lips.
Alex after biting his lips.
" Fack! I forgot! !%!%!%!@79)$%!(%^$!@^$%!@$%!(*!!!"