"You two are from Night Raid, right? Give this to Tatsumi for me."
While Mine and Sheele were still in a state of shock, the mysterious figure in black set Sheele down, pressing a slip of paper and a small, tightly wrapped round object into her hand.
"You bastard!!!!"
Seryu shrieked in a frenzy. She had traded both her arms to seize this opportunity, only for some random interloper to ruin it at the very moment of her triumph.
"Coro!!! Tear him to pieces!!!"
"You're blocking the path of justice! That makes you an accomplice! Die!!!"
The beast regained its momentum and lunged at the three of them. Sheele hurriedly raised her giant scissors, activating her special skill.
"Extase!"
That blinding light erupted once more, freezing Coro in its tracks and forcing even Seryu in the distance to shield her eyes. The man in black pulled Mine away from the massive severed arm. But before they could even thank him, he pushed both Sheele and Mine away.
"Go. This skill doesn't last long, does it?"
"Are you coming with us? If we run fast..."
"No. Someone has to stay behind to hold them back. Go."
"If anyone stays, it should be me! I'm too heavily wounded; I'll hold them back. You take Mine and run, she'll lead the way."
Sheele tried to insist, but she stumbled and would have fallen if Mine hadn't caught her in time. Even Mine had a broken arm and was nearly incapable of fighting. The man in black didn't answer; he simply turned his back and walked forward.
"Sheele!!"
"No, Mine, we can't leave him behind! He'll definitely die!"
Sheele wanted to stay, but Mine dragged her away. Mine was sobbing continuously, but her footsteps did not falter; if she stopped now, all of that man's efforts would be in vain.
"Mine! Aren't we supposed to protect the people? Aren't we fighting for peace?"
But when she looked down at Mine's broken arm and bruised skin, the words caught in her throat. They had failed. If that man hadn't pushed them away, she would be dead. If he hadn't stayed to cover the retreat, both would likely have died here.
"I'm sorry... Mine... I'm so sorry..."
"If only... I hadn't been so careless..."
"Sheele..."
With the blinding light no longer a hindrance, both Seryu and Coro regained their vision. However, the two members of Night Raid were gone, leaving only the man in black.
Using its terrifying speed, the beast lunged forward. Without Extase to hold it back, the man in black was swallowed whole by the tooth-filled maw.
Seeing this from a distance, Sheele could only press her hand over her mouth to keep from sobbing out loud. Mine gasped. For the first time in their lives as assassins, they had received help—the anonymous help of an ordinary person. Because neither of them had seen him use a Teigu.
Night Raid were assassins, the stuff of nightmares; everyone feared them except for the Revolutionary Army. Even though they only killed corrupt officials and those who had lost their humanity, they were still seen as monsters. They were used to fighting silently in the darkness—no honor, no recognition. They were used to it because they had each other.
But who doesn't long for light, even if it's as weak as a candle's flame?
The first time a stranger tried to save them, he ended up perishing in the mouth of a monster.
…
It began to rain, a light drizzle that made the scene even more somber.
All the members of Night Raid gathered before Sheele and Mine. Everyone's expressions were heavy, unable to bring themselves to look at Tatsumi. As for Tatsumi himself, he stood frozen, a look of disbelief on his face as he stammered.
"How... how could this be!! Asahi was just a coffee shop owner!!! How could..."
Each word felt like it was tearing his throat apart, as if he were trying to cling to the last remaining shred of hope. Everyone stood there, letting the rain soak through their clothes.
"He... gave me... this..."
Sheele had received emergency treatment, though moving was still difficult. Tatsumi tremblingly accepted the paper and the wrapped sphere. He opened the note.
"To Tatsumi."
"Ieyasu has returned home safely. I also met your grandfather to give him the money. Your village won't have to suffer from hunger anymore, so don't worry."
"Neither Ieyasu nor I told him about Sayo's passing. But it seems this won't stay a secret for long. Even though you're busy as an assassin, you should take some time to visit him and put his mind at ease. He said he was very worried about the three of you."
"I hope you can continue to walk the path you've chosen, Tatsumi. No matter how dark and bloody it gets, always stay true to yourself."
The paper was soaked—whether from the rain or Tatsumi's tears, it was hard to tell. He collapsed to his knees, feeling as though his life force was being drained. The pain was absolute.
Visions began to play out in his mind: the first time Asahi told him he'd been swindled by Leone; the way Asahi stood in front of him to protect him from Aria's family; the way he invited him in for coffee—a delicious drink a country boy like him had never known. Asahi had helped him keep his sanity when facing the cruel darkness of the Capital and saved his childhood friend. He gave him advice and lessons that Tatsumi would never forget.
In reality, Asahi and Tatsumi had known each other for less than a week, but he held a vital place in Tatsumi's heart. To Tatsumi, Asahi was truly like a dear older brother.
Except for Tatsumi, the other members of Night Raid didn't know much about Asahi. But through the stories told by him and Leone, even the usually teasing Lubbock compared him to the sun—radiant, brilliant, and powerful. A true man. He was one of the main reasons Tatsumi chose to join Night Raid.
"Mine, Sheele... who... who did this? Answer me!!"
"Mine! Sheele! Answer me!!!"
"Please!!"
Tatsumi knelt and bowed his head to the ground, his sorrow transforming into a furious rage. Even the cold downpour couldn't stop his body from burning.
"Wait, Tatsumi. What will you do once you know?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'll get revenge!"
"Stop it. That's someone who could kill Mine and Sheele. Acting on emotion like this will only result in more corpses."
The Boss said coldly. Tatsumi was on the brink of losing his reason. He didn't care! He just wanted vengeance!
"Asahi was just killed! I can't just sit here and—"
A hand grabbed the back of Tatsumi's neck, followed by a punch that sent him flying.
"You're making a fool of yourself, Tatsumi!"
"Don't lose control!"
It was Bulat. When words failed, a fist was the best tool.
"Didn't we say we could die at any moment?"
"You knew this when you joined us!!"
"But Asahi wasn't one of us!! Was it... worth it..."
Tatsumi snapped out of it. He realized he was still far too weak. He couldn't seek revenge; he couldn't do anything.
Bulat clenched his fist so hard the veins bulged. Exactly, was it worth it? It was all because of this Empire—it was because of it that people like Asahi had to die so needlessly.
"No! It was worth it! It was!"
Tatsumi stood up, slamming his fist against his chest, and shouted.
"There are people from all walks of life—some happy, some suffering. They could choose to ignore it, to stay safe, but they chose to stand up for others, to be a tiny spark in the dark night."
"To lead everyone toward hope, even if their hands are stained with blood, even if they are called butchers, even if they burn themselves out."
"That was his will, wasn't it? It was worth it!"
Everyone was stunned. Tatsumi bowed his head and apologized to everyone.
"I know you were just doing your job. And this is our punishment."
"I know... but you killed a person like that... and you will continue to hunt us. Therefore, Seryu Ubiquitous, I swear I will tear you apart!!"
Sheele's eyes were vacant as she gripped her giant scissors. Mine ground her teeth.
"That young man, Asahi, didn't die in vain. His will... Tatsumi, no, all of us... we will inherit it!"
"The Capital has finally realized. Only a Teigu can stop a Teigu!"
"Battles between Teigu users will only increase from now on!"
"There will be more death matches. It's dangerous, but it also means we can collect more Teigu!"
"Understood!"
…
Tatsumi sat on a high, grassy rock. Whenever he had a lot on his mind, he would come here to sit.
Footsteps sounded behind him. Mine walked up to him and sat down, hugging her knees. Tatsumi turned and saw the shimmer in the corners of her eyes.
"Mine, come sit here."
"Idiot..."
"Just... this once..."
Mine leaned her head against Tatsumi's shoulder. He gently patted her head. He was weak right now, that was true. His strength wasn't equal to Bulat's, and his will wasn't yet like Asahi's. But he could still be a shoulder for Mine to lean on.
"Thank you... you idiot..."
…
Dawn was breaking over a high hill. Esdeath sat atop a massive winged beast, gazing at the sprawling Capital in the distance.
"I'm back."