The Longsword Of The Renmant Flame

Everyone was grouped once again at the meeting room, Leone just reported what happened back to Nea's house.

Leone: And, when I tailed the thugs hired by our target, it turned out they were headed to Nea's house.

Najenda: So that little girl was a victim of Tonto as well. He must have sent assailants to their house in order to silence a witness of his past deeds…

Billy: Well, what are we waiting for? He's just one man and doesn't have any backing.

Leone: Let's take him down.

Najenda: Alright. We don't need to send the entire group. We'll… Send Mine and Sheele go!

Sheele and Mine prepared themselves to go.

Sheele: Thank you very much!

Then Najenda turned towards Billy and Leone.

Najenda: Leone will show you two where to go and provide backup. Billy this is an opportunity for you to observe how Sheele works, go with them!

Billy: Roger!

And then all 4 of them left the hideout, heading towards their target's house. 

There was already Tonto drinking alcohol as if there was no more tomorrow.

Tonto: Shit! Those thugs still haven't come back yet! They must have ran off with my money! Gaah… I'm an honest man now… I even donate my money… So why is my past coming back to haunt me…!? I'VE MADE UP FOR MY MISTAKES!! MY PAST SINS ARE FORGIVEN, AREN'T THEY!?

?: I'm sorry, but that's not how it works.

Tonto's eyes widened in shock and turned around, seeing Sheele and Billy glaring at him. Tonto stood up and slowly backed away from them in fear.

Tonto: Ho… How did you get in?! No… NOOOOOOO!!

He runned away while Sheele was walking towards him with her Teigu, Extase. When Tonto was far enough, he turned back and took out a revolver, then he shot at Sheele.

However Sheele easily blocked the bullets with her scissors and almost reached him.

Tonto: Eek…! Do… Don't come near me!

He reached a shelf and picked up a bottle of whiskey, but when he turned around, Sheele slashed at Tonto's eyes, turning him blind.

Tonto: GYAAAAAAAAAH!!

Sheele: ...How do you feel, Mr. Tonto? Can you see me?

Tonto: I can't see…! I can't see anything…!! Pl-Please! Forgi-

*Fshiiiin*

Sheele split his body in two with her pair of scissors, killing him immediately.

Sheele: No matter how many good deeds you perform, your past sins cannot be erased. I'm sorry.

Billy raised an eyebrow, it seems that Sheele really had a sort of switch when she needs to kill someone, but she seems the calmest when she's killing…

[Tomorrow]

Nea and her father were fishing on a river, they seemed to have much fun. Far away from them, there was Sheele, Mine and Billy looking at them.

Sheele: A picnic? They seem to be getting along really well as father and daughter. I'm truly… glad.

Billy: Don't make such a sad face, if we can change the country, you will be free to visit them. Even if she finds out what you had to do, she seems like someone who'd understand.

Mine: All the more reason for us to make this revolution succeed.

Tears were coming out from Sheele's eyes.

Sheele: You two… 

And then she tackled both of them, holding each one with one arm.

Sheele: I'M SORRY I WORRIED YOU!

Mine: Heh, what are you so happy about? We just pointed out the obvious.

Sheele: Uh, you're pretty obviously happy too.

Mine: Shut up!

Sheele: I'll see you again when the country is reborn, Nea...

Billy chuckled at their conversation, and looked at the sky… If they can change the country… This will be really hard. The only ones that could beat Esdeath in physical prowess is Budo and Bora, but the latter was getting slowly too old to fight, and he couldn't counter her ice manipulation, even if he could resist blunt or sharp attacks.

But even if Billy can't beat her in a combat with physical attacks, he can easily counter Esdeath's Teigu just by fully unleashing his own sword, the problem will be the presence of allies though…

[3 days later]

Billy and Leone were walking around the slums due to a mission that Najenda gave them. The people around them were welcoming Leone wherever she got.

People: Hello, Leone. / I could use another shoulder massage next time you come by. / Lookin' hot today, babe! Come drink with us tonight! / Yeah, come hang out with us, Leone!

Billy: This place is much livelier than the average slums, huh?

Leone: Souls as strong as weeds. It's what happens when you struggle to survive all your life.

Billy: You seem awfully popular around here, though.

Leone: It's my home town after all. I was born and raised here! I made a name for myself working at a local massage parlor…

Suddenly, some rough voices interrupted her.

?: There she is! / It's Leone!! / I'll have you pay your drinking bill! / It's time to settle your gambling debts!! / I want the money you scammed off my brother!!

Billy and Leone started to run away, Leone because she didn't want to get caught and Billy because he didn't want to get lost. so he stood beside Leone…

Leone: Whatcha think? Interesting place, huh?

Billy: Interesting my ass! RUN BITCH! RUN!!!

Meanwhile, at the imperial palace, precisely in the audience room, there is a soldier kneeling in the ground, in front of the child emperor and the Prime Minister.

Soldier: I have a report, it's about generals Nakakido and Hemi. They are gone. They have joined the Revolutionary Army!! 

The other generals that were there listened and murmured.

General 1: The Military genius Nakaido has…

General 2: This will make the Revolutionary Army a much bigger threat, we even lost General Bianco…

General 3: If we don't get a handle on this, the Empire…

Suddenly, the emperor stood up from his throne and yelled.

Makoto: Do not let your thoughts run away with you!!! After all, they are down in the south… We can deal with them at any time! The rebels gathering together just means they will be easier to clean up!!

After that speech, he turned around and asped with a smile.

Makoto: ...So, did I handle that well, Prime Minister?

Honest: Ufufu… As always, your majesty is a mountain of calm in a sea of chaos. We have a closer problem than some far away Revolutionary Army. This is the problem that we should be focusing on.

The leader of the imperial guard assassinated. My own relative Iokal dead! Even that serial killer was killed by Night Raid. And they kept his Teigu!!! 

He started to chew on his meat and rip it off with extreme force in anger.

Honest: I want them dealt with so badly…!! I've been so obsessed with this, I've gained weight…!!!

Makoto: ...Well, what of them? Are there not professionals searching for their hideout?

Honest: They haven't been in contact. They're probably dead, but I have another plan.

Makoto: Oh? 

Honest: I've already called in someone reliable to help me express my uncontrollable rage!! The one who recently succeeded in subjugating the northern tribes. I have called for General Esdeath to return to the capital.

The other generals trembled and looked at Honest in fear.

General 1: B… But Great General Budo is in command of the capital forces, is he not!?

Honest: But to ask the Great General do something as low as hunting rebels would be an unforgivable wound to his pride, would it not?

Meanwhile, Makoto started to think.

Makoto: Esdeath, hmmmm… 

Honest: She is a hero that rivals the power of General Budo. I'm relieved! She is the ice hearted woman who executed 400'000 enemies by burying them alive. She will bring to task the hopelessly incompetent imperial guard. This is no longer a question of life or death!

These animals are getting stronger day by day. She will hunt them down and kill them all! I doubt even that Bora would win against her as she is now! About Bora, did you find any informations about him? It is best if we keep that insect under our eyes.

General 2: No sir, there was nothing about him, we have theorized that he is either confined in the south or dead, there was no informations about him in any city, and even less in a port.

Honest: Tch...