No one's POV

After securing their hostage, the Oaburgh team, Merraid, Daniel, Cassandra and Gilberda were waiting until tonight until the trading firm closed for the day. And since it's now, they can finally unleashed their assault.

Merraid: We've already secured our hostages. Let's massacre the rest.

As they were preparing their attack, Cassandra noticed that the wound Daniel had received from Akame's Shingu has yet to stop its bleeding. He had already apply bandages and medicine, and yet the blood shows no sign of stopping. Out of concern, Cassandra ask with worried voice.

Cassandra: Mr. Daniel? That wound still hasn't stopped bleeding?

Daniel: It's odd. I'm resistant to poison, but... Our enemies may be the first Teigu wielders we've seen in a while Madam Mera.

Merraid: Teigu huh... These little guys aren't Teigu, but their origin is the same.

Merraid said looking at the beetle on her hand. Wrigglers. The generic term for Insect-Type Danger Beast that the leaders of the Oarburghs have passed down for generation. These Insects can mobilize according to the will of their operator. It's said they were created by the Alchemist summoned to this country a thousand years ago.

Merraid: They're just the thing for our opponents.

Then suddenly, another beetle came down towards her hand and a narrow look appeared on Merraid's face. Though the rest couldn't identify it, Merraid had could sense the bugs emotions. It was fear which she finds it odd.

Merraid: Would you look at this.

Gilberda: What is it Madam?

Merraid: My bugs seem to be afraid of one of our targets.

(Elsewhere)

After closing the shop, Ryu's group Ryu, Poney, Green, and Gin all settle down still waiting for the arrival of Akame's team. Then at a room, Ryu, Green and Gozuki all settle down with Ryu finishing up his report while also playing chess there.

Gozuki: Hey Ryu, Green... How's Akame been these days? Has she been saying anything strange?

Ryu: Hmm...? Nothing I could think of. What do you think, Green?

Green: No, nothing that I can think of. As usual, Akame's only concerns are food and her little sister.

Gozuki: I see. That's good to know.

Green: Why? Is something troubling you?

Gozuki: Is just that she's so both serious. If she say anything odd, I want you to tell me.

Green: Roger.

Ryu: Sure.

Ryu had already a sinking feeling about why Gozuki asked that. As Ryu had noticed it, Gozuki always keeps a close watch on their children. Akame has started to doubt the Empire, something only Ryu could sense deep down. Akame already talked about this with Ryu alone, to which he warns Akame not to show sign of any suspicion, since Gozuki could see it right away. Of course, Akame complies to that.

Ryu(mind): Why do I feel like we're being watched?

Little did he know, a small bug was sitting there on his knee already giving him a small bite. As they go to continue their game, Gozuki quickly moved his hand, snatching something. Opening his hand, in between two of his fingers was a bug.

Green: Hmm? What's that bug?

Gozuki: It looks like a beetle, but... I've never seen one like this before.

Gozuki immediately crushed the bug in his hand.

Gozuki: It could be the enemy. Shit. The moment we drop our guard....

Green: You're over thinking things...

And as if on cue, the same type of beetle Gozuki had crushed began burrowing into the door behind them.

Ryu: You were saying.

Green: Or not! It really is an enemy attack!

Ryu and Green immediately took out their sword and whip, it being thrashed around the room. Ryu managed to cut down a bunch that were coming his ways, but the bugs were fast, and some of them were able to dodge Green's high speed whip with their swiftness, making their way towards Green. Specks of blood then flies onto Green's cheek as the blood of the bugs were flown onto him, Gozuki having moved in front of Green and smacked them away.

Gozuki: If they could dodge your whip, these are definitely a breed of Danger Beasts. Ryu see to the girls.

Ryu: Roger!

Ryu immediately head out and head towards the girls room. He head towards the second floor where they are, but sensing danger coming towards him at an incredible speed, with his quick draw, he fires Prometheus gun towards his back whom his attacker quickly dodged the bullets.

Merraid: What impressive reaction speed.

Ryu: And immediately comes my opponent.

Ryu stare at Merraid his opponent. She had a sadistic look, but at the same time, Ryu saw there was no opening in his opponent. He readied his blade and gun with both hands, but it looks like his opponent wants to have a talk instead.

Merraid: I've been wanting to see what kind of person are you.

Ryu: Huh...?

Merraid: You see my bugs here seem to be so afraid of you, so I need to figure out what kind of person you are. And it turns out just to be a disgusting man.

Even though Merraid said with a disappointed look, her words were genuine. She had sense her Wrigglers fear within her. Knowing full well she needs to eliminate him fast made Ryu her targets.

Merraid: Sorry, but I don't like boys.

Ryu: You talk too much.

Ryu readied his blade pointing towards Merraid. She sent a giant swarm of bugs towards him, but Ryu just swayed like a leaf in the breeze, dodging the majority of the bugs. The few attacks he couldn't dodge he shot down or cut them with Prometheus and his katana. Despite the bug moving at incredible speed, Ryu could easily see a way to dodge the storm of bugs. Add to that his wealth of experience, training, and rational approach to combat, dodging those bugs without getting hit was a piece of cake. And since he wasn't focusing his full attention on dodging, that meant he could counterattack. As he dodged, Ryu naturally aligned his guns' sights on Merraid. He fired, and his bullet weaved between hundreds of bugs to slam into the ground at Merraid's feet. Of course, this was no miss. He'd aimed there on purpose.

Merraid(mind): This boy... He's danger. Not only that, he's completely see through my attack, he could also counterattack where my defense is at the most weakest. And not only that...

Merraid sense something else within Ryu. Her bugs movement and Ryu's way of fighting are almost identical. And not only that, Merraid despite planting a Wriggler egg within the boy before her attack, the egg shows no sign of hatching. Is as if, Ryu's blood was able to counteract the wrigglers. Sensing if the fight dragged on for too long, Ryu will definitely win her over.

Merraid: I see... No wonder my bugs aren't affecting you. To think they had a Lycanthrope on their side. A Half-Human, Half-Vampire no less. The odds are definitely not on my favor.

Ryu(mind): Lycanthrope? Half-Human, Half-Vampire? What's that? I feel like I've heard that before.

Merraid: But that doesn't make sense, I thought you were supposed to be on our side fighting against the Empire? Just what kind of brainwashing did they do...?

Ryu: What are you blabbering on about?

Merraid: Oh dear... So you don't have a single clue at all. While I'd love to continue our fight, I'll probably take my leave first.

Then with her bugs, she immediately disperses and vanished within Ryu's sight. Knowing it would be pointless to go after her since he didn't know where she went, Ryu instead went towards the girls room concern for his allies. Though his mind was still lingering about what Merraid had said to him. Opening the door where the girls room is, he could only saw Poney surrounded by bugs. Gin's presence was nowhere to be seen.

Ryu: Poney!

Poney: Ryu! I'm glad you came!

Ryu: Where is Gin?

Poney: Because of these bugs, we got separated. These things are actually smart!

Soon, the wall behind Poney was shattered. Turning around, they meet their opponents. Both of them wore maid outfits, one of them having straight blonde hair, Gilberda, and the other having purple hair put into pigtails and four hands, Cassandra.

Cassandra: It's even, two-on-two.

Gilberda: All right. Let's pummel them to dust!

Poney: These guys.

Ryu: Yeah. They're strong.

Cassandra had four arms, the purple haired girl holding four chakrams in each arm. Throwing them, Ryu quickly took out Prometheus from its holster and his Katana from his sheath firing four different shots while also deflecting the rest. While he was distracted, Gilberda had leaped off from the ceiling, twisting her body to go for a kick. While Ryu's defense block the chakrams, Gilberda leap towards him. However...

Gilberda was suddenly kicked in the face, causing her to skid back next to Cassandra. The blonde wipes her cheek, seeing that there was blood on her fist. Gilberda chuckles as she looks to auburn haired assassin.

Gilberda: Huh. Nice kick you've got there, eh?

Poney: I was hoping I'd take your head off with that one.

Cassandra: It appears these opponents won't be so easy to kill. No wonder Lady Mera was so cautious of him.

Ryu:...

Cassandra brandishes a blade in each of her arms, the girl narrowing as Ryu gets on his fighting stance.. In his right hand was the katana that was given to him by his best friend Najasho, his other hand was holding Prometheus. Getting into offensive stances, the two sides prepare for battle. The Oarburgh had finally launched their attack when the Elite Seven were least expecting it, but they knew, they couldn't lose here.

(Elsewhere)

Meanwhile, after Ryu left Gozuki and Green. The two of them started making their way down towards the building. Outside in the hall, they find one of their spies on the floor, however, Green felt a but suspicious.

Green: We'd better keep our distance. I'll take a look.

Using his whip, he hits the body of the spy, the body being turned over. It revealed the spy to be dead, various beetles coming out of it's eye sockets and it's mouth.

Green: Guh! Yuck..!

Gozuki: Since they're such tiny Danger Beasts, they can kill silently without causing a commotion...

Green: That might explain why it's so quiet down on the first floor..!

Gozuki: Let's check it out.

Green(mind): Is Akame okay outside? Did Ryu managed to make it to them? Are Poney and the others safe inside...?!

The two descend down the stairs, finding the rest of spies dead by the beetles. The beetles then begin to form a swarm, heading towards the two.

Green: Uwah! They're swarming at once!

Gozuki: Get back!

Swinging his kick to the side, Gozuki easily mops the floor of them, their blood being sprayed all over the walls. The older man then turns to Green.

Gozuki: Green, give Ryu a helping hand. Assemble everyone!

Green: On it!

The black haired teen takes off and races back upstairs. As he heads upstairs, the wall next to him begins to crack, emerging out of it was an older man in a suit.

Green: Wha?! An enemy...!

Preparing his whip for combat to go against Daniel, he feels a presence behind him. Merraid had quickly appeared, the woman having a sadistic grin as she licks her lips. Now that she had confirmed with her own eyes what kind of person Ryu was, she knew she needed to take down his allies first before Ryu himself. Green knew that if she had quickly appeared there, that meant she was dangerous. With his quick thinking, Green bolted out the window, crashing through the glass and began to high-tail it out of there.

Green(mind): This girl... is deadly!

He wasn't strong enough to take on both of them. His current objective is to survive and wait for everyone else so they could come up with a counter plan.

Merraid: Oh. He acted without hesitation. That manner of escape takes skill. He sensed my presence and has a healthy level of cowardice for an assassin.

Daniel: I'll go after him.

Merraid: Yes. Don't let him get away. We must finish their ally first before we face against that Lycanthrope.

As Green began to run away, he heard the landing and the footsteps of Daniel. If anything, Green would be able to handle one of them, but for now he had to get away. There wasn't any telling if another one of the enemy's allies had showed up.

Merraid: Now then... Time for me to play with the blonde hair girl.

(Timeskip)

After getting separated from the group, Gin herself went out of her room where she could regroup with the others. Turning around the corner of the room, she encountered Merraid herself.

Merraid: Good evening. It's just you and me now.

Gin: An enemy...!!

Those words already indicates hostility. Gin readied her giant blade preparing herself to fight. But instead, she was met by a teary Merraid.

Merraid: *Sniffle* Uuuh...

Gin: -_- Gin?!

Merraid: Its times like this I can't help but think of my line of work as a curse. If we weren't enemies, we could be lovers. Such cruel fate that we must kill each other.

Merraid dramatic confession irritates Gin in an instant.

Gin: Quit talking nonsense, you crazy bitch! I'm in a hurry!!

Merraid only smirk and get into her stance.

Merraid: I am the Fang of the Reaper of Oarburgh. My blade of death and I will pray for peace and order for you in the afterlife.

Bringing her blade over her head, she goes for an overhead slash.

Gin: Get outta my way, bitch!

Merraid: You can call me, Mera.

The Reaper of Oarburgh smile with lust as she raised her umbrella for defense. Surprising Gin, the umbrella was able to hold it's own against her sword, not even making a dent in it. But what Gin could tell was how strong Merraid is. Letting out a "tch," Gin jumps back, getting away from Merraid.

Merraid: You're probably thinking you can defeat me to open an escape route for yourself, but...that's the wrong strategy.

Dragging the sharp tip of the umbrella across the floor, she points it in front of Gin. She unwraps its flaps, Gin's view of Merraid's body being obstructed.

Merraid: When an assassin is driven into a corner, she mustn't fight. She should flee without any hesitation...

The Oarburgh stands there for a moment, making Gin confused. It wasn't until Merraid begun to spin her umbrella rapidly, Gin realizing what it was as she jumps into the air.

Gin(mind): Hypnosis! Not good!

Gin could feel her mind was getting drowsy just by looking at those Umbrella. That's why she jumped into the air and went for an attack. However Merraid just grin.

Merraid: Wrigglers.

The beetles from before then burst out from the umbrella, Gin gritting her teeth. She began to furiously slash the air, any oncoming bugs coming towards her being cut down.

Gin: As if I'd let some bugs be the end of me!

Merraid: Sadly for you, the will indeed be your end.

Now close enough to the blonde, Merraid thrusts her arm forward, using her fingernails to slash at Gin. Gin dodges, using her hand on the floor to slide under Merraid's arm. As Gin skids back, Merraid had a grin as Gin's blood dripped from her finger nails.

Merraid: Most people are wary of my umbrella and can't help but be given pause...I didn't expect you to charge right for it.

A small cut was on Gin's right shoulder had appear after Merraid's fingernails slice her. Gin immediately pulled out a bottle, probably antidote for poison.

Gin: Like they say, 'desperate times call for desperate measures.

Merraid: Had you been a good little girl and let the hypnosis take effect, you could've lived a little longer. Assassination isn't the kind of career for someone impulsive like you. If you let your heart control your body, you'll end up dead.

Gin: Says you.

Gin(mind): All right, this is okay. When it comes to the Oarburghs, I have to be on my guard against poisoning. Even if it's a new strain of poison, this should be able to counter its effects.

Gin said chugging down the antidote.

Merraid: I'm not using poison. And I don't lie to girls.

Gin: Hah! We'll see about that! Now. Out of my way!

Bringing her sword to her back, she leaps into the air and goes for a slash, Gin thinking she was victorious. But she then notices blood dripping out of her eye, feeling it's warmth go down her cheeks.

Merraid: The match is already over.

(Elsewhere)

Back with Ryu and Poney... The fight between the assassins of the Empire and the Oarburghs had went on for a few minutes. Ryu and Cassandra silently gauge the distance between themselves as they square off. They commencement of their battle. Ryu stretches out his obsidian katana to match Cassandra's 4 swords. He slashes. His black blade cleaves through the air. He misses.

Ryu: Oh...?

Cassandra reacts instantly by taking a half step back to dodge Ryu's strike. Then, she counters. Her deadly thrust bears down on Ryu. Beneath his emotionless mask, Ryu grins. He evades the attack by leaning to the side, then swings his sword as he pulls back upright. But she recovers quickly, too. As she retracts her longsword, she stoops low to avoid Ryu's blow. Then, she counters once more.

They look like blur. Slashes fly through the air, casting a beautiful streaks as the lightning illuminates them. The streaks and the lightning leave etchings in the sky of a battle that no normal eyes can follow. It's a beautiful sword dance. It's plain to see that the two combatants stand at the apex of swordsmanship. But it was then Ryu started using his Prometheus and let loose on Cassandra.

Sparks ran down the barrel's length as Ryu accelerated the bullet within. It shot out faster than the eye could follow, leaving a red streak in its wake. However, she seemed to have a keen eyes and was still able to block. Flying underneath the bullet, Cassandra charged toward Ryu. However, Ryu was ready for her. His blades intercepted her and he fired explosive slugs at near point-blank range.

Cassandra: Ah?!

Cassandra realized she wouldn't be able to dodge in time, so she slashed at the bullets with her four sword. It cut through the slugs like a knife through hot butter, bisecting Ryu's bullets. Though Cassandra's sword manages to cut down the bullets, it wasn't able to negate the shockwaves completely. Pulses of bullets assailed Ryu from all sides, slowing her movements for a split second.

Ryu took advantage of that opening and rushed in. He leaped off and transferred all of his momentum into his right arm. He also fired another blast from his gun but instead on his opponent , he fired behind him to further accelerate his punch.

Ryu: Haaah!

Cassandra: Ah?!

Ryu hurriedly raised her second sword in front of her to block. She barely got it up in time. Ryu's fist crashed into it a second later. There was the deafening clash of fist against metal. Though she blocked the blow itself, the force of Ryu's punch sent Cassandra flying. Ryu knew he couldn't give her time to rest. And so, he unholstered Prometheus and fired a follow-up barrage at her. There were loud explosions as streaks of red shot toward Cassandra. Though Cassandra saw only two streaks, twelve bullets slammed into the swords she'd held up to guard her vitals.

Cassandra: Gaaah!

Ryu had fired so fast and so accurately that each bullet had followed the exact same path at almost the same time, which was why it had appeared at first to only be two shots. For the first time, the supposedly invincible Oarburgh beautiful face twisted in pain. Her 4 swords cracked as they took the brunt of the bullets.

On the other side, Gilberda was wiping some blood off her cheek as Poney and her had been getting locked in clashes of fists and kicks against each other. Cassandra could feel Ryu's cold glare on herself. Ryu was amazed she still managed to make it out alive after his barrages of attacks.

Cassandra(mind): I've been able to follow the path of his bullets. Even if they can turn in midair, they won't hit me, but his fighting styles are real troublesome.

Gilberda(mind): The moment he fires, it's over. I'll kill him before he can get the second shot.

Ryu(mind): Tsk. This is getting annoying. First that bug users and now her. She still manages to survive my onslaught. And not only that, my body feels like breaking from the inside. Did they put poison on me? Gah...! We don't have time right now. We must hurry up and rendezvous with the other fast. And we still don't know how many of them are there.

Secretly glancing at Poney who nodded at him. Ryu discretely going into his pockets, Ryu had pulled out a smoke bomb, an experimental item from the Empire. Flicking it against the gun's metal handle, it creates a spark. Quickly, Ryu throws it down onto the ground, the room exploding into puffs of smoke. Surprising the two maids.

Cassandra(mind): So he intends to fire at us through the smoke, but...

Gilberda(mind): He thinks that'll be enough to take us out? Don't get ahead of yourself.

The two Oarburgh members await for Ryu's oncoming onslaught, but they didn't feel or hear anything. No shot was fired off, the smoke only kept growing.

Cassandra:...You think he bailed on us?

Gilberda:...Maybe...for just a kid, he's pretty level-headed. No wonder Lady Mera was so worry of him. Though they seem to be in a hurry.

Outside, Ryu and Poney were their escape.

Ryu: Looks like we were able to make a break for it.

Poney: In any case, no matter what happens, we've gotta get to the rendezvous point. Though I thought you were winning back there.

Ryu: My body is getting heavier by the second. I don't know if that bug users poison me earlier, but if the fights continue on, I'll eventually lose. And we need to move faster!

Poney: Hmm?

Gilberda: Heeeeeeeeeyvy! Hold it right there, you shitty little brats!

Poney: They're catching up with us?!

Gilberda: Once I cancel all my limiters, this is a breeze for me!

Ryu: Poney! Carry me!

Poney: What?! Aren't you shame to be carry by a beautiful girl?!

Ryu: -_- Who the hell has the gal to call themselves beautiful? No of course not! You run while I'll attack and defend!

Poney: Guh...! Guess I have no choice huh.

Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Poney reluctantly agree. Ryu hop onto her back as he whips out Prometheus, firing off three quick shots. Cassandra, who rode atop Gilberda's shoulders, responded with throwing her chakrams to block Ryu's shots. But the icy blue-eyed teen used the Shingu's special ability to curve it's shots, the bullets going around and through the large opening of the chakrams.

Gilberda: Ow!!

One of the bullets had curved down and hit Gilberda's knee, but it didn't slow her down, the girl only letting out a grunt of pain.

Gilberda: Makes sense. You aimed for shots Dora would have a hard time deflecting and shot me...I expected that, so I tensed my muscles...but it still hurts...

Poney: She got off with just an 'ow!? She's still running!

Ryu: Stop complaining and run! As long as I'm here, I won't let them hurt you.

Poney: Aw~❤️. My Hero~

Ryu: -_- I think I'm gonna stop protecting you after all.

Gilberda: 💢 You two dare to flirt while in a fight!

Cassandra: He stopped my Chakrams by catching them. As I thought, he has incredible reaction speed and good eyesight.

Gilberda: Then we need to get closer. Here goes my last spurt!

As Poney kept running, now on the city's walls, she looks to her right to see a forested area. That area was also in the general direction of the rendezvous point.

Poney: We're going this way, Ryu!

Ryu: Roger!

Gilberda: You're not getting away!

Poney: I'll use the skills of that Grasshopper!!

Jumping off the wall and landing on the side of a tree, Poney thought back to the Gravekeeper she fought back in the tomb. He had the abilities of a grasshopper and was able to hop off the walls at insanely high speeds.

While she wouldn't be able to match that speed, she was able to mimic the movements, her moving at her highest speed as she bounced off the trees and heading deeper into the forest.

Gilberda: Geh! If I weighed less, I could do that, but...

Cassandra: It's my weapons that are making us heavy. I'm sorry.

Gilberda: You really are kind, Dora...

Gilberda and Cassandra couldn't follow, Cassandra's weapons making them too heavy to follow, so they stopped along the wall. In the forest, Ryu and Poney had gotten away with a considerable amount of distance.

Ryu: You did great, Poney. I don't see or sense them anymore. Looks like we lost them.

Poney: Both you and chief carried me on your back to safety! So I'll do the same!

Ryu: Heh.

Ryu(mind): I wasn't sure how we were going to get out of that one, but...get out alive everyone.

(Elsewhere)

Back with Gin... The blonde girl had thrust her sword forward, Merraid side stepping to dodge it. The Oarburgh noted that Gin's strike was weaker.

Merraid: What's the matter? You're not putting any power behind it.

Blood was dripping out of Gin's eyes, the girl panting heavily. She could feel herself getting weaker and dreary.

Merraid: It's just about time.

Gin: I knew it..you poisoned me...earlier.

Merraid: It's not poison. And I never lie to girls.

Gin then drops her sword to the floor, her now puking up blood as she looks down. Her stomach then explodes, large amounts of blood spilling out as she heard a buzzing noise.

Merraid: I planted insect eggs inside you.

Gin:...Ah.

Gin's eyes widen as she feels the insects hatching from their eggs, now making their way to different areas of her body, trying to escape as they eat her out from the inside.

Merraid: I keep the eggs under my fingernails, so that when I strike my enemy, I can deposit them. They're already hatching. Soon, they'll consume you from the inside out and come bursting free in a rush.

Bugs begin to burst out from Gin's arms, leg, and her stomach areas.

Merraid: This is goodbye. Let's hear your final words.

Gin: Fi...nal?

Merraid: Yes. You're going to die now. Without question.

Grabbing her sword, Gin begins to weakly walk forward towards Merraid. At this point, Gin was only going off of willpower alone. Raising her sword over head to go deliver a final blow.

Gin:..I'll kill you...

But before she could bring down her weapon, more and more insects burst from her entire body. Finally at the last of her strength, Gin fell towards the ground succumb to her own wounds. The eyes full of life has turned into a lifeless eyes.

Merraid: When faced with death, people usually call out the name of a loved one. You truly are lovely for continuing to attack right up to your last breath. You made a marvelous incubator. It took only a small amount of my little children to fill you up.

*Thud*

Merraid: ?

The sound of footsteps was heard behind her. She look back to see Gozuki looking furious at her. It was without understanding that he was furious since one of his children was brutally murdered

Gozuki: You're Oarburgh. That;s some disgusting shit you pulled on us there.

Merraid: That's how I kill targets that fit my taste. It also gives me the chance to dote on my little bugs like they were my own children.

Gozuki immediately unleashed his Teigu Murasame.

Gozuki: I won't let you kill any more of my children. You're going to die here.

A swarm of bugs started surrounding Merraid who had a grin on her face

Merraid: Since you're a male, I'll kill you swiftly and without mercy.