"Special Unit Jaegurs reporting for duty, Advisor Bolic. We've been instructed by the prime minister to serve as your guards." General Esdeath announced.

"Well, well. Never did I expect to be graced by the presence of the empire's strongest general. I couldn't be more relieved." This filthy piece of shit. I can't believe we're gonna have to guard him. If this place gets taken over, the first person I'm gonna kill is him.

"We've received reports that Night Raid may have already infiltrated the area. We'll make us of a room here until the threat is dealt with." Esdeath informed.

"Of course." He smirked. "There is plenty to entertain you in my mansion."

"I have no interest in such things." General Esdeath slightly laughed. "However, I'd like to meet those who have been spying on us." Looks like the General has also found out about them as well.

"I suppose even they can't hide from you." He clicked his fingers as a group of 4 people jumped down.

"Who are these guys?"

"A special loan from the empire to help keep this organisation under control. The very incarnation of violence: The Four Kouenji Rakshasa Demons." He explained.

"Ah. I was wondering where they'd been." Esdeath sighed. "So it was here."

"Your arrival frees these demons from having to protect me. We can send them out on the offensive."

"Hold on a minute." Seryu stepped in. "It's impossible to fight against Night Raid without Imperial Arms-"

"Don't worry about that." The creepy guy from the four appeared behind Seryu in a flash. "We've defeated plenty of Relic-wielders with our bare hands. Just like this."

"Sure, the Relics themselves are powerful."

"But ultimately, their wielders are regular humans."

"And there are lots of ways to bring down regular humans, right?"

"The Demons are skilled executioners in the prime minister's employ. As you can see, they're nothing to sneeze at." Bolic reminded.

"Indeed. Sit back and help yourself to the mansion's wine cellar while we-"

"I would appreciate it if you keep your hands to yourself, Ibara." I pointed my sword at his neck and warned,"regardless of your prowess, I suggest never lowering your guard. Don't be a creepy-ass-hole for me to murder on the spot."

"You thing big of yourself, way too much confidence when facing me. And you know my name, I'm honoured to know my fame coming from you, Jan."

"Oh really?" I went for my attack but he held onto my sword attempting to counter it. I jumped over him and tripped him over. I pointed my sword at his neck and smiled. "Letting your guard down. Disappointed, if I was an enemy, you'd be dead. Let this be a lesson. I just know your name and identity because of my imperial arm." I placed my sword back in its sheathe and walked back to the Jaegurs.

Kurome started breathing heavily again which started to worry me.

Flashback

"Kurome! Jan!" Wave and Run ran towards us. Wave held Kurome in his arms and Run helped me get up. "What happened?"

"Bols is ....... dead!" I cried.

"No .... it can't be!" Wave started crying. "I was... useless all along. Damn it. If only I'd gotten here sooner... Bols was taken from us, too. What about his wife and kid? What am I supposed to say to them?"

"You were blown away while defending Kurome, though. The captain doesn't blame any of us for this incident. I understand how you feel, but you need to calm down." Ran comforted Wave.

"Damn it, Damn it!"

"Ran, Wave. Take Kurome to safet-"

Ran's POV

"Jan!" She fainted! "Ran, you take Jan over to get her injuries treated!"

"Understood!" I held Jan up and ran away to get help.

Jan's POV

"Thanks for helping me back there!" I smiled trying not to tremble with the fear of a death, but still ... I was shaking.

"Here's your sword." He almost picked it up so I slapped him across the face stopping him from grabbing it.

"Don't pick it up!" I cried. "It'll kill you, idiot! How many times do I have to tell people. I don't want to witness any more of my friend's deaths! I thought it'll just be like killing criminals but it's way worst. You're more than a friend, Ran, I love you! You're like a brother to me!"

"Maybe more than a brother", he leaned over and gave me a kiss making our lips meet. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. But I promise, we'll survive this world to the end."

I started crying and yelled,"don't make promises you can't keep." I managed a smile and held his hand. "You greedy boy, kissing a girl without me even allowing you to. Make sure Kurome's ok, thanks." I paused then asked. "How's Kurome?"

"Are you full recovered?" Ran asked. I nodded and jumped out of bed. "You might wanna follow me." We walked into a another room where Kurome was unconscious. Wave was sitting next to her and General Esdeath was standing next to him. "She's still sleeping. The doctor said that if she's made it this far, she'll be alright."

"I see. I performed and autopsy on the assassins we retrieved, but couldn't find any clues as to their identity."

"She was most likely a Relic-wielder. A member of Night Raid, I'd say." Wave turned to me and asked. "Are you ok, your injuries were far worst. Kurome still isn't awake and you're completely recovered."

"My regeneration abilities are better than all of yours combined. It's obvious." Suddenly Kurome jumped up. Surprising Wave.

"Now that I've rested, I'm all better." She smiled. "I've made a full recovery!"

"What? Seriously?" Wave was so surprised it almost made me laugh. "You were hit in the vitals!"

"Captain!" Kurome stood up. "Please allow me to continue working for you." Esdeath attempted a kick but a Kurome blocked it. "As you can see, I can still fight."

"As long as you're with us, I'll have you do your best. We leave for Kyoroch in thirty minutes."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Wave didn't move a muscle so I tapped him on the shoulder. "You ok? Is something wrong?"

"N-no, it's nothing."

Time Skip

I walked down the hallway and stopped since I heard Wave's voice. "Hey, are you ok?" I hair behind the wall listening to the conversation. "You're not fully recovered at all, are you? You shouldn't be on active duty yet."

"I-I'm okay."

"What are you talking about? I'm gonna talk o the captain and have you taken off this mission-" I heard a door open, interrupting Wave. "Kurome..."

"In this squad, when assassins become unable to fight, they're disposed of to keep them quiet." Kurome explained.

"Huh? Disposed of?"

"If I'm kicked off the Jaegurs..."

"It'll be okay. If we tell the captain, she'll take care of you."

"That won't work. I have to fight. I won't be disposed of. That's not why I'm here! If I'm going to die, I'll go down fighting. Just like our comrades." Ryūketsu showed me, Kurome's death will be soon. No doubt about it. Either killed by someone or just dying from the poison in her body. "I'm okay now, Wave. I'm sorry for making you worry. When my wounds heal, I'll be completely fine." I clenched my fist tightly, stopping my tears to flow down my cheek. Knowing my best friend would die no matter what isn't something anyone should take in. But... I can't do anything about it.

I walked back to my room and sat down letting out a sigh. "I never knew Shadow was my brother. It's shocking though, cause I never thought I had one."

"Well too bad, you do." I turned around, startled of who was behind. "Hello little sis, long time no see. Not so long though. By the look on your face, you want to know why I'm here, correct?" I smirked and laughed.

"Seems like you underestimated the Jaegurs. We know that you guys are going to invade this place soon. You're not gonna get away with it when I'm around. I'll beat you easily, so why do you even try-"

"That's why I'm here. To knock you out so we don't have to fight you." I felt like my eyes were starting to fall as I started losing consciousness. "I want to avoid trouble with you, as much as I can." After those words, all I could see was darkness.