Standing outside the large manor, at the top of the steps, Akira waited for his cousin to exit. As he waited, he couldn't help but examine the black markings that ran along his skin, soon trailing a few fingers across his cheek where he knew the symbol of "demon" lay upon.

These markings were a constant reminder of what he was, so much that he could hear the echoed screams of his past victims echoing throughout his mind every time he tried to go to sleep. Flashes of those he killed filled his head, their terrified expressions and look of fear as they gazed up at him. His amnesic state at that time, filled with nothing but the thoughts of killing everything to obtain a goal. His goal was to find and unlock his lost memories, but really, it was to actually satiate the hunger of the Lich that had lived within his former weapon.

Even though that weapon was destroyed, he could still hear the growling sound of the Lich speaking to him as if he was still there. The visage of a ruined cloak, a sinister green aura surrounding him as he levitated in midair as the darkness of his hood covered its visage.

Akira grunted, shutting his eyes closed and clenching his fist as the echoed screech of the Lich soon rang throughout his ears. But he was soon knocked out of it when he felt a hand grasp his shoulder, shaken out of his deepened state and looking toward the person that touched him. As per usual, it was Yomihime, offering him quite the concerned gaze as she comfortingly held his shoulder, a soft stare on her usual stoic and plain face.

"Are you alright, dear cousin?"

"Yeah... I'm fine..."

"Are you sure?" Yomihime furrowed her brow. "You looked to be conflicted. Would it make you feel better if you were to discuss it with me?"

He looked away, "I'd honestly feel better the faster we get this assignment done so I can continue my search."

"R-Right..." She lost her voice for a moment before she cleared her throat. "I suppose we shall be off then, correct?"

"Ready when you are."

"Then, let us be off."

--: 11 | Assault on Shiranui Fortress [Part 1] :--

In the Soukai Nation, Shiranui Fortress was built within a large gorge. It acted as the sole gateway that protects the very nation itself and it had never been breached.

However, today, a major battle would shake the course of the overall war.

---

Tobari whistled in impressiveness as she gazed down the large wall of Shiranui Fortress, standing at the top. The howling wind and the picked up sediments coming off the nearby cliffs and rock sides to emphasize how high up they were.

"Oooh, we're high up."

"This'll be easy to protect," Kumehachi remarked, staring down alongside the blonde girl.

Akame walked up to the two, "It's built to take into consideration all ways into the Soukai Nation."

Suzumaru nodded. "This kind of land formation is rare."

"Shiranui is a unique stronghold, and the pride of the nation," Fumio boasted, chortling cheerily. "They're even songs about it."

Whilst the group looked at the older soldier in fascination and awe, Akame couldn't help but glance up toward the cliff side. She narrowed her eyes, something that Hinowa had instantly caught sight of. While it seemed like it was nothing out of the ordinary, for Akame, this was common practice in sensing out the danger for the enemy. Being trained by some of the most deadly teachers of the Empire, her senses and intuition had never failed her before in regards to the enemy presence and how dangerous they were.

"Hinowa. Once I have permission, I'd like to take a look around the surrounding mountains."

"Is there something that worries you, Akame?"

"People might be working in the shadows," she replied, glancing back up at the cliffs again. "It is the mountain bordering the nation. I'd like to strike while I have the chance. That's always been my specialty."

The red-haired girl soon fell into deep thought. Akame had some merit, after all, remembering the many stories of her and her husband participating in many missions that were often life threatening in a distant land. Not only that, the display of her battle against Yomihime served as further proof to cement this evidence, so Hinowa knew she could trust Akame's instincts. Although, her thoughts were soon knocked out by the teasing statements of her friends.

"I see," Tobari began, kicking her legs, "Hinowa is our commanding officer now."

"Yo, Captain!~" Kumehachi teasingly calls out.

Hinowa couldn't help but blush in a bashful and embarrassing way. "Call me Hinowa. Just Hinowa, please."

Kumehachi grinned and looked to Hisame, "How about you, other Captain? Any thoughts?"

"'It'll be harder to pull off many feats in a siege.' That's what you're thinking, right?" Suzumaru chimes in.

"...You got me," Hisame stoically replies. "You're a sharp one, Suzumaru."

"That's because I've known you a long time."

"I thought you might be thinking about Princess Rizu or something." Kumehachi looked smug.

Hisame was silent for a while before looking back out into the distance. "If there's a chance we can strike from the fortress, I don't want to miss it."

Suzumaru smiled before coming up to his friend, "Even if we can, I don't think it'll be easy to cut the vanguard."

"Explain."

"This is the situation we're in."

The boy soon gave a brief explanation.

The current known captains were Hinowa and Hisame, with four other unknown ones. As of right now, a few others were working under Hinowa, with Akame and Tobari also being under her, and Suzumaru and Kumehachi being under Hisame.

Within a given unit, there are the jobs of transporters and flag bearers, responsible for bringing in troops, supplies, and providing morale. But since they were captains, Hinowa's and Hisame's roles have more to do with fighting, so when it comes down to a battle, they aren't going to be the ones making the first move. Because they saved Maruge's life in the last battle, they have been put under the umbrella protection of Maruge's general, Kahei, which in turn, they will be stationed to protect Maruge and his immediate surroundings.

Kumehachi rubbed his chin after Suzumaru's explanation. "Now that's an honorable job. It's sure to get you with the ladies."

"Not good. I feel my stunning feats fading into the distance," Hisame said, crossing his arms.

"I'll see what I can do," Suzumaru soon says.

"See what you can do? Like what—Huh!?" Kumehachi soon looked bewildered and began to blush, covering his mouth with his hand. "Don't tell me you'll be seducing Lord Maruge...?"

"Why does your mind automatically go down that route..." Suzumaru sighed, shaking his head. He soon began making his way into the main fortress, "First, I have to get a handle on the Commander's personality."

---

"Patrolling the mountains?" Kahei quirked his head toward the young captains.

"Yes. She says she's worried and wants to scope it out," Hinowa says, gesturing to Akame.

The cowardly commander groaned, though it was a bit of a pleasured groan due to Kahei scratching and massaging his head. "Leave that to the specialists. There are such things as shinobi," he remarked. "A foot soldier should act like a foot soldier... Oh. Oooh.~ That feels good, Kahei."

Kahei chuckled. "I don't see a problem with it, Commander Maruge."

"Mmm?"

"Youth with enough drive will sometimes produce surprising results. And it will only be one of them."

Maruge hummed in thought. "Well, as long as it doesn't cause a heavy loss to my forces. And it won't be Hisame going, right?"

"No, sir," Hisame stoically responded, standing with respect.

"Then I permit it." He began to wave them off. "Hisame mustn't go. I'd feel insecure without you around."

They all bowed in appreciation.

"Thank you," Hinowa thanked. 'General Kahei put in a good word for us... He's a good guy!'

Despite the smile he offered them, his thoughts said otherwise.

'I have to make nice with people who are going places while I still can so I can cash in on my debt later. Anybody who throws his weight around... Is, in my opinion, second rate!'

Now that she had received permission to head into the mountains, Akame quickly set off for it. The light pattering of her shoes as she traversed the rocky and dirt-filled area as she dashes through the wooded area, keeping her eyes peeled for any threats. From what she analyzed, the people of this land had made advancements in technology to strengthen weapons rather than make progress in the use of gunpowder. There weren't any guns she could see, let alone any cannons, only seeing weapons like bows and arrows, swords, lances, and more.

If anything, Akame was more on the lookout on how advanced the abilities of the Meihou are. In comparison, the Meihous were similar, if not, the same as the Teigus of their land. Whether they were more powerful or weaker was a different thing.

Akame soon skids to a halt, her shoes grinding against the dirt as she halts and listens. She heard panting, quickened footsteps that were nearly quiet, almost like the sounds of pitter patter coming from raindrops. Her position that she was currently in was that she stood up on an elevated level, her red eyes staring down as she saw a Soukai Nation soldier having fallen onto the ground. The injured man quickly picked himself and continued running, holding his shoulder in pain as it seemed an arrow had punctured that area and he pulled it out. It was soon known to Akame that the soldier was being pursued, knowing the dark clothed men traversing from tree to tree.

She soon went to engage.

The Tenrou shinobi stared down the injured fleeing Soukai scout, cackling to himself. "Ah-hah! We'll have him soon enough! Once we've cut his limbs and he can't get away, we'll question him. That's the Tenrou style!"

Just as the Tenrou shinobi were about to close in on the injured Soukai scout, the familiar ravenette appeared, armed with her Meihou as she stood defensively. The Tenrou shinobi were shocked, very surprised at the fact that they weren't able to detect her at all. Especially since they considered themselves the very masters of stealth.

One of them narrowed his eyes at her. "Who're you?"

"I am a Soukai soldier," she simply replies with. "You must be Tenrou spies."

He pulls down his face mask, "Pretty lady."

Another one laughed. "And just when I was thinking we'd be bored torturing the man."

"After we've cut off her limbs, we'll have fun with her," the ringleader of the shinobi calls out. "That's the Tenrou style."

They all rushed at her.

Akame scoffed, rolling her eyes at them before she swiftly brushes past two of them. Cutting them down with ease, the two Tenrou shinobi dropped like flies, their corpses dropping to the floor like mounds of garbage.

Sheathing her blade, she gives them a side glance. "Sorry, but I'm a happily married woman."

One of them groans. It seemed she left one of them alive. She then began to walk away, going past the Soukai scout.

"Hey. I left one of them alive. You should get information out of them."

"Y-You are—" He stuttered before being interrupted.

"I'm a foot soldier of Hinowa, who works under Commander Maruge," she responded, jumping away from the area as she disappeared from sight.

Sweat pooled down his face, the scout gulping his spit down. "Who knew such a foot soldier existed..."

---

Several days later, the Tenrou army arrived.

At the helm of it, Commanders Yomihime and Kyoukotsu marched atop their horses, alongside Akira, with their army behind them. The mad and crazed commander was grinning from ear to ear, both Akira and Yomihime holding quite the stoic expressions as they could see Shiranui Fortress in the distance.

Kyoukotsu whistled in amazement. "This really is quite a landform they've been blessed with."

Akira deadpanned. "Wow, really? Wonder why they posted a fortress here in the first place."

"Argh! Quiet, lapdog! Oi, Com—"

"Shut your fucking mouth already, dumbass."

"Quiet, Akira," Yomihime scolds, sighing as she hands the telescope in her hand to Kyoukotsu. "The fortress is impregnable."

Kyoukotsu grumbled as he peered through the looking glass. "I knew it. The enemy's defenses are tight."

"I can tell you're itching for your prized Tenrou forces to fight."

"Commander Yomihime, you devised a plan to come around the back from the precipice, so I understand how you feel," Kyoukotsu smirked, keeping his distance as he felt Akira's watchful eye. "But they've already predicted that move."

The black-haired woman groaned and snatched the telescope from him. "Ugh! Don't worry about me! My cousin and I will back you up. So show me what you've got," she firmly told him.

"Our front's so ready, we have our coffins prepared."

"So you're ready to strike at the enemy at the cost of your own lives? You're good at expressing yourself that way."

"It's what the master prefers," he said, his arrogant and proud smirk persisting. "And don't you forget it. Now, for the first move."

He cracked the reins of his horse. With a loud neigh, his beast bellows and began to charge forward, the crazed and arrogant commander gripping his lance tightly as he cackled with glee.

"I'll cut down the enemy's fighting spirit!"

"What!?" Yomihime exclaimed, bewildered.

Akira raised an eyebrow. "I knew he was an idiot, but I didn't think he was that foolish."

She looked at him, "You're not going to threaten him for how foolish of a plan he's doing!?"

"Not my fault he's that much of a fool. Fools are the ones that get themselves killed easily."

The black-haired girl deadpanned and shook her head.

"Why must men be foolish?" She muttered.

"I heard that." A tick mark appeared on Akira's head.

"Slip of the tongue."

"Oi."

The battle was just about to start.