Kapitel 53: #52 Meeting point
---Somewhere in the mountains---
"Instructor! Why won't you give me details on who will be joining us?! I thought that 3 of us are enough, hehe" A girl with reddish-brown hair and red eyes asked Babara with a carefree tone as they were traveling through the mountains.
That girl was wearing a headphone accessory on her head and vocalist-like clothing consisting of a white long sleeve shirt with the collar tied with a red ribbon and red checkered mini skirt.
'...Yes, even I would have thought that we are enough but after meeting him...I had always thought that Taeko is unrivaled among the youngsters yet he changed my mind and made me even more cautious of this mission. We don't even know who are our enemies so it's better to be careful, I don'T care about death but Taeko is still young and I am responsible for her.' Babara narrowed her eyes while looking at the clear blue sky with a serious expression and her hands folded behind her back.
"Instructor?" The girl asked with a confused expression while sucking on a lollipop.
"He is a friend, Chelsea. There is no need to worry, plus he is stronger than me." Taeko answered in Babara's stead with a small smile while looking downward.
"Whaat?! You have a friend outside of our clan?!" The girl named Chelsea exclaimed with a shocked expression which made Taeko look weirdly at her.
"Idiot! That's the first thing you care about?!" Even Babara criticized her.
"Wait...You aren't joking about him being stronger than you Taeko?!" Chelsea stopped her acting and finally asked with a serious expression.
"Yes, we had a few spars in the past few years but he always won in the same way. He always won by a little bit but during our last spar I begged him to fight at his maximum and I discovered that...if I want to match him a bit, I would need to remove my limiters to match him." Taeko explained with a small smile while holding her left shoulder.
"Gah?! Remove your limiters just to match him? Then I guess this mission is considered as done already..." Chelsea was shocked by Taeko's words but she instantly went into her carefree mood as she put her hands behind her head with a smile.
'Limit Removal...the one who learned this technique can consciously remove their brains limiters on their physical body, allowing them a temporary but powerful boost in speed and strength. To think that guy is so strong as to force Taeko into that state and even then she is unable to win. He is a monster, I wonder how old he is' Chelsea might have looked carefree on the outside but she was seriously calculating things inside her head.
"Don't think like that, he will be with us just in case something goes wrong. I won't let you slack off and knowing you, you also must be wondering how old he is...He is around the same age as Taeko and you." Babara reprimanded Chelsea and tried to make her more motivated by mentioning Akashi's age.
Hearing Babara's words, Chelsea couldn't help but freeze in place.
'He is the same age as me? ...I better not anger him once we meet him, on the other hand, Taeko said that he is a friend...Well, we will see' Chelsea thought with an absent-minded expression.
"Stop standing there with that stupid expression and come or you will lose us!" Babara shouted at Chelsea from the distance and only then she woke up.
"Huh? Wait!!" Chelsea shouted and did her best to catch up with those 2.
---
----Akashi's POV----
"Is that everything?" My father asked with a worried expression when I explained the situation to him.
"Yes." I nodded my head.
"I see...if you need to go then go, however, don't forget to disguise yourself. We can't have anyone from the Empire to spot your face. Also...I know how you hate politics but you are almost 18 and you need to attend some meetings even if you don't want to. There are also many people who want to meet "Red Devil" face to face." My father explained with a tired face.
"...*sigh* Don't worry, once I am done with this matter, I will try to attend some of those meetings." I released a tired sigh before agreeing.
"There is also your marriage...You didn't even meet that girl yet. Their family didn't care about that fact until the rumors of Red Devil started to spread. As of now, they are eager to meet with you, especially your fiancée." He informed me while looking through the stacks of documents on his table with a tired face. Although this time it was more of a habit then him being genuinely tired, ever since my mother and father started taking medicines created from Oarburgh prescriptions, they turned to be more vigor and full of energy.
"Ah...that matter, I will solve it myself. But I definitely don't want to be connected to that family so I will also do something about that marriage thing." I looked slightly surprised for a moment before returning to my indifferent expression.
Ever since I formed that underground faction, I have been getting quite interesting rumors into my hands. That family is experimenting with poisons and doesn't care who will be the tester, usually, they just kidnap someone walking on the street at night. I have also heard that their daughter isn't exactly sweet either, apparently she more than once "invited" a few females into her mansion but none of them returned. Apparently all of those females were beautiful women around her age which means that she is crazy as that woman named Mera or she is jealous. Aria herself isn't exactly ugly but those kidnapped females were definitely more beautiful from what I have heard.
"Alright, that's what I have intended from the beginning. One more thing...don't kill them all. They are one of the strongest units this Empire now has, if you will kill them all, Rebels might get advantage and we can't have that. We need to weaken both sides equally if we want to unite the entire Empire in one and swift movement. Although more innocents will die the longer we wait, I don't want to risk our plans failing. I have waited already for more than 10 years, I will be able to wait even longer." My father narrowed his orange eyes and said with a serious expression.
"Don't worry, I know all of that. I will be going now..." I said with a nod and then when I was about to leave...
"Wait!" He shouted at me suddenly and I turned at him with a confused expression
"...Be careful, they are all strong." He said with a dead-serious expression.
"Mm, don't worry. I won't be alone." I smiled after seeing this and reassured him before leaving his office.
After my talk with father, I went to explain the situation to Aiko, Ichika, Kurome, and my mother. Of course, Aiko received less information since she didn't need to know much. After I was done with explaining things, I made my way to my room to inspect the map where the meeting point is located and to apply my disguise.
...
It is quite far away from the Capital...it's near the northern borders. I will need to move out today if I want to arrive on time.
I drew a little map on paper with the major roads, cities, and villages.
...That should do.
I thought while looking at my new handmade map before folding it and stuffing it into my pocket.
Alright, now to figure out how this make-up works...They should have given me some kind of manual. They were so full of energy that they almost forgot to give it to me, not to mention that they didn't even describe how to use it...
.
.
.
After half an hour of trying out, how does that special make-up work...
I stood in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection.
Long black hair tied in a braid, my bangs were also longer, however they weren't obstructing my vision.
...Well, it's not that bad. I thought that I would look comical with long hair but the braid is surprisingly good.
*Knock* *Knock* "Young master, are you there? I have with me the clothes you asked for" I heard Aiko's muffled voice behind the door.
"Come in, Aiko" I said and started to take off my black uniform.
*Creek* "Young master, I understand that you want to-" Aiko stepped inside the room and started saying something, however, she froze in place when she saw my appearance.
"What do you think? Good enough disguise?" I asked with a smile.
"Hihi, I would be able to see through any of Young master's disguise but it's definitely good. Your acquaintances won't be able to see through it if they didn't spend a lot of time with you." Aiko giggled and put the clothes on my bed.
"Thank you, Aiko. I will be leaving through window so please come back later to close it." I said with a small grateful nod.
"No need to thank me, young master~! ...Also, that disguise doesn't take away a bit of your handsomeness, please be careful outside~!" She humbly replied but a big smile was visible on her face and when she was about to leave, she quickly said and ran off out of my room while giggling.
...I just shook my head with a small smile after seeing this.
I quickly dressed up.
Black long sleeve shirt, slightly baggy gray pants together with armored plating on my shin under the pants, black leather shoes and pale gray short cape.
And for the finale...I bandaged my entire face in bandages, making only my eyes and mouth visible and, of course, my black hair.
I took a smaller bag and stuffed it with the necessities while I stuffed other smaller things into my pockets.
"See you soon." I muttered and jumped out of the window.
...
I will also change my Special class since it also has an impact on my aura around me and my mood. Simply said, if I will accept Special Class' changes without suppressing it, it could be said that I can become totally different person.
I thought while walking towards the gate, a few people were looking at me with weird gazes but it was given since my face was fully bandaged. I also had to leave my Phoenix sword at home and take provisional one created from Abysall Iron. It wasn't the worst sword but it was definitely worse than my usual one.
Anyway, I should hurry up if I want to arrive in 1 day.
---
[Name: Akashi Phoenix (Age: 17)
Title: Sloth
Class: Blade Master (Lv. 1; +1 Str, +1 Agi) 0/10 XP
Special Class: Yato (Lv. 3, +10 Str, +10 Const, +10 Agi, +3 Int) 22/40 SXP
[Health: 710/710]
[Energy: 1155/1155]
<Stats>
[Strength: 47 (80)]
[Agility: 50 (81)]
[Intelligence: 40 (52)]
[Constitution: 47 (68)]
[Charisma: 33 (40)]
Free Stat points: 23
---
I thought with a cheerful smile and my hands behind my head in a carefree manner. This time I wasn't suppressing the changes that came from Yato class and instead accepted them.
.
.
.
I killed a few Danger Beasts on my way, mostly only the strongest ones I could find while ignoring others.
Class: Blade Master (Lv. 2; +3 Str, +3 Agi, +1 Const) 11/20 XP
Special Class: Yato (Lv. 4, +13 Str, +13 Const, +13 Agi, +4 Int) 2/80 SXP
Upon arriving on our meeting point that was located on the edge of the forest and near the steep hill, I couldn't sense anyone else so I decided to climb up a tree to rest for a bit while hiding my own presence
After an hour of lying on the branch, I noticed numerous people approach the meeting point, they had white clothes resembling kimonos together with a forehead protector and some kind of symbol written on it.
They didn't notice me so they started talking with a carefree mood.
"Who do you think we will be meeting here?" One of them asked.
"Dunno, most likely other mercenaries like us, I just hope it won't be anyone that we have a bad relationship with. I also hope they won't be some weaklings." His colleague answered with a bored expression.
I kept on listening to them with a small smile and closed eyes.
.
.
.
After another half an hour, I sensed 3 more people approach.
"Oh? So you 3 are the ones who will be working with us? I hope you are well, as they say, women." The leader of those mercenaries immediately approached 3 of them.
I opened my left eye to look at them and saw Babara standing in front of Taeko and another woman I don't know.
"Maybe they are women who assassinate in bed, haha" One man behind the leader said aloud while laughing aloud in a carefree way.
What an idiot. They aren't even that strong yet they act so arrogantly.
I couldn't help but think while shaking my head in disappointment.
"That could be it but who is this granny?" The leader nodded with a smile and leaned forward to inspect Babara from up close.
Pfft.
I had a problem holding my laugher in, I was only waiting for her reaction and then their reaction, that is if they will survive and discover who she is.
"Oh? I am not your usual granny. You may call me Babara, nice to meet you!" She said in a sarcastic tone with a wide smile, showing off her teeth.
"?! B-Babara? That Babara Oarburgh?!" The leader immediately backed away a few steps.
"Yes, do I have to kill someone to prove it?" Babara said with a smile and released her bloodlust.
Heh, good bloodlust.
I couldn't help but praise the density of her aura with an appreciative nod and small smile.
"N-No, we believe you. We apologize for disrespecting you and your companions earlier." The leader immediately apologized with a fear visible in his eyes.
"Fine...The one standing behind me on the right side is Taeko who was raised by us since she was a baby, I advise you not to provoke her." Babara introduced Taeko to them who was looking around as if she was looking for something or someone.
"And I am granny's apprentice, Chelsea~! Nice to meet you." The other girl named Chelsea raised her hand with a cheerful expression.
"I guess it's my turn to introduce myself. My name is Katsura, nice to meet you!" I sat up on the branch and said while I stopped hiding my presence.
When the mercenaries heard a cheerful voice resound so close to them, they all snapped their heads at me with horrified expressions.
---
'How long has he been there?!! Who the fuck is this guy?! Is he together with them? And why is his face bandaged so creepily?!' The leader thought while looking at me sitting on the branch while waving at them with a smile.
---
"Looks like you were here much earlier than us. Glad to see you here." Babara looked at me with a grin.
She was able to sense me, huh? She is really good, hehe.
---
'Katsura...so that's the guy instructor and Taeko talked about...He looks a bit creepy with those bandages but it doesn't look like he is injured or has any scars...probably just disguise. His hair is also changed but I am able to see through it only because I am a master of disguising with my Teigu.' Chelsea thought while attentively looking at Katsura (Akashi) sitting on the branch. And although she was able to see through his disguise, she was unable to tell how his original hair looks like.
---
"I always keep my word, granny. Yo, Taeko!" I replied to Babara with a teasing tone while saying "granny" and then turned my attention at Taeko who was looking at me with a satisfied smile and then I waved at her.
---END---
[Name: Akashi Phoenix (Age: 17)
Title: Sloth
Class: Blade Master (Lv. 2; +3 Str, +3 Agi, +1 Const) 11/20 XP
Special Class: Yato (Lv. 4, +13 Str, +13 Const, +13 Agi, +4 Int) 2/80 SXP
[Health: 730/730]
[Energy: 1205/1205]
<Stats>
[Strength: 47 (85)]
[Agility: 50 (86)]
[Intelligence: 40 (53)]
[Constitution: 47 (72)]
[Charisma: 33 (40)]
Free Stat points: 27
Classes: Noble (Lv. 4; +5 Cha) 12/80 XP, Master Blacksmith (Lv. 7; +7 Str, +7 Const) 370/640 XP
*Passive Classes: Assassin (Lv. 10; +15 Agi, +9 Int, +6 Str, + 4 Cha), Warrior (Lv. 10, +16 Str, +11 Const, +5 Agi, +3 Cha)
Special Classes:Fire Monarch (Lv. 10; +28 Cha, +20 Int, +10 Const, +5 Str) ?/?
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein