Serenity's Mission / Mischievous Chelsea ...

Koizumi had really wanted to try using this Imperial Arm, but unfortunately, he could not synchronize with one.

Besides, this Imperial Arm already belonged to Chelsea. Its user needed to possess considerable acting skills.

If her acting was not good enough, someone might see through her.

Chelsea was slightly stunned. She had barely spoken with Koizumi before, so being singled out by him so suddenly was rather unexpected...

Shizune's Mission

"I really don't understand you... Master. There was clearly no need for this, so why did you insist on fighting personally...?"

Reimu's eyes fixed on Koizumi before her, and the gravity in them was obvious.

Breakfast was already over. Reimu and Hata no Kokoro had come to speak with Koizumi alone, while Shizune silently stood behind him.

"And... you haven't actually killed anyone before, have you...? Can you really adapt to something like killing, Master?"

Although Reimu had not spent that much time with Koizumi, she knew one thing clearly: he had never killed anyone.

Forget Koizumi—not even Reimu had killed anyone before! But after spending so long with nonhumans like Remilia and witnessing the darkness among certain yokai, Reimu did not reject the idea of killing people. Koizumi, however, was different.

Koizumi was still just an ordinary person. He would definitely be resistant to killing. Even if he was not resistant and did go through with it, he might still be unsettled afterward. The first time someone killed usually came with serious aftereffects.

That was why Reimu spoke up—she was merely showing her concern for Koizumi. Yet she did not want to care too much.

So by the end, it had turned out like this. No, rather, it was her tone that sounded especially conflicted.

Koizumi merely pursed his lips, a trace of complexity surfacing in his eyes. How could he not know about this issue? But knowing was one thing; he still had to do it. Otherwise, he would be even less able to adapt to this kind of life in the future.

"I understand what you mean. But just because I haven't killed anyone before, do you expect that when we resolve Singularities in the future, I'll hide behind all of you and let you fight while I stand in the back watching you risk your lives? Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"

Koizumi looked seriously at Reimu before him. An indescribable force seemed to emanate from him, making even Reimu take a slight step back.

It seemed Koizumi was serious this time. Otherwise, he would not have spoken in such a serious tone.

Besides, Koizumi was right. The Gensokyo Servants might not mind him doing that in the future, but Koizumi himself would undoubtedly feel awful about it. No one wanted to hide behind others for their whole life, much less behind women.

Most of the powerful people in Gensokyo were women. It could practically be called a place where women flourished while men declined.

A grown man hiding behind women every day, watching them fight desperately on the front lines...

Reimu did not know about other men, but based on what she knew of Koizumi, he definitely could not do that.

That was simply the kind of person Koizumi was. He was highly competitive at heart, and he cared deeply about the people important to him.

Seeing those he cared about fighting desperately ahead of him, Koizumi would never be able to stand by and do nothing.

"I understand... I think I understand why you wanted Akame and Chelsea to accompany you..."

Koizumi simply hoped that someone would be there to take care of him if his body became unwell after killing someone for the first time.

The members of Night Raid did not know the circumstances on their side. Perhaps they did not even know that it would be Koizumi's first time killing someone. Reimu could already roughly imagine the expressions on Akame and the others' faces when they saw Koizumi vomiting his guts out.

Koizumi glanced slightly at Shizune behind him. Honestly, Shizune's appearance had given many people quite a fright.

Ever since Shizune entered Night Raid, she had always worn a mask that covered her face.

At first, Akame and the others had assumed that Shizune covered her face because she was ugly.

But when Shizune revealed her true face, Akame and the others could not help feeling somewhat amazed.

Shizune was indeed very beautiful, fully on par with Akame and the others. She could even be said to be more heart-stirring.

And paired with black stockings all over her body... perhaps they could play some shameful games... At least, that was what Koizumi thought.

Incidentally, Shizune's condition had also surprised Hundred Personas. She had not said anything about Shizune's choice. After all, although both of them were Old Men of the Mountain, that was their only connection. They were not Assassins from the same era, so neither had the right to interfere with the other's choice. Besides, she understood why Shizune had chosen this.

To put it simply, if someone capable of completing her salvation appeared, Hundred Personas would also offer her loyalty without hesitation.

What surprised Hundred Personas was that while maintaining contracts with Reimu and Hata no Kokoro, Koizumi could actually support Shizune's contract as well. Moreover, Shizune's condition was much better than before. Her Saint Graph had improved—this was what they called Saint Graph Ascension.

Shizune now possessed the strongest Saint Graph possible for an Assassin-class Servant, and she was much stronger than before.

This Master's aptitude was a little too absurd... Hundred Personas thought helplessly.

She had never seen such a powerful Master...

Getting back to the matter at hand, a thoughtful look flashed through Koizumi's eyes, as if he were considering something.

"Shizune... can you do me a favor? I need your help right now..."

Koizumi turned around, placing both hands on Shizune's shoulders as he looked directly into her eyes.

Reimu and Hata no Kokoro watched Koizumi and Shizune with puzzled expressions. Why had Koizumi suddenly gone looking for Shizune?

Shizune was slightly startled as well, but she quickly recovered and calmly looked back at Koizumi.

Had she not offered Koizumi her loyalty and everything she had precisely so that she could help him?

Shizune had acknowledged Koizumi as her master, so she would offer him loyalty forever. To Shizune, Koizumi's existence was her salvation, nothing more. It did not matter who he was. As long as someone could touch her without dying, she would do this.

"Please give your orders, my lord!" Shizune looked respectfully at Koizumi, appearing exceptionally serious.

Reimu and Hata no Kokoro could not help sighing inwardly as they watched Shizune. This was the attitude a normal Servant should have... But then again, Reimu should have thought about it. Since she knew this was how a normal Servant ought to behave, should she not learn from Shizune?

What an exasperating person... Koizumi caught sight of Reimu's expression and felt utterly speechless.

"Go to the capital in my place. Help me investigate Ouka the Ogre. I need everything, no matter what it is. I want to know exactly what that teacher of Seryu's, who gives people such an unpleasant feeling, really is..."

A gloomy glint flashed through Koizumi's eyes. That Ouka gave him a very uncomfortable feeling. He was obviously not a good person.

Understanding flashed through Reimu's eyes as well. So he wanted to investigate the captain of the Imperial Guard. That captain really was not a good person. If possible, it would be best not to let him lead Seryu astray.

Mischievous Chelsea

Koizumi did not know Akame and Chelsea very well. But if he had to say which of the two he knew better, it could only be Akame.

Chelsea liked pranks. Everyone in Night Raid knew that.

So that could not really count as knowing her better. Something everyone knew was not some private secret.

At this moment, Koizumi had to get along with these two, because he would be carrying out missions with them next.

But now was not the time for a mission. After all, an Assassin's battlefield was not the morning, but the night.

However, because Koizumi, Reimu, and Hata no Kokoro had caused such a scene in the capital, its security had become exceptionally tight.

Incidentally, it was said that at night, Imperial Guard patrols could be seen guarding every street, and there were even soldiers from the army.

It seemed the battle between Reimu and that general last time had drawn the Empire's attention, which was why security was now so strict.

...When Koizumi heard this news, he nearly broke down. It meant that infiltrating the capital for an assassination had suddenly become several times harder. There were guards on every street—how was he supposed to pull this off? The moment he went in, he would be spotted!

Just as Koizumi, on the verge of collapse, was about to go complain to Najenda and the others, he suddenly realized something.

Since Reias liked watching Danger Beasts tear people apart so much, did that not mean he had to leave the capital? After all, what noble would dare keep Danger Beasts? Only researchers liked doing that sort of thing.

And even if researchers did like doing that sort of thing, they would not dare do it inside the capital. What if an accident happened and threatened the young Emperor? Researchers had to think about keeping their own heads on their shoulders.

Therefore, Reias would definitely leave the capital. His daily activity records also noted this.

That meant Koizumi would only have a chance to kill him when he left the capital.

But if they wanted to wipe out his entire family, they would have to wait until after killing Reias, then use Chelsea's Imperial Arm to infiltrate the capital. However, Chelsea's Imperial Arm could only help her infiltrate by herself. The others could not do it.

Still, they could fly away from the capital afterward and meet up with Chelsea in the air.

But could Chelsea deal with his entire family alone? What if some expert was hiding among them?

Koizumi kept running through all sorts of possibilities in his mind to prevent any accidents. Assassins also needed to formulate proper plans. Charging into an assassination without thinking was merely recklessness. If something went wrong, it would become a near-death situation. So Koizumi had to carefully consider how to respond or retreat if this or that situation arose. These were all things he had to think through in advance. That was also part of becoming an outstanding Master.

After all, he would have to arrange suitable plans and make preparations for all the various Singularities they would visit in the future.

Watching Koizumi fall silent before them, Akame and Chelsea exchanged glances, both looking puzzled.

"Hey, Akame, do you think this guy is embarrassed because he's traveling with two beautiful women?"

Chelsea's eyes turned as though she had thought of something amusing. She then grabbed Akame by the shoulders and revealed a teasing smile. She was mostly curious about this young man who had suddenly begun cooperating with Night Raid, but because of the power he possessed, Chelsea had never chosen to approach him before.

It was not embarrassment. There was merely a trace of wariness, along with a bit of caution. She was wary because he was half an enemy. Although he had chosen to cooperate with Night Raid, he had not fully joined them. That meant he could become an enemy once their cooperation ended. To avoid forming unnecessary camaraderie, Chelsea had not approached him.

Her caution came from fearing that she might accidentally offend him. Leone's example was right there. Apparently, Leone had accidentally cheated him out of money and caused their side to have a very unpleasant falling-out with him for a time. He had said that any organization capable of cheating travelers out of their money could not possibly be a good one.

Well, Night Raid was an assassin organization to begin with. Fundamentally, it really was not a good organization.

But now, she had put aside both her caution and wariness. After all, they would need to act together from here on.

After nearly a day of observation, Chelsea had gained a rough understanding of Reimu and Hata no Kokoro. Both of them were very capable. It was said that Hata no Kokoro had fought Bulat, Akame, and Lubbock to a draw, while Reimu had handled Leone in her beast form and Mine's sniping with ease. She had even taken down Leone in a single move.

As for personality, Reimu was the type who loved leisure, thought simply, and was the same inside and out.

She should be easy enough to get along with... Chelsea thought.

As for Hata no Kokoro, she was expressionless but used masks to express her emotions. Other than selling masks and Koizumi, she could be said to have no interest in anything else.

Hmm... she should be easy to get along with too... Chelsea nodded slightly.

Those two did not seem like the type to become enemies, but in the end, it would depend on Koizumi.

Because both of them followed Koizumi's lead.

That was why Chelsea chose to approach him now. She wanted to see what kind of person Koizumi was, then decide how to treat him in the future.

Chelsea was lively and friendly, but missions and comrades always came first. When facing someone who might become an enemy in the future, Chelsea would rein in that side of herself a little and focus on testing them out.

Chelsea grabbed Akame's shoulders, and Akame glanced at her before shaking her head.

"I don't know either. But he looks like Boss when she's thinking. He should be considering the mission."

Chelsea was slightly stunned as well. She looked Koizumi over, and he really did seem to be thinking about the mission.

Slowly, Chelsea walked over to stand before Koizumi. Her face was almost pressed against his.

Akame saw this, but remained silent. She knew Chelsea's personality, so she did not say anything.

She was used to it...

Koizumi, meanwhile, remained absorbed in thought. Suddenly, a pretty face entered his field of vision. The sound of breathing close enough to hear made him immediately realize what was happening.

Koizumi's face flushed crimson in an instant, and his legs subconsciously stepped back.

Koizumi immediately lost his balance, and his body tilted backward.

Akame stepped forward slightly and caught Koizumi, preventing him from falling.

"Are you all right?" Akame asked softly.

Koizumi hurriedly nodded. He looked somewhat disheveled, and his breathing was uneven.

Chelsea, meanwhile, wore a smile like her scheme had succeeded.

"I thought you were used to living with Miss Reimu and Miss Hata no Kokoro, and that you wouldn't react at all even when facing a beautiful woman like me. Looks like I'm still pretty charming... What is it, handsome? Don't tell me you've fallen for me?"

As she spoke, Chelsea playfully winked at Koizumi, her expression full of flirtation.

The Heavily Guarded Capital

"I thought you were used to living with Miss Reimu and Miss Hata no Kokoro, and that you wouldn't react at all even when facing a beautiful woman like me. Looks like I'm still pretty charming... What is it, handsome? Don't tell me you've fallen for me?"

As she spoke, Chelsea playfully winked at Koizumi, her expression full of flirtation.

Koizumi merely rolled his eyes at Chelsea. Fallen for her? She was overthinking it. At a time like this, Koizumi had no interest in romance. Besides, once this Singularity was resolved, he would have to leave. How could he possibly start a relationship here?

Besides, if I got serious, I'm afraid you'd be the one backing off when things got difficult. What a girl who loves teasing people.

But then again, Chelsea had always been this kind of person. Back when she was in Night Raid, she had teased Mine like this too, making Mine look frantic all day. It was enough to leave people helpless.

"What? Don't tell me you don't think I'm good enough? My figure is definitely better than that flat-chested little runt's!"

As if to make her words more convincing, Chelsea deliberately puffed out her chest...

Koizumi's mouth twitched fiercely. Flat-chested little runt—that was supposed to be Mine, right...? Mine really was flat-chested, and compared to the other members of Night Raid, she really was short. But saying it on purpose like that was going too far! It was easy to lose friends that way! Then again, as the saying went, fighting was affection and scolding was love. Chelsea and Mine arguing like this might even strengthen their relationship. After all, Mine was a tsundere...

That was what Koizumi thought. Sometimes, compared to people who played together every day, the pair who argued every day might have an even better relationship... But why did thinking about that make two figures appear in his mind?

One of them gave off the image of a proper Japanese lady, while the other's most striking features were white hair and red eyes.

Did I know those two? Could they be the kind whose relationship got better the more they argued?

Without realizing it, Koizumi rested his hand on his chin and fell into thought, making Chelsea cover her forehead in exasperation.

Was her charm really not high enough? Why could he get distracted even with her standing in front of him?

That could not be right. Both she and Akame were beautiful girls, the kind who would definitely attract plenty of lechers if they went out on the street. But why did it seem as if her and Akame's charm simply did not exist whenever they stood before Koizumi? It was as though he completely ignored them.

"Hey... Akame, do you think this guy has some kind of problem in that department...? There are clearly two gorgeous women standing in front of him, yet he can still get distracted. He's completely ignoring the charm of us two beautiful girls... It's making me start to doubt myself." Compared to Akame, Chelsea was obviously much bolder, so she could say something like this directly in front of Akame without hesitation. Unfortunately, she had clearly asked the wrong person.