Chapter 111 - #110 Kuromes decision (2/2)

----The Capital, Phoenix's Mansion----

*sigh* 'I miss Akashi Nii-sama, I wonder where he is right now...' Kurome released a depressing sigh while thinking to herself. She was currently inside Akashi's office doing some paperwork together with the help of Ichika. Since Akashi had yet to return, the responsibility for those things would fall on his father but Akashi made it clear that Kurome and Ichika have permission. The same thing applies to Aiko in case paperwork includes business things...

”What's the matter, Kurome? Are you missing a young lord?” Ichika asked with a smile when she heard Kurome's depressing sigh.

”Well...yes, General Esdeath told me that she doesn't know the exact time he should return, and even if she knew and told me, it's not like something can't delay him.” Kurome raised her head from the paperwork and looked at Ichika's gently smiling face before she replied while focusing back on the paperwork.

”I am sure nothing has happened to young lord. Although it doesn't have to appear like that, but he is actually very cautious and one could even call it cowardly cautious. He is usually making some preparations in case anything bad happened. And he wouldn't fight much stronger opponent unless necessary, that is, if there is any stronger opponent still alive.

”Yeah, you are right. But I can't help it, okay?” Kurome replied while pouting a bit.

”...Haha, you are so cute to worry about young lord so much~!” Ichika immediately took hold of Kurome's pigtails and started playing with them, much to her irritation.

”Stop it, we still have a lot of work before us...?!” Kurome waved her hand behind her to shoo Ichika away but she stopped when she noticed one of the many reports.

[Unusual massacre of Imperial spies. Casualties keep raising in all towns and villages near the Mount Hakuba.]

Kurome continued reading it more carefully since it was one of the more important reports and one that awaken interest in her.

”What's the matter?” Ichika asked when she noticed that Kurome stopped moving so she looked over her shoulder at the report in her hands. Her eyes slightly widened in surprise when she was done reading.

”...Do you think this is the work of Rebels?” Ichika asked when Kurome finally put the report down on the table.

”That is hard to say but this is truly strange. The pace at which those spies are disappearing is simply too fast. There are also no reports on casualties of common people...But one of the most disturbing things is that all found victims are brutally killed. They have numerous holes in them from a gun and some of them have completely crushed bones. There were also a victims that were missing all lower-body bones but later it was discovered that there were bones but all of them were shattered to small fragments.” Kurome replied with narrowed eyes while holding her head.

”...Ability to shatter bones to small fragments...That must be Teigu or some Magical Artifact.” Ichika muttered with a thoughtful expression.

”Definitely, I doubt they would spend a long time shattering it by constantly striking it with a blunt weapon considering the pace at which those spies are dying. The holes created by bullets were also precisely around their vitals so they must have suffered a lot...So much detailed report...it must be one of our people who sent this.” Kurome muttered while staring out of the window while holding her chin with a thoughtful expression on her face.

”Kyaa~ You have finally said it! Our people!” Ichika exclaimed with a happy smile while rubbing her cheek against Kurome's cheek.

”Knock it off! This is serious!” Kurome replied with a small blush, slightly embarrassed by Ichika's words.

'If this is so serious...The higher-ups definitely won't let this matter rest, they will try to resolve it as soon as possible. For a matter like this army is completely useless so they will most likely send the ȧssassination unit...Big sis.' Kurome thought with a serious expression and narrowed eyes before realization hit her and her eyes opened wide.

'Should I...? Akashi Nii-sama said that I can act independently and do decision as I see fit but...is it alright for me to leave when there is so much work unfinished? Sure, Ichika is here but...' Kurome thought and a difficult expression appeared on her face.

”You can go” Ichika said which brought Kurome from her thoughts.

”Huh?!” Kurome exclaimed and looked at Ichika with wide-open eyes in surprise and confusion.

”Do you really think I wouldn't be able to tell what you are thinking about with that expression you just showed? If you are worried about your sister then just go, I will take it over from here. I will be more than enough to finish measly paperwork.” Ichika said with a gentle smile.

”Ichika...T-Thank you! I won't forget this favor!” Kurome's eyes grew moist before she nodded with a happy smile. She stuffed the report into her pocket and stormed out of the room to get ready for the journey.