Chapter 160 - #159 Zank the Beheader (1/2)

The maid quickly arrived with old records and Akashi had enough time to read through most of them until he found something interesting.

”Zank the Beheader, huh?” Akashi muttered while narrowing his eyes.

”Do you think you have found the culprit? After all, anyone can be the culprit...” Poney asked while sitting near him on the spare chair. She was skeptical about this because the chance of Akashi finding the culprit in one of the records of the criminals is already quite low.

”Not just anyone...One of the murdered guard's spear had slightly chipped blade, I believe that he was able to protect himself from the first attack but that person still beheaded him without inflicting any other damage to his body which means that he is either quite arrogant or it is simply because he likes beheading people. And coincidentally, I just found this man who used to be an executioner for one of the Empire's prisons where he apparently went mad. He was able to steal Teigu from the Empire and then he fled. He began a series of murders of many civilians and guards without any discrimination until the Empire took an action against him, that's the last note about him.” Akashi explained.

”Ugh, alright, this sounds highly like someone who could be the culprit but how do we know that this guy named Zank is even still alive?” Poney ġrȯȧnėd and agreed that the description of someone indiscriminately beheading people who fled from the Empire is very accurate to what happened to those guards but it could also be a coincidence.

”I will think of a plan on how to lure that guy out, even if the guy outside isn't Zank. I did my research just not to rely on my strength alone, still, it would be nice to know which Teigu exactly Zank stole.” Akashi said while rubbing his chin.

”Alright, since you don't need me for anything at the moment, I will go take a walk outside in the mansion's perimeter.” Poney said with a smile while waving her hand at Akashi before walking towards the door.

”Don't forget to wear your mask” Akashi reminded her before she could leave.

”I know, call me if you will need me.” Poney said her last piece before leaving the room.

---In the evening---

”Akashi, I might have heard something I wasn't supposed to!” Poney burst into Akashi's study without even knocking while he was changing clothes for tonight mission but thankfully, he already had his pants on.

”Hehe, oops?” Poney laughed while scratching back of her head with a silly grin.

Akashi just glared at her but he was currently not in the mood for jokes so he just continued dressing up, ignoring Poney's eyes on him. Well, she had both her hands in front of her eyes but it was obvious that she was peeking through small gaps out of curiosity.

”How do I look like?” Akashi asked when he was done while spreading his arms to present himself in front of her.

”Umm...like a guard?” Poney answered with a confused expression.

”Good.” Akashi nodded his head.

”It suits you!” Poney widely grinned and showed him a thumb up.

”...I won't ask if that's supposed to be compliment or insult just for your well-being.” Akashi said while glancing at her before turning his eyes at the weapons of his deceased guards.

”Anyway, I need to tell you something important!” Poney quickly changed the topic and started explaining the things when Akashi turned at her once again.

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”So Kurome wants to take care of this problem on her own?” Akashi muttered, not even a bit of surprised by Poney's report.

”Hm? Why don't you sound shocked or why aren't you reacting to it in any way?! Don't tell me you already knew and I just walked in on you dressing up for nothing...” Poney asked while holding her forehead with one hand.

'Is she checking if she doesn't have a fever?' Akashi thought before shaking his head.

”No, I didn't know about it but it was within my expectations.” Akashi replied with a small smile.

”Then...What are planning to do about it?” Poney asked while raising her eyebrow.

”Nothing, I actually wanted her to gain some real battle experience against someone strong. If that guy is a Teigu user, it will be good practice for her.” Akashi replied while shrugging his shoulders.

Of course, he would also try to lure the guy out, then it would only be upon luck who will lure him out first.

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Akashi currently had 2 shortswords at each side attached to his belt and 2 spears, 1 in his hand, and another was on his back. Those weapons were the weapons of his deceased guards and he was planning to avenge them by using their own weapons, that is if Kurome doesn't kill the guy first. He also tried to hide the spear on his back since he was already heavily armed just by looking at his waist where he had 2 shortswords, just this was quite unusual but it's not like he is dealing with a sane person so it doesn't matter that much.

---On the highest tower in the middle of the Capital---

”Kuku, I hope there will be more of those guards tonight, it was much more satisfying killing someone who can react to my movements instead of beheading weaklings.” The man from before said to himself while looking towards Akashi's territory.

Despite light mist being present in the air, he was able to see clearly anything hundreds of meters away from him.

”Hm? Just two groups? Come on...Oh?!” He muttered with a slightly disappointed expression when he noticed just 2 groups but when he noticed Kurome, his attention reached its peak.

”Kuku, what a determination I can see in those eyes, she definitely isn't part of those guards. She must be determined to hunt me down after the previous night...I have decided! She is the perfect target!” The man said with an excited tone and crazy smile before descending the tower.

Of course, in such a silent night Akashi was able to feel someone's eyes on him for a moment but he decided to ignore it.

'I guess I haven't gathered his interest, time to change the plans' Akashi thought when he felt that the person previously spying on him was no longer looking at him.