15: The first Assassination

'Uh...? Where am I...?'

Those where my first thoughts when I woke up. Usually, the only light I would see when I woke up would be the light of the torches, lighting up the room we had, but today, it seemed... different.

'Wait, sunlight?'

I looked up, but all I found was a ceiling. It seemed the light came from some windows... Of course I wouldn't be in the open. Even if that's something I would thank, I know better than anyone that they wouldn't allow me such a luxury.

"You seem to be awake."

It was Akatsuki's voice. It had been a week since the last time we met, and if I said I hadn't missed her, it would be a lie. I tried to stand up, but I couldn't... Something kept me from doing so.

I looked at my wrists.

Handcuffs. They were chained to the wall. It seems that I was in a place where having freedom would be troublesome for them... however, there was a question lingering in my mind.

'How come she is not handcuffed?'

Akatsuki wasn't handcuffed like me. She was standing up, and by her side, there were two people. Maybe they were soldiers, or watchdogs, to keep her in check? But then, why would I be the only one handcuffed?

"We don't have much time allowed, so listen carefully."

Her tone was dead serious. Although I had many questions still swirling in my mind, I decided to keep them for later.

"I am the swordswoman and you are the sword... Those were the roles that the emperor gave us. To be honest, in the end, I am just giving you guidance on how to kill the target."

I could understand that much. I mean, when we were told that we would kill people, I already half understood that she would be giving orders... I mean, there is no way the sword orders the swordswoman around, is there?

"Well then, what are the orders, swordswoman?" I asked with a slight tone of sarcasm in my voice.

She looked at me, kind of surprised, almost as if she was expecting a stronger resistance from me, or something.

"If you fail, we will both die, if you try to run, you will be pursued and killed too afterwards, and if you disobey, the same outcome follows."

Her cold words and robotic tone were a surprise. Even though she was usually cold, she would always remain defiant against the empire, so I decided to tease her a little.

"Oh my... Aren't you being obedient? I thought you would be more defiant, considering your prior actions... Pffft"

With others, I would be more cautious, but with her? I've been around her for years.

She placed her hand on her katana, just to let it go and sigh as if she was dealing with a troublesome fellow (well... I guess she was, but...). "It seems you truly don't understand... *Sigh*... I will go straight to the point."

"You will be restraining and abducing the master Swordsman Jumonji. He has shown to disagree with the empire's politics, so he will be restrained just in case until the situation calms down. Understood?"

"Not really. I thought I was a blade, not a leash for rebelious dogs... We won't kill him?"

"It seems we won't... Don't ask me why, orders from above."

To be honest, it seemed plausible. After all, we are talking about the king that decided to hold me prisioner when he could have just killed me off... so it wouldn't be weird for him to have plans for the swordsman.

"Then... mind if I ask another question?"

"You better do it quickly. I still have to tell you some more details."

"Why aren't you handcuffed?"

"Do you think I would know? If you thought a little bit more we wouldn't be losing time like this... Can I tell you the rest now?"

To be honest... it was too weird. They could have just brought her handcuffed, but they let her do this... Why? Why taking such a risk? No one in their sane mind would do that... Unless... Maybe they don't fear of her going away? Then there might be a reason why she wouldn't want to run away... No, actually, the fact that she is still here when she could have tried to knock the two guards pretty much makes that clear. If she had the courage to jump to assault the king, she would undoubtedly have the courage needed to attack the guards. Then... what reasons could they be? Maybe they are on the same side...? No, that's a certainty. The true problem is whether they are siding with the emperor or not... I should wait and see. Maybe I have rushed to conclusions, but for now, I should try to be careful and see which side she is in... and those guards... Two females. Back hair and black eyes. Both of them have a rather small frame for guards, Akatsuki would probably be able to kill both of them. However, they are dressed quite fancily, with attires that allow a good performance, yet are a proof of status... They might be of trust of the king...

...

Let's just focus on what comes ahead and hear what she has to tell.

"Go ahead."

"The target, Swordsman Jumonji, is an old, but very strong individual. If possible, catch him out of guard. He lives in a small cottage in the mountains. He has two apprentices. One is called Gabriel. You should be able to take him out easily if he interferes, but he is able to control space, so be as careful as you would be when dealing with the target when it comes to him. The second disciple is a woman called Diana. Unless it is necessary for the mission, don't come into contact with her, and don't fight her. Run and come back if you need to. You will be dropped in the forest, a few hundreds of meters away from the cottages. We will tell you the direction and give suport from a carriage there, got it?"

"Understood."

"Well then, see you in a few hours."

And as she was saying that, she turned away, opened the door, and left, with the two females following close after her. Then, a gas began flowing into the room.

'Seriously? This again? Sigh...'

'If you run into trouble, we can try to help you if you want.' Said Kuro, quite empathetically.

'Thanks Kuro... I will be counting on you. I hope you will help too, Shiro.'

'If it comes down to that, I guess I will have no other choice... Seriously, do it properly so that I don't have to do much... I rather enjoyed this time when I could just take it easy...' To be honest, Shiro was beginning to look like a lazybones to me... Whatever...

'Sure, I will do my best' I answered.

And so, I lied down and waited for the effects of the sleeping drug to kick in...