The Royal Palace

Back in the capital of Urmolia

Akame was being greeted warmly by all the hunters. As they walked they reached an empty field that was so big nothing could be seen. Ryu looked at the whole place in an aww. Suddenly he noticed a huge tree in front of them so high that the top of the tree couldn't be seen due to the clouds. Ryu asked

"Is that where we're going?"

Gerald replied,

"Yes. Since Akame has returned after so many years it would be best we went to the Royal Palace first."

"The Royal Palace?"

"Yes. It's located on the top of this tree."

"Damn that's really a high place to have a kingdom," Ryu responded.

Gerald felt a little proud of his country and mentioned,

"Of course it is. For the richest and greatest country in all of Urgonia, it has to hold its prestige."

They reached the root part of the tree when Gerald pulled his spear forward and pounded it to the ground. The shockwave was intense. As a few moments passed by a huge cow-looking bird descended. It had a saddle behind it. Gerald got up and reached his hand down for Akame. Akame got up with his help. Ryu also pulled his hand up indicating to Gerald to pick him up too. Gerald on the other hand denied it by responding,

"Sorry but those pull-ups are only for the ladies "

"What, why?"

Ryu exclaimed with a frown. Akame gently jabbed Gerald's arms laughing,

"You still haven't changed huh"

"You know me. This hand is only for beautiful ladies."

Ryu sighed,

"Alright whatever"

He jumped right on top of the cowlike bird. As they lift off the cowbird began to mow as if it was trying to say something. Gerald was someone who had a strong bond with it so even though he couldn't fully understand what it says he could at least guess it. Looking at the cowlike creature he uttered,

"What's wrong, Biju"

The creature's name was Biju. Biju was slowly flying upwards as it mowed. It felt like they were having a conversation.

"What? You were hit by a weird animal flying?"

Like always Gerald's guess was accurate. Biju nodded its head indicating it was true. Gerald responded,

"Who is it? Do you remember its face?"

"What's wrong?"

Akame asked as she unintentionally eavesdrops on the conversation.

"Ah, it's nothing. Biju over here says he hit some weird animal he never saw." He answered.

"A weird animal?" Akame was guessing.

"Yea. Some animal that had fire coming out of its hand."

Just by hearing that Akame understood who it was. But she didn't say anything which would cause a problem as Gerald loved Biju a lot. As they ascended past the clouds the wind became intense. Many weird bird-like creatures were flying. As Ryu closed his book to see the kingdom he was amazed.

"Welcome to the Royal Palace of Urmolia" Gerald responded in a king-like manner.

"It looks beautiful as ever," Akame replied.

It was a beautiful castle to behold. A complete wooden castle yet the structure felt like it was stronger than steel. The palace had a red carpet-like entrance. Urgonians lined up with flutes in their hand. They began to play their national anthem. The music was as soothing to the ears as it was to the mind.

"It feels so warming to be back."

Ryu looked at this whole place and murmured,

"This is the planet of hunters right? I haven't seen single hunter-like stuff since I got here."

As the bird lands Akame noticed a urgonian in a white dress with hair that was strapped to one side. A weak but gentle figure. It was one of the three daughters of The Urmolian Palace Sirvia the youngest daughter and Akame's friend.

As they descend to the entrance Sirvia began running towards Akame with excitement. As she reached Akame she slapped her right in the face.

"How are you doing Akame?" Sirvia asked her. Akame slapped her back and responded,

"Better than ever."

Ryu looked at Gerald with discomfort and asked,

"I know I shouldn't know but do your people even do foreign deals with other planets? cause your warm greeting might not be so warm to many others."

He laughed,

"Let us go inside. When the princess heard you had arrived she prepared a banquet."

Akame felt like she had to owe Silvia. She responded,

"You didn't have to do that."

"Ah, it's fine. Seeing my friend after years I feel happy. Come we have plenty of food made by the finest chefs in the kingdom."

As they were entering Ryu pulled Akame and expressed,

"Don't forget we have to find Ken."

"Why should I do so? I don't have anything to do with him" she responded in a cold tone.

"He said you were part of the crew!"

"Like I said I don't just take orders from anyone."

They argued as they entered the Palace.

Back on the forest of Death,

The noise of dirt being lifted could be heard. Ken using his hands was helping Reigen to open a grave. As Reigen dropped the Desigoth's body inside and was burying it. He felt sad. Ken put his arm in Reigen's shoulder and responded,

"It happens. Since life began it will end one day whether you like it or not."

Sara's smile appeared before his eyes. His eyes widened as his lips were sealed. He had no right to say any advice to Reigen when he himself hadn't moved from Sara's death. As they silently sat before the grave Reigen eventually calmed down. He responded,

"Sorry. I am not quite good with handling death in front of my eyes."

"No, it's ok," Ken reassured him.

"Life and death. I always wondered why such cruel things exist in the first place. They both give pain one way or another"

"They both?"

"Some grieve over others death. Some hate over other's existence itself. If that's what life and death are what was the point of creating such a thing, to begin with."

At that time Ken didn't know what to answer. He silently sat beside him looking upon the sunset.

After the sun had set Reigen got up and offered ken,

"Would you like to have some dinner? It may not seem like it but I can make really good vegetable soup."

Ken smiled at him responding,

"I will take you up on that offer."

They both started walking towards Reigen's home. When they reached the place they both became shocked to the core. The treehouse was trashed. The place felt like it was massacred. Reigen instantly started running towards it. Ken followed behind. The place was destroyed pretty badly. Many vegetables are down on the ground.

"Looks like dinner is out of the question," Ken murmured. Reigen wasn't focused on that. He quickly ran towards the bed and flipped it. There was the chest. He opened it and started to search aggressively.

"Is there something missing?"

"My...my neckless. It's missing."

"Neckless?"

Reigen started panicking. He started hitting his head on the ground intensively. Ken stopped him from injuring himself when he suddenly noticed a small red cloth in the corner of the chest. Ken picked it up and realized what happened here. He uttered to Reigen,

"Reigen. Do you know where the red hunters come from?"

"They come from the Urmolian kingdom ."

"I see. That neckless is important to you, right?"

"Yes it is"

"Then let's go and get it back!"