Part 1. The Unfamiliar Ghoul. Chapter 2: The Life of a Lecherous Couple

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13 July 1026 Imperial Calendar.

Leone stretched sweetly, giving the men rushing past her to work the most beautiful view. They, by the way, did not hurry to avert their gaze, for which some of them were slapped by their wives.

- Lab, I'm gone! - shouted the blonde, and having waited for mooing, still having breakfast, Lubbock, rushed down the street.

It was a beautiful day outside. Rare clouds floated across the blue sky, and the monstrous temperature of the last few days had subsided, bringing a huge sigh of relief to everyone. From the simple caretaker to the blacksmith or farmer. Especially the farmer. Since these guys, not only were the fields roasting terribly, but the crops wouldn't produce well with this weather.

Leone caught a glimpse of a small guy shouting about a new issue of the newspaper, trying to attract customers. The girl became interested in such headlines as "Emperor continues to please his subjects" and "Unknown monsters attacked Lord Handrock".

And so, Leone, smiling brightly, approached the guy, then bending over to give the newspaperman the best possible view of her bulge, asked for the paper, saying that she had accidentally forgotten her purse at home.

"I didn't even need to make up a reason, though." - Leone thought. - "The kid was ready to give me the whole stack of newspapers when I first bent over."

With a quick dash to a nearby street, Leone walked into one of her favourite cafes from her days in the Night Raid. Namely: "Delicious Paradise.

- Oh, it's been a while since I've been here. - Leone said, smiling brightly, as she looked around at the couple of occupied tables, from where she began to wave at her acquaintances.

Saying hello back, Leone sat down at a vacant table, unfolding a newspaper.

"The Emperor continues to delight his subjects!"

"On the 11th of July, the Emperor signed a decree to begin funding the creation of a special squad of teiguysers that will be sent to destroy the monsters that continue to attack important statesmen as well as criminals of particular danger. He announced it at the audeenza..."

Leone averted her eyes, realising that this wasn't going to be interesting political bullshit next. The new monsters, far more concerned with her. Remembering about another headline that the kid was shouting, the blonde started flipping through the newspaper, looking for the right article.

"Unknown monsters attack Lord Handrock."

"Lord Handrock's estate, tonight, was attacked by unknown creatures that have been given the name 'Hunters'. Lord Handrock himself was killed, as well as his three chief messengers. The guards, took casualties in the form of 21 guards."

"These Hunters are much more entertaining than the others." - Leone thought. - "They only attack important people, that is, they don't kill for their own needs, but on someone else's orders... Maybe it's another weapon of some mad doctor?"

But then, Leone's attention was caught by a black-haired guy entering the cafe, to whom Heise immediately jumped up. The owner of the cafe, with whom Leone had established a surprisingly good relationship, even without using his "tricks".

The edges of his white shirt were showing from under his black jacket, with red inserts on the sleeves and a huge scarlet plaque on the back. The black jeans, were a little dusty, as were the black trainers on his feet. Also, Leone managed to notice that the guy had thrown his hood off his head as he entered the cafe.

"Heh, must be a redneck. He's got a very provocative look about him." - Leone thought with a smirk.

The two started talking about something, but after almost a moment, the brunet abruptly shifted his gaze to the girl herself. After staring at each other for a couple of seconds, the guy said something to Haisa and then headed in the direction of the metamorph.

Leone watched the guy's movements with interest, which showed the neatness of an assassin, coupled with some carelessness and nonchalance. The guy stopped near the girl's table, and then, smiling asked:

- May I sit down?

- Yes, of course. - Leone nodded, folding her arms on the table and piling her breasts on them.

The guy, seeing Leone's movements, smiled a little, sitting down opposite the girl.

- And what did such a beautiful guy need from a modest girl? - Flirtatiously shooting her eyes, asked Leone.

- And may I know the name of this girl? - smiling, raised his eyebrows brunet.

- Leone.

- Alex Mercer. - nodded the guy. - I... would like to know how you live in the Capital?

- М? - Leone raised an eyebrow.

- Collecting statistics for the newspaper. - shrugged his shoulders, pulling out some paper and a pen from the inside pocket of his jacket.

- Ahh... - Leone stretched out disappointedly, feeling the bag of gold slipping away. - and you live here?

- Hmmm... - the guy smirked. - No, I don't go to the Capital and other big cities very often.

The flame of hope of earning money flared up inside Leone with renewed vigour.

- Well... - the girl stretched out languidly, sticking out her breasts even more. - I can write you statistics myself, I have a lot of acquaintances. For a small fee, of course.

- Heh... - Alex grinned, tucking the papers back into his jacket. - You haven't changed a bit, Leone. - Then he got up from the table and headed out of the cafe.

- Asya? - The girl asked in surprise, but the guy was already leaving the cafe.

***

- Listen, Lab... - Leone said thoughtfully. - Do you remember, maybe we used to meet Alex Mercer?

- I don't know him. - replied boredly, reading another volume of the new manga he'd bought from his main sponsor to sell. - Stop. Alex Mercer? - Alex Mercer?" the guy asked, wriggling in his chair.

- Mm-hmm. - Leone nodded, reaching for a nearby mop and then trying to pull the bottle of beer towards her. She was too lazy to get up from the chair where the girl was lying down.

- There was one who came in today... I think he called himself that. - nodded. - He bought a couple of volumes of a new manga, asked some strange questions about life in the Capital, and then left.

- He asked me questions today, too. For the statistics in the paper. - Leone explained. - And when I tried to break it to him, he said I hadn't changed a bit and left.

- Maybe you just misunderstood? - raised an eyebrow at the puppeteer.

- Figures... - the girl shrugged her shoulders.

- By the way!" Lubbock jumped up, tossing the manga on the table. - You promised to get a job, a week ago!

Leone paled sharply at the guy's claim.

- Well... you know... I..." the girl stiffened, trying to think of an excuse. - I'll find it! Honestly!

- Leone... - Lubbock sank tiredly into a chair. - Although the crisis, because of the struggle for power, after the capture of the Capital and passed, but still, the money for outside purchases will soon be insufficient. Those new monsters are scaring the supplier, and he is increasing the price of manga to pay for the guards. So you need to either get a job or stop drinking.

- Hey!" Leone exclaimed indignantly. - I don't drink that much! - and then hesitated. - Well... and maybe we'll....

- NO! - Lubbock replied indignantly. - Those teigu, we might still need them, and selling them.... What if Akama and Wade and Kurome need something! Or Mein and Shelly.

- Yeah, yeah..." Leone nodded dejectedly. - Speaking of our inseparable couple. I haven't seen them in a while, have you?

- They're fine. - Lubbock waved his hand. - They're not going to get into any trouble.

- Yeah? - Leone raised an eyebrow sceptically. - A clumsy bespectacled girl and a rabid sniper. They wouldn't get into trouble, would they?

- Yeah..." Lubbock grinned, drifting back into his memories. The desire to see his old friends was growing exponentially with each passing second, but he realised that even if they got together, they'd be scattered again in a few days, just tearing up the scars that were almost healed and leaving bleeding wounds.

***

Life in the Capital City had changed a lot in the last year. First, for almost six months, it had been a complete shambles, the result of a lack of power. Each of the lords who sided with the Empire declared their candidacy for Emperor. And as a result, everything was decided by blood. Namely, Commander-in-Chief Halizard took office, having killed most of the lords beforehand. And the rest of the lords went off the rails after that meeting, muttering about "the spawn of Darkness itself". Although, those who know, understand that Khalizard simply demonstrated (in practice) his object No. 1.

During this time, a lot of rot has accumulated in the Capital, which became a temporary "top" in the hierarchy of ordinary citizens. Drug dealers, slave traders, pimps, bribe-takers... in general, all the labours of the Night Raid went down the drain. By the way, according to the official version, the Renegades were defeated and only a few people from this gang remained, for whose heads there was a bounty.

To the surprise of Leone and Lubbock, the couple was listed as "liquidated", to which they sighed quietly. Along with them, Kaneki, Dorothea, Wade, Kurome, Main, and Balls were confirmed dead. All in all, Akame, Esdes, and Shelly were the ones who were wanted. And, according to the version, which was broadcasted by all the newspapers of the Capital, Esdes was killed by a certain Basten Kuroro, who was listed as a nephew of Halizard. But only... the body of the former general, this nephew could not provide under the pretext: "She was torn to pieces". Yeah, but the next day, after this news, Basten Kuroro, along with his family and the residents of the estate, was killed by an unknown assailant. Except that the ice spears that were found all over the estate gave a hint as to the identity of the killer.

And so... As a result, the new emperor was this same Khalizard. He ruled for 3 months, screwed up countless times, but then he sort of adjusted. The capital was back to normal, prices were lowered to the original prices... In general, everything ended well. But he surrounded himself with so many guards that any murderer would be spotted at the entrance to the Capital, and then shot, hacked and roasted by lightning.

Speaking of lightning. Budo, for some reason, was also accepted into this guard. Oh, yes... there are 40 men in Halizard's guard. And absolutely all of them are Teigoyuzers. Well, Khalizard didn't scrimp and raid half of the Empire's supply of Teigu and put them on his defence. The man was clearly paranoid.

Not even Honest wasn't so focused on protecting his own carcass. Speaking of which. Fatty was never found in the Capital, even though his death was announced. Most likely, the man simply fled when he realised what was coming after the destruction of the First Teigu, which, by the way, the revolutionaries quickly got their hands on, taking it apart and dragging it back into the hangar.

By the way, the city after the fall of the giant robot, suffered quite a lot. A quarter of the city was destroyed, so it was also due to the fact that the teigu fell on the edge of the city, its right half turning the plain near the Capital, but not the city itself.

Incidentally, Najenda was one of those who quietly sat back, waiting their turn, not getting involved in the Lords' conflicts, staying neutral. And after the massacre by Halizard, Najenda was quickly promoted to General by him.

***

14 July 1026 Imperial calendar.

Leone was sadly on her way to the Tasty Paradise, where she knew there was still a shortage of labourers, and Hyse had offered her a job more than once when she complained about the lack of money for drinks.

She was about to look for Haise when she entered the café and suddenly saw Alex sitting at the far table, savouring some ice cream. The girl smiled a little, then headed towards the guy.

- What a meeting! - Leone said cheerfully, plopping down on a chair in front of the guy.

- Mmm..." the guy mumbled, waving his hand, chewing on a piece of ice cream. Finished wrestling with his food, Alex continued: - Hello, Leone.

- Mm-hmm. - Nodded the girl. - Have we met before?

- Heh... - Alex grinned. - Yes, we have.

- Don't remind me?

- It... doesn't matter. - shook his head. - It was a long time ago and it doesn't matter anymore.

Just then, a waiter approached the table, then asked:

- Anything else, Mr Mercer?

- I'll have the Kreintbreeze fish. - The guy pronounced it in syllables, looking at the menu in front of him.

The waiter left, and Leone looked at Alex with a surprised look.

- Fish after dessert?

- I'm trying everything today. - shrugged his shoulders. - I've been eating meat for a long time and I want to try something new.

- Will you have enough money? - Leone asked with a smile.

- It's enough. - the guy grinned back. - I... let's just say I helped Heise with a couple of his life issues, and now I have free admission for life.

- Really? - Leone was surprised. - What did you do that for? Saved him from death?

- Well..." Alex smiled. - You could say that.

- So maybe you'll buy me a drink, if you're going out like that? - Leone smiled brightly.

- Hmmm... - the guy thought about it, after which he barked: - OFFICIANT!!! A BOTTLE OF THE STRONGEST BOOZE!

***

Lubbock yawned tiredly, sorting through the money he had earned today. It had been a very profitable day, which made him very happy, and Leone had made some money somewhere, since she hadn't come back yet. And that's a sign that the girl had gone to some bar, where she had probably blown all the money.

There was a knock at the door, and Lubbock glanced at his watch to see that it might well be Leone. She was usually in by midnight.

And the reasoning did not deceive him. Leone was indeed standing, though even hovering, outside the door, leaning against some hooded fellow. Lubbock hurriedly pulled back the deadbolt on the door, swinging it open.

- 'Oh, Lubbochek...' Leone said, smiling stupidly. - 'And here we are...

- I see. - Lubbock interrupted the girl, putting a shoulder to the girl and taking her in tow, heading into the living room to the couch where he usually left the drunk Leone.

- Cosy. - He heard a comment from the hooded guy who had also come inside.

- And you are...

- Alex Mercer. We've met before. - shook his head lightly at the guy, whose face was not visible because he was standing sideways and the hood was hiding his face.

- Ahh... you're the guy Leone was asking about...?

- She asked about me? - Alex asked with a cheerful tone.

- Well... yeah. She and I used to do... travelling and....

- I know what you used to do. - Alex grinned. - I was an assassin at that time too, so I understand what Leone was asking.

- You..." began Lubbock seriously, pulling the strings on the way out.

- Don't worry, I won't turn you in. - Alex raised his hand. - If I wanted to, I would have given you up a long time ago. And now, I'd better go. - The guy headed for the exit, but stopped a metre away from it. - Why don't you take the strings off?

Lubbock snorted, unwinding the nets, after which Alex nodded gratefully and left the house.

 ***

- Ohhhh..." Leone rumbled, getting up from the floor, crawling onto the couch next to her. - That was one of the toughest parties I've ever been to....

- Get up, you animal! - she heard Lubbock shout angrily, and before she could wonder why the guy was being so rude, a kick followed, throwing her back against the wall.

- Hey!!! - Leone shouted indignantly, getting up from the floor. She turned around and was about to tell the guy everything she thought about him, when suddenly....

- Hello, Leone. - smiling brightly, said Akame standing near the entrance to the room.

Beside her, Kurome and Wade were standing, the latter having stepped aside with Lubbock, chatting cheerfully about something.

- Ah... kame... - Leone said dumbfounded, hugging her friend in return.

- It's good to see you! - Akame said with a bright smile.

- Yeah. - Smiled foolishly back at the metamorph.