"The One Who Rips... What is this.. Dish?"
"It's a bowl of noodles, Fang." Fang took a bite.
"Truly this is an interesting dish. I believe if our rations could incorporate the flavor, it would be much useful for us."
"If we get the others in, I'll ask the Claws to look into it." Enjoying the springy noodles with the rich but gentle flavored broth. It was good for their stomach. Taking a peek to see Jersey musing over her inflight meal with a romance comedy. Fang watching documentaries about religion. Regal on the dramas about high society in the past, Warcrest looking at war movies and Fenris watching the classic samurai movies. Their meals were taken away with snacks being served. Fang was just staring onto the plastic snack, gently opening it as he ate some pieces.
For Raven. The question was whether his brother was happy living here. In his past the Cherry Blossom Empire had fallen as a result of 10 Sovereigns descending upon it. It was also where Raven found a few blades that belonged to Sovereigns that protected the Cherry Blossom Empire, three blades that they gave him which helped kill the other 10 Sovereigns.
But Raven hadn't unlocked Cloud Breaker yet. So it was time for him to spin. Spinning the wheel for Persona Shards.
Raven could glance into it later.He needed to see what he could pull with his 50 tickets. Something he will do later. Amused at how Fang was very drawn into the world of documentaries on religion. Perhaps it was a way for him to renew his faith or to explore faiths freely without much fear of being called a heretic.
"That seems awfully convenient."
Raven decided on the pull. Trying his luck to see what works and what doesn't. 5 pulls with 50 tickets.
Raven wondered who the allies were.
Talentless Hero SSR Ally
Sword Hero - Glinter
A famed S-Rank Adventurer who had accepted teaching from the Talentless Hero.
Now retired and leads a peaceful life as an instructor.
Sword Saint's Husband SSR Ally
Daughter of the Sword Saint and Her Husband - Ciara
Henchman of Burisa SR Ally
Fellow Henchman - Donald
A fellow henchman of Burisa, Donald's good with his fists.
Not the talkative type.
Shadow Lord SR Ally
5 Shadow Knights
Servants of the Shadow Lord. Nameless knights.
Flames of the Forest SSR Ally
King Arcian Reach
Current King of the Rylanor Kingdom.
When knowing about your world, he has since abdicated the throne.
The closest friend the Flames of the Forest.
The one whom Flames of the Forest had sworn allegiance to.
Arctic Fox SR Ally
Jeane
A member of the Arctic Beasts Corps.
Jeane is a low ranked soldier from the Orca unit.
Flames of the Forest SSR Ally
Queen Sichilde Strai Reach
Current Queen of Rylanor Kingdom.
When knowing about your world, she joined her husband in abdicating the throne.
A close friend to the Flames of the Forest.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Shadow Lord SR Ally
5 Shadow Mages
Servants of the Shadow Lord
Smiling Mime SR Ally.
Cobalt
A wolfdog that was raised by the Smiling Mime
Durandal Section 1 SSR ally
Durandal Section 1 Vice-Chief Jack.
The Vice Chief of Durandal Section 1.
He's one of the best members of Durandal with a primary focus on eliminating enemies with a blitz attack.
"Damn. This lineup? It might make plenty of things trivial." Raven said as he thought about it. But Ciara was the one he was most curious about. Raven couldn't be there for her during her younger years, would his own daughter resent him? How could he make it up to her? And how does he explain to Aquila that he has a daughter? How would this even workout? Stretching his limbs as he waited for the next few hours.
He was reading on the guilds in Cherry Blossom Empire but what caught his eye was the 'Strife between Guilds of Cherry Blossom' that caught his eye.
What's this one about? Raven's eyes were glued to the screen as he read each word carefully.
'The Blue Vipers and their two subsidiaries, Snowbane and White Wolves are at odds with the other guilds on the matter of requesting RF support from Euphemia. They stated that the requesting help from the RF shows how lack cluster the current Hunters of the Empire to the world. It's also noted that they had protested to the Empress of the Empire as a means to maintain their dignity and honor.'
Raven wasn't sure what's more important to them. Their dignity or the fact that they have too many dungeons appearing all the time but there was another article that caught his eye.
The arrival of the hero of Rosenfelt. Hunter Raven Ashenworth. An ill omen?
It has been confirmed by an insider source that the Hunter dispatched by RF with the authorization of Commander Shaw, Euphemia Empire's Hunter Association President Black, Black Wings Guild leader Aquila is Hunter Raven Ashenworth. What is known prior to the Raven's life as a Hunter was that he had led a life of debauchery. Images and videos of him partying and drinking have surfaced. This also includes his relationships with women. Another point to add that Raven Ashenworth was responsible for killing S-Rank Hunter Brent by shooting his legs and left the Blue Vipers Branch Leader of Euphemia in a state of insanity.
Citizens and Hunters protested as they view him as nothing short of a brute with many citizens stating that he is a Hunter who does not deserve his title. Nor can he maintain his rank. It is also noted that he had openly threatened Blue Vipers Executive McNeil in the Association meeting.
Quoting Executive McNeil 'He is a loose canon that needs to be reigned in. If we don't put a leash on him, he'll be just as volatile as his brother!'
Slander of the highest level, perhaps McNeil does want to die quickly. Not like Raven could be bothered by it. Technically he didn't threaten McNeil. He threatened Carmilla's parents but he can expect a not so proper reception upon landing. Plenty of words were being thrown around. Comment section was ridiculing Raven with plenty of people saying that Raven didn't earn his rank and was leeching off his brother. Comment section also touched upon Ivona and Dolores. Which had Raven feeling his blood boil.
Somedays he missed his days when he was a villain. Not caring about human life, always going through with his threats. Always murdering whatever that bothered him. Somedays he should go back to the old personality of his. Too much bureaucracy. Too much requirement of needing to do good and follow the path of 'justice' which is just a bunch of idealistic words that mean nothing. When the plane landed, Raven and his team got their gear. Save for Warcrest who just put a bit of armor over his body, since it was an urban environment, he won't need all of his weapons. Just carrying a shotgun.
"Let's try not to kill anyone unless we have to." Raven said as they walked through the checkpoint, seeing people holding signs to protest against him.Though he did feel something lurking in the air when he stepped out of the airport entrance. Cameras rolling to capture his presence, reporters making their news and people protesting about how brutal he murdered Brent.
"The One Who Rips... I can sense bloodlust in the air." Fang was right, there was blood lust. Whereby there were Hunters who were wearing masks, readying themselves for the fight. Regal flicked the safety of his rifle, Fenris readied his Three Wolves, Warcrest loaded his shotgun, Jersey readied her revolver while Fang braced himself. Raven was calm just smoking a cigarette as he took a step forward when a Hunter appeared out of thin air. Attempting a strike. Only for Fang to strike the jaw, then grabbing the Hunter by the collar. Throwing them down to the ground, placing his knee on the Hunter's chest and left hand bringing out the javelin.
Two more Hunters ran out from the crowd where Fenris stopped them with his Two Wolves, turning to Raven. A Hunter knocked an arrow from the bow, Warcrest just swatted it aside, where it pierced into the ground. A reporter drawing out her belt that turned into a blade, going after Raven from behind. Jersey just used her shoe to parry the blade, then an elbow to the face. Shoving the revolver to the chest.
"Go ahead." Upon those words, Fang began to stab the Hunter who was downed, Fenris slashed off the limbs of the two Hunters. Then it was off with their heads, Jersey emptied the revolver through the reporters corpse. Regal fired a single shot and they see a splash of red from the distance. A Hunter went after Raven where Warcrest took a step to the side with Raven drawing out a karambit. Parrying the katana to the side, lacerating the Hunter's limbs and tendons in an instant.
"Please! Have m-" Raven slit the Hunter's throat and continued smoking his cigarette. Several more Hunters stepped forward, including association agents who had their weapons ready.
"Quite the welcome. So where do you need me to go?"
"Drop your weapons! Hunter Ashenworth! This is a violation of conduct! You have spilled blood on Cherry Blossom's grounds!"
"So what? I just take the hits? I have no intention of being all merciful to ones who point their blades at me." the citizens seemed agitated. One civilian drew her pistol and shot at Raven 10 times. His body recoiled from the shots, one bullet went to his face. Only for them to see the bullet caught in his teeth. Spitting it out while he used his fingers to dig the bullets out from his torso. Flicking them back at the woman who did that.
"Stop this!" Raven turned to a Hunter who stepped force. Stervy or rather Sora, who wielded a katana stood before him.
"You are to respect the laws of the country." Sora's face riddled with anger. Raven felt his heart sink bit by bit, he was expecting a warmer reception from Stervy. Maybe because he was expecting something else. Expecting a sign that showed concern or just joy at seeing him.
"And what let people go after my head? What are you fucking stupid?"
"It's true that they went after you but you have no right to do this!" Sora took a step forward but Fenris blocked his path.
"Stand down." Fenris sheathed his blades, Regal flicked his rifle on safe. Jersey put away her revolver and Fang pulled the javelin out of the dead Hunter's body.
"Take us to where we need to go." A truck appeared for his allies while Raven would be sitting in the limousine. The way Sora did not say a word to him, not a word shared with each other.
"Does the name Aquila mean anything to you?"
"That's the name of the guild leader of Black Wing. Your brother. What of it?" The words were spoken easily, which meant that Stervy does not remember who Raven or Aquila are. Or most likely he does not remember himself.
"Fang?"
"Seems like they think we're Hunters. The One Who Rips. They are trying to recruit us and there are women here using their skill 'Charming Figure' to get us into it. They are members of Blue Vipers. We are immune to this because of The One Who Rips." That was distasteful, it's not a good impression at this point. For now, Raven was not going to say much as he was brought over to the Imperial Castle. With a design that paid homage to the rich history of the empire, Raven would've loved to take sometime to read into this but he was here to work. Not a vacation.
"Sky Blade, Sora has brought Hunter Raven Ashenworth and his allies!" Raven stepped in with his allies. Seeing Emperor Tsugahara staring at him with the Empress and Imperial Princesses being present. Sora bowed but Raven and his team did not.
"You should pay your respects to His Majesty." Sora whispered but Raven just ignored him, the other Hunters who were present felt the air stir as they were thinking about attacking Raven. Bloodlust swirling all around the room.
"I'm here to work. So tell me which dungeons I should go into." His defiance was earning their ire but it wasn't something Raven cared about.
"Quite hasty. Why not indulge in our hospitality?" One of the Princesses used charm on Raven.
The one who did that? Falling on her knees as she developed a seizure.
"Arrest him! He has harmed the princess!" The Emperor shouted only to see Raven put on his persona. The One Who Rips where Sora drew his blades at Raven. The blade did not reach Raven, instead Raven threw Sora to the wall. They see him don a bloodstained uniform. Bloodstained seals over the shoulders with javelins on his back. Throwing the javelins at Sora who could barely withstand the attack. His feet skidding back.
Sora unleashed his ultimate sword technique against Raven. A thousand aura slashes where Raven just signaled to his allies to get away. The aura slashes were powerful but against the One Who Rips? It is useless. Standing there as Raven took the hits, creating a great shockwave that shook up the entire castle. Through the smoke, Raven grabbed Sora by the neck, slamming him to the ground. Clearing the smoke entirely.
"What's the plan, twerp?"
"Boss!"
"I await the command from the One Who Rips."
"If they attack us, kill them. If they don't just let them be." Raven said as he as lifted Sora off the ground, they could see Sora attempting to slice Raven apart with his blades. There was no reaction as Sora slashed Raven's eye, only to be slammed through the walls. Then throwing him to the floor where it began to crack, using great force to break through the ground. Going down to the lower floors until the castle lobby. Throwing Sora out as Raven turned to the guards who were present.
"Jack. Handle this." The armored Durandal member appeared by Raven's side, wielding a pair of longswords.
"Got it, Chief. What about civilians?"
"Don't kill them. For once. If they choose to harm you, feel free to execute them." Raven headed to the entrance as guards stepped forth to stop him. Only for the serpent blades of Durandal's armor pierce through their bodies, skewering them to the walls.
"Chief told me to handle this. So, sorry. I guess." Jack spoke as Raven left the entrance. Hearing screams from behind him as he glanced at Sora who was up in the air. Unleashing aura waves of swords that began to chase after him like rabid dogs on the hunt. The sheer power in these ones were better than before, perhaps Sora had to hold back because of civilians? Even if Raven blocked it, it would scatter and split themselves into smaller waves that would continue the onslaught. An interesting technique but Raven wasn't going to just watch this. Prepping the javelins on the ground, that was a necessary for Raven for 'Rip It In Place'. Seeing the chains appear on Sora's body, that was his cue.
Leaping into the air as Raven grabbed Sora by the collar. Ripping the chains over the body, then throwing Sora unto the javelins, impaling Sora onto it. Then placing his hand over Sora's head.
"Ciara. Glinter. Arcian. Sichilde. Protect me."
"Yes, father." Ciara readied her saber and katana, standing while wearing the uniform of the White Lions.
"Got it." Glinter's gray hair swayed with the wind, stretching while he had the greatsword over his back.
"Of course, my friend. Do what you need for your sibling." Arcian spoke as he wore the fur coat that reached the ground, readying his longsword.
"Very well." Sichilde readied her rapier and stiletto, wearing a red suit to match her husband's fur coat.
It was time for Raven to dive deep into Sora's mind. This was not how he wanted it, he just wanted to take it easy and come back later. But if the Empire decided to do this, he might as well follow through with it.