Preparation

After the morning training, Zero went straight to the Imperial Police's main building.

"Are you sure about it?" A guy behind the counter asked with a slightly bored expression as Zero gave him the signed application form.

"Yes, please." Zero nodded his head with a resolute expression, making the guy stare at his face for a few seconds before breaking the silence.

"Fine, since your superior agrees with this, I won't question your capability, kid. It won't be my problem if you die out there. Show this paper to the guards at the main gate, they will give you details when and where you should go." The guy said before signing the form and giving it back to Zero.

'Talk about frankness'

"Thank you, I will be taking my leave now." 'Prick' Zero said and left the building while staring at the paper in his hand with an excited look in his eyes.

"Zero! Good afternoon, I have heard that you are planning to join the escort mission." Out of nowhere, Seryu came running up to him with her usual enthusiasm.

'That worthless leader of mine just can't keep his mouth shut. And what's up with this woman, is she stalking me or how come we meet each other twice in a row?' Zero glanced at the woman running up to him while waving her hand.

"Good afternoon, what a coincidence...I thought it would take us some time to meet again after last night." 'That sounded weird but I hope she knows what I mean' Zero said with a small smile, hiding his annoyance.

"Hehe, it's not really that big of a coincidence since I was looking for you when I have heard your plans. I came to tell you more details since this escort mission doesn't look like any other. You know, with my connections, I have access to some more sensitive information." Seryu shamelessly admitted her intentions but for once, Zero found her useful.

Zero asked what she meant, acting as if he thinks it is a regular mission like any other. Seryu basically gave him the information he deduced from his squad leader's warnings earlier but at least she confirmed his suspicions and she added a few more information he would otherwise have to figure out after joining them.

From the way she was warning him almost as if to scare him, she made him think that she doesn't want him to leave. Zero just assured her that he still wants to go through this mission.

"I see...Well, if you truly insist on joining, you can't take a weapon either armor from Imperial Police. The least I can do for you is to help you buy some good weapons along with light armor and clothes suitable for the mission. How about it? Do you have time right now?" At first, Seryu looked a bit dejected, that is, before an idea of helping him in the other way struck her.

'Oi oi oi! Did this woman just invite me on a date without giving me a chance to respond to the invitation? Still, she is practically offering to pay for my expenses...' Zero looked at Seryu's expectant expression before he looked to the side, scratching his cheek with his index finger. Even he felt a bit ashamed of his thoughts to take advantage of her, mostly because he knew how modern golddiggers look like and act.

However, it seemed like Seryu just misunderstood the expression he was making.

"Hehe, no need to get so flustered, still, I had no idea you can make such a face. You usually appear aloof." Seryu said with a wide smile and faint blush on her cheeks, perhaps due to the misunderstanding that just happened between the two.

"Alright, let's do it." Zero's every ounce of shame he previously felt completely disappeared when he heard her words and decided to make sure his stalker is going to suffer.

'I will make sure to milk you dry today...that sounded weird...again' Zero thought but before he could suggest where they should go, Seryu already began dragging him by his arm.

During the day The Capital was overflowing with people and streets were filled with all sorts of merchants, one might even say that life in The Capital was blossoming, however, that was just a surface, a mask. Still, sights like these made Zero recall his old life back on Earth, more specifically the shopping centers.

Seryu told him that he still has more than a week to get ready so they can take their time today and those words made him feel as if a knife pierced his heart.

Still, thanks to her, he was able to obtain high-quality weapons, specifically one broadsword, one short sword, and about 9 small daggers he would attach to his armor all over his body. Knowing how dangerous this mission could turn out, Zero also found a time to secretly buy a few needles along with poison, this time with his own money unfortunately since he didn't want Seryu to know he is buying weapons usually used by assassins.

Before leaving the weapon store, he also bought a hand crossbow. After that, they went to buy armor and clothes which was much quicker and easier. Zero chose only leather armor with special metal gauntlets he took a liking to. Although he knew that standards of human strength and speed were much higher than on Earth, it was still possible to use metal gauntlets to deflect a blade with the right technique.

After that, Seryu just chose some clothes for him to travel with since he couldn't care any less what he will be wearing to hide his armor.

Zero thanked her for paying for his equipment despite thinking of her whatever. He didn't really have a high opinion of Seryu but he was still capable of showing his gratitude. Maybe he thought of her as crazy but, in the end, who isn't crazy in this world, Zero knew that even he turned crazy after those years he spent in this merciless world.

Zero showed the application form to the guards at the main gate who in return told him when and where he should be. After that, he spent the rest of the week in his new armor to get used to it, and before he knew it, it was time for him to leave.