Invitation

Garou's days cInvitation ontinued to pass without change, he kept his simple routine every day. But with the passing time, he started to grow more and more frustrated. He couldn't find a single worthy opponent to give him a challenge.

Thanks to that, his skills and strength barely increased. His training helped to keep himself in shape but couldn't improve.

Garou knew that he needed to have life and death battles to improve but didn't know where to look. He heard about the imperial generals being the strongest warriors but looking at how powerless the soldiers and warriors he saw so far, he didn't feel motivated to seek them out. He didn't want to find more trash thinking themselves to be a great warrior when they are in reality a little stronger than an ant.

What Garou didn't know is that his exploits got the attention of both the revolutionary army and the empire's strongest. The revolutionary spies spent the past few weeks digging information about him and his origin. Similarly, Esdeath's soldiers and servants were looking to his whereabouts. The revolutionary spies found Garou's location first but didn't dare to approach him recklessly as they couldn't find anything about him aside from where he had been staying. On the other hand, Esdeath's soldiers took much more time to find him as their only lead was a red-haired man.

In the imperial palace, Esdeath was kneeling in the crown hall in front of a young boy, who was sitting on the throne, beside him the prime minister eating his meat without care for the world.

"General Esdeath, You have done a splendid job in defending the empire and erasing threats. We wish to give you a reward for your achievements" The young boy spoke with a proud voice, trying his best to be a fitting emperor.

"I thank your majesty for your generosity. If I may, I have two requests for you" Esdeath spoke with a humble smile.

"Please speak General, as long as your requests within our capabilities they shall be granted" The young emperor said.

"First, I wish to form a special team of Teigu users, they would be directly under my command and answer directly to me" Esdeath said.

The young emperor wondered a little then asked "Why are you requesting this? Don't you have 3 elites with teigus under your command."

"True, but the three proved to be inadequate lately as they got defeated by an unarmed commoner" Esdeath answered honestly.

"An ordinary citizen defeated them? How could that be?" The young emperor asked, surprised by what he heard.

"According to many eyewitnesses, a single red-haired man defeated them with his bare hands. Thus I decided to create a new team, it won't be sufficient to use soldiers who couldn't defeat an unarmed man! For this reason, as well, I sent the three on a mission. If they failed it, then only death awaits them" Esdeath spoke with a cruel smile.

"General Esdeath wishes to create this team so she can eliminate Night Raid once and for all. Having a small agile team of elites is the best course of action" The prime minister added from the side.

The emperor hearing his minister words nodded his head and said "Your first request shall be granted, you can ask for any soldier to join your team. Also, we will send people to get the best of the best of the empire's soldiers to join you. We hope to see the best of results."

"I will not disappoint you" Esdeath spoke with confidence.

"But I'm still curious general, who is the man who defeated your three beasts?" The emperor asked

"We don't have much information about him. Our spies only managed to find out that his name is Garou and he has been staying in an orphanage since he arrived to the empire's capital weeks ago. According to those who interacted with him, despite being few, they all agreed that he looked like a country bumpkin as he was looking around curiously. But he possessed immense strength and skill, allowing him to defeat the police and my soldiers effortlessly ." Esdeath replied.

"How are you going to handle him?" The minister asked.

"I was thinking to check his background first, if he is not part of the revolutionary army or affiliated with our enemies I will recruit him as a member of my special team" Esdeath replied.

The prime minister nodded while the young emperor said "Very well general, what about your second request?"

"I wish to fall in love" Esdeath spoke with a straight face.

The prime minister and the emperor stared at Esdeath quizzically, especially the minister who couldn't believe a sadistic monster like her could know love.

"Ummm... What you expect us to do exactly ?" The young emperor asked, he didn't know how to answer such a request, he didn't even understand love himself.

"I would like you to help me search for a suitable man" Esdeath answered.

The young emperor pondered a little then looked at his minister and spoke "What about the prime minister? He is a great man !!"

The prime minister paled thinking about the possibility of him sleeping with Esdeath, he had no doubt she will kill him once she done with him similarly to how some insects kill their mate after their breeding session.

"hmm... I would prefer someone less fat, not to mention he is too old for me" Esdeath spoke with an amused look as she watched the pale minister regain his colours.

"Is that so?" The young emperor spoke with pity as if the two could be a great match.

On the other hand, the prime minister spoke hurriedly "Tell us your preference, and we will look for men who match it throughout the empire."

Esdeath started describing her vision of a suitable man, the emperor kept nodding for her words while the prime minister stared at her questioningly. The more she spoke the perplexed his face became, The prime minister had no doubt that if they searched the whole empire and the nearby countries, they would not find such a match.

______________________________________________________________________________

The next day, Garou was eating alongside the children and Himiko, when he suddenly sneezed.

"It seems you caught a cold Garou. This is the third time you sneeze in a minute" Himiko said

"Don't be silly!! I don't catch colds. There must be someone talking badly about me" Garou said grumpily.

Himiko shook her head at his antics while the children laughed. What they didn't know is that far away at sea, on the top of a ship, A life and death battle between night raid and the 3 beasts was occurring.

"So you have met that red-haired bastard, Bulat?" Liver spoke with an angry face. He was currently half bald thanks to Garou.

"That's right, I met Garou. My current appearance is his handy work" Bulat spoke with a little resentment. The previously handsome man looked like a grotesque beggar now. Garou's fists reshaped his face thoroughly. Even if Bulat walked in the capital, none would realise who he is.

"Bulat, let's make a warrior oath here. Whoever survives today, must take revenge for what he did to us should an opportunity arise." Liver spoke seriously.

"Normally, I wouldn't make oaths with my enemies. But you have my word. If I survive today, I will take revenge if I can" Bulat spoke sincerely.

Liver nodded and gave his words before the death battle continued.

Back in the orphanage, Garou was still eating when a knock came from the orphanage front door. Himiko stood while saying "I'll get it."

Moments later, Himiko came back with a soldier. She said "Umm... Garou, he's here for you"

Garou looked at the soldier, his cold sharp gaze caused the soldier to shiver. Garou spoke "Are you going to stare all day? What do you want?"

The soldier stuttered "S-sir, I'm…. Sorry for ... bothering you. M-my general gave me … thi-ss letter to han-d it ...to you-u"

The soldier extended his shaking hand with a letter, Garou took the letter from him and said "this is the part where you run away."

The soldier ran in fear, while Himiko and the children began laughing. Ari kept laughing as she said "Poor Garou, his face scares everyone."

Garou Ignored them as he opened the letter, he frowned a little before giving it to Himiko. He then said "I can't read these scribbles, read it for me."

Himiko was shocked, "How do you not know how to read?" she said.

"Just read it !!!" Garou said, slightly agitated.

"Okay okay. But I'm teaching you how to read and write later" Himiko replied

Garou stared at her with an annoyed expression without saying any words. Himiko sighed and read the letter.

============

Sir Garou,

This is an invitation for you to join a special elite team under the command of general Esdeath. The team will answer to General Esdeath directly and won't have any military responsibilities toward the army. We look forward to you joining us.

The meeting will be in the imperial palace in xxxx at xx:xx:xx xx-xx-xxxx

============

Himiko was surprised by the content, she looked at Garou and asked "What are you going to do? General Esdeath is the greatest general in the empire and said to be the strongest."

"Not interested" Garou deadpanned with a slight frown.

Himiko wanted to say something but Garou had already left the room. She sighed in relief before going off to wash the dishes.

Edited by B33RUS