"I've already told you, I'm sorry!"
Inside his newly built house, sat Haco. But he wasn't happy at all. Nenet kept apologizing.
It's just that an apology doesn't undo the citizens' view as monsters.
And it mattered a lot if Haco wanted to give the untalented Gravekeepers a chance to make a living for themselves.
Now they can't even become a baker or stone mason.
A finger kept poking his chin, "Sorry, sorry, sorry…"
With a furious wave, Haco pushed the hand away, "If an apology could fix the mess you've made, then I wouldn't be sitting here grumbling!"
Nenet pouted, "Then do you have a plan?"
"We need to do something to show the citizens that we aren't a danger to them. It's just hard when someone ripped someone's eye out in brought daylight."
She looked away in embarrassment and argued, "But he was a bad man…"
He hissed in response, "Then you're going to be rich in eyeballs. There's plenty of bad people here."
Leaving that comment, he stood up and wanted to go out.
"Where are you going?"
"Trying to fix your mess. Stay. Here."
Haco walked to the other side of the Capital. To the biggest hospital in the Capital. Because he'd a plan that might solve the Gravekeepers' current predicament.
It was simple and quite low. Help people when they are at their lowest and leave a good imprint.
As much as he hated healing adults he didn't trust, the situation wouldn't bother with his likes and dislikes. Either he solves it or fails before even trying. And he wasn't a quitter.
Being employed as a reserve doctor wasn't a smooth process. First, he was kindly turned away, but he insisted on meeting the director. Then the director did the same. That was the blowing point.
A few nasty threats and a personal demonstration of his healing capabilities solved it.
In the end, Haco had to stop any development of the slums and jungle between his bodyguarding duties and working at the hospital.
He forced himself to make small talk with the patients and subtly added a few good points about the Gravekeepers. Like good physics that can tirelessly work a normal man dead, or a sense of smell that could leave a dog to shame.
Slowly but surely, he was confident that people would see the Gravekeepers in a new light. And those that wanted should be able to get everyday jobs.
There were those that wanted to fight. But Haco knew, that depending on the unit and superior, many would simply die a dog's death.
That's why he originally wanted to open a door to let them become Imperial Police officers instead. Plenty of action and their tracking capabilities might even make them attractive there.
Shame that it wasn't possible with Ogre leading them. He would for sure make it a living hell for them as prior threatened.
And Haco had a hunch that he was aggravating their bad image.
---
A few days later, he and Esdeath were summoned by the Emperor.
'Seems like it's time to pay off some debt," Mused Haco.
They entered the throne room and kneeled before the staircase where the little emperor and Honest were.
"It's time for you to uphold your part of the deal." said the boy while trying to sound more manly and intimidating.
Didn't work. Especially as Honest was stuffing his face at the side once again.
"What do I have to do?"
Haco just wanted it to get over with. This was the heaviest debt he had. And now that he'd time to think about it, it could include anything. That was a heavy worry to carry.
"Have you heard about the Elite Seven?" Honest took over the tedious explanation and asked.
"No."
"It's one of our best assassination units. Anyway, they have problems dealing with a tedious group of people, so the Emperor wants you to assist them."
Haco revealed an unwilling expression, "I don't work well with other people. Especially, people I don't know. So I think I should work alone."
"I heard you liked helping children. Anyway, things won't change. You must go and make sure those pests' heads are gone from their shoulders."
You must go... Or?
Haco was sure that things he'd been working on would fall to the ground.
'But what do children have to do with anything?' wondered Haco as he ignored the disgusting implication.
Still, he chose, "Fine. I accept this mission."
The emperor took over once again and asked Esdeath, "This is fine with you, General Esdeath?"
"Yes. Lately, it has been quiet and boring, so I'll not need him for the time being." Her voice was so bland and emotionless that Haco was secretly glad she didn't manage to get word of his predicament in time.
He could visualize how she would come out to play—by painting a blood bath.
---
After the formalities, Haco returned to his house and began packing and changing into civilian clothing.
"Where are you going?" asked Nenet.
"On a mission."
"What's the mission?"
"Can't tell."
"Can I come?"
"No."
"Then what can I?"
"Stay here. And don't make trouble."
Haco was so secret and monotone that it annoyed her. But she had something on her mind. A growing suspicion the situation with Ogre had planted.
So she called out, "Haco" with clear seriousness.
He stopped what he was doing and looked at her with a doubtful expression. Rarely, was she ever serious. But her words were like a knife to the neck.
"Is this really the paradise we sought after? It looks good on the outside but—"
"There's no other place." He quickly interrupted.
"That's not true. I've heard about the Revolutionary Army and what they are fighting for. Shouldn't we go there instead?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because it's easier fighting a nightmare if you expect what's to come, than being overwhelmed by the one you don't. And I don't know what size of a nightmare the Empire is, but I know it's beyond me or the Revolutionary Army. They can't win."
Haco ended the talk with, "End of discussion. I'm outta here," and left.
Nenet was left to air-box in frustration, 'How can he be so hard-headed? This wasn't even a discussion.'
'They might be impossible for them to win now, but what about the future? With our help, things might turn around. Aren't you always saying stuff like, things are deemed impossible until it's done?'