"Hah... hah... Najenda, I didn't realize your progress was so significant. You've worn me out!"
Sora panted, restraining Najenda's body to keep her from moving.
It had to be said, ever since fusing with Susanoo (The Speed of Lightning), Najenda had been training desperately for over two years to challenge that super-sadistic queen, Esdeath. Her combat power was now quite formidable!
If it came to a life-or-death fight, Sora could still easily defeat Najenda. But she was his woman, wasn't she? Though her pride was strong and she was usually a bit disobedient, she could be "reformed" with a bit of "discipline." Sora couldn't bear to truly hurt her.
"Hmph!"
Turning her head to the side, a blush crept onto her spirited face. Najenda didn't reply, but a hint of smugness flickered in her silver eyes.
"Heh heh... Still acting proud, are we? Najenda, you don't actually think I'll forgive you just like that, do you? You think that's possible?"
Looking at Najenda, Sora was both amused and exasperated. His expression suddenly turned fierce as he said:
"Rest assured, later I'll make you wish you were dead but find no escape, and long for life but find no relief. No matter how much you beg, I won't let you off!"
Nibbling Najenda's earlobe, Sora wore a devilish grin.
Her body trembled involuntarily. Najenda knew she was definitely in for a rough time tonight, but her strong pride wouldn't allow her to utter any words of submission.
Hmph, worst case, it'll just be like being bitten by a dog. It's not the first or second time this bastard has messed with me like this. It's not like he can actually kill me over it, can he?!
Bah, even as she tried to console herself, Najenda still felt a little apprehensive... (sweatdrop).
Sora saw all of Najenda's expressions but didn't point anything out, merely letting the corners of his mouth curve into a slight smile.
"Come out!"
His ears twitched as if he'd sensed something. Sora let out a shout, and with a wave of his hand, a golden figure shot towards them.
"Ah... gently, gently... It's breaking! It's going to break!"
It was the voice of the cat-girl, Leone. Her body was suspended in mid-air, struggling constantly as she yelled and shrieked.
Ahem, well, it couldn't be helped. After all, her tail was currently being held by a certain nefarious fellow...
"Hehehe, Leone, were you afraid your creditors would spot you earlier, so you didn't dare come out?"
"And, was it fun using my name to cause trouble, hmm?"
Holding Leone by her tail, Sora brought her in front of him and asked with a wicked grin.
"Ha... haha... Not at all, not at all..."
Leone denied, laughing nervously with a guilty look on her face.
"Well, I don't care whether you did or not. Just like Najenda, I'll 'take good care' of you later!"
He said fiercely. Without waiting for a rebuttal, Sora, holding Najenda in his left arm and Leone by her tail in his right, walked towards Sayo and the other girls nearby.
Earlier, when Sora and Najenda were fighting, Chelseaa and Sheele had also tagged along, just going through the motions. However, those two had merely been fooling around, not using any real strength. After Akame and her sister left with Ieyasu and Tatsumi, the two girls immediately stopped. Seeing them now chatting happily with Sayo, it was clear they already knew each other.
"Master, our house has been completely destroyed," Aria said weakly, glancing somewhat resentfully at Sora and Najenda.
"If it's destroyed, it's destroyed. From now on, everyone will live at the General's Mansion. But for tonight, we'll stay here temporarily. Go and call Cornelia and Amuria over," Sora said nonchalantly, looking at the manor, which had been completely wrecked by his fight with Najenda.
Carrying Leone and Najenda, Sora headed towards his room. Sayo and the other girls following behind naturally knew what was about to happen, and they obediently tagged along, their faces blushing...
…
After Akame and her sister left with Ieyasu and Tatsumi, they naturally couldn't take them to the General's Mansion headquarters. Instead, they took them to a temporary hideout.
Tatsumi's injuries looked quite alarming, but Sora had controlled his strength, so it wasn't actually too serious. Akame fetched some medicine and tools, handing them to Ieyasu to treat Tatsumi. Tatsumi soon regained consciousness.
Both Tatsumi and Ieyasu were still utterly confused about many things and bombarded Akame with countless questions. Fortunately, they were asking the gentle Akame. If it had been her sister, Kurome, that bloodthirsty witch would have likely sliced those two annoying pests to pieces by now!
Following Sora's instructions, Akame naturally couldn't reveal their true identities. She only told them they were members of Night Raid, the Revolutionary Army's assassination unit, and that they had saved them this time simply because they shared a common enemy.
However, Akame didn't hide other things from them, such as Sora being the Empire's Grand General and its strongest fighter, or details about the Teigu they used. After some explanation, these two rather dim-witted youths finally began to understand a fair bit.
However, perhaps it would have been better if they had remained ignorant as before. Now that they understood, the two realized just how powerful and terrifying their enemy was! Sayo was controlled by such a fearsome individual; did they truly stand a chance of rescuing their companion...?
Seeing their dejected and downcast expressions, Akame, not knowing them well, didn't have the inclination to offer any comfort. As for Kurome, there was even less chance of that. After giving them a few instructions, the two sisters went home to rest.
The next day, at noon.
"Hehehe, Najenda, why are you only just getting back now?" Kurome, who was sitting at the table, asked with a knowing smile, seeing Najenda walk in from outside, looking exhausted and with a slightly unnatural posture.
"Najenda, are you alright? Where's Sheele?" Akame also came forward, genuinely concerned for Najenda. The clever Akame naturally knew that after they had left last night, Najenda must have been kept behind by that villainous master and thoroughly tormented to end up like this!
"Ahem... I'm fine, just a few minor injuries. Sheele went home on her own; she didn't come with me." Najenda shot a fierce glare at Kurome, who was deliberately teasing her. A faint blush crept onto her resolute face, and she cleared her throat twice as she looked at Tatsumi and Ieyasu approaching, supporting each other.
"Leader Najenda, thank you so much for what you did last night. My name is Ieyasu, and this is my companion, Tatsumi," Ieyasu said, bowing sincerely to Najenda as he introduced himself and his companion.
Because Tatsumi had injured his chest, he still had some difficulty speaking, so he merely nodded to Najenda while Ieyasu supported him. However, the gratitude in his expression was entirely genuine.
In Ieyasu and Tatsumi's eyes, if Najenda and the others hadn't saved them last night, they would have undoubtedly died there!
"Mm, hello. I'm Najenda." Deceiving such innocent youths alongside that bastard Sora, Najenda felt she had truly sunk low. She felt a pang of guilt accepting their gratitude. Composing herself, she continued, "I believe Akame and the others have already told you everything. You don't need me to tell you how powerful the enemy is. In your current state, it's utterly impossible for you to rescue your companion from that demon."
As if remembering something, Najenda particularly emphasized the word "demon," her tone laced with a peculiar anger.
Although Najenda's words were blunt and left the two feeling somewhat uneasy, Ieyasu and Tatsumi knew it was the truth and couldn't refute it.
"You've witnessed the darkness of this Empire, and we, the Revolutionary Army, aim to overthrow the rule of this corrupt regime! If you truly want to save your companion, join us. You both have good potential. I happen to be returning to headquarters soon and can introduce you to a master who can guide your training."
"Once you've grown stronger, you can join us in overthrowing the Empire's rule and defeating General Sora. Then, you'll be able to rescue your companion!"
Remembering how, just last night, their companion Sayo had been right beside her, moaning ecstatically at the hands of that bastard, yet here she was, spouting such righteous words to deceive them, Najenda felt deeply ashamed. However, to carry out that bastard's orders, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and proceed.
However, despite Najenda's profound guilt, Ieyasu and Tatsumi, who had been despairing, found their expressions lighting up upon hearing her words, and they immediately grew excited.
Join the Revolutionary Army, become strong, overthrow the Empire, defeat Grand General Sora, and rescue Sayo! As if seeing a new glimmer of hope, the two exchanged a look and then nodded without hesitation.
"We'll join!" their voices were filled with excitement; even Tatsumi spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse.
"Alright, since you've made your decision. For now, focus on recovering. In three days, I'll take you to the Revolutionary Army headquarters." Najenda nodded, a satisfied expression on her face. She could naturally see that these two youths were promising prospects; their joining the Revolutionary Army might bring some unexpected and pleasant surprises in the future.
Throughout their conversation, Akame remained quietly to the side, not interjecting. Kurome, however, watching Ieyasu and Tatsumi's excited expressions, couldn't help but let out a disdainful sneer, muttering under her breath as she ate her cookies:
"Two idiots..."