Next came the matter of commercial results.
In just one month, Akuto's trade caravans had already begun to swallow the Imperial Capital's market. Combined with his new policies as the Imperial Minister of Internal Affairs, in only a month Akuto managed to secure tax revenues equivalent to nearly half of the previous year.
That amount of revenue was enough to grant him an audience with the Little Emperor.
Finally, there was the situation with General Budo.
That side produced the worst results, because although General Budo agreed to meet Akuto in person, he did not agree to arrange an audience with the Little Emperor.
Even when Akuto asked about presenting a "gift," the general merely said he would "try to apply for a suitable reward."
So rigid, so unyielding.
To deal with such a man, Akuto would have to resort to extreme measures!
"Budo, I already gifted you a Night Raid member. If you accept the gift yet do nothing, don't blame me for collecting the debt myself."
After preparing, a month later at the mansion of the Imperial Minister of Internal Affairs—
At the gates, Scheele earnestly promised Akuto:
"Akuto-kun, I'll make sure to pass on every word you asked me to the boss and the others!"
"Scheele, the message itself isn't the most important part. Just make sure you deliver the items I gave you."
"If Night Raid suspects you of betrayal and tries to hurt or imprison you, remember to use the pawn link to contact me immediately," Akuto instructed.
Normally, such reminders would be unnecessary—his pawns could always reach him. But Scheele was a bit… absentminded. Akuto truly feared she might forget.
"Yes, yes, Akuto-kun, you really do worry too much~" Scheele promised again and again before boarding the carriage and leaving the city.
Night Raid's former base.
By the time Scheele arrived, the place was nothing but ruins. Clearly, after her and Bulat's capture, Night Raid had abandoned their original headquarters.
"Akuto-kun said at this time I should… take out the map!"
"According to Akuto's explanation, the boss and the others should be around this coordinate…"
Though Scheele was a bit of a klutz with directions, she had something far more reliable—one of Akuto's inventions.
This special map, one of many high-tech products he had developed, included a guiding arrow that directly pointed the way to the set coordinates. In short, it made navigation completely foolproof.
"Here~"
With her now-greatly enhanced physique, Scheele reached the destination quickly.
A rustling came from the grass, and a green-haired youth appeared.
"Rabac, you came to meet me?" Scheele asked with a smile.
"Scheele… is it really you?"
Rabac raised his Teigu gloves silently. When Scheele entered his detection field, his silk threads already confirmed her identity.
"Scheele, did you escape on your own—or did Akuto release you?"
While asking, Rabac secretly laid down more threads around the area.
"Of course Akuto-kun let me go~!" Scheele replied directly.
"He asked me to bring everyone some words and a few items."
Rabac fell silent. He hadn't expected Scheele to be so straightforward.
By her words… had she already defected?
The next second, Najenda's voice came through Rabac's threads.
[Rabac, bring her back.]
[If Scheele found us here, it means Akuto already knows our location.]
[The fact he hasn't attacked us proves his sincerity.]
"Boss?! You're back?" Rabac's face lit up.
After their heavy losses last time, Najenda had returned to Revolutionary Army headquarters to request reinforcements.
Now that she was back, Rabac finally felt steadier.
[Yes, I just returned. You've all worked hard in my absence.]
[Bring Scheele over. I have questions for her.]
Half an hour later.
At Night Raid's new base, everyone gathered together.
"Scheele, you… you weren't abused, were you?"
Mine was the first to ask in concern.
"Nope. Do I look like I've been tortured?" Scheele spun in a circle, showing herself unharmed.
As she twirled, however, something caught Mine's eye.
"Scheele, under your qipao… those are… stockings?"
Normally Scheele wore only her qipao, but now her pale thighs were wrapped in a pair of luxurious-looking stockings.
"Oh, these? They're a gift from Akuto-kun~" Scheele answered cheerfully.
Ever since that time, she had grown fond of the sensation—her whole body comfortably wrapped in the breathable, silky material. She wore that purple bodysuit every day now. It was snug, comfortable, ventilated, and even aided her in battle.
"Akuto gave you that…? So he did make a move on you!" Mine's eyes widened, nearly shouting.
"Yes, he did." Scheele answered plainly.
"At the time, Akuto-kun was being intimate with Akame's former comrades. When he saw me wake up, he immediately came to me too. He's very strong—he gave me a sense of forbidden comfort and satisfaction.
"Oh right! Akuto-kun said he likes me, and from now on…"
Her words plunged the room into silence.
Anyone else captured would be one thing.
But Scheele… saying this? It sounded as if she'd been thoroughly won over.
Among them, Akame's eye twitched the hardest. She hadn't expected Akuto to truly gather all of her former comrades into his household.
Najenda rapped the table, drawing their attention.
"Scheele, what exactly did Akuto send you here for?"
"Mm… let me think." Scheele paused, then brightened.
"Oh yes! Akuto-kun asked me to deliver one good news and one bad news."
"What's the bad news? And the good?" Najenda frowned.
"The bad news is… Bulat has been taken by General Budo. If you want to rescue him, you'll have to storm his Imperial Guard camp head-on."
Najenda's eyes narrowed. "Bulat is with General Budo… That is indeed bad news. And the good?"
"The good news is that Akuto-kun said he's willing to help Night Raid. So he gave me this."
Scheele presented a crimson chess piece.
"Scheele, this is…?" Akame felt the strange energy emanating from it.
"Akuto-kun said it's a special pawn that can awaken latent potential. With it, a person can gain much greater strength. More than that—if someone dies, as long as not much time has passed, the pawn can even bring them back."
The group froze.
Such a miraculous item… Why would Akuto give it to them?
"Hmph! Who would use his thing? What if it's poison?" Rabac was first to voice suspicion.
"I guarantee it isn't. Because I have one inside me already," Scheele declared.
The next second, two black, gem-like demon wings sprouted from her back.
"This is… danger beast power? The pawn contains that?" Akame muttered.
"Scheele, you said it can both resurrect the dead and empower the living?"
"Yes, that's right." She nodded.
"Then let's test it. Spar with me."
Akame stood, lifting her blade.
Ten minutes later.
On an open field behind Night Raid's base—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Akame and Scheele crossed wooden swords in a fierce exchange!
Though Scheele's technique was inferior, she always managed to react at the last instant and counterattack—proof her stats now far surpassed Akame's.
Originally, Scheele's close combat skills were far below Akame's. But with the pawn's power, she was able to suppress even a top-class Teigu user.
And… it seemed she was even holding back a little.
Najenda's gaze fell to the crimson pawn on the table, her expression grave.
How many of these did Akuto possess?
Rabac, noticing her look, quickly stepped forward.
"Boss, we should abandon it. What if Akuto can track us through the pawn?"
[That worry is unnecessary. Even without the pawn, I can find you.]
A projection suddenly flickered from the chess piece.
"Akuto?!"
[Yes. Ever since your last raid, I used Water Demon Burst to scatter droplets that marked all of you. That's how Scheele located you.]
Najenda frowned. "So we've been under your surveillance all along?"
[Correct. And besides… I do like Scheele. I didn't want her to be forever cut off from her companions.]
"Like Scheele? If it had been someone else you captured, you'd say you liked her too, wouldn't you?" Najenda challenged.
[Heh… you're right. What can I say? I just like beautiful girls.] Akuto smiled.
Najenda pursed her lips. She had to admit—she had misjudged him.
She once thought he was just a genius reformer. But in truth… he was also a shameless womanizer.
(End of Chapter)
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