Chapter 160: A Tiger Won't Eat Its Cubs, but Humans Can
"This person is incredibly strong..."
On the rooftop crouched a young boy and girl, concealed in the shadows as they carefully observed the situation below.
The girl had long, smooth black hair and carried a crimson-sheathed sword at her waist. Her wine-red eyes were fixed intently on the figure below directing companions to remove corpses.
This girl was none other than Akame!
Beside her lay a boy with an innocent face, his eyes still reflecting a naive foolishness.
Had Ieyasu and Sayo been present, they would have immediately recognized him—this boy was their companion, Tatsumi!
Through a twist of fate, the wandering Tatsumi had been found by Najenda and brought to Night Raid. After some bewildering persuasion, he had somewhat confusedly become a member of the organization.
Originally, their mission had been to gather intelligence—recently, they had received numerous assassination requests, nearly all targeting the Wild Hunt. Thus, the three of them—Akame, Tatsumi, and Leone—had been dispatched to scout the area. Unexpectedly, Akame and Tatsumi had witnessed Mahiro hunting down members of the Wild Hunt.
His formidable skills left Tatsumi in awe.
"Hey, Akame, I never knew there was someone this powerful in the Imperial City?!"
"Yes, that is Lord Yotsuba Mahiro, chief of the Imperial City's secret guard unit and one of the few righteous officials within the empire," Akame nodded in response.
Though her tone remained flat, a trace of pride was unmistakable.
"A righteous official?"
Having witnessed the darkness of the Imperial City firsthand, this was Tatsumi's first time hearing that such officials existed there!
Excited by the revelation, he exclaimed to Akame, "If he's a good official, why don't we try to recruit him? Have him join Night Raid or the Revolutionary Army! We're the forces of justice, right?!"
Tatsumi spoke with idealistic enthusiasm, completely missing the flicker of disgust that crossed Akame's eyes at the mention of the Revolutionary Army.
Akame now understood all too well how despicable the Revolutionary Army truly was.
Just as Lord Yotsuba had said, they colluded with foreign tribes to carve up the empire's territory.
And she had seen with her own eyes the atrocities those foreign tribes had committed against the empire's citizens.
To suggest that Lord Yotsuba join the Revolutionary Army?
That would be the greatest insult to him!
Preferring not to dwell on the topic with Tatsumi, she simply said, "Let's go, Tatsumi. We should check on Leone's situation."
With that, Akame rose decisively and vanished from the rooftop in an instant.
"Ah, wait for me..."
However, when the two finally located Leone, her appearance had drastically changed.
Her originally short hair had grown long and voluminous, cascading like a cloak down her back, while a pair of furry ears twitched slightly atop her head.
Her hands and feet had transformed into sharp lion-like claws, and a tail now extended from her lower back.
This was the power of her Teigu—turning her into a kemonomimi... no, transforming her into a half-beast form, significantly enhancing her physical abilities and senses.
At the moment, she was crouched in a dimly lit alley, fiddling with several colorful orbs.
"Leone, how's it going on your end?"
"Oh, Akame, and Tatsumi too!"
Spotting them, Leone waved cheerfully, her tail swaying behind her as she patted her ample chest and said, "All done! Look, this is the spoils of war!"
"What's this? Some kind of clown juggling balls?"
"Idiot, this is a Teigu, a Teigu."
Facing Tatsumi's foolish question, Leone casually waved her hand in explanation.
"A T-Teigu?! This is a Teigu too?!"
Tatsumi was shocked.
In his mind, Teigu should all be things that looked incredibly cool, like Akame's Murasame or Leone's transformation Teigu.
He'd heard there was an even more impressive armor Teigu, but unfortunately, it had disappeared along with its owner.
What use could these shabby balls possibly have?
However, Tatsumi's exclamation traveled deeper into the alley, prompting a clear inquiry from within.
"Leone, who are you talking to?"
Oh no!
Leone's heart sank. She'd carelessly forgotten there were others here!
Tatsumi wasn't a problem—he could be brushed off with any excuse—but Akame was different. She...
"Akame?"
From the depths of the alley emerged a beautiful girl in a pink dress, carrying a large silver case on her back, her tied side ponytail swaying gently.
The girl seemed surprised to see Akame, and Akame felt the same.
"Mine?"
"Hmm, I'm surprised you remember me. How have you been lately?"
"Hi..."
The encounter between Mine and Akame was unexpected, but their behavior was even more so.
They chatted familiarly, as if catching up on daily life.
It didn't sound at all like a conversation between a wanted criminal and the personal maid of the high official who issued the warrant.
"Hey, who's that girl?"
"Oh~? What's this? Has Tatsumi taken a liking to her? But big sister advises you to give up—that girl's heart already belongs to someone. If you set your sights on her, you might end up dead~"
Leone half-jokingly warned, while Tatsumi blushed and stammered incoherently.
Whatever he said, Leone didn't really hear, as she was completely focused on the interaction between Akame and Mine.
She knew the two were old acquaintances.
Even before becoming a guard for the Yotsuba family, she had known Mine and often chatted with her.
But now things were different—Akame was a wanted criminal who had betrayed Mahiro!
Yet Mine didn't seem concerned at all. Could it be that Mine didn't know?
That was impossible. As the person closest to Mahiro, how could Mine not know?
That left only one reason...
Leone grew increasingly convinced of her speculation.
"Speaking of which, Mine, what are you doing here?"
"Well... it's nothing really. I just came out shopping, but then I ran into this disgusting guy..."
Mine softly recounted her experience.
She had gone out shopping as usual, but unlike usual, she was alone today.
No sooner had she arrived in the lower district than she encountered a disgusting man following her. Dressed like a clown, he juggled strange balls while spouting nonsense about marriage.
How could she possibly agree to that!
As she turned to leave, the man tried to pursue her. Just then, Leone suddenly appeared, punching the clown into an alley where they became entangled in a fight.
Mine naturally couldn't just stand by and watch. She immediately took out the Teigu gifted to her by Mahiro and unleashed its full firepower, obliterating the clown.
Fortunately, she had obediently followed Mahiro's advice to always carry Pumpkin when going out—she had no desire to engage in close combat with such a disgusting individual using a knife.
"So... so impressive..."
Tatsumi couldn't help but exclaim in amazement after hearing the story.
"Hmph, of course! I'm a genius... Wait, what are you staring at?!"
Mine had just placed her hands on her hips to boast when she noticed the boy across from her examining her with a surprised expression. That look irritated her, and she glared back coldly.
Tatsumi immediately averted his gaze, and Leone stepped in to mediate.
"Ahaha, Mine, look how late it's getting. Shouldn't you be heading back? Your family will worry otherwise."
"Ahem, it is indeed getting late."
Mine glanced at the sky before telling Leone: "You should head back early too! Don't forget you have gate duty! If I catch you asking Sheele to cover for you again, I'll deduct your pay!"
"Yes, yes, yes."
With Leone's humble compliance, Mine left carrying her Teigu.
Only after her figure completely disappeared did Leone and Tatsumi slowly let out sighs of relief.
"Who exactly is she... She looks so small but is so fierce."
Rather than fierce, it was more like she carried an air of dignity—completely different from the dignity of a certain small bat.
"That's why big sister told you to drop those thoughts. That girl was personally trained by the head of our secret security forces as his personal maid. Did you think she'd be like ordinary girls?"
"Alright, alright, everything's settled now. Let's head back."
Leone picked up the Teigu left behind by Champ and left with Akame and Tatsumi.
However, throughout the journey, Tatsumi remained puzzled.
Just who is this Yotsuba Mahiro? He seems... incredibly impressive!
...
The person Tatsumi considered incredibly impressive was currently squatting in the courtyard roasting meat.
The meat sizzled and dripped with oil over the flames. Though the aroma was tantalizingly delicious, Nahashu's face had turned grim.
Tsukushi and Gin had already vomited with a retching sound.
Only the fools Poney and Kurome sniffed the air while praising: "It smells so good~~"
Kurome couldn't even hold back her drool, her dark pupils filled with the desire to "eat it."
"You can't eat this. It's not for you."
Kurome: "..."
"...Lord Yotsuba, how stingy."
"L-Lord Yotsuba, you... you're being too cruel." Cornelia stammered, her lips still trembling slightly.
Though she didn't think Mahiro was wrong to do this in principle... physically, it still felt too brutal.
"Cruel? I think it's far less than what they've done over the past few days."
Mahiro smiled indifferently.
Kurome also nodded frantically with dead-fish eyes, expressing agreement.
These people had committed countless atrocities in the Imperial City—rape, plunder, every evil imaginable. Making them into barbecue was nothing. If their corpses were thrown in the central square, he feared the common people would tear them apart with their bare hands.
Drinking their blood and eating their flesh would be the mildest punishment!
Meanwhile, Honest, completely unaware of all this, was currently in the court accompanying the Little Emperor to welcome Esdeath, who had returned from suppressing the northern tribes.
"Well done, General Esdeath. You've helped me successfully suppress the northern tribes and eliminated a major threat to the Empire!"
"Your Majesty flatters me. I merely did what I should."
Esdeath knelt on one knee below, her ice-blue hair spreading out like a carpet.
"Don't be modest, General Esdeath! You are the Empire's pride, so I shall reward you with ten thousand gold as your triumphal prize!"
"Thank you for Your Majesty's reward. I will distribute Your Majesty's grace among the soldiers guarding the northern front. They will be very happy."
Prime Minister Honest above was quite satisfied with Esdeath's response.
This was why he had allied with Esdeath.
This woman was different from others—completely uninterested in power and wealth. The only thing that could interest her was war.
Endless war!
Galloping across battlefields and crushing enemies was her everything.
As long as he could completely control this country, Esdeath could naturally act as she pleased!
Ignite the flames of war to burn throughout the entire world!
Most importantly, this woman was also Mahiro's enemy, harboring hostility toward him—
He could precisely exploit her resentment at being repeatedly defeated by Mahiro.
Their interests aligned perfectly.
"Then General Esdeath, you've already heard the reason for recalling you to the Imperial City?"
"Yes. Since I have returned, please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will completely annihilate the 'Night Raid' that disturbs Your Majesty's peace."
"Then I'll trouble you. But besides gold, I wonder if General Esdeath desires any other reward?"
"Well, if I must say... I want to fall in love."
"Ah?"
Not only the Little Emperor, but even Honest was stunned, nearly dropping the sushi in his hand, barely managing to put it in his mouth in time.
"That's right, love. Through all these years of campaigning, I've found this is the only experience I haven't had. If possible, I hope Your Majesty will grant me Mahiro to be my romantic partner."
"!!!"
At these words, the Little Emperor's body trembled slightly, an unnatural expression appearing on her face.
General Esdeath... actually likes Big Brother Yotsuba?!
Honest beside her, however, breathed a sigh of relief.
He thought Esdeath had changed her temperament, but from these words and the smile appearing on her face, it was clear.
This was nothing more than Esdeath's roundabout tactic—her obsession with Mahiro had long surpassed everything else, and she would use any means possible.
"Al-although the general is at a lovely age and remains unmarried to this day, b-but... love is a matter between two people, right? General Esdeath."
The Little Emperor's eyes drifted uncertainly, as if racking her brains for a reason to refuse.
"Moreover, Minister Yotsuba isn't here right now, so even I can't make decisions on his behalf... How about this, General Esdeath—why not choose someone else? What about the minister here? I'm sure he'd be very willing."
"Y-Your Majesty, this absolutely must not happen!"
Honest, suddenly dragged into the fire, panicked instantly.
He wasn't like that fool Syura, who only knew how to toy with women—he understood all too well how troublesome a woman like Esdeath could be.
"Hehe, Your Majesty must be joking. The minister has high blood pressure, is overly obese, and doesn't have much time left."
Esdeath smiled faintly. "Since Your Majesty is unwilling, then forget it. However, I hope Your Majesty can post a notice for me. As for the content, I will present it to you in writing later."
"That woman Esdeath is truly rude—my health is still perfectly fine."
"But do the requirements she proposed actually exist?"
Honest looked at the document he had received from the Little Emperor, which listed Esdeath's romantic requirements:
"First, above all else, value future potential. I hope the other party has the talent of a military leader."
"Second, have courage. Someone who can hunt Danger Beasts bare-handed with me."
"Third, like me, someone who grew up not in the Imperial City but in the border regions."
"Fourth, younger than me, as they'll be easier for me to dominate."
"Fifth, preferably someone with a pure smile."
Honest first thought of Mahiro, but upon careful comparison, only the third and fourth criteria matched—the others had nothing to do with him at all.
Just then, however, Honest noticed that the dining table before him was laden with exquisite dishes, with several boxes placed beside them.
Opening them, he found them filled with gleaming gold!
"Who sent these?"
"I-It was someone named Nahashu. He said Lord Yotsuba specially prepared this for you," the maid explained tremulously.
"Oh? Is this a sign of weakness? I didn't expect Syura to be so capable—truly worthy of being my son!"
Honest grinned, his mood instantly lifting as he gazed at the exquisite meats on the table. The aroma, in particular, was mouthwatering.
"That brat is still a brat—does he think I'll let him off with a gesture like this? It's too late now!"
Honest sat at the table, grabbed a piece of roasted meat, and tore into it.
"Mmm~ the flavor is excellent, and the meat is quite chewy. Since this roasted meat is so delicious, I've decided to leave him with an intact corpse. Hahaha."
Honest chewed with evident enjoyment.
He then picked up other dishes, sampling everything from sashimi to stewed meat, then to noodle soup with meat broth.
As for poison?
He was from the Imperial Fist Temple, possessing not only extraordinary physical prowess but also complete immunity to common toxins!
Thus, nearly all the dishes on the table ended up in his stomach—his gastric pouch was as terrifying as a black hole.
Yet this was the finest meal he had ever eaten in his life: the meat was tender where it should be, chewy where it ought to be, and some pieces melted in his mouth, overwhelmingly delicious.
Moreover, the fat distribution was perfect—neither greasy nor heavy, with an exceptional flavor.
He just didn't know what kind of meat it was made from. Could it be from some kind of Danger Beast?
As he pondered this and finished the last of the dishes, he noticed a letter placed beneath one of the plates.
Without a second thought, Honest tore it open, not even bothering to wipe his greasy hands.
He knew without a doubt that this must be a letter of surrender from the other party.
But as he read the contents, Honest's expression gradually darkened, turning ashen with rage!
[To Prime Minister Honest]
[By the time you read this letter, you must have finished this entire table of dishes, right?]
[How did they taste? I personally prepared and cooked them for you with great care.]
[However, you must be quite curious about the ingredients used, aren't you?]
[Actually, there's no harm in telling you. Not long ago, your dear son Syura happened to cross paths with me on the street. As the head of the security force, I naturally couldn't let such a violator of the empire's laws go unpunished.]
[So I executed him and his accomplices on the spot.]
[But then it occurred to me that letting the common folk divide and consume the corpses would be a terrible waste.]
[So I specially prepared your foolish son Syura's remains into these dishes and sent them to you.]
[I hope you enjoyed the meal?]
[Oh, and by the way, the remaining boxes of gold were made from the thugs under Syura's command. If you don't believe me, you can open the boxes and piece the gold together—there's a surprise waiting for you.]
[Left by Yotsuba Mahiro, Head of the Imperial City Secret Security Force.]
"Sy-Syura… is actually dead?!" Honest's face darkened like stormy waters, his eyes nearly bursting with rage as he shredded the paper in his hands. "My dear son Syura is dead!!!"
"Damn you, Yotsuba Mahiro!!! Not only did you kill my son, but you also turned him into a meal and served him to me!!! Unforgivable, utterly unforgivable!!!"
"Ah!!! Syura!!!! How could you leave before me, abandoning me alone!!!"
Honest wept with such heart-wrenching sorrow that it would move anyone to tears, his eyes bulging in fury and bloodshot with rage.
"Ah, well. Since he's dead, there's nothing to be done."
Honest returned to normal in the next second, as if everything that had just happened was merely an act.
Not that it was entirely an act—he had been genuinely sad.
After all, it was just the death of a son. He could always find another excellent mother to bear him a new one.
And at the very least, Syura had done one valuable thing after his death.
He had allowed his old father to savor the ultimate delicacy of this world.
"No waste, no waste. If such delicious food is wasted, it will bring retribution."
Thinking this, Honest sat back down at the dining table, picked up the remaining food, and began eating again.
He looked as if he wanted to chew and swallow even the bones.
The maids were so frightened that they huddled together, trembling.