Chapter 121: Tatsumi Escapes

"He wanted me to work for him, promising that he would improve my village and the entire Empire, so that people could live in peace and prosperity without oppression."

"What? That puppet emperor, controlled and misled by the Minister, would say such a thing? It must be a trick taught by the Minister to deceive you, to make you infiltrate Night Raid and feed them secret intelligence, right?" Mine sneered.

"No, that’s not it. The Emperor truly thinks this way. He said he desperately wants to break free from the Minister’s control, but since he lacks real authority and cannot openly confront him, he wanted me to join Night Raid to help eliminate the Minister sooner. Once that’s done, he would be able to seize power and issue orders for the Empire’s reform."

"The Emperor is so young; could his thoughts really be that calculated? Besides, how did he know you would definitely be able to join Night Raid? And even if he gains power, how can you be sure he will truly let people live in peace?" Leone raised her hand and asked.

"I don't know. Perhaps he has his own channels. But after joining Night Raid, I was drawn in by the warmth here. I am happy with everyone, especially Big Brother Bulat, who has taken such good care of me and trained me earnestly without holding anything back. I love Night Raid; why would I betray it? As for the Emperor, I am merely grateful that he spared me and opened up to me. I consider him a friend, but I have never shared any information about Night Raid with him."

"Making friends with the Emperor while declaring your love for an assassin group dedicated to fighting the Imperial Capital—you’re hedging your bets, aren't you? No matter which side falls, you’ll remain safe and invincible, right?" Lubbock patted Tatsumi on the shoulder as he spoke.

"Then, how do you explain the exposure of our hideout, the leakage of Xiao Qi’s weaknesses, and the cause of Bulat’s death?" Najenda asked calmly. She could not naturally believe everything Tatsumi said.

"I’m not entirely sure about that. Perhaps those intruders brought it out, and also—"

"Is this your defense? Setting aside whether we believe you or not, how did Esdeath find out about the secret of Xiao Qi’s weaknesses?" Lubbock asked in a low voice.

"Could it be that Xiao Qi is also..." Tatsumi turned his head in disbelief, looking around, and noticed that three people were missing: Big Brother Bulat, Xiao Qi, and… Sheele. "Could it be… even Sheele has…"

"Heh, you finally realized it? In just one night, we lost three comrades—no, it should be four." Mine had not been awake for long and had yet to recover from her grief. At this moment, she looked at Tatsumi with icy eyes.

"What? I truly didn't betray Night Raid. What do you want me to do to make you believe me?" Tatsumi said, his mood sinking.

"There is no definitive proof yet that you betrayed us, but your own words just now—about the Emperor sparing your life and asking you to be a spy—make it impossible for us to trust you anymore. Therefore, we must place you under house arrest until the truth comes out to prove your innocence, or until the Empire falls. This is a leniency granted only because you were once our comrade." Najenda stood up and delivered the final verdict on Tatsumi.

"Boss, I really haven't done anything to let everyone down! Why won't anyone believe me?" Tatsumi gritted his teeth and roared.

"The mere fact that you are so close to the Emperor makes it hard for us to trust you. When we raise our army to invade the Imperial City, will you help the Emperor or us?" Mine sneered.

"I… I… I will stay neutral," Tatsumi’s voice was barely audible.

"Confiscate Tatsumi’s Incursio and lock him up," Najenda sighed.

"I’ll do it," Akame stepped forward.

Tatsumi hung his head and followed Akame out. After leaving the crude hut, Akame walked slowly toward another small cabin nearby.

As they walked, Tatsumi’s body trembled, and a look of inner conflict flashed in his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he instantly broke free from the ropes binding him and lunged toward Akame, who was walking with her back to him.

Akame seemed completely unaware, continuing to walk forward at a steady pace.

Tatsumi reached out and snatched Incursio from Akame’s hand, whispering, "Thank you. I truly have never betrayed anyone."

Akame did not turn around, nor did she reply; she simply stood still, listening to the sound of Tatsumi moving further away.

"Boss, Tatsumi has escaped," Akame returned to the room where the others were gathered, her expression blank. "He took Incursio with him."

"…Sigh. Night Raid members, heed this: the next time you see Tatsumi, he… will be our enemy." Najenda exhaled a puff of smoke and said loudly.

"Understood."

"Next, tell me about how you were intercepted. Mine, you go first." Najenda sat back in her chair and looked at Mine.

"At that time…" With tear-filled eyes, Mine recounted the situation.

"The Jaegers? Ogre’s disciple actually has a Teigu user. And it’s a biological-type Teigu?" Lubbock muttered to himself.

"The most terrifying part is that member of the security force who modified himself like that; his hatred for Night Raid has reached a twisted level," Leone said, frowning.

"And what about your situation, Leone and Lubbock?" Najenda looked to the other side.

"We retreated as soon as we saw Xiao Qi’s flames. While passing through the forest on our way back, we heard a noise, and when we went to check, Esdeath was already blocking our path. Then, Akame appeared," Leone said, looking at Akame.

"Xiao Qi and I split up to search. When I found them, I discovered that Xiao Qi’s head had been severed… On the way back, Qi’s expression suddenly changed. He told me to watch over his body, and then he sat cross-legged on the ground. After a few moments, I saw a second Xiao Qi descend from the sky, holding the two halves of Sheele’s body. The Xiao Qi sitting on the ground then stood up, took Sheele, and turned the second Xiao Qi into a crystal orb."

Akame took out the crystal orb that Xiao Qi had given each of them before the mission.

"He said the situation was urgent and told me to return to the hideout to report to the Boss. That was when I met Leone and the others, who were in a standoff with Esdeath."

"Is this the crystal orb Xiao Qi said to crush in case of danger? I crushed mine back then, but nothing happened," Leone raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, Akame, you just said the second Xiao Qi turned into this crystal orb?" Najenda’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Yes, that’s right." Akame nodded and looked at Najenda with confusion.

"Where did Qi go with Sheele?" Mine asked anxiously.

"He carved a cave directly into the mountain and went inside with her," Akame said.

"Akame, do you remember the way? Would you take me to pay my respects to her?" Mine looked at Akame with anticipation.

Akame nodded.

Mine’s face brightened, and her grief eased significantly. But before she could speak further, Najenda suddenly burst into loud laughter.