Chapter 136: A Beast in Human Clothing; The Trial Begins

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“Regardless of whether Esdeath has another purpose in holding this tournament, the experts who have made it into the top ten are all capable of threatening some members of Night Raid. We must therefore find out exactly what Esdeath is planning—and whether anyone else has ulterior motives that might pose a danger to us. Gathering intelligence is one of Night Raid’s duties as well.”

“What a bother.”

“I’m sorry. Little Qi only entered that tournament because of me, didn’t he?” Sheele came over and sat down beside Qi, looking apologetic.

Qi’s body shuddered. He cleared his throat and rose to his feet. “Well, I’m actually quite good at gathering intelligence. I am the all-purpose Qi, after all.” As he spoke, he stretched his limbs and headed toward the edge of the danger beast.

“Don’t be in such a hurry. We still have time.” Najenda stopped Qi from making his escape.

“I get the feeling Qi is avoiding Miss Sheele’s advances. Is there some story behind this?” Chelsea asked Akame.

Akame shook her head in confusion.

Leone, however, flashed a wicked smile. “Little Qi did something shameful to Sheele and now wants to deny responsibility. Sheele has sworn never to marry anyone but him.”

“Wow, I never would have guessed. So he’s actually a beast in human form.” Chelsea widened her eyes and began gossiping excitedly.

Qi was covered in black lines, but he could not be bothered with their gossip.

“Before we reach the new base, let’s all introduce ourselves. From now on, we’re comrades, so we should get along well.” Najenda smiled as she took out a cigarette, lit it, inhaled deeply, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

……

“Leone said that you can also help people change their appearance, right?” Chelsea asked after the introductions were over.

“That’s true. What is it? Are you dissatisfied with your appearance and want me to give you a makeover?” Qi teased with a smile.

“I don’t need one. When it comes to transformations, I’m an expert. Mine’s chest is much too small, though. Little Qi, perhaps you could help her out. What do you say, flat-chested Mine?” Chelsea gave Mine a wicked grin.

“Damn you! Yours isn’t any bigger than mine. Besides, I’m still growing. You’ll only be able to wait until you grow old and sag.” Mine glared furiously at her, abandoning all restraint.

Chelsea took out something resembling a makeup case. With a wave of her hand, pink powder enveloped her body. In the blink of an eye, the pink haze dispersed, revealing the girl within.

“This is… There are two Mines! Mine, do you have a twin?” Leone asked in astonishment.

“That’s obviously Chelsea in disguise! I don’t have a twin who looks like this.” Mine pointed at the other girl, who was holding an identical Pumpkin, and shouted angrily.

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“I’m Flat-Chested Mine. I’m still just a young, unripe apple. Little Qi, you must cherish and protect me.” The second Mine struck coquettish poses, utterly ruining Mine’s image.

“Hahahahaha!”

“That’s amazing!”

“Do it again!”

“Don’t drag me into this!”

Amid the laughter, Mine finally exploded. “I’ll kill you!”

……

“How incredible. He’s just as good as Little Qi at building houses and cooking.” Leone gazed at the house that had been erected in next to no time.

“No. Qi is still slightly superior in terms of speed and craftsmanship. He works a little faster, and the building is exactly the same as the previous one. It’s practically as though he moved our first base here in its entirety. That makes us feel much more at ease.” Najenda analyzed the situation carefully.

Standing nearby, Qi rolled his eyes. “Do you really feel no shame watching Susanoo do all the work by himself while you stand around criticizing him?”

“His cooking isn’t as good as Little Qi’s, either.” Akame spat out the bone of some unknown danger beast and gave a thumbs-up.

“Even my all-purpose household skills, the thing I’m most confident in, aren’t a match for Mr. Qi’s?” Susanoo looked somewhat dejected.

“You all have fun. I’m going to the Imperial Capital.”

“Why don’t you alter our appearances as well? We can go and take a look. It’s been a long time since any of us visited the Imperial Capital.” Najenda suddenly spoke up.

“What about the base?” Qi asked, shrugging.

“Leave it to Susanoo. I’m sure that by the time the tournament is over, he’ll have finished everything here.”

“Oh, leave it to me. Even without a hot spring, I can dig one myself.”

…

“Do you really think it’s all right for us to split up like this?” Qi asked as he walked beside Akame.

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“Since everyone has changed their appearance and the larger Imperial Arms have been concealed, we won’t be discovered. Gathering together would actually attract more attention.” Akame was enjoying the street food of the Imperial Capital openly for once.

Even the commoners of this decadent Imperial Capital had to make a living somehow, and in order to survive, competition was naturally fierce. Food vendors needed something distinctive to attract customers willing to pay.

Akame was therefore happier than anyone. Her mouth never stopped moving, her cheeks puffing in and out like a little hamster.

“That makes sense. I’m heading to the tournament grounds now. Where are you going?”

“With you. I’ll watch from the audience stands. Everyone else will be there too, but we’ll remain separated.”

……

“Today is the day of the tournament held by General Esdeath—the day the champion will be decided. After yesterday’s fierce battles, the ten finalists have all arrived. Let us see what spectacular battles they will produce today. I will be your referee for this match. I’m Run.”

Today’s referee and host was no longer Wave, but the handsome blond man, Run. He stood on the platform and announced the beginning of the day’s matches.

Esdeath had already taken her place on an elevated platform to one side, eagerly awaiting the battles to come.

“The rules are simple. A match ends when one side surrenders, falls from the stage, or loses consciousness. Once the match has ended, no further attacks may be made against the participants. Now, let us welcome the first pair of contestants. From the west, the blacksmith Tatsumi; from the east, the alchemist Dorothea. The two of you, please come onto the stage and begin your match.”

“Captain, that person appears to be a member of Night Raid. Should we deliver justice?” Seryu abruptly rose to her feet, a strange, frenzied expression twisting across her face.

“There’s no need. Although it is somewhat unexpected, General Budo sent me a message yesterday saying that this man was a spy he had planted within Night Raid. His identity was exposed, so he fled and has now returned.” Esdeath spoke calmly.

“I see. So he’s an undercover agent for justice? But Captain, have you seen Dr. Stylish? He seemed to have disappeared last night.” Seryu immediately returned to normal and asked in confusion.

“I didn’t order him to do anything. He probably has some research of his own to conduct. Have Run look into it later. For now, the match is more important.”

High atop a nearby building, a muscular man wore a sinister smile.

“Hmph. Dorothea is an extraordinary expert I encountered in the Western Kingdom. Dealing with some nameless little rat will be effortless.”

“Take your positions. The battle begins now!” Run shouted before stepping off the stage.