The next day, Akame woke up.
"Big sister, you're finally awake." Kurome sat at the edge of the bed, her damp hair showing she had just taken a bath.
"Kurome." Then, as if remembering something, Akame quickly sat up and reached for her sword.
Suddenly, a delicious aroma filled the air, making both sisters sigh in unison, "It smells so good."
Gurgle~
"Sis, how about we eat first? We can talk after we finish," Kurome suggested.
"Alright." Akame nodded thoughtfully.
The table was filled with meat and snacks, all their favorite foods.
Akame hurried to sit down and said, "Let's eat," before quickly devouring the food in front of her.
After finishing a meal meant for ten, Akame let out a satisfied burp. She hadn't expected the food to be so good. It seemed her little sister had found a very good home.
Then she looked at Ren and burped again, "Why did you knock me out?"
"Hm, the Inspection Bureau doesn't ignore evil when it appears, right?" Ren replied, sounding a little unsure.
"Oh, where's my sword?" Akame said, obviously convinced.
"What the heck? Is there really such a thing as 'natural resistance to schemers'? Akame isn't natural at all," Ren muttered, speechless. He tried to tease her but was just talking to a wall.
"Sis, want to sit a bit longer? Ren made some snacks," Kurome whispered mischievously.
After a long moment of internal debate, Akame said, "Alright."
That's what it means to be sisters — they really had each other's hearts.
Ren fell into thought, realizing he desperately needed another self from the Gourmet World. That way, both sisters would be devoted to him forever.
...
Night Raid's Stronghold.
"What's going on? Where's Akame?" Najenda asked anxiously as she looked at Leone, who had just rushed back.
Leone was panting and quickly said, "Akame was captured by Ren."
"Ren? How could it be him? Are there people around him we've overlooked?" Najenda began to think deeply.
"It's him. He has very strong power," Leone continued to share the information.
"Calm down and speak slowly," Najenda said, patting Leone's shoulder.
"We finished the mission last night, then met Ren and Akame's sister, Kurome. Ren used his connection with Kurome to make Akame feel guilty and sneak attacked to knock her out."
"Is that so? You mean Ren was the one who made the move?"
"Yes," Leone nodded.
"That's impossible," Mine said in disbelief. "We had spies inside the Empire at that time and personally confirmed their strength. I also confirmed it—his actions looked like those of an ordinary person."
It's hard for someone strong to disguise as an ordinary person, because unconscious actions often reveal them. It's easy for peers to notice, and the person themselves might not even realize it.
"But it's true," Leone gave a bitter laugh. "Even I was defeated by him."
"You were defeated too?" Najenda was surprised. "You have the Teigu, King Of Beasts Transformation: Lionelle, to strengthen yourself. Even if the other side has strength, it shouldn't be possible for them to defeat you."
"Yes, and I was defeated head-on."
Leone's words caused an immediate uproar.
"Calm down," Najenda shouted loudly, seeing the situation was getting tense. "Since he has the power to beat you, it means he sees you as useful."
"Useful? Useful for what?" Leone asked confused.
"I see. He wants to use sister Leone to get close to us," Lubbock understood instantly.
"But this is an open strategy. He's certain we will come. If he set a trap, the consequences will be unimaginable," Bulat said.
"But we have to act. Akame is on the wanted list. If the other side is hostile, the Revolutionary Army will suffer a heavy blow," Najenda took a deep breath.
"Morale?" Bulat also knew that the Night Raid members could die, but they absolutely could not be publicly executed.
"Boss, when do we move?"
"Tonight. Leone, get some good rest." Najenda said as she looked at the sky gradually brightening.
"I'm still okay." Leone forced herself to stay upright.
Najenda didn't waste words. She knocked her out and laid her on the sofa.
"Boss, Ren rose up relying on the ministers. Is he one of them?" Bulat was most worried about this.
Najenda shook her head. "I don't know either, but he's not as simple as we imagined. Rising from nothing, plus the power to defeat those wielding Teigu."
"Should I just assassinate him from a distance with a sniper shot?" Mine scratched her head anxiously.
"No, that might make rescuing Akame impossible." Najenda immediately rejected that plan.
"This doesn't work, that doesn't work. So annoying." Mine looked frustrated.
"In any case, everyone rest well and prepare yourselves." Najenda said.
During the day, everything was calm.
As someone who came from the foodie country, Ren's cooking immediately won over Akame's stomach.
Ren spared no effort to lock Akame down, and Akame accepted everything eagerly, practically eating non-stop all day.
Ren felt like his spatula was about to catch fire, but Akame's appetite was like a bottomless pit. Whatever he cooked, she ate it all.
"Ren, I want to eat braised pork again." Akame said seriously.
"Okay." Today, Ren didn't go to the Inspection Bureau and switched into full feeding mode.
At night, Ren had stayed in the kitchen all day.
If there was a system panel, his cooking skills would definitely have leveled up several times.
In the living room, the lights were bright.
Kurome, Ren, and Chelsea were all there, while Akame was sleeping deeply in her room.
On the rooftop.
"That guy is waiting for us in the living room. I really want to shoot him in the head," Mine said angrily, grinding her teeth.
"Don't act impulsively. Since the other side hasn't taken that step, we can still negotiate. You all stay outside on standby. I will make further contact," Najenda said calmly.
"Boss, the setup is complete. We'll know immediately if anyone approaches," Lubbock reported after returning.
"Good. Mine, stay on standby at a distance and wait for my signal. The rest of you, set up an ambush around," Najenda ordered, then headed toward Ren's villa.
The villa's front gate was open.
Najenda saw a figure sitting on the sofa.
Next to him sat a girl who looked very much like Akame, and behind them stood another girl.
"So, this is Ren? And Chelsea, who had contact with the Revolutionary Army," Najenda observed the expressions of everyone.
"Sit down. If there's something, let's talk," Ren said with his eyes slightly narrowed.
Najenda sat across from Ren and spoke, "I'll be straightforward. Where is Akame?"
"Hm, I'm holding her captive. But since she's Kurome's older sister, as long as she pledges allegiance to me, nothing will happen to her," Ren said with a smile.
"That won't do. She's my outstanding comrade," Najenda shook her head.
"Then there's no negotiation. Chelsea, see the guests out," Ren didn't care, because he had the upper hand.
"Hah, you started from nothing, prosecuting officials, overseeing nobles, protecting the people's interests. I believe you are doing this for the people. We are not enemies," Najenda said, taking a deep breath.
"No, no, no. At least I won't collude with other tribes. I have special intelligence sources," Ren's smile turned dangerous.
"Other tribes..." The taboo topic.
Chelsea saw that Najenda didn't respond, her heart sank.
She didn't know what to do next.
"The imperial capital is too strong. To carry out a revolution, we need help from many forces," Najenda remained very calm.
"I understand you. The weak have their own wisdom and ways," Ren smiled.
"Well then…"
Ren interrupted, "Understanding is one thing, but I don't agree. I will save this country in my own way."
The room fell silent.
Chelsea stared at Ren's back, saying nothing.
Kurome quietly acted like a calm and beautiful girl.
Najenda stared into Ren's eyes, as if trying to see something hidden.
**********
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