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Imperial Palace — Dining Room.
Edgar was cutting into his steak with a knife and fork, enjoying lunch.
Gotta admit…The palace chefs were really something.
And with the meat from those dangerous beasts?The flavor completely blew away anything the best chefs in the main world could make.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Footsteps approached.
Esdeath and Seiryu walked in.
"Why are you dressed like that?"Edgar looked at Seiryu with some surprise.
Right now, Seiryu was wearing a light blue maid outfit.Her delicate, cute face looked pitiful, like she had just been crying.
A few strands of her orange hair fell forward, framing her… well, impressive chest.
On that topic—Edgar was an expert.You couldn't really tell at a glance, but she was definitely more than a handful.
And most importantly—This "bike" of his could be ridden standing up. No need to handle it gently.So, in a way… the best kind of feel.
"T-This… this was Lady Esdeath's order."Seiryu trembled and spoke timidly.
She was genuinely scared.Esdeath was terrifying.
If she hadn't been her master's servant, she didn't even want to imagine what would've happened to her.
Esdeath gave her a glance."What? Is there a problem?"
Seiryu shivered again, then quickly lowered her head and said,"N-No, this outfit suits me just fine."
Tsk tsk… looks like she got a serious lesson.
Edgar's lips curved into a faint smile.He could tell Seiryu had tried to make a move on Esdeath.
Pull something like that…Of course she'd get punished.
At that moment, a visibly excited Kurome walked in.
"Master, with the intel you gave me, I think we've pinpointed Night Raid's hideout."
Her voice couldn't hide the excitement.
Big sis… I'm finally going to see you.
"Alright, once everyone's done eating, we move out."
Outskirts of the Capital
This was a mountain range like a primeval jungle.Countless dangerous species lurked here—so even hunters rarely came close.
Edgar and his three retainers were already deep inside the forest.
The ferocious beasts that would terrify normal people were nothing worth mentioning to them.
By the time they got here, the sky was already growing dark.
As they neared their destination, a girl appeared ahead, dragging the corpse of a dangerous beast.
The moment Edgar saw her, his eyes lit up.
Her face was flawless, skin pale and smooth like a baby's.Long black hair flowed down to her legs, swaying like waves.A red necktie hung loosely, tracing a deadly curve along her chest.
On her hands were crimson gauntlets, and in one of them, she held a katana, radiating a sharp warrior's aura.Her black pleated skirt moved with her steps, carrying a dangerously alluring vibe.
And those deep crimson eyes… held an inexplicable pull.
"Well, well… what a coincidence."Edgar's mouth curved into a smile.
Akame had already noticed Edgar and his group.
In an instant, her gaze sharpened with caution.
"Kurome… and Esdeath?What are they doing here?"
Her grip on Murasame tightened as her mind raced.
I have to run.
She gritted her teeth, dropped the beast she was carrying, and bolted without hesitation.
Kurome was one thing…But with Esdeath there too?Forget it—Night Raid's entire roster together wouldn't stand a chance.
"Akame, I'm not letting you get away."Kurome's voice was cold as she raised one hand.
"Summon Magic — Corpse Control."
A surge of magic flared.A glowing magic circle appeared right under Akame's feet.
Then—Several figures leapt out, charging straight at her.
"What kind of Teigu is this?"Akame frowned, drawing Murasame in one smooth motion.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two sides clashed instantly.
Steel rang out as Murasame flashed, leaving arcs of deadly blade light that cut down Kurome's corpse puppets one after another.
But Murasame's instant-kill effect was useless against the already-dead.Soon, she was surrounded.
One-on-one, she was stronger than any single puppet.But their sheer numbers—and teamwork—kept forcing her into a smaller and smaller space.
Esdeath spoke up."Master, should I step in?Akame's no pushover—Kurome might not be able to take her alone."
"True…"Edgar nodded. "Eh, I'll handle it."
Snap!
He snapped his fingers. A dimensional array flared with light.
Whoosh!
Akame barely registered a blur before a handsome man's face appeared right in front of her.
"…?"What just happened?Was that his Teigu?
"Sorry, but I'm gonna have to take you hostage."
Almost instantly, Akame moved—her blade about to touch Edgar's neck.
Left side: Esdeath.Right side: a low-ranking maid.
This was her one and only way out.
But what greeted her was the glow of a magic circle.
Clink! Clank!
A chain of magic shot out, binding her tightly in seconds.
Crap, a trap!
Her eyes widened, and she struggled with all her strength.But the chains didn't budge—they only grew tighter.
"Don't waste your energy."Edgar's smile was calm."Magic I personally cast—ten times stronger and you still wouldn't break free."
Magic?Akame blinked in confusion.Was that the name of his Teigu?
After a brief silence, she asked,"You came here… to go after Night Raid, didn't you?"
Edgar nodded.
Akame's eyes dimmed in despair.
So it was true.Their base had been exposed.
With this man and Esdeath together… everything was over.
Her spirit seemed to drain away.
What's with this woman…? Edgar glanced at her, then quickly checked her stats—confirming she had talent worth noting.
"..."
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