Chapter 24: Little Cat (Fourth Update, Bonus for Alliance Leader ‘Su Xiaochán～’)
“The group impersonating us killed many guards of considerable strength, so the common people have begun to suspect us. Our ‘NightRaid’ still needs to recruit talent in the surrounding area—this absolutely cannot stand.”
Najenda held a black cigarette between her fingers, looking somewhat helpless.
“This is clearly bait, trying to lure us out.”
Brand spoke up. As the NightRaid members talked, the contractors around them remained silent, only able to listen in, as they were not official members of NightRaid.
“Indeed, it’s bait.”
Najenda nodded, thought for a moment, and continued:
“Knowing this, I have something to say to everyone. The civil officials who have been killed are all capable individuals who opposed the Minister and cared deeply for the country—good officials. These are the talents our Revolutionary Army needs to build a new empire. We cannot afford to lose any more useful people in the future. What do you all think?”
Najenda didn’t issue a direct order but instead used a consultative approach.
Tatsumi, hearing this, spoke up first. After a passionate speech full of righteous indignation, Najenda stood up.
“Then it’s decided. Let them know what happens when they misuse our name. We’ll teach them the rules of assassins.
There are two civil officials who might be attacked next, so we need to split up.”
Najenda began laying out the plan: Brand and Tatsumi as one team, Akame and Lubbock as another.
Akame and Lubbock were both members of NightRaid and Imperial Arms users, especially Akame, whose Imperial Arms was famous in the capital.
One-Cut Killer: Murasame—anyone cut by this cursed blade would die.
That said, Murasame’s one-cut kill wasn’t a rule-based power; rather, the blade carried a curse poison. Once cut by Murasame, the poison invaded the body, achieving the one-cut kill effect, similar in principle to Su Xiao’s Cyan Steel Shadow energy.
After giving the order, Najenda thought for a moment and glanced at Leone beside her.
Leone was a busty blonde beauty. Unlike the typical frailty of women, she had a fleshy, robust build without being bloated—broad-shouldered, giving an impression of fullness and an excellent figure.
Leone’s Imperial Arms was ‘Beast King Transformation: Lion King,’ which allowed her to partially transform, greatly enhancing her physical abilities, senses, and perception. After transformation, Leone still looked human, but with beast ears on her head and her hands semi-beastified into furry claws.
“Leone, go scout out Esdeath’s movements. She’s already returned to the capital.”
Najenda’s eyes were full of worry; only she knew the terror of Esdeath.
“OK, I’m curious about what kind of person she is.”
Leone’s personality was carefree, and she was already considering whether to assassinate Esdeath.
“Alright, move out…”
Just as Najenda was about to give the order, a contractor spoke up.
“Boss, I have some thoughts, if I may share them.”
The contractor speaking wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and had a gentle tone.
His name was Ivan—obviously a pseudonym. Ivan was the representative chosen among the contractors, not because he was the strongest, but because he had the highest Charm attribute.
“Ah, Ivan. Go ahead, share your thoughts.”
The benefit of high Charm was evident; it made communication with neutral-aligned figures like Najenda easy.
“Thank you, Boss. I have some suggestions about the plan just now—just suggestions.”
Ivan organized his thoughts and continued.
“Here’s the thing: since Mr. Brand and Miss Akame are splitting into two teams, one team might end up with nothing. I have a long-range communication method here, an advanced technology I stole from within the capital.
If either team encounters enemies of considerable strength, they can immediately contact the other team and headquarters for timely reinforcements.”
As he spoke, Ivan took out three walkie-talkies. They occasionally flashed green, indicating they were green-quality equipment.
Najenda’s eyes lit up with curiosity. After testing the walkie-talkies, she quickly understood their value.
“Good, this reduces the risk of the operation.”
Najenda distributed the walkie-talkies to Akame and Brand.
The contractors were doing this to preserve NightRaid’s combat strength. In the original story, the powerful Brand died at this point.
“Operation begins.”
At Najenda’s command, the NightRaid members moved out. Leone was the most eager, curious about what the famous General Esdeath looked like.
After all NightRaid members left, the contractors began discussing.
“What do you think the outcome of this operation will be?”
“Not sure, but the Imperial Arms users in this world are too dangerous. I don’t plan to fight them head-on, especially that terrifying woman from the Empire’s side.”
“Let’s do our best to preserve NightRaid’s strength. That way, our chances in the final battle will be higher. As for the key… we’ll each rely on our own abilities then.”
The contractors nodded in agreement. One contractor sitting in the corner hadn’t spoken, just fiddling with a tarot card in his hand.
“Friend over there, not joining the discussion?”
Ivan walked over with a smile, acting like the leader of the contractors.
“Nothing to discuss. Rather than dealing with the capital’s forces, I’d rather kill all of you first. I’m not targeting anyone specifically—I’m just saying everyone here is trash.”
Tarot cards flew out. The man in the corner raised his arm, revealing a tattoo on the back of his hand—a black number 11.
All the contractors’ faces turned pale with terror at the sight of the black number tattoo, as if they’d seen a monster.
“Trav… Ah!!”
Screams rang out. The already-departed NightRaid members noticed nothing. A barrier had silently appeared around the room.
Three minutes later, the man playing with tarot cards walked out of the room. The other contractors inside had vanished without a trace, not even a bloodstain on the floor.
…
Capital, Central District.
The streets were bustling with people moving through the central avenue. Shops of all kinds lined the street. A blue-haired woman sat on a bench by the roadside, holding an ice cream and eating it with relish.
“Really not having any? This stuff tastes pretty good.”
The blue-haired woman was Esdeath. She had come to the streets alone today as bait, hoping to lure out NightRaid members.
No response came. Esdeath scanned her surroundings.
“How cold. I’ve been wandering all morning, and no one’s coming.”
Esdeath found that no one answered her, yet she couldn’t sense the other’s position, so she gave up.
In the distance, a nimble figure leaped across rooftops—it was Leone, already partially transformed.
After using her Imperial Arms, Leone became a yellow-haired beast-eared girl, her fluffy animal ears looking quite cute.
Whoosh~.
Leone landed on a rooftop, suppressed her aura to the limit, and looked down below.
“So that’s Esdeath.”
Leone, who had been full of confidence, gritted her teeth as if seeing some terrifying creature.
“This feeling… a murderous intent so thick it makes my scalp tingle. I was too naive, thinking I could assassinate someone like this.”
Leone’s senses were sharp in her transformed state. She decided to retreat—she had no desire to fight such an enemy. If she engaged, she would surely die.
Just as Leone was about to retreat, a man with a long sword at his waist walked up to Esdeath, said something to her, and then his gaze turned toward Leone’s direction.
In an instant, Leone felt her whole body go numb. That terrifying look was unforgettable for life.
Run! She had to run immediately, or she would die.
Leone didn’t care about exposure anymore. She kicked off the roof tiles and fled in the opposite direction at top speed. Even while running, she felt a lingering palpitation—she seemed to have been marked.
On the street, Su Xiao watched Leone flee, his face expressionless.
“She got away.”
Esdeath ate her ice cream, tilting her head to glance at Su Xiao.
“She won’t escape.”
Su Xiao drew Dragon-Slaying Flash from his waist. He planned to test NightRaid and see how strong they were.
“After you kill that little cat, remember to support the Three Beasts. It seems ‘NightRaid’ has made a move.”
“Oh.”
Su Xiao’s figure vanished from the street.
PS: (Currently second on the monthly ticket list for the category—let’s keep it up.)