"It worked!" Rei Ao said excitedly. Both women had gained two new abilities.
"This is" Saeko and Ayame were shocked to see red dragon scales appear on their bodies.
"This is the new power granted by the blessing. Take your time to feel it," Rei Ao instructed.
The two women closed their eyes and concentrated, causing the dragon scales to fade away. When they opened their eyes, weapons materialized in front of them.
In front of Saeko was a long katana with intricate purple designs.
"Inherent Device: Annihilation Spirit Blade": A spirit blade that holds a curse capable of killing in one strike, with the ability to summon a blade spirit.
"It inherited Murasame's traits?" Rei Ao was surprised. 'Murasame' wasn't an ability, but an item, and yet it had influenced the power granted by his blessing. It was intriguing.
Next, Rei Ao turned his gaze to Ayame. Before her was a crystalline longbow.
"Inherent Device: Echo of the Moment": A bow capable of accelerating and decelerating the time of the arrows it fires, a result of the influence of Rei Ao's time-related ability.
Gripping their inherent devices, Saeko and Ayame immediately felt a deep connection to the weaponsan extension of their own souls.
"This is a fine blade!" Saeko's eyes lit up, clearly eager to use it.
"Thank you, Rei Ao-sama," Ayame said, her eyes practically glowing with admiration.
"I didn't grant you these powers just to admire them. Let's put them to use," Rei Ao said, signaling that it was time for action. He led the three women out of the room and toward Night Raid's meeting area.
As they entered, Night Raid's members paused, surprised by their sudden appearance.
"Rei Ao-san, what brings you here?" Najenda asked, her tone respectful.
"Tell me, where's the nearest place filled with danger beasts?" Rei Ao asked directly.
Danger beasts? Najenda was puzzled as to why he'd want to find such creatures, but she quickly answered. "There are two nearby mountain ranges where they're known to appear." She pulled out a map and marked the locations.
"Thanks," Rei Ao said, taking the map. He turned to Akame. "I'll collect my reward when I return, so be ready."
With that, he departed with Mai, Saeko, and Ayame. Since this world was filled with danger beasts, which were stronger than the zombies and Kabane he had faced before, it was the perfect opportunity to gain more experience and grow stronger. It would also give Mai a chance to train and adapt to her new strength. After all, a change in mindset often began with power.
""
Once they had left, silence fell over the meeting room. The others stared at Akame, with Mine eventually breaking the silence. "Akame, what exactly did you trade with Rei Ao for his help?"
"" Akame remained quiet for a moment.
Najenda furrowed her brow, a suspicion forming in her mind. "Budo's dead. Lubbock, Brand, disguise yourselves and observe the Empire's next moves," she ordered.
"Understood!" the two replied before promptly leaving.
After they had gone, Najenda turned back to Akame. "Can you tell us now what you traded?"
"Yes" Akame nodded and finally spoke. "For the first trade, to rescue Mine, I traded Murasame."
~~~
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Chapter 62: Trade terms reaction
"'Murasame?'"
Mine's eyes widened in shock. Everyone in Night Raid knew just how powerful Akame's Teigu was.
Leone couldn't hold back her reaction. "Isn't that too big of a price to pay?"
Teigus were the foundation of their ability to fight against the Empire. If Akame lost her One-Cut Killer sword, 'Murasame', Night Raid's strength would be significantly diminished.
"Sorry" Mine lowered her head, not expecting that Akame would have to sacrifice something so important to save her.
But Najenda, always sharp, raised a valid question. "But your 'Murasame' is still with you. He didn't take it."
Akame responded, "He won't take it. It's more complicated than that."
Hearing this, both Leone and Mine let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, that scared me."
However, Sheele, ever perceptive, sensed that the second trade might be even more significant. She asked in her usual gentle tone, "And what about the second trade?"
"For covering our retreat, the trade was for my body's usage rights."
Akame saw no reason to hide it and said it plainly.
"Body usage rights...?" The others were taken aback, interpreting the phrase with varying levels of shock.
Leone's face twisted in confusion. "Usage rights? Does he mean like a puppet?"
Sheele, however, had a different guess. "I don't think that's what he meant"
Mine's face turned beet red as she shyly asked, "Akame do you mean 'that' kind of body usage rights?"
Akame tilted her head and calmly replied, "Everyone seems to think it's that kind of usage."
"Uh"
The entire meeting room fell silent. Mine's brain nearly short-circuited, and even Leone, usually the carefree one, was visibly uncomfortable talking about such a topic. She scratched her cheek awkwardly and laughed. "Huh, I didn't expect that guy to be into stuff like this."
"Right! A total pervert!" Mine quickly nodded in agreement, feeling deeply conflicted. She had initially thought that Rei Ao, who had come to rescue her, might be a charming prince. Now, it turned out he was just a pervert interested in Akame's body!
But Najenda, ever the strategist, offered a different perspective. "If that's all it takes, then it's a pretty fair trade."
The others were taken aback by her pragmatic approach, but upon reflection, they realized she had a point. Trading something like that for Rei Ao's helpwho had even killed General Budo, one of their greatest enemieswas indeed a great deal.
If it weren't for Najenda's own physical condition, she wouldn't have minded trading herself with Rei Ao. Just a few encounters, and the Empire's downfall would be in sight.
But Sheele, who knew Akame better, asked an important question, "Akame, do you even know what to do in a situation like that?"
Akame nodded confidently. "I've seen it before. You just lie down."
However, she did recall that it seemed more complicated at times. But fortunately, Rei Ao was the type who would help others, so she figured it wouldn't be an issue.
"Uh..."
The others exchanged confused looks, realizing that Akame might not fully understand what she was getting into. Leone stood up, deciding to take matters into her own hands. "Akame, why don't you join me for a bath later? I'll explain things to you."
Najenda didn't stop them. This wasn't something she or anyone else could assist Akame with. Leone would be the best one to help her understand the basics.
After the two left, Mine, still blushing, couldn't help but ask, "Are we really going to let Akame with Rei Ao?"
Leone scratched her head and sighed. "Mine, Rei Ao is way too powerful for us to back out of a deal with him."
"And besides, if it were me, I wouldn't mind."
"Wha"
Leone continued nonchalantly, "Rei Ao is not only good-looking and charismatic, but he's also incredibly strong. I've never met a man like him."
Mine was at a loss for words. After all, if they tried to back out, who knew if they'd end up frozen and shattered like Budo.
Najenda, deep in thought, added, "This might actually be a good thing for us."
She glanced at both Mine and Leone. "If Rei Ao offers to make deals with either of you, I earnestly ask that, for the sake of our fight against the Empire, you consider not refusing him."
A powerhouse willing to offer his strength in exchange for simple favors of the flesh was an opportunity too great to ignore. To Najenda, Rei Ao seemed even more powerful than Esdeath, and she knew they couldn't pass up the chance to secure his support.
"W-wait" Mine was stunned. Was Najenda asking them to sell their bodies?
"How could we even consider doing something like that?!"
Just imagining it made Mine dizzy with embarrassment. But Leone casually shrugged, reclining back with her hands behind her head.
"I don't really care, to be honest. Besides, I doubt Rei Ao would even be interested in someone like me, with all my muscles."
"But if he is, well I'd say that's a win for me."
Najenda sighed. "We'll have to see how things play out."
"...???"
Mine was completely baffled. Were they seriously having this conversation? Night Raid, a renowned group of assassins, was starting to sound like a brothel!
But then again when she thought about it, Rei Ao 'was' handsome and incredibly strong.
If he approached her would she really say no?
~~~
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Chapter 63: Akame Trade Completed! Gabriel Game Addiction began!
Several hours had passed.
In a mountain range:
"Hah!"
Saeko decapitated a giant scorpion-like Danger Beast with a single slash. Not far from her, a ten-meter-tall energy giant, formed from purple energy and resembling her own form, wielded an enormous purple sword and effortlessly sliced through the Danger Beast.
This was the 'Sword Spirit' she had summoned. The spirit held the 'Annihilation Spirit Blade', and it could fight independently, wielding the sword with ease. That's why Rei Ao had given her 'Murasame', so she wouldn't be left weaponless while the sword spirit fought.
On the other side, Ayame unleashed several arrows enhanced by time acceleration, rapidly taking down Danger Beast. By now, even Mai had adapted to combat, transforming into a fierce dragon warrior, swiftly taking down small danger beasts with her elusive and unpredictable movements.
In just a few hours, all three of them had made significant progress:
[Sakurajima Mai]: Level 10
[Saeko Busujima]: Level 16
[Ayame Yomogawa]: Level 14
The Danger Beast provided an abundance of "experience," after all.
Of course, the real beneficiary of all this was Rei Ao, who had been observing their battles. One of the mountain ranges had been entirely frozen by him, leaving no Danger Beast alive. The other was mostly cleared, with a small portion left for them to train.
[Name]: Rei Ao
[Level]: 38
[Abilities]: Omitted
[Description]: You now possess the power to bring an entire nation to ruin.
He had gained a full seven levels. A satisfying achievement indeed. Fortunately, neither of these mountain ranges had any 'Super Class' species. If he recalled correctly, the true backdrop of this world was the existence of such an overwhelmingly powerful Danger Beast. Teigus were crafted from the materials of these speciesfur, scales, blood, and so on.
With just over an hour left, Rei Ao clapped his hands. "Alright, it's time to stop."
The three women quickly finished off the Danger Beast in front of them and gathered around.
"Are we leaving already?" Saeko licked her lips, a hint of bloodlust still lingering in her eyes. Her irises faintly gleamed with a crimson hue.
"It's time to return."
...
Back at Night Raid's secret base:
When Rei Ao learned that Lubbock and Bulat had been sent on missions, he raised an eyebrow. It seemed they had prepared for this. No doubt they had already questioned Akame about the nature of their trade. Good. He was ready to fully enjoy his "innocent dessert," Akame, though he'd have to send Mai off first to avoid jealousy.
"Najenda, let Leone and Mai spar for a bit. Mai, while you've fought Danger Beast, you still lack experience with human opponents."
Mai glared at him suspiciously. "Are you just trying to get rid of me so I don't interrupt your 'fun'?"
Rei Ao smiled openly. "That's definitely part of it."
"..."
Mai was at a loss. His brutal honesty, especially about his desires, left her with no way to fight back. In frustration, she threatened, "Don't go overboard with Akame!"
Flipping her ponytail, she stormed off. Saeko and Ayame, on the other hand, were much calmer. They were clear on their roles: absolute loyalty to Rei Ao. No matter what he asked, they would comply without question.
"Hmph!"
Mine tossed her head high as she passed Rei Ao, while Sheele blushed and softly said, "Akame is waiting for you in her room Please, be gentle."
Rei Ao chuckled. "I'm here to collect a reward, not to hurt anyone. I know my limits."
Entering Akame's room, he found her sitting quietly on the bed, her smooth, dark hair cascading down, dressed in a translucent gown. The scene was stunningif not for the unconscious Kurome, lying nearby.
Rei Ao approached her with curiosity. "You're just leaving Kurome right here next to us?"
Without waiting for a response, he wrapped his arm around her waist. Akame's ruby eyes met his, calm and unwavering. "I need to watch over her. When she wakes up, Kurome could be dangerous."
"As long as you're okay with it," Rei Ao said as he leaned in, his hand gently squeezing her lips before diving in for a kiss.
The reward needed to be savored.
...
Meanwhile, in the imperial capital, chaos reigned.
The death of Budo and the entire imperial guard had thrown the Empire's upper echelons and nobles into a state of panic, particularly the minister who controlled the young emperor from behind the scenes.
"Budo is dead?!" His pig-like body trembled. This couldn't go on. Without Budo's presence, the capital was vulnerable!
"Send a message immediately! Summon Esdeath back!"
...
Rei Ao had remembered Akame's warning that Kurome could cause problems once she woke up. As fate would have it, she woke up just as he was finishing.
Her eyes flew open to the sight of Akame, disheveled and grabbing onto Rei Ao. Kurome's gaze immediately locked onto him, brimming with murderous intent.
"Let go of my sister!!"
She drew her 'Yatsufusa' and lunged at Rei Ao, but he casually caught the blade between two fingers, flicking it aside with ease.
Clang!
The sword fell to the ground.
Unbothered, Rei Ao pressed Akame's head down and completed his final trade.
"Hic."
"Trade complete," he said, entirely indifferent to Kurome's shocked expression. Pulling out of Akame, he glanced at Kurome and commented, "Akame, your sister is about to die."
"...."
Unfortunately, Akame, utterly drained, had passed out and couldn't hear him.
"Oh well, time to go."
With a smile, Rei Ao waved at Kurome and chose to return.
"Sis!!!"
Kurome rushed to Akame's side, checking her condition. Though she wanted to kill her sister, she had always intended to do it with her own hands, not watch her die at the hands of a man.
As Rei Ao vanished, Mai and the others disappeared with him.
