The Charm of That Kick (5.5K)

"It's okay, just don't do it again next time."

Najenda, seated at the head of the table, extinguished her cigarette and asked in a deep voice, "Leone, how did the intelligence investigation go? Is everything the client said true?"

"Yes, everything the client told me is true. The guard captain, Ogre, Iokar, and the oil merchant Jamal were in cahoots. I saw and heard everything myself; they are guilty."

"In that case, we accept this commission! The new nation has no need for such heinous scum; let them be punished by heaven."

"However, Boss, although taking down the oil merchant Jamal is easy, Ogre is a formidable and troublesome enemy. The security around the Imperial Capital Palace is also very tight, and Iokar is surrounded by many guards hired from the Imperial Fist Temple..."

"Hahaha, it's alright, I'll take care of Ogre!"

A muscular man with a pompadour hairstyle and a hearty, unrestrained smile suddenly spoke up.

Although he looks completely different from the handsome man on the wanted poster, he is none other than Bulat, the "Hundred-Man Slayer" who defected from the Empire. He is very strong and has the bearing of a general.

In close-quarters combat, she is only slightly weaker than Esdeath.

"Well, Bulat, your [Incursio] ability happens to grant invisibility, so you'll be in charge of infiltrating the Imperial Capital and dealing with Ogre," Najenda decided.

"... I'll handle things with Iokar."

After finishing her grilled meat rice bowl, Akame put down her bowl and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"In that case, I'll take care of Jamal!"

Leone also happily raised her hand. Finally, she had a chance to relax her muscles, how could she miss it!

But Najenda rejected her suggestion, shaking her head and saying:

"No, Leone, you have other work to do. When we make our move, you need to stay at the Secret Service Minister's house and keep an eye on Yotsuba Mahiro to prevent him from hindering our operation."

"Huh?! I don't think so. Yotsuba Clan is a good official. The sisters in the slums often talk about his deeds. He wouldn't protect a despicable person like Ogre, would he?" Leone said, her eyes filled with understanding, trying to defend him.

Although she often skips work and frequently plays with Yotsuba Mahiro's clothes, she actually has great respect and admiration for Yotsuba Mahiro.

After all, there are very few good officials like him in the empire who dare to oppose Minister Honest but do not oppress the people!

If she could, she would want to bring Yotsuba Mahiro into the Revolutionary Army.

Thinking of this, Leone's gaze involuntarily drifted to Akame.

"That guy is a high-ranking official in the Empire, right? Is he really as good as Leone says?"

Lubbock clearly didn't believe Leone's words.

"Um... I also think Yotsuba Clan is a good person. He's very tolerant and gentle. Every time I make a mistake, Yotsuba Clan has never scolded me."

Sheele timidly raised his hand and said:

"And I remember a few years ago when I killed someone, it was Ms. Seryu Ubiquitous. Yotsuba Clan's secretary, who investigated the truth."

"That's right, Yotsuba Clan will never protect such a sinner; she will punish him personally!"

Akame said the same thing, her eyes filled with unwavering trust.

Even Bulat spoke with a serious expression:

"I don't know much about Yotsuba Mahiro, but I often heard rumors about him when I was in the military. He's very strong, kind, and popular with everyone."

Lubbock: "..."

Lubbock hadn't expected that a casual remark would lead to so many people standing up to refute him.

"Alright, you're all right. Yotsuba Mahiro is indeed the most legendary minister in the military. He's handsome and powerful, and even that Queen General Esdeath couldn't do anything about him."

Najenda exclaimed in admiration, a flash of memory seemingly appearing in her left eye.

Although Yotsuba Mahiro personally took her right arm, she didn't hate him from the bottom of her heart. It was simply a matter of different positions; he was merely following orders.

Moreover, she still remembers what the other party said, and now, thinking about it carefully and combining it with her own experience, it actually makes some sense.

But there's no turning back once the arrow is released; all she can do is try her best to prevent the Revolutionary Army from repeating the mistakes of the empire!

Thinking of this, she continued:

"But don't forget, Akame and Bulat are both on the wanted list. Although Yotsuba Mahiro's personality means he won't protect Ogre, who can guarantee he won't arrest us wanted criminals?"

"..."

Akame opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately swallowed her words.

"Alright, that's settled then. Leone, you're in charge of staying at the mansion during the operation and monitoring Yotsuba Mahiro's movements."

"Hey... no way, Boss... I often slack off and skip work when I'm guarding the gate. If I stay there all night, won't I get caught? Why don't we let Sheele go? She's more conscientious than me, and they definitely won't suspect anything!"

Leone, quick-witted as ever, immediately shifted the blame to Sheele.

Sheele, looking dazed, pushed up his glasses and said:

"If I were to do it... no problem."

Najenda: "..."

She stared at Leone with deadpan eyes, her slightly clenched prosthetic hand suggesting she really wanted to punch Leone.

Chapter 157 The Allure of That Kick (5.5K)

The following night.

"I said, what are you doing following me?"

"Um... my job is as a bodyguard."

"Shouldn't you be guarding the gate to prevent outsiders from coming in?"

"But... the job of a guard is to protect the master of this house from any harm. Yotsuba Clan, you are the only master of this house, so it is my responsibility to always be by your side and protect your safety."

"..."

Yotsuba Mahiro was utterly speechless.

I felt both angry and amused, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

According to the latest intelligence from Akame, tonight is the time for the Night Raid.

But what was the result?

Leone not only skipped work again, but also switched places with Sheele and kept pestering him.

It was obvious that the Night Raid group had Sheele come to hold him off so they could attack Ogre and the others.

Do you think this will stop me?

A slight smile appeared on Mahiro's lips, but it quickly returned to normal.

"Miss Sheele, would you like to walk with me in the yard?"

"Huh?"

Sheele was slightly taken aback by the sudden invitation and Mahiro's abrupt change in attitude.

But with only a single core and single thread, and a low computational load, how could she possibly see through Mahiro's thoughts? So she simply nodded slightly and replied:

"Okay, no problem."

The night was as dark as ink, and the moon as round as a hook.

In the vast garden behind the mansion, Mahiro and Sheele walked quietly.

Although there were no girls in the house who knew anything about gardening, the plants in the garden grew very lushly under their care, possessing a kind of primitive and natural beauty.

"A Black Wind night, indeed a perfect night for murder."

Mahiro looked up at the night sky and couldn't help but sigh.

"Huh? Did you say something, Yotsuba Clan?"

"No, I didn't say anything." Mahiro smiled and pointed to the lawn over there.

"Come sit with me there."

The original plan was to plant roses on that lawn, but they couldn't find any nice and unique varieties, so the plan was shelved.

However, it's quite nice as a resting place; you could say it offers the best view when lying down to admire the night sky.

The intoxicating fragrance of flowers in the surroundings is refreshing and makes one feel relaxed.

"Miss Sheele, could you grant me a request?"

"Well, although it's not within the scope of what Leone specified, as long as it's not excessive, it's fine if it's Yotsuba Clan."

Sheele held a finger to his lips for a moment, contemplating the matter before arriving at this conclusion.

She sat beside him with her legs crossed, a scarf draped over her shoulders, looking like a gentle and easy-going young lady, especially with her innocent and naive personality.

"Miss Sheele, may I just hold you and lie in your arms for a while?"

"Eh, although I don't understand why you would make such a request, Yotsuba Clan, it's no problem."

Is that right?

Sheele moved behind him, then gently lifted him up and laid him in her arms, her hands clasped in front of him.

The warmth that enveloped him, the gentle yet powerful heartbeat echoing in his ears, felt like being nestled in his mother's embrace.

It's especially warm when a gentle night breeze blows.

This was something he had wanted to do ever since he met Sheele.

This was something he did to Tatsumi in the original story, as a way of comforting him.

I just didn't expect to be able to enjoy it so easily.

"Sigh, Miss Sheele, you're so gullible. I feel like I could trick you into giving birth to a whole football team for me."

"Yotsuba Clan, that's a really harsh thing to say. I may be a bit slow, but I'm not completely clueless."

Sheele's slightly displeased voice reached my ears; even without looking, I could picture Sheele's adorable puffed-up cheeks, looking angry.

It made him chuckle.

But he didn't say anything more, and after lying there for a while, he got up from her arms.

"Yotsuba Clan? Where are you going?"

"Bathroom."

"Ah, wait for me, I'll go with you~"

Sheele quickly got up and jogged after him.

But.

After Mahiro went into the restroom, he didn't come out for more than half an hour, and there was no sound from inside.

Sheele, who was waiting at the door, couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"Yotsuba Clan takes a really long time in the bathroom..."

Meanwhile, it was time for the Night Raid headquarters to take action.

But before setting off, Leone secretly sought out Akame.

"Um... good evening, Akame."

"Hmm? Is there something you need, Leone?"

Akame felt a little strange seeing Leone walk in with a somewhat unnatural expression.

"We're about to start the operation, right? Leone, don't you need to prepare?"

"Everything that needs to be prepared is ready, so... I came here to have a talk with you, Akame."

Seemingly realizing that her expression was a bit stiff, Leone made up for it with her actions, casually sitting back in a chair in the room, leaning on the back of the chair and subtly observing Akame.

Akame tilted her head, looking at Leone with curiosity.

"Say what you want to say."

"Alright, then I'll get straight to the point. Akame, what's your relationship with Yotsuba Mahiro of the Secret Police?"

When Leone asked her that question, Akame paused slightly in her action of tucking Murasame into her waistband, but quickly resumed her normal movements.

Akame's expression remained indifferent as she spoke: