Night Raid's First Meeting with the Young Emperor (5.1K) (Continued)

Although her attire was indeed quite simple for an emperor, in this Lower Town, her noblewoman-like appearance was still quite eye-catching.

In addition, her slightly immature face, with its innocent and lively expression, inevitably led people to mistake her for his sister or daughter.

As for why he secretly led the young emperor out of the palace?

The main reason is still the agreement made many years ago during the palace rebellion.

"If Your Highness can solve this Rubik's Cube, that is, twist all the faces to the same color, I will take Your Highness out to play."

To this day, the young emperor still remembers it clearly. He even saw her finally solve the Rubik's Cube and put it in front of him as if to show off. So he had no choice but to keep his promise and secretly take her out of the palace to play behind General Budo's back.

"Hmm... Big Brother Yotsuba Clan, don't you like coming out to play with me?"

The little emperor, who was chewing on an apple, noticed that Yotsuba Mahiro's expression was a bit distracted, so he pouted and asked with a wronged look.

"How could that be? I was just thinking about something."

He habitually placed his hand on the little emperor's head to rub it, but she slapped it away mercilessly.

"Don't you dare rub my head, or I'll never grow up! And don't you dare try to fool me, that's a capital offense!"

"Hehe."

Seeing her standing with her hands on her hips like a little adult, Mahiro couldn't help but laugh.

"What? Did I say something wrong?!"

As the little emperor spoke, she took a bite of an apple, her slightly chubby face puffed out, making her look incredibly cute.

"Yes, yes, you're right. But to say that I'm being perfunctory is slander." He deliberately changed his way of speaking to cooperate with the young emperor.

"Then tell me, what are you thinking?"

"Your Majesty, I was just thinking about where we should take you for fun next."

"Really?" The girl's spirits lifted immediately, but she quickly added suspiciously, "Don't you dare deceive me, that's a crime of deceiving the emperor!"

"How could I dare?"

"Alright, then I'll reluctantly trust you this once. But you have to tell me where you're going to take me?"

Although he spoke in somewhat awkward words and crossed his arms in a haughty manner, his blinking eyes were full of anticipation.

On second thought, it makes sense; after all, she's grown up and reached the age where she can be a little proud and aloof...

While thinking, Mahiro answered:

"As for fun places, Your Highness has already been to most of them. However, I do know a few fun people. I wonder if Your Highness would be interested in going to see them?"

"A person? Who is it?"

"Those are the ones on the wanted posters."

Mahiro pointed to several wanted posters that were posted in the most conspicuous location on the street.

"Hmm... Big Brother Yotsuba Clan, do you mean you want to take me to see those thieves from the Night Raid?"

"Almost."

Hearing his affirmative answer, the young emperor hesitated for a moment, but after a brief consideration, he nodded and said:

"Alright... since it was Brother Yotsuba Clan who suggested it, then taking me to see them won't hurt. Where are those treacherous officials now?"

"Your Highness, based on the timeline, they should be at my home right now."

"?!!!"

The young emperor perked up immediately upon hearing this.

Yotsuba Clan's older brother's... home?!

She immediately became extremely interested.

Yotsuba Mahiro is different from other high-ranking officials, most of whom live in the Imperial Palace, like Minister Honest.

Even if they had a residence outside, they would still live in rooms within the palace.

Even General Esdeath resided in the palace.

The only exception is Yotsuba Mahiro. He lives outside the palace, and even though I have suggested many times that there are many rooms in the palace and he can choose one to stay in, the response has always been a refusal.

Now that she's heard she can visit Yotsuba Mahiro's place, how could she not be interested!

"Elbow, take me to see this quickly!"

Even if those thieves hadn't Night Raid, it wouldn't matter. Those people are nothing compared to the Yotsuba Clan's place. It would be even better if I could stay overnight!

Thinking of this, the young emperor's steps became more cheerful.

Seeing this, Mahiro couldn't help but smile helplessly.

"Your Highness, you agreed so readily, aren't you afraid I'll sell you to those Night Raid people?"

"I'm not afraid."

The girl suddenly stopped, turned around with her hands behind her back, and smiled sweetly at him:

"Because I trust you the most, Yotsuba Clan -san!"

The girl looked beautiful at that moment; her smile seemed to radiate in the sunlight, like a lovely girl who had stepped out of a painting.

This scene was enough to leave a significant mark on his memory.

However, he was more interested in what kind of expression the group that Night Raid would have when they saw the young emperor.

What kind of things will these people say?

I can't wait...

Meanwhile, at the Yotsuba Estate.

Compared to the bustling market, the atmosphere inside the mansion was extremely heavy, even tense.

The maids of the manor gathered in the open courtyard, each taking out their weapons, looking ready for battle.

Even Remus, who is usually the most adorable and gentle, is now holding a long sword just like Mekime, with anger showing between her brows.

Meanwhile, Mine, who was in the lead, raised her Pumpkin, aimed it at the group opposite her, and shouted sharply:

"Who are you?! Why are you impersonating my master?!"

Her pink pupils were blazing with rage as she glared at the group opposite her...

No, to be precise, he was staring at the imposter standing at the very front, with a face that looked just like Yotsuba Mahiro's!

Yotsuba Mahiro waved her hands in a flustered manner, saying, "How could this be?! Mine, it really is me, I wasn't impersonated..."

"Nonsense! You are not my master at all! I know my master's scent, his words and actions clearly. My master has never been such a frivolous person as you!"

"Ah, this..."

Yotsuba Mahiro was ashamed.

Once again, I felt how pale and powerless language is.

In fact, she was not Yotsuba Mahiro herself, but Chelsea, who used [Gaia Foundation] to make herself Yotsuba Mahiro.

But upon hearing Mine's words, she was already cursing inwardly.

That jerk isn't frivolous? How many layers of filters are you using to judge him?!

He used such despicable and brutal methods to take someone's virginity, and then tied her up afterwards. Isn't such a despicable villain frivolous?!

However, she simply couldn't bring herself to say these words.

"And you too!"

Mine immediately turned her gun on another person, a tall woman with a figure comparable to Cornelia's, who wore a mask.

Following behind her were Najenda and the Night Raid team, including the captured members!

"I may not know your name, but I know you exist. You must be the master's subordinate, right? Do you intend to betray the master?!"

"I..."

Taeko opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something, then shook her head and said, "No, I never thought of betraying you."

I only hope you can be lenient and let these people off the hook. I am willing to bear all the blame and punishment.

"Senior Sister?!"

Chelsea suddenly panicked, abandoning all pretense and immediately removing her Gaia Foundation. She said impatiently, "Senior Sister, didn't we agree to leave together? Are you planning to stay under that demon's thumb for the rest of your life?!"

"No, you don't understand, Chelsea. That man may seem like a villain, but he's not truly evil, and he won't let me go either. If I go with you, I'll only end up hurting you."

Taeko can certainly relate to this deeply.

She had attempted to escape several times, but was always caught and brought back.

If she really leaves with Chelsea and the others this time, it might not just be her who gets caught, but the whole family!

"Boss, what should we do next? Should we fight our way out?"

Tatsumi asked Najenda in a low voice, but Najenda shook her head with a wry smile at the scene before her.

"Please don't do that."

"W-Why? Are we just going to surrender like this?!"

Tatsumi was somewhat agitated, but Leone immediately restrained him.

"The BOSS is right. We must not act rashly. Although we were captured by Lord Yotsuba Clan, it is essentially because we are on different sides. Moreover, Lord Yotsuba Clan has taken good care of us during this time."

But if we hurt anyone in this mansion, then we'll truly be doomed here today...

Leone's tone was full of helplessness.

Just how protective Yotsuba Mahiro is, she's heard a lot about from that masked woman named Taeko, though she hasn't witnessed it firsthand.

It is said that a relative of Lord Honest harbored improper thoughts about members of his assassination squad, and as a result, that person's house was raided that very night.

It even went so far as to leave no one alive.

"That's right, kid. Making any rash moves right now would be the most irrational thing to do."

"Yes, everyone's right. It's best not to mess with Mahiro, otherwise he can become very Mahiro."

Bulat and Sheele chimed in, echoing each other's sentiments.

"That's right, it's best not to make any rash moves. I won't allow anyone to cause trouble in the Yotsuba Clan's house."

Clang--

With a soft hum of the blade, Akame silently drew Murasame from its sheath.

"Red, Akame?!"

Seeing Akame's serious and silent expression, Tatsumi and Lubbock were immediately flustered, as this was the expression Akame only showed when preparing for battle.

To my utter surprise, Akame betrayed us at this crucial moment!

But compared to the panic and astonishment of these two, the expressions of the others were quite calm.

Leone sighed softly, revealing an expression that said, "Just as I thought."

Bulat's expression was somewhat complicated, with a hint of helplessness.

But the one with the most complicated feelings was Najenda. She slowly said, "Akame, you really are Yotsuba Mahiro's person."

Upon hearing this, Akame's delicate body trembled slightly, and she remained silent.

"Boss, you already found out?"

"Um."

Najenda nodded and said, "From some of the missions you brought back before, I noticed some clues, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it. Besides, Akame, you never intended to harm Night Raid, did you?"

"... I'm sorry, I've let you down."

Although she apologized verbally, her expression remained unchanged.

Among the elite group, Akame is arguably the one with the most complex thoughts, but also the most resolute.

Once she's made up her mind about something, no matter what happens along the way, she won't waver in the slightest!

However, just when they were surrounded by enemies Night Raid from all sides, a completely different voice quietly entered everyone's ears.