Chapter 156 - #155 Helping with the training (1/2)

---Night Raid's hideout---

”Does that mean that the one I have met before was this man named Akashi?” Sheele asked Najenda while tilting her head.

”Yes, *sigh* I really want to have a talk with him. We aren't enemies but neither we are allies. The relationship between our organization is extremely fragile, the only thing that probably is stopping him from making enemies out of us is Akame and maybe even me but I doubt that since my relationship with him is more of an acquaintance rather than a friend. Hell, he even has a better relationship with Esdeath than me, which is the thing that troubles me the most.” Najenda confirmed it with a small nod before she started saying this with a serious expression.

”...I think that Kurome wouldn't mind it that much if he decided to go against us.” Akame added while shaking her head with a bitter expression.

”How can you say that? Isn't she your sister? Even if you two had your bad moments, she still definitely loves you.” Lubbock exclaimed with a slightly surprised expression.

”I know she does, although sometimes even I don't believe it myself however that's not the point. She would definitely be sad but I believe she would follow Akashi...I have seen those two, how they look at each other...” Akame explained.

”Does that mean your sister and him...?” Lubbock asked with an uncertain expression.

”No, even I was able to see it. It's clear as day but you haven't met them personally so I don't really blame you for thinking like that after hearing Akame phrasing it like that. They both love each other but...simply said there is no ŀust between them if you understand.” Green corrected Lubbock.

”So like siblings? I see...” Lubbock muttered with a thoughtful expression while holding his chin.

”Anyway, Sayo was your name, right? Can you tell me anything about Akashi that we might not know? It doesn't matter how stupid it might even sound, just say what you can think of.” Najenda turned back at Sayo after getting distracted for a moment.

'Well, he didn't say anything important or serious...As long as I don't talk about layout of his mansion, I think it is alright.' Sayo thought before she decided to speak out.

”Um, we haven't really talked that much but during the time he treated my injuries, we talked a little bit. As any curious woman, I have asked about his romance life since his...fiancee just died. But that wasn't before I asked why she was even his fiancee, to begin with. It is apparently widely known in the Capital that it was ”political” marriage so I also asked if he thinks if they might try to force any other marriage onto him.” Sayo began retelling what happened with a thinking expression and folded arms.

'Most of the things I already know but hearing it from her perspective is still good. I doubt they will try to force anything since he is already someone too strong. The same way as none would dare to force marriage onto Esdeath. Wait! ?! No, no, no! I hope I worry unnecessarily about this.' Najenda thought with a calm expression while occasionally nodding her head but then she thought of something concerning Esdeath and Akashi and her expression immediately became shocked.

”P-Please continue. Is he perhaps interested in anyone?” Najenda asked with an unnatural tone and everyone noticed it as they looked strangely at her however she was simply misunderstood here.

'?! Is she interested in him?! NOOO!!' Lubbock who heard her words froze in place and in a few seconds he kneeled down with tears in his eyes, making everyone look even more strangely at him.

”Eh...He said that there is someone he is interested in and their relationship is apparently also very good. I think they are already secretly in a relationship because his expression immediately softened when I asked him that question...” Sayo answered with an uncomfortable expression when she noticed how intensively Najenda was staring at her.

”And who is it? Did he say anything that would indicate who could it be?” Najenda asked hurriedly while unconsciously nearing Sayo. By this time, everyone was already startled by her actions but Lubbock on the other hand started already crying.

”Um...”

'How the hell should I know?! How many women exist in this world anyway?!' Sayo thought, slightly irritated by Najenda's endless questioning that felt more like an interrogation.

”He said that it was a bit complicated, that is, her status is complicated.” Sayo said, resolving herself to refuse in case Najenda asked for more information.

'complicated status...?'

”*Sigh* haha, it isn't Esdeath. My worries were for nothing, haha” Najenda sighed in relief before she started laughing like a madwoman.

”Huh?” Everyone looked at her with a surprised expression except for Tatsumi and his friends who had no idea who Esdeath is. Only now everyone understood that they just misunderstood Najenda.

After that, Najenda explained everything about their goals to Sayo and Ieyasu since Tatsumi already knew. At first, they hesitated to join in, especially Sayo and Ieyasu after experiencing something like that but Najenda took out some older cases of something similar happening and even much worse things which made even regular members of Night Raid narrow their eyes in complete disgust. It wasn't a surprise when the trio who weren't accustomed to such things had horrified expression on their faces.

”Such things...how is it even allowed?” Tatsumi muttered with a horrified expression.

”It isn't, at least on the surface but everyone knows that as long as they don't do anything in front of thousands of people, they will do just fine with some money to keep others silent.” Najenda explained.

”This...How are we even supposed to earn money for our village in a place like this?!” Tatsumi raised his voice in frustration while clenching his fist while gritting his teeth.