Chapter 163 - #162 Talk about the Future 2 (2/2)

”How are we even supposed to trust you? Your family isn't that clean either...It's just that good deeds that you have done in your territory spared us targeting you.” Lubbock said however even he knew that it wasn't just good deeds that made them not to target Akashi or his family.

”You can't trust me, that's the most amusing part here, at least for me. Will you blindly put your trust in me or will you risk fighting Esdeath and possibly even me?” Akashi said with an amused smile before asking with the same smile.

”Why do you say that? If you were intending to help Esdeath and Empire, we wouldn't be talking right now.” Najenda asked with a curious expression.

”Well, I said something about wanting to marry Esdeath to Honest during the party just to get rid of him and I think that he might even bring it up before Esdeath. And if I were to marry her by any chance...What kind of husband would I be not to help my lovely wife?” Akashi said with a silly smile saying ”oops”

”WHAT?!” Everyone exclaimed at the same time, however it was unknown what exactly shocked them the most. The fact that Akashi described sadistic Esdeath as lovely wife or that he might marry her.

”...Have you grown impatient that you use threats now?” Najenda asked with a complicated expression.

”To be honest with you, it would be easiest just to kill all of you right now, take your Teigu and arm my own army with them before taking over the entire Empire. You see, I don't particularly need you, you can just disperse and I can do what is your main goal...kill Honest without your help. And I am not impatient, it is called being prepared, my dear general Najenda.” Akashi said with a casual tone while laying on his back with his hand behind his head and putting his leg over the other.

Everyone tensed up when Akashi said those words and they were once again prepared to draw their weapons at Akashi. While Lubbock was the only one biting his nails with a nervous expression when he saw how Akashi ”flirted” with Najenda but his entire image of those two sitting there was extremely distorted.

”...Even you can't be serious to take all of us at once. There are 6 Teigu users here...I can believe you taking care of 3 Teigu users at once but this is too much...” Najenda said.

”Would Esdeath be able to take care of all of you?” Akashi asked with a smile.

”...No” After a bit of hesitation, Najenda answered with an uncertain tone.

”Even you don't believe it yourself. You don't want to believe the disparity between Teigu. One Teigu being able to overpower 6 of them...However, you forgot the fact that Esdeath is someone from the borders with the Northern Tribes. I have met her even before she had her Teigu and I must say that she was extremely strong even without it.” Akashi said since he was able to notice the fact that Najenda was only comparing the Teigus instead of people wielding them.

”I have even been present during her accepting that Teigu. She is strong, mentally, and physically yet that Teigu almost destroyed her mind, it is not your half-assed Teigu that anyone can try and in case he is not strong enough or compatible, he will be rejected gently.” Akashi continued

”...” Najenda didn't say anything but it was apparent that she was thinking about something.

”Tell you what...Relay this talk to the Revolutionary Army's headquarters. I am willing to ”forgive” everyone who defected once I am in control. Everyone will be able to return back to their original posts, they will be only judged after that by their actions. And let's be honest, you have only 2 choices here, either you try to kill me right now or you do as I suggest you since you can't fight both me and Esdeath.” Akashi said with a serious expression.

”...*sigh* How can I know that these aren't just empty words?” Najenda asked with a troubled expression, if everything could be solved easily, she would try to take that way but there was too many at risk to just blindly trust someone.

Everyone was surprised that Najenda even considered his words but what shocked them even more has yet to come.

”Boss, I trust him.” Hearing this, Najenda turned around with a dumbfounded expression.

”?! Akame?” Najenda asked and even Akashi was slightly puzzled by this.

”My sister would never work for someone evil and as Lubbock said...he has done many good deeds in his territory. To be honest, if he could change the entire Empire like he changed his territory, I think it would be wonderful.” Akame explained and everyone looked at her with shocked expressions.

”As Akame's best friend I must agree! I saw him avenging his 4 guards that were killed by Zank. What noble would bother himself to go and avenge some guards? He even used 4 weapons previously used by those now deceased guards.” Leone joined in with a big smile while throwing her arm around Akame.

”Well, he helped us...” Ieyasu and Sayo muttered in low voice but everyone heard them.

”...If he is as strong as everyone claims him to be, I guess I am still alive just because he spared me?” Sheele added but her face was uncertain since there could be many reasons why he just ran away at that time.

”Well, I would like to avoid fighting Poney.” Green said while looking sideways.

'If they knew some of my deeds, I guess not everyone would be so willing. Wait, now that I remember something...' Akashi thought just to recall something that Kana and Tetsu mentioned when Akashi rescued them.

”Hey, Akame. There is something I want to ask you.” Akashi interrupted this series of shocking moments and turned at Akame.

”Hm?” She tilted her head to the side with a confused expression.

”Do you know kids named Kana and Tetsu?” Akashi asked with a curious expression.

”?!!! How?!” Akame's eyes widened as much as it was possible and shouted with a confused expression, wanting Akashi to know why he is asking. After all, there should be no way for him to know them because she saw the town in flames with her own eyes, therefore, there was a bit of hope in her eyes now that she heard Akashi's question.

”Akame?” Everyone except for Green and Akashi looked at her with confused expressions since this was the first time they saw her being so worked up for just information.

”It seems like you do know them...Simply put...I rescued some brats from the town engulfed in flames.” Akashi casually said but everyone was shocked by Akame's reaction.

”Akame?!!” Everyone's eyes widened when they saw tears pouring down her cheeks with a relieved smile.