[Night Raid Base – Briefing Room]
The atmosphere in the room was heavy after Tatsumi's outburst, his words laden with the weight of personal pain and newfound resolve.
Najenda, Akame, Leone, and Bane stayed silent, their expressions contemplative. Each of them had faced similar moments of clarity in their own pasts, when the harsh truths of the Empire had stripped away their naivety.
After a beat, Najenda broke the silence, her voice steady. "Leone, let's pick up where you left off. Has the client's story been verified?"
Leone nodded, her usual playfulness replaced by grim seriousness. "I looked into her background and corroborated the details. Everything checks out."
She elaborated on her findings, painting a vivid picture of the corruption. "Gamal's bribes to Ogre are a regular occurrence, and Ogre's crimes go beyond just accepting dirty money. He's been selling female prisoners to slavers, extorting protection fees from local residents, and there are rumors of multiple rapes. No solid evidence, though—he's too thorough at eliminating witnesses and their families."
The others exchanged looks, the weight of Leone's report settling over them.
Najenda exhaled a long plume of smoke, her eyes narrowing. "Night Raid will take this commission. We'll make sure these two rot in hell for their sins."
Leone leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Gamal will be easier to handle. Ogre's the real problem."
"He's feared even among the capital's criminals," she continued. "His swordsmanship is good enough. He patrols during the day, spends evenings at Gamal's place, and on his day off, he drinks near Swan Palace."
Tatsumi, eager to prove himself, suggested, "Then we should strike when he's off duty. If he's drunk, it'll give us an advantage."
Najenda raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "And you think you can take him down yourself?"
Leone chimed in, flashing her teeth in a mischievous grin. "Confident, aren't you? You sure you're ready for that, rookie?"
Akame, ever blunt, cut through the tension. "You'll die. You don't stand a chance against Ogre as you are now."
Tatsumi bristled but stayed resolute. "I'm confident in my strength!"
Akame's crimson gaze bore into him. "Confidence isn't enough. Do you have the resolve to take a life? The incident at the mansion doesn't count—that was driven by rage, not conviction."
Tatsumi faltered under her words, but memories of his friends and the injustice they'd suffered strengthened his resolve. "As long as Ogre continues his atrocities, more innocent lives will be destroyed. I can't let that happen again."
Najenda observed Tatsumi thoughtfully before making her decision. "Alright. This will be your first mission, Tatsumi. But don't make me regret giving you this chance."
---
As the meeting dispersed, Najenda called out, "Bane, stay behind for a moment."
Bane approached, his expression unreadable behind his mask.
"You were quiet during the discussion," Najenda began, lighting another cigarette. "Do you have no thoughts about the client or Ogre?"
Bane paused before replying. "The woman did what she could in her position. As for Ogre... he's just another powerful man exploiting the weak. Eliminating him won't change much, someone else will take his place."
Najenda leaned forward, intrigued. "And you don't feel any anger toward someone like that?"
Bane's voice remained calm. "Ogre acts within his means. He uses his strength because he can. As long as he doesn't harm me or those I care about, I have no personal reason to intervene. But if it's an order, I'll carry it out."
Najenda's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I see. What do you think of Tatsumi, then?"
"A fool clinging to ideals of justice and hope," Bane replied bluntly. "If he doesn't learn to temper his emotions, he'll die."
Najenda studied him for a moment, reflecting on Geralt's description of Bane. A soldier loyal to his comrades, yet detached from the broader cause of revolution. He saw strength as a natural determinant of survival and had little sympathy for those who couldn't defend themselves.
"You're pragmatic," Najenda remarked, flicking ash into an ashtray. "That's good—it makes you effective. But it also means you're unpredictable."
"The deal I made when you joined remains intact but I have another offer for you," she continued, watching Bane's reaction closely. "I know you're interested in learning more about Teigus to better understand Jörmungandr. I have a diary containing detailed notes on various Teigus and their abilities, including Trump Cards. You would have gotten sooner or latter but I will also give you other details you desire"
Bane's attention sharpened. "What do you want in return?"
"I need you to keep an eye on Tatsumi during this mission," Najenda stated. "Observe his performance and report back to me. And if you choose to intervene, that's up to you."
After a moment of consideration, Bane nodded. "Understood. I accept."
As he left, Najenda exhaled a long breath, her expression contemplative. Bane is a valuable asset, but his detachment sets him apart from the others.
She glanced at her mechanical arm, memories of past battles flickering in her mind. He might never reach the heights of someone like... her. But for now, he's exactly what Night Raid needs.
"The end is near." She muttered bitterly.
And with that, Najenda returned to planning their next move, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on her shoulders.