After introducing Bane to the Night Raid members, Najenda shifted her focus to the unconscious girl lying on the bed behind him, her face obscured by an oxygen mask.
She then glanced back at Bane, noticing his earlier outburst and sensing its connection to the girl.
"Do you know this girl?" she asked, her tone probing.
"....."
Bane did not respond. His aquamarine eyes returned to the unconscious girl, scanning her features. After a brief pause, he reached an internal conclusion.
'She cannot be Liya.'
The resemblance was undeniable, her facial features and black hair mirrored Liya's almost perfectly. Initially, he had thought she might be Liya, especially after hearing the song from the boy.
But upon closer inspection, he recognized the truth. The girl was far too young to be Liya, who was long dead.
Recalling Liya's mention of relatives in her village, Bane deduced that this girl must be a descendant of Liya's family lineage, likely inheriting her striking features.
'....'
Bane stood motionless in the room, grappling with a storm of suppressed emotions. The weight of guilt over Liya's and Ron's deaths threatened to overwhelm him. Yet, he refused to succumb to the tide of sorrow that had haunted him for so long.
Taking a moment to compose himself, Bane addressed Najenda in a measured tone. "The girl resembles someone I knew. I mistook her for another."
Despite the calmness of his voice, the faintest edge of sorrow was discernible to all.
Najenda observed him intently before speaking again. "Is the person you're referring to Liya?"
Bane hesitated before offering a small nod, confirming Najenda's suspicion.
Having already been briefed about Bane's past by Geralt, Najenda pieced the situation together.
Turning to Leone, she commanded, "Leone, report every detail of the mission. I've already heard from Akame about your actions, and you'll face punishment afterward."
Leone flinched, reverting from her beast transformation, and began recounting the mission. Despite her attempts to appear pitiful, Najenda remained unmoved, her steely gaze unwavering.
"I'll deal with you after the meeting," Najenda stated before turning her attention to Lubbock. "Lubbock, what are their conditions?"
Lubbock approached solemnly. "The girl's condition is critical. Her injuries are extensive, and the blood loss from prolonged torture has left her beyond recovery. The stitching I've done is a temporary fix, but she'll succumb soon."
He glanced at the boy lying nearby. "As for him, the Lubora disease has reached its final stage. His organs are failing, and while he's holding on, he won't last long. Neither of them can be saved."
Najenda nodded, processing the grim report before shifting her gaze to Bane. His mask concealed his expression, but his aquamarine eyes remained fixed on the girl.
"..."
After a long silence, Bane finally spoke, his tone cold and detached. "Only the strong survive, while the weak perish."
His words reverberated through the room, astonishing everyone.
Tatsumi clenched his fists, fury and disbelief welling within him. How could someone so indifferent to suffering even consider saving his friends?
Yet, before he could voice his anger, Bane reached into his coat and retrieved a small cube.
To Tatsumi's alarm, Bane produced a blood-red pill and moved toward Sayo. His mind raced, was this poison? Was Bane planning to end Sayo's suffering in the most ruthless way possible?
"STOP! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO SAYO?" Tatsumi shouted, panic gripping him as he prepared to intervene.
Before he could act, Leone restrained him on Najenda's silent signal.
Najenda's voice cut through the tension. "What are you doing with the girl, Bane?"
For a moment, Bane said nothing. Then, in full view of the room, he unsheathed a dagger and slashed his hand from finger to palm.
Blood poured from the wound, but within seconds, his skin began to knit itself back together.
The Night Raid members watched in stunned silence as his hand healed completely, leaving no trace of the injury.
"This pill," Bane began, holding it up, "was made from my blood. During my imprisonment, a scientist extracted it to develop this formula. I assassinated the slave dealer who obtained it from him, recovering the pill."
Pausing, Bane's voice grew colder. "The scientist claimed it could instantly heal any injury. I've never tested it, but this is an opportunity to verify its effects. If you want this girl to live, this pill is her only chance."
Tatsumi stared at him, confused. Why would Bane, who had just dismissed the weak as expendable, offer something so valuable?
Najenda narrowed her eyes. "Are you certain about this, Bane? The pill is too valuable. It could save your life in the future or be sold for unimaginable wealth. Why waste it on someone you don't know?"
Bane's tone remained icy. "I am not sentimental. This is not about altruism or guilt. If the pill works, it proves its efficacy. If it doesn't, the girl was already dying. Either way, I gain clarity on its value."
Najenda studied him carefully, sensing his pragmatic approach.
Tatsumi, though still distrustful, realized Bane's reasoning made sense. If there was even a sliver of hope for Sayo, he had no choice but to accept.
"Do it," he muttered, barely audible.
With no further hesitation, Bane removed Sayo's mask and positioned her head to administer the pill.