"'Murasame?'"
Mine's eyes widened in shock. Everyone in Night Raid knew just how powerful Akame's Teigu was.
Leone couldn't hold back her reaction. "Isn't that too big of a price to pay?"
Teigus were the foundation of their ability to fight against the Empire. If Akame lost her One-Cut Killer sword, 'Murasame', Night Raid's strength would be significantly diminished.
"Sorry…" Mine lowered her head, not expecting that Akame would have to sacrifice something so important to save her.
But Najenda, always sharp, raised a valid question. "But your 'Murasame' is still with you. He didn't take it."
Akame responded, "He won't take it. It's more complicated than that."
Hearing this, both Leone and Mine let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, that scared me."
However, Sheele, ever perceptive, sensed that the second trade might be even more significant. She asked in her usual gentle tone, "And what about the second trade?"
"For covering our retreat, the trade was for my… body's usage rights."
Akame saw no reason to hide it and said it plainly.
"Body usage rights...?" The others were taken aback, interpreting the phrase with varying levels of shock.
Leone's face twisted in confusion. "Usage rights? Does he mean like a puppet?"
Sheele, however, had a different guess. "I don't think that's what he meant…"
Mine's face turned beet red as she shyly asked, "Akame… do you mean 'that' kind of body usage rights?"
Akame tilted her head and calmly replied, "Everyone seems to think it's that kind of usage."
"Uh…"
The entire meeting room fell silent. Mine's brain nearly short-circuited, and even Leone, usually the carefree one, was visibly uncomfortable talking about such a topic. She scratched her cheek awkwardly and laughed. "Huh, I didn't expect that guy to be into stuff like this."
"Right! A total pervert!" Mine quickly nodded in agreement, feeling deeply conflicted. She had initially thought that Rei Ao, who had come to rescue her, might be a charming prince. Now, it turned out he was just a pervert interested in Akame's body!
But Najenda, ever the strategist, offered a different perspective. "If that's all it takes, then it's a pretty fair trade."
The others were taken aback by her pragmatic approach, but upon reflection, they realized she had a point. Trading something like that for Rei Ao's help—who had even killed General Budo, one of their greatest enemies—was indeed a great deal.
If it weren't for Najenda's own physical condition, she wouldn't have minded trading herself with Rei Ao. Just a few… encounters, and the Empire's downfall would be in sight.
But Sheele, who knew Akame better, asked an important question, "Akame, do you even know what to do in a situation like that?"
Akame nodded confidently. "I've seen it before. You just lie down."
However, she did recall that it seemed more complicated at times. But fortunately, Rei Ao was the type who would help others, so she figured it wouldn't be an issue.
"Uh..."
The others exchanged confused looks, realizing that Akame might not fully understand what she was getting into. Leone stood up, deciding to take matters into her own hands. "Akame, why don't you join me for a bath later? I'll explain things to you."
Najenda didn't stop them. This wasn't something she or anyone else could assist Akame with. Leone would be the best one to help her understand the basics.
After the two left, Mine, still blushing, couldn't help but ask, "Are we really going to let Akame… with Rei Ao…?"
Leone scratched her head and sighed. "Mine, Rei Ao is way too powerful for us to back out of a deal with him."
"And besides, if it were me, I wouldn't mind."
"Wha–"
Leone continued nonchalantly, "Rei Ao is not only good-looking and charismatic, but he's also incredibly strong. I've never met a man like him."
Mine was at a loss for words. After all, if they tried to back out, who knew if they'd end up frozen and shattered like Budo.
Najenda, deep in thought, added, "This might actually be a good thing for us."
She glanced at both Mine and Leone. "If Rei Ao offers to make deals with either of you, I earnestly ask that, for the sake of our fight against the Empire, you consider not refusing him."
A powerhouse willing to offer his strength in exchange for simple favors of the flesh was an opportunity too great to ignore. To Najenda, Rei Ao seemed even more powerful than Esdeath, and she knew they couldn't pass up the chance to secure his support.
"W-wait…" Mine was stunned. Was Najenda asking them to… sell their bodies?
"How could we even consider doing something like that?!"
Just imagining it made Mine dizzy with embarrassment. But Leone casually shrugged, reclining back with her hands behind her head.
"I don't really care, to be honest. Besides, I doubt Rei Ao would even be interested in someone like me, with all my muscles."
"But if he is, well… I'd say that's a win for me."
Najenda sighed. "We'll have to see how things play out."
"...???"
Mine was completely baffled. Were they seriously having this conversation? Night Raid, a renowned group of assassins, was starting to sound like a brothel!
But then again… when she thought about it, Rei Ao 'was' handsome and incredibly strong.
If he approached her… would she really say no?
~~~
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