Feeling her arm being pulled, Aria ran out of the mansion, while a soldier screamed.
" Mademoiselle, you must hurry. "
" What's going on ? "
" We are under attack! We need to get to safety in the hangar. "
" Hey, wait for me. "
Turning around, the duo saw Tatsumi running towards them. Breathless, the boy seemed delighted to see Aria alive.
" Finally ! I found you, Aria-san. "
However, he froze in terror, hearing footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw Akame walking towards him, sword in hand. Looking at her eyes, only to see death, the boy took a step back.
However, he finally pulled himself together and drew his weapon.
" Shit ! I don't have a choice ! You want to fight ? Unfortunately for you, I wouldn't let you hurt Aria-san. "
Ignoring his words, Akame ran straight for him. She moved so fast that Tatsumi couldn't move. He was so scared that the young girl could have killed him without his having time to defend himself. Yet she suddenly ends up jumping over the boy, while declaring.
" You are not our target. "
Then Akame walked over to the soldier beside Aria. Raising a machine gun, the man began to scream.
" Dies, bitch. "
Dodging bullets harmlessly, Akame finally found herself in front of him and made a quick movement with her sword.
" Target… eliminated. "
Immediately, the man found himself cut in two. Seeing the two pieces of corpse fall to the ground, Aria fell on her buttocks, shaking in fear.
" Pl ... Please. "
Simply staring at her, Akame raised her sword, before aiming it at her throat.
" Target elimination. "
However, she was blocked by the surprise arrival of Tatsumi, who was trying to cut her from behind.
Jumping in time to avoid the boy's sword. Staring at him then, Akame declared.
" You are not my target! It is not necessary for me to kill you. "
" I wouldn't let you take it out on Aria. " Tatsumi retorted. " If you want to kill her, you have to kill me first. "
" Well ! I'm going to kill you. "
" What ? " Said Tatsumi. " Wait a minute. "
Too late. Akame had rushed at him to kill him. And before Tatsumi could react, Akame's sword was about to cut through his heart.
" I will die ? "
Yet Akame felt like she was paralyzed. Feeling a dark aura, she turned to a person who was quietly walking towards them.
" Akame from Night Raid, I guess. " Cried Galadriel, with her best smile. " I am delighted to meet you. "
" Ga… Galadriel ?" Tatsumi wondered.
" Who are you and what do you want ? " Wanted to know Akame.
" I just stopped you from killing new people. " Assured Galadriel.
" Galadriel, go away. " Tatsumi ordered her. " She will kill you. "
However, he finally noticed that Akame remained frozen. Staring at Galadriel, the young woman felt a strange unease inside her. She was a murderer. Someone who had killed hundreds of nobles without hesitation and without feeling any guilt. And in front of her was this strange woman with white hair, who was quietly walking towards her. And the closer she got, the more Akame's instinct told her how dangerous she was.
Finally, continuing to stay still, Akame suddenly allowed the demoness to pull a dagger out of her sleeve and pretend to slit her throat.
Noting that her opponent's movement was quite slow and awkward, Akame came out of his trance in time and managed to block him with his sword. Astonished, Galadriel let out a little cry of fear, while still looking scared that she had been blocked so easily. Surprised at first, seeing that Galadriel appeared to be a beginner in combat, Akame ended up frowning, before making a quick movement with her sword to direct it towards Galadriel's abdomen.
Yet at the last moment Akame jumped back. Landing next to Tatsumi, she ignored the boy completely, while the hand that held her sword trembled. Akame had stepped back. She had backed away from Galadriel, feeling a sudden aura of death as she was about to attack her.
A smile appeared on Galadriel's face again as she congratulated Akame.
" Unbelievable ! I was about to attack you to kill you! If you had jumped a hundredth of a second later, you would be dead. "
Hearing her, Akame wasted no time calling her a liar. In fact, she almost felt like Galadriel was telling her the truth. If she hadn't backed down, Akame would have already died.
" Who is this girl ? What does she want? Why is she attacking us? What is her power? Does she have a teigu? "
Asking himself a thousand and one questions, Akame suddenly heard Galadriel marveling at her teigu.
" You seem to be a normal person, although more powerful than average! On the other hand, your saber is far from normal! It looks to me like it was shaped by a demon! I really want to examine it. "
Hearing this, Akame tightened her grip on Murasame even more. Then taking a deep breath, the murderer then managed to calm her fear. She felt like a fool. No matter how powerful this girl was, Akame only had to touch her with the blade of her saber to kill her in an instant. All she needed to do was know the power of this strange woman, and then launch an effective counterattack against her.
Yet Galadriel now remained still. Her dagger was gone without Akame knowing how and she remained standing, just staring at Akame. She looked helpless. Despite this, Akame couldn't find any opening to attack. No matter what she was going to do, she felt like Galadriel could defeat her without any problem.
'' A problem, Akame-chan ? " Asked Galadriel. " Are you not the famous murderer who spends her time killing? Are you really the mighty warrior of Night Raid? Are you looser than I thought? "
" Night Raid has no coward in its ranks. " A voice shouted.
Jumping back in time, Galadriel then heard a deafening noise, as something hit the ground, forming a large crater. Landing gracefully to her feet, Galadriel eventually saw a man in armor appear in front of her.
" Oh ? Has Prince Charming arrived to save his princess? "
" You are not our enemy! So go — right away. "
" Why that ? " Wanted to know Galadriel. " Things are just starting to get interesting. "
" If you don't go, I would have to kill you. " Cried the man in armor, directing a combat spear at Galadriel.
'' Do you dare to say that when you tried to trample on me to death? "
" I knew perfectly well that you could avoid this kind of attack. " Assured the man.
" Bulat, be careful. " Akame cried. " This girl is not normal. "
" Yes ! I know it very well ! Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to come and help you. "
For his part, seeing another murderer come to lend a hand to Akame, Tatsumi ends up directing his sword at the man in armor.
" Hey you ! How dare you go after a woman and fight two on one? If you want to fight, I'm your man. "
Seeming to notice Tatsumi's presence, Bulat turned to him, before finally declaring.
" Decidedly, there are a lot of people who want to die today. "
Suddenly, running towards Bulat, Akame jumped onto his shoulder, before making a huge leap in the air, before aiming her sword at Galadriel. Thinking of taking the latter by surprise, she was surprised to feel her saber strike what looked like a magic circle which acted as a shield.
" Do you really want to fight against me? " Galadriel questioned, once again making a dagger appear in her hand. " Alright, I challenge you. "
Immediately, the blade of her dagger struck Akame's sword. Countering her, the slayer began to strike intensely, hoping to be able to hurt Galadriel, and kill her as well.
However, managing to keep up with her speed, Galadriel blocked her attacks one by one, while widening her smile. Akame was quick, made irregular movements to try to surprise her, and his saber was a unique weapon that could kill the most powerful of the Beastmen in an instant.
" Very interesting ! In the end, if I make a comparison, Tatsumi must be at level 26! Gazef is at level 30 ! And Akame… I'm sure she has to wait for a level close to 35! It's impressive ! And Esdeath is stronger than her ? So the humans of this world are surely stronger than any I have ever met! If I can grab a few warriors and train them, maybe I can make good fighters out of them ! "
Continuing to try to hurt her, Akame didn't know how to react, while Galadriel spent her time countering her attacks, all the while smiling at her.
" Akame ! " Bulat exclaimed, running towards her.
However, he stopped as soon as he felt lightning falling in the sky. Jumping aside to avoid it, he heard it hit the ground, spraying where he was a second ago.
" What is that ? "
" Don't interfere in the fight of Galadriel-sama. " Narberal ordered him.
Seeing that she was the one who tried to shock him, Bulat couldn't help but be surprised. As a former soldier in the empire, he knew General Budo's teigu, who could control lightning. Now this girl had to use a similar power.
" Who are you ? "
" The one that will kill you if you ever dare to touch a hair of my lady, stupid insect. "
" Minute. " Tatsumi exclaimed, standing in front of Narberal. " He is mine . "
" Do you want to die? "
" Don't worry, he will not kill me. "
'' No, I'm the one who will kill you, if you don't go now, you stupid earthworm. "
" Hey! I am behaving like a man. "
" As a man? Don't you understand that you are useless? "
" I'm trying to protect you. "
" I would rather die than be protected by someone like you. "
" What? Is that how you thank me for helping you? Ungrateful ! "
" Euh ... you tell me if I'm disturbing you. " Bulat exclaimed.
Eventually, he disappeared from their sight, as he became invisible.
" What … ? " Tatsumi wondered, turning his face all over the place. " Where is he ? Where is he ? "
Just growling in irritation, Narberal suddenly turned and directed her hand forward, before creating a lightning spear. The attack forced someone to jump to avoid it. Once in the air, Bulat removed his invisibility, flabbergasted to have been discovered so quickly.
"These two women… who are they ?"
Landing on the ground, he then saw Akame back up to him, still breathing heavily. In front of her, Galadriel was twirling her dagger between her fingers, while hissing.
" You are really impressive, Akame-chan! I intended to kill you again, but your instincts ordered you to jump back. "
" Who are you ? " Akame asked. " Do you want to capture us? "
" Not at all. " Galadriel retorted. " In fact, I don't want to fight Night Raid in any way. "
" What ? "
" Narberal ! "
Immediately, the pleiad leapt into the air, before landing alongside Galadriel.
" I introduce myself! My name is Galadriel and I am an adventurer! And here it is, Narberal. "
" An adventurer ? " Bulat repeated.
" That's it ! And if I am here, it is because I am looking for a monster that I must kill at all costs. "
" A monster ? "
" Yes ! A certain Jaldabaoth. "
" Who is it ? "
" A demon who came to earth to destroy humanity. "
There was immediately an enormous silence. Then, finally, Bulat asked.
" Can you repeat ? "
" I know it's complicated for you to understand but… in my native village, there was an artifact where a huge amount of dark matter was concentrated! The role of my village was to watch over this artifact to prevent anyone from stealing it! Unfortunately my village was looted by a group of mercenaries and the artifact was shattered! The mercenaries were then absorbed by the dark matter that was inside and the latter used them as food! Her energy then at its peak, she took the form of a demon: Jaldabaoth! As a survivor of my village, it is my duty to kill him. "
Standing behind the members of Night Raid, Tatsumi suddenly swallowed.
" A demon ? Is ... is this a joke? You are not serious. "
Suddenly thinking back to their first discussion, Tatsumi cried out.
" That's why you asked me if I knew magic and if I had already met beings who were not human? "
" Yes. " Approved Galadriel. " Just like me, Jaldabaoth is a person who can control magic and has immeasurable strength! He is an evil being who wants only one thing: to destroy humanity! And I am the only one able to prevent it. "
Looking at each other then, Bulat and Akame tried to find out what the other was thinking. Then, finally, Bulat cried out.
'' Do you really think we'll believe you? "
" I don't care whether you believe me or not! All I can say is I don't want to fight you. "
" You're the one who came to fight me. " Akame cried.
" It was just to protect Tatsumi. " Said Galadriel. " And to show him the evil of the capital. "
" What ? " Tatsumi wondered.
"Unfortunately, I think you let Aria escape. "
Turning instantly, Tatsumi was surprised to find that Aria had run away.
" What … ? That … ? Where is she ? "
" Here ! "
Arriving, a blonde woman looking like a lioness made her appearance. In her hand, she held Aria by her hair, which gestured in vain to free herself. Looking at the duo, Tatsumi finally roared.
" Hey, let go, you. "
Then, finally, he noticed.
" Hey, you're the blonde who scammed me! You're Leone, aren't you? "
" Hum? " Said Leone. " I do not see what you're talking about . "
" Don't make fun of me. " I recognize your breasts!
" Perverted human rot. " Narberal muttered.
" Why do you insult me all the time? "
Suddenly, Leone threw Aria's body at Tatsumi's feet, while staring at the boy, as well as Galadriel and Narberal.
" You say you don't want to tackle Night Raid? So what are you doing here? "
" It's she who invited us to her place. " Said Galadriel. " Our meeting is purely due to chance! I did not take into account to meet you. "
'' So do I have your word that you're not going to fight us no matter what we do? "
" As long as you don't attack us, that suits me perfectly. " Assured Galadriel.
Just nodding, Leone ends up heading for the hangar. Helping Aria to her feet, Tatsumi finally screams.
" Hey, is that not right? You are also a murderer, is that it? Why did you kill Aria-san's family? For money ? I could never forgive you. "
'' Do you think this girl is innocent? " Leone questioned, while smashing the hangar door. " Even seeing this? "
As soon as the door opened, Galadriel stepped back a little, so as not to be seen by the prisoners inside the hangar. Tatsumi, meanwhile, took a few steps forward, before finally widening his eyes.
"What is that ? "
Seeing in turn the corpses, the objects of torture and the traces of blood and organs on the ground, the boy could not understand what he was seeing.
" What is happening here ? "
" This place perfectly shows the darkness of the capital. " Leone explained to him. " This family would attract commoners here and then subject them to their passion for torture! They 'played' with each of these poor people until they died! This is the true nature of the inhabitants of this house. "
Still not knowing what to say, Tatsumi finally looked up to see Sayo's suspended body.
" Sa… Sayo? "
" What a horrible place. " Bulat asserted. " Doing this to people makes me sick. "
" People who have fun torturing people only deserve death. " Akame agreed.
Hearing this, Aria pretended to run away. Nonetheless, Galadriel simply says.
" Narberal…"
In an instant, Aria saw the pleiad appear in front. Then, Narberal hit her shin with a kick so powerful that Aria's leg bone snapped in two.
" AHHHHHHHHHHHH! " Aria cried, falling to the ground, while holding her twisted leg. " My leg ! My leg ! "
" Stay on the ground, insect. " Ordered the pleiad.
" You tortured dozens of people, including children. " Galadriel remarked. " You don't deserve forgiveness in any way! Just expect to die. "
" I didn't do anything. " Said Aria, starting to sob. " I am innocent ! I swear ! Help me ! "
Turning to Tatsumi, Aria screamed.
" Tatsumi, I was not at all aware of all this! I promise you ! I am against violence. "
Silent, Tatsumi remained still.
" Tatsumi, are you not going to believe them? Who do you trust more, in them or in me ? "
" Tat… Tatsumi. "
Turning her face to a cell, Tatsumi saw an acquaintance whose injured body was pressed against the bars of her prison.
" Ieyatsu? "
Looking at Aria with rage, the boy asserted.
" This girl invited us to her place! After eating we passed out and were taken here! This girl… She tortured Sayo to death! She killed dozens of people out of sheer nastiness! It's just a monster. "
" Yes, it's just a monster. " Roared another prisoner.
" Free me ! Let me kill her. "
" I want to put your eyes out, bitch. "
" I want to kill her. "
Screaming then, several of the prisoners lashed out against the bars of their prisons in the hope that they could get revenge on Aria. Finally, banging the bars and stamping their feet, they screamed.
" DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! DIE ! "
Hearing this, Aria suddenly began to roar.
" Shut up ! You shitty peasants. "
Her face transformed with anger, Aria wanted to know.
" What is the harm in torturing the bouseux of the countryside? You are nothing more than peasants of no importance to the inhabitants of this city! You are just cattle! I should be free to kill you however I want. "
Pointing at Sayo, she cried.
" Like this girl! How dare she present herself to me with such sleek, crisp hair? How dare she with hair more beautiful than mine? "
Then, turning to Galadriel, she roared.
" And the same for this bitch! Do you think you're beautiful, bitch? You are nothing but less than nothing! You have no rights! You don't even deserve to talk to me, look at me and even live without my permission. "
Her eyes widened, she suddenly saw Narberal's fist right in front of her face, as the Pleiad couldn't hold back their anger any longer.
" Disappear from my vision. "
But before she could hit her, she felt Galadriel's hand grab her fist and stop her dead. Grimacing in pain, Galadriel managed to stop her fist, as the impact of the blow created a gust of wind, which knocked Aria back. Forgetting her rage, Aria trembled with death as she narrowly escaped death.
" Galadriel-sama? " Narberal wondered.
Taking her hand, which was shaking a little, Galadriel asserted.
" It's not for us to kill this girl! I bet someone wants it a lot more than us! Isn't it, Tatsumi? "
Having left the hangar, the boy walked over to Aria, keeping his gaze downcast.
" Tat… Tatsumi? " Aria wondered, trying to back away. " Look… I… I'm sorry! Really sorry. "
Seeing the boy grab his sword, Aria asserted.
" I will give you whatever you want! You want money, don't you? I'll give you all the money you want! I would also give you jewelry, gold and… "
Tatsumi's sword suddenly gutted her, killing her instantly.
" I just want your life. " The boy asserted, seeing her fall to the ground.
Seeing him do this, Bulat hissed in admiration through his helmet, while Akame put away his sword.
"He killed her without the slightest hesitation!" Leone remarked. "
" Well done, Tatsumi. " Said Galadriel. " You managed to avenge your friends. "
Remaining silent, Tatsumi could only hear Ieyatsu's cry of pain, as this denier fell to the ground, while coughing up blood.
" Ieyatsu! What's wrong ? "
" He was drugged. " Akame explained to him. " He cannot be saved. "
" Not impossible. "
Hitting the bars of the prison, to enter the cell, Tatsumi grabbed his friend's body before screaming.
" We can save him! I know it ! I… Ieyatsu can't die. "
Suddenly, his friend's hand passed over his cheek.
" Tatsumi… you don't have to worry about me. "
Starting to smile, Ieyatsu affirmed.
" Sayo! No matter the torture, she stayed true to herself! And she stayed strong until the end. "
Clenching his fist, Ieyatsu declared.
'' Me too, I want to face death, without being afraid of it. "
" No no ! You can't die! I refuse. "
" Don't worry ! She promised to help us and save us. "
" Who that '' she ''? "
" The Queen of Nazarick! Ga… "
Suddenly spitting more blood, Ieyatsu fell silent, before finally turning headless to the side. He had just died.
" Ieyatsu! IEYATSU! "
Falling to his knees, Tatsumi hugged his friend's body, before she started to cry.
" Why … ? Why ? If only I had reacted sooner. "
Seeing him do it, Galadriel ends up leaving.
" Narberal! We have nothing more to do here. "
Nonetheless, she saw Bulat stand in front of her.
" One minute ! We have to talk. "
" I have no extra time to waste here. "
" I want to know who you are exactly! And was the story about this demon true? "
" Of course it was true. "
" In this case, I will ask you to follow us to our base! I'm sure our boss would be interested in your knowledge. "
" I refuse. " Galadriel retorted. " I neither want to be the enemy of Night Raid, nor be part of it! I am an independent warrior. "
Suddenly screams were heard all around the mansion.
" The soldiers. " Akame remarked.
" Damn it, we must have made more noise than expected. " Leone remarked, grabbing Tatsumi. " We must go. "
" Hey ? What are you doing ? I have to bury my friends. "
" We don't have time for that. " Leone retorted. " If the guards catch you, they will execute you. "
" What? But I did not do anything. "
" Not matter! This town's militia is corrupt and rotten to the bone! As long as he made a good culprit, the soldiers would arrest anyone to earn rewards! Here's how the police work here. "
" We're going. " Akame shouted, leaping to the roof of the mansion, followed by Leone.
Preparing to do the same, Bulat suddenly heard Galadriel tell him.
" Jaldabaoth is not an opponent you can beat. "
" What ? " The man wondered.
" I am the only one who can fight it! From what I've heard, he wants to attack the capital of the empire soon! So I'll stay this way! If you ever hear of him, don't hesitate to come and see me. "
With that, she grabbed Narberal's hand and teleported. Surprised, Bulat looked around, not to see them anywhere.
" How did she do it? Is this what she calls 'magic'? "
Unable to answer his question, Bulat heard the screams of the soldiers again and started to flee.
As soon as he left, Galadriel and Narberal exited the hangar, where they had teleported.
" Perfect ! " Announced the demoness. " Here they are. "
" Why want to make friends with them and let them go, my lady? " Wanted to know Narberal. " I thought we should capture them and use them as a hostage to bend the revolutionary army. "
" I found a much better plan. " Assured Galadriel. " I don't know if you noticed it, but the power of this armored man and Akame is astounding, for humans! And I'm sure they can get even more powerful! Now that they both saw how powerful I was, I'm sure they'll practice so they have a chance to beat me. "
Smiling gloomily, she declared.
" By pretending to be a potential ally, I am sure to avoid an attack from them! Now I just have to wait to see them improve! And then I could take it and make loyal soldiers! And I hope they will also improve Tatsumi's potency, I'm sure he has the greatest potential of all. "
" Are you sure they will come back to you ? "
" Of course ! For this we can count on Jaldabaoth! As soon as he attacks the rebel army, Night Raid will want to find all the means to fight him! As long as they don't see me as an enemy, I'm sure they'll call on my services in the end! And this would be the perfect time to show them my power! In the eyes of the rebels, I would immediately become their new beacon of hope and I would have no trouble being able to take control. "
Listening to him, Narberal began to applaud him.
" No doubt ! You really are the smartest being, my Lady! What are we going to do now? Shall we go back to the tomb? "
" No, before that, I will honor a promise. " Assured Galadriel, turning to look at Ieyatsu's body. " MESSAGE ! "
Making a magical ring near her ear, she asked.
" Pandora's Actor, can you hear me? "
" Absolutely, Galadriel-saaaaaaaaama! What can I do for you ? "
" It seems that guards are coming here to capture us! I need to stay here a few minutes! Could you stop them from bothering me? "
" No problem ! "