The Target is Najenda’s Head

Walking out of the palace-style dining room, Gozuki and his six disciples all wore dazed expressions, as if they had narrowly escaped death.

The lingering sensation of being torn apart constantly reminded Gozuki of what he had just faced.

That aura—so terrifying it made one's soul tremble—made Gozuki realize just how laughable his previous plan had been.

Under Honest's orders, Gozuki had calculated the power gap between himself and Selene, planning to use [Murasame]'s cursed poison to assassinate her. But looking back now, it was nothing more than a suicide mission!

Now that he had chosen to defect, he could no longer afford to sit on the fence, wavering between sides.

Najenda's head would be his token of loyalty.

Thinking of Najenda filled Gozuki with rage. It was because of her that he and the elite assassination unit he had painstakingly trained had nearly been wiped out.

Under the purple light that Selene had given to Leiva, the scene of Daniel and Babara meeting with Najenda played in his mind like a movie, crystal clear!

Those rebel scum and the Oarburgh Assassination Team members had used Najenda's handwritten documents to track their movements through the local defense force, who had been ordered, under false pretenses, to remain passive and watch from the sidelines!

For Gozuki, the elite disciples were just tools to further his ambitions and seek more power. They weren't irreplaceable.

However, he had invested a lot of effort in training these kids. After spending so many years together, even with a dog, he would have developed feelings—let alone with people!

If their deaths had served a purpose or matched their value, Gozuki could have accepted it. But this? They died because of information leaked by a traitor! And the ones who died were his two most prized disciples, with no value to show for it!

The effort he put in and what he gained didn't match at all!

"Cornelia, let's head back to rest for a while. Our next target: Najenda's head... Hmm? Akame, what's wrong?"

Akame stared blankly, muttering, "Father, Nahashu and Guy's deaths… they came from betrayal within the Empire. What… what do we even stand for?"

"These are not things we need to think about. Focus on yourself and complete the missions the Empire assigns you. Akame, why are you thinking this way?" Gozuki asked in shock, a hint of wariness in his voice.

"Even so… is what we're doing really right? Becoming tools for the higher-ups... Weren't we fighting for the smiles of the people?" Akame continued, as if trapped in her own world.

"The upper district here is so prosperous, and the Duke's mansion is incredibly luxurious... But everywhere we've been, people live in extreme hardship... So many people harbor resentment toward the Empire..."

At this point, the remaining four elite members were also stunned. The first part of Akame's speech could be explained as her confusion after losing close comrades, but the latter part seemed out of place.

In their eyes, an assassin's role was simple—obedience, absolute obedience!

"Enough! Shut up, Akame!" Gozuki shouted sharply. "What you need to do now is sharpen your skills and take Najenda's head to avenge your comrades!"

"Akame, I understand your thoughts... but right now, you're not qualified!"

With that, Gozuki glanced toward the shadows of the palace corridor.

As an assassin, Gozuki's instincts told him that something or someone was silently observing them from the shadows.

It must be some special ability to hide in the shadows, Gozuki thought to himself.

"Our top priority now is to take Najenda's head!"

...

Meanwhile, in the Duke's mansion garden.

"Those were all the words spoken by the assassin—Akame," Leiva respectfully reported, standing behind Selene.

"Akame's thoughts... are admirable, but too naive. And hearing such words from someone who's practically a butcher assassin... it just feels strange."

Putting down the audio recording device, which the Shadow Soldiers (Shadowkhan Ninja) had used to spy on the group, Selene couldn't shake a strange sense of déjà vu.

"With thoughts like these, she's no longer a competent assassin. Her blade has dulled." Former Imperial General Leiva gave his assessment.

"Assassins don't need to think too much. Excessive thought only shows a lack of conviction."

"Shall I..." Leiva made a throat-slitting gesture again.

"No, no, Leiva, no need to be so bloodthirsty. Let's wait and see. This is shaping up to be quite the show. We'll sit back and enjoy it."

"Yes, Miss."

Leiva couldn't help but feel that his young mistress was excessively cautious and fond of scheming. She always liked to follow a predetermined plan and rarely acted impulsively.

She handled conspiracies and plots with ease, showing none of the passionate drive typical of the young. Unless something was brought directly to her doorstep, she remained calm as an old fox.

In contrast, Leiva and Sebas—both well into their years—preferred a more direct approach.

Well, everything is subject to the young lady's will. Leiva only offered suggestions, and the final decisions were always hers to make!

Besides, being overly cautious wasn't exactly a bad thing...

...

As Selene and Leiva discussed how to peacefully rid themselves of Honest...

Bzzt—

A portal bathed in purple light slowly opened in midair, and out stepped a figure in a sleek, immaculate black butler's uniform. It was followed by a stern face, framed by white hair and a matching beard.

"Sebas?" Selene looked surprised. The timing was unexpected, and nothing major had happened on her end. Could it be that Dr. Stylish's research project had made progress?

As Sebas looked at Selene, who still radiated her youthful charm, the stiff lines on his face softened immediately.

"Miss, Dr. Stylish has made significant progress on the Honkai Energy Stabilization Soldier Enhancement Project that you assigned him…"

"The Honkai Energy Stabilization Soldier Enhancement Project?" Leiva was initially confused, but when he recalled the miraculous effects of Honkai energy on human enhancement, a look of excitement flashed across his face.

"Sebas, bring me Dr. Stylish's summary of his findings," Selene said, her voice tinged with excitement.

As her thoughts rippled through the air, the surrounding space shifted. The atmosphere tore apart, revealing a dazzling, multicolored portal.

"...Forget it, we'll go directly!"

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