"Najenda, what's wrong? You've been spacing out a lot lately."
"Ah? It's nothing..."
"The new nation just established--don't overwork yourself. We still need you here."
Watching the official walk by, Najenda, the former leader of Night Raid, looked somewhat dazed.
Just yesterday, Susanoo--who should have been destroyed by Esdeath--had found her again.
And Lubbock, confirmed dead, had appeared before her as well.
If they hadn't retained the aura and rationality of the living, she'd have suspected her former companions were being controlled by some Teigu.
But one thing troubled her most.
'Night Raid? What nonsense are you talking about?'
'We never had a department like that.'
She'd assumed the higher-ups were denying it for political reasons--until she went out to investigate.
Everything Night Raid had ever done... Not only had the Revolutionary Army's leadership "forgotten," but even the populace and official records held no memory of it.
As if Night Raid--the organization that assassinated high-ranking Imperial officials, terrorized the Empire with their kills, and fought in the great war--had been erased from existence.
Even Akame's bounty poster was gone.
"But... if I go there, I'll learn the truth."
She recalled their secret base--the location Akame's letter had designated for the reunion.
She had to go.
Even as a high official of the new nation, she needed answers.
After all, Akame clearly knew something. Why else would she summon everyone?
......
"Hey! Can you at least pay attention?!"
"Relax. I wandered around all day yesterday--no guards, not a single hostile person. Nothing."
A girl with long pink hair tied in twin tails glared at the boy strolling carelessly down the street. His nonchalance left her exasperated.
"It's unbelievable... but we're alive."
"And no one remembers us."
Tatsumi glanced at Mine, then tossed her the fruit he'd just bought.
"Hmph! If you get caught, I won't lift a finger to help!"
Catching the fruit, Mine huffed and turned her head with a tsundere pout.
"Yeah, yeah--won't trouble you."
"If it really comes to that..."
"Just run, Mine."
Tatsumi grinned at her.
"You--!"
Her face flushed, arms crossed over her chest.
"Hey... can you two knock it off?"
"Consider our feelings, will you?"
Nearby, Lubbock slouched in a chair, grimacing at their flirting.
"Hahaha! Jealous, Lubbock?"
Leone laughed heartily.
"Shut up! I just--"
"Hehe. Everyone's alive."
"Sheele, you being alive is the biggest shock."
"I thought I was dreaming at first."
"Speaking of which--where's Chelsea?"
"She said she wanted to explore the area."
"Oi, oi, oi--don't joke around! Hardly any of us have Teigu right now. If we get hunted down, it's no laughing matter!"
None of them understood their current situation. Why were they alive? Why were dead companions standing before them?
If not for the tangible reality of it all, they'd have assumed they'd all gone to heaven--or hell--together.
"Don't worry. I checked every bulletin board in the city. We're not even wanted. Who's gonna chase us?"
Leone gestured lazily, utterly unconcerned.
"By the way--where's Akame?"
"She went to find Bulat."
"What? Bro's alive too?!"
"Not sure. We'll find out when we check the old base."
"Yeah."
......
"Yo! Akame--perfect timing. I've been puzzling over what state I'm in."
"Suddenly crawling out of the ground, seeing my own tombstone..."
"Freaky as hell."
The muscular pompadour man sat cross-legged on the ground, beaming at the girl before him.
"Phew... good thing I came to check."
Akame studied Bulat's energetic form, relieved to confirm he was fine.
Everyone who'd died in the Imperial Capital--except Najenda--she'd contacted them all.
Not a single one missing. Almost everyone was alive.
And there was something else that weighed on her mind.
Akame had definitely been on the wanted list before.
But after returning from that war, not only had her bounty been "cancelled"--Night Raid itself, the infamous assassination unit, had vanished from common knowledge. Except for their former comrades, no one remembered.
She'd even infiltrated the new nation's archives. Not a single record of Night Raid remained.
In this situation, she could walk openly through the streets without fear of pursuit.
'Was this Rin's wish?'
Understanding the cause, Akame felt nothing but gratitude toward that girl.
A Beautiful and Stable Future...
Saved by her twice now.
Originally, just reviving her comrades would have been enough--but even the "complications" of resurrection had been solved.
Night Raid, free from bounties. Everyone could live freely in the new nation.
Whether in seclusion, traveling, or running a business.
"Sister..."
"!"
Then Akame heard words that stunned her completely.
Turning around, she and Bulat saw it together--her long-dead sister, standing beside the man named Wave.
......
"Waiter! One serving here!"
"Coming right up!"
"Oho, the girls at this new place look great. When the country prospers, everything changes."
"Heh--better not get any funny ideas. Bulat'll beat you senseless."
"With that giant working security at this little tavern? Nobody dares cause trouble."
"And I hear this place is sponsored by that high official--Najenda."
"Really?"
Somewhere in the new Imperial Capital's streets, a tavern called "Night Raid" had appeared.
Staffed by beautiful girls who each possessed deadly skills.
And young-looking boys who could hold their own against grown adults.
That unique atmosphere drew crowds of civilians, making the place explosively popular every night.
"Hey--did Leone mooch drinks from customers again?"
"We're supposed to be working! Why does she get to drink on the job?!"
"Lubbock... that's just the gap in life skills..."
"I can't take it!"
Tatsumi tried to calm the frantic Lubbock.
"Tatsumi! Get over here--today's cargo isn't gonna move itself!"
"Coming!"
Mine's voice echoed from the back. Tatsumi turned and jogged inside.
Akame stood silently in the kitchen, watching Sheele, Chelsea, and Susanoo prepare food.
At the entrance, Bulat lounged on a carriage, basking in the warm sunlight. A yawn escaped him.
Then, slowly, he spoke.
"This... isn't half bad."