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Rokki Village.
The moment Alex landed, the door of a shabby, low-roofed house burst open. Two small figures rushed out at the same time.
It was Kurome and Tsukushi.
"Alex! Where's my sister? How is she? She's not in danger, right?"
Kurome fired off every question in one breath, not even stopping to inhale.
Tsukushi had just opened her mouth to speak when Alex casually unfolded Unlimited Blade Works, releasing everyone inside.
"Kurome!" Akame hurried forward and grabbed her sister's hands. "It's over. It's really over. From now on, we're free."
"Gozuki is dead. We killed him."
At the very least, they would never have to return to that suffocating life in the Assassination Unit.
Kurome and Tsukushi both froze.
Akame… really killed Gozuki?
In the time that followed, Akame and Cornelia explained everything that had happened. Guy and Green chimed in now and then, filling in the details with animated gestures.
Only Myo stood quietly at Alex's side. After a moment, she asked softly, "What about me? What should I do now?"
She wasn't part of the elite assassination squad. No matter how she looked at it, she felt a little out of place.
Alex turned his head and looked at her.
"Myo," he said gently, "do you want to become a god?"
"A… god?" she echoed, confused.
The word felt impossibly distant.
She had never even wielded a Teigu. All this time, she had relied solely on her own overwhelming swordsmanship.
And that was precisely why Alex wanted to take her with him.
"That's right. Once this is over, I'll take you away from here."
"To a place where you can grow stronger. You'll obtain a blade far more powerful than anything in this world."
His voice was calm and steady.
There were only a few loose ends left. It wouldn't take long before he could return.
In Alex's eyes, among his current followers, only Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Myo had the potential to condense the divinity of a Sword God. Even if someone else managed it, they likely wouldn't surpass her.
Myo fell silent, deep in thought.
She already fully believed Alex's identity as a traveler from another world. The power he had displayed was undeniable.
Especially the countless swords within Unlimited Blade Works.
The sheer, terrifying aura they emitted still lingered in her mind.
"I want to," Myo said firmly.
Now that she had glimpsed the future, how could she not want to grow stronger?
"Good. Then stay here and rest."
"When dawn breaks tomorrow, everything will come to an end."
Alex rolled his shoulders lightly.
"What about us?" Akame asked from the side.
After Gozuki's death, the Teigu Murasame had naturally become her weapon. With the Imperial Arm in her possession, she was now the strongest among them.
Aside from Alex, of course.
"Get some proper rest tonight," Alex replied. "I'll let you know if there's anything to arrange."
As his final word fell, he snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, his figure melted into the void and vanished.
…
At the same time—
Deep within a mountain range lay the current base of the assassination organization.
With the Empire making frequent moves lately, only a place like this could be considered truly safe.
"Who would've thought… Gozuki actually died."
"And by the sword of his own prized student."
"But why would Myo choose to side with Akame?"
Merraid Oarburgh strolled leisurely along a forest path, a parasol spinning lightly in her hand. The White Wolf Town wasn't far from here, which was why she had received the news so quickly.
"If we seize this opportunity, our assassination organization can deal the Empire a devastating blow."
A faint smile curved her lips.
If they marched into the capital, she would finally be able to meet her again.
Suddenly, Merraid's expression sharpened.
"Who's there?!"
As the leader of the assassination organization, even the slightest disturbance in the air couldn't escape her senses.
Alex didn't bother hiding.
He stepped out from the void, walking toward her as if emerging from thin air.
"No need to be so tense."
"An Imperial?" Merraid's voice was cold. "No… I've never seen you before."
The assassination organization possessed detailed intelligence on nearly every high-ranking official in the Empire. She could swear she had never encountered this man.
"Of course not."
With a casual lift of his hand, Alex pulled her into a barrier space.
There was no point wasting time.
He explained everything—about himself, about White Wolf Town—without reservation.
Before Merraid could even begin questioning him, he raised his hand again. Projection magic unfolded in the air, playing out the Empire's future and the experiences of the Night Raid squad like a silent film.
Time ticked by.
When the final scene faded, Merraid stood there, utterly lost. The confusion on her face was unmistakable.
After a long while, she finally spoke.
"This… is real?"
"If not," Alex replied calmly, "why would Akame and Myo join forces to kill Gozuki?"
He flexed his wrist lightly.
"The future has already changed. Esdeath has destroyed the Empire. The world is essentially unified."
"Your talent and abilities are impressive. That's why I came to you."
Merraid was intelligent. There was no need for deception or half-truths. Being direct only made things simpler.
"If this concerns Esdeath," she said without hesitation, "then let's go."
She agreed almost instantly.
Akame and Myo weren't fools. And the assassination organization had been founded for one reason—to overthrow the Empire.
If the future Esdeath chose to annihilate it herself…
Then perhaps they could become true allies.
"..."
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