Garou Ga Kill

Chapter 39 Doubt & Lead

Somewhere beyond the mountains south of the capital, a mid-sized village stood, now serving as the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.

Akame's weary eyes locked onto the sight ahead-rows of soldiers moving through the village,carrying out their duties with hardened expressions.

She let out a quiet sigh and pressed forward,but her mind remained tangled in Garou's words.

He wasn't their enemy.

She believed him. The idea that he could be lying wasn't impossible, but what would be the point? Someone like him,

with the overwhelming strength he had demonstrated, didn't need deception.

If he had wanted them dead, they wouldn't be standing here.

And yet, would the others see it that way? Would they accept it, or would they keep antagonizing him until it was too late? The thought of her comrades charging headfirst into a fight they couldn't win sent a cold weight settling in her chest.

Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't notice the approaching soldiers until one of them called

out.

"Identify yourself! Who are you, and why are you here?"

Akame pushed aside her worries for now.

She would report to Najenda first-she would decide

what to do from there.

Looking up at the soldier, she replied evenly, "I'm Akame from Night Raid.I'm here to report to the leaders on behalf of General Najenda."

The soldiers straightened immediately, their demeanor shifting to respect.

"Please, Miss Akame,follow me," the leader said.

As she stepped into the village, Akame's sharp gaze swept over her surroundings.

Soldiers-only soldiers. The houses bore signs of battle, their walls cracked and splattered with dried blood. The scent of iron still lingered in the air. People had died here.

"Please wait here for a moment," her escort said before stepping forward alone.

Akame didn't have to wait long before another man approached. He carried himself with the confidence of someone higher in the chain of command.

"Miss Akame, it's great to finally meet you. I've heard much about you and your work," he said offering a practiced smile. "I am Saki, one of the guards protecting the leadership. I will escort you inside. Please, follow me."

Minutes later, they arrived at the village's center, where the main command building stood. Inside,a handful of men sat around a large wooden table, their discussions quieting as Akame steppedforward.

One of them turned to her.

"Why did Najenda send you to report in her place?" he asked, his tone unreadable.

Without hesitation, Akame launched into her report, detailing everything-the plan to deceive the Jaegers, the battle, the crushing defeat at Garou's hands, and their desperate retreat.

She held nothing back except for her second encounter with Garou.

That was something she needed tothink through first.

By the time she finished, silence hung thick in the room.

The men exchanged grim looks before one of them slammed his fist against the table.

"We spent too many resources on this mission, and you still failed! How could you be so useless?!"he barked.

"Calm yourself," another leader interjected. "They did their best, and some of them even died. The presence of that monster was unexpected... as if Esdeath alone wasn't enough."