Chapter 38: The Great Campaign of Winning Over Allies

"This is just too unfair!" Lubbock couldn't help but roar after seeing Kobayashi living the life of a harem king.

He worked himself to the bone every single day, often risking his life, only to receive a meager bounty that barely covered his expenses. In contrast, Kobayashi spent his days idling about, flirting and being pampered by beautiful women. Anyone would feel a sense of imbalance and injustice at such a sight.

After just two days, Lubbock reached his breaking point. He made a shocking announcement to everyone: "I've decided! I’m quitting Night Raid!"

His logic was actually quite simple. He considered himself a vital member of the team, and as the Teigu user responsible for the base’s security, he figured that if he threw a little tantrum, the others would have to offer him some perks to smooth things over. He didn't demand the same treatment as Kobayashi, but he hoped the female members would at least give him some benefits. Ideally, a mixed bath where he was the only man present—that would be perfect!

"Heh heh heh..." Lubbock’s mind raced with these calculations, his lecherous expression clearly betraying his sordid thoughts.

This only served to make Najenda angrier. Not only had they failed to win Kobayashi over with their charms, but now the members of Night Raid were acting out because of jealousy. While Lubbock was reliable in a pinch, he was always failing in the most inexplicable ways. When would he ever grow up?

"Lubbock, did you say you were quitting Night Raid?"

"That’s right!"

"Are you serious?"

"...That’s right?" Lubbock’s voice wavered, sensing the dangerous look in Najenda’s eyes.

"I see. You want to quit?" Najenda sighed, sounding exasperated. "I’ve already warned you, yet you persist... Lubbock, you haven't forgotten what I said about leaving when you first joined, have you?"

!!!

Lubbock’s eyes widened. He gulped and stammered, "To, to quit, the only way is..."

"The only way to quit is through death... Isn't that what I said?"

Najenda’s expression turned lethal. She turned to the lion-like beast woman next to her, who was already cracking her knuckles in anticipation. "Leone, I’ll leave it to you to see Lubbock off."

"Understood! I’ve been waiting for this!" Leone licked her lips and lunged forward, activating her Teigu, [Lionelle], and transforming into a wild, beast-eared warrior.

"Wait, wait! I surrender! I surrender!" Seeing that Leone was serious, Lubbock immediately caved. Although his Teigu, [Cross Tail], was powerful and versatile, his ability to fight head-on was inferior to Leone’s. Furthermore, the psychological trauma from being beaten by her so often made him unable to muster any desire to resist.

"Tch, spineless man," Leone mocked him, glancing pointedly at Kobayashi, who was watching the scene from the sidelines. The look seemed to suggest that he was no better.

If it were a hot-blooded youth like Tatsumi, who hated being looked down upon, he might have fallen for her trap. Unfortunately for her, Kobayashi wasn't that type.

Seeing Lubbock fold, Najenda asked with a mix of annoyance and amusement, "Well? I’ll ask you one more time: do you still want to quit Night Raid?"

"No, I’m not quitting! Night Raid needs me! The Revolutionary Army needs me! Everyone needs me, how could I possibly quit?!"

Lubbock’s clownish behavior drew chuckles from the group, but he remained deeply unsatisfied. "I know the reason, but isn't this too much of a double standard? Don't you agree, Bulat, Tatsumi?" He tried to bring the other two men into the conversation.

Unfortunately for him:

"No, I don't really mind. As long as we can successfully recruit him, I think the effort is worth it." Bulat, a man who truly enjoyed his "stacking" exercises, had little interest in women. He had already reached the realm of "no women in one's heart, the sword becomes divine."

Seeing Bulat was indifferent, Lubbock turned to the other man. "Tatsumi, what do you think? All the women of Night Raid are drifting away from you, you know!"

Tatsumi countered, "Is there a problem with that?"

"Eh?"

"At the end of the day, who everyone wants to spend time with is their own choice. If you’re being disliked, that’s your own problem, Lubbock. Who told you to never be serious and always go around peeping?"

"What did you say..."

Tatsumi’s point was clear: Lubbock simply lacked charm. Even if Kobayashi weren't around, the women of Night Raid wouldn't be any closer to him—he had brought this on himself.

"Ho, how could it be like this..." Lubbock was devastated, collapsing to his knees and clutching his head, unable to accept the cruel reality.

"Alright, Lubbock, stop fooling around," Najenda scolded. However, she realized there was a problem and that things needed to change. "Since that's the case, do you have any better ideas?"

"Yes, yes! Over here, over here!"

"Leone, what’s your suggestion?"

"I suggest we ramp up the honey trap!" Leone shouted. "No man can resist big breasts. If I give him a little more 'fan service,' I’ll definitely be able to win him over!"

"No, there are men who don't like breasts, you know? The proof is Bulat; he doesn't like them," the naturally airheaded Sheele pointed out slowly.

"Men don't count!" Bulat flashed a bright smile, though his statement left everyone confused. Why was he so proud of that?!

Akame: "Feed him more good food!"
Mine: "Buy him more new clothes!"
Tatsumi: "Give him more pay!"
Bulat: "Exercise with him more!"
Sheele: "Let him help me treat my airheadedness."

Wait, why would he help you with that?

The members of Night Raid argued incessantly in the hall, nearly pulling out their Teigus to settle who was right. Najenda felt a headache coming on.

Finally, she looked at the outsider in the corner who had caused all of this. "Kobayashi, which one do you think is best?"

"Even if you ask me, I can't possibly answer... Besides, shouldn't you be discussing these things in private? Why are you doing it right in front of me?" Kobayashi looked conflicted. He really couldn't understand their thought process. It was like parents discussing what birthday gift to get you while you were sitting right there listening—where was the surprise in that?

Najenda, however, had a different motive: "Because I want you to know how much effort we’re putting into winning you over."

*All I see is a pack of wolves eyeing my body,* Kobayashi thought to himself.

"Well? Any thoughts on joining us yet?"

"Absolutely not!" he replied just as bluntly as before.

Seeing this, Najenda waved her hand. "Stop arguing! We’ll use all these methods! One by one. You will each use your most confident strategy, and we'll see who succeeds in recruiting Kobayashi. I’ll give the winner a generous reward!"

"Oh!!!"

The competitive spirit of the Night Raid members was ignited. Meanwhile, Kobayashi was left wondering if their approach was really okay, and if he should just make a run for it.