Chereads / The return of the Dark Lord / Chapter 14 - Empire vs rebels

Chapter 14 - Empire vs rebels

Imperial capital

The day of the final battle between the Imperial forces and the rebels had finally come.

After the disappearance of the Ash Phoenix, Esdeath took command of the Imperial Army. She entrusted the defense of the wall to General Grievous and the protection of the imperial palace to Saeko. The departure of her lord made the Ice queen commit a great massacre to vent the anger she felt against the Night Raid, to the regret of the rebels.

After the numerous clashes in recent weeks, the Imperial army numbered only 30,000 soldiers in its ranks and their adversaries still numbered 45,000 soldiers.

Taking advantage of the encirclement of the city, the rebel army split in two to attack the north gate and the south gate. The South Gate army has thirty thousand soldiers led by General Nakado. This attack served only as a diversion for the real assault led by the 2nd Army personally commanded by King Bradley. Esdeath, was well aware of this situation and felt euphoric to bring Bradley's head back to his lord.

South gate

Grievous led the majority of the Imperial forces in defense of the South Wall. Esdeath wanted to take care of the 2nd Army without any help, Grievous found her arrogant but had to admit who had the power to be so.

Returning to the present moment, the Imperial General observed the thousands of enemy soldiers approaching his wall. He turned his gaze to his own men who awaited his next orders.

Grievous: Send the Danger beasts!

At his command, the wall gate opened leaving hundreds of Danger beasts, ranging from Gifnora Dog to Earth Dragon, pouring out into the enemy ranks. Although these beasts were formidable it was not enough to destabilize the rebel army. Due to the chaos on the battlefield, no one noticed that the blood of the beasts was much darker than normal, especially in the stomach.

Seeing that most of the beasts of war were now dead and the rebels had resumed their march, General Grievous ordered his archers to fire flaming arrows. Several flaming projectiles fell on the blood and dark liquid coming out of the corpses of the Beasts. The liquid ignited instantly right in the middle of the rebel army, separating the two sides until the flames were extinguished. Under Grievous' orders, during the last three days before the assault, the Danger Beasts were fed a liquid similar to petroleum but much less harmful.

Thereafter, thousands of horsemen led by a hundred black Numenorean charged the enemy army. Destabilized by the flames, General Nakado failed to restore order to her army before the cavalry came into conflict with her army. As the blood of the rebels spilled, Grievous' cruel laughter spilled over the battlefield

Imperial Palace

In the throne room was the young emperor accompanied by his prime minister as well as General Saeko Busujima and some imperial guards. The young boy was worried about the worrying situation of his empire.

Emperor: Minister, what's the situation?

Honest: It's not very good ... Although the south gate is leading fierce resistance, it appears that the north gate has been breached due to enemy teigus users. Fortunately Esdeath goes personally to stop the rebels who have the audacity to disturb his majesty. Unfortunately what can one person do against an army?

The minister's words shook the young spirit of the Emperor. He was the last heir in a long line of rulers, which weighed heavily on his shoulders. What did he do wrong? Why are these subjects revolting? He had followed the advice of his Prime Minister perfectly, wasn't that the right thing to do?

Standing at the foot of the throne, Saeko could clearly see that Honest was manipulating the young boy into questioning his abilities. Boring. She would rather be on the battlefield than witness this mockery of governance. Yet she had sworn to serve her lord and that is what she would do until her last breath because she owed him everything she is today.

''flashback''

Alley in the imperial capital, 15 years earlier

A young girl barely ten years old had a knife in her hand from which a red liquid was flowing. At her feet another child of the same age as she was lying on the ground with the difference that blood was escaping from her chin strap. The two children had fought over the piece of bread they had stolen from the local baker.

It had been several days since they had eaten anything and hunger drove their primitive behavior to take hold. Looking at what she had done, a feeling of regret invaded the little girl for having killed her accomplice in the crime, although a certain sadistic joy accompanied her because thanks to her strength she will be able to live one more day.

''Tap Tap Tap''

The girl's gaze turned to the entrance to the alley where she saw a young man wearing military attire and with long white hair approaching her.

Fear assailed Saeko. Was the man in front going to execute her for his crime? Is it wrong to want to live at the expense of the weak?

Despite the corpse in the alley, the young man gives him only one second of glances. Yet the young girl had the impression of being observed by a primordial beast. The helplessness she felt overwhelmed her will and made her fall to her knees. All will to resist disappeared from her eyes, in front of a being like this one it was not any more for her to decide if she wanted to live.

Yet the man did not stop or slow down, continuing on his way as if he had seen nothing. He left only one sentence for the young murderer.

AnĂ¡rion: If you no longer want to feel this feeling but instead make others feel it, follow me.

His words troubled Saeko. He suggested that she become a monster like him. His hesitation did not last long. His life in the street had taught him that if you wanted to live you had to be the strongest, otherwise you would be devoured by him. Even if she can never surpass the man in front of her, she will be content to surpass the others.

''End flashback''

Coming out of his reverie, Saeko's interest was captured by Honest's manipulation

Honest: Majesty, you must show the people that this illusory revolution is only bringing chaos to this glorious nation. We must therefore teach these rebels a lesson. Unfortunately blood will flow, but an iron fist is also needed. By showing the power of the Imperial Family this stupid rebellion will end. I beg you ...

Suddenly the large doors to the room shattered and Tatsumi emerged from the smoke. The Imperial Guards quickly took up a position to protect their leader and Saeko moved to the Emperor's right. Akame jumped through the stained glass ceiling to the surprise of the Imperials.

Akame: Target in sight, Minister Honest. Elimination!

The swordsman charged the minister, easily bypassing the guards. However a few meters before reaching the target an energy shield protected Honest, showing the activation of the ultimate Teigu. Having narrowly escaped death, the corrupt man laughed foolishly, rejoicing at the death of the assassins.

Honest: Good, Majesty! Punish these stupid thugs!

Emperor: I am the Emperor of ...

To everyone's surprise, the woman beside the young boy did something neither of them expected. Honest's eyes widened in horror at the image, the two assassins grew confused and the Imperial Guards didn't know how to react. The young emperor's head fell from his shoulders because of the purple haired general's sword.

The prime minister didn't even have time to turn around as the swordsman moved at high speed in front of him and pierced his stomach with his sword. Honest naively believed that the disappearance of the Ash Pheonix had allowed him to regain complete influence over the Imperial Army. Today he was paying for his mistake.

Saeko thought: Finally, this comedy is over.