The ability to devour souls and absorb the memories of the deceased—was such a thing truly within the realm of humanity?
To the soldiers gathered in the square, August's words were an unbearable shock. Ordinary men, burdened with guilt and fear, recoiled at the mention of such an unnatural power.
Humans, especially those steeped in sin, instinctively feared the darkness and the unknown. Even if the world turned a blind eye to their deeds, they could never deceive themselves. In the stillness of the night, guilt and fear became an unrelenting torment, gnawing at their souls.
And now, August stood before them as someone who could claim their very essence, turning their darkest fears into reality. This was no longer a battle—it was a nightmare.
"We had no prior quarrel," August said, his voice steady and chilling. "But since you chose to strike at me, I will not stand idly by."
Step by step, August advanced. Each step seemed to echo in the square, forcing the soldiers to retreat instinctively. They had already seen General Budo fall, and none among them were eager to meet the same fate.
The minister, Honest, was no exception. His allies were gone—his loyal Rakshasa Demons were dead, and Esdeath and her subordinates clearly had no intention of helping him.
"Everyone, attack! Kill him!" Honest bellowed in desperation.
But his command fell on deaf ears. Not a single soldier stepped forward.
The logic was clear: one general was already dead, and the other stood silently by August's side. Charging forward was nothing short of suicide.
"You cowards! Traitors! All of you deserve death!" Honest shrieked, his voice breaking with hysteria.
His insults only served to deepen the soldiers' disdain. They began stepping back, creating a clear path between Honest and August.
Watching this, Esdeath couldn't help but laugh.
"Minister Honest, did you ever imagine you'd fall to such a state?" she said with a smirk.
Her subordinates—Liver, Dairada, and Nyau—stood dumbfounded. This was the minister, the most powerful figure in the empire, now reduced to a desperate, snarling beast.
The minister's power had always been rooted in fear and manipulation, but August's overwhelming strength had shattered that foundation in an instant.
Those who serve out of fear can just as easily turn against their master when a greater fear arises.
Power and cunning had always been Honest's weapons, but now brute strength was all that mattered. In the face of August's unstoppable might, the minister had no chance of escape or redemption.
Thud. Thud.
August's slow, deliberate footsteps rang out like the tolling of a bell. Each step seemed to crush Honest's spirit further.
"Stay back! I am the empire's minister!" Honest cried, his voice trembling.
"Power and authority mean nothing to me," August said coldly. "Honest, the final minister of this crumbling empire, die here and now."
Before Honest could respond, August plunged a simple iron sword through his chest, ending his life in a single blow.
The sword was nothing special—just a weapon picked up from the ground. For someone like Honest, August didn't even need to use his Teigu or any of his more powerful tools.
And with that, Honest was dead. The notorious minister who had ruled the empire through terror and corruption met his end swiftly and unceremoniously, right in the heart of the imperial capital.
Silence fell over the square as those present realized they had witnessed the end of an era. The age of "Honest" was over, and a new chapter in the empire's history had begun.
"Esdeath," August said, his tone calm. "Do you need my help with the rest?"
"There's no need," Esdeath replied, her voice laced with amusement. "With Budo and Honest gone, I now hold the greatest power in the capital."
"Don't leave any loose ends," August said. "If you've chosen to act, then ensure no remnants remain."
"Of course."
A bloodthirsty smile spread across Esdeath's face. This was exactly the kind of situation she relished—a full-scale purge.
"Nyau!"
"Yes, Lord August?" Nyau replied instantly, her voice tinged with nervousness.
"Eradicate the remnants of the imperial family. The royal bloodline has persisted long enough—it ends today."
"Ah… Lord August, I…"
"Do you have a problem with my order?"
"N-No, my lord. I will handle it thoroughly," Nyau stammered, immediately bowing in submission.
Dairada, standing nearby, couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. He wasn't particularly interested in the imperial family, but eliminating the heirs of the empire seemed like an excellent way to gain recognition.
"With the minister dead, there must be no loose ends," August said. "You lack the strength for this task. Allow me to grant you some power to finish the job."
With a wave of his hand, three dark seeds emerged, glowing with ominous energy. Each seed was imbued with the essence of August's magic, condensed into raw power.
The seeds buried themselves into the bodies of Liver, Dairada, and Nyau. Instantly, their appearances began to shift.
Liver's aura darkened, radiating a faint, malevolent energy. Dairada's muscles swelled to nearly double their size, transforming him into a hulking brute. Nyau sprouted crimson horns reminiscent of a lower-tier demon.
The transformation left them awestruck.
"This power… it's incredible," Liver murmured, clenching his fists.
"I can't believe how strong I've become!" Dairada roared, flexing his newfound muscles.
"Unreal… simply unreal," Nyau whispered, touching her horns in disbelief.
Though the power they received was far from that of true demons, it was more than enough to carry out August's orders.
Having made his preparations, August glanced toward Esdeath. Soon, the imperial capital—and the entire empire—would be bathed in chaos. For August, it was the perfect storm to harvest negative energy.
And with Esdeath leading the charge, war was inevitable.
___If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my pat reon,
https , // www .pat reon. com /XElenea