Chapter 155: The Empire's Response
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It was a bit regrettable that they didn't find the minister.
However, today's harvest was already substantial. Aoki glanced around at the people in the palace and disappeared quietly.
Not long after, Budo arrived with the guards. After conducting an investigation, his expression turned grim.
"He actually possesses this kind of ability"
Looking at the bloodstains at the palace gate, Budo's already stern face became even more severe.
The enemy could shapeshift, travel through space, and was powerful enough to kill the Four Rakshasa Demons in a short amount of time.
Where did this powerful individual come from?
Why did he break into the palace at night?
Could he be connected to the rebels?
Was it someone from Night Raid?
Were they attempting to assassinate His Majesty?
With these thoughts racing through his mind, Bud strode toward the emperor's chambers, unable to remain calm any longer.
On the surface, it seemed the enemy had left, but no one knew for sure. He could have merely changed his appearance and hidden among the crowd, continuing his nefarious plot.
A short time later, the young emperor, still groggy from sleep, was summoned.
The court officials, led by Minister Honest, and the military, represented by Budo, gathered in the chamber.
"General Bud, there was an assassin in the palace. Four of my finest men died protecting it. As commander of the Royal Guards, isn't this a failure on your part?"
Minister Honest was the first to strike.
The Four Rakshasa Demons were his private soldiers, the most formidable force under his command. Their deaths were a significant loss for him.
Budo shot honest a cold look and responded, "It is my responsibility that an assassin infiltrated the palace, but the Four Rakshasa Demons shouldn't have been here in the first place!"
Honest brushed it off. "They were here to protect me. You know the rebels have been targeting me for assassination. I can't afford to go without protection!"
Budo said nothing further and turned to address the emperor.
"Your Majesty, this assassin is a real problem. He can change his appearance and travel through space. Even I can't catch him"
The young emperor was shocked. "Not even the general can stop him?"
Budo nodded solemnly.
"If it were a direct confrontation, I could kill the assassin. But with his abilities—similar to the Imperial weapon Shambhala—I cannot capture him."
At this, Budo glanced pointedly at Honest.
As far as he knew, Shambhala was still in the hands of the empire, and should currently be under the control of the minister.
The emperor stood and waved his hand. "Don't worry, General. It's just an assassin. We will find a way to deal with him!"
He then turned to look at Honest.
"Minister, do you agree?"
Honest, chewing on a piece of meat, exclaimed, "Your Majesty is so brave! Truly worthy of being a wise ruler!"
Budo frowned and directly asked, "Minister, where is Shambhala? If we are to catch the assassin, we must use Shambhala's power!"
Honest, still chewing, mumbled, "Shambhala is currently being used for a very important mission and is not in the capital."
In reality, he had given Shambhala to his son, Syura, instructing him to travel the world in search of talented individuals.
With Syura away from the empire, Ernest couldn't retrieve Shambhala even if he wanted to.
Budo's face hardened. "What could possibly be more important than the safety of the palace and His Majesty?"
Honest dismissed Budo's concerns.
"This mission was initiated before the assassin appeared. General, it's your job to protect the palace and His Majesty. If anyone's at fault here, it's you for dereliction of duty"
"And don't forget, my four men already sacrificed their lives to safeguard the palace!"
Budo looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I hope to stay by your side and protect you for the next few days until the assassin is dealt with."
"Then I'll leave it to you, General"
The young emperor quickly accepted his advice.
Though he trusted his ministers, he also placed great trust in his generals.
For thousands of years, the general's family had been responsible for guarding the imperial palace and protecting the emperor.
Honest narrowed his eyes.
He didn't want others to have too much influence over the emperor. However, the threat of an assassin was real, and it would be disastrous if the young emperor were to die.
…
Kurome sat quietly in the room, waiting.
Over the past few days, she had been growing accustomed to Aoki's powers.
She realized that not only had she gained nearly immortal regenerative abilities and eternal life, but she also had endless energy, no need for sleep, night vision, and more.
Some of these abilities were even more terrifying than those granted by Imperial weapons.
Calming her thoughts, Kurome gazed out the window.
Aoki had been gone for quite a while.
Although she knew that with Aoki's strength, the likelihood of him facing danger was slim, she couldn't help but worry.
After all, he had gone to the Imperial Palace! Not only were the empire's elite troops stationed there, including the Royal Guard led by General Budo, but there were also masters from the Imperial Fist Temple, dangerous species raised by Imperial weapons, and many other powerful individuals.
It was, without a doubt, one of the most dangerous places in the world.
Just then, a buzzing sound filled the air.
An invisible wave swept through the room, and suddenly, a figure appeared.
Kurome's eyes lit up. "Aoki, you're back!"
Aoki nodded slightly and glanced around the room. "Nothing happened, right?"
"Everything's fine!"
"That's good."
Aoki then said, "I have something else to do. Would you like to stay here or come with me?"
"I want to come with you!" Kurome replied without hesitation.
Aoki placed his hand on her shoulder and reminded her, "Don't resist."
"I know."
Before Kurome could finish speaking, her vision blurred, and she found herself in an unfamiliar space.
It was Aoki's "space travel."
She recognized it instantly, having experienced it several times over the past few days.
Looking around, Kurome saw that the space was mostly empty, save for a house and a few supplies nearby.
But wait!
It wasn't completely empty.
There were four more people!
As she looked closely, surprise spread across her face. "Are these the Four Rakshasa Demons?"
Aoki replied, "I went to the palace today and encountered them. I took care of them along the way."
Kurome gently nudged the bodies of the Four Rakshasa Demons, a faint smile crossing her lips.
The Four Rakshasa Demons were notorious figures in the world of assassins, yet they had been "incidentally" dealt with by Aoki.
They probably never imagined that this would be their fate.
Aoki then carried the bodies of the Four Rakshasa Demons into a special room.
The room was mostly bare, except for shackles lining the walls.
He placed each of the demons inside, securing them with chains as thick as an adult's arm.
In this setup, even if the Four Rakshasa gained upper-tier power, they wouldn't be able to break free.
After securing them, Aoki picked up a scalpel.
"Now, let's begin the experiment. I want to see the secret behind the power of the dangerous species."
Although he wasn't as skilled as Ms. Tamayo, he was still a legitimate doctor.
This was also why he chose "Doctor" as his initial half-star profession.
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T/N: There is a Patreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early chapters.
Patreon link:- Patreon.com/ANelite
And also:
Imperial weapon = Teigu
Teigu = Imperial weapon