Chapter 167: Esdeath Returns to the Capital
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Leone smiled. "Once the minister dies, the young emperor won't be able to maintain control. The empire will fall into chaos."
Aoki replied calmly, "The young emperor will die as well."
"Huh?" Leone quickly reacted. "You plan to assassinate the emperor too?"
"Yes, that's part of the reason I'm heading to the palace."
"But wasn't your goal to find something?"
"Who says I can't have more than one objective?"
Leone muttered under her breath, "Figures, he's not exactly the nicest person."
Najenda swallowed what she was about to say. Ideally, the Revolutionary Army would prefer to kill the minister first and then publicly execute the young emperor. But with Aoki targeting the emperor, they would have to abandon that plan.
Still, these were just details. Overthrowing the empire was the priority.
They discussed a few more details before wrapping up around noon.
"Now, let's move on to the topic of hunting the super dangerous species," Najenda said.
Aoki explained, "The super dangerous species we're targeting is in a place of great turmoil, far from the imperial capital, and likely outside the empire's reach. However, I have a way to get us there quickly, so all you need to do is prepare for the fight."
Najenda nodded thoughtfully. "Do you know anything about this super dangerous species?"
"I don't know its name, but I know its appearance and abilities."
Aoki then detailed all the information he had about the creature.
"A super dangerous species, huh? Quite terrifying," Najenda remarked as she took a puff of her cigarette.
"I have a question," Mine spoke up. "Let's leave aside the others for now—how are we supposed to deal with a super dangerous species that can manipulate space?"
Aoki responded, "Here's my plan..."
For the rest of the day, Aoki and the members of Night Raid worked on refining the strategy to hunt the super dangerous species. Aoki gladly incorporated any reasonable suggestions from the team.
After all, they were the ones most familiar with their Imperial Arms, while Aoki's plans were based solely on his own judgment.
As the sun set and the moon rose, night enveloped the earth.
"This is as much as we can prepare for now," Najenda said, lighting another cigarette. She hesitated briefly before adding, "Even with this detailed plan, there's still a chance we might fail."
"If things really go south, we'll retreat," Aoki assured.
That was the advantage of a larger group—if the hunt failed, they could still withdraw safely. The super dangerous species wouldn't be able to trap them in the secret realm.
Najenda sighed in relief. "I'll head back to the Revolutionary Army tomorrow and see if I can find additional support."
She was offering a gesture of goodwill in return. Aoki's cooperation was crucial to the Revolutionary Army's success.
Naturally, Aoki didn't refuse the help.
However, those who could assist in the hunt were either Imperial Arms users or top-tier warriors like the Four Rakshasa Demons.
Ordinary soldiers wouldn't be of much use in such a mission.
If they could muster 100,000 elite troops equipped with proper weaponry, it might have an effect comparable to Night Raid itself. But not even the empire could afford such a luxury right now, let alone the Revolutionary Army.
Only during the early days of the empire, at the height of its power under the First Emperor's absolute authority, could such grand undertakings have been possible.
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Imperial Capital, the Palace.
Budo stood inside the palace, his arms crossed, his expression cold and immovable like an iron fortress. Next to him stood the young emperor, and on the other side, the chancellor, Ernest.
The room was heavy with silence as everyone waited.
Clack, clack, clack.
The sharp sound of footsteps echoed as a woman with long blue hair, skin as clear as snow, and striking beauty walked into the palace. She instantly captured everyone's attention.
But after only a glance, everyone quickly averted their eyes.
Esdeath, the youngest and most powerful general in the empire.
On the northern border, she had once wiped out 400,000 ethnic minorities in a single sweep.
She was an extremely dangerous woman. Although stunningly beautiful, no one dared to provoke her.
Esdeath approached the throne, removed her hat, placed it against her chest, and knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty."
"You're back, General Esdeath!" The young emperor waved his hand. "You've done an excellent job suppressing the northern uprising. As a reward, I have prepared 10,000 gold for you."
Esdeath smiled and said, "Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty. I'll give it to the soldiers who remained to defend the north. They will surely be grateful to Your Majesty!"
Money, fame, and power—such worldly things did not interest her. Fighting, combat, and torture—those were her true desires.
The young emperor continued, "The reason for summoning you back urgently, General Esdeath, is the assassin threat.
There are two groups of assassins causing chaos in the imperial capital.
One is known as Night Raid, a group of imperial weapon users.
The other assassin is a lone individual who has only recently appeared, but he is even more dangerous than Night Raid.
He can change his appearance and travel through space. In his first appearance, he killed four of the minister's top masters and has since slain several members of the Royal Fist Temple.
General Budo is assigned to protect me and is too preoccupied with other duties. I hope to rely on you, General Esdeath, to eliminate this assassin."
Esdeath had heard of Night Raid before, and while they would make excellent prey, the lone assassin intrigued her more.
"Space-traveling abilities? I've encountered someone with such powers before!"
Even though some time had passed, she vividly remembered the man who had once intruded upon her camp.
All eyes turned to her.
"It was on the northern border. Not only could he travel through space, but he also had wings, allowing him to fly. He possessed incredible regenerative abilities, surviving even after having his heart pierced."
Esdeath's face lit up with excitement. "I wonder if the assassin here in the capital is the same person I met?"
"It's possible," Budo said gravely. "When the assassin broke into the palace at night, the dangerous species we keep within the palace were disturbed. The assassin first appeared at the highest point outside the palace.
Despite increasing security around the Royal Fist Temple, no signs of invasion were detected.
It seems likely now that he entered the palace—and the temple—from the air!"
"Perfect!" Esdeath's striking features glowed with exhilaration.
Bud, however, had a stern expression. "Did you not manage to capture him?"
"Space-traveling abilities do make escape tricky, but I've already devised a way to handle it," Esdeath said with a confident smile.
Looking up at the emperor, she continued, "Your Majesty, rest assured. If I come across this assassin, I will kill him!"
"Then I leave it in your capable hands, General Esdeath," the emperor said with satisfaction.
Honest, too, felt relieved.
The two groups of guards he had transferred from the Royal Fist Temple had been killed before they even started their duty, which left him both furious and fearful.
The assassin had now become a very real threat to him.
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And also:
Imperial weapon = Teigu
Teigu = Imperial weapon