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...
"Eh? The new Prime Minister is actually a woman?"
Looking at the newspaper in her hand, Mine couldn't help but exclaim.
Of course, she wasn't the only one surprised; others around her holding newspapers had similar expressions.
Even before Leone and the other three who had infiltrated the Imperial Capital could start their investigation, news about the new Prime Minister Mellie was already spreading everywhere.
Now, even the newspapers published by the Empire featured her image.
"So... so beautiful!"
The one making this infatuated remark was none other than Lubbock. Staring at the picture of Mellie printed on the newspaper, his eyes seemed to turn into heart shapes.
Ignoring Lubbock, who was acting lovestruck, Leone and the other two began discussing the information they had gathered.
"Apparently, the new Prime Minister Mellie has gained the young Emperor's deep trust. Even though she has no experience in governance, she was still appointed as the new Prime Minister."
"I've learned from my sources that this new Prime Minister is currently reorganizing the central officials. Many incompetent officials have been dismissed, and many capable people have been promoted."
"As a result, the bureaucratic atmosphere in the Imperial Capital has improved significantly, and the efficiency of handling official duties has greatly increased. This has made her reputation in the capital soar."
After exchanging information, Leone and the others began to form a clearer image of Mellie in their minds.
"That's not all," Lubbock said seriously. "Given her bold actions in the bureaucracy, she should logically have angered the interests of many officials and nobles, yet there's not a whisper against her. That's very unusual."
"You have to know, since she took office, the number of officials and nobles imprisoned because of her isn't small. Even if others don't speak up, wouldn't the families of these people say something?"
Hearing Lubbock's words, Leone and the others immediately became serious.
Obviously, they understood Lubbock's point and realized the peculiarity surrounding Mellie.
"I heard that the new Prime Minister is a Teigu user with invisibility abilities. She was able to break through the palace defenses and take the Emperor out of the palace."
"That's how she gained the Emperor's trust."
Placing the newspaper back on the table, Lubbock concluded, "Clearly, the current Prime Minister Mellie might be an extremely dangerous individual. We'd better be cautious and avoid direct contact with her."
"Yes, I understand," Leone nodded.
"After this, we'll wait for the boss's orders."
---
In the palace study.
Leisurely lying to one side, watching Mellie who was reviewing official documents, Mika asked Airmid, "How is the establishment of the secret force 'Night Raven' coming along?"
"According to your request, General Budo provided five hundred elite soldiers and officers. I've tested them; each one is a skilled elite with Level 2 strength."
"Then I selected the top one hundred from among them and have already taught them spear techniques. They're just waiting on your side now."
As she spoke, Mellie glanced over at Gabriel.
"Don't look at me; I've already completed the task Mika assigned to me."
Gabriel said seriously, examining the Teigu 'Erastone' in her hands.
"That's right, the contingency measures in the Falna have been completed."
Mika nodded slightly.
Unlike the elite-focused approach in other worlds, this time Mika planned to take the quantity route.
With a large number of people possessing Falna, it's inevitable that some bad apples will appear.
At such times, it's necessary to leave contingency measures in their Falna to prevent betrayal.
"Tomorrow, let Gabriel grant Falna to these soldiers. The day after, she'll be busy."
"The day after? Is there something important happening?"
Hearing Mika's words, Airmid asked.
"The day after tomorrow is when the Teigu users arrive in the Imperial Capital. Once they arrive, the Teigu in their hands will keep Mellie busy researching for a while."
Putting down her pen, Mellie rubbed her temples and said calmly.
"Teigu users? I recall that Gabriel is currently reverse-engineering the technology once used by those craftsmen, right?" Airmid asked curiously.
"Yes!"
Mika nodded earnestly.
"As time passed, many technologies once used by the first Emperor have been lost. That's precisely why the Emperor five hundred years ago failed."
In the Empire's history, there was an Emperor five hundred years ago who tried to replicate the great achievements of the first Emperor.
But he ultimately failed.
The weapons he created were much weaker in performance compared to the Teigu.
This made him feel extremely ashamed.
He then called these weapons 'Shingu' and sealed them in the palace.
But after five hundred years, those Shingu have long since leaked out from the palace.
And the main reason that Emperor failed was the loss of technology.
Therefore, Gabriel's current effort to reverse-engineer the technology is extremely important.
"Among this group of Teigu users, the ones I value most are those two people."
"Which two?" Airmid asked.
"Kurome and Wave."
Mika smiled lightly. "Of course, rather than valuing them, I value their Teigu."
'Yatsufusa' and 'Grand Chariot'.
The performance of the former interests Mika greatly, while the latter plays a significant role in his upcoming plans.
Additionally, Mika is quite interested in these two individuals.
Wave, in a sense, is similar to Tatsumi; both have a kind of protagonist aura.
Possessing the 'Grand Chariot', Wave is the first in this world to be able to simultaneously wield two Teigu, a feat even Esdeath hasn't achieved.
This shows his uniqueness.
"Once they arrive, let's assign Wave to General Budo's side to keep Tatsumi company. These two are promising talents; they should first learn military knowledge."
"What about Kurome?" Mellie asked.
"Kurome can be entrusted to Airmid. That child has severe damage to her body, seemingly from frequent drug use to enhance her physical abilities, and her mind is somewhat twisted."
"Let her serve as Airmid's guard!"
After thinking for a moment, Mika arranged Kurome's role.
"That's a good idea," Mellie nodded.
"But before that, there's something I need Tatsumi to handle. Have someone bring him here!"
Mika suddenly said.
"Huh? What task requires him, when he's still in training?" Mellie was a bit curious, knowing how much Mika valued Tatsumi.
"Of course, it's about a Teigu!"
Mika pulled out information sent by the security forces from the desk, the Teigu user 'Zanku the Beheader' has appeared in the Imperial Capital.
"I'll leave this matter to Tatsumi; let him bring back the Teigu."
"Also, it'll serve to test his growth during this period."
Mika said with a smile.
---
"Big brother, you wanted to see me?"
Upon receiving Mika's summons, Tatsumi came immediately.
Looking at Tatsumi dressed in the standard Imperial officer's uniform, Mika didn't issue the task right away. Instead, he stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and asked, "How are things going with General Budo?"
"Not bad!"
Tatsumi scratched his head and then chuckled. "Because General Budo is very busy, he hasn't really managed me much."
"He had his adjutant assign me to a unit to lead personally, and in my spare time, the adjutant teaches me various military knowledge."
"I see."
Mika nodded slightly.
As the Grand General, the highest leader of the military officials, it's impossible for Budo to personally train someone.
Mika understood this.
"Let's go outside; let me see how much you've improved during this time."
Saying this, Mika led Tatsumi out of the room and into the courtyard.
During this process, the guards stationed outside Mika's room didn't react at all, as if they didn't see Mika's movements.
In fact, that was the case.
After the renovations during this period, the current palace was completely different from before.
During this time, besides researching Teigu, Gabriel had spent her other time on renovating the palace.
Now, the palace was filled with various enchantments and barriers.
Additionally, in the center of the palace, Mellie had summoned Fufu and placed it there to continuously maintain an ultra-wide-range illusion field.
Because of this, Mika's impersonation could proceed so smoothly.
Therefore, as long as Mika and the others didn't want to be seen, no one in the palace could see them.
"You go first; let me see how much your skills have improved."
Mika smiled gently, gesturing to Tatsumi.
"Then here I come!"
With that, Tatsumi quickly charged forward, swinging his longsword at Mika.
Facing Tatsumi's attack, Mika simply enveloped his fists with Nen and met him barehanded.
Under the observation of his Transparent World ability, Mika precisely grasped the distance of Tatsumi's attacks.
He always kept himself at the edge of Tatsumi's attack range.
This caused Tatsumi to feel that he was about to hit Mika with each swing, but he could never actually land a blow.
After two or three rounds of this, Tatsumi realized what was happening.
"So strong!"
Looking at Mika, who remained unarmed and maintained a defensive stance, Tatsumi thought inwardly.
Although Mika had trained him before, Tatsumi could never gauge Mika's true strength.
Now, after he believed he'd improved significantly through hard training, thinking he was closer to Mika, he realized he still couldn't see through Mika.
The gap between them seemed never to have narrowed.
Sensing Tatsumi's thoughts through his sword, Mika smiled and said, "Tatsumi, don't think you're the only one progressing!"
"Even though I'm already quite strong now, my rate of improvement has never slowed down!"
"Bang!"
With a heavy punch to Tatsumi's sword, even though Tatsumi quickly retracted his sword to defend, the strong impact still pushed him sliding across the ground.
He didn't stop until his legs were deeply embedded in the ground.
"Tatsumi, I'm pleased with your progress!"
Mika smiled and nodded.
He was indeed satisfied with Tatsumi's improvement.
After this period of training and the enhancement from Falna and the breathing technique, Tatsumi, who was once only a veteran Level 2, had now reached Level 3.
Such strength already made him an elite warrior in this world.
Although there are many experts in this world, that's usually when they possess Teigu.
Without Teigu, people in this world reaching Level 5 through training are extremely rare.
In Mika's impression, such strong individuals included only a few like Esdeath, Budo, Bulat, and Akame.
And Tatsumi had only been training for half a month; such progress was truly exceptional in Mika's eyes.
"Compared to you, Sayo and Ieyasu, who are training in the secret unit, are a bit behind. They're still a bit away from your current strength."
Looking at Tatsumi, who was attentively listening, Mika suddenly asked, "I'm acknowledging your progress, Tatsumi."
"But there's still time; do you want to train a bit more?"
"Of course I do!"
Seeing Mika exuding a relaxed aura with every move, a fiery determination ignited in Tatsumi's eyes.
He had surpassed Sayo and Ieyasu in progress?
He didn't care about that at all.
From the moment Mika assigned him to General Budo's side, feeling Mika's expectations, Tatsumi had resolved never to disappoint him.
From that moment, the target he wanted to surpass in his heart became Mika.
"Ah!!"
Quickly charging toward Mika, Tatsumi continuously closed the distance between them.
Since he couldn't hit the opponent at range, he'd shorten the distance to ensure he could land a blow.
"Not a bad idea."
Sensing Tatsumi's intention, Mika no longer dodged.
Swinging his fists to collide with Tatsumi's longsword, a series of clashing sounds echoed rapidly.
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
"Clang!"
Although using defensive fist techniques, Mika didn't just defend.
From time to time, he'd throw a straight punch, hitting Tatsumi hard.
But even so, Tatsumi didn't stop swinging his sword.
At this moment, Tatsumi integrated everything he had learned into his body's instincts.
His eyes constantly watched Mika's movements, searching for weaknesses.
But how could Mika have weaknesses that Tatsumi could find?
Mika's defensive techniques were honed under Yahweh's attacks.
"No, I need to be faster."
Seeing Mika's effortless expression, Tatsumi shouted inwardly.
At this moment, his mental focus reached an unprecedented peak.
Like Mika, Tatsumi practiced the 'Breath of Flame' breathing technique.
As his spirit reached new heights, he resonated more closely with the breathing technique, eventually merging completely.
"Ah!!"
With the advancement of his breathing technique and under the fiery emotion, Tatsumi's sword swings became faster and faster!
At the same time, the force behind his longsword grew stronger and stronger.
In Mika's surprised gaze, Tatsumi continued to grow stronger.
...
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