Outside Night Raid's base, members of the team watched as figures began to appear one after another.
Leading them was Rei Ao, flanked by an unexpectedly large group.
Behind him stood thirteen individuals with whom he had already been intimate—except Esdeath—and three more who hadn't yet crossed that line: Shizue Izawa, Velzard, and Velgrynd.
Shizue smiled gently. "Rei Ao-kun, I can lend a hand too."
Velgrynd crossed her arms with a disdainful smirk. "This planet doesn't even have a single calamity-level life form. Why not just burn it all down at once?"
Her evaluation of this world was scathing—pathetic weaklings, not even a "Demon Lord" level threat among them.
Rei Ao's expression flickered when he saw Velzard and Velgrynd but quickly steadied. "Velgrynd, please don't scare them."
Night Raid's members visibly tensed.
Burn the planet down? That was far beyond anything they had anticipated.
Their goal was simply to overthrow the Empire's rule and free its people from oppression, not to annihilate the entire world.
Velgrynd scoffed, raising her head proudly. "I thought this world might offer some fun, but it's just full of weaklings."
Velzard nodded in agreement, though with less hostility. "This planet is indeed pathetically frail."
Rei Ao sighed, shaking his head. "I didn't expect the two of you to show up."
If either of them made a move, the Empire, the Revolutionary Army, and even the invading races would be reduced to ashes in an instant. There would be no game left to play.
For now, Rei Ao had other plans—primarily to give some of his companions like Yumiko a taste of blood and conflict to toughen them up.
"You two should focus on the dangerous creatures scattered across this world. Feel free to take them out. This planet is at your disposal in that regard."
Velgrynd's interest was piqued. "Well, as weak as they are, some might make decent appetizers."
Velzard raised a slender finger and pointed at Tohru. "Bring her with us."
"!!!"
Tohru flinched at the sudden mention of her name.
She had remained silent since arriving, overwhelmed by the pressure radiating from Velzard and Velgrynd—dragons far more powerful than even her father.
"Rei Ao~" Tohru looked to Rei Ao with pitiful eyes, silently pleading for help.
But Rei Ao simply chuckled. "Tohru, you're all dragons. Spending time with them will do you good."
He had already blessed Tohru, strengthening her abilities.
[Name]: Tohru
[Level]: 50
[Abilities]: "Flame Dragon", "Dragon Magic", "Rei Ao's Blessing", "Inherent Device: Dragon King"
The Dragon King armament was a massive sword whose weight could be adjusted at will.
Seeing no escape, Tohru reluctantly approached Velzard and Velgrynd.
The two dragons placed their hands on her shoulders, their contrasting expressions of amusement and menace making Tohru's scales crawl.
Velgrynd smirked wickedly. "Sneaky little dragon, let's have a nice, long chat."
"Aaaah!"
With a flash, the three dragons vanished.
Rei Ao turned to Najenda. "When will the Revolutionary Army and the foreign forces reach the capital?"
Najenda answered, "In about three hours."
Rei Ao nodded, then turned to Yumiko and the others.
For someone like Saeko, what was coming posed little challenge. But for newcomers like Megumi Kato, it was a different story.
"Are you all mentally prepared?"
Prepared for what?
To kill.
The group's expressions wavered.
Yumiko took a deep breath and spoke first. "The Empire's rule is a scourge on its people. Taking action to eliminate it… isn't that just justice?"
Rei Ao nodded approvingly. "That's a good mindset."
"But there's no need to force yourselves. Even if you just stand aside and observe, that's perfectly fine."
Sonoko Machida hesitated. "Rei Ao-kun… you wouldn't mind us just being… ornamental?"
Rei Ao's smile turned mischievous. "What's wrong with ornaments? At least I can use them to arrange flowers."
"???"
The implication behind his words dawned on them instantly, and their faces flushed red.
The tension in the air eased, and Rei Ao gazed toward the distant horizon.
"Since the Revolutionary Army won't arrive for a few hours, let's prepare a little surprise for them."
…
The Capital.
Inside the Imperial Palace's main hall.
The morbidly obese Prime Minister trembled with rage, his flabby body jiggling as he glared at Esdeath, who stood proudly before him.
"Esdeath, the Emperor has ordered you to lead the army against the Revolutionary Army. Why are you defying this command?!"
The minister was panicking.
News of the Revolutionary Army's million-strong forces had spread throughout the capital, throwing the populace into turmoil.
With General Budo dead, only Esdeath had the strength and authority to counter the Revolutionary Army.
But when the young Emperor issued the order, Esdeath had refused to mobilize her forces.
She not only ignored the command but also issued her own strict order for her troops to remain inactive.
Esdeath's soldiers were fiercely loyal to her alone; without her command, even orders from the Prime Minister or Emperor were meaningless.
The minister feared the worst—that Esdeath might stage a rebellion.
If that happened, their only remaining option would be to use the Empire's last hidden trump card.
…
[Ding! Trade Initiated!]
[Trade Target]: Mine
[Trade Details]: Overthrow the Empire
[Trade Terms]: "Roman Artillery: Pumpkin," one-time bodily trade rights
[Stay Duration]: 3 hours
This was immediately followed by six similar transaction alerts in the main group chat, causing an uproar.
…
Ayame Yomogawa: "Six trades at once?!"
Frieren: "Overthrowing the Empire... it seems a war to topple the ruling power has begun."
Stella: "What's going on, Akame?"
Akame: "The Revolutionary Army is launching an all-out assault on the Empire. However, they've allied with foreign forces, and Night Raid cannot stand idly by."
Frieren: "Abandoning the self for the greater good?"
Akame: "Not just that. Rei Ao will become the new Emperor of the Empire."
Sui: "Huh?"
Megumi Kato: "Emperor?"
Stella: "Are you selling the country out to him or something?!"
Rei Ao: "Selling out? That's a bit much. I just want to try the title for fun. The actual governance will still be left to people from their world."
Rei Ao: "Anyway, stop overthinking it. This deal is interesting. Anyone want to come and watch?"
Rei Ao: "Oh, and to Megumi, Yumiko, and the rest of my people—you should consider it too."
Megumi Kato: "Why?"
Rei Ao: "People will die. A lot of them. I want you to witness and maybe even try. It could be a chance to grow."
Mai Sakurajima: "Killing... people?"
The chat grew quiet as names like Utaha Kasumigaoka and the others stilled.
For them, "killing" had always seemed distant and unreal.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Isn't there... another way?"
Akame: "The Empire's corruption and darkness can only be cleansed with blood."
Rei Ao: "The choice is yours. I'll also be livestreaming the whole thing soon. Watch if you want."
…
Back in the palace, the puppet Emperor, inflamed by the Prime Minister's goading, grew indignant.
"Esdeath, I command you to gather your army at once to defend the Empire from the Revolutionary Army's threat!"
It was a direct imperial order, issued before numerous officials and nobles.
By all accounts, Esdeath should have obeyed.
Instead, she coldly smirked.
"The fate of the Empire has nothing to do with me. The only one who can command me now... is him."
The court was stunned.
"Him?!"
The minister's voice quivered with fear.
He had long suspected Esdeath was up to something. She had been ignoring summons from the Emperor since her return to the capital.
But now it was clear—she had a new master.
Was it Night Raid? The Revolutionary Army?
Cold sweat poured down the minister's back.
He wanted no part in crossing Esdeath, knowing it would mean a gruesome death.
Even with the Empire's hidden trump card, he was already plotting his escape.
At that moment, a voice echoed throughout the capital.
"From this day forth, the Empire shall fall. I am your new Emperor. Submit and thrive. Resist and perish."
Esdeath's eyes gleamed.
"He's here," she whispered with a smile.
…
High above the capital, atop a towering spire, several figures stood against the wind.
The chat group exploded with reactions to Rei Ao's broadcasted proclamation.
Frieren: "A war declaration?"
Rei Ao: "No, just an announcement."
Stella: "You sound so confident. Surely an Empire this vast has some secret weapons?"
Akame: "There are Teigu users, as well as Najenda's mention of 'Royal Arms' users."
Rei Ao: "More than that, the Empire's greatest trump cards are Esdeath and something called the Supreme Imperial Arm."
Frieren: "Esdeath? Didn't you already conquer her?"
Akame: "Supreme Imperial Arm? I've never heard of it."
Rei Ao: "It doesn't matter. It's nothing worth mentioning."