Chapter 413: Esdeath's Return
"Thank you for your generosity," Najenda said with a bow.
After transferring the Revolutionary Army's funds to purchase game invitations for the entire Night Raid team, the following days were spent continuously hunting corrupted monsters inside the Reincarnation Game.
"A Speed Gem?"
A white gem dropped into Akame's hand. Reading the game description, her cold gaze flickered slightly.
Once embedded into equipment, it would enhance movement speed.
[Murasame] carried a deadly curse—one touch of blood meant instant death.
Akame had never pursued brute strength like Brand; what she chased was absolute agility and speed.
Buzz.
The gem was embedded into a pair of green-grade leggings, emitting a faint white glow.
Brand looked regretful. "Akame, gems are pretty rare. Shouldn't you use it on higher-level gear?"
Everyone in Night Raid was a combatant. Hunting corrupted monsters was fast-paced, and it wouldn't take long for them to reach level 19.
Low-level gear would soon be replaced.
"If I embed it now, I can hunt better."
Akame didn't elaborate—just a difference in personalities.
Trained since childhood as an assassin for the Empire, she never held back.
She fought and trained as if every day were her last. That's how she survived.
"News from the capital—Esdeath has apparently gone missing for several days."
Brand carefully stored the experience spheres dropped from his treasure chests and added,
"Najenda has already led a team to raid two major strongholds of the Empire. Word is, we're to assassinate those vile officials."
"Understood."
Akame replied succinctly.
Aside from hunting corrupted monsters, Night Raid also took advantage of their death cooldowns to assassinate high-ranking officials,
leaving the capital's elite in a state of paranoia.
Clearly, the mysterious merchant's influence had accelerated the original plan to take down the Empire.
…
The Capital, Royal Palace.
High-ranking officials stood silently on both sides, heads bowed.
The obese and bloated Imperial Minister, Honest, sat beneath the throne with a grim expression.
On the throne sat the young emperor, twirling his golden scepter in curiosity.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Esdeath entered slowly, kneeling on one knee before the emperor.
Before the emperor could speak, Minister Honest interrupted—his tone bordering on reproach.
"General Esdeath, the reports say you eliminated the border rebels, but then disappeared without notice."
"During your absence, Night Raid assassinated several capital officials. The Revolutionary Army seized two major imperial strongholds.
Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"
If not for the protection of the Four Rakshasa Demons, he wouldn't have slept at all.
Esdeath stood, brushing the dust off her uniform. "Minister Honest, wasn't the plan to suppress the northern tribes within six months?"
"I did it in three days. So even if I took a few extra days to return to the capital, that seems perfectly reasonable."
Her ice-blue eyes locked onto Honest like a predator staring down noisy prey.
"And wasn't the capital's defense always under General Budo's elite guard?"
"You dare—!"
Honest stumbled back in fear, hitting the steps and falling to the ground.
The Four Rakshasa Demons leapt from the shadows, positioning themselves protectively in front of him.
They had dared to station armed guards inside the throne room.
The other officials took note—but no one spoke.
Everyone knew who held real power in the capital: the bloated Minister, not the clueless young emperor.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Honest forced a smile.
"No intention to scold you, General Esdeath. I only meant that had you returned earlier, the Empire's losses might've been reduced."
What's going on?
In the past, no matter how great Esdeath's accomplishments, Honest would always suppress her.
She'd never cared. No matter how much credit was stripped away or how she was slandered, she was like a cold war machine—obsessed only with battle.
Esdeath shook her head. "That has nothing to do with me."
"That's right, Minister Honest," the emperor agreed cheerfully.
"Isn't General Budo responsible for protecting the capital?"
Hearing this, General Budo finally stepped forward, kneeling.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I've already dispatched additional forces to tighten security. No assassin will escape justice."
Fool!
Honest cursed inwardly.
The young emperor was easy to control, but he was also a simpleton.
His plan had been to clip Esdeath's wings, but now he couldn't continue.
With no other option, he bowed slightly and waited.
Swaying his legs off the edge of the throne, the emperor asked curiously,
"General Esdeath, having defeated the northern tribes and being the youngest general in the Empire,
is there anything you want? Gold? Land? Slaves? A title? Anything is fine!"
"Gold and an estate."
Esdeath replied without hesitation.
This shocked the entire court.
She had never shown interest in wealth before—why now?
Could that battle in the north have changed her?
"Then I grant General Esdeath the most luxurious noble estate in the capital—plus ten thousand gold coins!"
The emperor didn't hesitate. He didn't even understand the value of what he was giving.
Even Honest felt a twinge of pain hearing it.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Esdeath smiled and bowed respectfully.
The moment the reward was announced, she immediately converted the estate and gold into contribution points:
150,000 for the estate in the heart of the capital, and 40,000 for the gold.
In other worlds, even the capital's wealth wouldn't cost so much.
But in the Imperial Arms world,
with the corrupt emperor and his ministers hoarding all resources, the capital had swallowed the world's origin essence.
One luxury estate was worth half a city.
The emperor, in a good mood, continued,
"You've never accepted a reward before. Is there anything else you'd like?"
Honest's eye twitched. But with everyone watching, he couldn't silence the emperor.
Esdeath blushed faintly.
"If possible… I'd like to fall in love."
Silence.
Even the ministers who had been bracing for outrageous demands froze in shock.
The bloodthirsty war machine… wanted to fall in love?
So even wild beasts, when they came of age, longed for affection.
They sighed in relief.
The emperor pointed at the plump minister. "What about the minister?"
"He doesn't meet my requirements."
Esdeath pulled out a list and handed it to the emperor.
After reading it, the emperor looked troubled. "Then how about we host a grand tournament to find you a match?"
Esdeath nodded slightly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Minister Honest quickly volunteered.
"Leave it to me, Your Majesty. I'll arrange the tournament to meet General Esdeath's request."
He didn't want the best warriors from the tournament ending up as Esdeath's subordinates.
He had to send her away.
Feigning sudden recollection, he added,
"Actually, Your Majesty, we're scheduled to receive nobles and merchants who wish to pledge loyalty. Perhaps General Esdeath could assist with reviewing them?"
A list of visitors was handed to her.
Esdeath glanced at it and began to decline—
then paused.
"…I'll take care of it."
Honest smirked, then quickly left the palace to begin replacing Esdeath's men with his own loyal guards.
"So annoying."
The emperor grumbled, clearly bored of meeting wealthy merchants.
But it was the minister's order, so he could only obey.
"Let them in!"
Leaning back in the throne, the emperor waved lazily for the guards to bring in the petitioners.
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