Several days later.
The imperial capital.
"Master, do you truly intend to conquer the world?"
Esdeath blinked curiously.
Thanks to Kaiser's influence...
The northern foreign tribes had been swiftly pacified.
He and Esdeath had thus arrived in the capital.
Their appearance immediately sparked a commotion.
"Look—isn't that General Esdeath?"
"Who's that beside her? He's incredibly handsome."
"Could he be her lover?"
To the common folk, Esdeath was a renowned figure.
Compared to the corrupt nobles and officials in the capital...
She—who showed no interest in oppressing the weak—was far more beloved by the people.
Especially now, fresh from quelling the northern tribes.
The city buzzed with excitement.
Neither Kaiser nor Esdeath paid it any mind.
Esdeath asked, "So, Master—what's your plan?"
Kaiser replied casually, "First, take control of the Empire. It'll make things easier."
"True. Though foreign tribes abound in this world, the Empire remains the strongest."
Esdeath nodded, then puzzled, "If you're aiming to rebel, wouldn't raising an army from the frontier be better?"
"There's an old saying from my homeland: hold the emperor hostage to command the lords."
Kaiser explained. "Shattering the Empire into ruins would be too much trouble."
"Far simpler to control the emperor directly—and thus the entire realm."
Esdeath considered it thoughtfully and nodded.
Indeed—the quickest path.
After all, that's precisely what the minister had done.
And conquering the Empire through war...
Would mean constant campaigning.
She wanted occasional rest during the day—and absolutely no separation from her master at night.
Weighing the time cost, Esdeath declared instantly, "As expected of you, Master—thinking everything through."
"But to control the Empire, we'll need to eliminate Minister Honest."
Royal authority had long slipped away.
Honest was the true shadow emperor.
"Precisely."
Kaiser smiled. "So if we're doing this, let's handle it all at once."
"Your return to the capital can't be hidden. When they summon you... the little emperor and the minister should both be present."
Esdeath's eyes brightened.
The most efficient approach.
...
That very afternoon.
The grand palace hall.
Kaiser and Esdeath stood within.
Thanks to Esdeath leading the way...
The guards—though unfamiliar with Kaiser—offered no resistance.
At this hour...
Nobles and officials lined both sides of the hall.
Upon the throne sat a child clutching a scepter.
Both were here, as expected.
Esdeath glanced at the young emperor, then at Minister Honest beside him, a beautiful arc curving her lips.
"Congratulations on your triumphant return, General Esdeath."
Honest smiled warmly, his gaze shifting to Kaiser. "And this must be the powerhouse who single-handedly annihilated hundreds of thousands of northern tribal forces."
"Your merits for the Empire are immense. His Majesty will not stint on rewards."
"Indeed."
The young emperor beamed. "What reward do you desire?"
"I can grant anything."
Kaiser replied calmly, "In that case... yield the throne to me."
The words sent shockwaves through the hall.
The smiles on the emperor and Honest froze solid.
The other officials gaped in horror and disbelief.
What was happening?
Was this man insane?
Even if rebellion was his goal...
Wasn't this approach far too blunt?
"Insolence!"
Honest's face darkened completely.
"This is no place for wild declarations."
"Even with your contributions, such words are treason—punishable by death."
At the commotion, palace guards poured in.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Blades drawn in unison, ready to seize Kaiser.
"Esdeath."
"Yes, Master."
Esdeath flicked her wrist casually—dozens of ice spears streaking through the air.
Splat! Splat! Splat!
Blood sprayed.
The guards collapsed in heaps.
"Hiss—"
Countless officials inhaled sharply, staring at Esdeath in alarm.
Could it be...
She was part of this too?
Honest scowled. "Esdeath—what is the meaning of this?"
"And why call him 'Master'?"
His tone dripped with wariness and confusion.
As one of the Empire's strongest...
Esdeath had long been a target for recruitment.
In his view...
She was a pure battle maniac—with zero interest in power.
By all logic...
She shouldn't act this way.
"No hidden meaning."
Esdeath replied icily. "Master wants the Empire—so I offer it to him. That's all."
"Esdeath, you're an imperial general. Don't let yourself be deceived."
Though addressing her, Honest's eyes signaled a guard outside the hall.
A silent plea for reinforcements.
If Esdeath rebelled...
Only one person in the palace could stop her.
Esdeath's expression remained blank as she advanced slowly, an ice-forged saber forming in her grip.
"Think carefully, Esdeath."
Honest barked sternly. "Even as the Empire's strongest, opposing it is—"
Whoosh!
His words cut short by a slashing strike.
Splat!
Honest dropped to his knees, blood fountaining from his legs.
The hall plunged into silence.
Young emperor, scheming ministers, guards frozen at the threshold...
All wore expressions of stunned paralysis, staring at the head that rolled like a melon.
Dead.
The Empire's true ruler...
Minister Honest—gone just like that?
Even witnessing it...
Felt like a dream.
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