"Then let's do this, Heika."
"If you already have someone in mind, please tell me that person's name."
"After this old minister reviews his qualifications, if he truly fits, I will jointly nominate him with the Imperial Clan to serve as Consort-Emperor."
This—was Budo's startlingly practical wisdom.
If the sovereign is inexperienced… then choose a suitably capable consort to steady the ship.
Because fate's rails had shifted and the Emperor had become a beautiful young woman named Furina, Budo's thought process had likewise adjusted: solve the real problem in front of you.
"Right now…"
Furina opened her mouth and then closed it. After a long pause, she spoke, a bit guilty:
"General Budo, I think it's better to let the Grand Minister decide this."
Budo was speechless on the spot.
Even your own marriage is to be decided by the Minister? Then who, exactly, is the Emperor here?
He thought for a moment, sighed, and knelt heavily.
"By custom, Heika, the Great General, the Imperial Clan, and the Grand Minister all have the right to nominate."
"As long as you speak the name of the one you favor, with the other two's signatures, the nomination can be put on the table."
Budo hoped to grant the little Empress a bit of courage.
Yet… the little Empress still hesitated.
Budo isn't wrong, Furina thought. With the General and the Clan co-signing, the Consort can be decided…
But Father's edict can overrule that rule directly.
And the Grand Minister still holds the late Emperor's sealed decree at his side…
Seeing that the Empress still wouldn't take the step, Budo chose the next-best course.
"Then… would Heika at least tell this old minister the qualities you want in a partner? I will search the Empire for candidates that fit your criteria."
Furina hadn't been keen on that idea—then, suddenly remembering something, she sprang to her feet.
"Good! Let's do that!"
This way, I can first test the Minister's intentions, she mused.
Furina treated a detailed list of spouse requirements as a probe. As long as she set the requirements with enough specificity, the Minister should divine her thoughts. If he raised no objections afterward, then Budo could proceed with his nomination!
Furina decided—she was a genius!
Half an hour later, under Budo's guidance and her own rapid-fire brainstorming, a thorough list of conditions was produced:
Outstanding appearance; gentle character.
Devoted to the partner.
Capable in both inner court and outer court affairs—able to manage the palace and assist the Emperor with governance.
Preferably possesses martial strength—no less than General-class; Great General even better.
A childlike, sincere heart—loves their partner, serves country and people, loyal to the Emperor, loyal to the nation.
(Additional minor clauses omitted here for brevity but attached in the written brief.)
Budo put away the Empress's list.
"At a glance, Governor Akuto fits Your Majesty's requirements perfectly. It's just… for some reason, Heika has never shown any man-woman interest in Governor Akuto."
"The only conclusion is… Heika simply hasn't awakened in matters of romance. Otherwise, any normal woman would be moved by a strong and handsome youth like the Governor."
He looked up at the moon.
"Even if he's already…" He paused, then shook his head. "No—even if he were married, it wouldn't matter."
"What I need isn't the perfect spouse—just a nominee I can put forward. Once Akuto is nominated by me, he absolutely cannot become the Minister's man."
A rare smile tugged at the stone-carved resolve of Budo's face.
"With the Minister's eyes and ears throughout the palace, he'll hear of this immediately."
"The only question is—how will he try to break the game?"
Outside the Capital — Military Encampment
The Empire's other Great General, Esdeath, formally announced her return.
Inside the command tent, Esdeath wore a white officer's cap and crisp Germanic-style uniform; the front buttons were open just enough to show the crest of her Teigu — "Demon's Extract."
Under the perfect curves was a lean, powerful waist; below the short, linked skirt, white over-knee stockings and heeled long boots caught the eye.
Seated in the general's chair, Esdeath crossed her white-clad legs, a natural queenly aura radiating from her posture.
Before she even entered the capital, the Grand Minister's letter had reached her.
"Assigning me work before the celebration banquet is even held? Looks like this new Governor has the Minister gasping for air already."
After reading, Esdeath's red lips curved.
"Seventeen, by the official calendar?"
"Defeated Budo—and while he had the Imperial Guards' morale buff?"
"Since when did the Empire produce a figure like that?"
"Old Budo—his strength may not match mine, but he's standard Great General-class. How could he be beaten so easily?"
"True or false… once I meet him, the truth will tell."
"Soldiers! Move out! Into the city!"
Esdeath—
the ice queen who swept all before her in the Akame ga Kill world.
Her overwhelming power and unbroken record had forged an absolute, sovereign temperament. Now, a peerless talent of her own era had appeared in the Empire. Even without the Minister's plea, she would have entered the city—for sport, if nothing else.
The Capital
Soldiers were feasting outside the walls at the imperial celebration banquet. As the commanding general, Esdeath entered alone to seek audience.
Upon the dais, the young Empress sat upright.
"General Esdeath, your northern campaign has rendered great merit," Furina said.
"Twenty thousand taels of gold—your reward, commensurate with your victories."
The Empress had coin now; her generosity even exceeded the "original" line—doubling the customary ten thousand to twenty.
"My thanks for the reward, Heika."
Esdeath dropped to one knee, right fist to chest; the white cape fluttered.
"I will share Your Majesty's reward with my soldiers—and tell them this is Your Majesty recognizing their valor."
"To give your own reward to the troops… you truly care for your soldiers," Furina couldn't help but praise.
"Your praise is excessive, Heika. I merely wish my subordinates to receive what they deserve," Esdeath replied.
"The richer the rewards, the more fiercely they will fight—because they'll know the Empire and the Emperor never shortchange those who bleed for it."
"Good. Since General Esdeath so cherishes the troops…" Furina's eyes lit. "Then the gold is rescinded—think instead of what reward you truly want."
"Then… this minister wishes for a partner," Esdeath said softly.
"A partner?"
Furina and the Minister both tilted their heads.
"Yes. I would like a partner."
"Before, I felt a partner should be found personally, so I never asked, Heika," she explained.
"A partner, hm… General Esdeath has reached that age, after all…" Furina rubbed her chin, thinking.
"In that case, what does General think of Grand Minister Honest?"
"Though he's getting on in years, he remains energetic, never slack in service—thanks to our chief civil official, the Empire thrives."
The Empress even tallied a portion of Akuto's credit under the Minister's name.
"The Minister…"
Esdeath gave him a very nuanced glance.
"Forgive my bluntness, Heika, but the Minister's health is questionable. Beyond that, his type is one this minister absolutely cannot accept."
"The Minister won't do… then what of the Minister's son, Shura? I hear he's returning to the capital soon. He's a very excellent young man~" Furina proposed another… less-than-ideal choice.
"The Minister's son?"
Esdeath chuckled.
"My apologies, Heika. I hear that, in his younger days, he committed crimes and was tattooed as punishment…"
"Moreover, I don't believe he has the measure to become a Great General in the future."
"So even the excellent Minister—and Shura—aren't acceptable?"
"In that case… should General Esdeath present her own requirements, and we'll hold a nationwide selection?" Furina asked, palm to her brow.
"No need." Esdeath shook her head.
"If possible, I would like an introduction."
"As a man—and as the Empire's Great General—this minister finds herself very interested in Governor Akuto."
The court fell silent at once.
"Huh?"
"General Esdeath… what… did you say?"
This time, the Empress's reaction was nothing like before—her expression plainly showed how the name had struck her.
"This minister asks Heika to introduce Governor Akuto," Esdeath repeated calmly.
"Because I believe that a man must be able to keep his woman in check—at least, he cannot be weaker than she is. I originally assumed such a man didn't exist and planned to personally cultivate an obedient partner."
"But now, that may be unnecessary…"
"No! Absolutely not!" Furina blurted—far too quickly.
"Why not, Heika? I believe if two Great Generals join, the next generation's genes will be exceptional. In ten-odd years, the Empire might witness the birth of a fourth Great General."
Esdeath's thinking leaned more toward a breeder's logic than a romantic's.
"Why not?" Esdeath pressed.
Furina's bright eyes turned; she answered, crisp and clear:
"Because I need both of you."
"General Esdeath and Governor Akuto are the Empire's top talents—each standing at Great General level in strength or station."
"If you marry, one of you will inevitably step back for family. The one who loses… will be the Empire."
"Neither the Empire nor I can spare either of you!"
A solid reason.
Unfortunately, Esdeath was not a common woman.
"Your Majesty, I have full confidence I can care for family and career simultaneously. Besides, I recognize fair love—no need for one party to rule the household while the other stays home."
"So please, Heika, grant me the introduction first."
"No. I've thought it over, and it still won't do," Furina refused again.
"Governor Akuto has no time. He must handle governance, the Empire's security, and the campaign against Fusō."
"If he marries now, it will disrupt both administration and war. That would not benefit the Empire!"
In saying so, Furina inadvertently revealed her inner calculus: deep down, she considered Akuto more crucial than even Esdeath.
(End of Chapter)
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