"Wtf?!"
Staring at the dozens of ice pillars—and at Akuto with the little empress—Esdeath doubted reality for a second.
So you can arrive like that now?!
"And this terrifying ice control is…"
Esdeath herself could raise pillars that massive, sure. But making them line up into pedestals in seconds? Spinning out a rolling ice rail on the fly? That—she couldn't do.
"Akuto-sōtoku… he can also wield the power of ice!?"
She certainly didn't think the power belonged to the little empress.
Which meant—it was Akuto's.
The instant she realized he might share her element, Esdeath's gaze on Akuto burned with heat.
An Ice Queen and an Ice Emperor would have to decide who reigned supreme.
For now, Akuto's display outstripped hers. Precisely because she knew that, her excitement only climbed higher.
Ever since obtaining the Teigu—Demon's Extract—she had been invincible for too long. So invincible it was boring.
Night Raid had been… fun. But the one who thrilled her most—was still Akuto.
Unlike the excited Esdeath, Najenda took one look at Akuto and knew the mission was over.
When Akuto wasn't around, fine. But if he was around, he would not tolerate public executions under his nose.
"Tch! Strong reinforcements. Withdraw!"
If Akuto was here with Heika, that meant he wouldn't allow them to keep fighting.
So get gone early! Save Akuto the awkward cleanup.
Najenda herself might not have noticed it, but as time went on, she was thinking more and more about Akuto's position.
Yes, part of that was the innate allure of his newly redeemed succubus bloodline.
But also, she'd always respected him. With other Night Raid members choosing to submit one after another, Najenda's will had started to loosen.
On the order, Night Raid fell back per plan.
Leone covered the rear; Mine cut off pursuit.
With Esdeath and Akuto both declining to chase—and the other Hunters unable to—Night Raid disengaged cleanly and in order.
Because she'd consumed Akuto's "Rule-Breaker Pieces," Akame now had the right to communicate with him mind-to-mind.
While retreating, she spoke to him across that link.
[Akuto-sōtoku, are you planning to personally remove Esdeath?]
Akame believed that, with Akuto's intellect, he must know: someone like Esdeath was utterly unfit for a peacetime world.
Would Akuto choose the lower head or the upper head to rule this decision?
She didn't know which side would win.
Soon, Akuto's reply arrived.
[No. I intend to recruit Esdeath.]
[Akuto-sōtoku… are you serious?] Akame's tone tightened.
[Akame, you know well: right now, you're not in a position to defy my will.]
[What you should do is return to Night Raid's base, take a nice hot bath, and await my summons.]
[As for me—yes, I have a way to make Esdeath behave herself for ten months.]
[Ten… months of quiet?]
Akame bit her lip, sprinting east, already imagining which "method" would sideline Esdeath for exactly ten months.
[Fine. I only hope, Akuto-sōtoku, that after those ten months… you'll renew it for another ten.]
Akame briefly pictured Esdeath, barely finished giving birth… and pregnant again.
Could Akuto-sōtoku really be planning to lock down Esdeath's mobility that way?
Her feelings were… complicated. And yet, she found herself subconsciously trusting him.
After all, he'd never failed before.
Tak… tak… tak…
On the ice-forged stairway, the girl emperor lightly swung her pale legs and hopped down, playful as if dismounting a game platform.
Esdeath glanced at the little empress at play, then at Akuto.
"Akuto-sōtoku, you clearly arrived to assist—why didn't you press the attack and annihilate Night Raid?" she asked, eyes narrowing.
"Because you need to protect Heika, right?"
Before Akuto finished, Esdeath answered for him.
"Un. Esdeath-dono is correct," Furina chimed in, instinctively taking Akuto's hand. "Though seizing those Night Raid thieves matters, since Ore is here, Akuto-sōtoku should remain by Ore's side."
Given what she'd just witnessed—Esdeath herself being pressured—holding Akuto's hand was the only thing that gave her a sense of safety.
Seeing Furina take his hand first, Esdeath's eyes slitted… then relaxed.
So that's how it is.
While she'd been away from the Capital, the Empire had birthed an arch-schemer named Akuto!
His craftiness surpassed even the Grand Minister's—"cunning" wasn't enough to describe him.
Against Akuto, even a great villain like Minister Tōri would be left with no real reply.
How… interesting.
Esdeath gave Akuto a deep look, then turned, dropped to one knee before the girl emperor.
"Heika, this retainer was unable to apprehend Night Raid's thieves."
"If possible, please strip me of the post 'Capital Special Security Corps' and let Akuto-sōtoku take command."
When Najenda retreated, Esdeath had noticed the way she looked at Akuto:
The gaze of the weak upon the strong… and of a woman upon a man.
Esdeath had never expected Najenda—so self-possessed—would look at Akuto like that.
If not for lack of evidence, she'd accuse Akuto and Night Raid of collusion on the spot.
"Eh? Is it truly that bad? Even you can't handle it, General Esdeath?"
"Akuto-sōtoku, are you confident you can handle them? Should Esdeath fight beside you?"
"Two daishōgun, plus your subordinates—shouldn't that be enough to flatten a band of rebels?" Furina asked, genuinely shocked by Night Raid's prowess and wanting it ended cleanly.
Before Akuto could answer, Esdeath cut in herself.
"Heika, this retainer would love nothing more than to ease your burdens."
"However, I have never had the habit of working beneath another. Unless…"
Shing!
Esdeath straightened, posture proud, her perfect figure on full display as she slashed an ice blade toward Akuto.
"Unless… he defeats me!"
Furina disliked the idea of subjects fighting each other and frowned.
"True, the General's men have… habits that don't always align with regulations."
"Then… how about the General's Mansion and the Governor's Office conduct a joint operation?"
Akuto lifted Furina's small hand and spoke softly:
"No need, Heika. Since General Esdeath wishes to test this retainer's strength, I should answer her desire."
"Besides, even a joint operation needs a leading hand."
"For us to cooperate better, it's best that Esdeath and I first fight a battle that convinces both sides."
He'd already read her eyes: even if Heika said no, Esdeath would hunt for a chance to fight him anyway.
Better to settle it now—and conquer Esdeath thoroughly.
"All right. Akuto-sōtoku speaks sense. Even among equals in rank, there is an order of precedence."
"Ore also wishes to see whether Akuto-sōtoku is stronger… or whether Esdeath still holds the edge," Furina said—though she didn't voice her true thought:
If Akuto defeats Esdeath, he becomes the Empire's undisputed No. 1 among the daishōgun. Then when he's nominated as Regent, the resistance will be minimal.
"Excellent! Since it is Heika's wish, I shall display my full power before you!" Esdeath's lips curled, delight flashing in her eyes.
Akuto was precisely her type.
He'd seen through her intention—and agreed, head-on.
She liked men who were this straightforwardly brutal.
As Esdeath accepted the duel, a chime rang in Akuto's mind.
[Ding!]
[Main Story Quest I Complete — Return of Former Minister Tōri]
[Requirement: Protect former Minister Tōri during Esdeath's assault.]
[Quest Grade: Purple → Gold (Protected Tōri and utterly crushed Esdeath's forces.)]
[Reward: Verethragna's Ten Avatars — Camel (Gold).]
[Authority — Camel: Upon activation, gain divine-realm level kicking arts and grappling; greatly heightened striking power and durability; martial skill and battle sense elevated to divine rank; pain sensitivity dulled; bleeding halts; damage feedback from heavy blows minimized.
Note: With system improvements, it can be activated without injury. The more severe the injuries, the stronger the amplification.]
"Camel, huh?"
Akuto eyed the Camel authority, then glanced at the "golden horn's pseudo-undying" in his arsenal.
One let him recover from any injury. The other grew stronger the more he was hurt.
Optimally, to fully draw out Camel, he could even choose to take—and maintain—a period of serious injury…
Half a day later, Esdeath was fully recovered.
In the arena, the two faced off.
At the bell, Esdeath dipped her hips, sweeping out the long leg wrapped in white over-knee stockings.
[Secret Art — Ice Cavalry!]
Boom!
Frost howled for hundreds of meters.
Ice elements surged and condensed—rank upon rank of weapon-bearing ice cavalry crystallized around the field!
Against Akuto, Esdeath skipped probes. From the very first beat, she unleashed her full power.
(End of Chapter)
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