Time flew by. Two years later—
Imperial Year 1024.
Imperial Capital, South Lake Avenue.
"Wow! Ieyasu, look over there!" The girl with a white flower-shaped hairpin leaned against the railing, pointing excitedly toward the fortress island across the South Lake Bridge.
From a distance, the bridge that connected to the island fortress was lined with lifelike marble reliefs, dazzlingly adorned with enamel-painted carvings that shimmered in the sunlight.
At its far end, in the very center of the lake island, stood an enormous bastion—at least fifty meters tall and covering tens of thousands of square meters. From its wide upper platform, the faint outlines of massive cannon barrels could be seen pointing toward the sky.
Hearing her, the boy standing behind her—wearing a white headband—exclaimed, "Whoa! Sayo, that fortress island looks amazing! I really want to go there!"
"Hey! Ieyasu, stop shouting like that! It's embarrassing!"
As Ieyasu's loud voice echoed across the street, the girl named Sayo flushed with embarrassment, sensing the disdainful glances from nearby Imperial residents.
"Country bumpkins," someone muttered with contempt.
The sneering tone made the honest country girl from a rural village feel extremely uncomfortable.
But hot-blooded Ieyasu wasn't one to take insults lying down. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" he shouted back angrily.
Before things could escalate, a squad from the Imperial Security Division—the city patrol—hurried over after hearing the commotion. "Hey! What's going on here? Stop shouting in this area!"
They were stationed close to the Imperial Guard Legion's barracks, and if their noise disrupted the elite troops' drills, these patrolmen would be the ones reprimanded.
The moment the uniformed guards arrived, the bystanders who had been mocking Ieyasu scattered instantly, disappearing like frightened birds.
Only the flustered Ieyasu and a bewildered Sayo remained.
"First-timers in the capital, huh? We'll let you off with a warning. But cause another disturbance, and you'll be detained." The officer's tone was stern.
"Yes, yes, we understand, sir!" Sayo quickly grabbed Ieyasu's arm and apologized profusely. Seeing that the patrolmen didn't intend to arrest them, she hurriedly pulled him away.
As the two retreated into the bustling outer streets of the capital, one of the guards sighed. "Another pair hoping to make a name for themselves in the capital... But this city isn't what it was under the late Emperor. Now it's full of—"
Before he could finish, his comrade clapped a hand over his mouth, glancing around nervously to make sure no one was listening. "Shut up! You trying to get yourself killed? Watch your mouth!" he hissed.
...
Meanwhile, after running through the gate into the capital's outer district, Sayo and Ieyasu stopped to catch their breath—but froze when they passed a raised platform nearby.
The scene before them was horrific.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of severed heads were impaled on wooden stakes, stretching as far as the eye could see.
The grotesque sight made both of them gag.
"This... this is the Imperial Capital, isn't it? Why are there so many...?" Ieyasu stammered, his face pale.
"It's normal," a gentle, melodic voice suddenly replied before he could finish. "They're rebels—traitors to the Empire."
A light pat fell on Sayo's shoulder.
Turning, she saw a young noblewoman with golden wavy hair and bright green eyes smiling warmly at them. Her voice was soft, friendly. "You two must be new here, right? You have that 'first time in the capital' look about you."
"Eh? How did you know?" Ieyasu asked between coughs, still recovering from the shock.
"It's obvious. Your clothes, your manners—you stand out completely. So, what brings you two to the capital?"
"This... it's fine, Miss, we wouldn't want to trouble you..." Sayo replied timidly, still uneasy about speaking with a stranger.
"Oh, don't be so shy," the noblewoman said with a light laugh, stepping closer. "Let's get acquainted. I'm Aria, and I have a few connections here in the capital. How about I lend you a hand?"
Sayo hesitated. But looking into Aria's clear, sincere eyes, her doubt softened. After all, she was just a kind-hearted village girl who still believed the world beyond her home was as gentle as her neighbors.
"We're from..."
After some conversation, the three quickly grew familiar with one another. Upon learning the reason why Sayo and Ieyasu had come to the capital, Aria became even more enthusiastic, warmly inviting them both to visit her home as guests.
...
Meanwhile, in the northern territories of the Empire, within the Schönbrunn Palace, Central Hall.
"The southern rebel assassination unit has resurfaced in the capital once again. They struck last night, killing the Imperial Treasurer. Reports suggest the possible involvement of a Teigu user..."
Standing beside Selene in his black butler's uniform, Liver reported respectfully.
Seated gracefully in her ornate chair, Selene sighed softly. "Imperial Year 1024... so it begins. It seems Najenda has finally decided to make her move."
While Selene was away from the capital for her annual recess, a high-ranking relative of Honest had been assassinated by a southern rebel assassination unit calling themselves Night Raid.
Though Night Raid had yet to openly declare allegiance to any particular faction, anyone with half a brain could tell they were aligned with the southern rebels—the so-called Revolutionary Army.
According to survivor testimonies, each member of Night Raid possessed overwhelming combat abilities, slaughtering the Treasurer's guards with ease—including an elite guest fighter from the Imperial Fist.
"Shall we respond to Honest's request for aid?" Liver asked calmly.
"Of course. How could we not? I'll be attending his funeral, after all." Selene's tone was cool, almost amused.
The appearance of Night Raid was not Selene's problem. The one who should be worried was Honest himself.
That cowardly glutton cherished his own life more than anything else. Selene was certain—so long as Night Raid existed, Honest wouldn't dare step foot outside the palace walls.
"Still... Najenda's reappearance changes things. Liver, send word to Cornelia and Akame. Their father's killer has resurfaced."
"Yes, my Lady!"
Thud... thud... thud...
Liver's heavy footsteps faded into the distance as Selene set the report aside and slowly rose to her feet.
Before her, rows upon rows of towering armored giants stood in silence at the base of the throne's steps—motionless, like carved statues of black marble.
Selene's crimson eyes glimmered as she whispered, "Are you ready?"
Clang!
In perfect unison, the sound of metal rang out. Every towering figure clad in obsidian armor dropped to one knee.
"For Selene!"