After being serviced by Kije, Sora felt refreshed and more energetic. He and Esdeath got dressed, leisurely enjoyed breakfast, and then walked out of the general's mansion towards the palace.
The envoy outside, who had been waiting anxiously, finally saw Sora and Esdeath emerge and hurriedly approached. This was the Emperor's summons, yet these two had taken their sweet time. If he could, the envoy would have rushed in and strangled them!
However, he could only think about it. The two girls guarding the entrance were far stronger than him. Several times he had tried to rush in, only to be scared back by their overwhelming killing intent.
Moreover, these two demon generals were notoriously ruthless. Even if the envoy had many complaints, he dared not show them, only urging the two to hurry to the palace in a polite manner.
Well, seeing that the envoy was being respectful, Sora didn't make things difficult for him and, along with Esdeath, quickened their pace, soon arriving at the palace.
The Minister, as usual, stood to the left of the young Emperor, gnawing on meat. Seeing Sora and Esdeath arrive, his eyes lit up. Budo, like an iron tower, stood to the Emperor's right, his expression serious and unreadable.
Najenda and Rokugou stood at the front of a large group of officials, frowning as if deep in thought. Seeing Sora and Esdeath arrive, Rokugou showed no reaction, but Najenda's expression was complex.
The large group of officials below were all anxious, scratching their heads as if their grandmothers had died. Seeing Sora and Esdeath arrive so late, they all shot furious glances.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Sora paid no attention to the officials' anger, only giving a teasing glance to Najenda before he and Esdeath bowed to the young Emperor on the throne.
"At ease, General Sora, General Esdeath."
Although not kneeling was a grave offense, the Minister had said that the two generals were pillars of the state and could be exempt from such formalities, so the young Emperor didn't mind, raising his scepter with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! May we ask why Your Majesty has summoned us?"
Neither Sora nor Esdeath had any interest in discussing state affairs, only wanting to finish quickly and return home, so they got straight to the point.
Well, hearing Sora's words, the entire hall fell silent.
If it weren't for fear of these two, the officials would have already started cursing. After making the Emperor and everyone wait for so long, now you're in a hurry!
Najenda's mouth twitched involuntarily. Over the past month, she had used all her resources to gather information on Sora and Esdeath. In a way, she had come to understand them quite well—powerful, selfish, cruel, and arrogant!
"Ahem! General Sora, General Esdeath, two days ago, the southwestern border was invaded by foreign tribes. His Majesty summoned you today to discuss this matter."
Seeing the young Emperor still a bit dazed by Sora, the Minister coughed twice and explained.
"Ah… Yes, Generals, We summoned you precisely for this matter!"
The young Emperor came back to his senses and nodded, trying to maintain a calm and composed expression befitting an Emperor.
Upon hearing the responses from the minister and the young emperor, Sora curled his lips, thinking to himself, "No wonder, it turns out the foreign tribes are rebelling. Otherwise, they wouldn't have remembered us."
"Generals, I intend to have you lead the army to quell the rebellion of the foreign tribes for the empire. What do you think?"
Since Sora was so direct, the young emperor didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose outright.
"Heh… seems quite interesting!"
Licking his lips, Esdeath on the side had an excited expression.
After hearing the young emperor's words, Sora felt somewhat disdainful. He glanced at the minister, who was looking at him, and thought, "This must be the minister's plan, right?"
Of course, Sora couldn't refuse. The minister wasn't trying to harm him but was creating an opportunity for him and Esdeath.
Although they had become generals due to their strength, they hadn't yet achieved any significant merits, which was somewhat unjustifiable. The minister had gained many benefits from them and recognized their value, so naturally, he wanted to help them.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will surely eliminate those ignorant foreign tribes and restore peace and stability to our empire!"
Since this matter seemed beneficial to him and Esdeath was so excited, Sora agreed without hesitation.
"Does Your Majesty have any other orders? If not, we will take our leave to prepare."
Hearing Sora's straightforward agreement to lead the expedition, the young emperor and all the officials were pleasantly surprised. However, his next words left them stunned, even Najenda looked at Sora in disbelief.
"General Sora, General Esdeath, don't you have any questions to ask?"
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the young emperor felt his small head couldn't keep up and asked weakly.
"Huh? What questions?"
With a puzzled expression, Sora and Esdeath asked simultaneously.
Wasn't it just about quelling the rebellion of the foreign tribes in the southwest border? They already knew that, what else was there to ask?
"Ahem! Generals, His Majesty means, don't you want to ask about the enemy's situation and how many troops you should bring?"
The minister was also somewhat frustrated. Although he had high blood pressure, he didn't have tuberculosis!
Although he knew these two were extraordinary, they seemed too unreliable. Going to war without asking the most basic questions? Even he, a politician who played with schemes, knew better. Are you really generals?!!
"Yes, yes, Generals, that's exactly what I mean!"
"According to reports, the rebels have gathered an army of 300,000. How many troops do you plan to bring, and what strategy do you have?"
Although the young emperor had been brainwashed by the minister since childhood and was somewhat confused, sitting on the throne for so long had taught him a few things. He quickly nodded and spoke.
Hearing the minister and the young emperor's words, Sora and Esdeath exchanged a smile, thinking, "What are these guys talking about?"
"Your Majesty, we only need to bring 60 female guards!"
With unparalleled confidence, Sora said something that shocked everyone!
"As for the strategy, well, neither Esdeath nor I are experts in that. But we've heard that General Najenda is the most brilliant strategist the empire has seen in a thousand years. If possible, we would like Your Majesty to have General Najenda accompany us to suppress the rebels!"
Originally, Sora wanted to say, "Screw strategy, just kill them all," but suddenly thinking of something, he looked at Najenda, a wicked smile forming on his lips, and spoke to the young emperor on the throne.
Esdeath's eyes flashed with a strange light. Clever as she was, she naturally understood Sora's wicked intentions. She glanced at the surprised Najenda, licked her thin lips, and formed a wicked smile just like Sora.
This woman who dared to speak ill of her and her dear one, she had long wanted to teach her a lesson!
"General Sora, are you sure?"
Wiping the sweat from his forehead for the second time, although the young emperor knew General Sora was strong after seeing his match with Bud, but no matter how strong you are personally, this is war, war?!!
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am sure. Please grant your permission!"
Both Sora and Esdeath frowned, feeling somewhat displeased. The young emperor seemed too hesitant today. Just say yes or no, stop beating around the bush!
Of course, if he refused, Sora would be even happier, as he could continue enjoying his life at home. However, Esdeath might be a little disappointed.
Feeling his small head couldn't keep up, the young emperor instinctively turned to the minister, who was munching on meat, for help. Seeing the minister nod, he felt reassured and made up his mind.
Whatever the decision, as long as the minister approved, it must be right! Brainwashed by the minister since childhood, this thought was deeply ingrained in the young emperor's soul.
"General Sora, I grant your proposal!"
"General Najenda, in three days, you will accompany General Sora and General Esdeath to assist them in quelling the rebellion of the foreign tribes!"