Chapter 86: The Time Has Come; Today, We Raise Our Army
As the Empire's combat strength continued to decline, its control over its various territories weakened. Coupled with its harsh policies, the constantly oppressed populace welcomed the savior who would end the dark era, offering up their own resources.
Coordinating from within and without with local leaders, all the cities and towns were incorporated without the loss of a single soldier. This was because once resistance was shown, a rebellion would break out from within. Everywhere they went, people bowed their heads in submission.
...This should have been the script for the Revolutionary Army.
But with the Axis Order playing the spoiler, the role of the protagonist had completely shifted to them. After all, promoting wisdom and peace was much better than promoting violent rebellion and war.
"These are the people who have submitted to us?"
"That's right."
"There are so many. Haven't almost all of them sided with us?"
"Well, we are a church that promotes wisdom and peace."
"You're right."
Kobayashi looked at the report Run handed him, a satisfied smile on his lips.
He had waited for this day for a long time.
"The time has come. Today, we raise our army!"
"Lubbock! Kobayashi! Are you guys alright!"
Upon seeing the two of them, Leone excitedly rushed over and pulled them into an embrace. The safe return of her companions made her very happy.
Feeling the long-missed softness, Lubbock had a lecherous look on his face, but upon seeing Najenda, he immediately forced an ugly smile. Because every time he did this, she would teach him a lesson.
However—
"Welcome back, Lubbock." Najenda pulled him into a hug.
Lubbock was stunned on the spot.
His body instantly stiffened, then relaxed after a long moment. His hands subconsciously wrapped around her, and he was not pushed away.
"Hehehe—"
Leone, who loved to stir the pot, covered her mouth and teased, "I thought the Boss was always so calm. Aren't you quite worried about Lubbock after all?"
"Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm."
Akame and Mine nodded in succession.
At this moment, Mine suddenly noticed something was wrong. She quickly asked, "Where's Tatsumi? Didn't Tatsumi come back with you?"
"Well..."
Lubbock fell silent for a moment.
Kobayashi said to them, "Tatsumi will be publicly beheaded in three days."
"What?!" xN
The members of Night Raid were shocked.
"What in the world is going on, Lubbock? Why did only you escape back here!" Mine's question was very hurtful, completely disregarding her companion's feelings.
But Lubbock knew she was just worried about Tatsumi.
"Allow me to explain."
Kobayashi took the initiative to take on the role of the bad guy.
He said a lot, but in the end, it could be summarized in one phrase—to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys.
Night Raid had been in the spotlight a lot recently, and the Empire's influence was declining. In order to regain their prestige and influence, they were going to publicly execute Tatsumi. Of course, it was also with the intention of luring Night Raid out.
"This public execution will be carried out by Esdeath and General Budou. How about it? Scared yet?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? How could we be scared?!"
Mine was resolute in her desire to rescue him. No matter who it was, they could not stop her.
Since that's the case—
"I say, do you all want to join my organization?" Kobayashi suddenly proposed.
It was abrupt and ill-timed.
But he still said, "With the few of you that are left, you can't possibly save your companion. You might as well join my organization."
"The Axis Order..."
Najenda took a drag from her cigarette and fell into deep thought.
Leone, however, frowned and said, "Kobayashi, what does it matter which faction we join at this point? There's no difference between the Revolutionary Army and the Axis Order, is there?"
"No, no, no. The difference is huge."
Kobayashi seriously held up a finger and wagged it.
"The initial intention of the Revolutionary Army was good. A few patriots established a resistance against the corrupt Empire. They strove to help people who had also suffered from injustice, combining everyone's strength to form a power that the Capital could not ignore.
However, as their power grew, many persecuted nobles also joined in.
Their aspirations were originally good, and to be precise, they are still good now.
But, as soon as they succeed in overthrowing the corrupt Empire, they will then become the new masters, and once again follow the same disastrous path as the Empire."
After all... humans are always making the same mistakes without repentance.
"So you're saying the Axis Order is any better?"
"I don't deny that humanity has its shining moments, but in reality, most people cannot maintain it. And at a time like this, if there is a 'god' to guide them..."
It wasn't that a real god was needed. What he meant was that the Empire could no longer be led by the same system. Stagnation leads to sedimentation, and sedimentation leads to corruption. Because even a thousand-year Empire will eventually become corrupt, the people no longer trust them and are in urgent need of another system that can lead them.
"And that is the Axis Order."
Every word he said was reasonable. Even if the corrupt Empire was overthrown, a new Empire would just repeat the same mistakes. Since that was the case, why not just tear down the foundation of rule and try a different method?
But, but...!!!
"Wouldn't the companions who died have died in vain?!"
Actually, it didn't matter who they helped, as long as they could overthrow the corrupt Empire. But too many companions had died on this path. If they didn't see it through to the end, wouldn't it seem like they had wasted their efforts, making everything they had done completely meaningless?
"That is a problem."
Kobayashi nodded in agreement. He could very much understand her thoughts, and even empathized with her.
But he then said, "What if we just resurrect those companions?"
"...Huh?"
The members of Night Raid's mouths fell slightly open, as if they hadn't heard what he had just said.
"I said, what if we just resurrect those companions?" Kobayashi seemed to be speaking mad words, yet he said with such confidence, "I cannot save everyone, but I want to save most people. At the very least, I have to protect the people I care about!... I said this from the very beginning."
Therefore—
Kobayashi held up [Shambhala], and a purple light array expanded before them.
As the light faded, two figures appeared.
"Ooooh, they really teleported over!"
A familiar to the extreme manliness. Even if his entire body was shrouded in a white church robe, the members of Night Raid could tell who he was.
The other person didn't speak, but the giant scissors in her hand had already completely exposed her identity.
"N-no way... you're lying... this must be fake..." "Hey, hey, hey, this isn't funny!" "Hiss—"
The members of Night Raid sucked in a breath of cold air.
The tall man flipped back his hood, revealing his signature pompadour, and laughed heartily. "How about it? Scared you, didn't I! It's been a long time, everyone!"
"It really is you, Bulat!"
Lubbock excitedly flew over and was caught in his embrace.
The familiar scent, the living body.
"It's real! It's really Bulat!"
With Lubbock's shouting, the members of Night Raid had no choice but to believe it.
"Then... you, you are..."
Mine slowly walked towards Sheele, her trembling hands reaching out.
Sheele took her small hand and, at the same time, flipped back her hood, revealing the face they had all longed to see.
"Long time no see, Mine."
"...Mmm."
The familiar voice. A lump formed in Mine's throat, and clear tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, only to be gently wiped away by Sheele.
It was her. Still the same gentle her.
Najenda took a deep drag from her cigarette, and then heavily exhaled.
Her dead companions had reappeared before her. Even the composed and calm her was becoming emotional.
"What is all this..."
"It's nothing. Just a simple resurrection."
"...Unbelievable words are coming out of your mouth."
But the problem wasn't over.
"Najenda, the corrupt Empire will surely be overthrown. And the Axis Order preaches wisdom and peace. The people, who resist and hate war, will not stand on the side of the Revolutionary Army. If they insist on starting a war, it just proves that their goal is not to save the people, but to usurp the Empire's power and妄想 to continue the same rule."
The Empire was already at its end. All the regions had completely submitted to the Axis Order, and the people were all looking forward to the appearance of a savior who would end the dark era.
The opportune time, the favorable terrain, and the support of the people!
So no matter what, the final victor would be the Axis Order!
"I believe you will make the right judgment."
"...I will."