Chapter 94: After Drinking...
After the death of Esdeath, the Empire's last supporter, the entire Imperial army and its defensive lines completely collapsed. The Axis Order quickly occupied the Imperial Capital and took control of the entire situation.
The Revolutionary Army also wanted to take the opportunity to dispatch troops and snatch the fruits of victory.
Unfortunately, they were beaten back by the combined force of over a dozen Teigu users from Night Raid, the Jaegers, and the Axis Order. All the Teigu they possessed were even confiscated, and they were forced to once again entrench themselves in a corner of the north.
But Kobayashi wasn't going to let them off that easily.
"Beside one's bed, how can one allow another to sleep soundly?" Once the Empire was completely stabilized, he would dispatch troops to completely annihilate them.
And now, they needed to select a leader as soon as possible.
The Former Royal Palace
Under the reorganization of the Axis Order, this place had already been converted into a Divine Palace. Gone was the luxury and frivolity; in its place was a sense of holiness and solemnity. The change in style gave it a different meaning.
The members of Night Raid and the Jaegers were all gathered here.
"Hey, isn't there one problem that's really strange?" Lubbock suddenly asked.
Tatsumi asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
"Generally speaking, shouldn't my organization be an organization I 'joined'? What's this about an organization I 'founded'?! Speaking of which, Kobayashi was actually the true leader of the Axis Order?! The boss of a major power actually ran to the enemy camp to be an assassin and a guard? No matter how you think about it, that's just too weird, ahhhhh!!!"
Lubbock clutched his head as he watched this scene, looking as if he couldn't accept it.
In truth, it wasn't just him; everyone else had the same thought.
They had all thought they were in the same boat as hired grunts, only for him to suddenly transform into the boss of a third faction, and what's more, he was about to become the Pope of the new holy kingdom.
The sense of disparity was just too great!
No wonder he had refused to join no matter how they tried to win him over.
"Relax. Even if his status has changed, Kobayashi is still Kobayashi. That part won't change."
Leone patted Lubbock, as if to comfort his tiny little pride.
"But it really is surprising," Najenda said, taking a drag from her cigarette and sighing. "He said it before, didn't he? That he had descended to set this chaotic era right. At first, I thought it was just the arrogant declaration of a young man. I never thought he would actually achieve it."
"Yeah, it's really incredible," Mine sighed as well.
Throughout history, the people who made heroic declarations from humble beginnings were as numerous as the stars. But in the end, only a mere handful achieved such a great deed. Countless others were buried in the river of history. Even the Hegemon-King who declared, "He can be replaced," didn't get to laugh in the end.
And now, Kobayashi had done it.
What greater deed was there than this to get excited about?
However, Kobayashi himself didn't feel much. After all, this kind of thing was basically a standard operation for a transmigrator, especially in his case, where he knew everything and was acting as a sneaky bastard behind the scenes. Achieving what he had now was only to be expected. It would have been more surprising if he hadn't succeeded.
On the other side, the members of the Jaegers were also marveling.
"I never thought Kobayashi was actually part of the Axis Order, and its actual leader at that. It's truly incredible," Wave said, as if he wanted to share this with his companions.
Unfortunately, the others were not surprised.
Run said, "I was probably the first to know. After all, I was the first one he turned to his side."
"Then Mr. Bols and I are the second."
"Mmm, that should be correct."
Seryu and Bols also chimed in.
Wave was stunned. He asked, puzzled, "No way. Don't tell me I was the only one who was the last to know?" He seemed very sad that he had been kept in the dark the whole time.
"There's also me."
"Kurome..."
Kurome's agreement was a slight comfort to Wave's young heart.
"By the way, where did Kobayashi go?"
"I'm right here."
Just as everyone was looking for him, he appeared in the hall.
At this moment, he had completely changed. He wore clean and tidy clerical robes and held a scepter in his hand. There were no luxurious or expensive ornaments, yet one could feel his nobility.
Kobayashi had completely changed his class from assassin and guard to clergyman.
"How should I put this... Shouldn't the Pope be dressed in more noble and luxurious clothes?"
"That's because I'm not wearing them."
To show his status and strength, the Axis Order had indeed prepared a set of papal vestments for him. But this was a gathering of friends, so there was no need for such fanfare.
"Alright, everyone! Let's begin!"
The banquet officially started.
He went to the throne and slowly sat down.
Tatsumi and Wave had their arms around each other's shoulders. Bulat and Liver were singing as they drank. Akame and Kurome were feeding each other. Bols and Lubbock were talking loudly. Najenda and Leone were circulating everywhere, pulling connections. Seryu, Mine, Sheele, and Chelsea seemed to be arguing about something. And Run was holding a pen, writing this moment down.
Watching the scene below, which was basically identical to the future he had once seen, Kobayashi's heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment.
Everything he had done had meaning.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Hey, Kobayashi, what are you smiling so foolishly about?" Leone came over, reeking of alcohol and holding a large wine jar in each hand.
Kobayashi held out his right hand to block her face, keeping the smell of alcohol away from him, and said with disgust, "Leone, you're drunk again."
"What does it matter? Today is the happiest of days!"
Leone sloshed the wine jars, then stuffed one of them into his arms, saying drunkenly, "Drink! Drink up! I'm definitely going to get you drunk today!"
He hugged the wine jar, looking at her suspiciously. Something felt off. He subconsciously read her mind but could only sense her strong desire to get him drunk.
He let out a light laugh. "Hehehe, how naive. So naive, Leone! You alone are not enough! You'll need at least a dozen more people!"
He hadn't learned Esdeath's strength, but he had learned her arrogance perfectly.
It was only after he said this that he regretted it.
Hearing his words, everyone else swarmed over. Even if he had a high immunity to alcohol, he couldn't withstand more than a dozen people taking turns. Even a certain Goddess of Water could get drunk, so what about him?
After countless drinks, his consciousness gradually drifted away. When he awoke again, it was already the next morning.
"Ngh."
Kobayashi frowned. A hangover felt terrible.
He subconsciously buried his head into his pillow.
But the touch that came back was not the familiar coolness, but rather a warmth, and it was much more elastic.
He suddenly opened his eyes and looked up.
What entered his vision was not silver-blue, but light yellow.
He scrambled up in a panic and found that the woman in front of him was wearing no clothes. The early morning sun shone on her, giving her an endless allure.
"W-wait... Leone?!"
"Ngh, Kobayashi?"
Leone slowly opened her eyes. Seeing him, she looked a bit shy and said softly, "Last night... was really a heated battle."
—?!
What is she talking about? What heated battle?
"...You're teasing me, right? You're trying to trick me so you can watch my embarrassed reaction, and then you'll mock me! That's it, right! Yes, it must be!"
"No, we really did have a heated battle."
"Gak—?!"
Kobayashi's jaw dropped in a daze. He couldn't say a word.
But things weren't that simple.
Leone added, "It wasn't just me... oh."
Author's Note: The cheat ability clearly can't bring them! My setting is that it can only bring non-living things! What are you guys misunderstanding?! Also, GREEN! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT GREEN MEANS!
(End of Chapter)