The Imperial Arm's name was [March of the Dead · Yatsufusa], a blade that could curse and control those it slew, up to eight corpse puppets. These puppets retained their living appearance and could move freely.
While in truth, it controlled more than bodies—their souls were trapped within as well.
"I didn't expect Imperial Arms of this world to have such powers. I thought this was only a world with a bit of mystical ability."
After her surprise, Zeroy frowned at the old records.
"However, the number is too few... If it's only that, Patchi could surely do the same with ease, couldn't you?"
She didn't know for certain; that said, she assumed Patchi must have similar magic.
"It's not the same."
Patchouli shook her head.
"And binding eight souls is only this weapon's limit, not the world's limit."
"The source of Imperial Arms is Danger Beasts, and the powers they wield—some even I, as a Magician of the Seven Luminaries, find astounding. Some of the Super Danger Beasts could even threaten us."
"But that also means the materials from them are invaluable. It's not impossible to strengthen Yatsufusa itself."
"That strong?!"
Zeroy was stunned again, and a spark of anticipation stirred.
She had yet to face an equal opponent, had never truly fought with all her strength.
Even sparring with Patchouli hadn't been a serious battle.
Now, perhaps, she might have the chance.
"Seems you're quite interested."
Patchouli caught her mood, lips curving slightly.
"Cough... well, maybe a little."
Zeroy cleared her throat, trying to mask it, pinching her fingers close together.
"In any case, this world is valuable. You can set a World Beacon, right? My advice: place one here. The Super Danger Beasts could be a vast resource for us."
"Fine, I'll set one now."
...
They continued purging the world.
Good news: this world's technology was primitive, and its use of Danger Beasts' power was backward, so its population was small.
The purge would be swift.
Bad news: Zeroy encountered tribes.
Outside the Empire, various foreign tribes lived in primitive forms.
Most were half-uncivilized, still eating raw flesh and even human flesh. Raiding border towns was a key source of their survival.
All other nations and peoples Zeroy had met shared one basic principle of law: killers must die. Morality was enshrined in law—virtue, justice, propriety, wisdom, faith.
Their laws varied, but not greatly. Zeroy's standards of good and evil matched, if stricter.
Albeit these tribes were different.
Forget punishing killers—they practiced cannibalism.
For them, raiding neighbors was righteous necessity.
Their primitive life, shaped by harsh environments and unique social orders, left them with laws alien to others.
A son inheriting his father's wives, human sacrifices—such things were their norms.
From their view, they had done no wrong.
Zeroy's purge, to them, was not judgment but a demon king's destruction.
So what would Zeroy do?
Abandon the purge, bring them civilization?
No—she would kill them all the same.
To her, they were hideous monsters in human skin.
Had they harmed no outsiders, and had Zeroy time and resources, she would have given them civilization.
After all, her own ancestors had once been the same. Who doesn't come from the wild?
Nonetheless, these tribes met neither condition.
So there were no exceptions! Pests would be treated as pests.
While cleansing, Zeroy and Patchouli gathered Imperial Arms.
Most were within the Empire, where the leader of the Way of Tranquility now collected them.
A few had drifted outside. During the purge, Zeroy would not waste time hunting them, but if she found them, she would take them.
"Nearly done. This place is cleared too."
At the foot of the mountain, the city's people knelt in worship of the nameless god of judgment and salvation.
Zeroy drew back her gaze, looking to Patchouli beside her.
In her hand, Patchouli held sharp false teeth, an Imperial Arm just taken from a pest during the purge.
"How's the harvest? Wasn't that pest an alchemist?"
Zeroy asked, meaning the teeth's previous wielder.
"Average. Her Arm and alchemy were laughable."
Patchouli looked bored, tucking the teeth away.
"Anyway, not useless. Though her alchemy was riddled with crude, chaotic flesh-modification, there was still something. Since this world's alchemy is new to me, my standards are low."
"From that, sounds like your so-called harvest was pretty meager..."
"No matter. I expected as much. I trust my magic and alchemy. Let's move on."
"Alright."
As Zeroy, Patchouli, and young Esdeath prepared to depart, they suddenly felt an energy surge.
Not far away, a magic circle like a bagua unfolded. With a flash of white, a wild-looking man, a wandering swordsman, and a hulking clown appeared within it.
"Well, well~ no way. Two super beauties at once? And—oh? A little girl too?"
...
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