In the Osnet mansion, everyone froze in shock.
"He… why did he do that?" an officer muttered, eyes wide with disbelief.
What was going on? Following the usual protocol, both sides should have revealed their cards first and then entered negotiations. If no agreement was reached, a conflict would naturally follow.
"Is the fight about to start?"
Myne subconsciously raised her pumpkin cannon, confused. Things were moving far too fast for her to react.
Najenda, however, remained calm. "They misunderstood something from the start. Negotiations only work when both sides are equally matched…"
Now she understood the depth of Arata Hayashi's power. This was a force completely out of the ordinary. Arata's expression was serene, as if he had merely crushed an ant.
Akame and Leona flanked him, ready for anything.
"Sir Arata Hayashi, I was sincerely negotiating with you, yet you were so ruthless as to kill me!" Ernest's voice was cold as he drew a deep breath. "It seems you intend to fight to the death."
"Kill him!" he bellowed.
At his command, the Four Rakshasa Ghosts leapt forward. Though lacking imperial equipment, their strength rivaled that of imperial weapon users. Over the years, countless enemies had fallen to Ernest's top warriors—and today would be no different.
Clang!
Murasame unsheathed her sword, and Akame's figure vanished like a meteor, striking at the Four Rakshasa Ghosts.
Blood splattered. Suzuka, one of the Four, blinked in shock as red eyes flashed among her companions.
Bang! Puff!
As Suzuka fell, the other three followed almost simultaneously. When she looked up, Akame was already back at Arata's side. It was as if the entire attack had been an illusion.
At the same time, Leona appeared behind Ernest without him noticing.
"What do you want?" Ernest screamed, only to see a fist magnified to impossible proportions barreling toward him.
In the next moment, he heard the cracking of bones throughout his body. His final thought before death: I… just died like that?
Silence. Dead silence.
The officials around him dared not breathe. Some quietly retreated, praying they wouldn't attract Arata's attention. Even Ernest was gone.
Then Arata appeared before them.
"I hear you supported Ernest?"
"Ah…"
Everyone froze, trembling.
"Don't be so scared," Arata said softly, scanning the room. "Do I look scary?"
Even Minister Ernest was killed just by approaching you. How can you not be scary? they thought. Yet no one dared to speak.
"That's right," Arata continued gently. "From now on, I have the final say in the empire. Who agrees, and who disagrees?"
Even termites, if killed, still served a purpose. He had not immediately punished the ministers because he had a strategy.
But placing Ernest's confidants directly before him was simple: kill the chicken to scare the monkey, and keep the dog.
"I fully agree with this. If any of you object, I will be the first to oppose," said one minister.
"And I too support Lord Arata Hayashi," added another.
Even Ernest's supposed allies wouldn't stand to avenge him.
Arata ignored the fence-sitters. He handed everything over to Najenda, then returned to the palace with Akame, Leona, and the others.
One day later, news of Ernest's death had spread throughout the imperial capital. People celebrated in the streets, while imperial officials remained silent.
The empire's sky had changed completely.
Najenda began her systematic restructuring, removing incompetent officials and replacing them with capable, honest ones. In a matter of days, the imperial capital underwent a complete overhaul. Riots were quickly suppressed by Akame and her forces.
"Sir Demon, the Revolutionary Army has contacted me," Najenda said. "After I rejected them, they will likely throw everything at us."
"Then let them act," Arata replied, keeping his eyes on his book. This day would come sooner or later. The Revolutionary Army's strength relied on alliances with nobles and officials from across the country, but Arata had already secured the power in the imperial capital. Soon, his influence would extend locally.
If they didn't want a slow, painful defeat, desperate measures were their only option.
Najenda nodded, then suddenly said, "Oh… Esdeath has returned from the front."
"Ah," Arata said, raising his head. His eyes flickered. Finally back.
With her return, it seemed he would have another family member to manage.
"Master, are you going to take in another follower?" Leona asked, appearing beside him with a smile. "But that woman is very dangerous."
"Can I really be in danger?" Arata's grin was calm.
Leona smirked, realizing just how dangerous the master truly was.
"Master, I don't like that woman!" Akame said coolly. "She's a madman who only knows how to fight."
"How dare you express such an opinion," Arata said, eyes narrowing playfully. Then he smiled. "To comfort you, how about I replenish your magic tonight?"
Akame's cheeks flushed. The memory of his previous aid came back vividly. She didn't refuse, nodding shyly.
Leona glanced at Akame in surprise. Has my comrade finally realized what's going on? Then I better step up…
Najenda sighed quietly. "My Lord Demon, do you wish to summon Esdeath?"
"Unnecessary," Arata said, standing from the throne and gazing into the distance. "Because she is already here."