At this moment, a shadow emerged from the ground, then handed over a piece of intelligence.
Abel sat up and read it, his lips curling upwards.
"I didn't come looking for trouble but he actually came looking for trouble with me first. Since that's the case, don't blame me."
"What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
"See for yourself."
Run took the intelligence Abel handed over and began to read it.
The intelligence stated that the Emperor, following Honest's words, had ordered General Budo to lead troops to attack the Northern Lands three days later.
After Run finished reading, his expression became solemn. "Your Majesty, we need to prepare and assemble our army."
Abel waved his hand, dismissing Run's concerns. "Relax, let the reforms that need to happen proceed. This small matter doesn't require a big fuss."
"But they are coming to annihilate our country."
"Heh heh, they don't have that kind of strength."
Abel was dismissive of the Empire's army. He himself was an army of one, and could destroy a country singlehandedly.
The same went for Esdeath. In the manga, she was piled on by tens of thousands of people and a dozen Teigu users before she died.
The current Empire didn't have those many conditions.
Having made up his mind, Abel shouted to the soldier at the door, "Someone, notify Leone, Esdeath, Akame and Kurome, as well as the Three Beasts and the Jaegers to come to the conference room."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
...
A moment later, in the conference room, everyone arrived one after another.
Abel scanned everyone and began, "Everyone, the Empire's soldiers will be led by General Budo to attack our kingdom three days from now."
Upon hearing this news, everyone reacted differently.
Looking at the crowd, Abel's lips curled up as he continued, "Since they want to attack us, then we will strike first and gain the upper hand. Tonight, we will infiltrate the Imperial Capital and take out their stronghold."
Upon hearing Abel's plan, everyone's eyes sharpened, filled with fighting spirit.
Leone excitedly whistled, "Just what I wanted. I've been wanting to give those guys a taste of their own medicine for a long time."
Esdeath was rubbing her fists, her eyes full of bloodthirsty light. "Finally, a chance for a good fight. I'll make the Imperial Capital run red with blood."
Akame and Kurome nodded silently, fully aware of the importance of this battle.
The Three Beasts and the Jaegers also expressed their determination to go all out.
Abel nodded. "Everyone, prepare yourselves. We'll go visit Night Raid first."
—
Imperial Capital.
Due to Budo allowing the soldiers to have a few days off, the entire Imperial Capital was extremely lively.
On a bustling street, a book rental shop.
As the bookstore door opened, a green-haired boy stretched and walked out of the shop. He was Lubbock, a Night Raid member.
Looking at the lively scene on the street, his face was filled with curiosity and he couldn't help but sigh, "It's unusually lively today."
Such a lively situation seemed to only happen during the New Year.
"Yo! Lubbock, good morning."
At this moment, the uncle from the shop next door greeted Lubbock.
Because of Lubbock's personality, he got along well with everyone around him, so the local residents quite liked him.
"Good morning, Uncle."
Lubbock curiously asked, "Uncle, what day is it today? It's so lively."
The uncle smiled and explained, "General Budo let the soldiers have a holiday. Everyone's out shopping with their families. I heard they're going to attack the Northern Kingdom in a few days, so they're probably letting the soldiers relax before the war. After all, no one knows if they'll come back."
Hearing his words, Lubbock was quite startled.
Attacking the Northern Lands?
Didn't that crazy woman Esdeath take over this matter?
And they still had to send troops to the North. What happened in the North?
It actually required two Imperial Generals to go.
At this moment, throughout the Imperial Capital, except for a few people who knew that Esdeath had betrayed the Empire, everyone else was completely unaware.
Lubbock felt that this matter needed to be reported to Najenda.
Thinking this, he decided to return to the base first.
"Thanks, Uncle."
With that, he closed the door and walked towards outside the city, heading to Night Raid's base.
...
Night Raid's base.
Some time had passed since Najenda returned to the Night Raid base. She was currently discussing the situation in the North with Bulat, Mine, Sheele, and Chelsea, while also holding a small meeting.
"These are all about the changes in the Northern Lands. Akame, Leone, and I have already joined the North. I wonder if you are willing to join?"
.
Everyone present fell silent.
Join the North?
Although Najenda described the current situation in the Northern Lands as peaceful and prosperous, everyone was somewhat disbelieving.
After all, the North, as described by her, felt like living in a fairy tale.
No nobles.
The King of the Northern Kingdom issuing policies and distributing welfare to commoners—all of this felt like a dream.
Bulat and Chelsea joined Night Raid because of the corruption of the Empire and officialdom.
Mine joined Night Raid to prevent mixed-race children like herself from being discriminated against.
Except for Sheele, who joined Night Raid because of her talent, everyone else joined more or less due to the Empire's corruption.
Bulat crossed his arms and began to think. He had learned from Najenda that his old superior, Liver, had also joined the North. Perhaps joining the Northern Kingdom was a good choice. That way, the two of them could fight side by side again.
Just then, the base door was pushed open, and Lubbock rushed in.
"Boss, new intelligence!"