Inside the palace gardens.
Four different Imperial Arms were laid out across a marble table.
After examining them for a while, Esdeath praised them in a cheerful tone.
"We gained four Imperial Arms from this operation? What an unexpected harvest!"
Aside from Gaia Foundation, the rest of the Imperial Arms obtained during this operation were all here.
Among all the Night Raid members captured.
Uesugi Ryu only handed over Najenda, Leone, and Sheele to Esdeath.
Chelsea was useful, while Tatsumi was being held inside Uesugi Ryu's mansion.
It was specifically to prevent him from meeting Esdeath.
Tatsumi was not some succubus, so Esdeath would not suddenly fall madly in love after seeing him once.
Still, he was the protagonist of the original story after all, so it was better to take precautions.
Uesugi Ryu raised a hand and pointed at one of the Imperial Arms.
"That scythe-type Imperial Arm belonged to one of Bolic's subordinates. The Four Rakshasa Demons should know about it too."
Esdeath's fingers brushed across the Imperial Arms on the table one by one.
"Is that so? It doesn't matter. These are the Jaegers' spoils."
Her pale fingertips stopped on the crimson magatama. She seemed to recall something.
"Oh right, Kurome said Najenda's humanoid Imperial Arm was quite powerful."
Uesugi Ryu nodded lightly, his tone calm.
"No matter how strong an Imperial Arm is, it is still only an Imperial Arm. It's too rigid. It cannot compare to humans."
Esdeath turned around and leaned against the marble table.
Her eyes lifted slightly as she observed Uesugi Ryu from the corner of her gaze.
"That's true. But now that I look at you, you've improved quite a bit compared to before."
Uesugi Ryu could sense that Esdeath was in a very good mood.
"People always improve. Fighting strong opponents is very rewarding."
Esdeath lowered her head and admired the sea of flowers before her.
She crouched down and picked a flower. Her tone suddenly changed, becoming somewhat cold.
"Then why did you bring back that leader of the Path of Peace?"
Uesugi Ryu had already expected this question.
Esdeath was not stupid.
Too many things were suspicious. There was no way she could fail to understand the implications behind them.
But Uesugi Ryu did not care. He answered calmly.
"After Bolic's death, the Path of Peace would very likely collude with the rebels."
"Bringing back their leader can prevent the Path of Peace from starting an uprising."
Holding the flower in her hand, Esdeath said with some surprise.
"Oh? I don't remember you being the kind of man who cares about this sort of thing."
After thinking for a moment, Uesugi Ryu immediately shifted the blame.
"It was Lubbock's suggestion. Besides, this doesn't violate the Jaegers' objectives, does it?"
This kind of action did not violate the Jaegers' principles. It merely conflicted with Esdeath's own ideas.
She was looking forward to a grand war. The more participants, the better.
Esdeath slowly stood up and said indifferently,
"The strategy against the rebels is to wait until they gather together, then wipe them out in one sweep."
"None of the hidden rebels will be spared."
As she spoke, Esdeath turned around and stared directly at Uesugi Ryu.
"There's no need for you to do this sort of thing."
Uesugi Ryu replied calmly,
"Understood."
Esdeath said nothing more. She raised her head and looked at the sky.
The shadow cast by her military cap covered the upper half of her face as she said excitedly,
"Today's weather is perfect for interrogation."
"Interested in coming along? We might get some interesting information out of them."
Uesugi Ryu shook his head and slowly left the garden.
Esdeath watched his departing back thoughtfully.
A breeze swept through the sea of flowers, causing the pale blue blossoms to sway gently in the wind.
Just as Esdeath was preparing to leave for the interrogation chamber.
A man dressed in palace robes entered with several attendants.
The man bowed to Esdeath and then spoke.
"General Esdeath, His Majesty summons you."
Esdeath frowned. Having her excitement interrupted just as she was getting interested annoyed her somewhat.
It felt like someone knocking on the door right when you were about to take off.
Experienced pilots would definitely understand this feeling (*＾-＾*)
As Esdeath's mood fluctuated slightly, the surrounding temperature dropped.
She ignored the servants and headed straight toward the palace.
Esdeath's residence was not far from the palace. In no time at all, she arrived at the imperial palace.
Ever since Chouri returned to the Imperial Capital, the palace had become much livelier.
Entering the palace, Esdeath grabbed her military cap with one hand and knelt on one knee.
The young Emperor's childish voice rang out.
"General Esdeath, rise."
Esdeath nodded, then stood up and asked somewhat curiously,
"May I ask why Your Majesty summoned me?"
The young Emperor coughed lightly before speaking.
"There are reports of a Super Danger Beast appearing near the Empire's border. It has already destroyed many towns and villages."
"A Super Danger Beast possesses immense power."
"I believe only General Esdeath can hunt such a creature."
Esdeath's eyes lit up slightly, her crimson lips parting.
"So, Your Majesty intends to send me to deal with this Super Danger Beast?"
The young Emperor nodded while gripping his scepter.
"Exactly!"
Standing nearby, Honest's expression did not look very good.
The young Emperor had become noticeably less dependent on him.
In the past, occasions like this would always proceed entirely according to his suggestions.
Chouri and General Budo were also present.
Most of the governors along the border belonged to Chouri's former faction.
A great deal of border information reached Chouri first.
Although he hated Esdeath deeply.
This matter concerned the lives of the people, and Chouri was not someone who acted out of personal grudges.
He took out a scroll from his robes and had someone pass it to Esdeath.
"General Esdeath, this Danger Beast appears to possess poison attributes."
"This is an approximate illustration of it. Also... it seems to have come from the west."
Chouri stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before continuing.
"The western nations have extremely poor relations with the Empire. We cannot rule out the possibility that this is part of an enemy nation's scheme."
Esdeath glanced at the illustration before putting it away.
"I understand. I will handle it."
"In addition, the Jaegers have made some gains recently."
"Night Raid's leader, former General Najenda, and two Night Raid members who are Imperial Arms users."
"A total of three people have already been captured alive."
The young Emperor immediately showed delight.
"As expected of General Esdeath!"
"Once the Super Danger Beast has been eliminated, I shall reward you all together."
Upon hearing this news, Chouri's heart shook, and the hand gripping his cane tightened slightly.
General Budo raised an eyebrow, unable to help feeling somewhat impressed.
Even though he disliked Esdeath, her abilities were indeed worthy of admiration.
Esdeath stepped forward and said in a low voice,
"While I am away from the Imperial Capital, the enemy will likely attempt a rescue operation."
"I propose publicly executing them immediately!"
Although it was regrettable that she could not interrogate them first, it was still better than letting Night Raid escape.
After speaking, Esdeath looked toward Budo.
Honest immediately understood. Swallowing the piece of meat in his mouth, he spoke.
"With General Budo overseeing the execution grounds, those thieves would find it impossible to escape even with wings."
Budo showed no intention of refusing and accepted the task directly.
"I will personally oversee it."
The young Emperor looked excited as he suddenly declared,
"That's right! I will personally attend as well and witness the miserable end of these villains!"
Honest nearly failed to catch his breath. He immediately wanted to object.
But seeing Chouri and Budo already fixing their gazes on him like two bastards waiting for a fight.
Honest knew he would not be able to avoid another argument.
Budo crossed his arms over his chest. He realized this was a good opportunity for the young Emperor to mature.
"The Four Rakshasa Demons have also returned. Alongside the Jaegers and Wild Hunt."
"With this general personally present and large numbers of Imperial Guards standing by."
"There is no need for the Minister to worry about safety."
That single sentence nearly blocked off all of Honest's possible excuses.
Chouri raised his head and immediately added,
"The people have not seen His Majesty for far too long. This is the perfect chance to display His Majesty's majesty!"
While those people continued arguing back and forth.
Esdeath had no interest in wasting time listening to them bicker.
After saluting the young Emperor, she turned and walked straight out.
A teasing smile curled at the corners of Esdeath's lips.
"A Super Danger Beast. Interesting. Its appearance is far too coincidental..."