Najenda nodded.
"I have no objections."
Even if it was just a ceremonial seat on the council, that was still pretty good.
Budo said nothing, which counted as tacit agreement.
Less than two seconds after the two of them agreed.
A cold mechanical notification sounded beside Uesugi Ryu's ear.
[Main Quest: Make the Empire Great Again!]
[Second Phase: Conquer all foreign nations and tribes bordering the Empire, and let the Empire's flag fly over the lands of the foreign races!]
[Host's Current Identity: Chairman of the Council (Supreme Commander)]
[Quest Reward: Real Attribute Points x2]
Uesugi Ryu casually glanced over the quest. It more or less aligned with his own plans anyway.
Back in the Tokyo Ghoul world, he had never tried expanding mainly because that world leaned toward technology.
It was not especially useful for improving his personal strength.
The Akame ga Kill! world was different. The supernatural powers here were on a completely different level compared to the Ghoul world.
Conquering the Empire was only the first step toward uncovering the mysteries of this world.
As the saying went, one must secure the home front before dealing with external threats. The internal turmoil had basically settled down now.
While the Revolutionary Army had been entering the Imperial Capital, the western foreign tribes had not been sitting idle.
Esdeath's troops were stationed at the border, so holding them off temporarily was not a problem.
But if it dragged on too long, there was still a risk of the defenses collapsing.
There was no rush to begin conquering foreign nations. Right now, the Empire was basically half-paralyzed.
Although the major factions had already submitted, integration would still take time.
Resting his chin on his hands, Uesugi Ryu turned to look at Budo beside him.
"Then it's settled. The western foreign tribes will be left to General Budo."
The moment his words fell.
Budo's Teigu, Thunder God's Wrath: Adramelech, instantly appeared on the table.
At present, Uesugi Ryu was the highest authority in the Empire.
Whether willingly or under pressure, as long as people like Budo and Najenda still belonged to the Empire's faction.
They were his subordinates.
So even after returning the Teigu, the collection progress would not decrease.
Seeing his familiar Teigu appear before him once more, Budo froze slightly.
He understood that since Uesugi Ryu intended to use him, the Teigu would most likely be returned eventually. He just had not expected it to happen this quickly.
After a moment of silence, Budo's massive hand once again rested upon Thunder God's Wrath.
Uesugi Ryu withdrew his gaze and tilted his chin toward the Jaegers seated on one side of the long table.
"Other than Stylish and Run, the Jaegers will be under your command. There will also be a batch of new equipment supplied for your use."
"Once the army is reorganized, Stylish will deliver it to you."
Stylish pushed up his glasses and nodded toward Budo.
After obtaining the venom of the Super Danger Beast Hegreon, his poison gas technology had advanced to another level.
In addition, the various biotechnology applications he possessed would definitely prove highly effective in warfare.
Uesugi Ryu's golden eyes shifted toward Budo as he spoke in a deep voice.
"You may use whatever funds and manpower you need. I only have one requirement."
"Within one week, drive them out of the borders."
"I understand. They're just foreign tribes. It won't even take a week."
A voice filled with confidence rang out instantly as Budo pushed back his chair and stood up.
Clank. Clank. Clank.
He reattached the armored gauntlets onto his arms.
Budo gently stroked the gauntlet crackling with lightning. A faint smile appeared on his usually expressionless face.
"Then shall I begin now?"
Driving out invading foreign tribes was Budo's duty as the Empire's Grand General.
He had been frustrated to death fighting inside the Imperial Capital all this time. This was the perfect chance to vent his anger on those bastards.
Looking at the battle spirit surging from Budo, Uesugi Ryu closed his eyes and chuckled softly.
"Of course. The sooner, the better."
Najenda shifted her legs, looking somewhat restless in her seat.
The western foreign tribes had only been able to invade because of the Revolutionary Army's actions.
Budo turned his head and coldly glanced at Najenda before walking straight toward the exit.
The clanking of armor mixed with his deep voice.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
Mine's expression was not looking too good either.
She carried part of the bloodline of the western foreign tribes. She was mixed-race.
Ever since childhood, she had suffered discrimination because of her heritage.
One of the reasons Mine joined the Revolutionary Army was to eliminate that discrimination someday.
But now, it seemed that chance would never come.
Just as Mine was beginning to bristle, a hand gently covered the back of hers.
Tatsumi looked calmly at the pink-haired girl beside him.
"Mine."
Mine snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Tatsumi.
The gloom on her face instantly vanished. Turning her head slightly, she looked at the companion still staying by her side.
Mine's shoulders relaxed, her eyes trembling faintly.
"Damn it...... but right now, this can't really be considered bad either...."
Uesugi Ryu did not ignore Najenda either as he spoke calmly.
"Najenda, small matters like forming the Upper Council and announcing everything to the public will be left to you."
Seeing that Uesugi Ryu had no intention of pursuing the matter further, Najenda let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Understood."
The meeting ended, and everyone quickly left the conference room one after another.
Stylish remained behind at the end instead of leaving. Wearing a faint smile, he spoke.
"Dorothea-chan is still visiting inside my laboratory. Uesugi-san....."
Stylish paused briefly before correcting himself.
"No, Chairman Uesugi. Are you interested in taking a look?"
As a veteran alchemist who had lived for a hundred years, Dorothea possessed quite a few treasures of knowledge. Uesugi Ryu certainly had not forgotten about that.
Faced with Stylish's slightly teasing form of address, Uesugi Ryu shot him a sidelong glance and stood up.
"Then let's go, Doctor."