"Take it easy, speak slowly." Najenda said, watching the panting Lubbock.
Bulat and the others looked at Lubbock, also curious about what had happened in the Imperial Capital.
What could make Lubbock return so quickly?
After a moment to catch his breath, Lubbock finally spoke, "Boss, the Emperor has ordered Budo to attack the Northern Kingdom three days from now."
"What?!"
Everyone's expression changed upon hearing this.
Attack the Northern Kingdom?
Why the sudden decision to attack the Northern Kingdom?
The Emperor—no, it should be said that Minister Honest was up to some new trick.
Everyone discussed animatedly but only Najenda knew the real situation.
Esdeath had joined the Northern Kingdom, and one of the Four Rakshasa Demons, as well as a Teigu user, had died there.
Of course, this wasn't enough to make them attack the Northern Kingdom. Honest must be fanning the flames and taking the opportunity to eliminate dissenters, which is why he tricked the Emperor into ordering General Budo to attack the Northern Kingdom.
Because if Budo died, then the entire country would be at Honest's command, and those loyal officials protected by Budo would also not escape death.
In Najenda and Esdeath's impression, Budo was an old fossil, an unadaptable old-fashioned person. But he had indeed protected some loyal officials. It seemed Honest wanted to benefit from the conflict between others.
Thinking this, Najenda decided to go to the Northern Kingdom to inform Abel about the situation in the Imperial Capital.
She looked at everyone present. "Everyone, Night Raid's assassination missions are temporarily suspended. The base is entrusted to you. I will go to the Northern Kingdom to inform the King of the situation here."
"No problem, I'll handle the intelligence gathering in the Capital."
"Mm, I'll guard the base well."
...
Facing Najenda's words, everyone nodded in agreement.
But at that moment, a gentle breeze blew through the window, followed by a familiar voice.
"No need to go to the Northern Kingdom, I've come myself."
Suddenly, a person appeared at the empty table next to Najenda, and behind this person stood ten others.
"Who's there?!"
The moment they saw them, Bulat and the others instantly prepared for battle, staring intently at the group that had suddenly appeared.
But a familiar voice made them freeze for a moment.
"Hahaha, Mine, Sheele, I missed you so much. Oh, and Chelsea too, come here, let me give you a hug."
Leone appeared and immediately slung her arms around Mine and the others.
Bulat looked at Liver, unsure what to say.
Liver looked at his former subordinate, a smile on his lips. "Long time no see, Bulat. It seems we can fight side by side now."
"General Liver."
"I am no longer a general now, I am merely a warrior under the King."
At this moment, some were reminiscing, while others were doing what they needed to do.
Abel and Najenda chatted casually, while Lubbock, next to them, felt sour.
After a brief chat among everyone, Najenda introduced Abel to Bulat and the others.
"This is the King of the Northern Kingdom, and he is also the one I pledge my allegiance to."
Bulat and the others were startled. They hadn't expected this young man to be the King of the Northern Kingdom.
Abel smiled and nodded to everyone. "Nice to meet you all."
Mine, Sheele, and Chelsea looked at Abel. He didn't seem like what Leone had described. Instead, he felt like a very good king.
After a while, everyone quieted down.
Abel asked, "I wonder if you all are willing to join my Empire?"
Everyone was startled, not expecting Abel to be so direct.
Bulat was the first to speak, "I am willing to follow you."
Mine and the others looked at Bulat, surprised that he had agreed so quickly.
As for why, of course, he had talked a lot with his old superior. He trusted Liver. After all, Liver had been imprisoned for refusing to accept bribes.
Mine was silent for a moment, then asked, "How do you view ethnic minorities and mixed-race individuals?"
"All my citizens are equal, and my policies have already been enacted. If you want to know more, you can ask Run."
Mine nodded, feeling reassured, and then, like Bulat, pledged her loyalty to Abel.
Sheele next to her was a bit dazed, unsure what to do. However, since Najenda and Bulat had chosen to join, following them should be fine.
"I am also willing to join."
Chelsea, with a lollipop in her mouth, gave a playful smile. "Since everyone else is joining, I'll join too. It feels like it will be very interesting."
Lubbock nodded, also agreeing. After all, wherever Najenda was, he would be too.
At this moment, all members of Night Raid joined the Northern Kingdom. So, it was time to discuss serious matters.
Abel looked at everyone. "Regarding the Empire's attack on the Northern Kingdom, we will go straight for the jugular."
"First, we'll take the Imperial Capital in one fell swoop, and the rest will be much simpler.
Officials and nobles without criminal records will remain. Others will be executed and their homes confiscated, and finally, a series of policy reforms will be implemented."
Everyone listened to Abel's plan and had no objections.
...
Time passed bit by bit and the sky darkened.
Everyone stood on the platform constructed by Lubbock's threads, looking at the brightly lit Imperial Capital, lost in thought.
Lubbock asked, "By the way, is it really okay for us to do this?"
After all, their wanted posters were still on the walls. Wouldn't walking in so openly be tantamount to asking to die?
Seventeen people raiding a nation—was it real or fake?
Abel patted Lubbock's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, and who said there are only seventeen of us?"
"Besides us, are there reinforcements?"
"Of course."
"Where?"
Lubbock asked curiously, as his thread barrier could detect enemies. But there were only seventeen of them around.
Abel smiled. "The Shadow Royal Guards."
Suddenly, many Shadowkhans emerged from everyone's shadows.
And then...
"I am the commander of the Undead Legion, and also the master of the Undead Nation.
Warriors who have turned into undead. Return from the Undead Nation with an unyielding will. Obey my command, and bring me the fruit of victory."