On the other side, after leaving the capital, Leone quickly returned to the new secret base, found Najenda, and recounted everything.
"You're saying Takeru said that?" Hearing Leone's words, Najenda couldn't help but tap the table irritably.
"Yes!"
"So, he didn't show any signs of being controlled?" Najenda then asked again.
"Eh, that... probably not, right?" Hearing Najenda's words, Leone was also stunned. Because she had been so overjoyed at the time, she hadn't considered that question at all. However, one thing was that Takeru's words weren't much different from usual.
"Is that so?" Looking at the somewhat embarrassed Leone, Najenda also felt somewhat helpless.
"Forget about that for now. First, recall everyone. I'll hear everyone's opinions." Najenda hesitated for a moment but decided to wait until everyone returned to make a decision.
As everyone gathered, Najenda had Leone repeat the story. Everyone reacted differently.
"What does everyone think about this?" Looking at everyone, Najenda quickly asked. Glancing around, Lubbock hesitated, then was the first to voice his opinion.
It wasn't that he disliked Takeru, and he also cared about Takeru. But compared to the others, his feelings for Takeru were the weakest, making him the most rational one present.
As for Chelsea, having just joined the group, she didn't know Takeru well, so she couldn't say much.
"Damn it, why doesn't Takeru come back himself?" Hearing Leone's words, Mine said angrily. Among everyone, her feelings for Takeru were currently the deepest. That time with Seryu had long since made her give her heart to Takeru.
In fact, these past few days, she had wanted several times to rescue Takeru from the palace. Worried she might act recklessly, Akame and Sheele had been keeping a close eye on her.
"Akame, what do you think?" After glancing at everyone, Najenda looked at Akame.
"Let's see what everyone decides. I know that even if we stop Mine, she'll still go. Also... I want to go too." Hesitating for a moment, Akame also said seriously.
During these days Takeru had been gone, she would check Takeru's room every day. Also, when things quieted down at night, she always felt an emptiness inside. She hadn't felt this way since parting with her sister.
"Is that so? Even you, Akame..." Seeing Akame's reaction, Najenda fell silent.
"Haha, if Night Raid descends in full force, even if something happens, we can retreat safely, right?" Bulat also said with a smile.
He also greatly respected Takeru and expressed his desire to go.
"I understand. Then tomorrow, Mine, Leone, Lubbock, Chelsea, you can blend into the crowd tomorrow. Don't act rashly. As for the others, hide in the shadows, ready to support at any time." After a moment of silence, Najenda made a decision that wasn't entirely rational.
"Yes!" Hearing Najenda's words, everyone quickly responded.
…
Back in the imperial palace, Syura, having received Honest's summons, finally returned to the palace in the evening. Before he could even meet his father, he was summoned to the Jaegers' meeting hall.
While Takeru and the others were enjoying the ingredients Wave provided and Bols's cooking, Syura kicked the door open, then went directly to a chair by the table and sat down boldly.
"Hmm, so you're the Jaegers? You look pretty ordinary. I get it. The Prime Minister called me back to take over, right?" Looking at everyone, Syura directly mocked.
Hearing Syura's words, Wave and Ran couldn't help but frown, while Bols and Kurome remained silent.
As for Takeru and Esdeath, they watched Syura with amusement.
Looking at the brash Syura, Takeru walked towards him with a smile.
"What, you want to spar with me?" Seeing Takeru approach, Syura showed a mocking smile.
"No, you're not even qualified." Speaking softly to him, Takeru quickly hypnotized him. Under Takeru's hypnosis, his eyes became dull, and he sat there dazed.
Then Takeru directly reached into his bosom, took out the Teigu: Shambhala, and stored it in his item storage.
Hypnosis was different from control. Hypnosis basically made people dull-witted, costing Takeru little and allowing large-scale hypnosis.
Generally, it could last three days, making people foolish for three days.
However, the more people hypnotized or the stronger they were, the duration would shorten accordingly. The hypnosis Takeru used on him would last at least two days before he could wake up on his own.
Takeru kept him alive for a purpose. Tomorrow's national assembly was also a trial. This beast, who is deeply sinful, would be executed tomorrow.
As for Wave and the others, seeing Takeru directly subdue Syura while Esdeath maintained a faint smile, they were somewhat puzzled.
But if what Syura said earlier was true, that he came because of Honest, then Takeru might have significant problems.
"The annoying guy is quiet now. Everyone, continue enjoying the food. After all, Bols-san worked hard to prepare it, so let's not waste it." Casually pulling Syura to a corner to face the wall and reflect, Takeru said calmly.
"Seconds!" At that moment, Kurome, having quickly devoured the food in front of her, raised her plate to Bols.
"Alright!" Hearing her words, Bols, with his dutiful wife-like nature, quickly refilled Kurome's plate.
Then, seeing Esdeath not saying anything, everyone said no more and raised their glasses in celebration.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day, around ten in the morning. Most of the capital's citizens had gathered in a special, enormous square.
After the crowd assembled, the young Emperor appeared on a special podium, dressed in splendid attire.
"Citizens of the Empire, today I announce a major event. Because I am still young, under my rule, the Empire has not prospered but instead decayed abnormally. For this, I am deeply ashamed. Fortunately, these days, I have discovered a talented individual. After painful reflection, I have decided to abdicate the throne and pass the emperorship to him. I believe under his leadership, the Empire can become prosperous and its people peaceful..."
As the young Emperor's words fell, the crowd fell silent. Mine and the others were dumbfounded.
"Leone, am I dreaming?" Mine swallowed and looked at Leone beside her.
Hearing her words, Leone directly pinched her cheek. Soon, a red mark appeared on Mine's face.
"Ouch...! Leone!" Feeling the pain, Mine showed her small fangs and glared fiercely at her.
"Hehe, weren't you the one saying you were dreaming?" Hearing her words, Leone said lightly.
But knowing the situation was critical, after a brief tussle, they quickly turned their attention back to the Emperor's position.
Not just the citizens and the crowd, but even most soldiers and even within the Jaegers, everyone was stunned speechless.
"We, your subjects, obey Your Majesty's decree!" At that moment, behind the young Emperor, all the officials knelt on one knee. Takeru also knelt on one knee calmly.
"Ministers, no need for such formalities. Nara Takeru, please step forward." Seeing everyone's reaction, the young Emperor quickly said.
Hearing his name called, Takeru respectfully approached. After some procedures, the young Emperor handed his scepter to Takeru.
The announcer quickly proclaimed that the new Emperor was Takeru.
The crowd on the platform was somewhat dazed throughout. Ordinary citizens didn't mind much, as they were the lowest part of society, so who became Emperor among the upper echelons made little difference to them as long as they weren't further exploited.
As for those familiar with Takeru, like Mine, Lubbock, and the others, they were beyond shocked. They couldn't understand how Takeru, after just a few days in the palace, had become Emperor.
'Could it be that Takeru was originally a member of the royal family, and he's joining Night Raid just to investigate us for a final wipeout?'
Then they quickly dismissed that idea. After all, if that were true, Takeru would have acted long ago.