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Three days after the Banquet of the Demon Lords.
"Gobta, is the Imperial Guard Legion ready?"
Kaito lounged on the sofa and looked up at Gobta, who was wearing a miniature cape with the word Justice stitched across the back.
"Hehe, don't worry, Kaito-sama! They're all assembled and ready to move at a moment's notice."
The young man scratched the back of his head and replied with that same open, uncomplicated expression he always wore.
"Hahaha, not bad. You're actually starting to look like a Legion Commander."
Kaito studied the much-grown Gobta with something close to fond relief.
And indeed, Gobta had officially been promoted to Legion Commander of the Imperial Guard Legion. Izayoi Sakuya, meanwhile, had stepped away from military duties entirely to focus on her role as head maid.
At the time Sakuya had been placed in charge of the Imperial Guard Legion, there simply hadn't been many other options. Gobta and the others hadn't fully come into their own yet. But now, the Jura Tempest Federation had no shortage of capable people.
After Sirzechs and the others joined the political department, they took a considerable load off Kagaya's shoulders. Bible Loli had also brought Azazel and the other Fallen Angels back into the fold, and now every Angel and Fallen Angel in the mix had been integrated into Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Air Force.
Sengoku had been walking around with an enormous grin ever since. Not only were his ten legions instantly brought up to full strength, but each one was now a proper organized unit composed entirely of Angels and Fallen Angels.
The other two of the Three Great Generals slots had gone to Azazel and Uriel, two individuals who could not stand each other.
One could only say that Kaito had become exceptionally talented at stirring up trouble.
"Hehe, it's all thanks to Master Sakuya and Old Man Hakuro's excellent teaching!"
Gobta said, looking embarrassed, upon hearing the praise.
"Haha, very good. Full of spirit. I've specially prepared something to mark your promotion to Legion Commander."
The moment Kaito said that, Gobta's earnest expression evaporated. He sidled closer with a wide, ingratiating smile, eyes bright with expectation.
"Oh, Kaito-sama, it's really not a big deal. You didn't have to go to the trouble."
"A million Tempest Coins or so would be more than enough. Nothing too extravagant!"
Kaito smiled with an air of mystery and responded with exaggerated gravity.
"What are you saying? You're one of my very first subordinates. How could I treat you poorly?"
"Look at this. Do you recognize it? It's been a while, hasn't it? I had a feeling you must miss it terribly."
"So I went to Shion and had her make it specially for you. Surprised? Bet you didn't see that coming."
Gobta looked at the dish that had appeared before him. Cold sweat began streaming down his forehead.
'Hey, hey, hey. Kaito-sama, are you trying to finish me off?'
'This thing looks exactly like it always did. Why is it still giving off purple steam?'
'Has Shion's cooking not improved even slightly after all this time?'
"Gulp... Uh... Kaito-sama, I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to. I'll take my leave."
He turned to bolt, but the moment his foot left the ground, Kaito's hand shot out and seized him by the collar.
"Ah, your most important task right now is to sit down and finish this po... ahem, this dish. It's a sincere gesture from the heart."
Kaito held on firmly, doing his best to keep the laughter off his face.
"People will die! People will actually die! My poison resistance is already maxed out, I really don't need it pushed any higher!!!"
Gobta flailed every limb in desperate protest, but with Kaito's grip locked on him, all he could manage was stomping in place.
"Think of it as reinforcing what you've already built. Just in case it slips."
"Wuwuwu, I don't want to!!!"
Rimuru, who had been watching from the sidelines with considerable entertainment, finally took pity on him.
"Alright, Kai-chan, that's enough. Look at the state of him."
"Hahaha, just having a bit of fun."
Kaito finally let the laughter out at Rimuru's intervention.
Gobta, catching on that he'd been played, let out a long-suffering sigh.
"Kaito-sama, Rimuru-sama... you two are really something. Always picking on me."
"Haha, alright. Here's the real gift. Congratulations, Gobta. From today, you're truly standing on your own two feet."
As Kaito spoke, he produced a longsword from his storage space. The hilt was engraved with intricate array patterns, and the blade carried a faint red luminescence. Looking closer, one could see the entire blade had been forged from blood-red material.
The sword was Kaito's own work. Even an ordinary person wielding it could cut down a Demon Lord Seed in a single strike, let alone someone like Gobta, who was now an awakened Demon Lord.
"Kuya. That's its name. If you don't like it, you're free to rename it."
Kaito held the sword out. Gobta took it with both hands, eyes already glistening.
"Wuwuwu, thank you so much, Kaito-sama, Rimuru-sama. I'll treasure it always!"
"Thank you. For everything, all this time!!!"
Tears running freely down his face, eyes resolute, Gobta clutched Kuya and bowed deeply.
"Alright, alright, don't go getting sentimental on me. That doesn't suit you at all."
"Also, you really do still have to eat Shion's cooking. That part wasn't a lie. She made it herself, seriously, to celebrate your promotion."
"She said if you dare skip it, she'll have the Imperial Guard Legion blockaded, and then... tsk tsk tsk."
The look of genuine emotion on Gobta's face collapsed instantly.
"Nani!!!"
Akame ga Kill! · Noon
"Hmph. Utterly useless, the lot of them. What a waste of my time."
Inside the main army tent, Esdeath sat at the commander's seat, long blue hair falling over her military uniform, one hand resting languidly against her cheek. Her voice carried nothing but impatience.
"General, what are your orders regarding the prisoners?"
Liver, one of the Three Beasts, stood at attention beside her.
"Do I really need to spell it out for you?"
Esdeath glanced at her sidelong. Liver understood immediately and gave a single nod.
"Understood. You men!"
A soldier entered, dropped to one knee, and saluted.
"Execute all the prisoners. Leave no one."
The soldier stiffened for a fraction of a second, glanced toward Esdeath, then responded quickly.
"Yes, General!"
"Dismissed."
The soldier rose and left the tent. Screams followed shortly after from outside.
Listening to them, a slow smile spread across Esdeath's face.
"Liver, pass the order. Everyone rests until dawn, then we resume the advance."
"I want to meet this so-called Northern Hero. Let's see if he's worth my time."
"Yes, General!"
And nearly a hundred and fifty kilometres from Esdeath's encampment, a massive white portal opened without warning across the vast open plain.