Two months ago, the Empire seized the opportune moment to launch a war against the Northern Kingdom. This direct assault fractured the once-thriving nation into a state of chaos. Today, the north remains a tapestry of warlords and splintered factions—a scattered heap of sand.
Minister Honest of the Empire might be a treacherous official, but his competence is undeniable. He identified the Northern Kingdom's Achilles' heel with a single glance and struck a fatal blow at the perfect time.
For the next ten years, the Northern Kingdom likely lacks the strength to trouble the Empire. At most, small remnants might harass the borders. However, this shift was enough to bring Esdeath's clan to the brink of extinction.
To the Empire, the Northern tribes are currently beneath notice. To the Revolutionary Army, however, this represents a golden opportunity.
The Revolutionaries find standing against the Empire an uphill battle. They must gather every disparate force to stand a chance at making an impact. The once-mighty Northern tribes were previously too arrogant, rejecting the Army's request for an alliance outright. But now? This is the perfect window for intervention.
While the Revolutionary Army distracts the Empire from within, they dispatched a special unit to the North, attempting to forge an alliance against the central government.
Beyond the high-ranking officials of the Army, the assassination clan "Oarburgh" sent four operatives to participate.
The current leader, Barbara Oarburgh.
The successor, Merraid Oarburgh.
The leader's two disciples, Taeko and Chelsea.
These four are not responsible for negotiations. Their role is to ensure the safe extraction of Revolutionary leaders should things go south.
However, due to their previous mission, they were delayed. The blizzard further skewed their timing as they trekked toward the Northern Kingdom. This delay led to their fateful encounter with Cerydra, Hysilens, and Esdeath.
Looking at it this way, Chelsea and her companions are truly unfortunate.
"Do you realize what you are saying?"
Cerydra's words immediately agitated the group. Chelsea even cried out in disbelief.
"We came here to invite the King of the North to join an alliance, and you want us to kill him?"
"That's impossible!"
As fellow disciples, Taeko and Chelsea both voiced their refusal. Cerydra, however, remained indifferent.
They are merely two novice assassins. While their futures are promising, they lack the authority to make decisions for the Oarburghs. The final say rests with Barbara and Merraid.
"..."
"We agree."
After a moment of silence, Barbara and Merraid sighed in resignation. They had exchanged countless glances, searching for a way to break the current deadlock, only to find nothing but dead ends.
Barbara, an assassin with decades of combat experience, never witnessed power so overwhelming. A single strike had utterly crushed her. 'Is she even human?'
Though Cerydra holds the lead, the four assassins understand clearly: the strongest among the trio is undoubtedly the woman called "Dux Gladiorium," Hysilens.
When did such a powerhouse appear in this world? Furthermore, she does not even seem to be a Teigu user.
Memorizing the name, Barbara resolved to update their intelligence network the moment they returned. If not, many in the Revolutionary Army would suffer.
"Eh? Why agree?"
"If we don't, aren't you afraid they will kill us?"
"Fair point... haha..."
To negotiate as equals, one must possess comparable strength. Hysilens, alone, had thrashed all four of them.
In other words, Barbara's group lacks the standing to negotiate. They can only comply with Cerydra's demands. Failure to do so leaves their fate uncertain—perhaps they would end up as fodder for Danger Beasts.
Hearing their potential fate, the two young disciples let out awkward laughs.
"I am no demon. Since you accepted my commission, I shall provide your reward once everything concludes."
Cerydra and Hysilens might be penniless now, surviving on Danger Beast meat, but the future is unwritten. Who is to say she won't succeed?
"You untied us just like that? Aren't you afraid we'll flee at top speed?"
"I am not, because you cannot escape." Cerydra's face radiated a confidence Barbara couldn't fathom. "You have experienced the Dux Gladiorium's strength firsthand. I doubt you wish for a second taste."
"Besides, we are friends. Do not let trifles cloud your judgment. I sincerely hope we remain friends in the future, so I trust you won't do anything rash."
Cerydra's meaning was crystal clear. Even Taeko and Chelsea understood the underlying threat.
Escape is out of the question.
Even if reinforcements from the Revolutionaries arrive, they likely won't get away. Their only hope is that Cerydra truly intends to be "friends."
"May I ask a question?"
After a moment, Merraid broke the hard-won silence, drawing everyone's attention.
"I permit it. Ask."
With Cerydra's leave, Merraid took a deep breath, looking intently at the petite girl who radiated such a monumental presence.
"Why do you want us to kill the Northern King? What is it you hope to gain by orchestrating all of this?"
Merraid's tone was solemn. Even Esdeath showed interest, and the group waited for Cerydra's response.
"Those are two questions, but no matter. If you wish to know, there is no harm in telling you."
Cerydra had a meticulous plan, but she wouldn't divulge the details to these assassins. A simple overview, however, was fine.
"When the Northern King dies, the North will descend into chaos. Since ancient times, only in times of upheaval can a great hegemony be achieved!"
"I need the North to become soil suitable for my conquest. Correct—what I seek is 'Conquest'! To restructure the 'Laws' of this world!"
"I came, I saw, I conquered!"
Ignoring the stunned expressions of the crowd, Cerydra continued her declaration. As her final word fell, a lone sound of clapping drifted from nearby.
It was Esdeath.
There was no prior rehearsal or prompting. Esdeath simply began to applaud naturally after hearing the Imperator's words.
Cerydra turned her head, watching Esdeath, whose eyes shimmered with an inner light. The corners of the girl's mouth curled upward.
"A pleasant sound, Dux Alptraum. Do you wish to follow me and conquer together?"
Esdeath's response was a smile of pure, fervent excitement.