For Cerydra's side, the sudden ambush was merely a minor surprise that caused no real impact.
Now that Esdeath became a Chrysos Heir, the army of tens of thousands amounted to nothing more than cannon fodders. She settled the battle in ten minutes.
However, for the Empire, this meant something entirely different.
Minister Honest received the news with maximum haste: the army he sent to the front lines to crusade against the Northern Prince defeated. Not a single soul returned alive.
To reclaim the Empire's dignity and force the Northern Tribes to pay their blood debt, a general was dispatched.
Najenda.
A powerful woman who shone brilliantly within the Imperial Army due to her outstanding talent. Though not yet twenty, she already led Imperial forces to victory in numerous wars, earning an exceptional promotion to the rank of General.
Despite her title, Najenda's actual power was not yet that high. Her roots remained shallow, and she had not developed a faction or power base of her own, making her significantly weaker than the established elite.
Furthermore, following the death of the late Emperor, the transition of power brought chaos. Although Honest held the high position of Minister, fully extending his reach into the military remained difficult.
With veterans like Great General Budo supporting the old guard, Honest had to cultivate his own influence within the ranks if he wanted to control the army—ideally among the younger generation.
The future belonged to the youth. Once Great General Budo passed away, the entire Imperial Army would immediately be absorbed by Honest, turning it into a mindless machine of violence under his name.
Najenda perfectly fit Honest's requirements: young, powerful, and beloved by the troops. If no one more capable appeared, the future seat of Great General surely belonged to her!
"You know, Najenda, this is an opportunity!"
Inside the palace meeting room, Minister Honest gnawed on a greasy leg of meat as usual, his eyes fixed on the white-haired woman standing below the dais.
"As long as you achieve a clear advantage in this battle, I can exaggerate your merits from a civil official's perspective to solidify your position in the army. You understand, don't you?"
Had Esdeath joined the Imperial Army, Honest likely would sought her out. Regrettably, Cerydra intercepted Esdeath first, forcing the Minister to find another collaborator within the military.
The choice naturally fell on the rising star, Najenda!
Honest granted her the highest rank he could bestow, placing Najenda just one step away from the rank of General. Combined with several recent victories, she was catapulted directly into that position.
With just a bit more military merit, Najenda could be promoted from General to Great General. Currently, Budo was the only Great General in the Empire.
"I understand," Najenda nodded slightly. "If I successfully crusade against the Northern Prince, Numa Seika, or even capture him alive, my promotion will be faster, correct?"
"Of course. As Minister, I guarantee this battle will become a vital stroke on your life's resume!"
Honest's gaze was serious, and his tone carried immense conviction. Whatever he felt internally, he at least appeared truthful on the surface.
"Understood. I shall lead the army out immediately."
Najenda despised Minister Honest, but she never let personal likes or dislikes dictate political matters. She hid her true thoughts while striking a deal with him.
Najenda had a dream: to completely transform the corrupt Empire and make it flourish once more!
She chose to start from within, hoping to change the Empire's internal state through her own words and actions. Such a path faced endless obstacles, but Najenda felt there was still hope.
For the past few months, Najenda led her troops in campaigns across the continent. While eliminating threats to the Empire, she was also building her reputation and expanding her influence.
With the Minister's recent assistance, Najenda felt fully capable of winning this war.
Even though the enemy was the Northern Prince—who held the title of Hero of the North—Najenda did not believe for a second that she would lose. After all, the Empire dominated the continent thanks to the ultimate weapons created by the First Emperor: the Teigu!
Najenda's Teigu, Pumpkin: Roman Artillery, was a firearm-type weapon that fired spiritual energy as shockwaves. When the user was in danger, Pumpkin's power increased significantly.
This led to a specific combat tactic: the user would intentionally place themselves in a dangerous situation to drastically boost the weapon's power and obliterate the enemy.
In a "nine chances of death, one chance of life" scenario—or even a certain-death situation—hardly anyone could withstand an attack from Pumpkin.
Numa Seika was strong, but no matter how powerful he was, he was still just a human. How could a human defeat a Teigu user?
'I am truly sorry. Though there is no enmity between us, I must change this country. You will have to be the sacrifice.'
Najenda knew there was darkness within the army, but she did not realize how deep it went. Since she was still young, she felt she could accomplish anything—even changing the future of the Empire.
The Minister, a veteran judge of character, naturally saw this and exploited it to form their cooperation.
"Oh! Looking at you, you seem very confident in your strength, General Najenda!"
Watching Najenda's expression—a mix of coldness, confidence, and apology—Honest found it exceptionally magnificent. He never expected someone to show such a complex face; it was truly interesting!
'If her hope shatters, what will she become?'
When this thought crossed Honest's mind, he immediately shook his head to cast it out.
Now was not the time for such thoughts. He and Najenda were still partners. If something happened to her, he would be the one to lose out in the end.
"Is that not a given?"
The complex expression vanished, replaced solely by confidence. This was her disguise within the palace: an arrogant female general.
"Even if the opponent is the Northern Prince, throughout the empire and north I, Najenda, am second to none!"
Honest narrowed his eyes and asked, "Would you lose?"
The corners of Najenda's mouth curved up.
"Nah, I'd win."