"I didn't expect to catch such a big fish this time. Well done, Alptraum!"
"It is all thanks to Lady Imperator. If I hadn't become a Chrysos Heir, it would have been impossible to survive this battle."
A voice, both familiar and strange, echoed in her ears. Najenda slowly opened her weary eyes and lifted her head to look at the figure upon the throne.
Though she was merely a petite girl, the pressure radiating from her was not the least bit inferior to that of Esdeath standing beside her.
It seems this time, I'm truly in for it...
Najenda could only manage a bitter smile in her heart. She had originally intended to lead an army of three hundred thousand to carry out a Decapitation Strike directly against the Northern Country, but she had suddenly encountered an undefeatable enemy...
That girl named Esdeath!
Despite being so young, she was able to withstand the Shockwave of Pumpkin and annihilate an army of three hundred thousand. It seems the Minister and I both made a severe misjudgment regarding the Northern Country!
No, perhaps it wasn't a misjudgment?
Except for Najenda and Lubbock, the Imperial Army that had come to the North had been completely wiped out by Esdeath; not a single survivor was left.
And the only reason she and Lubbock were able to live was likely because the opponent required intelligence on The Empire?
During these days of captivity, Najenda had been constantly pondering one question: she had clearly made thorough preparations and gathered intelligence on the Northern Country, yet she still failed to foresee this situation or know that such a powerhouse existed in the North.
Was the information suppressed?
But who could accomplish such a feat?
When this question surfaced in her mind, Najenda subconsciously raised her head, her eyes widening as she looked at the girl on the throne.
It seemed that besides the person in front of her, it was impossible for anyone else to have done it?
At the thought of this, cold sweat trickled down Najenda's forehead.
The enemy is in the shadows, while I am in the light.
The reason Najenda's army was annihilated was that the enemy was strong while she was weak, and the opponent's methods were extremely sophisticated, revealing absolutely no useful intelligence before the battle began.
The Empire is in real trouble now. Fighting an enemy who is both incredibly powerful and possessed of such a tactical mind is truly a terrifying prospect!
"If my intelligence is correct, you are the newly promoted General of The Empire, Najenda?"
The petite figure on the throne had looked over at some point. After a brief observation, she shifted her gaze to Najenda's side, where a green-haired casualty had been carried out by the Castle soldiers.
"As for the one next to you, he's the one who joined the army because of a crush on you... Lubbock?"
Because Najenda had only recently been promoted to General, her fame within The Empire was quite high. As long as one investigated diligently, it was easy to uncover her information.
The reason Cerydra chose to do this was simply because Najenda was too stubborn and refused to confess anything.
Of course, this was also under Cerydra's instructions. She did not intend to let Esdeath handle the interrogation; after all, while Esdeath was usually decent, she ceased to be human during an interrogation.
"Who are you? What exactly do you plan to do?"
Najenda did not know who the person before her was, but seeing that Esdeath—who had easily defeated her—was completely submissive at her side, she could guess that Cerydra's identity was far from simple.
But even so, Najenda would never yield to the enemy.
"Oh? Instead of being thrown into a panic by your current situation, you've started questioning me? And during the previous interrogation, you didn't seem willing to say a single word..."
Cerydra lightly tapped the palm of her hand with the gemstone on her Scepter, carefully observing the prisoner named Najenda from head to toe.
Though her clothes were filthy, the light in her eyes could not be hidden; her body radiated a brilliant golden spirit.
"Not bad. I quite admire you!"
Cerydra nodded with satisfaction, an attitude that left Najenda momentarily at a loss.
She had thought that after this period of interrogation, the opponent would use even more cruel methods against her, but who could have expected them to open with "admiring her"?
What was this supposed to be?
Wait!
A certain possibility gradually flashed through her mind, and Najenda's eyes widened in surprise.
As an all-around talent who was strong in every aspect, the fact that Najenda could become the Boss of the assassination organization Night Raid in Akame ga Kill! proved she possessed an excellent mind.
Therefore, she immediately understood the thoughts of this shorty in front of her...
"You want to recruit me?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Cerydra did not hide her intentions. "Though Alptraum and Dux Gladiorum are strong, they are ultimately only two people... I need more talent to achieve my goals!"
"..."
Najenda fell silent for a moment. The scene of Esdeath easily killing three hundred thousand people surfaced in her mind, and the expression on her face gradually turned grim.
"Just what is your goal?"
Thud!
"Aah—!"
The moment Najenda asked, Cerydra's Scepter struck her head without hesitation, sending Najenda to the ground clutching her head, with bright red blood even trickling down her forehead.
"Have you misunderstood something?"
Cerydra tilted her head, her expression carrying a hint of coldness.
"Is it because my attitude toward you was too merciful that you feel I wouldn't kill you?"
"Fix your attitude. Since you are a captive, act like a captive!"
Although Cerydra had not yet become a monarch in the public eye, her majesty still brooked no offense from anyone, especially not from Najenda who had just become a prisoner.
Cerydra had already given Najenda one chance; when she was questioned the first time, she had not used any means to punish her.
But when Najenda asked a second time, Cerydra would no longer show any mercy. How could the Majesty of the King be offended time and again?
A defeated general—how can they speak of valor?
Furthermore, this Najenda, despite being tied with ropes and kneeling on the ground, was still taller than Cerydra... this point made Cerydra quite unhappy, which was why she used physical means to mete out punishment.
Though her forehead was bleeding, it was certainly better than being drawn and quartered, wasn't it?
This was only because the other party had a decent character and was on the side of the original protagonists that the punishment was so light.
"...I understand."
After this punishment, Najenda clearly became much more rational and no longer questioned her directly as she had before.
Moreover, she discovered that although this little girl was petite and had made no forceful movements just now, a mere casual strike could leave such an unspeakable pain in her head.
Is she also an Imperial Arms User?
That's impossible!
Even someone who has practiced Martial Arts diligently could not be this strong, let alone the young girl before her. Where would she find the time to practice?
Najenda couldn't figure it out, but for now, the only thing she could do was temporarily agree.
"Very good!"
As long as Najenda was sensible and didn't deliberately oppose her openly, Cerydra naturally wouldn't make things too difficult for her.
After all, now that a show of authority had been established, it was time for Cerydra to offer a carrot...
"Since you understand your current situation, then I can tell you my goal..."
Cerydra gave a slight smile, and the expression on her face immediately became wild.
"World Conquest, of course!"
★ ★ ★