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[391] Meeting
🕑 Added 2024-12-22 16:00:07 +0000 UTCNight Raid's new base bustled with tense activity as everyone gathered for an urgent meeting. Sitting at the head of the table, Najenda wore a grave expression, her worry mirrored in the faces of those around her.
The cause of their unease? A seismic shift in the empire. A week ago, the Prime Minister had been executed, the young emperor had abdicated, and Esdeath had ascended to the throne as the new empress. This shocking news had spread like wildfire across the world.
Many, however, suspected a trap. If the Prime Minister had been so easily defeated, he wouldn’t have ruled the capital unchecked for so many years. To most, this appeared to be yet another imperial scheme—a calculated ploy to lull their enemies into a false sense of opportunity amidst supposed chaos.
But the reality was far more brutal. The capital had undergone an unprecedented purge.
Esdeath wasted no time consolidating power, executing every single loyalist of the fallen Prime Minister. Day after day, blood flowed in the streets as countless nobles—those who had thrived under the old regime’s corruption—were hunted down and eradicated.
Esdeath’s iron-fisted policies left no room for negotiation. Her commands were absolute: obey, or die. Unlike the manipulative Prime Minister, she managed the empire as she led her armies—with merciless precision. This approach was a harsh cure for a diseased regime but one doomed to fail in the long term.
To August, however, the empire’s future was irrelevant. To him, the clock was already ticking toward this world’s inevitable collapse. The thousand-year-old empire was nothing more than a toy in his eyes, and no matter what Esdeath did, its ultimate fate was destruction.
“Everyone,” Najenda began, breaking the silence, “the empire has changed hands overnight. Esdeath’s reign has brought forth sweeping iron-blood policies. What’s our next move?”
“Boss, I don’t see the problem,” said Leone with a shrug. “Look, all those corrupt officials who sided with the Prime Minister are gone now. Doesn’t that mean the empire will finally be peaceful?”
“It’s not that simple,” Najenda replied, her brow furrowed. “While Esdeath’s policies may rid the empire of corruption, her centralized rule will inevitably give rise to something far worse.”
Najenda’s concern was palpable. Esdeath, after all, was a war fanatic. Entrusting her with an entire nation would only transform it into a war machine, its people doomed to endless conflict. A country isn’t just an army. It requires governance over countless aspects—politics, economy, society, science, education, culture, and resources. Neglecting even one could spell disaster.
“So, what’s the plan, Boss?” Leone asked, exhaling in frustration. She wasn’t one for strategy—action was her forte.
“The Revolutionary Army’s headquarters is planning a full-scale uprising,” Najenda explained.
“An uprising? Seriously?” Mine blurted out in disbelief. “The empire still has monsters like August and Esdeath in its ranks!”
“But the Prime Minister’s death has left the empire weakened,” Najenda countered. “The headquarters believes this is our chance.”
“That ‘monster’ is unbeatable!” Leone protested, her face paling at the memory of their last encounter.
They had been utterly crushed. Even with their combined strength as Teigu wielders, they hadn’t been able to land a single meaningful blow on August. He had stormed the imperial palace alone, effortlessly eliminating the Prime Minister and installing Esdeath as the new ruler. To challenge such a force was sheer lunacy.
“I’ve tried to dissuade them,” Najenda admitted, her voice heavy with resignation. “But they refuse to listen. Moreover…”
“Moreover what, Boss?” Mine pressed, her unease growing.
Najenda hesitated before delivering the bombshell. “They plan to ally with the foreign tribes—the northern, western, and southern factions—to form a united front against the empire.”
The room erupted into chaos. The idea of collaborating with their age-old enemies, the foreign tribes, was unthinkable.
“The Revolutionary Army’s goal is to liberate the people suffering under the empire’s tyranny,” Mine said angrily. “Joining forces with the tribes is just inviting disaster! Even if we overthrow the empire, the tribes will turn on us.”
“They’ve lost their minds!” Leone exclaimed.
Even those who didn’t speak wore grim expressions. Among them was Bulat, a former imperial soldier turned assassin for Night Raid. He had joined the Revolutionary Army out of a sense of justice—to save the innocent and free the oppressed. Now, he felt betrayed. The ‘justice’ he had fought for seemed no different from the empire’s corruption, merely disguised in a prettier package.
“I understand your frustration,” Najenda said, her voice soft but steady. “I feel the same. But these are headquarters’ orders. They want us to support the alliance from within the capital.”
“I can’t,” Bulat declared. “Even if we defeat the empire, the tribes will pillage and slaughter indiscriminately.”
“Same here,” Leone agreed. “Teaming up with the tribes is suicidal.”
The others nodded, voicing their dissent one by one.
To Najenda’s surprise, their opposition brought a faint smile to her lips. Though her comrades operated in the shadows, their hearts remained unyieldingly righteous.
“Well, well, what an interesting discussion,” a chillingly familiar voice interrupted.
Every member of Night Raid froze. The voice sent shivers down their spines—it belonged to the one person they feared most.
August.
Akame, Leone, Mine, Sheele, Bulat, and Lubbock turned pale, their faces reflecting sheer terror. That voice had haunted their nightmares.
And now, he was here.
Comments
jose torres
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