Madam, I like you.

　"Varied···!"

　By the time Bruce discovered the abnormality, it was too late. His neck was entangled by the shadow and even breathing became difficult. The shadow controlled his body and took out the self-destruct device in his arms, threw the imperial weapon fuel barrel behind him into the sky, and pressed the button.

　The Night Raid members had been prepared and left the arena immediately after the fuel barrel was thrown out, either to escape or to protect the spectators still inside the Imperial Arena.

　"Can't K, who made this plan, consider us normal people?!" Chelsea complained as she was carried away by Princess Hill.

　Hill chuckled and said, "Don't worry, you've got my protection."

　A circle of light lit up above the Imperial Arena, like thunder at night, briefly catching people's sight.

　The light suddenly lit up and then suddenly disappeared, and then exploded. The light source spread, seemingly slowly, but in the blink of an eye it affected the entire Imperial Arena.

　Boom—Boom—

　The earth trembled, and people's vision was completely taken away by the dazzling light, as if they were looking directly at the sun at close range. The high temperature and scorching light drowned everything. The soil of the duel arena was baked black by the high temperature, cracked, and then torn apart by the shock wave of the explosion.

　The audience who stayed could only watch in despair as their bodies were melted by the high temperature, while a few lucky ones were protected by the night attack.

　"Look!"

　"Inside the Imperial Arena!"

　“That was… an explosion!?”

　Outside, people stared in amazement as a huge mushroom cloud rose from the Imperial Arena. The powerful shock wave shattered the Imperial Arena and blew people's bodies away. Fortunately, there was a grassy area nearby. The Imperial Arena had a building thickness comparable to that of a city wall, and there was enough space inside to barely block the explosion.

　The lingering smoke was curling up, and the area outside the Imperial Arena was in a mess after the explosion. The explosion did not spread to the outside of the Imperial Arena, but that didn't mean the area was unscathed. A small number of collapsed buildings injured people, and there were already some people at the exit, and they were affected by the explosion, so quite a few people were injured.

　"What on earth... happened in the Imperial Arena?"

　"Such an explosion! How many casualties will there be!"

　"You don't have to worry about that. All the spectators inside have been evacuated with the help of Night Raid."

　"Night raid? The same night raid that was supposed to kill General Esdeath. Weren't they responsible for this attack?"

　"That... I don't know either."

　"What are you still talking about? Go and save the injured!"

　The chaos lasted for a short while, and people were surprised to find that some people were leaving the Imperial Arena through the exit. Logically speaking, with the power of the explosion, it was impossible for anyone inside the Imperial Arena to survive.

　"Hey, what's going on in there?"

　The injured man trembled and replied, "I don't know... I don't know... uh... night... it was the night attack that protected us."

　"What did you say?"

　"Are you telling the truth?"

　"My mind is in a mess. I have no idea what happened. I'm lucky to have escaped given the situation just now. Fortunately, I didn't stay in there any longer."

　"Is Lady Esdeath alright? What's the situation inside?"

　"I don't know. Before the explosion, I could only see Lady Esdeath, Night Raid, and the three weirdos who broke into the duel arena fighting."

　"Don't ask any questions, let the injured rest!"

　More and more audiences came out.

　sizzle-

　1

　A sharp sound was heard from the huge loudspeakers installed inside and outside the Imperial Arena. They were originally used to announce the battle situation in the Imperial Arena. For example, during a martial arts competition, Will's voice as the host and the announcement of the battle results would be transmitted to the outside through these loudspeakers.

　When people were puzzled, a deep male voice came from the loudspeaker.

　"People of the imperial capital, there is no need to panic."

　"All spectators who came to watch this martial arts competition have been rescued, and the assassin who attacked General Esdeath has also been dealt with."

　"People, fear us, follow us, our name is Night Raid."

　The people of the imperial capital who heard the sound were stunned and shouted angrily.

　"Night Raid!? Isn't that the organization that assassinated Lady Esdeath?"

　"You still have the nerve to speak?"

　"Wait, wait, don't forget that the night raid saved us. Maybe there's something going on here."

　The speaker continued to emit sound.

　"We, the Night Raid, are companions to all unarmed people. Whether they are citizens of the Imperial Capital or outsiders, this is our motto. However, a while ago, a group of assassins used our name to assassinate their master's political enemies and pinned the blame on the Night Raid."

　"Killing innocent people, so we just gave them sanctions during the night raid, not only human beings, but also

　A week ago, we also killed the extremely dangerous Ouroboros that plagued Domran City."

　"Captain Oja of the Imperial Guard accepted bribes and framed innocent people. We cannot sit idly by and watch such illegal activities, so we have also punished him."

　"We don't oppose the Empire, but we cannot tolerate the corruption that power breeds. It's nothing more than the so-called one-sided slaughter of the inferior by the superior."

　"When the powerful bully the weak, we will appear again!"

　"No matter how powerful or influential that enemy may be, he's like Minister Ernest! The source of corruption in the Imperial Capital! The main target of our night raid!"

　"Those who have power, fear us! Those who have no power, follow us!"

　"The Empire will be judged by our night raid!"

　Author's message:

　More updates!

　23333333, it doesn't feel out of place to use the lines from Code Geass here.

　As an animation produced more than ten years ago, the term "Chuunibyou" was not popular at that time, although I do feel that it is a bit Chuunibyou.

　The word "Chuunibyou" became popular after "Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions". I remember that I rarely saw the word "Chuunibyou" before this animation.

　After that, the word "Chuunibyou" became widespread and was used casually, which led to me not liking the word itself anymore.

　Cultivation novel? So cheesy.

　Fantasy?

　Fantasy?

　Almost all fantasy themes can be labeled as "zhong ni".

　But what I want to say is that Lelouch's declaration is indeed suitable for the middle school students, and Akatsuki Slash is also quite suitable.

　Chapter 238 The Beginning of Turmoil

　Inside the Imperial Arena, the scene was in shambles after the explosion, which was as powerful as a miniature nuclear bomb. However, the actual damage was not that great, because the fuel tank of the Imperial Weapon [Purgatory Invocation - Rubigand] was detonated after being thrown into the sky. The damage was mainly caused by the shock wave and high temperature caused by the explosion.

　After the explosion, the ruins of the duel arena were quickly covered with a layer of frost, extinguishing the flames and covering up the traces of the explosion.

　The four hunters were all protected by the ice wall created by Esdeath.

　The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder. Esdeath picked up her military cap, which had been blown off the ground by the shockwave, and put it on. She turned her head and looked up at Mo Yankong, who was sitting on the palace. With her right hand on her waist, she calmly asked, "Do you want to continue?"

　clap clap-

　Mo Yankong stood up, clapped his hands, and praised with a smile: "Great, this performance ends here."

　The spectators in the Imperial Arena who were protected by the night attack were terrified and tried to escape in a hurry. God knew what would happen if the fighting continued.

　In the ruined auditorium, Leone stared at Esdeath in the center of the duel arena, ready to make a move. His pupils shrank, his hair stood up, and murderous aura emanated from his body.

　"Stop." Chelsea, beside her, held Leone's shoulder and, looking down at Esdeath, whispered, "The mission is over. If we continue to attack Esdeath, our plan will fail. People will think we're the assassin organization that's targeting the Conscience Faction."

　Leone twitched the corner of his mouth. "I know, but I can't bear to miss such a good opportunity. If we attack together now, we might be able to get rid of Esdeath."

　Chelsea looked at Leone and said meaningfully, "Leone is the same."

　Leone was confused: "What?"

　Chelsea fixed her gaze on Mo Yankong above the palace and whispered, "I didn't consider Mr. K to be a partner of Night Raid. In fact, Night Raid doesn't need to take action. As long as he has the intention, it won't be difficult to deal with Esdeath."

　"..."

　Leone remained silent, not denying Chelsea's statement. Even though Mo Yankong had helped Ye Xiu a lot thus far, her animal instincts still held him in a fear like a natural enemy.

　"Let's go."

　The Night Raid members looked at each other, turned around and left the Imperial Arena.

　-

　The Imperial Arena incident ended, and the imperial capital was in an uproar. In the following days, the topic quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys. The most popular topic was the "Night Raid Declaration", the content of which was a blatant challenge to the authority of the empire.

　Compared to before the martial arts competition, the reputation of the night attack was much better. The "Night Attack Declaration" sounded very arrogant but not unacceptable.

　The bottom line is that Night Raid "whitewashed" himself in this operation, and the assassination of the conscientious official was completely blamed on the Three Beast Warriors. Some soldiers also recognized that the Three Beast Warriors were Esdeath's subordinates. Esdeath did not come forward to explain, and because Esdeath had fought with the Three Beast Warriors, the blame could not be put on her.

　On the other hand, Night Raid's performance in this martial arts competition was talked about a lot. He protected a large number of spectators, stopped the three beast warriors from continuing to attack Esdeath, distanced himself from the person who impersonated Night Raid, and played the role of a hero.

　All the blame was put on Minister Ernest, a person who should have had nothing to do with the martial arts competition, along with the "Night Raid Declaration".

　Minister Ernest was already a powerful official, hated by both the people and the court. He was disliked by both the people of the imperial capital and the officials in the court, and many privately considered him the cause of the empire's decline.

　The people of the imperial capital discovered that the officials who were assassinated in the fake night raid were basically inseparable from Minister Ernest. They had either openly opposed him, stood on his political opposite side, or risked their lives to make a plea to the emperor.

　The remonstration was stopped by Minister Ernest.

　After all the talk, Minister Ernest was firmly blamed.

　Previously, the imperial capital decided to impose a curfew, forcing residents to stop all activities after nine o'clock. At that time, people vaguely sensed an air of unease. After the "Night Raid Declaration" incident, the imperial capital was finally plunged into chaos.

　Most of the residents of the imperial capital were happy about this, believing that someone had finally cleaned up the corruption and dark side of the imperial capital. No matter what happened in the future, it would be better than the current devil's den.

　Some residents of the Imperial Capital were extremely worried that a night raid, a blatant defiance of the Empire, would cause even greater chaos. For example, followers would appear, causing the law to lose credibility and eventually spreading the war to the Imperial Capital.

　Some people were also glad that the night attack was based on justice. The night attack showed that it was powerful enough to compete with the strongest general of the empire. If they had helped the evil, the imperial capital would have fallen completely into the hands of Minister Ernest.

　Regardless of one's stance, the center of the empire, the imperial capital with a thousand-year history, is indeed changing. The evil ones are deterred, and power corruption dares not be as blatant as before.

　-

　Imperial Palace

　Minister Ernest swept the food off the table and slammed his hands on the table, furious.

　"Ahhh!"

　"Damn it! Those stinking ditch rats! How dare they set their sights on me! What ungrateful termites! I've sacrificed so much for the empire! Why doesn't anyone know?"

　"Hoo-hoo-hoo" Minister Ernest gasped.

　Esdeath, who was sitting not far away, kindly reminded him, "Minister, it's time to take your medicine, or you might die suddenly from high blood pressure."

　Minister Ernest took out a bottle of medicine from his arms, poured a few pills into his mouth, and swallowed them with red wine.

　After taking the medicine, he looked much calmer. He asked in a deep voice, "Esdeath, is the enemy really as powerful as you said? Does it require you and General Bud to join forces to defeat him?"

　Esdeath snorted softly, "At least we can be sure that the enemy is not human. There is no known means to kill that man."

　“There’s nothing I can do…”

　Minister Ernest sat down, his eyes fierce. "Esdeath, I agree with your proposal to have your subordinates research the Supreme Imperial Artifact. I need results. I want all those rats who dare to slander me and offend my dignity to be sent to the torture chamber and sentenced to death!"

　"Of course, this is the result I want." Esdeath raised a faint smile, stood up and left the palace.

　Yes, this is what Esdeath wanted. She proposed to assassinate the minister's political enemies and cooperated with the night attack to complete this performance, all in order to put pressure on Minister Ernest to hand over the Supreme Imperial Weapon in his hand.

　Of course, Esdeath didn't know what means Night Raid would use to fight back. The only thing that could be confirmed was that in the previous reincarnations, all the endings achieved were almost similar results.

　The Supreme Imperial Equipment, the prototype of all Imperial Equipment. If Esdeath could use the power of this Imperial Equipment, she would be confident that she could kill Mo Yankong.

　"There's still one necessary condition missing... But there's no need to rush. Give Dr. Fashion some time."

　Chapter 239 Letter

　"General Bud, is the Imperial Capital all right? It's been over a month since I left the Imperial Capital. I've experienced many complicated and bizarre things. Some time ago, that man took me to the Imperial Capital assassin organization, Night Raid. I joined Night Raid and lived there for a while, witnessing all sorts of things happening in the Imperial Capital. The Imperial Capital is far from being as peaceful and stable as I thought it was. I gradually realized the lies the minister had told me before..."

　-

　If my parents were still alive, what would they think of the Empire as it stands now? They'd surely think I'd failed them, and I couldn't forgive myself for that. While the darkness of the Imperial Capital was shocking, now that I've joined the Revolutionary Army, I truly understand what the Empire and its people want.

　While the Revolutionary Army's leadership is considered a rebellion, the very formation of the Revolutionary Army itself speaks volumes. Now, I'm following the Revolutionary Army to Dragon City in the southeast. It's said that centuries ago, it was a city as prosperous as the Imperial Capital, and even now, I can sense that from its magnificent architecture. But there are no people anywhere, and the city feels dead and lifeless...

　-

　I realized the extent of my own foolishness. Holding a high position, I failed to fulfill my duties as emperor, and the result is the empire's current decline. At the revolutionary base, I read a great deal about the corruption of power, the outbreak of famine, frequent wars, the rampant spread of dangerous species, and the threats posed to the people of the empire... However, all this, under the centralized system of the empire, has led to an imbalance of power, and the capital has become disconnected from other cities. I gradually began to wonder: Is this centralized monarchy really a good system? Can the empire truly survive?