The demon monk in the second dimension

"Then why didn't you see Berkeley?"

"Because he did help me a lot. I also don't think armed uprising is the right thing to do."

The leader of the Anning Dao sect was very peaceful, and even when Xia Zhi said this, he did not show any negative emotions.

"Although Berkeley was greedy and lustful, he did not force his followers to do anything. Without him, the Tranquility Path would have been in much more trouble."

“The power of Anning Road is too great. In order to prevent anyone from making a fuss about it, I must impose some restrictions.”

Xia Zhi handed a small ball of her own flesh and blood to the leader of the Anning Dao sect.

Today, whatever he says or does, he must accept it and submit to the control of the Summer Solstice.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The leader of the Anning Dao sect did not resist and obediently ate the meatball that looked rather strange.

Soon, Xia Zhi felt a connection being established between herself and the leader of the Anning Dao Sect.

He nodded in satisfaction and let the other person leave.

"Go. You did a good job before, so don't disappoint me in the future."

……

Since bringing back the leader of the Anning Dao sect, Xia Zhi has noticed that Esdeath frequently appears around her.

When he inquired about the situation, Esdeath explained that Syra had dared to assassinate His Majesty, and that she needed to protect Xia Zhi until General Budo returned.

This infuriated Akame, Kurome, and Mine.

Isn't she implying that the three of them can't protect His Majesty well?

The four Rakshasa demons, who were also guards, remained silent. Some looked at the ceiling, some counted ants, and some studied the flowers.

They can't afford to offend either side!

On this day, Xia Zhi was reviewing memorials when Esdeath suddenly extended an invitation to him.

"Your Majesty, do you have time this afternoon? I would like to go hunting dangerous species with Your Majesty alone."

!!!

Upon hearing this, Akame, Kurome, and Mine all looked at Esdeath in shock.

Want His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire to risk your life hunting dangerous species with you?

What kind of thought process is this?!

Summer Solstice paused, looked up at Esdeath, and found it somewhat amusing.

"Could this be a date invitation from the general?"

Esdeath admitted it without any shame.

"That's right!"

The three with red eyes: (；￣Д￣)

Good heavens! Esdeath actually confessed her love to His Majesty!

Summer Solstice was surprised.

what's the situation?

He didn't even flirt with her!

Xia Zhi put down the memorial and said to Esdeath with some doubt.

"Didn't the general say before that he would refuse my request to serve him in bed? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"It was only recently that I realized His Majesty's charm because of the ministers' previous deception."

Esdeath looked somewhat regretful.

"If I had known His Majesty's true condition earlier, I would have killed Ernest first and taken His Majesty for myself!"

"Thank you for acknowledging my charm, General. I also like you very much, but it is only because of your good looks."

Xia Zhi smiled and continued reviewing the memorials.

As a diligent emperor, he had to review at least thirty or forty memorials every day, while also dealing with matters large and small, such as water conservancy, drought, economy, and war.

This feels quite novel!

"The empire is currently in dire need of rebuilding, and I have no time to deal with matters of the heart."

He said it very bluntly.

"Furthermore, General Esdeath, you, General Najenda, and General Bud, each of you holds your own position in the army. This was intentionally arranged by me to ensure that you check and balance each other. If General Esdeath becomes a royal consort or even an empress, then she will have to relinquish her military power."

Upon hearing such explosive news, the four Rakshasa demons were almost in tears.

Your Majesty, we want to live a few more years!

Could you please discuss this privately?

The four of them vanished in a flash, not daring to listen any further, for fear of hearing something they shouldn't have.

Esdeath saw that Xia Zhi hadn't directly refused, so there was hope!

"What I enjoy is the pleasure of conquering the enemy on the battlefield, not power. As long as I can go to war, I don't mind giving up military power in peacetime."

She stood before Xia Zhi, looking him directly into his eyes, making no attempt to conceal the possessiveness and desire to conquer in her icy blue eyes.

"Only if Your Majesty conquers me."

"Then forget it, I don't have the time."

Summer Solstice pushed Esdeath's face away from the memorial.

"Although the general is in his prime, my body seems to still have room for growth, and I'm afraid I'll have to keep the general waiting."

"It's only a few years, I can wait that long!"

Esdeath came up behind Xia Zhi and gently blew a breath into his ear.

This action can only be described as outrageous.

"These past few years have been perfect for dealing with all the foreign tribes and revolutionary armies, so I can focus on pursuing His Majesty."

Akame, Kurome, and Mine stared intently at Esdeath and Natsume.

Is this the kind of courage General Esdeath possesses?

That's incredibly bold!

At the same time, Mine also thought of herself and felt a little awkward.

To be honest, it's ridiculous to have a sniper as a bodyguard.

Xia Zhi keeping her by his side was clearly not just for protection.

Although his intention to stabilize the Western tribes was also a factor, being noticed and pursued by the empire's supreme ruler still made Mine very happy.

After Esdeath left satisfied, Xia Zhi suddenly sighed.

"His Majesty?"

Seeing Xia Zhi's furrowed brows, Chi Tong said in a low voice.

Is there anything amiss?

Xia Zhi gently shook her head and looked down at a certain part of herself.

"No. But am I already that old? Although I am supposed to continue the royal bloodline, isn't it a bit too early?"

Following Xia Zhi's gaze, all three of them saw a certain spot, their faces suddenly turning red, and they dared not speak.

Xia Zhi glanced at the three of them, knowing that good things often come with difficulties and that it wasn't the right time yet, so she continued to handle state affairs.

Meanwhile, Esdeath returned to her room and, unusually in high spirits, opened a bottle of wine.

She raised her glass to the summer solstice and downed the red wine in one gulp.

"Your Majesty, you will always be mine!"

Chapter 259 The Movements of the Revolutionary Army

On the other hand, the revolutionary army began to waver after the tax reduction order was issued on the summer solstice.

The minister who was the culprit died, and many officials and nobles who had committed numerous blood crimes were beheaded and imprisoned. Many civil officials with good reputations among the people were promoted.

People seem to have hope for life again.

If they weren't truly starving, who would want to rebel?

Previously, their revolutionary army had made contact with Western foreign tribes, who were willing to join them in overthrowing the empire.

Although some imperial territory had to be sacrificed, these places originally belonged to foreign peoples in the west and were occupied after being attacked by the empire.

Once everyone's lives improve, no one will care too much about the loss of territory.

But soon, word spread from the palace that the emperor wanted to marry a woman of mixed Western descent as his empress in order to improve relations with Western peoples.

In addition, the tragic scene of the northern ethnic minorities rebelling against the empire and being massacred for 400,000 people caused the other side to suddenly hesitate.

Similarly, the Anning Dao forces, which could have been won over, have recently been predicted by the cult leader to be prosperous, a world where everyone has food to eat and clothes to wear, which has reduced the rebellious sentiment of many people.

Their revolutionary army's strength has been weakened time and again, and now they really have little chance of winning!

"Most importantly, Najenda betrayed us!"

Within the revolutionary army, a high-ranking officer angrily denounced this act of treason.

"She was a high-ranking member of the revolutionary army before, and she knows far too much about us!"

But while some people dislike her, others are willing to speak up for her.

“Since Najenda has become an Imperial General again and we haven’t been captured, it proves that she didn’t betray us.”

Another high-ranking member of the revolutionary army glanced at the crowd and spoke.

"Najjistan was originally a general of the Empire. She betrayed the Empire because she had enough of its darkness, and even lost an arm and an eye in the process. Now that Najistan has chosen to return, she must believe that the Empire after the minister's death is worth saving!"

"But she also took Night Raid with her!"

The revolutionary army high command that spoke first was furious.

"Night Raid is an assassination squad whose members are all equipped with Imperial Arms. Our strength has been greatly reduced since we joined the Empire! What if Night Raid is used to assassinate us?!"

This is what he's really worried about.

"But do you really have a solution now?"

The revolutionary army leaders who supported Najendan shrugged.

"With the minister dead, and after the young emperor's new policies were promulgated, many of the officials who had been demoted to the border and had previously been in contact with us began to shirk their responsibilities."

"General Bude led his Imperial Guard on a tour of the region, and many corrupt prefects and city lords were arrested, drawing cheers from the people. The morale of the empire is being restored!"

"Therefore, the only solution now is to assassinate the young emperor!"

Another high-ranking revolutionary soldier narrowed his eyes and said with murderous intent.

"With the young emperor dead, the royal bloodline will be cut off, and the empire will be leaderless. Our chances will increase greatly."

"Are you crazy?"

The revolutionary army leaders who supported Najendan angrily denounced this.

"We created the revolutionary army for the people, not for our own wealth and glory!"

The revolutionary army high command, who had been angrily rebuked, slammed his fist on the table and roared back.

"I'm not doing this for wealth and glory! But if the revolution fails, we're doomed! Do you think the young emperor will let us revolutionaries go? Once the empire is completely stable, the first thing he'll do is kill us!"

The high-ranking members of the revolutionary army who supported Najendan sat down, looking dejected.

"If the assassination of the young emperor fails, then we will truly have no way out!"

The person next to him patted him on the shoulder and sighed.

"Let's abandon any wishful thinking. We've killed so many imperial officials; we had no way out to begin with."

After some discussion, they finally decided to send Chelsea to infiltrate the palace and assassinate the young emperor.